In the In-Between

The in-between weather of summer giving way to fall is a glorious time in St. Louis!  And it got me thinking as I enjoyed my walk around the SCC campus in-between classes this afternoon.  There's a path that circles a large pond with a fountain and since the geese weren't out today, I slipped off my heeled shoes.  I couldn't help but notice how the concrete, which was pleasantly warmed from the sun, felt ice cold in the shade.  And how the college students were spending their in-between time playing frisbie out in the sun...in long sleeves and jeans.  How girls were wearing tank tops with long jeans and fall boots, or hoodies with flip-flops.  I, myself, in fall colors, but a short-sleeved sweater top and sandals.  And how the thin jacket I grabbed for the brisk air I felt upon going out the door this morning, felt too warm after a 20 minute walk in the sun.  I remembered my indecision about the using the AC vs. the heater in my car on my drive to work.  And how we enjoyed a summery BBQ this weekend, topped off with smores around a camp fire.  We're right smack in the middle of the in-between and I love it!

So often, I don't stop to enjoy the in-between of life.  When my kids are learning to roll over, I'm eager for them to crawl.  When they're learning to crawl, I'm thinking ahead to when they'll start walking.  While they're in pre-school, I'm dreaming about all I'll be able to accomplish when they're finally all in grade school. 

But these in-between's are so short!  What do you do in your in-between time in your daily life? Those moments when you're waiting to go from one activity to another.  Do you daydream or create?  Do you work or play?  Do you worry or pray?  Do you even HAVE any in-between time?  My calendar is so full some weeks, I have to try to schedule in down time...in between activities.

As I ponder being in the great in-between (this time between birth and death--or everlasting life, depending on how your view it), I want to live life in the present.  I want to enjoy being where God has placed me, not always looking back or wishing away the present so I can get to the future...but even in the in-between's.

Grace and peace.

How To "Do Not"

No one likes a list of “Do NOT’s.”  But we'd all agree on some, right?

Do not steal.
Do not bear false witness.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
Do not murder.

Okay, so some are easier to obey than others.  But there are "do not's" that can be challenging for everyone:  Do not be self-seeking.  Do not be gluttonous.  Do not be boastful or proud.  Do not delight in evil.  Do not be easily angered.  Do not, do not, do not....

Yet God tells us over and over how to love Him best: obey His commands.

“If you love Me, obey My commandments.” John 14:15

Here’s what I love about God: He doesn’t leave us to try as hard as we can to “do not” all by ourselves. In fact, He doesn’t leave us all by ourselves at all!

First, if you are a Christian—you’ve confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead—you have God living in you! That in itself is amazing. Nothing we do is all alone and He gives us power that we don’t have ourselves.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13

Secondly, He commands us to fellowship and worship with other believers. These friends are my lifeline who hold me accountable and encourage me in my faith.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do,

but encourage one another, especially now that

the day of His return is drawing near.” Heb. 10:25

Finally, psychologists tell us that to get rid of a bad habit, you should replace it with another action. Oh, how God knows our minds (He did create them afterall)! And He gave us all sorts of habits and actions and thought processes to “DO” in place of the “Do NOT’s.”

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, 

and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are 

excellent and worthy of praise.” Phil 4:8

This, I can DO.  How about you?


Grace and peace.