Laced With Grace

What makes you laugh and cry?

For me, it’s looking through my photos and seeing recent memories with my family. Times that only happen once or two a year these days. If only we could have more time together. . .But that isn’t always possible living a couple states apart.

(a special gift for me from my mom)

(A giggly, wiggly frog. Turn it on for sounds and action. Mom remembered I used to collect frogs many years ago. haha)

(a first… an impromptu daddy/daughter dance. Yes, I felt the sting of sweet tears.)

Memories are precious, aren’t they?

Hearing about Whitney Houston’s death over the weekend brought back memories and fresh emotion. Whitney’s music was a huge part of my life in the 80’s and 90‘s. I laugh thinking about how loud I sang her songs. I felt so alive singing, almost like I could fly away. And something about her beautiful voice singing with passion still moves me to tears.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh.”

Good to read because my former Christian counselor once told me I was the only person he knew who laughed and cried at the same time. I’m okay with that until I laugh when I am trying not to bawl. Yes, that has happened, more than once, and I’ve been humiliated.

Why am I talking about laughing and crying today?

Because someone out there needs to know it’s okay to cry. You don’t always have to be the strong one. You have tears for a reason. Use them as needed. Actually tears are cleansing by God’s design. And laughing, well, we’ve all heard the phrase “laughter is good medicine.” So why not take a minute or two to watch that baby laughing video today? You don’t have to be so serious all the time. You can have fun, giggle and still love Jesus. Even the Proverbs 31 woman laughs at the days to come, right?

Father God, thank you for the gift of laughter and tears. Thank You for the opportunity we have to laugh again today. And Lord, please comfort those who need to let their tears flow. Help us be the kind of people who live life to the fullest each day. The kind of people who rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany

You stand at the back of an empty auditorium, seeing rows and rows of chairs soon to be filled with friends just like you. Your big moment is just a couple hours away. Soon you will hear your name being called and walk forward to accept your diploma.

Years of hard work, finished. You did it. Yes!

Yet deep down you feel joy and sadness. What once was will be no more. Goodbyes will be said and tears will fall. Festive foods await you. Family and friends celebrate your success today, but tomorrow will come and you will enter unknown territory.

Questions bounce around in your mind.

Who am I if I’m not a student anymore? What will become of my life? Will I find a job in this economy? Will I make enough money to survive? Will I get married? Have children? What trials are right around the corner? What successes?

Unfortunately, your unanswered questions steal part of your joy on this special day. So you smile and thank everyone for being there. You enjoy the party. You live well for the moment.

But before long you are home again. Alone. In your room. All is quiet and fear comes in like rolling waves, so you cleverly look for ways to ride them. The waves win and you are taken under.You can’t sleep. You ask yourself questions and only silence answers. Eventually you tire and fall asleep.

Only to awake to the same ole questions.

Why am I talking about a graduation moment as a 40-something-year-old mother of two?

Because we ALL mark our lives by moments like these. Those days where we feel valued and seen and accomplished. We cherish times like these. They can be defining and even life-changing. They are big days.

But today I am reminded of a bigger moment. A moment yet to come. A moment when all your questions are answered and all fears are erased. A time when your name will be called and you will rise to accept your reward. A day when you realize your reward isn’t yours after all. It must be passed on. So in holy awe and worship, you bow and lay it down before the throne of God.

A moment when the celebration and praise never end. But this time the moment is not about your success.

It’s about the success of love.

God’s love.

In this moment, you acknowledge love made your entire earthly life worthwhile.

God’s love healed you.

Love changed you.

This is the greatest moment of your life.

And love never ends.

You take a deep breath and think, Yes, this is the life!

(Today I challenge you to look for people to fill those empty chairs. Let’s invite others to celebrate LOVE while we still have breath. After all, God’s LOVE WINS!)

In love with Jesus,

Tiffany @ Tea with Tiffany

So often times the Christmas season becomes one big stress that we just want to be over. Don’t you get tired of running from here to there and your to-do list keeping you awake at night?

* buy $5 gift for my daughter’s school gift exchange

* address, stamp and mail Christmas cards

* wrap and mail those packages going out of state

* bake Christmas cookies for neighbors

* hang Christmas lights – inside and out

* buy fresh Christmas tree and decorate

* attend Christmas program at child’s school

* attend work holiday party

* volunteer this Christmas season

* sing in church choir on Sunday

* shop for Christmas dinner

* buy gifts for family

* on and on the list grows

If you are like me, along with your Christmas planning, you are thinking ahead to 2012. Dreaming, picking a word or verse for next year, setting new goals, or thinking about ways to be more organized. Goodness, I get tired just listing all of this. Don’t you?

May I call a time out? May I share the real reason we celebrate?

 Father God, I pause to remember the real reason of this Christmas season. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! You are the reason I live, the reason I celebrate, the reason I have peace. Thank You for your great love. Today I fix my eyes not on my To-Do list but on You, the author and finisher of my faith. You are the greatest gift I know. This season all I want for CHRISTmas is more of You. Your presence is my present. In Your glorious name I pray, Amen.

Enjoy this Christmas season, friends. Let’s celebrate Christ like we’ve never celebrated Him before. Amen?

Love,

Tiffany at Tea with Tiffany