Jenna Sherard- My Corner of the World

God is Bigger

They say that one sure way to know you’re a writer is if you’re always thinking some extraordinary thing is happening to you. As if you are the special one who gets to walk through life starting stories with, “You will not believe what happened to me this week… or yesterday…. or ten minutes ago.” This describes 90% of my conversations, and I think what this really means is that God has designed me with an inner drive to be a storyteller. You would think this would really benefit my two-year-old daughter Celia, but she usually gets some version of Little Pink Celia hood and the Big Good Wolf and that’s about as inspired as it gets.

The reality is that these days my life is filled with things that are quite ordinary like laundry and dishes and checking email to make sure I’m just minimally behind (not woefully late) in responding to people. And honestly, most days I search for the words to write something beautifully crafted. I started a novel once in college. Never finished and don’t know if I will. The thing is my characters can never live out what I once imagined them to become. Why? It’s because I’m different. I’m (semi if not firmly) rooted in reality now, and I don’t grieve the college girl who created an imaginary family and world for them to live in on the pages of a long abandoned manuscript. The thing is, I long to know the Creator more than I want to be creative. I know God can show me how those things are so intricately related, but for now I think He just wants me to be still. To rest in the truth of how small I am in light of the big story He is weaving together.

This doesn’t mean that I’ve stifled my story telling nature all together. I do, in fact, put a really intense spin on the events of our day when I give my husband Bobby the recap at supper each night. From what he is told, Celia is the fastest toddler to ever go flailing across Chick-fil-a at the most crowded lunch hour in history, while literal swarms of people stare with gaping mouths as her hugely pregnant mom bounds after her trying not to yell about getting Mr. Spanky (the spanking spoon) out of the diaper bag at any moment if she doesn’t stop (true story). And the little burn on my index finger turns into a second-degree scald as I recount how hot that plate of potatoes was as I retrieved it from the microwave. And the conversation with my kindred spirit best friend is relayed with as many interventions from the Holy Spirit as Jonah himself would have experienced in the belly of the great fish.

If I’m being really honest, the imaginary tea parties each day with Celia are actually pretty magical. (Her pretend cinnamon rolls are the best ever.) And God really can take mundane chores and give me great joy and purpose in them (cue Ann Voskamp blog music please), but it doesn’t look as noble as I once thought it would be. I don’t know where you are in your life these days. My guess is that you’re not living in some kind of creative state of bliss. (Maybe you are and if so, congrats and have one of Celia’s cinnamon rolls to celebrate.) But regardless of where you are it’s my prayer that you’ll be still in your reality and let God be better than your imagination. He has good stored up for us and he is a God who is “merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (Ps. 86:15). He is merciful when I don’t finish what I start. He is gracious when I seek to know Him better (and on days when I don’t). He is steadfast and faithful beyond anything my small mind could dream up and it makes me love him and worship with more vulnerability than I ever dreamed possible. Imagine that!!

CSU Staff Connections

We’ll be in Colorado before we know it! For some of us it is a great time of spending time outdoors, getting poured into from great teaching, and connecting with friends. For other staff it’s a time of feeling lost in the crowd or a time when Satan attacks our weaknesses. Are you aware that some staff REALLY STRUGGLE during this time?

As believers together we are a family of faith. A family that cares for one another, encourages one another, prays for one another. I would like to invite you to do just that in the coming days. Look for others who may need an invitation to hike or play disc golf. Look for others who may need a ride to an event or activity or an invitation to join your group for dinner.

Maybe you could take time today to call your newer staff who have never been to a CSU Conference and give them a heads up about a few things... Most dorms don't have A/C, dress for the conference is casual, maybe suggest renting a car or getting a bike from the bike library. I remember arriving at CSU the very first time, only knowing a handful of staff, and wishing someone had shared tips like these.

I know that we care for one another and desire to help others in times of need. Many of us do just that! At the same time I think that many of us miss opportunities to serve others because we are distracted and busy with our own plans. Let's put some of those things aside and really love each other like a family!!!

I am praying for the Lord to open your eyes to be aware of the needs of others around you. For you to open your heart to make others feel more comfortable and included. I am praying for you to live out the following verses:

24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
1 Corinthians 10:24

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[e] came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 Andthey were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 
Acts 2:42-47

4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 
Ephesians 4:1-6

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 
Philippians 2:1-4

 

I look forward to seeing many of you in Colorado and I look forward to seeing how the Lord can use us to encourage one another!

Looking for someone’s cell number or info about the conference, check this website https://csu2013.cru.org/ It has info on the speakers, schedule, and even a tab to “Find-a-Friend.”

Erin Mullis
Cru Staff serving on the MidSouth Regional Team

Around the World in 60 days

Just found this cool resource created by Focus on the Family for teaching your kids about other cultures and praying for other countries. The best part… it’s totally FREE!

Have you ever wondered what life is like in other countries? This summer, Thriving Family invites you to join us on a trip around the world! Over the next 60 days, you'll have the opportunity to explore 27 different countries on six continents. For each day of the trip, we've packed a biblical lesson and an activity that will give your family a glimpse into another culture.

Click on this link to get the map, itinerary, and passport.

http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2013/around-the-world-in-60-days.aspx 

Do you have great resources to share that would be beneficial to your staff sisters? Email Erin.Mullis@cru.org and I will share them on this blog!

Praying for Ourselves & Our Kids

Hey y’all,

I found this great resource on Pinterest that has a list of 31 Biblical Virtues to pray for your children. We’ve been using it for a few weeks and LOVE it! These are also things that you can pray for yourself. One big plus is that it already looks cute. You can just print it out or save it on your computer. It’s not another “Pinterest Project” to add to your list (my list is already way too long).

http://keepingitpersonal.com/2012/02/pray-for-kids/

Scroll down to orange letters at the bottom. Click and Print, it’s that easy I promise!

More coming on the blog soon! Keep coming back for more info about Summer Projects and Fort Collins.

Here’s a sample. The link has a better format for printing.