I Got Caught Dirty Handed

Because when I garden, I don't wear gloves.


Maybe it's because I love the feel of the soil between my fingers. Perhaps the fact that I saw an earthworm as I was planting my tulip bulbs didn't really freak me out too much since, you know, I live in the country and all.

Even though I didn't jump up and start screamin' like a fool, I did chop his head off. And the thing just kept movin'.

The nerve.

The truth of the matter referring to gardening is that I will probably never wear gloves. I need to get in there. To feel the soil. To mesh the Oklahoma red clay with the potting soil so that my plants are full of nutrients. To get the occasional splinter from the mulch as I put it in place to protect what I've planted.

Ministry is a lot like gardening.

There can be some amazing events that are witnessed as we minister to others...saved lives, redeemed marriages, healed bodies, transformed mindsets. And these things delight the eyes of those around much like the blooms of petunias or begonias.

But we don't always realize how dirty ones hands must get to see such unbelievable things occur.

I wonder how many mothers and grandmothers prayed for those lives to be saved. I wonder how many couples have reached out to walk hurting couples through difficulties in their marriages. I wonder how many prayer warriors have stood beside a hospital bed pleading with God to bring wholeness to a sick body. And I wonder how many counselors have helped people walk in freedom from detrimental mindsets.

I wonder.

Yes, ministry is a lot like gardening.

Figure my hands will stay dirty for the rest of my days.

What about you?




Visit Cindy daily at her personal site, CindyBeall.com

The Cost of Bandwidth

Have you ever sat down at your computer only to find that someone, somewhere in blogland not only has an issue with you or something you have shared but they took the time to comment or post about it or maybe send you an email concerning it?

Maybe you are the one who has had an issue and made sure you voiced your opinion about it.

Either way, this is the cost of bandwidth.

I once was told of a situation that occurred between a reader and a blog author that had to do with her being remarried and her children now having a stepfather. The lady emailed the mom questioning her judgment to put her children in such a predicament.

"Stepchildren are less likely to succeed in our culture today. They suffer because of what their parents have done. Children need to be with their biological mother and father and not someone who has simply "step"ped in to fulfill a role. I pray for your children."

Yes, that is what the lady said. The problem here was her perspective of that particular situation.

The mom, who was on the receiving end of this, emailed me to ask how she should handle this knowing that I too am a mother of "stepchildren." I smiled and promptly emailed her back and said just pray for her and email her and thank her for her concern and prayers. Let her know that Jesus can most certainly help your children overcome this. After all, he too was a stepchild.

{don't you just love how the answers come so clearly when it isn't YOU on the receiving end?}

She sent her an email. The woman received it and immediately apologized for her haste judgment. After she received the email she had indeed prayed about it and God had shown her that stepchildren are no different than adopted children and she herself had adopted two. She had also "step"ped in to fulfill a role - a God given one. God also showed her that her opinion on the matter was developed at a young age because she was a stepchild and had never dealt with the issues buried in her own heart.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to those that love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose"

While we can all agree that in most all circumstances it is best for children to be raised by both biological parents this isn't always possible. Unfortunately, some spouse's are forced to sign divorce papers, some were harmed physically or their spouse had multiple affairs and refused to stop, or sometimes spouse's die. Knowing the situation beforehand, God purposed for Jesus to be a stepchild and he purposed for Joseph to be a stepfather. We can't presume to know what God has purposed for many other Christian women in our circle. And let me state that I'm not talking about the black and white stuff here. Some things he made clear in his word and some he didn't. As much as we would like to think that we have all the answers the true wisdom is in those who seek him first before making haste judgments, rather that is to impose your personal opinion or conviction on someone or to act in a defensive way by responding while hurt.

I failed this test earlier this week. Someone emailed me and questioned my judgment of a movie that I liked because it was "R" rated for violence and I was swift on the keyboard to email her back and let her know that these ratings were man made, this movie had no evil spiritual implications, and there are plenty of movies rated "PG" or even "G" that are completely demonic. When it was all said and done I reread the email and then read it again and again. God began to give me compassion for her. Who knows why she has such strong feelings or why she felt the need to express them to me but she is God's child and he loves her dearly and the least I could have done was ask him what I should do before I hit "send." Thank you, Jesus that I can repent and start over afresh in his mercy every morning. I will most certainly think twice before acting on impulse again. I hope.

2 Corinthians 5:10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

We must give an account for every action and reaction of our heart whether done in in person or in cyber world. God sees no difference in the two. We can support and uplift each other even when we don't understand each other. If we see a problem with someone else we should pray first and then if God impresses us to act or react, then do it.

• Can you recall a time when you acted hastily? How could you have handled that differently?
• Do you justify your reactions to people? If so, how will you work on changing that?

God, you are the ultimate example of love and mercy. I am thankful to be on the receiving end of that. Please help me to extend forgiveness, grace, and mercy to others. Reveal to me how to be an extension of your love. I don't want the cost of bandwidth to be the loss of one of your children. Give me a new perspective on things, hands that are clean, and a pure heart. In Jesus' name, Amen.

I'd love for you to visit me at my personal blog: In Pursuit of Proverbs 31

A Million Questions

Little kids know all about this three letter powerful word: why? Why did God make the sky blue? Why does spring come after winter? Why do we go to church every Sunday? Why do I have to be nice to my sister?

We as grown-ups could learn something from the toddlers’ innocent questions. Why do we behave in certain manners? Why do we get involved in particular ministries? What motivates us? What is our purpose?

I’ve been thinking lately about why I blog…about why I teach Bible study…and why I lead Vacation Bible school…What kinds of things motivate my words?
When my kids’ questions become overwhelming, I’m tempted to answer their “why”s with a standard one-word response: BECAUSE!

But when God asks me why I blog (or do any kind of ministry), I can’t just say “because.”

The world looks at each opportunity through a cost-analysis grid. Is this pursuit worth it? What will I receive in return? What's in it for me? There are many reasons to be involved in ministry.

Maybe I’m doing it because I was pressured into it. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. Maybe I’m writing because I like to hear the praise of others and gather up their accolades. Perhaps I’m interested in a ministry opportunity because it will grant me power and position. Maybe I blog as a personal outlet or perhaps as a business opportunity.

How about you? Why do you blog? Why do you sing in the choir? Why do you invite your neighbors to church? What motivates you?

Civilla D. Martin, in her famous hymn, “His Eye Is On the Sparrow,” gave a simple answer to this question. “I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free.”

The apostle James adds,

“Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise” (James 5:13).

I may not be in front on Sundays with the choir or praise team, but I sing with my words of encouragement to family and friends. I sing with my actions and my life and may it always be because I’m happy in Jesus!

Our ministry should be an overflow of the joy that comes from knowing God. Not because we're trying to win a popularity contest or because we are seeking affirmation from others. Not because we want to climb the ladder of success. Not because we are forced to. We sing (or blog) because we are HAPPY - happy to belong to Jesus and happy to trust our lives into His hands.

It’s become my motto. I sing (or write or speak or teach) because Jesus has made me happy. My motivation comes from His freeing power in my life. I do everything for His glory. That’s a good enough reason for me.

Here are some hard questions we may need to answer:

*Why am I blogging? What is my purpose?
*Am I involved in ministry for the right reasons – because of what Jesus has done for me?
*Someone once said, “If you are saved, inform your face.” Is your life a happy song of praise to God?

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Sometimes Good Enough is Good Enough

Reading blogs can be so inspiring, can't it? It can also be thought-provoking, relaxing, entertaining, and even... intimidating. Yes, intimidating! It's easy to read blogs from so many different women, each expressing one or more of her gifts, and come away from it feeling like you're not doing enough. Your closets are not as clean as hers. Your weekly menu (if you even know what it is yet!) is not as creative as hers. Your scrapbook pages (okay, you don't scrapbook, but even if you did) don't look like hers. Just look at how many pounds she's lost! Oh, my goodness, she's read that many books this year? I've never read that many in my life! Oh, and she sings. Of course she does. And on and on it goes. Different blogs, different women, but it's so easy to make it into one Composite Super Woman to whom we just don't measure up! We do it in real life ("irl") too, don't we? (Sometimes I think we put the "irl" in "girlfriends!") I've fallen victim countless times to one of my biggest enemies- comparison. I think all women are prone to it at one time or another.

I'd like to share with you something I read this week from the book I Can't Do It all! Breaking Free From the Lies That Control Us by authors Tracie Peterson, Allison Bottke, and Diane O'Brian. (This excerpt is written by O'Brian):

"You see, I made the decision some years ago that I would spend my housekeeping time more profitably if I concentrated on things I did well- cleaning, organizing, sewing, washing, mowing, shoveling, ironing, mending, and repairing. Cooking wasn't my strong suit, so I kept that at a minimum. My family has been great about it. It's not like we live on fast food. We eat well even though I don't make big efforts in that direction. Realizing that it's not one of my gifts, I released myself from the expectation of being a great cook. We just don't have time to do everything with excellence. The sooner we learn that, the sooner we can break free from the lie."

"We all must make our individual decisions based on God's leading for each of us. Not only should we not attempt to do it all, but we should not feel a sense of guilt when we can't do what others expect of us. Sometimes we put those expectations on ourselves. The truth is, many of our friends would trade a skill they have for one of ours." (emphasis added)

We don't have to be good at it all. Sometimes good enough is good enough in certain areas. We can choose to focus on what we do best and release ourselves from unrealistic expectations. Let's lighten up on ourselves and be who God created and gifted us to be!

God, thank you for the ways in which you have gifted me. Forgive me for envying the gifts of others. If there are any areas in which you want to grow or increase my gifts, I invite you to do so, for Your glory. But, help me not to neglect the gifts I have and waste the moments available for me to use them by spending unnecessary time feeling guilty or inadequate. I can do all things through Christ... all the good works You prepared in advance for me to do, with the set of gifts You have so graciously given me. Thank You, Father. Amen.



I'd love for you to visit my "good enough" personal blog, One Day More.

Four A's into Blogging

After being asked to contribute to CWO's group blog I took a few moments to panic and pray. I'm good at that. The panic part, I mean. It's an honor to be included among the names of bloggers listed in the sidebar. I hope this, the first post, doesn't get me kicked off the team after my first swing.

So, Darlene asked me to be on the blogging team for CWO and that got me thinking about teamwork. Which got me thinking about sports. Which got me thinking about laundry. Which got me thinking about television. Which got me thinking about blogging.

Which doesn't speak well for the way my mind works, but there you have it.

And here's what I thought. Out loud.

As bloggers, at some point we all, quite naturally and understandably, stop and ask ourselves, "Why?" What compels us to share our thoughts, our lives, our hearts with virtual strangers who, with a word, have the ability, for better or worse, to immediately respond in a way unique to this medium. What do we anticipate in return for our efforts?

And here are a few things I came up with. Because, when I talk to myself, I tend to answer back.

Acceptance. "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 15:7) I believe that, as image bearers of God, we have it in us to want to be accepted just as Christ accepts us and wants the world to accept Him and be saved. Not that we can save anyone. I'll be doing good if I can correctly save this post! But can I accept the blogger and who they are in Christ while still disagreeing with a statement they have made? Conversely, can I accept that another person disagrees with me without rejecting the person in turn? Or can I only accept those I deem acceptable?

It seems that Jesus' acceptance of me is much more complete than my own tends to be of others.

Attention. " ...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry," (James 1:19) When I visit someone's blog, am I willing to pause and reflect for a moment, offering them something of value in return for their efforts? Can I read past their words and hear their heart? Can I put forth the time and energy it takes to re-read the post or to take a break and come back before offering my thoughts? How can I let them know that I have, in fact, "listened?" Can I "listen" to what her other readers have said?

How easy it is to scan a post then click away without a word. How easy it is to misinterpret tone or meaning after a cursory glance. How easy to jump to conclusions and judge in haste. How easily we get offended by a fellow Christian when no offense was meant.

Affection. "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." (Romans 12:10) Am I devoted to my sister bloggers, honoring their efforts to share their hearts and their faith with me? How can I do a better job of demonstrating love for them? What about when I disagree with them? Can I gently admonish then restore in a Christ-like way? Can I lay aside my own needs and wants long enough to offer a word of encouragement or to laugh along with them? To cry with them? To pray for them?

Appreciation. "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you." (1 Thessalonians 5:12) The word 'admonish' here isn't about scolding someone; it's about leading and teaching. Can we show respect by expressing appreciation for the efforts of our sister bloggers as we minister to each other in this high-tech way? Can we find something of value in a post and acknowledge it?

If you are on the CWO Blogroll, you have at your disposal a long list of other Christian women bloggers right there in your own sidebar. If you were to visit only one of those ladies each week that you have never visited before, look on their blog for something of value, and express your appreciation, at the end of the year you will have encouraged 52 women to whom you might not ever have reached out otherwise. You never know when you may be the only encouragement one of those women receives that day.

(If you are not a member of the CWO Blogroll, you can learn more here!)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 calls us to "Encourage each other and build each other up." There are plenty of folks in our culture the enemy can use to discourage and tear us down. If we elect to engage ourselves in this community we call blogging, shouldn't we be counter-cultural by encouraging and building each other up?

What are some practical ways we can do this?