by Alison

The Triangle

The clang was loud in the house, but I loved it. It was the sound of an old-fashioned cast iron dinner triangle. We heard it each night when supper was ready. No, I wasn’t outside on a windswept prairie. I was a little girl at home in the suburbs, and that triangle–and delectable smells from the kitchen–drew us together.

Supper. Some call it dinner, but to me it will always be supper. Growing up, supper meant more than my mom’s tasty, homemade meals. It meant family time. We ate, of course, but we also prayed together, relived the day, laughed, debated (argued sometimes!), or simply had moments enrobed in silence. My sister and I were taught table manners. God bless my parents’ patience!

Though not realizing it at the time, we were learning slowly how to “play well with others.” The memories are good. There’s something special about families dining together where God is an invited guest.

At the time this felt as normal as playing hopscotch on the sidewalk out front. Now I realize the commitment it took for my parents to carve out and protect that time night after night. Today’s families attempting regular mealtime–be it supper, breakfast, or another time–must battle sports, meetings, lessons, practices, and work. It’s not a cake walk. Good activities encroach on great ones. At my house we’re spoiled right now. Some flexibility usually ensures at least one meal together each day–a flexibility we haven’t always had and don’t take for granted.

I’m not naive enough to suggest that there’s an easy answer. Some families who would trade their TV to spend more time together are prevented by external obstacles. …But can you imagine what the families of this country would be like if they spent half an hour eating together just a handful of times a week?

If you’ve read this blog for long you know that hunches tend to find me. This is no different. My hunch is that I’m a-preachin’ to the choir. …I’m realizing this post is pretty preachy, but that’s okay. I’d like to hear from the choir: what memories do you have of mealtime–past or present, good or bad? Or, what family time challenges do you notice or experience today?

…In case you’re wondering, that triangle still hangs in my parents’ home. I’m on the lookout for one of our own.

Ready Line

I wanted a two-minute heads up about the questions. No such luck. The camera rolled.

Have you ever been at a loss for words? Or wish you could rewind the tape and have a do over? Unless you were just born, my hunch is that we’ve all been in these situations–maybe daily.

I was due for one of these. My turn came again last week. As Inigo Montoya, my favorite fencing Spaniard says, “Let me ‘splain.” I work for a community-based anti-drug coalition. We’ve gained some experience dealing with prevention of drugs such as methamphetamine. It’s always a struggle, but we’ve collected war stories to go with the community scars.

Through a process I won’t detail here, the news program Nightline heard about our coalition’s meth prevention efforts and those of law enforcement drug task forces in our part of the state. They decided to come talk to people in our area for a few days. …Including me.

Now, before you rush out to track down my autograph, I’ll say that if my boss had been in town, they would’ve interviewed her. I was Default Chick. Nonetheless, I was up to bat and felt twinges of nervousness and confidence. I knew my part (if it survives the cutting room) will be just a smidgen of the final product for national TV. But that added more pressure; I’d better prepare and get it right. The comments I offered would reflect on my community. So I did what any smart professional does in this situation: I went shopping.

With that crucial task out of the way, I set about preparing my responses to likely questions. With help from my boss, I went over and over our most recent, relevant stats. I mentally formulated sound bite summaries. I beckoned my inner child–who was a huge ham–to gain confidence. I was ready.

Interview day came. With last-minute review sheet in hand and lipstick in place I met the crew at a local park. For this session they would interview our mayor, then me. It was all so low key and uneventful. Sure, it was interesting watching the process with cameras, being wired with a microphone, etc., but in reality it was so casual. I could handle this.

Then it was my turn. I was a mixture of calmness and stomach flutters. They stood me several feet in front of the camera. The crew clustered behind camera and reporter. Without warning, the camera rolled and the questions came. Surely all of my preparation would pay off now. And…I have almost no idea if it did. Do you ever go into a zone and then not know later what happened exactly? My hunch is that when editors review this footage, they’ll see Deer-in-Headlights Girl spouting off incoherent statistics. “Um, yes, the past-30 day use of meth correlates with the seven-day forecast for Boise, according to our analysis.”

Well, maybe it wasn’t that bad (though it might be!), but I do harbor a morbid sense of curiosity about what was captured on film.

One thing’s for sure: I’ll keep my little review sheet handy for when I need it for various reasons on short notice. I see the value of always being prepared.

That’s helpful for we as Christians, too. We never know when God will lead us to something during our day–a person, situation–where being prepared with His answers will be needed. Second Timothy 4:2 (NIV) says, “Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage–with great patience and careful instruction.” Yes, Paul intended this for a pastor, but it holds water for us, too. We can’t predict what God has for us each day. Questions about our faith could ambush us, or a hurting friend may need a shoulder.

We can be ready for “divine appointments” through a couple of key means. First, we can feast on His word each day. I’m focusing on “feast” and “each day.” We’re busy people, but chowing down on the scriptures regularly, rather than nibbling politely on Sundays, will always reap huge rewards in time. Isn’t it amazing how we’re talking with someone and a certain passage or topic comes up. “I was just reading about that in my Bible,” you say. Discipleship’s discipline meets God’s opportunities. His purposes are worked out.

Similarly, we can feast our on time with Him. As I spend time with Him and submit, He works on my armor as we talk, repairing the shield, cleaning my sword, arming me in almost imperceptible ways. Then I’m ready “in season and out of season,” drawing on what He’s given me just when it’s needed. I can fight temptation with a rebuke or offer encouragement to a wounded soul. He supplies the ready line, and I am content to be used.

So, here’s my question for you: what are some other ways you’ve found to be ready for “divine appointments”? Or I’d love to hear about a situation when God used you unexpectedly.

You might be a writer if…

…you’re in the middle of a dream at night at you think, “Oooh, I should write about this!” I heard this recently from someone else, and last night I did that myself.

I woke up inspired and smiling. What a great story this’ll be! Then my eyes narrowed as I thought through the dream Mr. Sandman had delivered. Hmm. Maybe it wouldn’t be quite as interesting as I thought. Perhaps people won’t find it fascinating that a group stranded at a gothic, scenic overlook of a dry ocean in El Paso was about to be annihilated by a massive surge of icebergs. Funny how things seem different in the light of day.

But I can’t help but hope that tonight I’ll get new material. Perhaps I should seal the deal by having pumpkin pancakes for supper. They always give me odd dreams. Has anyone else found food that always gives them strange dreams?

Speaking of supper, soon I’ll post some thoughts based on the most recent poll. Grab your fork and knife.

Be there, or…

If you’re anywhere near Carlsbad, New Mexico this Saturday the 4th, make plans to go by Hastings between 2 – 4 p.m. Author Travis W. Inman will have a book signing for his novel, When Love Calls. If you haven’t read this story, you’ll get quite a treat.

Those not near Carlsbad can go to his web site to order an autographed copy. Also, don’t miss out on his entertaining blog.

Heroes

The onslaught of TV season premieres is in full swing. Have you settled down with some popcorn and the remote lately?

There are a few shows I’ve been looking forward to. It did my girly heart good to see Dancing with the Stars sashay across the small screen last night. …But that’s another post. I’d love to stir up some debate with that one.

Heroes premiered last night, too. I’ve watched it off and on since it began, finding the storyline interesting but the action often too gory for my tastes. I did watch the two-hour premiere. It delivered breathtaking twists and turns.

One of the calmer moments has camped out in my thoughts. (Warning: vague spoiler ahead) The character of Nathan, a politician, quietly contemplates an opportunity for power and position laid out before him. He’s hesitant to accept it, thinking soberly about how he misused power in the past. For a moment he has a new outlook; he’s more eager to pass on the public glory than to welcome the temptation to lose his integrity again.

That scene got me thinking about our desires and ambitions, and God’s role in those things. Yesterday morning I read this honest prayer in Proverbs 30:8-9 (NASB):

Keep deception and lies far from me,
Give me neither poverty nor riches;
Feed me with the food that is my portion,
That I may not be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or that I not be in want and steal,
And profane the name of my God.

Does this strike you, like it did me, as totally counterculture to our society, even sometimes Christian society? We’re bombarded with voices telling us that the only natural thing to do is get all you can… Money. Power. Status. Stuff. On and on. In some Christian circles we’ve been told that we need to invoke the Prayer of Jabez to expand our territories of influence.

Now, I’m feeling the mental darts that some of you are shooting my direction. Are you saying, Alison, that it’s always wrong for Christians to have or seek out stuff or power? Of course not. I believe that God puts some Christians in positions of influence or gives them money to use for His purposes. He gives us healthy ambition for His plans.

But many of you would agree that it comes down to attitude. Am I seeking the prestige of the world or the pleasure of God? What’s my focus? True, not everyone will face opportunities of having buckets of cash or holding public position, but each of us deals with this issue in some form–whatever our situation.

It’s so tempting to fall into the trap of wanting people’s approval and admiration instead of seeking God in all things. It takes a mature person to approach “success” and ambition with a humble attitude. I find a lot of wisdom in David’s prayer in Psalm 139.

Search me O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there is any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.

David sure had to wrestle with these issues–he was a king, for goodness’ sake. He was human, too. It’s encouraging to have this earnest prayer written down for us to read and follow suit. The same God he walked with is available and desires to guide us. We must seek after Him daily, giving him our dreams, ambitions, and allegiance. Although I fall flat on my face constantly, I pray that I’ll pursue Him and his desires more passionately than anything I want on earth. People who live this way consistently are real-life heroes to me, and hopefully for all of us.