Why Jesus, really, why Him?

Building from scratch requires dedication, vision, perseverance, creativity, humor and a passion beyond words. Next week is Easter and we get to celebrate a man who came to love and change lives, but not in the ways that those around Him understood would be the case. Where was the modern day army general or soldier of the time? Where was this man who the scriptures told and promised of bringing in His own kingdom, but had nothing to show for it? Who was this man that needed no shield, war machinery, mansion, large wardrobe or fast donkey? Who was this mere man that worked wood for years before publicly traveling in a land that one Sunday would praise Him as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and five days later shout ‘crucify Him.’ Why would this man allow himself the scorn, betrayal, pain, abandonment, subjection to ridicule, hostility, rejection that He didn’t even have to endure? Why allow Himself to lead 12 men for 3 years for one of them to betray Him and allow the religious leaders of the day to turn him over to the political leaders? What was His anxiety level like leading to those final hours before wood splinters ended scraping off the remaining layers of skin after flesh hung off a body in tatters because of lashes beyond human dignity? And this is before the iron spikes crushed the bones of which held him to two rough pieces of wood, wobbling in a trench, on a hill between two common criminals?

Why did this happen? Why even write words this night I cannot sleep? Why even think about what He did and who He is to so many people, for those who believe Him and who live in scorn or denial to His life. Why? The answer to why Jesus remains in part mystery, part awe, part words not able to be expressed now. The impact of His decision to die for a people that would on one hand adore Him, have no understanding who He was and is, and yet be so captivated and drawn to him that they would follow Him at all times remains fundamental to millions of lives across waters, mountains, desserts, valleys, cities, incomes, lifestyles, cultures. The simple answer to all of this is that Jesus loved us, loves us beyond human understanding and measure. He allowed himself his own human existence to not just understand, but live the same lives we each do. How could One who looked into the eyes of those He taught, healed, made enemies of, challenged and rebuked not understand us, our human flesh unless He became just like us? The element that He not only lived in flesh, but three days after the cross returned and then left, leaving His own spirit is beyond words and understanding at times. And then there are times when I go outside, need to sense, need to truly feel His presence and from without cause or reason, comes this gentle wind that caresses my face and brings a smile, sometimes tears, but regardless the peace to my heart that I need.

Jesus allowed people to come to Him. He did recruit 12 men of ordinary and prominent backgrounds during those three years preceding the cross, and I wonder what that must have felt like, to look into the eyes of this man that not only knew what each of them was thinking, but by mere glance saw the soul of each. How could one refuse to follow, or want to refuse Him who must have pierced soul and drawn mind and heart before words were comprehended as to what just happened. To be fishing one day, without any catch, then the boat is overflowing and this man says, “Come, follow me, for I will make you fishers of men.” Or the tax collector, despised by the people of his community, being recruited and romanced by someone who understood and loved regardless. For the doctor who may have been the professional among the 12 and to give up the lifestyle of comfort and ease. This man, this Jesus, this God, this God man in three. What do we do with it all? What do we really do with it all?

Jesus knew who He was, and is…He knew…He did His work, and the beauty of it remains that we get to chose Him or not. We get to ask Him to lead our bodies, minds and souls if we want or not. He loves us regardless. He knows us before the words form in our hearts and heads. He waits for us, as the gentleman he is and will always be, for the moment where one says, “I can’t do it all anymore, there is nothing I will ever be or do or have to make up for the peace and love others who believe have.” Beyond all, He wants relationship with us, He craves our hearts, the same hearts He allowed his own to stop for to embrace His. He woos us…He woos us in moments we have no cognitive words for and in moments that our failures challenge us to forget His choice for us was and is a free gift that has no expiration. I have often said that I cannot change people, but I know the One who can. Oh, how often previous in my young life have I tried to change the people I love the most, who are the closest to me. And yet, how many walls of hurt and misunderstanding have I come across because of it. I simply cannot change hearts, it is not my place to change hearts. It is my job to love regardless, to forgive regardless, to accept regardless.
And now, an hour later what am I trying to say? What in the words previous does this author intend the reader to understand? It’s simple this: regardless where one is physically, mentally, emotionally, logistically, we are all loved. We are people that are sought after and loved regardless of failures, triumphs, professions, poverty, wealth. We get to chose Jesus first for our lives, we get to celebrate the horrendous death of One who returned as He said because of the unyielding, passionate, all consuming love He has for us, for all who have already chosen Him and for those who are still asking, “Jesus who?”

Sister E

Roast It.

Prep for fire.
Burning all the while
Can't stop to think,
don't have time to blink
Burn it all, burn it down
Blazing with no sound
Celebrate the flames
come and play some games.
Saturday at 7:30pm.

Acknowledging...

Hurry, fast, fleeting thoughts, write them down. As I sit near the fire this Sunday morning, and read Paul’s words in Philippians, I am so reminded of a recent conversation I had with my friend Kay. While she has an incredibly busy life in North Carolina and I speak to her less and less each year, what I realized once more yesterday is the power of words, and more so, the power of acknowledgement. Let me flush this out. When we have a conversation with the people that are dearest to our hearts, and they fully listen and acknowledge us, the value of this experience becomes priceless.

We all have certain love languages. Love languages that we naturally express and want to receive. While ‘getting stuff’ is always fun, I learned long ago that ‘time spent’ with people and physical touch are my two love languages that I thrive in. I don’t need the people closest to me to provide me with things that will break and be outgrown, but what makes me smile for days afterward are the conversations of the deep and words truly acknowledging and understanding me. How simple, how easy, how amazing these are. And the question that comes to mind this Sunday morning is also, how often do we each do this?” Are we acknowledging and affirming each other, so similar to Paul’s words in Philippians.

I am reminded of what Jesus must feel, what our Heavenly Father must be reminded of when we earnestly, when we genuinely come to Him. Coming to Him, as we acknowledge who He is in our lives. God the Father does not need our acknowledgement, He does not need our love. He allows the most amazing sunsets and sunrises, wonders of nature of quake with the new dawn’s day and tends to the lilies of the valley and all of the living creatures. Surely He does not need His earthly children to acknowledge Him and say “Abba,” “Papa?” But, I think that He wants this. We get Jesus, we get to cultivate relationship with his Son everyday if we want to and we have the opportunity to constantly ask questions to Jesus that may not leave our lips otherwise.

We were given the opportunity for relationship because of Christ and I am reminded what God the Father must love so deeply, so profoundly, as one of His children simply acknowledges Him. Are we able to stop, and simply look around us each day, remembering what we have been given, in the midst of daily lives filled with families, responsibilities, stop and go traffic, lines at the gas station and chaos within the economy?

It must be like the prodigal son returning for the first time when we come back to Him, or stop and acknowledge Him that overflows His heart. It must be an awesome thing for a parent to have their children, regardless of age simply say “I love you,’ and acknowledge them truly.

Oh, the beauty in the simple things in life. What profound impact we have in the lives of people we love when we stop and acknowledge, love and listen to those we hold close to our hearts, regardless of age, distance and origin of relationship.

Sister E

The Abbey

03.07.10

Another Sister...

How is the Sisterhood formed? It is an interesting and complex process.. one which has and will continue to necessitate important formal measures and a great deal of common sense.
Many of you may have seen the plea on Facebook, or the add placed on Craigs list about our need for another roommate. The add read something about five women, a dog and two rats, (now adding a turtle...), all wanting one more roommate. Here is the replies I have gotten in the past few weeks:

1. Joy- a woman who is moving from London to be a Doctor. (why is her English terrible?)
2. Another woman moving from Mexico.. she wants to be a fashion designer..
3. Steve.. military guy..
4. Nick... mechanic and married??
5. Another woman.. fashion designer with REALLY bad English.. guess she doesn't smoke..
6. Rock Woman.. has a pit bull.. guess he's nice, but the picture just looked ugly.
7. High school student from Kansas.. misses AK...
8. Rob.. another mechanic? I am starting to see a theme.
9. Another fashion designer... also a model? Why Alaska?... I don't know.
10. Bob... DuDE!! Its a house full of women... seriously!!? Do you know what you are asking for?

The final conclusion being that we still have an open room, so if anyone wants to come and stay for the night.. we have a bed all made up!
Some times its worth it to keep things the way they are for a while.
Goodnight. S.C.

chaining...

Sista K. is chaining.. and making shells. With a bundle of "Aunt Fang" Yarn while I must sit and do my "homework" on the 6th floor of the Universities Library. How does this happen I wonder. She, my dear sister, sits enjoying her tea, crocheting a lovely hat while I painfully begin working on another semester of school. Making shells seems much more feminine and lovely.
Maybe I should reconsider the path of the successful career. Is it really worth the fuss?

Shells and Chains, Chains and Shells
A wonderful world it should be.
Little fluffs of winding yarn,
passed down from toothy lady.

Maybe, just maybe I will slip away.
NEVER more this work I say!
Hole me up in the woods.
Joy in such simple things.

Alas I go, again to filth
the mind afront with dying time.
The books the air chills me so.
A sister smiles and chains again.

S.C.

Moosing around

Upon walking across the yard this evening my eyes beheld a strange sight. A horse!
There it was in the middle of our driveway. I squinted my eyes. It looked up at me, then turned its head...It was not a horse. It was a moose!
The moment my concious recognized the shape, my faithful friend also realized our potential danger. Bold, Beautiful and Brave, our dear dog sped down the path. Barking and growling she charged the lanky moose.
The moose turned again, dropped its head and in turn, charged the speeding black dog! They collided and Dear Alli tumbled underneath the stomping legs of the moose. In the same instance I beheld another large form emerging from the woods. ANOTHER MOOSE! This one too joined in the attack on the small dark form which had managed to slip under the thundering hooves and into the ditch. The moose followed her fearful body into the woods as I began to call her back to me again.
Then there was stillness.
My maternal heart was beating more rapidly, until breaking through the underbrush I saw our heroine bursting into the yard and running to me.
Upon inspection D.A. seems to be physically sound, though her soul has been wounded and is now in recovery. Your sentiments are welcome.
Sister C.

New Year

One post right after the other. It's almost too much! But I know that all of us Abbey girls are going to look back at upon this blog with such appreciation that I cannot hold back my entry! Not when the Abbey needs me!

Besides, I have been waiting for this moment. Today is the fifth day of the new year. This is the moment where all I've learned from the past year comes flooding back. The picture organizing may have had a great deal to do with this. And not to mention my half-asleep brain which causes my mind to wander...

Ah-hem! Back to the fact of the matter...

Recently I have been...
1. Thinking of all my friends.*
2. Appreciating all of my friends.*

*Literally all.
Each of us has come a long way in the last 6 months since I got back. And all of it is due to ME and ME being back home and changing everyone's lives for the GOOD!

Just kidding. Actually I was thinking of how each one of us has come a long way in the sorts of growing up some more. Like how God teaches us Truth and we become mature so we can withstand anything. And I was thinking of how all my friends have really helped to establish Truth in my life. Like little seeds that have come to bloom in their own time. It's great! I am really thankful for all the good influences in my life!

Gracias Everybody!
Happy New Year!

Sistah K.