Dings and Dents

What are dings and dents?  Imperfections.

New car.  Ding.

New furniture.  Dent.

New refrigerator.  Crack.

New clothes.  Hole.

Ironed clothes.  Wrinkles.

Perfectly straight hair. Curly.

I have naturally curly hair yet curly hair was not the desired popular hairstyle during my childhood and teenage years.

So it was thinned out, pulled, ironed and wrapped around big cans all in an effort to get it perfectly straight through the years. Yes, years.

Yet at the first rise in humidity or after a swim in the pool—the curls would spring back!

I even had an aunt that would critique my curly coiffure stating that it reminded her of a clown.  And that was not a compliment. 

It took me decades to wear my hair ‘naturally’ (curly) and also to embrace my ‘imperfections’.  And, now, I love my dings and dents. The pressures ‘to be perfect’ are off.  Expectations are lowered.  Disappointments decreased.

This also enables me to accept and embrace others with their own less than perfect attributes.  I actually look for ‘flaws’….not to fault (self or others) but to cherish them.

My Mother had never knit a day in her life, yet, for a wedding gift she surprised me with a gift of her love that took her many months ~an ecru knitted afghan.  I was so touched.  Yet, it was not until months later that her gift to me became even more precious as one of my most cherished possessions. 

One evening as I wrapped myself in this gift of love, warmed just by the thought of my Mom’s labor of love, I noticed that the blanket had an incomplete row. 

My heart smiled. 

The imperfection in the afghan is a reminder to me of how God, who alone is perfect, loves me just as I am and has a purpose for each of my ‘imperfections’.

He also cherishes my dings and dents, even my curly hair.

Wendy’s Witz-dom:  I love God’s sense of humor!  Read below.

God’s Wisdom: 

‘…For who can make straight, what God has made crooked (curly)?!?!’  Ecclesiastes 7:13

Wendy Lee Witz

© WitzEnd Writings

July 31, 2012

Olympian (in training)

Olympian (in training)

The Olympic Games begin, today, July 27, 2012 in London, England.

The Olympics are only held every four years. 

Four years for athletes…to persevere, to keep on keeping on, to continue to press on toward the goal.

In years gone by a laurel wreath was given to the winners of the Roman athletic games,.  It was a symbol of triumph and honor, the most coveted reward.  Today the ultimate prize in the modern day Olympics is a gold medal.

Light the Torch

An athlete needs to be prepared—not just for the ultimate Olympic competition but years before.

Yes, there are those that just seem to have supernatural talents but for the majority of us, skills must be honed.

The race begins at the starter’s block.  In other words we have to get started.  Begin to train.  Light the torch.

Physical preparation for an athlete in training is having the right equipment and gear.  However, even more important to the success of the athlete is the mental preparation of being committed…to train daily.

Training can be easy when the sun is shining and the humidity is low and the 5 Olympic Rings are in sight.

However, when the weather is overcast and thunderstorms are looming, it is tempting to pull the covers over our heads and sing, ‘there’s always tomorrow’ (for training).

Don’t we do that also in our Christian walks? 

God has given us the Trainer’s Manual.  Instructions on

how to walk out the Christian life.  We run full speed when our internal weather is calm and blue skies are in our forecast yet when there are clouds on the horizons or we are in the midst of personal storms and dark cloudy circumstances --we stumble.  We pull the covers over our heads.

Yet, God never promised that our Christian walk would be smooth sailng on the Thames River. 

However, He did promise that He would be with us every step along the way.  He coaches us through His Word, the Bible and via the Holy Spirit. 

Carry the Torch

How do we begin training?  First, get to know the Coach-Jesus Christ and read His manual.  Make a commitment from your heart to train daily by spending time with Him and reading His Word and asking Him to coach you through each step of your walk….so that you build endurance and are able to run even during inclement times.

  

But! But!   I am weak.  I stumble.  I just want to sit out a few races.  Life hurts.  Circumstances are harsh.  People are mean.  Yes…..

BUT---The Coach has selected you…to run the race. He provides you with everything that you need to be able to persevere.  We just need to embrace the Nike slogan, ‘Just Do It’.

Our Coach is not a drillmaster.  He is an encourager and He cheers us on ‘to throw off everything that hinders us and the sin that so easily entangles us (& trips us up) and to run with perseverance the race marked out for us.’

(Hebrews 12:1)

What ‘if’ I fall?  Get over that hurdle because it’s not what ‘if’ I fall but ‘when’ you fall.

You will stumble. You will fall.

What sprinter has not fallen?  What equestrian has not fallen off of their horse?  What relay runner has not dropped the baton in the pass off? What tennis player has not missed the ball?  What basketball player has not missed the shot? What swimmer has not delayed diving off the starter’s block?

Do what an Olympian would do.

Get up.  Keep on keeping on.

Do not look around at others.  Do not listen to the jeers… or the cheers (as they will only distract you from your goal).  Instead--

Keep your eyes on the ultimate prize. 

Keep your eyes on the finish line. 

You may not receive a laurel wreath or even a medal yet you will receive something even more precious than gold and more coveted than a laurel wreath—the words of the ultimate Coach-God, saying to you, ‘well done’.

Now, Pass the Torch.

Wendy’s Witz-dom:  During your Christian walk, keep your ‘witz’ about you!

God’s Wisdom: ‘He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.’ (Isaiah 40:29-31)

‘I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’  (2 Timothy 4: 7)

**Eric Liddell, 1924 Olympic Gold Medalist, ‘I believe God made me for a purpose…when I run I feel His pleasure.’

Wendy Lee Witz

©WitzEnd Writings

alwaysatwitzend@blogspot.com

June 24, 2012

Good Friday

This is a day --set aside--for us to remember & reflect upon what happened on this day to make it 'good' --for each of us.

                        1 Cross  plus  3 Nails  equals 4 given

Because of God's love for us--that's a 'good' thing--He sent His only Son--'good' for us again--to die on the cross...taking on all

of our sins (ways that are not pleasing to God) that we might have forgiveness of all of our sins, direct access to God the Father,

to be called children of God, friends of Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit, joy, abundant life on earth and eternal life with God--the Father, Son & Holy Spirit.

What part of this ---for us--is not 'good'?!?   

There is a little song that I learned years ago--the refrain of the lyrics still resound in my heart.

'He paid a debt He did not owe:

I owed a debt I could not pay;

I needed someone to wash my sins away.

And,now, I sing a brand new song,

'Amazing Grace.'

Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.'

Remember...Reflect...Rejoice!

It is a 'good' Friday!

Wendy Lee (Sell) Witz

WitzEnd Writings

April 6, 2012

the crumbs

Crumbs! 

I love crumbs! Crumb cake!  Cookie crumbs! Graham cracker crumbs crust!

And now I have discovered another reason to love crumbs! And it wasn’t in the pantry but in God’s Word!

I read Matthew 15: 22-28 this morning.

It is of a Mother crying out to God...for healing for her troubled daughter. (verse 22)

She had no answer from Jesus--as He did not respond to her  (verse 23)

She would have heard 'other believers' around her being discouraging towards her & her heart's cries' (verse 23)

Jesus responded to her that He was only sent to help those of the house of Israel--not her (verse 24)

She knelt, humbled herself, bowing to the only One that could heal her daughter (verse 25)

She cried out her heart's cry, 'please help me' (in this matter with my daughter) (verse 25)

Jesus responded to her persistent plea.  He remarked, 'it is not right to take the children's (house of Israel) bread and toss it to their dogs' (verse 26)

She acknowledged Him as Lord.  And from her Mother's heart appealed,

 'but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table'. (verse 27)

Jesus responded, 'Woman, (Mother of the daughter) you have great faith!  Your request is granted.' (verse 28a)

And her daughter was healed from that very hour!  (verse 28b)

A Mother's p-e-r-s-i-s-t-e-n-t prayers.  When she did not have an immediate answer from Jesus--did she stop praying? Did her hope crumble?

No.  She surrendered completely.  She humbled herself before Him.  She bowed down.

By acknowledging Him as Lord, just like the woman who declared, 'if I only can touch the hem of His robe'--she professed that any thing from Jesus was more than everything from another source.

Even the crumbs.

He responded to the Mother's persistent heart cries.  He granted her request.  

Her daughter was c-o-m-p-l-e-t-e-l-y healed!

I am asking God for the crumbs...with p-e-r-s-i-s-t-e-n-t pleas to Him.

I once shared with a group of women--

it is often said that ' there is power in a Mother's prayer, however, as a Mother I believe there is power in prayer.'

Persistent prayer...to the only One...who is able.....with just the crumbs.

Wendy Lee (Sell) Witz

© WitzEnd Writings

March 22, 2012

G C B

     I could never AND would never watch the opening minutes of the premier of the TV show G C B with my Parents--however, fellow Christians (who aren't related to me!) watch G C B and take heed!
     Are we not guilty ourselves during times in our lives of being 'believers behaving badly'?
Speaking for myself--remorsefully, I am guilty as charged! Much heart filled thanks and gratitude to God for His undeserving mercy and grace and forgiveness and 3rd chances--to me!
     The characters on the show quote scriptures (bible verses) to rationalize their individual behaviors and treatment of others that are not pleasing to God!  Is this a  mockery of God's Word, the bible???
Should we picket? Or not conduct business with the shows sponsors? 
      On the contrary!
    We, as believers, are being depicted as we are being  perceived--as 'believers behaving badly'.
Is the perception inaccurate?  For some individuals, maybe.  For us, believers, as a whole--sadly, I,  surmise not.
     As ambassadors for Jesus Christ should we resign?  We should ask ourselves
Have we ever behaved in ways that would not be how God's Word would encourage yet we felt justified by the end results?
Have we begun to feel entitled?
Can we 'use' bible verses to rationalize our behaviors?
Have we been 'exclusive' in our relationships with people when God is  inclusive?
Do we demand our ways instead of exemplifying His ways?
     Yes, we are just human and will make unintentional mis-steps in our Christian walk.  However, we are also guilty of 'intentionally' choosing to not live according to God's principals.  I recently heard someone say,  'I wish I had met Christ...before I met Christians'.   Ouch!
     Watch the G C B series.  Take heed.
And laugh until you cry....in repentance....and may we all commit 'intentionally' to 
Godly Christian Behavior!


Wendy Lee (Sell) Witz
WitzEnd Writings
March 17, 2012