Why Didn't the Chicken Cross the Road?

There was a chicken on the road ahead of me this morning.  It’s a pretty regular occurrence here, as they are everywhere. 

Mama chickens, roosters (who, Kellogg’s commercials notwithstanding, do not limit their crowing to dawn!), little baby chicks… it’s a rare road where there isn’t at least one form of poultry or another attempting to cross. 

The chicken this morning wasn’t crossing, but was running in the middle of the road.  I slowed down, waiting for it to run to the side.  Instead, it added a Barry Sanders weaving movement, but kept on going down the middle. 

I silently pleaded with it to notice the safe, obstruction-free side of the road.  Instead, it kept glancing back, its weaving becoming more frantic and more frantic as I slowly crept behind it.

Chickens aren’t smart.  Trust me, I worked in poultry for nearly 10 years, and they’re pretty dumb.  But, as I watched that chicken this morning, I had to admit, I often look like that. 

There is something big and destructive coming up behind me.  Perhaps it’s a temptation, a situation, a person.  Perhaps it’s a recurring doubt or fear.  Whatever it is, it’s on its way.  Unlike my car, however, it usually doesn’t slow down!  Instead, it comes right for me. 

My first mistake, of course, is being in a place where danger lurks.  There is no real reason for a chicken to be in the center of the road.  There’s no food there, and pitted dirt roads aren’t any smoother in the middle.  But, there it was. 

I, too, seem drawn to places/circumstances where I shouldn’t be.  I know a certain situation has caused me to stumble in the past.   But, since for now the coast seems clear, I head on back.

All is well, until I hear the rumble behind me.  Glancing back, the sin/temptation/stumbling block is right behind me.  Quick, take evasive action! 

But, my panicked heart and head cannot think straight, and so I start to run.  When that’s not enough, I add my ‘special moves’, trying in vain to pull myself out of a situation quickly getting out of my control.

And, all the while, safety is just a few steps away.  The chicken got so panicked that all it could do is run forward.  This is me, too.  I get so caught up in flight-mode that I cannot see a way out.  I panic, straining to outrun whatever is coming behind me. 

My car would have killed the chicken if I hadn’t slowed way down.  Unfortunately, sin and temptation are not the slightest bit worried about casualties.  Or, rather, they are. 

And, so, we need to plan ahead.  Stay out of those places we know are problems.  When we find ourselves in one despite our best efforts, we need to fight our self-focused panic, and call for help. 

It can be difficult when our breath is ragged from panting as we attempt to escape on our own.  But, until we do, we’re like that chicken.  No matter how hard it tried, it was never going to outrun me in its own strength and scrawny legs. 

We, too, haven’t got the power in ourselves.  But, Our loving Father has promised that even when temptations come, if we call on Him, He will provide a way out. 

I pray that the next time I am in a situation when temptation is chasing me, I will remember that chicken, futilely bobbing and weaving, wearing itself out when safety was so close. 

I pray I will choose to stay off those roads that are filled with danger, and instead seek to stay in the center of God’s will, where no matter the twists and turns, I am truly safe.

Cowards & Courage

Yesterday I started a book called What Is God Really Like?  It is a collection of characteristics of God written by a variety of pastors.  The first was by Frances Chan, called God is Strong.  In it Chan points out that we often don’t talk about the strength of God.  If we did, he says, we’d be stronger, more courageous. 

He quotes Revelation 21:8, where God reveals those who will not be saved.  “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Whoa, wait a second.  The first people to be judged are… cowards?  Well, that’s probably not what John meant.  I mean, that seems pretty harsh, doesn’t it? 

After all, what’s so bad about being a coward?  Killing, being vile, engaging in sexual immorality and witchcraft, all of those seem a whole lot worse than being scared. 

Hmm... If I believe, if I truly believe that God is who He says He is, that nothing (nothing!) can separate me from His love, then what am I possibly afraid of?  When I cower and refuse to step out, what I’m really doing is saying that I don’t believe that in Christ I am redeemed, that I don't trust my future is secure.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).  This verse gets used a lot to help encourage believers.  It’s a beautiful verse, filled with hope and assurance. 

It’s more than just a pep-talk, however.  Like Jesus’ words about loving one another, God doesn’t suggest or advise us to be strong and courageous, He commands it. 

But, Father, I’d be strong and courageous if only

...I spoke Spanish better

...I wasn’t so shy

...You guaranteed I wouldn’t be rejected

...I wasn’t so tired

...I felt like it

Revelation was written during a time when believers were suffering severe persecution.  Today there are believers, too, who face hardships, prison, torture, and yes, death, for having the courage to claim Jesus Christ as Lord.  This reality brings me to my knees begging forgiveness for my sorry excuses.

The fact is, if I wait around until I feel courageous enough to go out into the world and share the Gospel, I’ll never leave my house.  Like the command to love, however, God doesn’t give us the luxury of waiting around until we’re “feeling it”.  Instead, we are to be strong, to be courageous.  Period. 

Our courage and strength, like our love, are only possible because God is God.  We step out in the faith He has given us.  We step out in the assurance that no matter what happens here, our future is secure through the blood of Jesus.  We step out filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. 

So, today, I choose courage.  Not because I’m feeling particularly bold, or inspired.  Not because I woke up wanting to stick my neck out.  No, I am choosing courage because God commanded it.  Why do I always argue and need more motivation than that?

And, because He is who He is, I can be assured that as I obey His good and perfect commands, I will find that I am, in fact, more courageous.  As I step out, putting feet to my faith, I know He will meet me, He will sustain me. 

Father, forgive me for being a coward.  For saying with my mouth that I believe, but living a timid, weak life that makes a lie of my words.  Renew in me Your strength, Your courage.  I cannot do it on my own.  Thank you that I do not have to. 

Un Chin from Home

This week a team from my home church in Harrisonburg, Virginia is here.  It’s so fun to be able to share un chin chin (a little bit) of my life and ministry.  Along with themselves, which is awesome, they each brought a second suitcase full of donations.  What a blessing!  And, a few special gifts just for me. :O)

My ‘Holiday parents’ are part of the team, and it’s been extra special to have Betty serving with me in El Callejon.  On the one hand, it’s pretty surreal to have her here, in the DR, sitting around our tables at the Social Work site.  On the other hand, it feels natural and easy and right. 

I’ve always loved having people I love meet other people I love, so having Daisy and Betty meet… well, it’s been more than amazing.  It’s also been fun having the rest of the First Pres team meeting our wonderful staff and sharing their love for Jesus in various ministry sites. 

So many have been so supportive of my call to serve here, through prayer, financial support, notes/cards/emails of encouragement, and so I’m thrilled to be able to have some of them put faces and sights (and smells – both yummy and icky!) to the things I’ve shared with them. 

Here are a few pictures of what’s been going on this week:

Some of our team arriving at the Santiago airport
(and no, Joe isn't under arrest!)

 

Shopping in town for larimar (a gorgeous blue stone only
mined in the Dominican Republic)

A Dominican cooking lesson with Anni (in the middle)
She commented on how tall everyone was!

 

Enjoying a time of praise and worship with the Adult Women
with our new projector and speakers!  Dios es bueno!!

Betty helping the Chiquitas (Little Girls)
with a cute Christmas frame.

 

Amelie (pronounced almost like Emily) and Betty

 

Preparing Arepa

Saturdays have become 'Hiking Day' and yesterday was no exception.  Carlos and I headed out with friends from our English class.  Isa came – and hiked in flip flops once again.  His mom, Margot, came, too.

This time we went up a mountain, around the top of it, and then down the other side.  We stopped when the road we were on ran into a place where two rivers met.  “Road” meaning a rocky, pitted, muddy path I cannot imagine any four-wheeled vehicle using!  But, this time we didn't need a machete, which was great, as Ramon wasn't able to come.

We sat down to eat our breakfast.  This was at 9:30, and we’d started at 7am, so we were hungry!  Breakfast was arepa (the polenta-like Dominican food I’ve written about before) spread with peanut butter.  It was so good – and so, so filling! 

Taking a turn stirring the arepa

Margot made the arepa the day before, and invited me to come and see how it was made.  If you know my love for food and cooking, you’ll know I loved it! 



Arepa is made with fresh coconut, cornmeal, evaporated milk, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and sugar.  She also added fresh grated ginger, which made me happy as I love that fresh flavor with a bit of a kick!

The whole mixture is stirred and brought to a boil on the fire out back.  I took a turn at stirring, but couldn’t do it fast enough and it started clumping and burning.  Carlos took a turn, and was a much better stirrer.  And, of course, Margot made the whole process look easy! 

Margot adding twigs (with Isa)

After the arepa thickened, it was poured into another pan, with a large piece of metal (the size of an over door!) on top for a lid.  Twigs and pieces of dried banana leaves went on top and underneath to cook it through.  And wow, did it smell amazing!

From start to finish, it took around 2 hours to make the arepa.  It also meant using a blender, bowl, two pans, several spoons, and a whisk. 

Carlos, Margot & Isa at the top of the mountain

You know, we could have just taken along some store-bought crackers.  It would have been far faster and easier.  Of course, it wouldn’t have filled us up nearly as well... or been so tasty!  We burned a lot of calories, and that dense, delicious food kept us going. 

Enjoying our breakfast

In arepa, and in life, preparation takes time.  I have to admit, I don’t always like it.  It can be messy, tiring, and yes, time-consuming to prepare.  Why not just skip it and settle for dry crackers, for ‘good enough’?  After all, there’s a big mountain to be hiked.  There’s important work to get to.  Preparation seems to keep me from doing the ‘real’ stuff. 

In our lives, too, it’s tempting to skip the preparation to get onto the hike, onto the work at hand.  Especially as Christ-followers, we feel an urgency to get out there and make an impact. 

The trouble is, we’ve got it backwards.  The work is terribly important… and that should make us terribly eager to be as prepared as possible. 

Yesterday we completed our hike (after 5 ½ hours!) with empty water bottles, sore feet and sunburned necks.  Next time, I’ll bring even more water, and some sun screen.  And, I’ll wear better shoes! 

That’s how preparation works in other parts of our lives is, too.  It is a continuing process. 

In the Holy Spirit’s power, we do our best to prepare ourselves, and then we step out in faith.  As we go, we get hot and tired, we face new challenges.  This means replenishing ourselves with the food of God's Word, refreshing ourselves in Living Water.  That enables us to stretch even further than before. 

Sharing 'dessert' - Hershey's Dark Kisses

I’m so thankful God is involved in all parts of our lives.  I’m so thankful He invites us to prepare… and keep preparing.  And, I’m really thankful for the beauty of mountains, the taste of arepa, and time with people I’ve come to care about so much!

The Heebie-Jeebies

I walked into the Site this morning and noticed a black swarming blob on the floor.  Walking over, I discovered a dead frog covered in tiny ants.  It gave me the heebie-jeebies, but it had to be cleaned up. 

(Fun fact, Microsoft Word allows heebie-jeebies, but the singular, heebie-jeebie, gets the red squiggly line.) 

I lined our little dustpan with Chlorox wipes and then put more on the handheld broom.  It worked pretty well… minus the ants that crawled up onto my arms! 

Deep breath and on to other things.  On Wednesday mornings we don’t have a group scheduled, and Daisy is in another community, so I like to take time to clean up, organize, etc.  Since El Callejon has dirt roads, there’s plenty to sweep! 

I grabbed our broom and went to work.  I closed the front door to sweep behind… and found three more of the swarms.  Yep, three more dead frogs.  Cue more heebie-jeebies, and more Chlorox wipes!  Yuck.

As disgusting as it was, I have to admit to feeling pretty good about the fact that I didn’t freak out.  I didn’t even scream and squeal.  It wasn’t fun, but I handled it, and refused to let it ruin the day. 

Friends, I’m tired of feeling discouraged and frustrated.  I’m tired of being grouchy and negative.  I’m tired of being tired.  I believe it’s important to share my struggles with all of you because I feel Christians need to show the world that following Jesus doesn’t evaporate your problems. 

But… having said that, I know I’ve gotten into a habit of negativity, and that’s not okay. 

Life is never going to lack disgusting dead frogs covered in ants.  It’s part of the brokenness.  But, how am I going to respond? 

Cleaning up the frog carcasses was gross.  So, so gross.  But by facing them, I could go on with my day.  If I had ignored them, they would have sat there, drawing more and more ants until the mess was way bigger, and way harder to get rid of. 

That’s what’s been happening with me lately.  I’m whining and complaining about the swarming frustrations, but I haven’t taken steps to get rid of the source.  And so, the seething mass festers. 

Yes, there is spiritual warfare going on right now, and yes, it is miserable.  But, our enemy has been defeated.  Jesus’ death and resurrection accomplished this. 

It doesn’t mean Satan has given up, of course!  He knows that every day Jesus does not return is one day closer to the day He will.  And so, every day, Satan gets back to picking and poking and whispering and shouting that God doesn’t love us, and we’re better off on our own. 

We are already more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.  While that doesn’t mean everything is peachy-keen at every moment of every day, it does mean that we have an eternal hope that far exceeds whatever bad (and don’t get me wrong, some of it is truly horrific!) stuff is happening.

The world needs that hope.  Not a sugar-coated, fake hope, but the true, deep, unshakeable hope only found in Jesus Christ.  Walking around as if the victory is still up in the air is unacceptable in the shadow of the cross.  Compared to that, my troubles truly do shrink into ‘light and momentary’.

Today I ‘conquered’ (sorry, couldn’t resist!) a bit of my fear of icky stuff.  I pray that in the Holy Spirit’s power, I will also make today the day I begin conquering this ugly negativity I’ve allowed to grow.

I’m thankful that the Holy Spirit got my attention today.  In an incredibly icky way, but hey, He knows how thick-headed I can be!  I’m not saying I’ll never blog another ‘down’ post again.  But, I pray that I can learn, and keep learning, how to rejoice, pray and give thanks in all circumstances, including ones that cause the heebie-jeebies!