Christmas Magic

This Christmas brought with it a unique opportunity to spend time with newly-reconnected friends and attend a Lincoln Brewster Christmas concert at their church. When you combine that with free air miles, there's no way I could resist the chance. As if some special time with these great people wasn’t wonderful enough, I can’t deny that the sunshine of California, in December, was a major bonus!

The friends who hosted me had a routine of watching the Hallmark Christmas Channel each morning and I quickly grew to love the pattern of padding my way down the hall and curling up in a blanket on the couch to join them. We’ve never had cable so while I knew about the movies, I didn’t have any personal experience with them. Yes, they are ridiculously romantic and a bit cheesy. Yes, there is a formula. However, there is also a certain charm and expectation that there will be cookies, an interrupted kiss, a challenge to overcome, Christmas magic, the real kiss, snow, and hot cocoa. I’ve been craving hot cocoa for weeks!

I loved this time with them and these movies. I fell in love with them so much that once I moved to the hotel (after extending my stay in town) I continued to turn the television on to watch Hallmark movies as soon as I was awake and also to close out the night watching them. After all, it WAS the Christmas season, and apparently, that’s what people do. While I’m home now and miss those movies, they have touched my heart and will hold a special place forever because of this experience.

Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas
perhaps, means a little bit more.

I think I’m starting to believe again. While I’m clear about the meaning of Christmas and the celebration of Jesus being born, I’ve started to think there may be some truth to the magic of Christmas. For a variety of reasons, I haven’t done any traditional Christmas events for about 13 years and have actually come to dread the entire season. However, this trip was a catalyst of change.

This trip packed a lot of Christmas magic into it – marathon-style Hallmark Christmas movies, Christmas music on the radio, a HUGE drive-through light display, two nights of touring the neighborhood lights with another dear friend, the Christmas concert, 5 church services across two weekends, a Christmas train, a wondrous Advent Experience event that was so life-changing it will have its own blog post later, Honey Baked Ham, my only Christmas party in about 15+ years, new friends, old friends, and even a marching band playing Christmas music.

Now, back home and with the Christmas season done for 2019, I can say we made the sugar cookies, visited our neighborhood Christmas lights, sent the Christmas texts to friends, did a couple of “spirit of Christmas” anonymous Santa-type things, watched more Christmas movies, and dare I admit it…I even went caroling with some new friends to a nursing home. Some of those were out of my comfort zone, some were who I used to be and lost for all those years. Likely all will be a part of my Christmases future…as I build upon the newly rediscovered magic of Christmas.

Thank you to all who played a role in saving Christmas for me!

One More Thing...
What is your favorite Christmas tradition? Is there one you've lost along the way?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

One-Year Anniversary Celebration and Gratitude

Today is a day of celebration in our home, and especially in my own life. Today is a one-year anniversary for me. Merriam-Webster defines an anniversary as this: the annual recurrence of a date marking a notable event. This one wasn't notable when it happened, it was just a day. There was nothing special about it. But God made it notable and so I choose to celebrate it.

Let me back up one week prior in order to set the stage. We had hit a wall and needed help and support so we sent an email out requesting prayers. I won't list them all, but the "highlights" included combined vehicle and emergency vet expenses of $7000 (almost 70% of a year's worth of my paycheck), what we thought was a dying dog for what turned out to be 2 months, personal health concerns, potential job closure/loss for Tracy, a dryer incident that should have burned the house down, leaking plumbing through the floor, more pending auto repairs and weeks of sleep deprivation from all of this.

This quote from that email depicts the weariness we were experiencing...and probably lack of nutrition!

"We are good, we know God's got this, regardless of how things play out but it brought us to a grinding halt from fatigue - both physically and emotionally. It took everything in our power to figure out how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a while there. I don't remember the last time I felt that discouraged and tired. It even took me about 3 minutes to figure out how to return a call to someone as I stared at our Roku TV remote in my hand before I figured out it wasn't the phone."

I did always enjoy the view, watching out for
the first responders we ministered to.

Fast forward one week, a year ago today, and I also received news that my job had been eliminated effective immediately. Ok. Now what?

For some this may have been the last straw. For us, it was relatively meaningless as God had been telling me to leave that job for years and I wouldn't listen. As I recall, we celebrated that night and I already celebrated the anniversary of it today. Some of you reading this think I've lost my marbles while some of you know me well enough to understand.

Why am I celebrating a year without income, a year when we should have lost our house or had to sell a car in order to survive, a significant change after almost 18 years in one place? Because God loved me so much He led me to what He had prepared for me.

Don't get me wrong - this year has been tough in some ways. Finances have been impacted as I'm now self-employed as a freelancer, working on projects for several clients and filling in by selling things off as needed. Although technically, we've given away more than we sold. I would never make a good sales rep! Our little dog remained extremely ill and misdiagnosed for months, leading to emotional ups and downs and about 4 months without a solid night's sleep. The rest...eh, it's just debt we hadn't planned on and so we deal with it one month at a time.

Here's the reason I celebrate - God has overwhelmed me during this past year. In the brief moments living in the depths of despair, fear, and worry He is who I could cry out to. It was God, the one true and constant companion and guardian who was welcoming me into the plans He had created and been waiting to show me. When I was content, it was Him who still waited patiently to show me what was coming.

I can almost imagine God giggling with anticipation and excitement as He waited for me to move forward into this next season. He knew how incredible it was going to be and what gifts He had waiting for me. He slowly unwrapped these and presented me with His treasures for me. We have a new church home, God has surrounded me with new people I never would have met, I'm writing again (with the confidence that others have tried to instill in me),  and he even paved the way to connect with many I had lost contact with decades before.

This year was mostly a time of recovery - it's no secret that there was a lot of turmoil and trauma during the last 8 years at my job with no time to pause and heal. I finally listened to the wise people God placed around me and at about month 8 or so, chose to finally become still so I could hear God's voice. Wow, was He ready to speak! He spoke words of comfort, healing, love, affirmation, and challenge. He spoke words of anticipation, delight, future plans, using my gifts, and restoration. He guided so diligently when I would allow Him to, but never forcefully. He waited for me. He waited a long time for me.

So today, as I celebrate the anniversary of a job loss, and the rest of the country starts to focus on thankfulness as they celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, I share a bit of my journey to inspire you to listen to God's voice and not be complacent. I dare you to say yes to God's calling and not be content if you feel nudged. Mostly, I beg you to connect with people until you find the ones that deeply love and care and will speak into your life.

Some of you know my story and may be tempted to figure out just who did what, when, etc. I urge you to hear me say that this celebration is about what God ADDED to my life, not what I left behind. There are a handful of friends from the last chapter that remain a part of my current chapter. My life has become a beautiful blend of God's family.

I cannot begin to share all of the ways God has taken care of me and shown me a future I couldn't imagine. I don't want to name names because they are all remarkably humble. I do pray they know the difference they are making. They are restoring me to the best of who I used to be, challenging me to grow into who God created me to be and I will forever be grateful to have "Team Lois" keeping me learning and growing.

I'm not above begging you - it is critical to your life - I firmly believe it. Get the right people around you! Get the people that you can cry out to when you fail. Get the people that will pray for you. Get the people that will speak God's word into your life. Get the people that love you. Get the people that value you. Get the people that remind you of your purpose when you lose sight of it. Get the people that will speak tough love and accountability. Get the people that challenge you to try new things. Get the people that are transparent. Get the people that will listen to you. Get the people who will see you.

I'm at a new church where I am unknown after 20 years in one place. That's tough. But you know what? A few people call me by name already when I walk in. I am seen. I have connected with someone from almost 40 years ago who is speaking volumes of wisdom and encouragement to me and also invited and included me into a Bible study small group. I am wanted. 

I have a handful of wise men and women who pray for me and speak counsel into my life. I am encouraged. 

I have wonderful people who have invited me into their home for a visit. I am welcome. 

I have someone who sees my desire to be more and is coaching me through a book study. I am challenged.

This year is a celebration because I can be sure of one thing as so vividly evidenced through this last year. I am loved. I am loved beyond measure. I am loved not because of my own doing, but because I am special to The One.

Please join me in this celebration as you are also loved and wanted, seen, and welcome. I didn't accept or believe that easily. To some reading this that are a part of this new season, you're in shock that these thoughts are beginning to be accepted by me. This is joyous and terrifying at the same time. So many of us have felt the opposite for so long but maybe it's time we listen to the people trying to show us we matter.

I was never defined by my job. It used to be a calling but that changed ages ago. You are not defined by your job either, or anything else. We are all defined by who God says we are. I promise to try to remember that if you will, too.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve to you and Happy Anniversary to me. Thankful to celebrate this day and I hope this story encourages you to keep going.

One More Thing...
If you struggle with belonging, please reach out to me. This is only about 5% of the story.

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

Impact

Throwback Thursday
(This was originally published on May 25, 2011, on my first blog.)

The Oprah show is now off the air. I admit it, I watched the last 3 shows. I don't consider myself an Oprah fan and I didn't watch the show with any regularity. In fact, through the years, my pendulum has been swinging back and forth as to just how much I liked her or was annoyed by her. 

Regardless of what you think, you have to admit she has had some great things to teach us and made a substantial impact on many lives, and on the world. This was evident in the multi-episode tribute to her coordinated by her staff.

She has encouraged people, especially women, to live the life they were designed for and encouraged us to find our purpose. Education and literacy have both been very important in her life. She has inspired us to pursue our dreams and to step out of our comfort zones. These are good things, they are impactful things.

I've had people in my life that have made an impact. I've also had people in my life that have left me in their wake, some while thinking they made a positive impact. I'm sure you could say the same. Some people leave a remarkable imprint on your life and others leave as big an imprint, but it's mixed with some destructiveness or other negative qualities.

What would people say about you and the impact you've made on them? Are you a blessing to others, and leave an impact on them that is helping to improve the world? Or, have you pushed your way through life leaving others in your wake? 

I want to challenge you today to listen to others, validate their lives, love people, remember that you are worthy, make an impact on the world, and try not to leave others in your wake. Remember, any time I throw a challenge out there, I'm talking to myself as well!

I also want to encourage you to thank the people who have made a difference in your life - it might be the one thing that impacts them the most.

One More Thing...
What are you doing to make a difference and how can I support you?

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

In honor of Oprah's dedication to literacy, and in tribute to the library that formed a lot of my childhood memories, I share with you a photo of my favorite library taken on a visit to my hometown last year. I always had the maximum number of books checked out at any given time.

We're Terminal

When I first heard this song and dove into the lyrics there was one phrase in particular that resonated so deeply for me. I remember the shortness of life through songs like, "Live Like You're Dying" and "Dance Like Nobody is Watching" and promise myself I'll step up and live well. Then I'm yelling at the drivers on the road and stressed out about things that really don't matter in the grand scheme of things. Then someone gets a tough diagnosis or dies and I swing back to the promise of living fully. Then the cycle repeats. Sometimes I look like a pendulum on a clock moving at an accelerated speed.

Today I want to dive into the phrase I am certain many can relate to if they'll allow themselves to focus on this for a moment. Don't be afraid to admit this if it's true.

"Some folks die in offices one day at a time. They could live a hundred years but their soul's already dead. Don't let your spirit die before your body does."

I was finally able to face the truth that this was me. I had let people, places, and circumstances kill me slowly. Oh sure, through leadership training and development I know the phrases to use that make this sound better: burnout, empty bucket, depleted, tired, worn, etc. But the bottom line is I had let others poison my spirit for far too many years.

I pray that if this resonates with you, you will reach out to someone and talk, contact me to chat, and/or take a day off and do something that restores you. You only get one you. You are special and unique. You have a purpose and a value. NOBODY gets to put you in a box or make you conform to their limits. If you resonate with this same phrase - get out of the job, get out of the rut, get out of the dating relationship, get out of the friendship. You know what's destroying your spirit. Please stop living as less than who you are.

TERMINAL

Jon Foreman

One More Thing...
Please make a change if you need to so you won't look back with regrets of lost time later. I didn't make the changes soon enough. Trust me...make the change.

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

The World's Front Porch

Something happened to me while I was busy with the routine of life, something I didn't expect but I am grateful for. Apparently, I have crossed the age barrier into the stage of life that looks back with more frequency and fondness. The view from this place in life is expansive. While I can still appreciate today and look forward to tomorrow with wonder, I find myself looking back with a sense of respect, pride, and admiration for those days.


I recently heard an updated version of a song that made me stop and listen closely. I think a lot of the struggles, anger, and frustrations with the current state of the world could be impacted by simple acts from people like us. Maybe I'm naive, but I want to believe we can make a difference, one person at a time.

While I didn't have the front porch growing up or in my early married life, we lived in a community where neighbors talked to each other either out front or over the side fence. It wasn't uncommon to join in for dinner together with only a moment's notice. Cookies and pies were often shared and you could trust people enough to actually eat them! 

I can remember waving and stopping to say hello to our elderly neighbors across the street when we lived in our first house. It was nice to know each other's names and hear about what was happening. It was a connection you didn't have in an apartment.

We have a front porch now and yet we don't use it. Why? Society is different and we feel safer in the protection of our backyard. However, we don't brighten anybody's day while hiding out. Nobody gets a wave or a smile from us.

Listening to these lyrics, I wonder if we could all be friends with the simple act of hanging out on the front porch and treating y=our neighbor like he's our next of kin.

One More Thing...

I found the lyrics to paint a portrait of a time that was kind of falling apart and the thought that maybe things could be better with a little kindness. Folks, this song was released 25 YEARS AGO. I don't know about you, but I'd be happy if people treated each other now like we did then! Much less the "back then" the song refers to.

Do you have a front porch? I'd love to hear your front porch stories.

Take care, and I'm always here to pray for you if you have a need or request.
Lois Lynn

Tracy Lawrence's "If the World Had a Front Porch"


To view lyrics, click here.