It was an overwhelming day.  It was humbling.  Scary.  Exciting.  Sobering.  The day delivered a new responsibility and accountability to be a deliverer of the Good News.  It also delivered severe cotton mouth.  Especially when my father put me on the spot after my ordination by having me officiate over the communion service.

I mean…I know how to do this.  Certainly, I’ve participated in enough communions in my 37 years to remember the bread is the body and juice is the blood, yes?  And, nothing like good friends keeping it real for you with a whisper from afar, “Don’t mess this up.”  Thank you, Adam Thurston.

The cotton-mouth became a definite issue when I noticed my inability to swallow the bread….better known as the Styrofoam wafer.  I chewed.  I chewed.  And, I chewed.  Until, I decided to leave it there stuck and move on to step two.  The blood of Christ was waiting, and so were a lot of hungry parishioners ready to hit Pizza Hut and such for some after-church grub.

Needless to say, communion was a bit scary.  But, comfortable.  And, scary.  It’s kind of a big deal.  Like a major sacrament of the church big deal.  All the more reason to be a nervous amateur pastor.

I am still soaking in the words spoken.  The scriptures read.  And, the words of my father as he handed me my Bible:  “This is no longer your Bible.  This is your life.”  Those words fell on me hard.  And, today, they continue to resonate loudly inside of me.

Thank you for traveling from near and from afar to support me.  You lavished me with a love that I do not deserve.  I am forever thankful for you.

And, I am forever thankful that He called me to be a servant in His Kingdom.

I love you all so very much.

His character.  WHO He is. 

Because, He is holy, I want to be holy.  Because, He is love, I want to be love.  Because, He is light, I want to be light.

I want more of Him.

I don’t want more of the same.  The same never moves you forward.

And, I’m learning that the more aware I become of Him moment by moment, the more my life changes.  I think differently.  I respond differently.  I see people differently.

Because, as you become more aware of Him, the more you will look at people on the heart.  You will see past their messiness.  You will see past their emotional baggage.  And, you will see the root of their pain.  And, compassion will flow.

And, then, God just might use you to be the vessel from which He pours out His healing.

You don’t have to emotionally invest into all of the people around you.  But, you sure better see every person as valuable.  We are not FROM God.

We are OF God. 

Read that again.

We are OF God. 

To not see another’s worth is to not see the worth of our Creator.

And, how awesome that God pinched off a piece of Himself and placed it in each of us?  How awesome that the more we get to know His character, the more we emanate that character?

And, yes, I realize how broken my thoughts seem on this post.  This is one reason I have found it so difficult to write lately.  He is breaking me, growing me, expanding me, and stretching me in ways that are shaking up my world. And, I don’t know how to communicate it well.

Not yet.

But, I will.

I know I will.

So, we either consciously or subconsciously, see them as dangerous.  A threat.  And, we enter a dangerous cycle.

Whenever we view that person as dangerous, we create an environment where that person will view us the exact same way:  dangerous.  And, a vicious cycle ensues.  You see them as dangerous, so they see you as dangerous.

You are key in breaking this cycle.  Sometimes, those people we view as dangerous will say things that hurt us.  We view their actions as vindictive and ugly.  And, we want to respond to them likewise.  The first thing you need to do in breaking the cycle is realize that the person isn’t telling you who you are.  But, rather, he is showing you who he is.  Only God can tell you who you are.  So, let that principle go deep into your heart.

So, now what do you do with your hurt?  Your urge to respond to them in a way that is consistent with their behavior?  Take it to God.  Tell Him every time you are struggling.  Tell Him how you want to respond likewise, and ask Him to take it from you.  Keep giving it to Him.  Then, one day, you will realize it is His for good.  And, the dangerous cycle is broken.

And, that person no longer has power over you.  You will choose to love and forgive instead.  As a matter of fact, you will see that person as hurting.  And, you will begin to see that person the way Christ does. 

You will be free.  And, full of more love and forgiveness than you thought possible.

And, your life will be abundantly blessed!

Thank you, Penny Doss, for imitating Christ for me time and time again.

Interruptions.

Life is full of them.  We can resent them.  Try to avoid them.  Become irritated by them.  Whatever our response, they are going to happen.  So, we may as well embrace them.

Because, by embracing them, we allow ourselves to become fully present in that moment.  It’s like that moment when you run into an old friend in grocery store.  You’d really prefer to skip the interruption and move right along with your cart full of sundries.  Wouldn’t you?  But, usually you can’t.  You stop.  You half-way listen to what your friend is telling you, because you can’t stop thinking how hurried you are.  You aren’t fully present.  And, you miss an opportunity to really be with that someone.  To connect with them and embrace them.  To embrace that interruption.

I’m not arguing that every life interruption is a beneficial one.  Certainly, there are interruptions that can actually divert us from something God has called us to do.  But, many are beneficial.  And, often times, God will use them to our advantage.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus was interrupted ALL THE TIME.  And, many people were healed during His interruptions.

We will never know how many times God is using people and circumstances to interrupt our lives.  He loves you.  He wants your attention.  And, He wants us to attend to the people He places in our lives.  This year, I want to embrace those interruptions without my internal (and sometimes external) sigh of annoyance.  Because, by embracing them, I am embracing that friend who may have something life-giving to impart to me.  I am embracing a moment to look up the history of moonshining and learn something new.  I am embracing the courage of a little girl who wants to swim with the largest animal of the sea.

I am embracing LIFE.

Most of the good stuff in life happens in between our scheduled plans.  They are called interruptions.  And, I am choosing to be present in them.

I don’t want to miss the good stuff.  Because, it is most certainly the God stuff.

How do you respond to life’s interruptions?

Here’s a recap of 2011 from the Takle five:

John Henry.  Well, he’s just a really good kid.  His compassion for others continues to melt us.  He’s a protective big brother.  He loves music, and he has learned so much on guitar.  He loves Legos.  And light sabers.  Oh, and he’s teaching me some of his Math homework.

Anna.  I’m not gonna lie.  Her dad and I have to look up some of the information she drops on us, because, we know there is a good chance it’s accurate.  And, it usually is.  She is learning to play the piano.  She loves it.  She loves a lot of things.   She loves to learn.  She loves to write.  She loves wearing tights with holes under shorts.  And, she loves to make us laugh.

Jett.  This kid is nothing but fun.  He learned to walk in 2011.  That was kind of a big deal.  And, if he could talk in coherent sentences, he would tell you he’s a good drummer, too.  The use of the words, “Pees” (please) and “One Mo” (one more) pretty much get him as many popsicles as he wants.  The Wiggles are his jam.  And, he will live with me for the rest of his life.

That’s us.  You already know that’s us.  We had some pretty fun experiences together in ’11.  From the Sundance Film Festival in Park City to Celine in Vegas to Sting in Boston.  It was a fun year.  Being married to a pilot has its perks.  But, being married to Kris Takle is just pure joy.  We grew a lot individually and together.  And, we have so much more growing to do.

I know I do.

At the beginning of each year, I try to choose a scripture for our family for that year.  This year, you might say that scripture chose me.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.  Colossians 2:7

And, this is my greatest resolution of the new year.  That our roots will grow down into Him deeper.  That we build our lives on Him like never before.  That our faith grows stronger.  And, that we overflow with thankfulness.

If you could pick a resolution scripture for your life this year, what would you choose?  Or, what scripture has chosen you?

Kris Takle is 38 today.

That calls for 38 reasons I love Kris Takle:

1. Generosity. He is one of the most giving men I know.

2. He tells me right away whenever he trips, stumbles, or hurts himself, because he knows I will laugh until tears pour.

3. He is my greatest encourager. Well, after my momma.

4. He can make the kids laugh so dang loud and hard to the point that I have to leave the room.

5. He is sentimental. The boy will hold onto everything I allow. (Sorry about throwing out those old watches, Ivar.)

6. I never wonder if he is thinking about me when he travels, because, he tells me almost every time he does.

7. He is a great cook. Or “cooker,” as Anna Takle says.

8. Speaking of cooking, his fried rice beats all. Uh-maz-ing.

9. He can’t keep his hands off of me. I’m just sayin’.

10. When I share my heart, he listens.

11. He once said when we were dating, “I don’t think I’d love you as much as I do if you didn’t have John Henry.”

12. And, I have never, EVER seen him treat John Henry differently than his own flesh and blood.

13. He is safe.

14. And comfortable.

15. He forgives quickly.

16. He has a lot of wisdom in how to handle difficult situations.

17. He will take ownership when he makes a mistake.

18. His honesty is scary, funny, and just downright impressive.

19. His love for farming is pretty adorable.

20. He gets excited about driving his tractor.

21. His passion for aviation inspires me to always stay passionate about the call of God on my life.

22. And, he still appreciates flying the little single-engine props whenever he gets the chance. I, on the other hand, really appreciate two jet engines. With nice leather seats. And, a bathroom. Amen.

23. He lets me record his “Taklisms.” Exhibit A: “Take the world by the horns.” Exhibit B: “I’m just not feeling on the top of the weather today.”

24. He loves his friends.

25. If it’s within his power to meet a need, he does it. Without hesitation.

26. He makes every date night enjoyable.

27. He is slow to anger.

28. Content. He is always content. Which makes him extremely hard to buy for.

29. As a matter of fact, whenever I ask him what he wants for his birthday, Christmas or anniversary, his answer is always the same: “Just you.”

30. He loves babysitters, and he’s not afraid to call them. Glo-ree.

31. He is a great son. I love how he always honors his mom and dad in word and deed.

32. The man appreciates really good food.

33. He makes me laugh every single day. Sometimes, I think it’s one of his life missions.

34. He is just a really great dad. He disciplines with love. He plays with them like he’s a kid, too. And, he provides opportunities for them to succeed.

35. He watches animated films ALL OF THE TIME. With and without our children.

36. I never doubt his love for me. Ever.

37. And, because of the way he loves me and others, he is one of the most spiritual men I know.

38. He loves God. And, he trusts Him in everything.

And, that last one always impresses me. As much of the Word that’s inside of me, I can still have moments of, “God, please pull through on this one.” Kris? He trusts in the sovereignty of God.

And, his faith always strengthens mine.

Happy Birthday, Ivar. You make this world a sweeter, kinder place.

Of course, I think cooking is odd.

I love how you adore your father. How he can do no wrong ever. I love how you look up to John Henry and melt when he wants to play a game with you. I love how you say, “Jett is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I love how you want a “Girls’ Day” with me as often as you can get one.

I love your boldness.

I love how you love going to church. I love how you raise your hands and worship your Creator. I love how passionate you are about who God is in your life.
And, I love how you aren’t afraid to ask the hardest questions about faith.

I love your sense of humor.

I love how we can laugh together so hard at the same thing. And, you catch my eye, and we connect on a different level. You know. Like a friend level.

You are my best friend, Anna Takle.

And, you are my favorite lunch date.
It’s just hard to fathom that when I stare across the table now, I don’t see this anymore:

I don’t see the little girl with bangs holding tightly to her doll named Jenny.
Instead, I see this:

A beautiful, young lady growing into all that God has for her.
Happy 7th Birthday, Anna Marie.

You will always be my favorite girl.

Other times, we see we need to revisit a thing or ten.

Anna:  “Mom, remember the really mean second grade boy, Shane?  He saw me on the playground today and said, ‘Well, looky here.  It’s Little Miss Anna who’s about to get her butt kicked.’”

Me:  “What did you do?”

Anna:  “I told Mrs. Walker, and she said she was already on it.”

Me:  “Good.  You handled that well.”

Anna:  “And, then I went back up to Shane and said, ‘Well, looky there.  It’s Little Mr. Shane who’s about to get his butt kicked.”

Pretty sure the whole “bless those who curse you” talk didn’t exactly run through her cute little head at that moment.

 And, to be honest, part of me wants to revisit the topic.  But, the Momma Bear part of me?  Well, that part wants to teach her a few of my karate moves.  I feel confident that’s the discipleship route her daddy would take.

I’m just sayin’.

Have a great weekend, y’all!

So, we begin unraveling.

Piece by piece.  Thread by thread. 

Until, we hit our knees.  And, the tears begin to flow.

I have those moments, too.  Just like you.

And, then the thought of throwing my hands in the air and surrendering it all to God just seems too easy.  Sometimes, it’s my pride that gets in the way.  Because, if I surrender my feelings, my day, my season to Him, then, I have nothing left to hold onto that says, “I am stressed.”

“I can’t do this anymore.”

“I have had all I can take.”

Whoever said God will not give you more than you can handle was wrong.  Way wrong.

He will. 

Because, He wants you to need Him.  He wants you to depend on His strength.  That’s why Paul says he was thankful when he was weakest, because, that’s when God was strongest. 

Tonight, I began unraveling.  So, I let go of my pride.  I let go of my stubbornness to hold onto something that really doesn’t belong to me. 

I threw my hands up in the air.  And, I told Him, “God, this day is Yours.  This season is Yours.  I can’t do this without you. ” 

And, He took it from me.

Perhaps, you are unraveling, too.

Surrender.  Let Him into your mess.  Call out to Him.  And, know that His power works best in your weakness. 

He will not fail you.

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Is it possible for a dude to be funny, smart, generous, and cool all rolled up into one? 

Clearly, it is. 

And, tonight, you will go to bed an eight year old, and wake up tomorrow morning nine years old. 

NINE.

For nine years, you have taught me how to love with more compassion, give without thinking twice, and enjoy dessert like it’s nobody’s business. 

Your love for the guitar makes my heart smile.  Your taste in music impresses me.  Your quick wit makes me laugh. 

But it’s your heart that inspires me.

John Henry Landreth, you are one AMAZING young man.

You not only make my world a better place, you make this entire world a better place.

Thank you for allowing God to mold you into a warrior for His Kingdom. 

And, thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to be the one he calls “Mom.”

Happy Birthday, JH.  I love you more and more.