Kookie Cut-Outs by Rachel Britz

Delivering cookies and good news.

For What Its Worth

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Last week I came to the conclusion that my trusty ole’ Suburban was in need of some serious TLC. I pulled her into the car wash bay and began the task of cleaning out all the junk from within that had accumulated. Low and behold, stuck to the bottom of my cup holder, I found one lonely penny. Who knows how long it had been sitting there? I scraped it up along with the other refuse and for a split moment I contemplated that penny. Reaching for the trash can I almost threw it away but then I stopped and looked at it again. I thought to myself, “One…it’s worth one!” After realizing its value, I shoved that crusty coin into my coat pocket and proceeded.

I wonder how often we discard the number one. One job, one friend, one meaningless errand, yet I find that when one God works in one person who goes out and does one good work then all of a sudden 1+1 becomes 2. Now I’m not a mathematician but those numbers tend to add up. I believe in a simple God who each day gives us one life to live, one that is worth more than we can possibly imagine. Live it to the fullest, taking the things He has placed before you today, recognizing its value and pursue it for all its worth!

Bird on a Wire

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A few months ago I signed my youngest daughter up for gymnastics. As we prepared for her first day my 7 year old son began asking a lot of questions, curious about the sport that looks like fun, his biggest concern was if boys could do gymnastics too. As all good mothers do, I encouraged him and gave the good ole’ lesson about caring less what others might think. To our delight, an all boys class is offered at the same time as his sister. Problem solved.

For weeks I have been watching them manuveor the gymnastics floor. Stretching, bouncing, twisting, and balancing. Like a bird on a wire, I can see them at every angle,and even though they don’t have it all figured out quite yet they look good. Watching them gives me joy.

In the same way, I belive that God sees His children and is pleased. He sees that in order for us to learn and grow stronger we must fall down a lot. He sees that we are uncoordinated and imperfect. But He also sees his children trying hard to get it right.

Most of the time, throughout my childrens gymnastics lesson they will look to me for approval. If they fall down they look to me. If they try something new they look to me. If they stick a big move they look to me. God, our Father is looking down on you today, with joy. Keep looking to Him and He will satisfy your every need.

My ONE story

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Stories inspire us, teach us, move us. We have all experienced a time or two in our lives when that ONE story was so overwhelming, filled with such a powerful emotional feeling, that the yearning in our gut shook us and caused a movement unparalleled to anything we have ever known.

Three weeks ago, I had such an experience when my kids and I were able to Skype our sponsored child in Africa. For those unfamiliar with Skype, it is basically an online resource that allows you to dial in (make a phone call) from your computer to another computer and have a live conversation along with live streaming video to the person on the other end of the line. Absolutely techno-amazing!

But this is not where my story began, so let me back up a little bit. A few years ago, a friend of mine who lives in St.Cloud, MN with her husband and family made the convicted decision to open an orphanage in Sierra Leonne, Africa. Her story, inspired by moral outrage came after adopting two children of their own from this country, causing a movement within to change the corrupt climate of ONE orphanage.

Fast forward to 2010, her orphanage called The Covering, now is home to 130 orphans. ONE of those children is named Musa. Musa is five years old. His father died in a horrific boating accident and his mother left widowed and with no means of provision, gave him up. Musa is our families sponsored child. For $70 a month, Musa can have all his basic needs met, as well as, go to school. In Africa, this is a huge privilege!

Sending money is one thing but sitting face to face, staring into the eyes of someONE God has given you the privilege to cover is completely overwhelming. We watched him blink and breath and smile. His face was so timid yet he was so alive. During our time with him he showed us pictures he drew in school. He told us that his favorite color is Blue and that he likes to play ball. Then, at the end of our session, saying good-bye, he leans into the camera and says “I love you”.

And that’s when it happened, my heart shattered into a million pieces. Love sorta does that do you, especially when its staring you right in the face, so close you can touch it. And that’s my ONE story. What is yours?

Restoration from the Fall

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Last week I needed to take our car in for a small repair. Since, I’m always calculating how to make the best use of my time, I decided to go for a run while the mechanic worked. I took off, unfamiliar with this new running ground. My senses were heightened to the scenery and I was pleasantly taking it all in. Half way through my run, making my way back to the auto shop, something unexpected happened. I fell. Between two slabs of concrete my toe hooked on the uneven sidewalk. In an instant I was smashing into the pavement. Shaken, I got up off the ground. First, I looked around to see who witnessed the catastrophe. Second, I looked myself over and the wounds I just inflicted. Graveled and gauged hands, a skinned knee, and a bruised shoulder. Oh, the sting!

Later that evening, I was evaluating my wounds, and a thought occurred to me. They are already healing. My body, fighting, at work to restore me. Still aching and hurting from my unexpected fall, I took comfort in knowing that I was on the mend. I was being made new.

In my Spiritual life I’ve fallen many times. A couple times I thought I might never recover but with God’s hand upon my life He gave me hope and healing and lots of forgiveness. Because of the work He is doing in me, I am being made new. Each day, just like my running requires endurance and diligence, He is conditioning me for His greater plans and purposes. Thank God for restoration!

Down In My Heart

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I’m a body in motion. Always striving, always reaching for new heights, always looking for the next adventure life brings. It’s something that I love about myself. I’m not afraid of taking risks or trying something new. Yet, so often, the very things you love are those that you hate. Okay, so hate might be a harsh word. More so, these things that I love have become one of my biggest challenges. The very reason I am propelled to do has so many times left me feeling unsettled or discontent with the where I’m at today.

I’m driven by ladders or climbing them at least. All I see is the top and that’s where I want to be. All my ambitions and desires sit among the top rung. Over the years I’ve found myself laboring over this climb time and time again.

This past year however, I spent a good chunk of time climbing down. All the way down. It was God who asked me to step down for a while. Sit at the bottom of my ladder and chill for a bit. Sitting is hard for me so it took a while to adjust but then, as if the switch had been flipped, it all come together. An understanding. The work, the labor, the climbing …. it was all so meaningless if I didn’t have joy. I realized that I had put too much emphasis on the goal, the prize(if that’s what you call it), and the end result. My expectations were somewhere over the rainbow. In my mind I saw joy as an absolute but only when I arrived or finished.

Happiness is fleeting. It comes and goes. It ebbs and flows. But joy, true joy, can only be experienced once we allow our hearts to be truly grateful for where we are placed today. Then, in total surrender, we allow God to lead life, open doors, and fill us with His peace. Today, I’m living with that joy, joy, joy…down in my heart!