Not My Shoes

The outside packaging touted the quality of the product within. No preservatives. No trans fatty acids. Only three ingredients. Vegan.

It was a typical Sunday morning. Someone couldn’t find their shoes and we were trying desperately to make it to church on time. This particular someone had supposedly looked everywhere for her black dress shoes. With limited options and the time quickly passing, I pointed to another pair and suggested that they would have to do. She gratefully agreed and we rushed to the car.

Upon arrival at church, I noticed that she was walking funny. When I inquired about her interesting gait, she responded, “My shoes are too big. These aren't mine." The shoes I pointed to - the ones that were in HER closet - were actually the larger version of the exact pair she owns (also missing) and belonged to her older sister. So she shuffled around church all morning in shoes that not only didn’t match her dress, but were also two sizes too big. She was quite the sight! Of course, she wasn’t the least bit bothered.

As adults, we wouldn’t intentionally go out wearing shoes that don’t fit - unless maybe it’s a quick run to the mailbox. But how often do we unintentionally try to walk in shoes that don’t fit? God may be calling us to do one thing, but we’ve got our minds set on something else. And so off we go… in shoes that don’t fit. Or, we serve in an area of church out of guilt or simply because there’s a need, not because we were called to it… off running in shoes that don’t fit. Or, maybe we try to fashion our gifts and talents into something that looks like someone else’s… shoes that don’t fit.

God created us as unique individuals. He has a specific purpose for each of us. We’ll be much more comfortable in life, experiencing peace and contentment, when we’re doing what God has called us to. Let’s wear the shoes that He intended for us to wear.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Cindy Schufflebarger
Author and Speaker
www.cindyshufflebarger.com

Disguised

The outside packaging touted the quality of the product within. No preservatives. No trans fatty acids. Only three ingredients. Vegan.

All true statements, yet deceptive in nature. The snack within the bag was far from the healthy portrait the marketers were trying to paint. The corn chips actually had a whopping 160 calories for a mere ½ cup serving and were more than 50% fat. Not exactly a masterpiece of health.

Now, I’m not trying to pick on corn chips. They can fit into a healthy diet in moderation. But, I’m trying to make this point. Often times, we are busy trying to perfect our outside packaging. We want to project an image that is worthy of others’ approval. We want others to see only our good qualities, not our struggles and imperfections. We even try to hide our flaws from God, who sees all.

People appreciate the genuine and will eventually detect the deceptive. Yet, I struggle to be authentic and transparent at times. I fear that people won’t like me if share my issues and quirks with them. I fear that I disappoint God with my attitudes and raw emotions.

And so, my thoughts run laps in my head, and I lack clarity on a resolution. What am I to do? Do I risk everything and strip away every inkling to protect myself and stand confidently in God’s grace? Or do I lay another brick in the wall around my heart in hopes of shielding myself from the pain of rejection? I really just wish I could just be free from flaws. Yet, I can’t. So I have a choice to make. We each have a choice to make.

Today, as I fight the reality of my emotions, I’m choosing to lay them before God. No more bricks. Instead, I’m inviting His grace to wrap me like a swaddled baby. All of my internal conflict, I’m giving to Him. I’m giving up trying to get it right. I’m giving up the self-induced beating for the emotions I think I shouldn’t feel. I’m trading my exhaustion for His promise of rest. It’s been far too long, but this weary soul is running home, into the arms of Jesus.

I hope you choose to do the same.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Cindy Schufflebarger
Author and Speaker
www.cindyshufflebarger.com

He’s Closer than You Think

This week, our family made a quick trip to the mountains of Virginia. As the land began to rise around us, I was smitten with its beauty. I always am. The Blue Ridge Mountains intrigue me with the beautiful blue haze that covers them. The lighting casts shadows. The trees add texture and dimension.

I sit in awe as I stare out the window – probably because I see God when I look at the landscape around me. I see His creativity. I see His whimsy. I see His majesty and might. After all, He spoke it all into being and set in motion the seasons and cycles that we see each day.

And so, when I feel distant or question God’s presence, I simply go outside. I watch the sunset or look at a delicate flower. I look at rugged rocks and hilly terrain. I see Him right before my eyes. And, if I’m very still, I can almost hear the trees singing His praises.

I pray that we take time to see His beauty each day, find renewal as we sit in His presence, and sing praises to Him who loves us.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord. Psalm 98:7-9

Cindy Schufflebarger
Author and Speaker
www.cindyshufflebarger.com

The Tyranny of Temptation

We recently encountered some visitors in our garage. After a few squeals from the kids, my husband proceeded to The Home Depot to purchase some mouse traps. Now, keep in mind that he’s of that general mentality that if one is good, fifteen must be even better. While I thought it was a bit excessive, at least I was encouraged that he took his job of mouse hunter seriously.

But now, the garage was effectively booby trapped so I warned the kids of the dangers of letting our dog out there. We became vigilant in keeping one eye on the dog at all times and remembering to close all doors – something that seems to be a tough thing for my kids.

On the first night of mouse warfare we experienced success. I’ll spare you the details, but Mickey (and friends) were now gone. Night two, not a creature was stirring. And so, by night three, I felt confident that our problem was resolved. Yet, I wanted some insurance should any others return. My concern: how would we possibly keep the dog out of the garage and away from the peanut butter laden traps for an extended period of time?

Then, I spotted the answer. Our dog crate, which the dog boycotted long ago, was now in the garage. I placed the plethora of traps in the crate and secured it – mice could go in should others decide to visit, but the dog couldn’t. I could monitor daily to make sure the visitors hadn’t returned.

The plan was working. Or so I thought.

The next afternoon, ear piercing screams echoed from the garage. My daughter was pleading for me to come. She stood, gasping for breath, pointing at the crate. And much to my amazement, there sat our dog – inside the crate with all of the loaded mouse traps, trying to help himself to a snack of peanut butter. I somehow extracted him and his nose wasn’t shredded by the traps. I’m still not sure how he managed to not get snapped.

I wish I’d had time to capture a picture of him sitting in the crate with all the mouse traps. It’s a perfect picture of how we live life sometimes. We have so many freedoms in Christ, yet, we tend to find the one place that’s out of bounds and try to park ourselves there. Our dog had the freedom to go anywhere in our house and yard. He has an abundance of love and food and toys and warm beds. Yet, he fell to the temptation of the smear of peanut butter and was barely spared from damaging consequences.

What are we tempted by today? Is it gossip, or laziness, or distorting the truth to protect our image? Are we tempted by lust or envy? Are we tempted to think that we’re better than someone else and judge their behavior?

I pray that we’ll focus on the many freedoms that we have and run from the cage of temptation. We might not be as lucky as my dog, Duke, and instead experience the pain and burn when the temptation bites back.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Cindy Schufflebarger
Author and Speaker
www.cindyshufflebarger.com

Tortured Bananas

While watching a food show one day, my husband saw the host wielding a blow torch for the purpose of caramelizing a dessert. Of course, from his vantage point, he saw a very cool toy and just needed an excuse to buy one. So, in the name of sacrifice and dedication to my love of sweets, he set out to the nearest home improvement store to acquire a blow torch suitable to his needs. In my mind, anything that is purchased in the home improvement store (other than a major appliance) is not fit for playing in the kitchen, but he saw things quite differently.

Now that he was armed, he needed something to caramelize (read: torch). He decided to test his abilities on some unsuspecting bananas. He sprinkled a little sugar on them, lit his torch (as we all took cover) and he was on his way to discovering one of our family’s favorite desserts. We never named his coveted recipe, until recently. My daughter who has a refreshing way with words, asked him to make her some “tortured bananas” – named in honor of the now infamous blow torch. My husband and I had to restrain audible belly laughs realizing that she really meant to say “torched bananas”, which of course was really just as funny. Nonetheless, the name has stuck and we love to eat tortured bananas.

As I thought of the process of torturing those bananas that transformed them into a delicious treat, I thought about my life. While I’m certain God doesn’t torture us, I do think that He sometimes allows tests in our life that feel like torture. However, we can rest assured that He’s got His eye on us and won’t let us scorch under the intense heat. Just as my husband has to watch carefully that the bananas don’t burn, so too God has His protecting hand over us. And, if we allow His work in our life, we can be transformed and exude delicious character and beauty in our life. I challenge you to embrace your trials, look for God’s guiding hand and be transformed in His image. Oh what a delight you’ll be to Him and those around you!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Cindy Schufflebarger
Author and Speaker
www.cindyshufflebarger.com