Lent is a time for change

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Fran Hart

I am in the middle of an epic internal conflict, wringing my hands and crying, “What to do? What to do?”

Why the drama? My last two Lenten reflections left me looking through the glass darkly, wondering what’s in store for me. I’m determined to follow Jesus, to not be one of those who shrug and turn away, sorrowful but unwilling to let go of the things I know in favor of the things that could be.

This week I’ve been on Spring Break vacation but work demands have mired me in a sea of angst as I’ve struggled with some personnel challenges. This is not an enjoyable part of my role. It is not spiritually rewarding. Employment as a whole though, I must admit, is financially rewarding. It is nice to have income. As much as I dream of making a living through other means, I do not think any of the alternatives I have in mind would be nearly as lucrative.

Ah, lucre, the money…. Is that what I’ve become? A lover of money? No one in scripture who loves money is able to give themselves wholly to Christ. It is easier to wedge a camel through the eye of a needle, right? Am I clinging to employment as a way of avoiding the risk of discipleship? Can I be a disciple while remaining in my current role?

Today I took a leap of faith and paid for 3 years worth of a new domain: FGHart.com. Now I face the challenge of setting it up and putting it to good use. I’m praying for God to grant me singleness of mind and faithful obedience to His will. (2 Chronicles 30:12)

Posted in Bible, discipline, faith, Lent, prayer, Wants, Wisdom, Writing | 2 Comments

Fate

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Fran Hart

“You’ve had ample warning. Are your things in order?”

“Yes. No! I….”

“What?”

“Nothing. It’s just….”

“What? It’s time to go.”

“Is there another way?”

“We’ve done it this way for generations. It’s too late to complain about your lot. You’ve known this was coming. Why are you acting as though it’s a surprise for you?”

“It’s not that. It’s….”

“I know, I know. You put off thinking about it. Now it’s time and you’re not ready. Well you’re going, ready or not. Nothing you say or do will affect your fate. The die is cast. Your fate sealed.”

This post is inspired by velvetverbosity.com 100 word challenge. This week’s word: “Ample”.

Posted in 100 words, Fiction | 2 Comments

Lent is a time to repent and heed God’s call

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Fran Hart

We are all called to repent and we are called to follow Jesus. When we repent, first we (probably) feel guilt or remorse for our misdeeds, then (ideally) we turn away from the “bad” behavior and move towards more noble pursuits.

I’m reminded of two encounters recorded in the Gospels. In one (Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 18), Jesus encounters a “good” man. This man, a successful leader in his community, runs up to Jesus, falls on his knees and says, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus points out that only God is good. Then, he asks the man if he knows the Commandments.

The man responds, “Of course! I know the commandments and I always obey them! I have since I was a child.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. He said, “That’s great! There’s only one thing left for you to do. You must sell everything you own and give the proceeds to the poor. Then, follow me.”

The man’s face fell and he went away sad, because he had many possessions. He turned away from Jesus; he walked away from what he was called to do.

In a separate encounter (Matthew 9, Mark 2, Luke 5), Jesus met a Tax Collector. With the label “Tax Collector” we know he must have been considered a “bad” man. Jesus came by the tax booth (where the man was sitting) and said, “Follow me.”

The man got up, left everything and followed Jesus.

Later Jesus declared, “I have not called the righteous, but the sinners to repentance.” So, if only God is righteous then we can conclude we fall into the category of those called to repentance.

Lent is a time of reflection and repentance. It is a time for considering that which separates us from God and, once identified, turning away from those things and turning toward Him, leaving everything to follow Jesus.

A friend of mine pointed out that my personal struggle with managing time is an opportunity for me. For Lent, she suggested, I should turn away from the clock, from unanswered e-mails, dirty dishes, laundry and other demands in order to spend time in prayerful meditation, devotion and worship. More specifically, I am devoting more intentional time pursuing God’s call for me.

Q: What are you doing for Lent?

Posted in Bible, discipline, faith, Lent, love, Tips for Better Living, Writing | 1 Comment

Lenten considerations

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Fran Hart

Jesus told his disciples, I am the Bread of Life; whoever eats of my flesh and drinks of my blood will have eternal life. This startling disclosure came shortly after the miraculous feeding of five thousand with five loaves of barley bread and two small fish. The crowd of people gathered there called him a prophet and wanted to make him king.

Jesus withdrew from the crowd, walking on rough waters to join his Twelve disciples in boat crossing the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. At the synagogue Capernaum the crowd caught up with him.

Jesus told them, “Don’t work for food that spoils but for food that endures to eternal life, food that the Son of Man will give you.”

They responded, “What should we do to perform God’s works?”

Jesus answered, “To believe in the one He has sent.”

So they asked, “What sign will you give so that we can believe you? After all, our ancestors ate manna during their wilderness wanderings, as it is written ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

Jesus clarified, “It isn’t Moses who gives bread from heaven, but my Father who now offers you the true bread from heaven, giving life to the world.”

They said, “Always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hunger or thirst. Though you’ve seen me in action, you still don’t believe. Everyone the Father gives me will come to me and I will never drive them away, for I have come to do His will. This is the will of the one who sent me; that I shall lose none that he has given me but raise them up at the last day. My Father’s will is that everyone who looks at the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life and I will raise them up at the last day.

Jesus’ followers, devoted though they were, found this claim hard to swallow.

Jesus reiterated his promise of eternal life four more times and the people continued to grumble. He then spelled out the promise which is a core tenant of Christian faith. He told them, “Eat my flesh, drink my blood – the true food and drink, the true bread that came down from heaven, the source of eternal life.”

Many of his disciples turned away in response to this difficult message. He asked the Twelve, “Don’t you want to leave also?”

Simon Peter responded, “Where would we go? You offer the words of eternal life. We have come to know you are the Holy One of God.”

As a disciple of Jesus Christ we are called not just to follow him but to not turn away from him when we face the challenges put before us. Lent is a time of discipline and quiet introspection. Don’t turn away from the challenges of life, but embrace those challenges. Remain steadfast. God is calling you to eternal life.

Posted in Bible, discipline, faith, Lent, love, Tips for Better Living | 2 Comments

Grace

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Fran Hart

Sitting on a park bench,
Enjoying the sunshine,
Listening to the sound of birds chattering and calling to one another,
Breathing in the fresh, heady scent of Spring blossoms;
Eyes closed, face tilted up, the corners of my mouth lifted in a smile.

My smile of contentment reveals the peace I feel,
But it doesn’t tell the whole story.
I am filled with wonder; I am filled with joy.
God’s gratuitous grace abounds.

In this mid-morning reprieve the day pauses in suspense,
Like an inhaled breath, like my life,
Waiting for me to exhale,
To step forward in faith.

(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: “Gratuitous“)

Posted in 100 words, Writing | 7 Comments

Final round

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Fran Hart

“Don’t, Bobby. I’m frightened,” she said, but he ignored her. She whispered her fear, knowing even shouts and screams would be ignored. They’d played this game before.

He spun the cylinder with a glancing blow, hand flat against the revolver. One bullet and five holes quickly whirring, coming to a stop faster than any wheel of fortune should.

She heard the hammer click. She felt the barrel’s cool steel against her temple. She sensed the pressure of his finger squeezing the trigger. She met her end.

Bobby reloaded, this time filling every hole. Now it was his turn.

(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: “Frightened“)

Posted in 100 words, Fiction, Writing | 6 Comments

Hello world!

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Fran Hart

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Before and After: a room make over

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Fran Hart

Before, this room has been a catch-all for kid toys. A lot of emotion was kept hidden behind the closed door and the in the dresser drawers. When daughter #2 moved out we painted the black and red walls a nice neutral color and gave the room a fresh start. Then daughter #1 and our grandson stayed a while. When they left, well…let’s just say “it was hard.” So the room has been a place for the occasional visitor but not much more than that.

With the pressure of a pending visit from a Faith Alive team, I felt compelled to do something about the room.

The visitors will be here Friday. I’m reframing the circus pictures but I’m holding out for Hobby Lobby’s half-price sale of their frames. Somebody should tell me it’s worth the $50 to finish the room by Friday. Until then, this is how it’s looking.


I’m going to put a bigger plant in front of the window (above).
And maybe a chair or something in front of the plug (above).
Art will definitely help. That and a mirror. And maybe a floor vase with some feather grass or some such.
Although I’m not finished, at least I don’t mind have company!
Posted in deadline, frugal, Inspiration, not writing | 1 Comment

Understatement

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Fran Hart

“I have a small obsession with owls,” she confessed, ushering me into her home.

I’d already noted her sweater (owls knitted into the rib pattern with buttons stitched on for eyes) and jewelry (small, copper owl pendants with tiny turquoise eyes).

Yet nothing prepared me for the onslaught of sights and sounds pervading my client’s house: a large oil painting on the wall facing the front door, a throw rug covering the entry’s tiled floor, a stuffed bird poised on a small table to my right, a hooting soundtrack adding ambiance. On and on, owls everywhere!

“Indeed,” I responded.

(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: “Obsession“)

(This particular entry is also inspired by the darling and delightful @PettyMagic, Camille DeAngelis)

Posted in 100 words, Fiction, Writing | 11 Comments

The Bottom Line

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Fran Hart

“Look at how she engages the little ones,” I said.

Principal Hodges and I watched two members of our assessment staff working with the Special Needs class.

“Yes, Sue’s remarkable,” he commented without expression. “Joe’s good, too.”

Joe, our speech therapist, sat cross-legged on the floor in front of a 4-year-old boy. Joe patiently cycled through flash cards, naming the colors and items shown on each card, highlighting the phonetics, carefully annunciating and encouraging the small boy to do the same.

We exited together, Hodges grim but resolute. The State mandated budget cuts; one position must go.

(Inspired by VelvetVerbosity.com 100 word challenge: “Engages“)

Posted in 100 words, Fiction, Writing | 2 Comments