MY BLOG POSTS

There are three words that I find very hard to say.

Those three words?

I was wrong.

I don’t know if any of you ever watched the TV show “Happy Days,” but Fonzie struggled with the the same thing. Whenever he had to admit he made a mistake, the words would get stuck in his mouth. They’d exit like a reluctant toddler having to meet a stranger.

I can totally identify with The Fonz.

This week, we stayed with some friends north of LA. These friends have twin 12-year-old boys.  They told us about an incident at Chick-Fil-A where they played a practical joke on their younger brother. The brother did not find the joke all that funny. As they told the story, they said a woman at the restaurant berated them for being mean to their brother. I waited, expecting to hear them justify that it was just a joke and that the lady needed to lighten up. But they didn’t say any of those things. They said, “She was right.”

What??

I listened as they admitted they should not have played that joke on their brother – they knew he would get upset. The lady was right to reprimand them, they said.

I was floored. The only thing I hate more than admitting I’m wrong is when someone tells me I’m wrong! And yet these boys humbly agreed with this woman, making no excuses for themselves. They learned from their mistake and they moved on.

I can learn a lot from these boys. Because not admitting I’m wrong often causes me to justify my behavior and vilify others. Thoughts of the “incident” can fill my mind, crowding out all other thoughts, and the frustration can turn to anger and then bitterness.

As always, God’s laws are so much more than “rules to follow.” When He commands us to humble ourselves, it is because humility brings peace and pride brings misery. Having to always be right is exhausting and time-consuming and isolating. God knows this, and so He reminds us throughout scripture of the importance of humility. Because He loves us and wants us to experience the fullness of joy. Because He is good.

So the lesson today is that I need to be less like Fonzie and more like the twins. I need to be more willing to say, “I was wr…wrrrr…wrrrooo….” Well, you know.

Our church had a women’s event this weekend that focused on joy. One theme that kept coming up as each speaker addressed this topic is that joy is not based on circumstances. Each of the ladies who shared had experienced deep hurt and heartache. Yet, they not only spoke about joy, they exuded it. And because I know them, I know this wasn’t an act just for these talks. They truly are joyful women, in spite of difficulties they have and are facing.

Listening to these women, I thought of another friend, Kim, who was diagnosed with ALS several years ago. This is a disease that, over time, robs its victims of the most basic life functions. Yet Kim has glorified God throughout her journey with ALS. When she lost the ability to speak, friends and family came together to purchase a computer equipped with eye-controlled technology, allowing her a means to communicate. And what does Kim do with this technology? She writes words of encouragement, reminding her readers of how good God is! Her blog is always so full of joy and praise. I am challenged with every post, as I see this sweet sister find reasons to rejoice, even in the worst of circumstances.

As I observe people who are truly joyful, I see that their joy has nothing to do with circumstances, and it has everything to do with Jesus. These folks recognize that they have a Savior who loves them, who is with them, for them. They are able to look beyond difficult situations because they know God is in control, and His ways are higher than their ways. They believe that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose. They look, not to people or circumstances to bring them joy, but to Jesus. And Jesus never disappoints.

Friends, it’s SO easy to lose sight of the source of our joy. And when we do, when we look to people or circumstances to make us happy, we will always be disappointed. But when we look to Jesus, no matter what is going on in our lives, we can experience the fullness of joy. So, as the beautiful old hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.”

I am a Soccer Mom. Have been for more than a decade. All my kids enjoyed the sport, but the girls drifted towards volleyball when they hit middle and high school, and Thomas stuck with soccer. He’s come a long way from the early days, when the best the coach could hope for is that the kids kicked the ball towards the correct goal. Now, on a club team with kids inching towards college, the stakes are much higher. Practices are much longer. Games are much more intense. These boys play to win. And they play hard.

I am not athletic. Not even a little bit. When we first started putting our kids in sports, I knew very little of the terminology. I’m still not an expert, by any means. But I understand a lot more now than I did then.

One phrase I started hearing as Thomas moved from recreation league soccer to club teams is “Man On!” This is shouted as a warning – one of the opposing team players is coming after the ball that our player has. His teammates yell this because the player can’t see his opposition barreling his way. He’s focused on moving the ball down the field, keeping it in-bounds, positioning it so either he or one of his teammates can shoot it into the goal. But all that will be for nothing if the other team swoops in and steals that ball. Thus, “Man On!” is shouted, and our player knows to pass the ball or switch directions.

I was thinking of that this weekend, during an especially exciting game. The teams were quite evenly matched, so the boys all had to work hard. The opposition never let up, and our boys had to be constantly on guard. “Man On!” was shouted dozens of times, from both teams.

It made me think of the spiritual battle we’re all in. We are moving toward the goal of being like Christ. And we have major, intense, opposition coming against us constantly. We need “teammates” around us, shouting out help, warning us of when that opposition is headed our way. And we need to be that friend, too. When we see a friend considering a sinful choice, we need to shout “Man On!” — warn that friend that the enemy is coming after her (or him). We need to get in the game with them, surround them, so they have some help as they continue moving toward the goal.

So take a moment and look around. Are you part of a “team” that is moving toward the same goal? Do you have teammates around you who will warn you when the enemy is waiting to attack? To surround you as you move towards the goal? Are you being that kind of friend to others? If not, then , (excuse my High School Musical reference…) “get your head in the game”!

 ^“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb. 10:24-25

People who know me would say, without hesitation, that I am an extrovert. The poster child for extroverts. I love talking, love laughing, love people. I will stand in front of a crowd and do just about anything. It takes a lot to embarrass me, a lot to make me nervous.

I always wore the title “extrovert” with pride. I am loud. I speak without thinking and get into trouble, sometimes. Occasionally, my attempts at humor don’t quite make it, causing a spectacular “wap-wah” moment for myself and everyone around me. God has worked in me to make me more aware of others, less self-centered; He is working on me to listen more than I speak. I am not “there” yet, as those of you who read this blog regularly know, but I am growing, hopefully, to look more like Christ and less like a complete idiot with each passing year.

But a few years back, I read the actual definitions of “extrovert” and “introvert” and it made me reevaluate the label I had always given myself.  Extroverts, it read, are people who are energized by being around other people. Conversely, Introverts are people who are energized by being alone.

I love people. Love them. But I need time alone. When my kids were little, I was a stay-at-home mom (now, I am a stay-at-school mom). I loved the time I got with my babies. But once every few weeks, when Dave got home, I would go out by myself. Usually, I’d go to Barnes and Noble, buy a coffee and read a book in one of their comfy chairs for a couple hours. I only spoke enough words to order my caramel macchiato, then I was done. I’d find the chair farthest from any other people, and I would read. In silence. It was glorious. When I came home, I was energized. Ready to change diapers and watch Barney and play hide-and-go-seek. I needed that time. I still do. Time alone refreshes me, keeps me sane.

I am an introvert.

Weird, huh? But part of God’s amazing creativity. I know He has to laugh at all these stereotypes we create. He delights in throwing in people like me who just don’t quite fit those. A reminder that we are all unique, we are all fearfully and wonderfully made.