A Different Twist On Happiness

“Whatever makes you happy!”

“I just want him to be happy!”

“Are you happy?”

We live in a culture that is focused on the pursuit of personal happiness.  We go after the next big promotion, the next big toy, the next big experience, the next big relationship, and the next big investment thinking to ourselves “This will bring me happiness!”  (Maybe it’s a big bowl of popcorn.)

My guess is these pursuits may bring us temporary happiness, but this feeling of euphoria eventually fades.

What if we thought about happiness from a different angle?

Last night, Leanne and I saw a new movie featuring Joe Boyd and Rebecca St. James, A Strange Brand Of Happy.  Before you get all excited, it wasn’t my favorite movie, but I did enjoy the date night experience with my wife (who loved the movie).  I won’t go into a major review here – that’s not the point of this post.  The movie did get me thinking about happiness.

Did you ever think that we might make God happy?

I’m not sure if I ever thought about it this way before.

Imagine with me for a minute that you are a parent (that’s not too difficult for many of us).  How do your kids bring you happiness?  For me, I’m happy when I see them using their gifts and talents.  For example, I’m happy when I watch Hannah run.  I’m happy when I see her using her unbelievable Spanish skills.  I’m happy when see her heart pouring out into her actions.  I’m happy when I hear Isaac playing the piano or trumpet.  I’m happy when I see him caring for others.  I’m happy when he just wants to be around me.

The movie suggests that we make God happy, and I think I get it.  When we are using our gifts and talents, we make God happy.  When we are operating in our area of passion, we make God happy.  When we just want to be around Him, we make God happy.  Maybe this is the kind of happiness we should be pursuing.

What do you think?  What makes you happy?  What are you doing today that brings God happiness?

Strange Brand of Happy

Date night – Strange Brand of Happy

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Writing About Guatemala

Why do I write so much about Guatemala?

This is a great question.  I haven’t done the math, but I’m sure a large percentage of my posts before and after our trip to Guatemala last month have focused on this trip.  Here are some reasons:

• Guatemala STRETCHED me!  This blog is all about processing my stretch marks.  There is so much to process when you embark on a trip like this.  I’ll continue to write about the trip as long as it keeps stretching me.
• I don’t want to forget what I experienced in Guatemala.  As I get older, my memory doesn’t work as well.  Writing about our trip to Guatemala helps to preserve my memory.
• My experience in Guatemala is worth sharing (at least I think so).  What makes my story different from the story that others have to share?  It’s my story.  While my trip may be similar to others who have gone to Guatemala – who even went on the same trip, it’s a little different, because we all come in with a little different perspective.  I love reading about other people’s trips to far away lands, and I hope you’ll find my story worth reading.
• A short-term missions trip can be momentary, or it can be lasting.  I want my trip to be lasting.  I want to continue to have an impact in Guatemala even when I can’t be there in person.  Writing about our trip gives me an opportunity to share the stories of those we met and fell in love with in Guatemala.  And at some point, it may provide an opportunity to provide more financially to help the orphans and widows.
• A book.  Yes, I’m thinking about it.  I’ve had several people ask me when I’m going to write a book.  It’s flattering and a little scary.  Would others people read it?  The blog provides a place for me to explore some of these thoughts.  Perhaps, the blog is even a rough draft for book material.  What do you think?
• I hope my trip will challenge you.  I write the stretched blog with a hope and prayer that I might stretch others.  Whether I’m sharing about faith, family, leadership, or Guatemala, I want my words to be encouraging, challenging, inspiring, and STRETCHING.  I hope my story of Guatemala will challenge you to do something of significance for the people of Guatemala.  Maybe this means sponsoring a child in Xenacoj (more on that in a future post).  Maybe this means praying for the orphans and widows of this poor community.  Maybe this means reaching out to me to find other ways to help in Guatemala.  Maybe this means going with me to Guatemala on a future trip.  I’m not sure how my story will impact you, but I hope and pray that you will respond to the tug on your heart and the calling on your soul.  Don’t just read about my trip to Guatemala – DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

I’ll continue to write about other things that are stretching me, but Guatemala will continue to have a place here on The Stretched Blog.

What do you think?  Are you tired of Guatemala?  Would you read a book about Guatemala written by me?  What topic (besides Guatemala) are you dying to hear from me?  Why do you write about the things you write about?

Kicking Up Rocks

Yesterday, my windshield had a collision with a rock thanks to a dump truck on the highway. We all have dings, dents, and damage. But there is One who takes care of our junk, and turns us into something beautiful.

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TGIF

Thank God it’s Friday!

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Ice Breaker – Highlight of the Week

Each week on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Question:  What was one highlight from your week?

My Answer:  I’m going to expand my answer just a little bit by providing three highlights from my week.  This was really the first week that our family is back into the full back to school routine.  It’s been a great week!

Here’s my first highlight:  Hannah had her 2nd official cross-country meet of the season on Wednesday.  Wednesday was unseasonably warm here on the east coast, so there was some question about how everyone would do.  And last week, Hannah and I made a trip to the running store to pick up her first pair of racing flats, so this would be the first opportunity to try out the new shoes.  It was so fun to go to her meet.  She clearly had extra pep in her step.  At the beginning of the race, she found herself caught up with girls who were typically faster than her.  She stayed with them throughout the race, and she finished a couple of places better than her previous meet.  At the finish of the race, I enjoyed watching her as she realized her accomplishment.  This leaves me excited for tomorrow when she’ll be running in an invitational race at DeSales University.  Last year, she was not part of the group who was invited to this race, so she has definitely made a lot of progress since her freshman year.

My second highlight, Leanne started a new job last week.  She has always had a passion for teaching children.  She is working as a preschool teacher at a local preschool.  And the students arrived on Monday.  I loved hearing about her first day and seeing her enthusiasm for her new job.  I think this will be a fun year for her students and for Leanne.

My third highlight, Isaac has been in scouting since he was in third grade when he joined the Cub Scouts.  In fifth grade, he started with the Boy Scouts, and he’s been gradually working his way up the ranks.  On Wednesday, he finished up work on two merit badges that he needs for his rank advancement to Life.  This may not mean much to many of you, but that means he will soon be ready to work on his Eagle Scout Rank – which is a big deal.  When I drove him home from his scout meeting that night, we was so excited.  He started talking about the things he will do next to start moving towards Eagle.  I’m sure many of you have different thoughts and opinions on Boy Scouts, but it has been a great experience for Isaac and our family.  He has developed confidence, leadership skills, and character through his years as a scout.  I’m excited for him as he continues this journey.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.) And keep STRETCHING!

Also don’t forget to sign up for the weekly Stretched newsletter.  Check out this post to find out how to sign up.

Handiwork

This week, we’ve been going back in time.  On Monday, we went to a party where our family was welcomed.  On Tuesday, we went to the “laundry mat” (where our family passed before the party).  On Wednesday, we went to a fruit stand on the streets of Xenacoj (a place we passed before the “laundry mat”).  And today, we go back just a little further in time.

As I mentioned previously, Monday was a day of culture learning and general adjustment.  In the morning, we had the opportunity to meet Susie.  Susie is German’s wife.  She prepared most of our meals while we were in Guatemala.  She is an amazing woman.  She always has a smile on her face.  We often saw her carrying her baby (the youngest of six children) around on her back our hip while she continued to work.  Her heart for serving others is incredible.

Before we took to the streets of Xenacoj on the way to the party, Susie gave us a back weaving demonstration.  Back weaving is a method for weaving fabric together which is used by many women in the community to create beautiful shirts and other cloths.  This is one of the main things that women do in an effort to raise money for their families.

They start with balls of threads which have been colored and washed to prevent bleeding, and they use several sticks and pieces of wood to hold their weaving works together.  It’s an amazing process that requires hours of work and a lot of attention to make sure everything is tight and patterns are correct.  The end product is beautiful.

Susie was working on a blouse for someone while we were there.  She puts a lot of effort into making sure it’s just right.  It doesn’t look like a shirt yet, but it will.  She will actually make two long pieces of fabric that are a mirror image of each other.  Then she will join the two pieces of fabric to form the shirt.  It’s a laborious process.  But the end product is beautiful.  Her handiwork will be used practically to keep clothe another, and the blouse will also help someone look nice.

(Note:  Many people today use machines to make clothing (even in Guatemala).  The clothing you are wearing now was likely made by machines and may even have been made in Guatemala.)

There’s something special about the idea of hand-made clothing.  It feels special to know that someone made these clothes just for you or me.  Susie’s handiwork reminded me that we are hand-made by God with a purpose.  We are God’s handiwork.  In Ephesians, Paul confirms this:

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10

There are times when we struggle with our sense of purpose.  We feel like we’re rough and unfinished.  We wonder why we’re here.  We often search for meaning and purpose by chasing after things that don’t really matter.  Today, I’m reminded that God created you and me to do good things for others.  Our life is not a waste when we are helping others – when we are doing good works.  The STRETCH challenge for today is to go and find someone to serve.  And be encouraged – you are God’s handiwork!  God made you, and he created you to do good things.  What a great reminder!

What good work has God prepared for you today?

When was the last time you received something hand-made?  How did it make you feel to receive something that someone had made just for you?

What’s Red, Spiny, and Sweet?

Does anyone know what these red, spiny things are?

I’ll give you a hint.

We came across these on the streets of Xenacoj before we passed the “laundry mat” that I talked about yesterday and before we arrived at the backyard party that I mentioned on Monday.

Do you give up?

They are called Rambutan.  They are originally from China, but they are also found throughout Central America.

When you peel away the spiny shell, a white grape-like fruit.  For more pictures and an explanation of how to eat a Rambutan, click here for the wikiHow link.

As we walked by this street fruit stand, we stopped to look at this strange fruit.  Before we knew it, the missionary and his son were encouraging us to try one.  We asked if it was safe.  To which, he responded that they were safe based on the shell surrounding the fruit.

Within a little more encouragement, my wife and my kids were cracking open their first Rambutan.  I chickened out not wanted to risk getting sick so early in our trip.  Apparently, the risk was worth it as indicated by the sounds of satisfaction coming from my family.

I have to give my family credit.  They took a leap of faith.

Was it a big leap?  I suppose not, but it still took a certain amount of trust to believe our missionary hosts.

I wonder how many wonderful things we miss, because we are too afraid to take leap.

I don’t know about you, but life is too short to miss out.  I’m not suggesting that you do something stupid.  I’m merely recommending that you get outside of your comfort zone and try something different – something that requires risk.  As I’ve shared before, going to Guatemala was a leap of faith for our family, and I can tell you that it was completely worth it.

Maybe it means going on a mission trip to someplace like Guatemala.

Maybe it means trying a strange piece of fruit (or other food).

Maybe it means walking across the street to talk with a neighbor.

Take time to try something new TODAY!

When have you taken a risk by trying something new?  How was the experience?  What was your holding you back?  What was it like after taking the risk?  What risk do you need to pursue?

(For me, one of the risks that I need to pursue further is writing a book.  It’s been on my list of things to do for a while, but I seem to let other things (including fear) get in the way.)

The Ultimate Washing Machine

Yesterday, I shared how our family was welcomed by a backyard party the first full day we were in Guatemala last month.

On the way to this party, we walked by the village “washing machine”.  It wasn’t what you would expect.  The “washing machine” was a concrete basin filled with water surrounded by smaller concrete stations where village women brought dirty clothes for washing.  They poured water from the basin over the clothing and rubbed the clothing with soap across the concrete basin bottom.  The clothing was literally stone washed.  And then water was poured back over the clothing to rinse them.

Can you imagine washing your clothes this way?

This weekend, I did a couple of loads of laundry for our family.  I confess that this is not part of my normal routine in our house (my wife does a great job with this for which I’m extremely grateful).  I sorted the clothes into two piles – lights and darks.  I turned on the washing machine and added liquid detergent.  Then I loaded the dirty clothing in and closed the lid.  Within twenty minutes and with very little effort, I had clean clothing ready to be put in the dryer.

We complain about household chores like washing clothes and washing the dishes.  Yet we have modern machines that do most of the work for us.  Our trip to Guatemala was definitely a reminder of how good we have it here in America.

Whether it’s loading a modern washing machine or bringing your clothes to a Guatemalan laundry mat, washing clothes is a part of most cultures.  We want to look clean – at least on the outside.

But it’s not just the outside that needs cleaning.  We all have junk in the trunk.  We all need cleaning on the inside.  In Psalm 51, King David reflects on a need and desire for a clean heart.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
    and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:7-12

You Are Welcome

Monday in Guatemala was a day of acclimation.  We spent time learning the customs and traditions of the people of Xenacoj, and we spent some time walking the streets of the village.  Monday was a holiday in Xenacoj, and all the schools and most of the businesses were closed.

Around mid day, we took a walk from the center where we stayed through the village until we ended up at the home of an important person in the town (who was somehow related to German).

As we approached the home, we were escorted through the solid gates protecting the private yard from the public streets.  We were immediately greeted by several older gentlemen who shook our hands and smiled as we entered.

Once we made it past the welcoming committee, we were shown to chairs that were placed along the edge of an open area in the small but clean yard.  It was almost like we were dignitaries at an important gathering.  The hosts immediately greeted us and then poured Coke and 7up for each of us as we settled into our seats.

Soon a band right behind our chairs began to play.  The band featured trumpets, saxophones, drums, a tuba, and a baritone.  As the music began to play, it only added to the chaos in my mind as I tried to get used to the culture, the language, and the people.

Next, the host and German brought out plates of fresh-cut fruit.  The plates featured pineapple, papaya, watermelon, and apple.  Honey was drizzled over the top of each plate of fruit.  Honestly, I was a little hesitant to eat it at first.  Was it safe?  We had been warned to be careful about what we ate in Guatemala as there are many bugs and bacteria found in the food of Guatemala that would not fare too well in our American digestive systems.  Our missionary host quickly signaled that this would be okay, and we enjoyed the offering.

While we were finishing up the fruit, someone brought out a bottle of some type of alcohol and a bunch of small plastic cups.  Our team didn’t partake in this part of the party, but it was interesting to watch as the bottle was brought around to others in the party.  You can tell that this was a big deal.  The host had brought out the best for his guests.

The band continued to play, and the guests began to dance in the open area of the yard.  Initially, two or three women from the village started dancing.  Then they pulled our missionary host and another man into the excitement.  Before we knew it, our whole team was dancing with the ladies and children.  At this point, the differences in our language and culture didn’t matter.  We laughed and smiled together as we danced to the music.

Before we departed, we took a few group pictures.  This short interlude into our trip was far different from anything I had ever expected.  It was strange, and it was uplifting.  I will always remember the feeling of being welcomed and treated so special.  This is how I want to treat people when they come to my house.  I want them to know they are welcome, important, special, and loved.

Walking away from the party, two of the woman went with us for a couple of blocks.  We talked despite the language barrier, and we finally said goodbye when our paths diverged.

I’m so thankful for this gathering.  It is one of the many experiences from our trip to Guatemala I don’t want to forget.

How/when has someone made you feel welcome, special, and important?  How do you make feel others feel welcome when they visit your home?