Chutzpah!

It's been awhile since I wrote and I am honestly in shock that it is October!  Good Grief!!  So much has been happening, both good and bad.  Our family continues to make me proud as we face each new situation with faith and determination and a few tears thrown in here and there.  

If you have read some of my other posts, you know that God has put "Redefined" on my heart and as I am walking that out and writing.  I have no idea what it is supposed to be or will end up being, just be obedient, right?!?  It's a very vulnerable thing ~ writing.  I have been studying and writing about Saul, but the last little bit I have been thinking about the woman with the oil.  Luke 7: 36-50 tells her story.  I love her!  I did a teaching on her story in North Carolina and Philippines, we're not getting into that, but it's awesome if you want to dig into it.  I love her Chutzpah!!  She walked into a group of men, who knew her reputation and no doubt sent eyebrows raising and tongues wagging about how dare she.  She then had a life-changing encounter with her Living, Loving God.  I love how she was unashamed with her tears and allowed the grace and mercy to wash away her shame and guilt.  

I know that there have been moments before God that I have become undone.  Can you remember times when circumstances, loss, and betrayal have brought you to your knees and you have been undone? Maybe it was having experienced the joy and grace after an encounter with your Living, Loving God.  I picture her all red-eyed and snotty, shocked that Jesus turned to her, looks her in the eyes and releases her from her past and sets her free.  

Ladies, and the men who love us,  we know that this type of cry is not pretty...we wish we looked like  this:

 But we know, we look more like this: 

As important and necessary our moments of un-doneness are, I think the real work of being redefined comes after.  What was her life like after that moment?  What happened when men came to her door assuming they were welcome?  Was she still an outcast when she got water from the well or went shopping? How did she make money?  Was she tempted to go back to her old life?  I'm sure she had moments of self-doubt and questioning.

We walk out being redefined every day when we choose to believe God over the voices in our heads or others.  The times when my body betrays me or I am overwhelmed by life do I hold onto the promise that He is sufficient for me.  In Him I can do anything.  

Jesus forgave her and said to go in peace.  Peace there means rest, quietness set at one again (wholeness).  We are given rest and wholeness when we come to Him in brokenness.  After the chaos and turmoil of sin and living for ourselves we find rest.  As we are no longer being defined by our past we can find quietness.  As God brings us into our future we are made whole. 

How are you being redefined today?

I hope you have a fab day!!

xo ~ Jodi  

Have a Coke and a Smile!

Connections.  We all need them and search for them.  We were made to love and be loved.  We Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, post, poke and overshare our way through each day.  We long for that community that tells us we are loved.  We are OK.  We are supported and understood.  Growing up we ran around the neighborhood as one group.  We played and hung out, sharing houses and moms.  My friend, Colleen, taught me to swim in her backyard and ride a bike..skinned knee included.

A Coke commerical came on a few weeks ago, you know the one where the girl buys like 500 cokes in one day and a party breaks out complete with confetti and everyone is immediate friends.  You know that's not going to happen.  A party doesn't break out as I walk out of Starbucks with my Chai.  And I don't think you can count the guy laughing as I drive by dancing and rocking out in my car.  

I'm still trying to figure out how it's already August.  Life is busy and we are running to try to catch up.  At least I feel that way.   A few weeks ago my girls and I were invited to Jess's house to learn about essential oils.  I was interested and wanted to go but by the time 7:30 came that night I was tired and cranky...sorry Jess!  I went anyway and by the end of the evening I felt refreshed, had laughed, learned and spent time with some lovely ladies.  Connections.  We need them!

Earlier in the summer I created the "connection" basket for the kitchen table.  It's filled with games to invite hanging out.  Its worked and I have loved it.  I totally borrowed the idea from Jennifer's Way Bakery in New York.

I will probably never be part of a Coke inspired dance party, although I think I could totally rock it.  I can make the choice to make connections where I'm at and with who is in my life.  

I pray you have a great day and connect with someone today.  Tell those who are in your life how much you love them. 

I would love to hear some of your ideas on how you connect with people.  

xo ~ Jodi

Perfect Smerfect

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the word perfect.  That elusive and frustrating (goal) that lets us know we don't measure up. The other morning I was remembering my quest to be the perfect wife and mom, and not making it.  I was chuckling over some of my attempts. 

*Dean loves corn beef hash.  I, on the other hand, think it's one of the more disgusting foods out there.  Early in our marriage I tried making it for him, it's what you're supposed to do. I would tie a towel around my face and gag my way through it.  If we had a face mask, that bad-boy would have been on!  That didn't last long...he's on his own!  
*The same goes for Oatmeal, can't stand the stuff.  I know, I know it's so good for you.  Can't! Do! It!  As a missionary that was the only food I turned down, a mortal no-no. That's saying something with things like Flying Fish Sandwiches ~ whole fish on a bun (with eyes looking at me) and the-goat-is-missing-and-we're-having-stew-for-dinner!?! ficaso.  I was doing the dance of joy when each of my kids didn't like it, the one and only time I tried feeding it to them.
*Then there's the throwing up thing. Not pretty, people!  When they were younger I would do my best not to push them out of the way and join them over the toilet.  Now, that they're older I stand by the door and check in, gagging and covering my nose...and sending Dean in.  
*Ironing! Hate it! I would iron all of Dean's shirts for church.  One morning, in the midst of kids, breakfast and not losing my Christianity as I tried to get to church, I had a revelation.  The heavens opened and there were angels singing.  I finished in record time!  As Deano was headed out the door, leaving me in the chaos, I told him not to take his jacket off (yes, suit jackets used to be worn in church) because I only ironed the front, the collar and cuffs! Yup! Wife Win!  He eventually got too hot for this arrangement and has since ironed all his shirts...another win!  Not to mention, he doesn't wear suit jackets to church anymore.  That's a win for Dean.

The list goes on, and can include every area of my life, not just those two.  Then there's scripture like Matthew 5:48 "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  Yeah, no pressure!  I can't even handle mundane things like laundry and cooking. 

 In the previous verses He is talking about loving your enemies and loving them as God loves you.  I have heard that verse used often outside of that context.  The definition of perfect in this verse is: completion; brought to its end; finished; mature.  

I also like the Message translation: "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." 

I really like the last two sentences.  It's not about being the perfect mom or wife, or having the perfect house, car, body, clothes etc.  It's not about acting like a perfect Christian but about being mature and sincere.  It's about living and loving authentically, generously and graciously.  It's about allowing God to finish making us into His image. Complete. Whole.

I pray that we will accept God's unconditional love and grace and live that out every day.

I would love to hear some of your stories...

Have a fab day!
xo ~ Jodi

P.S. I would like to thank Deano and my kids for allowing me the freedom to mess up and try again! xoxo

To Be or not To Be

This past Sunday I had the privilege to speak on a panel at our church for Mother's Day.  I was with two awesome ladies, Susan Allen and Jodi Shippey.  It was nervewracking and scary to willingly let people know my heart.  I had intentionally been guarding my heart to keep out hurt, pain and having the bottom fall out from under me, again.  As you know from previous blogs that God has been working on that.  

For awhile now God has been has telling me to find my identity and validation in Him.  To not be dependent on a calling, postiton, job, affirmation or approval but knowing I am His, He loves me and we're good.  A couple of weeks ago the pastors and their wives went to a conference in Dallas and the speakers were hearing and saying the same thing.  God wants us to rely on Him for who we are!!

So, back to last week.  I found it strangely freeing to let people know me.  I have wrestled this week with my doubts and insecurity about saying too much, not enough or saying it differently.  It has been a hands-on lesson on what God has been preparing in me.  This week I had to walk out being secure in Him and know that He is bigger than any mistakes and not sweating it.  (Thank you to those who had encouraging words for me!) 

God has put something unique and special in each of us and He wants us to walk that out in our lives.  When we live out who we are, not what others want us to be or what we are expected to be, but the deep-down-honest us, it brings joy to our Father's heart.  I picture Him slapping the angels on the back, saying "Look at her go!"  I want to in walk in all He had in mind when He was forming me.  

It is only, and I mean this with all my heart, by God's grace and mercy in my life that I am who I am today and not a complete basket-case.  He has been faithful to me and never let me go.  Without Him in my life someone would have found me in a corner surrounded by chocolate wrappers.

No matter where you are in life, where you are in your walk with Him, what you are afraid of, God is there for you!  He will catch you as you jump into the unknown.  

I want you to be all God created you to be.  I want to join Him in celebrating who you are!  I pray for the strength and courage to face those things that are holding you back.  For wisdom and accountability to practically walk out those changes.  And the freedom to allow yourself to dream and hope that there is more for you than what you see right now.

You go!!!

All my love ~ 
Jodi xoxo

We are more!

So, the other day I almost fell in the garage and had another dose of reality and how things have changed in my life.  I realized that if I was part of the animal kingdom, I would be the first picked off because of being lame and sickly.  On the other hand, if we got overrun with Zombies I would most likely not get eaten, because they apparently only eat healthy humans.  Hey, its not much, but I'll take it!  There's an upside to everything. 

Also, it has been 25 years since my mom passed.  Soooo not a great week.  In thinking about my mom and the uncertainty of life I try to remember to look at things in the light of eternity.  It's supposed to help put the stuff we go through in perspective, but some days just stink and eternity feels, well an eternity away.   

I am grateful that in this tumultuous month we also celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.  There is hope that we are not alone in our struggles.  We are promised that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us.  Everything I need is in Him and He lives in me.  I can have peace, even in the unknown.  I can have strength, even in my weakness.  I can have joy, even in my sorrow.  I can love, even in my fear.  

I have found God to be faithful in the midst of all my turmoil.  I know I can take my confusion, anger, fear to Him and trust Him.  

Whatever we are facing in our lives ~ you fill in the blank ~ we have hope in a God who is loving, powerful, alive and intentional in our lives.  He is interested and involved in everything in touches us.  He will equip, empower and enliven us to face each day and whatever it brings.  Because we have His Son we are  more than what we can handle on our own, in our own understanding and strength.  We have His power to overcome and face the day.  

I pray this season of Easter will bring a certainty to you, that no matter what we each face, God is alive! He sees you and wants to walk through each wonderful, scary moment of your life.  

I pray that the Living, Loving God will breathe life into you that just as Jesus was raised from the dead, you too will rise up in power and walk in the confidence of who you are in Him!  You are more than your circumstance.  You are more than your past.  You are more than your own thoughts.  You are His child!  Let's rock  today!

All my love ~ 
xo Jodi

Seasons...

In one month Jessi will be getting married.  She moved into the home she and Justin will share and is making it theirs.  It is beyond weird and while I am happy for her, I miss her and don't want things to change.  

I like knowing where my kids are, what they're doing and if they made it home safe.  When they were young, I loved snow days, vacations and mental health days! Sometimes you just need a break... 

I feel complete when my kids are around.  I know how to be that woman, the mom.  I feel a little lost when they are all out and about and I'm not with them.  I know the whole idea was to raise independent, contributing members of society, but do they have to do that without me?  

Honestly, I panicked the first time all the kids were all off doing something and I was left alone with Deano.  What the heck was I supposed to do?!?  We just kind of stared at each other...FYI a couple of weeks ago we were "kidless" again and I looked at him and said "I think we can do this no kid thing".  :)

Seasons are difficult.  Just when you start to settle in, it changes.  Good season..it'll change.  Bad season..it'll change.  The only constant is God, and He is consistent and persistent about bringing us through changes.  So, there is no use getting upset, fighting or resisting change.  Embrace it, learn from it, hold onto the robe of Jesus for all your worth!  He is the only way to survive the change.  

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 talks about everything having a season.  In all fairness, God warned us. He also says He will never leave us.  Do I trust Him to be there?  As a young Christian I was taught certain things and my belief system of how God acted, how I should respond to Him, His character etc was developed. Over the years life has had a way of changing some of that doctrine.  Through some very difficult seasons, I have come to know His love for me.  I have come to know that His character is trustworthy.  I may not like the season or understand it, but I know God loves me and nothing I go through is purposelessness. 

Whatever your season is now, trust your Living, Loving Heavenly Father.  He's got this!

Have a fab day!
All my love ~ 
Jodi Beth xo

           Jessi and Justin, the future Mr. & Mrs. Garcia. Love you guys! xo