The Overflow

Just last spring the world lost an amazing soul when Maya Angelou passed away. I was just a girl when she published I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, an amazing collection of essays that revealed the darkest aspects of her personal life and the victories she celebrated.

Whenever Ms. Angelou was to appear in an interview or a special TV documentary or movie was to feature an appearance or story about her life, I tuned in to hear and see anything she had to say or anything that would be said about her. Her life was about truth and defeating the odds to find the beauty in life and she always had something significant to share with the rest of the world.

None of this was by chance. Maya Angelou didn’t just sit around watching TV all day and taking naps the rest of the time. In her own words, “The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God—if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That's what I think.”

This woman prepared for what might come . . . spent her time getting ready to make a difference. Then it flowed out of her life.

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:43-45, emphasis added).

Do you get the good news in those verses? If you fill your heart up with good things, the good things will just overflow naturally! You won’t have to walk around thinking, What will be the next good thing I’ll think of to do? What wonderful thing should I say next time to inspire everyone? Those good ideas and activities will overflow naturally, just like a coffee cup filled to the brim with so much coffee it can’t contain it all.

So listen to uplifting music, music that fills your heart and your thoughts with happiness. Read the Bible, especially the words of Jesus. Spend time with friends who encourage you and bring out your best. Take a walk or find some way to move around to get some of those good endorphins released into your system.

Then the good things will come naturally and your mouth will speak what your heart is full of . . . and the world will be better for it.

Fresh Perspective

I love to read magazines. They inspire me and give me great ideas about fashion, home décor, and entertaining. One of my favorites is Architectural Digest. I read each issue, absorb the fabulous pictures and amazing styles, then look back at my home with a fresh eye to keeping my home at its very best. Not Architectural Digest standards, but better than it was and good enough for me.

This is very important because I hate housekeeping. I dread anything to do with making up my bed, keeping up with the laundry, preparing meals, cleaning the kitchen . . . Martha Stewart, I’m not. (Evidently all of those homemaking genes skipped me entirely and went directly to my sister. If you know Christie Ray, you know exactly what I’m talking about!) But after reading a copy of Architectural Digest or Real Simple or even InStyle with their pictures of new ideas and stars’ exciting decorating touches, I have to get back into my living room and my kitchen and give it another go. And the results are always satisfying . . . for me and my family. I have a fresh perspective when I look at my home and I’m inspired to make it into the very best it can be.

The other day I was listening to a recording by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as they sang one of my favorite songs, “Heaven on My Mind.” The recording was done live, so you could hear the audience response when they reached a certain part of the lyric just the way our congregation does when we perform it at our church:

     And another thing,

     I don't have time to be bothered with he said, she said, that they said.
     Because it's all I can do to keep my own self in line. . . .
     I'm gonna keep on working for Jesus
     Everyday of my life,

          cause I've got heaven on my mind. (by Luther Barnes)

Seriously, every time we have ever performed that with the Trevecca Community Church (TCC) choir and orchestra, the congregation just about comes out of its seats when we hit that line: “I don't have time to be bothered with he said, she said, that they said.” We all connect!

Now, if you tell somebody, “Don’t you dare tell someone what I’m about to tell you that Andrea told me,” you know the first thing they’re going to do is turn around and call someone else to pass it along. Unless they are too busy with something else on their mind.

That’s exactly what happens when we have heaven on our minds. When we are busy reading our Bible, praying to God for more of Him, worshiping God with others regularly, and serving others in the name of Jesus to meet the needs of a desperate world, we truly will not have time to be caught up in the petty arguments or distractions that drag life down.

More than that, we will be prepared for the storms of life when they come. They always come. But when we have our spiritual and emotional anchor in place, they will not throw us off course. With heaven on our minds, we will have the right perspective for every day of our lives.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).”

What's Next?

According to John Lennon (or Allen Saunders, depending on whom you ask), “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”

I just spent some time visiting with my parents at their house. I’m blessed to still have them around and love stopping by to have chats with them when I’m out running errands. Dan and I are planning to move into a nearby condo in several months, so I was talking with them about the many, many times we’ve moved over the last fifty-plus years. As I was driving home I was thinking about my life, and I thought that I might paraphrase the Lennon/Saunders quote to say, “Life is what happens to you while you’re waiting for the next big milepost to come along.”

That’s how I grew up. We moved an amazing number of times in my childhood (the life of a preacher’s / missionary’s family), but that never really phased me. What I was always looking forward to was the next big milestone: starting primary school in Africa; entering junior high school back in Florida; graduating high school; graduating college; starting my career; getting my first apartment; getting married; having a child. And along the way, I lived for every other first or next step or next achievement. I was always looking ahead at what came next. I was never satisfied with where I was.

Not only have I wasted time looking down the road, but I’ve spent too much emotional energy defining myself by other people’s titles or definitions of me. For example, when my family was meeting someone new, my parents would always introduce me as their “oldest” daughter or child. That registered deeply with me, making me feel a huge responsibility for the rest of the kids in our family. Not a bad thing, but definitely a label that stuck. And through the years I accepted other labels--professional, personal, societal--that defined me, some positively, some negatively.

Likewise, whenever I meet people and they ask, “What do you do?” I have always felt defined by my current job title, whatever that might be. I left my full-time teaching position when my child was three and both of Dan’s children were living at home; I decided that being a full-time mom was the most important thing that I could be doing. But suddenly, answering that question with, “I’m a full-time mom,” began eliciting the most condescending responses from the people asking the question . . . “Good for you; I’m sure you find it rewarding.” “Well, aren’t they lucky to have you there all the time.” As if all I was doing was sitting in the living room, waiting for them to ring a bell to call me to bring their toast. Seriously.

I have a friend who is a full-time mother and homemaker. I was delighted when I heard someone ask her a few years ago, “So what do you do?” She beamed as she responded heartily, “Oh, honey, I do LOTS of things!” And she does! (Don’t we all!?!)

Here’s my point: Life is too short to be waiting for something else to happen or for someone else to approve you for you to find fulfillment in life right where you are.

It’s that simple. There is nothing worth waiting for—no certificate, degree, or title—before making a difference in this world. Every one of us is valuable right this minute, and right this minute is a good time to get started with whatever it is that you want to do.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:7-8).

Peace, Man

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

Years ago I was working as a teller trainee at the busiest downtown bank in Orlando. On one particularly busy afternoon, I heard a commotion a few windows down at the teller counter as a customer was blasting the head teller with his frustrations over a recent transaction gone wrong. I observed as the experienced teller listened for a couple of minutes to the man carrying on about what had happened and how it had left him furious.

When he finally stopped—or at least paused to catch his breath—I expected the head teller to really set him straight and let him know that we certainly could not have done something so terribly wrong and irresponsible. Instead, the woman just put both of her hands on the counter between them, leaned in, and quietly said, “You have really had an awful time, haven’t you? What an awful day you’ve had. Why don’t we see what we can do to make this better, okay?”

It totally diffused the man. He had nothing else to say but, “Thank you. That would be great.” And from there, the volume and intensity totally changed. And I learned a lesson that has stuck with me to this day—both at work and at home and in all of my relationships.

I wish I could say that I always remember this, but I haven’t reached that state of perfection just yet. But many, many times I remember to stop and listen to what I’m hearing before I respond in anger, defense, or any other harsh emotion that will only further the conflict.

Somewhere along the way my family picked up the phrase “nailing Jell-o to the tree.” I’ll sometimes try to picture that when someone comes at me in anger . . . giving in so gently that their attempts at aggression are exactly like that . . . like nailing Jell-o to a tree. Nothing sticks.

What should follow next, of course, is constructive solution. Sitting down and working through the problem. Some people don’t want that; they’re really just there for a fight. If so, that’s their problem; don’t own that. But if you can diffuse the heat in the moment to get down to solving the problem effectively, things will be better for everyone.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Across the Generations

Music runs through my veins. Anyone who knows me knows that.

Give me a topic and I can name three songs with that in their title or lyrics. Give me a line from a song (especially if it's from the '60s, '70s, or '80s) and I can name that tune. I can sing along with any song from those decades...especially in the car where no one else can hear me and correct the lyrics that may or may not be right but have worked for me all these years.

Music has a special place in my heart and soul and always has since I was just a toddler. I grew up on it.

Music evolves and expands. Some genres evolve more quickly and some forms of music seem to spring up out of nowhere and then stick around, gradually influencing other genres of music. Generation to generation, we all find our own voice and our own form of expression, we music lovers and music makers.

One thing that never changes is the word of God. Oh, we have various translations now. We go back and find a better way to interpret the original text for today's language. And we discover better ways to understand how to place the original writings in their historical context. But the message never changes.

The very best part of the Scripture that never changes are the words of Jesus. They always ring true and always reach straight through to our hearts, no matter our age, no matter the decade in which we live. Why is that?

Jesus spoke to all people. His message was for everyone, regardless of culture, social status, sex, age, race, ability, or anything else society would use to define us. And it was for all time...as we know it. He spoke in stories that everyone could understand. He spoke of love, grace, and redemption. He knew his message would bring controversy and division and he addressed that too. But he promised a Comforter, and we can all receive that message.

Musical preferences separate people by age, geography, culture, and other demographics. The word of God unites us as we read words that say, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Words of love, hope, and grace will always bring us together.

Actually, I can think of one song that is timeless and seems to reach everyone in our country:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.

Learning to Follow

My bed is seldom made up. I resist getting up early, setting most of my appointments for early afternoon if possible. Exercise and I have a love-hate relationship; I love the results but hate to sweat. Only on rare occasions do I see the bottom of the laundry basket or totally empty sinks. I'm a musician at heart and a bookworm at brain and unless it pertains to music or reading, it tends to go untended. 

In other words, I'm not what you might call "disciplined." At least, not in every area of my life. At least, not until you get down to the real meaning of the word.

The word discipline shares its origins with the word disciple. That root word is about learning. Jesus called his disciples to come learn who he was, to understand his teachings, to follow him. Jesus' disciples learned him.

What happened after Jesus called his disciples? Actually, he originally called the first 12 apostles, the leaders who were with him constantly, but gradually more disciples began to gather around and follow him. So did he set up a school? Did they all start going to class to sit around and discuss the scriptures from Jesus' point of view? That might have been a wonderful use of their time...is that how Jesus chose to discipline them?

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:35-38)

Of course Jesus spent time teaching his disciples (see the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7) and letting them know what his "work" looked like. But he knew the learning took place out among the crowds, working the "harvest." Jesus saw people who were harassed and helpless. He called his disciples out into the field to work with him.


If we are Jesus' disciples, we are learning to follow him daily. Our discipline isn't about following rules or being "better" Christians; it's about making ways in our lives to learn better how to work in the fields. And remember that when God disciplines us, that's not about punishment...that's about his teaching us:

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
    the one you teach from your law; 
you grant them relief from days of trouble,
    till a pit is dug for the wicked. 
For the Lord will not reject his people;
    he will never forsake his inheritance. 
Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,    and all the upright in heart will follow it.  
(Psalm 94:12-15, emphasis added)

So how will Jesus disciple you today?

Running the Race in 2015

"And...they're off!!"

How many times have you heard the voice over the loudspeaker yell those words as the racers tear out from the starting line? I love to watch a race and see the runners all jump as one from their beginning stance to leap into action for the race they've been anxiously waiting for in the preceding hours.

At the beginning of the new year, do you feel a little bit of that excitement? Did you watch a ball drop to kick off the new year a few days ago? Here in Nashville, we dropped (or slowly lowered, actually) a musical note downtown to countdown to the first seconds of the new year.

Do you feel the fresh start of the new year? Do you have resolutions for change or goals for new accomplishments? 

I stopped making new year's resolutions years ago. Probably because I stopped achieving my new year's resolutions years ago! I just got tired of achieving all of those promises and ridiculous goals that I set for myself. But that doesn't stop me from taking a fresh look at my life and evaluating what things I might change or what areas I might be able to improve with a bit of discipline and effort.

We've been studying the book of 1 Corinthians in our Sunday school class at church and as it turned out, we reached the thirteenth chapter yesterday. You know...the chapter of the New Testament all about love. So we read these verses:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit.

Those are just the first three verses. It took us a while to get through those, because we realized that those present a pretty tall order. The first two verses, or sentences, aren't so tough; I don't think that speaking in tongues of men and angels is going to get me very far. I'm a bit surprised that being able to move mountains (MOUNTAINS!!), knowing all mysteries and all knowledge (ALL KNOWLEDGE!!!) would seriously mean I am nothing. Really??? 

But let's talk about this third verse: Are you seriously telling me that if I give absolutely everything I own to charity--to feed starving children, to save animals, or something else that really matters--and donate all my organs for harvest...that's not a benefit on its own? Doesn't just DOING THAT count as love anyway???

Then what in the world am I supposed to set as my "goals"? How am I supposed to make plans to be better if none of this stuff is going to get me anywhere? Really??? If this isn't love, WHAT IS???

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (vv. 4-7)

So I just have to do those things. I have to be patient. I have to be kind. I need to stop being envious. I'll stop bragging, stop being puffed up. I'll stop being rude, stop being self-serving. I won't get angry...

Okay, this isn't going to work. Unless...ummm...

The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8)

God IS love. So in the new year, here is my resolution: More love. More God. In and all over everything. If I do anything, it is through and with God...love. 

For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)