Laced With Grace Archives - Page 4 of 5

Baby it’s cold outside! Or is it???

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Susan Panzica

Photo by Jan Lucas

The other day, several patients entered our office declaring, “It’s so warm outside!” It was a sunny 34^o. After several overcast days of single digit temperatures, it seemed downright balmy.

But the same 34^o in August would be frigid.

This thing is – 34 degrees is 34 degrees.

Period.

If it’s been cold, 34^o feels like a heat wave, but if it’s been warm, 34^o feels chilly.

It only seems to be cold or warm because of our feelings. The temperature is what it is, but we respond to it differently based upon how we feel at any given moment.

And our feelings are subjective. They are influenced by people around us, circumstances that we can or cannot control, health or hormones, the slow driver in front of us, the pants that no longer zipper up, the song that reminds us of something we want to forget.

How we feel about something doesn’t necessarily reveal the truth of a matter.

Today I’m over at Laced With Grace with some thoughts on feelings vs. truth. Join me in the conversation there.

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Occupy YOUR Street

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Susan Panzica

The salesclerk asked a simple question – one I answered easily every year. But this year, I hesitated.

“Would you like to add on ‘Thanks for Sharing’?” Smile. Slight head tilt. Credit card please?

Every year at this time – for a $25 enrollment fee that goes to charity – Macy’s offers their customers an opportunity to earn 10% back on their purchases through the end of the year. Since I usually spend at least $250 at Macy’s during this time, it always made financial sense to enroll.

But because of my growing awareness of human trafficking, slave labor, injustice in the world, and poverty, my spending patterns have changed. I no longer spend as much money in Macys, but shop for gifts in catalogs by World Vision, IJM, Fair Trade vendors, etc.

And so I stood there mute, not moving a muscle while my brain raced away.

As the clock ticked and the awkward silence grew, I knew I had to say something. So I said the truth – that this year the question is not as easy to answer as previous years because things have changed.

I chose to explain to the salesclerk WHY I was hesitating. I told her about Advent Conspiracy, Justice Network, Charity:Water, and how God is directing me to make my spending be intentional in both fighting poverty and injustice and building relationships with family and friends.

She stood there dumbfounded at first, but then she shared with me that her mother watches the 700 Club and often asks for prayer. “Is that similar?” she asked. And then I was able to enter into a deep conversation with her. I gave her my business card inviting her to read my blog. She asked about my church, and I was able to tell her not only about church but more importantly about God and what Christmas is really about for me and my family, and could be for her too.

I am, by nature, an introvert. My natural inclination is just to say “No thank you” or “Sure sign me up” and leave it at that. But that night, God impressed upon me to speak up, and He gave me the words to share. (Col. 4:6)

When I came home and told my daughter Lauren about the conversation, she said, “Way to go, Mom. That’s what Pastor Carl would call – ‘occupying your street’.” Her pastor, Carl Lenz of Hillsong NYC, used the Occupy Wall Street movement as an illustration to apply the phrase to our Christian lives. He exhorted us to make an impact for Christ in the immediate world around us – our street, our workplace, our family, our friends, our church, even our local Macy*s cosmetics counter.

Lauren’s favorite quote among the many she recorded from his message, “Shock people with the dream in your heart, and impact them with your dedication to what’s in your hand right now.”

What was in my hand that day? My credit card.

Well I’m not dedicated to my credit card, but God used it just the same. I may never see that salesclerk again, but I will look for her on my next visit to Macy’s.

And I decided to go ahead and purchase the $25 Thanks for Giving program. Whether it makes financial sense or not, the money goes to charity so it makes perfect sense.

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. …

And he called his servants… and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Luke 19:10,13

In what way can you occupy YOUR street in the months to come?

Break My Heart

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Susan Panzica

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70232215/break-my-heart-with-what-breaks-yours

60 years ago a man named Bob Pierce prayed these words in a prayer: “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” Dr. Bob Pierce founded World Vision after traveling to China in 1947 when his heart was broken with the needs of one little girl.

Yet I think there are other things, personal things, that break the heart of God. As I continued to mediate about this lyric, God whispered: You can love people around the world, but can you love the person sitting next to you?

Ouch!

What breaks God’s heart? Not just the children dying in poverty. It breaks God’s heart when my attitudes and actions represent the enemy more than they represent Him. I believe God is not as grieved by sinners who act like sinners as He is by Christians who act like sinners.

Please join me over at Laced With Grace today for more on what breaks God’s heart ~ and how not to!

Fear Is A Four Letter Word

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Susan Panzica

For as long as I can remember, that four letter word fear has been a most unwelcome companion of mine, a curse you might say. I’ve tried to raise my children to be strong in the face of fear so that they would not have to deal with some of the stuff I’ve endured. But my dog? Well, she’s just a scaredy-dog!

Visit me over at Laced With Grace today where I share what my little Roxie taught me about that nasty four letter word ~ FEAR!

http://lacedwithgrace.com/?p=10890
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Getting Rid of the Rubbish

Posted on September 6, 2012 by Susan Panzica

I was so proud of myself.

Spent a day digging, sorting, and clearing out stuff.

Stuff that I don’t wear.
Stuff that the kids have outgrown.
Stuff that has outlasted its usefulness.
Stuff that’s just collecting dust.

I bagged it, washed it, and carted it to the car to be donated to Ditto, the thrift shop that raises funds for my kids’ school.

Felt like a real accomplishment.

The problem is Ditto’s hours of operation aren’t in sync with my hours of operation ;D I can’t seem to get there before their closing time.

And so I have been driving around with my discarded stuff for a week. I went through it – did the inventory. I identified and separated it. I even moved it. But I haven’t really gotten rid of it. I plan to, but it’s still there hanging around. Moving around. I stopped short yesterday and heard a symphony of shuffles as the stuff shifted around.

In order for me to actually get rid of this stuff, I have to make real change. I need to change my habits, to rearrange my schedule, to move out of my comfort zone.

And so it is in life. Just like the challenge of getting rid of physical clutter, it can be difficult to get rid of spiritual and emotional clutter. There are changes I think about, but never actually get around to making. Behavioral changes like exercising more or getting up earlier for quiet time or writing that encouraging note. Heart changes like forgiving or becoming less judgmental or being quicker to listen, slower to speak.

I’ve taken inventory, considered what I need to dispose of, even recorded it in my journal. But identifying what needs changing doesn’t actually create change. It may be a first step, but if I fail to take the next necessary steps, these wishes remain just that – wishes.

“The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
“The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.” Romans 7:21-25 MSG

Well at least I’m not alone! I’m so grateful for God’s Word, and these words penned by Paul which reveal his and our earthly weaknesses. If I stopped reading at Romans 7, I’d be “wretched” (v.7:24) but thankfully Paul continues on. In Romans 8, he states, “There’s no condemnation… The Spirit helps us in our weakness… In all things, God works for the good… Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?… Nothing!”

When our perspective shifts to the eternal, Jesus empowers us to do that which we in our own strength are powerless to accomplish. He frees us from our accumulated baggage that encumbers.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matt. 11:28-30

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Your Roots Are Showing

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Susan Panzica

I hadn’t visited my hairdresser in months. I need to go regularly for my hair coloring, but I had to confess that I had been cheating on Nina. I was using a product called Root Touchup which got me through these months, but that only takes care of a small portion of my head. My roots needed real attention, and thankfully on Thursday they got it.

The Bible has something to say about our roots from a spiritual perspective. Jeremiah tells us that the woman who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him, is blessed. And it’s not just feeling blessed, it’s a blessing with tangible benefits.

Click on over to Laced With Grace and let’s chat about what the Bible has to say about “roots.”

Why Does It Seem So Dark Sometimes?

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Susan Panzica

Whether we see it or not, the sun never ceases to shine.

As for the Son, He never ceases to shine either. He IS the light of the world. Always IS. Present tense. Yesterday, today and forever, He shines!!

So then, why does it seem so dark sometimes?

For the answer to that, click on over to Laced With Grace where I share three reasons and solutions to this question.

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The Distraction Attraction

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Susan Panzica

If you’re anything like me, you’ve found yourself in the kitchen holding a load of laundry and wonder how you ended up there instead of the laundry room? Or signed in in to quickly check your email and two hours later found yourself buried in facebook. My attraction to distraction (as my friend Joanne calls it) too often derails my most ardent attempts at organization and goal achievement.

I’m talking about it today over at Laced With Grace. Please click on over there and leave a comment letting me know how you keep on track.

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At A Dead End?

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Susan Panzica

Have you faced an impossible situation? I have. I’m sharing our story today over at Laced With Grace. Please hop over there, and leave me a comment. Let me know you stopped by and how I can pray for you. Together we’ll see God do the impossible!
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