I Was Baptized

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In the Bible, every time someone commits their life to Christ they become baptized shortly thereafter. As someone who has recently recommitted my life to the Lord, and never received a full submersion baptism (I was sprinkled in middle school, a memory I still hold dear) I felt called on Saturday to really embrace this moment. As I was being dipped into the water I tried to absorb all of the different sensations like my clothes were absorbing the water. When I immerged, dripping wet, I felt so pure, so cleansed. I felt lighter. In memory of that I have written a tritina:

Your grace, can I make any sense of this?
That I might receive it, at the death of Jesus?
A gift I cannot earn; in you my hope is placed.

Your perfect life, lived in my place
You are my savior, I am assured of this.
For your death is the one I deserved, Jesus.

I try to live my life as you would Jesus,
Trying to recreate your Kingdom in this place
I am still human, but you understand this.

I am in awe of this, Jesus; you put me in my place.

Share a Smile: Simple

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May I never be a bird that fluffs up my own feathers.

People are fascinating; I find people watching to be one of the highest forms of entertainment. I love trying to guess their life story and I imagine characters in my head; how their life might play out from this moment. I also tend to narrate my life, strange, I know, but sometimes it is fun to walk around a store or down the street and imagine how my life would sound in a book. It reminds me of the movie “Stranger Than Fiction” and the wonderful character Harold Crick. I highly recommend the movie. Anyways, it reminds me that Jesus’ life was a remarkable story–the best part being that his “story” was true–and that I would like my life to be remarkable, too. Not that I want it to be counted as remarkable by my own merits but simply because it reflects the life of Christ. I would imagine that if your life reflected Christ then having a life worth telling others would be a direct “side effect.”

Back to birds and their feathers being fluffed. Have you ever seen a bird poof up their chest? They look so entitled! I mean, who made that bird queen of the tree? I see so many people and I wonder if they realize how fluffed up their feathers are. Maybe they are so used to feeling this way that they would feel flat and boring otherwise, who knows. All I know is that it amazes me how many people are selfish even with their smiles. Their smiles. Is it really that difficult? Does it really take that much energy to spread that beautiful grin for a stranger? Let me tell you, working in customer service is no picnic. You probably already know this. There is bad customer service out there and there are also very bad customers. Either way, I don’t believe we are entitled enough to decide who deserves a smile and who doesn’t. If we do not get to decide who gets God’s grace then we certainly do not get to judge who deserves love.

I have a very wonderful friend who introduced me to “The Smiling Game” and I think you should play it, too. Basically, if you are in the grocery store and the cashier seems particularly grumpy or apathetic then your goal is to make them smile before you leave. You do not have much time at these cash registers so quality is important. You win if he or she smiles and really, everyone wins in that case. If a smile, a kind remark, or gesture is all it takes to make someone’s day then why not? I have plenty of smiles to give–they’re free! I refuse to go through life grumpy or depressed or acting like I own the place or I am too good to talk to someone. I am certainly not too good to talk to anyone! I was born naked and crying like everyone else and queen or slave I think we all have the right to a smile and believe that no one person is better than the next.

People call me an idealist. I think those people are missing perspective. If I only lived for myself it would be a sad, forgetful life. Who would remember someone who only lived for themselves? People remember when you do something for them because people are inherently self-centered. Ergo, if you live life for others then your life is almost guaranteed to be remembered by others. Of course, fame or legacy is not the point, Christ is the point, but it is still important to note that everyone wins in a world in which people help each other.

So, the next time you come in contact with a stranger share with them your smile, a little piece of your heart. Spread the sunshine. If you come across someone cross then consider it a challenge. If are successful in making them smile then two points for you! If everyone played the smiling game then the world would be better place.

Email me at sterlingbirdie@gmail.com or comment if you have any questions, insights or ideas for post topics. I hope you are well, wherever you are. Let your light shine.

Blessings,

your fellow sterling birdie

Perspective

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He wants me to
commit to him like I am to my dearest,
confide in him like I do to my girlfriends,
Have respect for him as I do for my parents,
Trust in him as I do with my elders.

May I turn to my creator before turning to his creation
And learn to see his love for me, everywhere.

Why, Sterling Birdie

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I have had a couple of requests to explain the name of my blog recently. It is certainly a fair request since I even sign off every post with “your fellow sterling birdie.” You should know that in my life I tend to have full-blown conversations in my mind before I even begin to speak out loud. Usually what happens is that I have a nice, long train of thought running on steam and making its tracks around, and when it starts to fill up the space in my head it begins to overrun out of my mouth. The un-expecting person next to me has to then make sense of my seemingly random comment “Don’t you agree?” and try to figure out just what they are agreeing with. That said, I think I assumed you all had been in my mental conversation when I decided the name of my blog last June, a good 6 months before actually posting for the first time. Without much more ado, here are my thoughts.

Birds are so beautiful. They have the gift of song and of flight. They come in so many wonderful colors and they all have their own voice. They also get to live in trees. How more lucky can one get? I think tree houses shouldn’t just be for children. I could create an entire blog just on the wonders of childhood and how we shouldn’t be ashamed out of, or encouraged out of having imagination, exploration and a sense of wonder about life. In fact, as a children’s literature enthusiast I do plan on starting up a blog dedicated to these things. Back to birds. I think women are like birds. We are beautiful, we have our own unique voice and perspective on things, we are resourceful and strong and I think we inspire others. Sterling means precious, valuable. What two words could sum up the wonderful creation that is womankind more than these? Sterling. Birdie. We are valuable, and beautiful.

Our world has been very cruel to women. We have been and still are in many places in the world considered property. Human trafficking is rampant all over the globe (not that only women fall victim to human trafficking but women do make up the majority). Women are conned into thinking that selling their bodies is the only way they can make a living. Many cultures consider us inferior, beneath the man, unable to have thoughts, dreams or hopes. I would like to take a moment and affirm the fact that I love and am very grateful for the male gender. God created us as two different beings who could compliment each other and I think the idea was that we could do more with both of us than with only one of us. Truly, if women could do anything a man could do and did not need men at all then why are there two genders in the first place? I suppose this is another topic for another day. I love my boyfriend and I think we are extremely blessed to have the relationship that we do. We both respect the other and consider each other equals. Because of this we are able to have open, honest conversations; we talk about everything! I could also fill a blog with how much I love that man.

I simply want women to be proud of who they are. I want men to respect us but we have to start with respecting ourselves. I want every women to know in their hearts that they are valuable, beautiful creatures. God said “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:26-27) This speaks to all of mankind. I try to remind myself daily that God loves and provides for me and that I should not fret over my life. I want to seek first his kingdom and his righteousness; God will take care of the rest.

This post was a little more scattered than usual. I hope you can see a bit of where I am coming from. If you have any questions feel free to comment or email me at sterlingbirdie@gmail.com.

As always,

your fellow sterling birdie

Do Not Ignore the Discomfort

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I have stepped away slightly from Charles Sheldon’s In His Steps recently. There were a couple of days in which the lesson that God was showing me was more immediate than this book I am reading. However, I want to pick up where we left off since this is the very book that brought on my pledge and has sent me on this spiritual journey, inflicting change upon me whether I have asked for it, or not.

In case you have not read previous posts it is mainly important to know that there is a small town named Raymond, a pastor who is more concerned with the theological accuracy of his sermons rather than living it out himself and a parish full of well meaning people who are very comfortable with their way of life. Now Christ has a great knack for turning lives upside down when they become too comfortable. It makes me think of when I empty the contents of my purse on a table. You can tell a lot about a person by what is in their bag. I do carry my small bible and more recently a thin notebook for writing ideas and thoughts but I also have dirt, a collection of bobby pins, business cards for places I may never go or people I may never see again and more than likely a coupon I will never think to use and a plethora of other who-knows-whats. When I turn my purse back over it is empty, ready to be filled again. What will I still keep? What will I discard? I think Christ likes to turn things up side down to give us an opportunity to fill ourselves back up with Him, and to forget about the clutter that we have been collecting over time, without even realizing it.

So, back to IHS. The last you heard was about the reverend, too busy writing his sermon to help a homeless man find a job. You will be interested to know that later on in this chapter the homeless man returns, not to the reverend’s house, but to his church on Sunday. It is after Rev. Maxwell’s catchy, verbose, enthralling sermon on how Christ suffered to be an example, so that we might follow in his steps, that the service is interrupted by our friend Mr. Homeless standing to speak his mind on the subject. “I have been here three days,” he says “and I have not heard one kind word from anyone, save the reverend here telling me he is sorry for me.” [paraphrased quote] The congregation is silent as the man continues to ask “Is this what Jesus would do?” He explains that his wife died from starvation and his daughter is staying with another family while he is out trying to find work while dying from starvation himself. At the end of his speech he faints and that ends Chapter 1.

Chapter 2 opens up to the gentleman being brought back to the Reverend’s house, at his insistence. The man stays there throughout the week and is given medical attention. One morning, just one hour shy of his daughter’s arrival (the Reverend had sent for her), he mutters “You have been good to me. Somehow I feel as if it was what Jesus would do” (pg 12), and dies. The next Sunday is quiet and humble. The reverend explains to the church that he is going to pledge the next year of his life to asking before all decisions “What would Jesus Do?” He then invites all those interested to meet him after church. This Sunday brings about the beginning of a spiritual revolution in this town. Where loving their neighbor brings on new meaning and people begin to live with character and purpose, not selfishness and privilege.

I knew I had to join. This book was written over 100 years ago but I felt like I was standing in that church meeting room; nervous, excited and curious how God was going to play out this pledge in my life. It is safe to say that the homeless man upon his arrival in Raymond made them uncomfortable. Also, the feeling in their hearts after he passed and realizing how selfish they had been. As the characters begin to play out their pledges in their homes, relationships and businesses their friend’s reactions make them uncomfortable. I felt uncomfortable reading it and reflecting on my own experiences; that is why I had to make a tangible change as soon as possible. I didn’t, however, want to let the feeling pass, justify it or ignore it. I started this blog more as an accountability partner than as a means for publicity. I pray that this blog brings others into an earnest Christ-centered walk but I needed to know that other people were watching me and that I had to post or I might let others down. I did not want to read this book, say “that was a good book” and then move on with my life as if it had never happened. I know that if I spend time reflecting on each chapter and each encounter than I can reflect on how each new lesson can play out in my life.

I would like to leave you with a quote from the homeless man: “I heard some people singing at a church prayer meeting the other night,

All for Jesus, all for Jesus,
All my being’s ransomed powers,
All my thoughts, and all my doings,
All my days, and all my hours,”

and I kept wondering as I sat on the steps outside just what they meant by it. It seems to me there’s an awful lot of trouble in the world that somehow wouldn’t exist if all the people who sing such songs went and lived them out. I suppose I don’t understand. But what would Jesus do? Is that what you mean by following His steps? It seems to me sometimes as if the people in big churches had good clothes and nice houses to live in, and money to spend for luxuries, and could go away on summer vacations and all that, while the people outside the churches, thousands of them, I mean, die in tenements, and walk the streets for jobs, and never have a piano or a picture in the house, and grow up in misery and drunkenness and sin” (pg 9).

Lord, forgive me for not looking outside the window, or worse, for knowing what was out there and ignoring it. May I live as you would live, since truly, you live in me. May I make you a proud father, because I know that I am proud to be your daughter. I want to love the world like you do, to love my neighbor “as myself.” Amen.

Our World is Hurting

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John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

This scripture does give me peace, just as the Lord said it would, but it does raise a point of contention. It is not my tribulation that I am worried about; I am more concerned with all of the evil, hate, destruction and selfishness there is in this world. The torture of it is this: It will never be a perfect, peaceful world until Christ returns, but how can I live comfortably knowing how much this world is hurting?

I live in an adorable apartment, have food in my refrigerator and a great job where I work with wonderful people, every day. I am also fully aware that there are those in the same city who live drastically different from me. I think of my dear friend Kwami (I have changed his name here to protect his privacy) from work. We are both from around here and have grown up within miles of each other; we also could not have led more different lives. Being his friend has opened my eyes to a lot of things. My boyfriend and I consider Kwami and his fiance great friends, and extremely similar to us. It actually seems funny how alike we are considering the fact that the world assumes we must be drastically different. Here’s the deal, if Kwami or his fiance were hurting, I would be there in a minute giving all I had to try to help them. How much more should I be doing this for all of my “neighbors?” If you work with me, you know how much I love coordinating volunteer efforts. I love helping others and I have a huge heart for people but what is “enough?” Is that even a fair question?

It would not be constructive for me to beat myself up, or the human race for that matter. I am more concerned with “What would Jesus do?” Truly, if he were in my place, working where I work and living how I live would he live how I live? I might consider myself a “good” person, but am I a Christ-like person, that is the real question. I never want to be credited as a good person. If someone reflects on my life and considers me a good person, without any consideration of Christ, then I feel like I have made some egregious errors. My personality has little to do with it. Yes, I am bubbly and joyful and pretty much have always been this way; however, Christ is the one that gives me such a capacity to love. I love because he first loved me. I forgive because I know how much I have been forgiven of. It breaks my heart when I see the hurt in this world. It also breaks my heart when I know how much we have slandered Christ’s name and ruined the Church’s reputation. We are known for being judgmental, close-minded and separate from any true poverty or hurting social groups. That sounds A LOT like some pharisees I’ve read about in the Bible and not at ALL like Christ.

I am only one person. In the words of my very wise and wonderful boyfriend, “Even Christ had disciples to help with miracles. Christ had a very central group of people he focused on and then sent his disciples out into the world.” So my question to God is–what should be my focus? Is it my neighborhood or someone else’s? Is it work or the homeless shelter? I am prayerfully considering these things today. I will let you know what fruits come from this.

Feel free to email me at sterlingbirdie@gmail.com if you have any questions or if there is a topic you would like for me to write about. I would love any comments and to know if you decide to take this pledge or one similar.

Blessings,

your fellow sterling birdie

The First Tangible Change

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Luke 9:1-3 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey–no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.

There is one prayer that I seem to have on a consistent basis in my life: may I become less and You become more. It is so easy as humans to want the glory. When I think about the twelve disciples I cannot think of men more capable of bragging than they. These men have spent intimate time with our Lord and Savior, the King of Kings. How easy it would have been to waltz into towns with an entitled air. Jesus knew this, so he equipped them with the only thing they would need and directed them to take nothing else. He also knows your heart and mine. Just as he sent those disciples out with his power so he does with us; having his power is all we should need–no extra coat or bag. In reflection of this I came to the conclusion that I have way too many possessions. I know that if Jesus was truly in my shoes he would think I own too many. He would also be sad that I have so much when thousands of his children are living off of so little.

Today I filled 6 garbage sized bags up with my clothes, shoes and accessories. It is important to consider with these matters that it is not about how much is given away, but rather how much is left. It would be meaningless if I were only to give old, shrunken clothes that are no longer worn any ways, keeping the best for myself, or if I gave a significant amount but still had a superfluous amount left in my closet. I truly endeavored to purge my wardrobe in the prayerful mindset of giving a sacrifice or tithing. I admit that I love clothes and how they make me feel confident. I treat my clothes well and wear almost all of them. But now I am confident that my sense of self will be more derived from my identity in Christ moving forward than ever before. I feel at peace with this small step towards Jesus. I may not be walking directly in his steps but I feel like we might be on the same path, or in the same field. Only He knows my heart; he knows that I am sincere.

But what to do with all of these items? I could take them to Good Will; however, when I reflect on Jesus’ ways I cannot reconcile the thought of him merely dropping these clothes off to be sorted and sold by someone else.[Author's note after the fact: This comment is in no way meant to disrespect Good Will or those who support their cause. Good Will is a respectable company and there is no shame in taking your items there. I am personally trying to do everything in a way that will challenge myself at this moment and could simply not reconcile the "challenge" aspect of dropping my clothes off, versus a more hands on option. Forgive me for any misconceptions there.] With this in my heart I have begun talking with other women in my area who would possibly be willing to purge as well. I believe if we sold all of our clothes at one large yard sale of sorts then the money could be used to either buy children’s clothes and coats for those in need of them or possibly some business suits/outfits for the unemployed who need help interviewing to find a job. There are also food shelters in our area and so many other great organizations that could directly benefit with this money. Jesus once said to a rich young ruler “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)

Only after this young man obeyed could he truly follow Christ. May I be willing to lose everything in order to gain the One thing that matters.

Always feel welcome to email me or comment if you have any questions. I would love to know if you are thinking about taking this pledge as well. Let’s bring WWJD back, let’s live our lives asking “What would Jesus do?”

Blessings,

your fellow sterling birdie

The first chapter: the first of many questions

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1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Since starting the book In His Steps (IHS) two nights ago I have been struggling to grasp just what it will mean for my life to try to live it as Jesus would. Would Jesus have 40 shoes? A closet and dresser full of clothes? A bathroom full of expensive beauty products? How would he use my talents to further his Father’s kingdom? I am still seeking his spirit for guidance on these things; however, I have an even more urgent question for myself, for Him.

In Chapter One of IHS it opens up on a reverend writing his sermon one Friday morning. He is anxious because there have been several interruptions so far. Just as he is gathering his thoughts once more the bell rings, another interruption. This time it is a homeless wanderer looking for work in town. The flustered reverend comments that he is sorry but jobs are scarce and he is busy this morning. With a well wishing word he closes the door and returns to his study to complete his sermon on following Christ’s example. This is exactly why I am so enthralled with this book. Am I like this man? Do I believe in God with all my heart but continuously close the door in his children’s face? Am I so busy focusing on my plans and my tasks that I miss Jesus altogether? These are the questions that led me to committing this year to Christ’s will, and effectively re-dedicating my life to him as well. There is no point in being a Christian or calling myself as such if I am still living for myself and not for Him, the One Who Saves.

He is the God who transforms; my life should reflect this transformation in me. Jesus stood out in society because his actions ran against the grain. His love changed lives, changed the world. If my life looks just like every other person next to me then how am I any different? I cannot make the argument for myself that the change is in my heart. Sure, this is true, but what good does that do for anyone else? If I just keep God’s love in my heart then I am just as foolish as the one who hides his candle under a basket. So now this begs the question: what to do? My pledge is a great start because it will constantly bring me to a place of thought where I am seeking to align my actions with how Jesus lived his life. I am hoping that this new frame of mind will bring some discernment and clarity on people that he has put in my life to show them His love. There are more changes to come, I am sure of it. Right now I need prayer, time in His presence.

As always, please email me or comment if you have any questions. Let me know if you decided to take this pledge or one similar, too.

Blessings,

your fellow sterling birdie

Valuable. Beautiful.

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Women are valuable, beautiful creatures. Proverbs 31:10 says “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.” Now I should clarify that I am not a wife nor is this a site about being the perfect wife. This is a site about being a woman, particularly a woman of God, and what that means for our lives. When I look around I see so many hurting women who feel lost, insecure or insufficient. These are all lies! We are strong, vital people who must admit that sometimes we need another’s love and that does NOT make us weak. I think you will find, however, that what you are actually yearning for is the love of our Lord and that, my friends, you already have.

I am currently in a time of my life in which everything is in transition and anything is possible. I am trying to take this opportunity to see if I need to make revisions, to see if I am truly loving others and if my life is pleasing to the Lord. That brings me to this question: in every inch and dusted corner of my life am I asking “What Would Jesus Do?”

You may be unaware, but that phrase was coined by the late Charles Sheldon in his book “In His Steps.” It actually was first printed in the Chicago Advance as a religious weekly serial. Through a simple mistake on the publisher’s part the articles were then thrown into public domain. A London publisher sold over 3,000,000 copies at an English penny each. Sixteen different publishers in America and fifty in Europe and Australia put out the book in various editions. It has since been translated into at least twenty-one languages, has been banned in Russia and a Turkish translation in Arabic is permitted circulation by the government and is being read all over Turkey. If you are from my generation perhaps you had a “WWJD” bracelet on your arm throughout elementary school.

I received my first copy when I was 10 or so by my wonderful grandfather or as I fondly call him “Paw Paw.” He is a kind man with a heart for God that is unparalleled with anyone else I have met. When I first received it I underlined the phrase “What would Jesus do,” put a cute angel bookmark between pages 8 and 9 and completely forgot about it. I never throw away books…it seems to my heart to be a cardinal sin and I cannot do so with a clear conscience. The book has survived many moves and I had quiet forgotten about it until last night.

There have been sequences of events recently that have called me to desire the Lord now more than ever. I earnestly pray to him and study and try to keep my mind, ears and heart open to his word. I had just plopped into bed last evening, fully expecting to read that day’s entry for “My Utmost for His Highest” when I saw it on my bookshelf, sitting very unassumingly next to all of my other “inspirational” books on that shelf. (You should be happy to know that I have an entire shelf dedicated to Little Golden Books and another for what I consider Children’s Literature. A good children’s book is always good, no matter the age. They also have a way of reminding us of what is important.) There was a small moment when I knew I needed to pick up that book but sat still questioning whether I had imagined this thought. One leg at a time I planted myself on the carpet in my bedroom and walked over to the shelf. Once my fingertips touched the book I knew that I had been correct. I rushed back to the bed and flipped excitedly to the foreword.

So here is the purpose of this blog. I have made a pledge to ask myself honestly “What would Jesus do” in any and all things throughout my day and then to act accordingly regardless of the consequences for the next calendar year of my life. The characters in Charles’ story are doing the same so I will be reflecting on their choices throughout my entries. Before this week I had been more focused on what people would have me do or expect me to do and all of these voices have drowned out that one “still, small voice” that I need to hear most. It would be such a pleasure if others could share in my journey. There once was an entire movement dedicated to this thought and I think it is time for this movement to make another appearance. If you decide to make this pledge as well please comment or email me about your experiences! May 2012 be a year of really living as Jesus would. If I am going to proclaim myself as a Christian then it is time I act “Christ-like” in all things.

Blessings,

your fellow sterling birdie