Musings on Marriage

Tag: Story

Who’s the Author of Your Story?

I recently watched the trilogy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings once again.  I love seeing Sam and Frodo as they live through many adventures far away from their comfortable hobbit holes, both wonders and dangers.  They’ve fought a battle on Weathertop, seen the beauty of Rivendell, the dark mines of Moria and then, as they are standing in the long shadow of Mordor, Sam asks a question,

I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?

He assumes there is a story.  Something larger has been going on before they ever arrived and they have somehow tumbled into it.  Sam and Frodo know they aren’t the authors of their story, because there has been a lineage of people who have gone before them, and they are honored – yet a little fearful – to be playing their unique roles in this same story. 

It may benefit us all if we were to ask that very question of ourselves,

What sort of tale have I fallen into?

If we don’t know our purpose, the reason we are living on this earth, if we think we’re an accident, then we will flounder our way through life.  As Neil Postman writes about the scientific view to which many people hold:

In the end, science does not supply the answers most of us require.

Its story of our origins and our end is, to say the least, unsatisfactory.

To the question `How did it all begin?’, science answers,

`Probably by an accident.’  To the question, `How will it all end?’

Science answers, `Probably by an accident.’  And to many people,

The accidental life is not worth living.  (Science and the Story we Need)

If we think our life is an accident, we may conclude that we are the author of our own story.  Yet a simple fact remains: we have no control over tomorrow, today, or even this moment.  Thinking we are our own author brings more stress and anxiety than any human is capable of bearing.  Seeking to figure out why everything happens in a day plus worrying about tomorrow puts us in a never-ending Ring around the rosy chase in our mind.  Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down

Because you were fashioned by a Creator who placed you in the story you are now living, you do have a part to play in this story on earth.  Remember Frodo never planned to be caught up in the epic story of The Lord of the Rings, but there he was, born into a story having many chapters played out before his own.  And because he was willing to take his place in the story already started, he was ready to meet the challenges set before him along with the other hobbits in his fellowship.

When we know the Author of our story, and the simple fact that there is a larger story into which we have been born, we find that we do have a purpose.  We exist because Jesus dreamt us up.  When God, the Author of our story, created people, He made us in His image on purpose. Because we can be certain of the fact that our birth wasn’t an accident, we can freely move forward and seek out what our purpose is – by simply asking the Author of the Grand Story.

Remember – the battle right now is for the narrative; who gets to frame the story for you?  Either it will be God, or someone else.

John Eldredge

If we allow our society to frame our story, we are expected to figure out many questions on our own:

Who am I?

Why am I here?

What is my purpose?

Where am I going?

Was I born into the wrong body?

Am I just an accident?

But if you allow God to frame your story, He assures you that He created your inmost being, He knit you together in your mother’s womb.  Body, soul, and spirit, you are marvelously made and have been sculpted into a person of value.  He loves you and has a purpose for your life if you choose to ask Him.  You are not an accident, and if invited He will show you your part in His Story.

Unfortunately, many children and teenagers today are being taught in school and on social media that they are not part of a bigger story, therefore they are required to create a story of their own – from ground zero. When a child has nothing absolute in their life, confusion reigns in every area of their life.  

Knowing that Jesus is the Author of your story brings peace and assurance, takes a lot of pressure off your mind, and you may even find joy in the process.

Charity Gayle, one of my current favorite singers has an amazing song, New Name Written Down In Glory, with a line that goes,

I’ve met the Author of my story, and He’s mine…

I am who I am because the I AM tells me who I am….

The Author of My Story

Dear Daughters,

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Sam and Frodo have experienced many adventures far away from their comfortable hobbit holes, both wonders and dangers.  They’ve fought a battle on Weathertop, seen the beauty of Rivendell, the dark mines of Moria and now they are standing in the shadow of Mordor.  It is then when Sam asks a question,

I wonder what sort of tale we’ve fallen into?

He assumes there is a story.  Something larger has been going on before they ever arrived and they have somehow tumbled into it.  Sam and Frodo know they aren’t the authors of their story, because there has been a lineage of people who have gone before them, and they are honored, yet a little fearful to be playing their unique roles in this same story. 

It may be a benefit for us all if we were to ask that very question of ourselves,

What sort of tale have I fallen into?

If we don’t know our purpose – the reason we are living on this earth – if we think we’re an accident, then we flounder our way through life.  As Neil Postman said about the scientific view to which many people hold:

In the end, science does not supply the answers most of us require.

Its story of our origins and our end is, to say the least, unsatisfactory.

To the question `How did it all begin?’, science answers,

`Probably by an accident.’  To the question, `How will it all end?’

Science answers, `Probably by an accident.’  And to many people,

The accidental life is not worth living.  (Science and the Story we Need)

If we think our life is an accident, we may conclude that we are the author of our own story.  Yet a simple fact remains: we have no control over tomorrow, today, or even this moment.  Trying to become our own author brings more stress and anxiety than any human is capable of bearing.  Trying to figure out why everything happens in a day, plus worrying about tomorrow puts us in a never-ending Ring around the rosy chase in our mind.  Ashes, Ashes, we all fall down

When we look at the thousands of years in which billions of people have lived on this earth, chances are nil that our small story will be one that becomes a subject for a famous biography.  In fact, do you even know the name of your great-great-grandmother- much less anything about her?  I think I learned the name of mine once, but I know nothing about her life.

When we know the Author of our story, and the simple fact that there is a larger story into which we have been born, we find that we do have a purpose.  We exist because Jesus dreamt us up.  When God, the Author of our story, created people, He made us in His image. Because we can be certain of the fact that our birth wasn’t an accident, we can freely move forward and seek out what our purpose is – by simply asking the Author of the Grand Story.

Remember – the battle right now is for the narrative; who gets to frame the story for you?  Either it will be God, or someone else.

John Eldredge

If we allow our society to frame our story, we are expected to figure out many questions on our own:

Who am I?

Why am I here?

What is my purpose?

Where am I going?

Was I born into the wrong body?

Am I just an accident?

But if you allow God to frame your story, He assures you that He created your inmost being, He knit you together in your mother’s womb.  Body, soul, and spirit, you are marvelously made and have been sculpted from a precious embryo into a person of value.  He loves you and has a purpose for your life if you choose to submit to Him.  You are not an accident, and if invited He will show you your part in His Story.

Unfortunately, many children and teenagers today are being taught in school and on social media that they are not part of a bigger story, therefore they are required to create a story of their own – from ground zero. When a child has nothing absolute in their life, confusion reigns in every area of their life. 

John Eldredge writes about students entering college,

Eighteen is the new twelve. Our students are emotionally underdeveloped,

they are much less resilient than any we’ve ever encountered,

and I’m not entirely sure why.

I’m guessing part of the reason is because students are often left to themselves, trying to figure out and write their own story and decide what their role is in life.  That’s an overwhelming responsibility for an adult, much more for children and teens. 

I have a friend, Emily, who worked as a news producer for WWTV-TV in Cadillac, Michigan, for 3 years and is now working for CRU- a caring community passionate about connecting people to Jesus Christ.  Emily used to photograph and report on world and local news.  Still a reporter, she says now,

I am a missionary with a camera,

 and I get to tell stories that glorify God…all over the world

Knowing that Jesus is the Author of your story will bring peace and assurance, take lots of pressure off your mind, and you may even find joy in the process.

Charity Gayle, one of my current favorite singers has an amazing song, New Name Written Down In Glory, with a line that goes,

I’ve met the Author of my story, and He’s mine…

I am who I am because the I AM tells me who I am.

Enjoy!

Love, Mom

Exploring My Strange Bible

Dear Daughters,

Have you ever tried to read the Bible and got bored with it?  Has the Bible seemed like a randomly collected book of stories and facts, a few wise sayings mixed in with some really strange prophecies?  Yeah, I have too.  Many of us believe that the Bible is either a divine instruction manual dropped from heaven or just a few inspirational quotes mixed in with some strange and disturbing stories.   Some of us think it’s just an old book that has no relevance for people today.  I used to read just the parts I liked and ignore the sections that were puzzling or offensive.  But all that changed when I was introduced to the Bible Project. 

Tim Mackie, one of the founders, calls himself a card-carrying Bible nerd and wants others to also be amazed at how brilliant and wise the Bible actually is.  From page one in Genesis to the last word in Revelation, the Bible is a cohesive, unified story all pointing to Jesus.  Tim’s early podcast, Exploring My Strange Bible, speaks out loud what many of us have actually thought: the Bible is too hard for me to understand, I’ll just leave it to the experts.

Back in 2014 Tim and Jon made two short 5-minute videos summarizing a few books of the Bible and posted them online for free.  Jon’s passion for visual storytelling combined with Tim’s PhD in Biblical and Hebrew studies made accessible many seemingly confusing parts of the Bible.  I’m quite certain I have watched at least 100 of their short videos, and every one I watch expands my appreciation and love for this book.

I had no idea that certain themes introduced on the first page of the Bible – such as the tree of life, the talking snake in the garden, the change from chaos to order – are coherent, beautiful and trustworthy themes, each one beautifully developed throughout all 1,000+ pages of the Bible. 

The 40-some authors of the Bible, writing over a period of 1,500 years, must have been guided by God’s Holy Spirit.  There’s no other way this book could consistently weave the same theme throughout. The writers, ranging from kings to herdsmen, were carried along in crafting their words, yet each writer has a specific personal style. As this picture suggests, it’s hard to see where God and man’s words stop or start, they simply worked together as a partnership. There’s no other book like it in the entire world.

I remember thinking in the past, If I were God, I would have whitewashed some of those stories, cleaned them up and tied them up with a neat pretty bow.  But God is not interested in cover-ups and lies.  He wants us to know that He can turn any chaotic and seemingly hopeless situation into good.  He is the Champion God of great reversals in our lives, restoring and redeeming what has fallen into chaos.  Anyone who is willing to let Him do His good work in them is invited to ask.  God is a gentleman and will not force His way into anyone’s life, but He’s always at the door waiting to be let in.

Love, Mom

O Holy Night

Dear Daughters,

I have always been fascinated by stories behind music, old songs and new.  No song ever comes out of a vacuum but reflects a life, an era, a belief system and a heart.

A few weeks ago I read the back story of one of my favorite Christmas songs, O Holy Night.  I think it is probably one of the most intriguing stories I have ever heard.

The song started way back in 1847 when a parish priest asked Placide Cappeau – a wine merchant, mayor of the town and sometimes poet in France – to pen a poem for Christmas mass.  Cappeau was rather surprised because he was better known for his poetry than his church attendance, but he was honored to take the challenge.

So, as he was traveling by stagecoach to Paris one day, he started reading the Gospel of Luke and imagined himself at the manger in Bethlehem.  By the time he reached Paris, Cantique de Noel was complete.

Cappeau was certain that these words needed a tune, so he turned to a friend, Adolphe Adams, for help.  Adams had studied at the Paris Conservatory and had been commissioned to write works for orchestras and ballets all over the world – a musician extraordinaire.

The interesting fact is that Adams was of Jewish heritage, so the words were about a holiday he did not celebrate and a man whom he did not believe was the Son of God. Nevertheless, he quickly went to work and the song was performed three weeks later at the midnight Christmas Mass.

Cantique de Noel was immediately lauded and loved by many in France, becoming a Christmas favorite.  Sometime later, however, Cappeau decided to become part of the socialist movement, and when some church members found that the tune had been written by a Jew, the song was banned and denounced by Church authorities.

The common French people paid no mind to the intention of burying Cantique de Noel , so continued to sing and share it in their homes and community gatherings.  It became a sort of underground hit in France.

About ten years later the song somehow came to the attention of John Sullivan Dwight, an obscure American writer.  Being an abolitionist, he was particularly impressed by the lyrics of the third verse:

Truly He taught us to love one another;

His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Chains shall He break,

For the slave is our brother;

And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Dwight decided to translate Cantique de Noel into English, renaming it O Holy Night and publishing it in his magazine.  It soon came to be celebrated as a song of freedom for the American North during this time of the Civil War.

Fast forward to 1906, when the only type of radios existing were wireless transmitters picking up Morse code.  On Christmas Eve that year Reginald Fessenden, a 33-year-old university professor and former chief chemist of Thomas Edison, was tinkering in his office and began to do something that had never before been done.  Fessenden started speaking into a microphone he had rigged up and read the Christmas story from Luke 2:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed….

Fessenden had no idea who, if anyone, was able to hear his broadcast.  After he finished reading the story, he picked up his violin and played O Holy Night –  the first song ever to be heard over the airwaves. 

There were many who listened to that broadcast on Christmas Eve, some thinking perhaps they were hearing a miracle and indeed it was – in more ways than one.

From the creation of the song in 1847 by two men who really didn’t believe in what they were writing, the song later being shunned by the church hierarchy in France, finding its way to the United States during a time of war, then becoming the first song to ever be heard over the radio, was truly amazing.

Thinking about the wonder of this story, I am amazed at how painstakingly God brought about one of the greatest Christmas songs ever.  If He wants something to happen, He will stop at nothing to let it be so.  He works through many people, oftentimes unknowingly, weaving together a beautiful story and song out of stranger than fiction happenings.

And if He cares that much about mere music dots on a page and words of a song, how much more does He care about you, and all the circumstances that flow in and out of your life?

Even though we may not see Him, His fingerprints are everywhere if we open our eyes to see.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices

O night divine, O night when Christ was born…

Love, Mom

Lecrae

Dear Daughters,

I love reading stories about people – especially autobiographies – because I believe that truth is stranger and often more interesting than fiction. Although you know I am a C S Lewis junkie, devoted to the Chronicles of Narnia, I almost equally love to read about other people’s real life adventures.

Anyway, I just finished Unashamed by Lecrae, a musician who happens to be a rapper.  I have long enjoyed his music and have always been curious about his story, which has been just recently published.  His memoir is vulnerable and honest.  Few people would be willing to open the pages of their lives to the public like he has.

Although many may see the life of Lecrae simply as a Boy in the Hood to riches story, it is mostly about confession and a desire to love better.  It’s his story about not fitting in anywhere –  not in the hood where he grew up, not around the gangstas in his family, not in college, and not even in the music industry.

Lecrae

Growing up without a daddy, sexually abused at age 6 by his babysitter, physically abused by his mom’s boyfriends, he grew up in a culture encouraging hardness and machismo.  So, of course, like anyone else with an experience of rejection, abandonment, insignificance and insecurity, he lived out what he had learned so well.  Abuse begets abuse, violence creates more violence.  He naturally became an instigator of many acts of anger and rage. Seeds were sown in him as a child and started bearing much fruit.

While in college, Lecrae faced the familiar frustrations of young adults who go away to a place with daring opportunities and like many others, abused his freedoms.  Hoping that because he was physically distanced from his childhood neighborhoods, his emotional past would be left behind as well.  But he soon learned that life’s early experiences don’t go away.  They are like wounds, and just like wounds not treated, they simply grow and fester.

At college he was befriended by various Christians, causing him to be intrigued by their peace and joy – something he had never experienced.   He invited Jesus into his life, but soon was caught back up again into the old life he had lived.  It was certainly not a happily ever after relationship with God.

What amazed him, though, was that those same Christians reached out to him even when he went back to his old addictions and self-destructive ways of living.

cross

Lecrae shines a light on the dark struggles of faith we’d rather keep hidden.  Tottering between the temptations and memories of his old life and the periodic peace he would feel from his newfound faith, there was always someone who would challenge him back to Jesus, continue to encourage him in spite of his anger and inability to change on his own.  For years, he continued slipping back into the mind-numbing drugs and alcohol he had depended on for so long.

Music, and specifically hip-hop, was obviously his gift – it had been the language of his entire life.  As a young man, he found comfort in writing and rapping – trying to make sense of all the mess in his life.  So he kept on rapping and writing with honesty, and little by little Lecrae experienced the grace of God. It was something he had heard about as a child from his Gramma (Big Momma), and finally found that it truly existed as God had promised, and it changed his heart completely.

Lecrae bravely started rapping about his failings, his struggles and his doubts.  Because of his honesty and exposing his dark side, his music attracts others with the same stories.  He gives people hope that their lives can be changed as well.  There is absolutely no one who is outside of Jesus’ incredible reach of grace.

Red (4)

Even though Lecrae is a well-known name in the rap world, he still doesn’t quite fit anyone’s mold.  He is now, just like he felt as a child:

An outsider.

A misfit.

An anomaly.

I think many of us, myself included, feel like an anomaly – human but distinct, not fitting in any specific mold, a follower of Christ but still not a cookie-cutter person.  I think that’s how God means us to be.  We are each unique, different skin color, different views, diverse backgrounds and cultures, different stories.  But we all have the same need in our heart – in need of respect and healing, knowing that we are beloved of God and yet still terribly broken.  As Lecrae recently said in a blog post:

Hang out with me long enough and I’ll let you down.

We are all at a different place on the continuum of life, and Lecrae’s story has reminded me to never ever write anyone off, as dark as their life may look at any particular point in time. God’s fingerprints cover all of our lives – our husband’s and children’s lives –  and just like snowflakes they are unique, creative and distinct in each of our stories.

snow-5

Before he goes on a concert stage he always gathers his team around to pray:

Father, allow us to use our gifts to paint an accurate picture of Your creativity and Your goodness tonight.  Help us to stay out of the way of Your will being done.  We want to play a role, but we don’t want to take the lead.  We are extras in Your movie, but not the star of this show.

May we be humble.

May we be grateful.

May we be unashamed.

Amen.

Sounds like a good prayer for all of us to pray.

I don’t claim to understand God’s grace, it makes absolutely no sense to the rational, scientific human mind, but I know it’s true.  Mostly because I have seen it at work in my life, Lecrae’s life, and yours.

Never give up and never let go of that priceless gift.

Love, Mom

 

 

 

 

 

North Michigan Cantata

ProsperDecember 8, 2008

Dear Daughters,

Last Sunday night our community choir sang its annual Christmas cantata here at Prosper Church.  It was beautiful and I must admit it was fabulous to be able to sing in the choir.  It’s the first time ever that I haven’t either directed or played the piano for a cantata and it was quite wonderful to simply sing.  Having strong men’s voices behind me was such a treat – the men at Prosper Church really love to sing, and many can read music!

The most memorable aspect of the evening, though, was watching Marjon in the front row.  She and Carl had been home for just 2 days after spending ten days in the University of Michigan hospital, and she was exhausted.  Carl, of course, was unable to attend the cantata, but there was Marjon.  On each side of her were two of their daughters, Carla and Alexandra on one, Erin and Maria the other.  During one of the songs Marjon started weeping, which caused the daughters (and me) to weep as well.  For a few minutes I wasn’t able to sing, I had to look away and pull myself together so I could finish the cantata.Pointsetias

 

What I have been reminded about this week is that marriage is not just about falling in love, but about commitment ~ keeping promises.  Watching Carl and Marjon during these past weeks has really shown me what true love is.  Marjon has cared for, fought and cried for her husband.  When Dad and I went to visit Carl at home, he told us about his concern for Marjon and the emotional toll it had taken on her.  It is simply amazing to see the love they have for each other.  They are outspoken about their trust in God and look to Him for daily strength as well as asking for healing, but more importantly that God’s will be done in the whole situation.

This story is much bigger than just Carl and Marjon, it is affecting many other people in the area.  All of our marriages touch countless people.  You may not know it but others are watching you.  If they see you struggling in your marriage yet continue to be faithful and work through difficult times, it often gives them hope and encouragement to keep on being faithful in their own marriage.

Faithfulness in any situation is a rare thing and a bright light in our world today.  When a husband and wife keep their wedding promises for months, years, and decades – people take notice.  Our society has made it far too easy to break promises, but when you stay faithful to your vows even though it’s not easy, it gives others hope.  We’ll never know the impact of our actions until we reach Heaven, but I know God is smiling when He sees faithfulness.

A few years ago I was flying home from Idaho and sitting next to a single guy.  We did the usual chit-chat and then he, noticing my wedding ring, asked how long I had been married.  When I replied “35 years” he was quite amazed.  Then came his next question “What two words would you say helped you stay in a marriage that long?”  After thinking a bit I said “Forgiveness and Promises.”LovelandPass

 

In light of seeing Carl and Marjon and their family’s love and promises kept, I thank you all my precious daughters for the love you have shown to Dad and I.  We pray for you and your families every day.  Even though our marriage has been through some tough times, I’m so glad that we kept our promises to each other, because we are now reaping the rewards of commitment that we promised so many years ago.

Love, MomJoy2

 

 

 

 

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