Comfort in Customs

By Hally Franz –

While some might call it misery, living in the Midwest offers something that some parts of the country don’t. Those of us in the middle enjoy a very distinct change of seasons, where summer is hot and humid, winter cold and icy, and spring and fall colorfully bridge the two. It’s my favorite thing about where we live. Unfailing weather and scenic changes signal us not only to dress and entertain ourselves differently, but also to anticipate the seasonal customs to come.

In most homes, children instinctively know what and how holiday season’s activities will be celebrated. At the Franz house, Mom’s rule states that Christmas movies cannot be viewed until Thanksgiving has come and gone; we won’t cheat Thanksgiving for The Griswolds. Each year we ladies have a shopping weekend, and everyone knows lists must be ready before we leave.

When decorating begins, our daughter remembers which rooms house the various nativity scenes and international Santas, and her brother reminds Dad when it’s time to begin the lights. For years now, my mom has assigned a country to our Christmas celebration. She serves up food and trivia from a chosen country. While some resist the learning aspect of this, it has become great fun and a routine part of each year’s events. There will be preparation of Operation Christmas Child boxes, a school program, a 4-H party and our New Year’s Eve gathering with dear friends. Most is standard holiday stuff, but each family develops their unique spin and set of holiday customs. Kids enjoy and need these take-it-to-the-bank traditions.

Many children do not have the security and comfort that comes with knowing what comes next. They aren’t sure where, how and with whom they’ll spend Christmas. And, worse yet, they don’t fully understand what they’re celebrating. Kids need to be able to count on something, at special and ordinary times of the year, each day and every hour.

When we faulty and frail humans fail one another, there is peace in knowing that there is always one sure thing. God sent His Son for us. His birth provided hope for mankind, and His death and resurrection redemption for us. During the Christmas season, we should celebrate a lot, recognizing the Christ Child at the center of each event. And, we should share a lot, giving young and old the message of God’s unfailing love.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son, and thank You for the promise of forgiveness. Remind us that though we can’t count on the world, we can put our faith in You.

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us” (Luke 2:15 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) zumba classes.

Glory, All Day Long

By Hally Franz –

The antique wagon wheel came with the house. When we moved in eight years ago, it rested against the trunk of the formidable oak tree that is the highlight of our front yard. The rough and ragged wheel has remained there since that time, its center and spokes positioned within the metal frame, but no longer actually attached to it.

Our wagon wheel is an interesting piece, but it’s never really seemed complete as a design or landscaping feature. There are no similar artifacts complimenting it in the yard, so it appears random in its positioning next to the stately oak. It seems without purpose, aside from just hanging out with our tree, and it makes no real statement.

The tree/wheel arrangement was long overdue for a little attention, so after planting my spring flowers, I scattered some stray morning glory seeds at the base of the oak. As is generally the case with my gardening projects, this was experimental, because I didn’t know the attributes of morning glories. I simply hoped for a bit of color around the decrepit and destitute wheel.

Over the next few weeks, I watched stems begin to sprout from the ground. We carefully mowed and trimmed the space hoping these flowers might be just the thing to brighten the area. Soon, I saw the stems turn to vines that stretched skyward and attached themselves to the spokes of the wagon wheel. As weeks turned into months, the morning glories weaved in and out through the wheel’s wooden limbs, eventually seeming to connect the broken center piece to the outside of the wheel that merely rested around it. Red and blue flowers bloomed on the vines, adding color and life to the wheel, now not merely a random object, but a perfect trellis for the climbing morning glories.

While the selection of morning glories was accidental for me, God’s work in a life never is. When seeds of faith are planted in new believers, lives are changed. As we grow in our Christian belief, God weaves strands of His word and His works throughout our being. Lives that once seemed meaningless and without purpose are filled with a mission, desire to serve and message to share. God’s presence in our life brings a connectedness between our inside and outside, our thoughts and deeds. Broken spirits and lonely lives are made new again through Him.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for coming into my life and providing meaning and purpose for my days. Help me Lord to serve You by fulfilling that purpose each day.

“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) Zumba classes.

Let ’em Fly

By Hally Franz –

For months I have admired the ornate and bold Zumba skirts worn by fellow Zumba classmates. The skirts, of shiny, gauzy fabrics come in orange, fuchsia and purple, are bedazzled with gold beads and spangles, and resemble the shape of a sarong. Zumba, in my mind, is jazzercise for the 2010s. The skirt, basically a scarf worn around the waist and over clothes, is a cutesy accessory that jingles and shimmers during the workout.

I’ve previously resisted the urge to skirt-up for class, recognizing this would draw attention to an already fairly noticeable part of my anatomy. However, today, it was too much. Our instructor arrived with a tote of zumba clothes, and I could restrain myself no longer. Plus, it’s Friday. So, I tied one on just in time for the music to start. Within seconds, worry replaced excitement. What if I got a defective skirt, scarf, whatever? What if the strain is too much? What if three songs in, the few hundred charms and jewels no longer hold and begin flying through the room at other class members? Two hundred renegade beads, twenty sweaty women…they wouldn’t stand a chance!

Imagine the wimpy waistband button turned lethal weapon after Thanksgiving dinner as it soars across the room and into your aunt’s eye. Consider a devilish cherry tomato escaping the point of the proverbial pitchfork and landing shamelessly on a plate across the table. Frightening scenarios, aren’t they!

None of us chooses to be noticed like this; no one wants to be so obvious. We prefer to be poised and dignified in social situations and, many times, in our expression of faith as well. Here’s a thought. Perhaps, we should choose to be bold when demonstrating our faith.

Rather than simply having an aura of Christianity surrounding us, maybe we should shoot for a neon sign effect. Instead of merely implying our belief, we should bold, highlight, and underline it for others. Shouldn’t we strive for more than just giving the impression that we are followers of Jesus? I think we should knock ‘em out with nuggets of faith. We should let our love for the Lord hit them between the eyes and land square in front of them. No doubt this is a challenge for all of us who wish to blend, but one that may be worth trying on, Friday and every other day of the week!

PRAYER: Father God, help me to boldly and courageously share my faith and Your Word with those that I encounter each day.

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her childrens’ school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) Zumba classes.

Purging the Junk

By Hally Franz –

There they sat, in stellar condition, ready for an eager buyer and new home. The original oil paintings we’d purchased had given me great joy, but weren’t going to fit in our freshly-painted family room. The two canvasses, southwestern motif and circa mid 1990’s, perfectly matched the teal, cream, peach and aqua pallet I’d selected when we married in 1993. Glittery clay pottery and cactus the primary subjects, they were stunning, or so I thought.

I loaded up my art, along with my thirteen-year-old’s giant building blocks and fireman costume, confident that the local consignment store could turn these treasures into cash for me and bless someone else in the process.

It turns out, though, that people don’t buy southwestern décor these days. Go figure! It wasn’t as if I’d delivered them yolk-front jeans and twist beads! The store gave me the option of donating the oils or carrying them home; they weren’t able to put any kind of price on my art. I reluctantly left my paintings behind—to be donated.

After seventeen years of marriage, there are now objects in our home that have just become junk. Worn out, outdated or outgrown, they no longer serve a purpose or enhance our environment, and, in fact, would be a distraction if allowed to remain on display. The color schemes scream a bygone decade, appearing as strange as a deep fryer on a 2010 bridal registry.

Likewise, as I near my forty-sixth birthday, I recognize there are behaviors and attitudes no longer useful in my life and inconsistent with the deeds and thoughts of a maturing Christian. Insecurities and self-doubt have no place if I’m to be the person God designed. Silly consuming worries don’t belong when seeking to be a productive servant of God. And a critical nature will taint my activities, just as my once-loved paintings would spoil any updated family room wall.

As we mature in our relationship with Christ, it’s important to inventory our lives and hearts, asking ourselves what junk is still hanging around in the recesses of our souls. We need to pack it up and clear it out. It’s hard to say goodbye to things we’ve grown accustomed and attached to, but prayer is a great start. When Christians carry around old stuff that doesn’t match our faith, it’s of little value, and no one is willing to buy it.

PRAYER: Almighty God, give me the strength to let go of unhealthy and unholy behaviors and attitudes, so that I may more fully serve You.

“And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like Thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with the servants that walk before thee with all their hearts” (1 Kings 8:23 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) Zumba classes

Homecomings

By Hally Franz –

Adoptive parents sometimes commemorate two dates each year in the life of their child. My Guatemalan-born daughter recently celebrated her ninth birthday, and, as we do each year, we recalled the details of that other special date. Her “gotcha” date is January 14, 2002. She loves to hear about the bumpy and thrilling ride we had from the Guatemala City airport to the adoption agency, the loving nanny who passed our daughter over to us, the first silly words that her older brother spoke to her, the doctor who flopped her around on the examining table like a little chicken, assuring us of her health, and the beauty of her birthplace.

Three days later we left Guatemala, arriving first in Houston, Texas. As we landed, a flight attendant spoke over the intercom and sweetly welcomed home the dozen or so children who were now new United States citizens. It was totally unexpected and very moving.

When we made it back home, family and friends were waiting to see Rosaline. After a bit, we placed Roz in her brother’s handed-down swing. She sat contentedly there, and my father said she looked like she “had the world by the tail on the down-hill pull.” She seemed to know she was where she belonged and that she’d always be taken care of and loved.

Bringing Rosaline home was a wonderful experience, a little like when someone becomes a Christian. Often, we look back on the baptisms of others in our congregation and recall those special hug-filled times. New Christians seem to gain a sense of belonging, and they recognize there is a whole family of believers who will love them and care for them as they continue their walk with Christ.

I wonder sometimes about the final homecomings Christians have had and will have. I wonder what kind of exciting journey we will make from our earthly bodies to our heavenly home, what greetings we’ll receive, and what Jesus’ first words will be to each of us. When loving families turn us over to our Father, what will His inspection of us be like? Will He declare us fit for continued service? While we don’t know the answers to all the questions, one thing is for sure. That welcome home will be the sweetest and most beautiful of all!

PRAYER: Father, I pray I’ll be a welcoming Christian to others who come to You in faith, and I thank You for the promise of a Heavenly Home.

“And, I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) zumba classes.

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