Five Decades at the Potter’s Wheel

2013 marks my 50th year of life. I am so excited. I always take note of entering into new decades; there is something very special about that to me.

Before New Year’s and in preparation for this golden year, I wanted to do some “decluttering” and reorganizing, so I’d be unencumbered by the stuff that just builds up over time. I’ve done this over the years, but this time was different.

In the midst of throwing out old things that were no longer needed and organizing things, I sat for a while, pouring over my memories of decades past, through pictures, letters, and journals. As I looked back over my life (and this is truly why I love getting older), I was simply amazed by how God, the Potter, so carefully has been molding me on His wheel as the years turned.

Molded for Empathy

In the first decade, He shaped my empathy for others. Only God could use my chaotic childhood experiences that were soaked in a potent, toxic mix of addiction and mental illness, to dig a deep well of empathy within me. It’s a well that I have drawn on time and time again to serve others in their time of need.

Molded for Purpose

In my teens, He shaped my determination and perseverance to stay the course and get to the goal. By the grace of God, I escaped some of the vestiges of family dysfunction, and bypassed destructive peer pressure because His firm hand kept pushing me toward purpose.

Molded for His Will

In my 20s and 30s, He walked me through some dark valleys. I believe His hand was upon me. I also know He had to pry open my hand, so I’d relinquish my own will for His will for my life.

Through the deaths of both my parents, my husband’s devastating departure, and my own near death, He added levels of faith and belief that I didn’t know were possible. I can truly say with assurance that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.

Molded for Sacrifice

In my 40s He honed my courage to use my gifts and my voice to address leaders and speak the truth and the courage to stay true and COMMITTED to fulfilling my unique calling, in season and out of season. He gave me a fuller understanding of Romans 12:1 (should use quote), what it means to be a living sacrifice.

And now, here I am, entering my 50th year and God continues to mold me. His work is not close to being finished, but I can honestly tell you that He’s given me what I need to go to the places He calls me to go to, to take the risks He asks me to take, to stay committed to the tasks He assigns…no matter what. And to truly follow Jesus…no matter what. In 50 years, I’ve learned to follow Jesus—THAT IS TRULY LIVING.

On New Year’s I looked back over my life, and reflected on how the Master Potter has taken such great care to prepare His disciple. I just have to give Him praise.

As you look back, how has the Master Potter taken care of you over the years? Let us know HERE.

For the past 25 years Karen Proctor has defined herself by two words, Chelsea’s mom. One of her greatest joys in life is to be her mother and to have a role in helping her to blossom as a grown up human. She spent many years as a senior public affairs/social responsibility executive in the radio, cable television, sports and publishing industries. Her ministry experience includes leading youth ministry for the past 14 years at her local church. She heart's desire in life is provide people with opportunities to learn and grow. 

Karen is founder of Pala Miracle and publisher of freshzoe.com. She uses that space to focus on living a fresh life; one that is fully about serving God and serving others. “In His service” is her place of real joy.

photo credit: keepps via photopincc

40-Day Prayer Challenge - Day 11

Here is a sample of what we are doing during the 40-Day Prayer Challenge. It's not too late to join us. 

There are two ways you can walk with us on this 40-Day Prayer Journey: Subscribe to 40-Day Prayer Challenge by Email (Please note this is a different subscription list from our regular posts.) Like us on Facebook.

Day 11 First Class Notifier (Based on Day 11 in Draw the Circle)

I recently took a photography class. It was a four-week course that taught us the basics of using a DSLR camera. In the third class we learned about the six elements of design: line, shape, form, texture, pattern, and color. The instructor told us that the more often we look for these things in our surroundings the more we will notice them. This is because of our Reticular Activating System. It’s the RAS that determines what we notice and what we do not. I was excited to know that this applies to prayer as well. 

When you pray you start noticing providence, divine appointments, and answered prayers in unexpected places. 

There are times when we can't see past those things that are heavily weighing on us. Sometimes we can't see past the dishes our sink, the laundry in our hampers, or our to-do list. Prayer lengthens our depth of field*. As we cultivate a habit of prayer we develop our sixth sense - a Holy Spirit enabled perception.

I don't know about you but I don't want to miss a thing!

Dear Lord, I know you hear my prayers.  Open my eyes and help me to perceive your hand in __________________________. Help me to notice how you are working in this situation. I don’t want to miss what you are doing in response to my prayers and in my life…

*Depth of field - the amount of distance between the nearest and farthest objects that appear in focus in a photograph. Want to learn more? Check it out here. 

This post is a part of the 40-Day Prayer Challenge at Circles of Faith. We are following along with Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challengeby Mark Batterson. To read more about it CLICK HERE. 

About the author - Kimberly Amici, co-founder of Circles of Faith, is passionate about prayer and excited to share this journey with you. 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

photo credit: YLegrand via photopincc

Eyes Wide Open to Wisdom

I typically wear many, many hats in the span of a week.

I am a prayer group leader (and participant), boot camper, chef, Girl Scout leader, Lego League coach, Gifted and Talented Parent Representative, and school volunteer. That does not even include the standing responsibilities of wife, mom, daughter, friend, car pool driver, household manager, calendar keeper, block party organizer, and sports scheduler! Every day I am required to use both my “Adult“ wisdom and “Mommy” wisdom. And yes, I think they can be separate. On a great day – they are one in the same. 

It was on one particular week when our community was going through a time of loss that I truly saw God’s gift of wisdom in my life with my eyes wide open.

Our priest gave a sermon on wisdom and it struck a chord.  As I thought about what was being said, I was able to recognize the wisdom from God operating at various times of my life. I recalled various people who I have come across that have been given wisdom as well. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 says

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spiritdistributes them.There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyoneit is the same Godat work.Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,to another a message of knowledgeby means of the same Spirit,to another faithby the same Spirit, to another gifts of healingby that one Spirit,to another miraculous powers,to another prophecy,to another distinguishing between spirits,to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,and to still another the interpretation of tongues.All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

I’m relishing the blessing of being a stay-at-home parent, even amidst the chaos of little ones (and big ones). I chose to be at home and am very thankful that I can be. All my previous paid jobs, from a pizza maker to a small law firm manager to a human resource manager in advertising had a purpose. These positions and the people encountered along the way help assemble and build my talents of time management, my people skills, and my love for community, all of which further enhance my time as a stay-at-home parent.

There were days, and there will be many more, that I feel  I am not being utilized to the best of my ability. 

On those days in my journey I can know that God has me right where he wants me. I can also be encouraged by the hope that:

• ·      One or more of my car pool charges will feel secure that I’m always going to be on time.
• ·      My Girl Scouts will be so comfortable with me that they’ll trust me enough to share an issue that they’re having at school.
• ·      My children’s friends will take comfort in me if hurt at a practice that their parent was not able to attend.
• ·      My children know that someone is always waiting for them at home and ready to hear, heal, and feed them upon arrival.
• ·      My efforts in community service will inspire someone to make a difference – small or large.
• ·      As a Home and School representative I will make a difference in a student’s life.
• ·      My husband, children, parents, and friends know that I pray for them often and do my best to serve each one.

Yes, I am able to see that wisdom is prevailing in my life and I’m thankful for it through and through. We all want the best for our families and through the wisdom of God; it can be achieved.

No matter what you do, it matters, so get on out there and do what you do best.

What do you do for others that you think matters most?

NOTE: let me not offend any working parent whether you are there by choice or need.  I find what you do remarkable. And I know we are all capable of loving and serving our families greatly.

Click HERE to comment...

Jennifer Pine lives in New Jersey and is a "household manager to her husband of 15 years and two kids" – i.e., stay-at-home mom. She is passionate about teaching kids of any age to do good for others and uses the Community Service Committee at the schools as a primary forum. Jennifer tries more to be her children’s parent than their BFF, enabling them to become independent so they will be successful adults.

photo credit: Mark Mrwizard via photopincc

Not Afraid to dance…

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp. Psalm 149:3 (NIV)

Recently, a mentor asked me to name my fear. Ha! I am the definition of fearless, or so it seems. I cope. I do not panic. In the face of what some might view as paralyzing circumstances, I industriously move forward. There is no mystery in this forward movement; God wired me this way. I. Go. On. Going on does not mean you are not afraid; it just means that fear does not stop you. I cannot imagine being any other way.

I have not named my fear; they are legion. Among them are:

•           asking for help

•           reaching out to people I do not know

•           not being good enough

•           failing those I love

I could go on, but I won’t. I am learning to thrive in community, to rely upon others. I am beginning to consistently trust my instincts, believing that the still small voice that speaks when I am quiet is enough. More than enough.

Even for a scaredy-cat like me, there are absolutes. My desire to protect those I love vanquishes any fear I might profess; when they need me I AM THERE. Another absolute? Though I might never speak my faith to you, while you might see it in who I am or how I live, know this…

I AM NOT AFRAID TO DANCE.

Though I have danced all my life, I was consumed by the ministry of liturgical dance 10 years ago. It is the single most profound confession of my faith. It is the confession I dare not make with my mouth. It is too intimate; too close; too dear to speak. That is how I came to understand that dance is my prayer language.

Dance is my native tongue.

Ministry through dance is neither widely practiced nor well understood. It is a form of worship ministry, not performance. To the same extent that devotion leaders help us prepare the temple and the people, dancers do as well, in their way.

This is not a primer on liturgical dance, this is my story.

Liturgical dance is the place at which I meet God, unafraid. It is the moment when my desire to seek Him, to offer myself as a vessel becomes larger and more insistent than any fear. I speak it all to God when I dance.

Liturgical dance is my intimate conversation with God...

I am always amazed that I can even tolerate anyone watching...except that when I worship through dance, I am completely alone, even in a sanctuary full of people. I wish I could write what I feel, but that's just it…I could dance it for you. Explaining this connection, this experience, is beyond my capacity in this language. It’s not my primary language in speaking my faith.

I dance my prayers.

I give thanks before the altar, beside the dining room table, walking the dog, anytime, anywhere the words are not enough. When dancing your prayers, the movement is the words. I best make my offering through movement. I dance unafraid; consumed more by the need to speak my wonder, my gratitude, my pain, than anything else. It is like breathing. You do not think to breathe, you just do. Even dancing in front of a congregation, a part of me remains very much alone even in ensemble, set apart. It is intimate conversation, just the Lord and me.

I am grateful for the gift of dance--it’s my fearless place.

It allows me to express feelings, to share emotions I never articulate. It is the place where I am open. While I may be observed, the subtext is exquisitely private; mine alone. It is corporate prayer whispered in a personal prayer language expressed as movement. I dance my prayers. I affirm my surrender. I dance gratitude. I dance receipt of the gift of Grace. I say, "Thank You, Lord." I humble myself and submit to an anointing, praying that my movement releases something in a worshipper that even they cannot convey in words.

I desired a prayer language. I discovered I already had one. And I am never afraid when I speak it. I am not afraid to dance.

Rochelle Wilson blogs at Treat Me to a Feast about her life lived forward, reviewed backward, through the lens of faith. She’s a PK (Pastor’s Kid), who’s been a Baptist church musician since she was five. Always a dancer and athlete, as an adult she turned to liturgical dance to deepen her personal worship.  It worked. Rochelle laughs a lot, is married to her first love and prom date nearly 20 years ago. Together God gave them two children and a boxer who is the other love of her life, confidante, therapist, and physical trainer.

photo credit: YanivG via photopincc