A Family Raised on Camping

I'll never forget the first time I stepped into a camper!

I was 40.

And it was love at first site.

We made our maiden voyage in 2000.

Kate was 14.

Taylor was 7.

Our camper was a 16' Jayco Kiwi.

A travel trailer with canvas ends that folded out.

We woke up after a great night's sleep by the lake.

I looked up to see tiny bird feet walking across the canvas over my head.

That's when I knew.

I was hooked!

Those were wonderful years for our family.

Weekends in the spring and fall.

Summer vacations at Huntington Beach.

Bacon frying on the griddle outside.

Pancakes and syrup on a paper plate.

A campfire to knock off the chill of the morning.

A hot cup of coffee.

Being outdoors.



It was often.

Sandy feet tracked in and out the door.

Towels hung up outside.

It was.

Steamy bath house showers.

And occasional not so steamy ones.



It was.

Going to bed with the dark.

And often getting up with the light.


It was.

Building campfires.

Poking the burning logs with a stick.

And talking.

Sitting around the fire.

Having conversations we might never have at home.

It was.

Being up close and personal with wildlife.

Nightly racoon visits.

Squirrels, snakes and birds.

The sounds of the ocean or the lake.


It was.

Sliding down inside your sleeping bag.

Laughter.

Giggling.

And talking after the lights went off.

In the early days of camping.

There were no phones.

Not even a TV.

The pace slowed down.

We rode bikes.

We walked the beach or campground.

We read.

One summer at Huntington Beach.

The four of us read thirteen books in a week!



There were.

Alligator sightings.

Bicycle rides.

Trips up to camp store.

And walks out to the marsh.



Pulling our camper across the causeway at Huntington Beach.

Was like coming home.

It was a wonderful way to spend time as a family.

And.

The years passed.

They always do.

But our camping continued.

Through middle school.

High School.

College.

And after.

It become a constant in our family.

A place of good memories.

Things familiar.

Good.

Comforting.

Yep.

All of our favorite things about camping.

Stay with us today.

We didn't have a lot of money back then for vacations.

But we never felt cheated in anyway.

We raised our family on camping.

Looking back.

I'm so glad we did.

Distractions in my Life

This word.

God has been speaking this word over me for days.

Distraction.

D
I
S
T
R
A
C
T
I
O
N.



Clearly.

He's trying to make a point.

So I listen up.

What am I distracted by?

What diminishes my focus?

What keeps me from getting on with what's most important?

What captures my time and attention.

That may be of no real value or consequence.

Hindering me.  

From the appointments.

Purpose.

The work He might have for me to do.




I started thinking about the distractions in my life right now.



I can be distracted by the familiar.

When I feel so comfortable with my surroundings.

And my day to day.

Dullness can creep into my life.

Like sleepwalking through my day.

That's been a distraction for me.

Too much routine.

When what I really need is - fresh eyes.

And a new perspective.

A renewed focus.



I can also be distracted by fear.

Fear looms.

And easily becomes my focus.



Impatience.

Growing impatient for God to move.

Weary of waiting.



Too much focus on myself.

That never satisfies.

But it can sure occupy my thoughts.



Busyness.

Always on the go.

Not making time and space for Him.



Trying to meet someone else's expectations.

And their view of what I should be.

Instead of who I am in Him.



Unforgiveness and past disappointments.

It keeps me bound to that person.

When what I really need to do.

Is let it go.




And to be honest.

I can be distracted in ridiculously shallow ways.

Time scrolling Facebook.

Binge watching "Longmire."

Procrastinating with housework.

Focusing too dadgum much on the number on my scales.

Or by other people's drama finding its way into my life.

Or worse yet.

By creating drama myself.





I'm also beginning to understand.

That distraction is a very effective tool of the enemy in my life.

Harmless at first glance.

But also very effective.

If the enemy can keep me bound up by distractions,

I'll have less energy.

Less focus.

Less time.

To focus on Jesus.

And what He may have for me to do.



So.

I've taken a step.

I'm trying to see my distractions.

Call them out for what they are.

And I look to Him.

With my hands open to listen.

What more could He accomplish through me.

If I were less distracted?

"So Distracted" by Anna Kincaide

All the While. Things Change.

Have you noticed?

 How quickly.

Things change.

Children grow up.

Projects begin.

And end.

Cats go from being small & adorable.

To big.....and pesky.

Clothes come back in style.

Hair turns gray.

Love deepens.

Experience develops.

Time passes faster.

Memories soften.

Forgiveness is easier.

Health is taken for granted.

Then it's held dear.

Seasons come.

And seasons go.

Trips begin.

And trips end.

Friendships develop.

Families evolve.

Interests grow.

Lives are altered.

All the while.

Things change.


Gratitude is shown.

Faith is stretched.

Grace is given.

Hope is encouraged.

Life is fleeting.

And valuable.

All the while.

Things change.

Boots Out of the Box Women

I was in one of my favorite stores Saturday.

Just Off Main in Abbeville.

Just Off Main is located at 101 Church Street in Abbeville, SC.

My friends Dale & Karen Sherwood run it.

And it's always full of great finds and prices to match.

Scott spotted them on a shelf.

Closed up in a box.

Pristine condition.

Never worn.

The age of the box suggested they had been there for some time.

Steel toed boots.

Scott's size.

$20.

He couldn't resist.

And...…..they came home with us.

They've been sitting on a bench.

At the foot of our bed for days.

And as I've walked by and looked at them all week.

I couldn't help but think.

I don't want to be that person.

That never ventures out of my box.

Carefully protecting myself from being used.

Not fulfilling my purpose.

I know.

From boots to life's purpose.

That's quite a jump.

(Smile.)

But.

The comparison was just plain striking to me.

At the end of my life.

I pray my boots get dirty.

I hope they're used.

And worn out.

I hope they're covered in dust & mud & scuffs and spots.

I hope the soles are coming apart.

And holes are nearly worn through the toes.

The box is no where to stay.

Whether it's boots.

Or life.

Being carefully preserved and protected.

Doesn't sound so good to me.

It's best for me.

To jump in.

Boots first.

And do the thing.

Make this quickly passing life count.

There's something beautiful.

About a life well lived.

Just like these "boots out of the box" women.  

Here's just a few that come to mind.

Dr. Catherine Hamlin has operated a fistula clinic in Ethiopia for more than half a century.

Linda & Norris Wilson were our neighbors for over 20 years in Greenwood.  Linda continues to pour her life out & serve friends, church members & family.  I've learned a lot from watching her.

Dr. Maya Angelou, American poet.

Jane Goodall, Primatologist & Anthropologist.

My friend & teammate, Molly Dannelly.

My friend & Kenya missionary, Danee Davis.

How about you?

At the end of your life.

Will your boots still be carefully stored away in the box?

Or will they be more like these?

Evidence.

Of a life well used.

The Face of My Enemy

The face of my enemy.

I visualize sometimes what he looks like.

But mostly I'm just aware of his presence around me.

Some doubt his existence.

Not me.

I know for a fact.

He.  Is.  Real.

There may be some things I wrestle with in my faith.

But is the enemy real?

That's not one of them.



And he's not the boogy man with a red cape and pointed ears.

I might have once thought.

He comes saddling up to me with charm and disguise.

Pulling up a chair to my table.

He's sneaky.

Manipulative.

And a destructive liar.

Out to rob my peace.

Out to rob my joy.




He's clever in his attacks.

And knows where I'm most vulnerable.

He hits me in those places.

In my insecurities.

And in my doubts.

He whispers discouragement.

And half-truths.

If he were too far off track.

I'd just dismiss them.

But there's always an element of truth.

In what he says over me.

Just enough.

For his lies to gain some ground.



He works against me though distraction.

When I'm juggling too many things at one time.

In areas where I might feel overwhelmed.




He also speaks.

Through fear.

Worry.

Self-pity.

Conflicts.

And drama.

When those kind of situations arise.

I'm on alert.

I usually know the enemy is close by and at work.



He knows if he can get me to doubt God's goodness.

I might also question God's love for me.

Or believe somehow.

That God will let me down.




He attacks the most valuable areas of my life.

In the lives of people.

And the things I care about most.

My husband and my marriage.

Focusing on my husband's faults and not his strengths.

My children.

Worrying instead of trusting Jesus with their lives.

My family.

Reminding me of past offenses and damaged relationships.

In my work.

Telling me I'm not smart enough.   That I will let people down.

And relationships.

At the root of conflicts, division and unkindness.

In my work in Kenya.

Getting me to doubt my calling and purpose.

And my physical well-being.

Finding comfort in food.   Encouraging a lack of discipline.



He'll do and say anything.


To take from me.

To steal from me.

And to destroy me.


He hates me.

And he hates my faith.

That's the face of my enemy.

So, what can I do?

Am I completely at his mercy?

Thankfully no.

I'm getting better at recognizing him at work in my life.

And I call him out for what he is.

I visualize that smirky grin on his face.

When he thinks he's got me on the ropes.



And I remember who I am.

I am blessed.

Chosen.

Adopted.

Accepted.

Redeemed.

Forgiven.


I can stand my ground with the enemy.

And tell him - basically - to go straight back to Hell.

Scripture tells me it's as simple as that.



"so humble yourselves before God.  resist the devil and he will flee
from you. come close to God and God will come close to you."
James 4: 7

~~~~

"expect to encounter adversity in your life, 

remembering that you
live in a deeply fallen world.  
stop trying to find a way that 
circumvents difficulties.  
the main problem with an easy life  
is that it masks your need for Me.  
anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities,
situations totally beyond your ability to handle. 
when you see armies of problems marching toward you, 
cry out to Me!
allow Me to fight for you.  
watch Me working on your behalf."

Sara Young, "Jesus Calling."

What God is Teaching Me Through A Difficult Season

As I write this.

I know my mama will be checking in with me soon.

"I read your blog."

"Is everything okay?"

And...….while generally, everything is okay.

It has been.

A difficult season.

I know you walk through them too.

Caused by any number of things.

For me.

It's been a season of getting my butt kicked.

Yep.

The enemy has been relentless in this season.

Discouragement.

Lack of answers.

Trouble.

Just being worn down.

Many of us are just plain tired.

We're stretched thin.

And the enemy is so good at what he does.

Sewing lies into our areas of vulnerability.

Prowling around and looking for those he might devour.

It's just been that kind of season for me.

I've been his prey.

And while it's true.

I know I'm extremely blessed.

It can also be said.

That the good things.

Can get overshadowed.

When this kind of season sets in.

But.

Here's what God is teaching me.

In my difficult season.

Keep moving forward.

Keep your hands open.

Palms up.

Yep.

Stretch out your hands.

Fingers spread wide.

And keep nothing from Me.

So, I release my worries.

The things I have no answer for.

I release the uncertainties I feel in my life.

My disappointments.

My efforts to control.

Your list might include other things.

An important relationship.

Your health.

Worry.

Fear.

Or just being in over your head.

He's teaching me.

To hold my hand open to Him.

Because my natural inclination.

Is to close my fingers tight.

But He asks me to be.....intentional.

To hold open my hands.

Empty them of all that stuff.

Give Him the chance.

To fill them back up.

With.

Hope.

Assurance.

Protection.

Trust.

That's what He's teaching me.

To open up my hands.

Simple.

Moth Catching

I rescue moths.

That find themselves in my house.

I don't mind them.

Most are soft & light & gentle.

Catching them is a different story.

It's tricky business.

They flit around.

trying to evade me.

All the while I'm reassuring them.

Let me help you.

Come on.

Just be still a minute.



They don't understand.

And clearly they don't trust me.

I guess word hasn't gotten around.

In moth world.

That I'm trying to help.

And protect them.

Many evenings.

I'm in my studio upstairs in our old house.

The window is open.

My cats enjoy being out on the porch roof.

Just as it's getting dark.

I think it gives them a sense of power.

To be up that high.

Undetected to things below.

The downside to this practice?

Moths sometimes slip inside.

And if I'm not attentive.

One of my cats will quickly intervene.

It's too much to resist.

All that darting and flitting around.



I imagine sometimes.

That must be how Jesus sees me.

I'm spinning and rolling over worries and concerns.

In my life.

That problem at work.

Fears about my future.

Concerns for my family.

Stuff.

And all the while.

As I'm darting and flitting around.

He's patiently standing there.

Wanting to be my protector.

To give me peace.

And a better life.

If only.

I would be still.

"....most of your mental energy 

goes into efforts to figure things out.

I look into your mind 

and see thoughts spinning round and round;

going nowhere, 

accomplishing nothing.   

All the while 

My Peace hovers over you, 

searching for a place to land..."


"Jesus Calling"   Sarah Young