Hiding Our Humanity, or, How to Miss the Best Days of Our Lives

I am attending a family wedding soon. This is no ordinary wedding, in fact, it is a veritable gala. 😉 It is very easy to get caught up in the nerves of trying to fit in, trying to be whatever it is that I think is expected of me in order to be a presentable human at this event. I struggle with attempting to mold my personality, my core self into the mold that is presented to me.

What to wear? What to say or not say? Will my ankle hold out? All these questions stem from insecurity and from too much navel gazing. Too much thinking about myself.

We are all humans. We are all aging, thank goodness. Aging means we are still blessed enough to still be on this beautiful planet, and still able to praise our beautiful God and Savior Jesus Christ.

I am praying hard to not fall into my old traps of self-consciousness and people pleasing. I just want to be me, the me that blesses and encourages others, that is interested in their lives. I am praying that we will all enjoy each other’s differences and quirks and personalities. That we love all the ways that humans are created, that we stir each other on to more love for our God.

Most of all, I am praying for a lifetime of love and commitment and caring for the two lovebirds tying the knot. I am praying for all of us to surround them with love and excitement as they look forward to celebrating the best days of their lives. Every day. For as many years as God grants them on this earth, and in eternity to come.

Looking up and out, Lisa

A Cuppa Tea in My Hands

Cold morning. Still dark outside as the seasons change.

Warm Lyons tea. Hand painted cute raccoon mug.

As the warmth fills my hands, I relax. I feel better.

I enjoy holding the heat as much as drinking it.

I breathe deeply. Aahhh….

The restorative power of a cuppa tea in my hands.

Blessings on your day, and may you drink much good tea,

Lisa

Postscript….those of you who prefer coffee, insert preferred word above. 🙂

Love Remains

All the things we chase in this lifetime

Money, fame, popularity, success

Only one thing remains, only one thing stays

Love

Love can cross mountains, love can swim oceans

Love transcends time, distance, difficulties, lifetimes

Love never ends

Love remains

c2022 Lisa Lyons

My greatest memories, hopes, futures are all about love. The people I love, and the people who love me. The God I love, and the God who loves me. I am so grateful.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13

I’m feeling sentimental this beautiful morning. Tell everyone you love that you love them. Do not wait. Give them a hug. Encourage their hearts.

Love in Christ, Lisa

Look Up, Look Out, Breathe Deep

Life is hitting us all hard these days. Everyone I know is going through some majorly stressful and difficult challenges. Call it escapism, call it avoidance, but I have found something that helps me like nothing else.

I look up. I focus on Christ, the author and perfector of my faith.

I look out. I see the trees, the sky, the animals, the things that He has made.

I breathe deeply, if I can. Sometimes the stress is too much, and I get a pitifully shallow breath, but I refocus on God’s things, and try again. Breathe, and breathe again.

Find the things you love. Clouds, birds, your pet, your best friend, your parents, a delicious cup of tea, a piece of homemade carrot cake. Relish it. Sit in the moment of enjoying it for as long as it takes.

Here is a photograph of a jet-lagged, pain-weary me arriving in Ireland a few years ago. It had been a hard journey, and my ankle was hurting. But my husband stopped the car by the ocean on the side of the road. I got out, and the unmistakable smell of Ireland overtook me. The clean strong wind cleansed all the gunk out. I could breathe. The look you see in those tired eyes is pure joy and relief. Look for your Ireland today, wherever it may be, whatever form it takes. God never leaves you, never forsakes you, ever.

Looking up, looking out, breathing deep.

Blessings, Lisa