For Glory and Beauty February 27, 2009

 ”You are to weave the tunic from fine linen, make a turban of fine linen, and make an embroidered sash.  Make tunics, sashes, and headbands for Aaron’s sons to give them glory and beauty. Put these on your brother Aaron and his sons; then anoint,  ordain, and consecrate them, so that they may serve Me as priests.”

Exodus 28: 39 – 41     (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

 

To give them glory and beauty.  That phrase jumped off the page into my heart this week and I’ve been musing over it ever since.  I’m not sure I have figured out exactly what it means but I’m sure that it’s important.  In Exodus, God paints a picture of the sacred with a fine tipped brush.  And that picture is astoundingly beautiful.  Each detail of the tabernacle, the sacrifices, and the garments of the priests sends us a mandate of holiness.  But that holiness is not and can never be our own.  With each clue in this book I’ve unravelled, I’ve fallen more deeply in love with my Savior and what He has done for me.

The Glory and Beauty of our God overflows into the lives of His children.  He adorns us, anoints us, ordains us, and consecrates us to serve Him as priests.  We reflect His Glory and radiate His Beauty to the universe.   In the light of His loving sacrifice we become the men and women He always meant for us to be.

What To Do If A Child Reports Abuse February 20, 2009

Here’s a text from another great site about child abuse:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm

You may feel overwhelmed and confused if a child begins talking to you about abuse. It is a difficult subject and hard to accept, and you might not know what to say. The best help you can provide is calm, unconditional support and reassurance. Let your actions speak for you if you are having trouble finding the words. Remember that it is a tremendous act of courage for children to come forward about abuse. They might have been told specifically not to tell, and may even feel that the abuse is normal. They might feel they are to blame for the abuse. The child is looking to you to provide support and help- don’t let him or her down.

Avoid denial and remain calm. A common reaction to news as unpleasant and shocking as child abuse is denial. However, if you display denial to a child, or show shock or disgust at what they are saying, the child may be afraid to continue and will shut down. As hard as it may be, remain as calm and reassuring as you can.

Don’t interrogate. Let the child explain to you in his/her own words what happened, but don’t interrogate the child or ask leading questions. This may confuse and fluster the child and make it harder for them to continue their story.

Reassure the child that they did nothing wrong. It takes a lot for a child to come forward about abuse. Reassure him or her that you take what is said seriously, and that it is not the child’s fault.

Reporting child abuse and neglect

Reporting child abuse seems so official. Many people are reluctant to get involved in other families’ lives. However, by reporting, you can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child and the child’s family, especially if you help stop the abuse early. Early identification and treatment can help mitigate the long-term effects of abuse. If the abuse is stopped and the child receives competent treatment, the abused child can begin to regain a sense of self-confidence and trust. Some parents may also benefit from support, parent training and anger management.

Reporting child abuse: Myths and Facts

• I don’t want to interfere in some one else’s family. The effects of child abuse are lifelong, affecting future relationships, self esteem, and sadly putting even more children at risk of abuse as the cycle continues. Help break the cycle of child abuse.
• What if I break up someone’s home? The priority in child protective services is keeping children in the home. A child abuse report does not mean a child is automatically removed from the home – unless the child is clearly in danger. Support such as parenting classes, anger management or other resources may be offered first to parents if safe for the child.
• They will know it was me who called. Reporting is anonymous. In most states, you do not have to give your name when you report child abuse. The child abuser cannot find out who made the report of child abuse.
• It won’t make a difference what I have to say. If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, it is better to be safe than sorry. Even if you don’t see the whole picture, others may have noticed as well, and a pattern can help identify child abuse that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.

Child Abuse Hotlines: Where to call to get help or report abuse

• If you suspect a child is in immediate danger contact law enforcement as soon as possible.
• To get help in the U.S., call:
  1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) – Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
• To get help for child sexual abuse, call:1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) – Stop It Now

  1-800-656-HOPE Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) 

Dreaming Strategically February 14, 2009

When our hearts are wounded it we often lose the ability to dream.  It’s easy to push down or ignore our desires, especially those placed within us by God’s provident hand.  Only in an atmosphere of safety do we feel free to dream again.  On the other hand, sometimes we choose dreams so big and so impossible that we feel safe from the possibility of our desires being fulfilled.  I wonder if I’ve sabatoged my dreams this way in the past.   I escape the mundacity of my daily grind by fantasizing about the one big enormously useful thing that can come along and give meaning to my life. 

I’m learning to dream strategically.  I ask myself what desire this longing is touching in my heart?  When I pull up on that string it inevitably leads to God and to His kingdom.  The purpose becomes clear.  Now I’m freed to pursue it in ways that are within my grasp.  To dream strategically we start small.  We fulfill our longings in ways that are attainable and build on that.  We never underestimate the small things.  Remember Jesus is all about the small stuff – the cup of cold water and the widows mite are only two examples out of many.  We share our desires out loud with other people.  You may spark a flame in another heart that will do more good than you ever realize.  God is very cool like that.  When we fail (and all sucess is built on failure) we try again in a different way realizing we are not and have never been in control of the universe.  We dance the dance as it unfolds to us with our honest longings as our guide.  Most of all, we pray through.

May God richly bless you to dream  beautiful dreams.

Our Duty February 7, 2009

It is up to us

to hallow Creation,

to respond to Life

with the fullness of our lives.

It is up to us 

to meet the World,

the embrace the Whole

even as we wrestle

with its parts.

It is up to us

to repair the World

and to bind our lives to the Truth.

 

Therefore we bend the knee

and shake off the stiffness that keeps us

from the subtle graces of Life 

and the supple gestures of Love.

With reverence

and thanksgiving

we accept our destiny

and set for ourselves 

the task of redemption.

– Rami M. Shapiro

 

I love this Jewish prayer.  It reminds me that it’s OK to embrace God’s love and healing even though I still struggle with the details.  It reminds me that works of redemption and maturity are my sacred duty that makes the world a better place.  It reminds me that prayer is the pathway to wholeness for myself and for those I love.

God bless you dear reader.

Peace,

Lisa