Musings on Romans 8:28 and Ironing Shirts...

In the eighth chapter of his letter to the Roman church, the Apostle Paul wrote these words, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

Notice what he said:

Not one thing, but ALL things;

Not some things, but ALL things;

Not most things, but ALL things;

Not nothing (no thing), but ALL things...

There are times when this just doesn't feel true. But it is amazing how time and the Spirit of God has a way of making me realize the power and truth in this statement. Let me give you just one example.

When I was growing up, around my middle and high school years, I was responsible for ironing my father's work shirts. Ironing dad's shirts really annoyed me. I was good at it, but it was a chore that I absolutely despised. Like any chore, I enjoyed it when I first started doing it, but when mom would call me home from a friend's house or my sister's house or would wake me up to iron his shirts, well you can imagine what happened. Add to this, EVERYONE made fun of me because of it. It was, and still is, the biggest joke among my sister's friends. And I hated it.

For the most part, I was good at it. But the fact that I despised the chore coupled with teenage girl rebellion and laziness led to many a burned shirt. (I did not rebel by cutting school or hanging with the wrong crowd, I dragged my feet in my chores.) Anyway, my dad's good shirts were ruined because I did not want to do the task. I did not understand why I had to do it. I hated the interruptions of my life because I had to iron his shirts. I hated the monotony of ironing his shirts: right sleeve, flip, left sleeve, flip, back panel, flip, right front, lift, inside right, slide over, left front, lift, inside left, lift shirt, collar. Did I say I hated it?

But today, I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

But how could an annoying and monotonous chore work for my good?

In the mornings, as hubby is getting ready for work, I choose his shirt for the day and head into the laundry room to press it. The first time I pressed one of his shirts, I was grateful that I knew how to iron a shirt. (Thanks mom!) Hubby is crisp and sharp when he leaves the house. But more than hubby looking good, I now understand the time not as a monotonous chore, but rather as an intentional time of prayer. I pray for my husband's commute, his day at work, his health, his strength, and all things concerning his life. As I flip and press, slide over and press, lift and press I pray for God to bless him and give him peace. Instead of complaining, I pray. Instead of being annoyed, I am overjoyed for the opportunity to go before God on my husband's behalf.

And so, in this small thing and in all things, whether I understand or not, whether in a storm or in not, I now recognize that ALL things really do work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes.

Amen and so be it.

image taken from http://www.garmentcare.info/ironing_wrinkles/how_to_iron_a_shirt_like_a_pro.html

Somewhere in the Tears...

In his second letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul wrote these words:

"Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it.

Three times I did that, and then he told me, 'My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.'

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

For a long time, I thought I knew what my thorn in the flesh was. I was oh-so-sure that it was my weight. God was keeping me fat so that I wouldn't be a harlot. There was grace in my extra poundage and my singleness. Well, that wasn't so. (And not because I'm married now, but rather because I don't believe God shares American values when it comes to beauty, sexuality, and weight.)

In any case, as I juggled my role as Assistant Pastor, planned my wedding, and studied for my ordination exam last week, I realized what my handicap is. It came to me just when I hit the wall and was ready to quit. I was becoming nonchalant about the details of the wedding because it was tiresome to be consumed. "Whatever," I said to my best friend as she asked me about things that she knows I care about. I was ready to throw in the towel on ordination and take up a job selling umbrellas and sand art on a beach in Jamaica (which also meant leaving the job at the church). The tears began to trickle, and then flow. There it was. This was typical behavior for me. I tend to get myself into positions where I have 3-5 BIG things going on at once. I get overwhelmed to the point of paralysis. I really get stuck. I feel like everything is out of my control (because it is). I cry. But the tears aren't the end of the story...

This feeling, this paralysis, postures me to the truth that comes from being a child of God and disciple of Christ. Somewhere in the tears I hear God saying, "My grace is sufficient for you." Somewhere in the tears I get to the point where I can whisper, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Somewhere in the tears I recognize the Faithfulness and Omnipotence of my God! And somewhere in the tears I am humbled before God who indeed is the one who leads and guides me through it all. Truth be told, if I thought I achieved my accomplishments on my own, my head would not be able to fit through any standard sized doorway. So I say, "Thanks be to God" for the tears that keep me mindful of my own limitations and God's limitless possibilities.

Lena's Gone Home...

In the midst of (still) writing my final paper, I need to pause to honor and celebrate the life of Lena Horne (June 30, 1917-May, 9, 2010). I have few words right now to describe the powerhouse of a woman that was Lena Horne, but I will say that she exuded grace in all that she did. There was indeed a simple elegance about her. In many ways, especially for African American female actresses and singers, her life and work was a gift that opened doors and opportunities.

Here is to you, Ms. Lena. My prayer is that one day I will embody the grace that you so wonderfully lived...