What To Wear?

What to wear? The girls in our family are slightly focused on what to wear to a big family wedding coming up. Dresses are being sewn, fitted, and tried on. But what to wear to a funeral? To my funeral. My focus the past few weeks has been to die to myself and have Christ fully live in me. So you could say I’m choosing what to wear at my funeral celebration. The letter to the Colossians gives me instruction on what is fashionable at one’s funeral.

“You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete…Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you- kindness, compassion, discipline, quiet strength, and humility.”

Colossians 3 - The Message

The best designer label ever! God’s name!

Do the Dance!

I felt a little a lot of resentment bubbling up in my soul, as I listened to my son tell me how he sent his wife off to get a pedicure and manicure for Mother’s Day. I think the younger generation cleverly calls that a mani/pedi. Hey! Wait a minute! She’s your wife! I’m stuck between a husband who says “You’re not my mother,” and sends his mother a Hallmark sentiment and a son who is the gift giver for his toddler children. The voice of resentment told me I deserved more! Then the Holy Spirit brought God’s Word to my heart.  Colossians reads “ For you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” In many cultures there is a celebration of eternal life at the funeral where people even dance. I thought to myself, “Do the Death Dance Janice!” Or if you would like less morbid and a little more humor– Do the durge! There have been a few more opportunities to dance since last weekend. It’s a good dance. It’s me, hiding in the arms of great dance partner!

First Thing In the Morning

I have been practicing praise when I first open my eyes in the morning. A practice learned from a Bible study,to thank God for the day even before your feet touch the ground. But I woke this morning to a very negative dream. It tried to weigh me down and it took me a while to get my focus. It came from Colossians 3:1-17. I am dead to negative! I am alive with Christ! I am putting away my earthly nature and putting on all sorts of lovely things. Getting dressed in the morning to have a Godly day, not a Janice day! I will sing to God with gratitude in my heart. The invitation is to you too! Join me!