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Here we go again with another “Five Minute Friday” post!  To learn more about “Five Minute Friday” (FMF), check out the linked image here.  Basically, each week there’s a word given for you to write about.  You start writing, no back-tracking, editing, etc.  At the end of 5 minutes, you stop.  Then you post it, and share in the community of words that were birthed during these 24-ish hours.  It’s cool stuff.
So here’s this week’s response to the word: “opportunity ”

It’s a word that hit’s home.  Sometimes as an accusation, and sometimes just as a soft reminder.  My children are not simply asking for my time.  They’re not running to me  when I come home from work, looking for ways to add to my “to do” list.  They’re offering me opportunities.

It’s easier to remember sometimes than others.  When they’re smiling in the afternoon sun, sliding down the hill on the brand new tube I got for them last year.  We’ve waited a loooong time to be able to enjoy this moment.   My 3 year old in the seat in front of me, and I’m dragging my hands in the snow behind us, steering us away from the tree on the left, and the slight hole on the right.  We arrive at the bottom, and the tube spins around just a bit.  She’s still screaming with joy, as she stands up and turns around, begging to do it again.  Just 5 minutes ago, she was terrified that I even offered to let her sit on that tube.

But she was convinced by her daddy to see the challenge as an opportunity.

I want to ride these moments of parenting with that same joy.  I want to reach out to them in their unexpected moments of need, not with the dutiful dedication of a parent who wants to be responsible….but with the heart of a father who wants to express the joy of parenting and the love of his children with every step of the journey….

Gorp.  Times up.

What is something you’ve been going through the motions of…..that perhaps God is reminding you of how precious an opportunity you have??

My wife and I have been married over 10 years now.  I know, and have continued to learn that she is not only talented as a cook – she’s constantly looking for new flavors and taste adventures.  She’s cooked her way humbly through several different cookbooks, even as I brag heartily when I complete any single task in the kitchen.  In the midst of having such amazing gifts and desires for new flavors…she’s married to a man who’s favorite meal includes putting shredded cheese on tortilla chips in the microwave.  A man who could eat pizza for every meal for an entire week or more, especially if it’s from different restaurants or different brands of frozen – which basically makes it a different food altogether.

Yes, I enjoy “good” food.  But I also like easy/quick/cheap/food that I know I like.  But when I ask her for pigs in a blanket for my special birthday meal, it’s like going to NASA and asking them to get you across town.

It reminds me of something NT Wright has said about the Jesus we’ve just finished celebrating at Christmas.  In his book, “Simply Jesus”, he says “We have reduced the kingdom of God to private piety, the victory of the cross to comfort for the conscience, and Easter itself to a happy, escapist ending after a sad, dark tale.”

It’s easy to see what he’s talking about.  We’re content to receive from Jesus what we think He wants to offer us. Even in making “New Years Resolutions”, we begin with our desires.  I want to read my Bible more.  I want to spend more of my time in prayer.  I want to _____ for me.  It can easily boil down to a goal of self-improvement:  I want to _______ for God, because I believe doing so will yield ________ for my life.

The problem is, much like the Jews of the First Century, we come to Jesus with our own limited expectations.  “He exists to make my life better.  To make my way smoother.  To open up doors of opportunity.  To save me from anything bad, now and forever.  To help me triumph over my enemies, and pave my paths with sunshine and hugs.”

Sorry, I didn’t mean to get all cynical-pessimistic.  I’m actually an overly enthusiastic optimist.

But it’s important for us, as we begin a new year, to position ourselves in submission to Christ.  Maybe you’ve already set goals for yourself in 2013.  You’re going to pray/read scripture/attend worship/give/etc…more.  As we move forward into these activities, let’s let go of doing them because of some sort of economy of investment/return.  Let’s do them, because these are the ways of the Kingdom:  To depend on the Word of God as we would food.  To receive the presence of God.  To join with others in declaring His Lordship & Kingdom.  To be His active and helping presence to those in need.  To love the unloved.  To carry God’s image in all of these ways and more….not for any other reason other than submitting “myself” to God in love.  Opening our life to Him completely, instead of offering a bit of it on an contractual basis, waiting to see what He fills His side of the scale with.  It may mean we’ll be blessed.  It may mean we’ll experience suffering.  It may mean ______.

Whatever it means….it’s a LOT more than “Jesus saved my soul for Heaven someday”.  It allows for flavors and experiences that we never would have imagined.  For more on what God is doing through Jesus, check out NT Wright’s “Simply Jesus” today!

And Mrs. Anderson – go ahead and put ____ on my plate tonight.  I’ll totally try it…

Recently we did a “Both Hands” project/fundraiser through Lifesong!  I was able to talk about it on the radio, we had the local news-station come out and do a story, and it will be running in the local newspaper very soon!  So far we’ve raised about $1,600…and with your help, we can get even closer to our goal of $20,000!!!  Click here if you’d like to give….watch the video to see more about all that we did!!!

Thanks so much to all of our friends & family who gave of your time, energy, and resources!  Thanks also to everyone who sent out letters on our behalf, and feel free to forward a link to this post to any of YOUR friends and family you think might help out!  You can continue to give at the above link until our adoption process is complete!!  All donations are tax deductible!

Thanks especially to the local businesses that got involved:  Sherwin Williams of Decatur, IL, Noah’s Plumbing, True Value of Decatur, IL, Dynagraphics, Wal-Mart, Hoerr’s Berean Bookstore, WAND-TV, TALK 101, Herald & Review!!