The music is too loud.

The music isn’t loud enough.

That’s not the way we’ve always done it.

We need to try something new.

I can’t stand it. I won’t stand it. It’s not for me. I won’t support it.

The joys of church conflict. Is it any wonder people walk out the back door of the church every Sunday never to return because of bickering – whether they’re the ones creating the arguments or simply listening to others?

There are some valid arguments within the church. When there’s an issue between what’s biblical and what’s not, it’s not only okay to discuss it, it’s essential. But let’s be honest. Most the arguments we have are more about what we want and like instead of the truth of God’s Word.

It’s okay to have different opinions. We have different interests. We prefer different experiences. We learn in different ways. We have different personalities. We’re going to disagree. But having differing opinions doesn’t presume one is right and one is wrong. God created us with variety. We are his body. We function well together because of our differences. Sadly, we often become consumed with our differences, seeing no way of finding common ground. We cease to work together. We separate from each other.

Again, let me emphasize I’m not referring to God’s truth. God is God, and he doesn’t change. His Word doesn’t change. His truth doesn’t change – no matter what our opinions or preferences are. However, there is a lot of liberty within his truth. God gives us space, because he gives us choice. Sometimes – often times – our choices get us in trouble.

The goal isn’t to always agree. Let’s respect the variety in which God created us, remembering each of us is created in his image. When you don’t like the same worship music I like, it doesn’t mean my opinion isn’t of some value. It doesn’t mean I’m wrong. It doesn’t mean you should put me down. When you resist change, it doesn’t mean your opinion isn’t of some value. It doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It doesn’t mean I should put you down. I can respect you. You can respect me. We can actually support one another despite our differences because we expect the differences and aren’t offended by them.

Being a part of God’s body isn’t about justifying our own role and negating anyone else’s. It certainly doesn’t mean amputating any part of the body. The Church is bigger than you and it’s bigger than me. It’s bigger than the home church you’re committed to and the childhood church you rejected. It’s bigger than all of the churches in your entire community. The body of Christ isn’t just about you and the people you gather with on a weekly basis. What your church is called to do, another church is not. Another church’s mission isn’t yours. Whether we work together or not, God is working us all together. God weaves us together even though we’re often determined to make a tangled mess of things.

What’s going on in your spiritual life right now that is creating chaos – either internally or relationally?

What’s going on in your faith family’s life right now that is creating chaos? How will you respond in a way that reflects God’s will?

You can’t choose for others, but you can certainly make the next choice to honor God and grow closer to him. In the process, even when it’s not easy, you’ll encourage others to honor God, too.

Each one of us has a body with many parts, and these parts all have different uses. In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts. (Romans 12:4-5)

We looked blankly at it other, considering a great question we could answer and share.

“Well, I’d like to hear what stress each of you experienced in preparation to get here this morning!”

The suggestion came from the woman who had just arrived, sliding into the room a few minutes late but before we’d started anything formal. It sounded like a good idea even though nothing too stressful had happened to me. If nothing else, this woman sounded like she’d have a great story to share!

Mine was simple. My hotel roommate and had worked out. She took off running in one direction. I walked in the other direction. She planned to return to the room before me and get her shower. I’d get mine when I got back a bit later. That plan worked with only one glitch: my key didn’t work when I got to the room. I knocked several times, but she couldn’t hear me over the hair dryer. I gave in and went to the front desk for a new key. (I later learned her key had blown into the dumpster by the high winds when she set it down to pull back her hair. When she got a new key, apparently our room had a new code, and my key no longer matched.)

The woman whose idea it was to share stresses told us the story of not being able to get out of her garage because the door wouldn’t move. Another just wanted her hair to look good for our photo shoot. (It did.) Another tried to get ready in the dark so as not to wake her husband. She wore her new red shoes around the house as she got ready, trying to make sure they’d be comfortable throughout the day. They weren’t, so she packed them back in the box and slipped into a faithful pair instead. Her disappointment was short-lived as she remembered a woman who said she just wasn’t brave enough to buy red shoes but wanted a pair – a woman who was sitting at the table. Those red shoes found a new pair of feet that day!

Another woman realized the night before that the bra she needed wasn’t clean, so she handwashed it and hung it to dry. Bras take a long time to air dry, and it was not surprisingly still wet the next morning. She did her best to dry it as she dried her hair but finally decided the dampness just might keep her cool through the day.

My favorite story came from my roommate. I had no idea the excitement I missed while I was walking! She pushed herself to multi-task, wondering if she could possibly combine breakfast and a shower. She fixed herself a bowl of Raisin Bran and try to gulp it quickly while getting her hair wet. However, when she tilted her head back to wet her hair, she didn’t keep the bowl level, and it spilled all over the shower. Time saved was then spent cleaning up the mess, which she did well, because I didn’t suspect a thing! The Raisin-Bran-in-the-Shower story will follow her for years to come.

Our team got to know each other much better as we shared, laughed and encouraged together. There were no pretenses – just a group of real women who looked photo-shoot-ready on the outside but were a bit frazzled on the inside.

What about you?

Take a look around you. Even those who look perfect to you have needs. What common ground will you find? You’ll have to start somewhere, but you can do it.

Take a look inside yourself. Do your insides match your outside? How can you be more authentic and share a bit of yourself with others? You’ll have to start somewhere, but you can do it.

Need some ideas? Try these conversation starters – or share your own!

• If you could live in any other era, what would it be and why?
• What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve done to impress someone?
• What was your biggest fashion faux paux or wardrobe malfunction?
• What’s one technology trend you wish you’d had when you were younger?
• If you could pick a theme song that would play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
• If talent wasn’t an issue, what career would you choose and why?
• What’s the oddest job you’ve ever had?
• If you could eat anything in the world without gaining weight, what would it be?
• What invention does the world need?
• What’s your most compulsive daily ritual?

Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

As the winter days drift by and spring looms on the horizon, I wonder if sipping a refreshing, tropical drink or biting into a fruity treat might remind those of us in colder climates to imagine the warmer days ahead. So today I’m sharing a few ideas for you to anticipate the warmth of spring. Put on those flip-flops (even if over your fuzzy socks) and enjoy!

Hawaiian Lemonade

Iced Mint Green Tea

• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 3 green tea bags
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 4 cups boiling water
• 4 stalks lemongras for garnish

Combine mint leaves, tea bags, honey and boiling water. Let steep for 5 minutes; remove tea bags. Refrigerate until chilled. Divide among 4 large ice-filled glasses. Garnish with a stalk of lemongrass.

Kiwi-Mint Julep

• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 2 cups ice
• 3 kiwis, peeled
• 2 tablespoons frozen limeade
• 2 tablespoons chopped mint

Dissolve sugar in hot water in a 1-cup measure; let cool slightly. Combine ice, kiwis, limeade, mint, and the sugar mixture in a blender; blend until smooth.

Rosemary Cucumber Lemonade

• 3 large cucumbers
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary, plus 4 sprigs for garnish
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons agave syrup

Peel and chop the rest of the cucumber; transfer to a food processor, add rosemary and puree. Pour the puree through a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl or large measuring cup. Press on the solids to extract all the juice. Add water, lemon juice and agave syrup to the cucumber juice; stir until the agave is dissolved. Divide among 4 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with thin cucumber slices and rosemary sprigs.

Raspberry Bars

Crust

• 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons ice water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Raspberry Filling

• 2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
• 2 tablespoons water
• 3 cups fresh raspberries, divided
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 4 tablespoons nonfat cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons low-fat milk
• 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

To prepare crust: Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat an 8-inch-square baking pan with cooking spray.

Place flour, pecans, 2 tablespoons sugar and salt in a food processor; process until the nuts are finely ground. Add butter one piece at a time, pulsing once or twice after each addition, until incorporated. Add ice water and vanilla and pulse just until the dough starts to come together. Transfer to the prepared pan. Press evenly and firmly into the pan to form a bottom crust.

Bake the crust until it looks set, but not browned, about 15 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack.

To prepare raspberry filling: Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl; let stand, stirring once or twice, while you prepare the rest of the filling.

Reserve 16 raspberries. Puree the remaining raspberries in a food processor until smooth. Transfer to a medium saucepan and stir in 1/2 cup sugar. Cook over medium heat until bubbling. Stir in the gelatin mixture and cook, stirring, until the gelatin is melted, about 1 minute.

Fill a large bowl with ice water. Pour the raspberry mixture into a medium bowl and set it in the bowl of ice water. Refrigerate, stirring occasionally with a rubber spatula, until the mixture thickens to the consistency of loose jam and is beginning to set around the edges, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, milk and confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth.

Spread the thickened raspberry filling evenly over the crust. Dollop the cream cheese mixture over the filling. Draw the tip of a sharp knife or skewer through the two fillings to create a swirled effect. Nestle the reserved berries into the filling, evenly spacing them so each bar will be topped with a berry when cut. Refrigerate until the bars are completely set, about 3 hours. Cut into 16 bars, one raspberry per bar.

Pineapple Empanaditas

• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese,  (Neufchâtel), cut into small pieces
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 4 tablespoons low-fat milk
• 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh pineapple
• 1/3 cup pineapple or apricot preserves
• 2 tablespoons plain dry breadcrumbs
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting  (optional)

Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add cream cheese and oil and blend with your fingers until crumbly. Sprinkle the mixture with milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, and stir with a fork until the dough just comes together; the mixture will still be a little crumbly. Knead a few times in the bowl, then turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few more times until the dough comes together. Divide in half and shape into 2 discs. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.

Combine pineapple and preserves in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring often, until syrupy, 12 to 15 minutes. Mash the pineapple into smaller chunks with a potato masher or fork. Remove from the heat; stir in breadcrumbs and cinnamon.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

On a well-floured surface, roll out one disc of dough at a time into a 1/8-inch-thick circle. Cut circles of dough using a 3-inch round cookie cutter. Repeat with the remaining dough, re-rolling scraps as necessary, to make 24 circles.

Place 1 teaspoon pineapple filling in the center of each circle. Fold in half, press edges together and crimp with a fork. Place on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake the empanaditas until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners’ sugar, if desired.

Tropical Fruit Salad

• 1 medium mango, seeded peeled and cubed
• 11 ounces mandarin orange sections, drained
• 2 kiwis peeled, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 1 cup tiny marshmallows
• 8 ounces carton vanilla yogurt
• 3 bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise
• 1/2 cup toasted coconut

It’s all about perspective, isn’t it?

What do you remember about your past that you wouldn’t mind transferring to your life now?

What about your life now would you not trade for anything in the past?

When it comes to the core areas of your life, is there anything you’d trade?

I’ve heard many people say, “If I only knew then what I know now.” Just recently in a small group discussion, one woman talked about how much she had learned since studying the Bible regularly. She looked directly at a couple young women and assured them that being more disciplined would have made a significant difference in her parenting. She intended the women to learn from her mistakes. Sad to say, most the time we seem determined to make our mistakes. And the truth is, even if she had studied years ago, God would still be working in her life now, revealing himself to her and challenging her to grow.

If we’re seeking God – no matter where we are – we’ll grow, which means we’ll see areas in our past in which we were “less” than we are now. We might be tempted to wish we’d known then what we know now, but we can’t learn everything at once. We can’t learn everything – period. Learning is a process. And it’s not automatic. Learning isn’t a default setting. Well, perhaps we’ll learn something by default, but it might not be the most desirable learning.

In order to grow toward God, knowing his character and truth, we must be intentional.

We can’t trust ourselves to define where we are, where we’ve been or where we’re going. That’s God’s job, because he has the best perspective. He has the only true perspective. Left to ourselves, we’ll think we’re fat when we’re thin and wise when we’re ignorant.

Yesterday doesn’t define today. Today defines today. Don’t miss a moment of what God has to teach you today. Memories are great for appreciation. Dreams are great for motivation. But as soon as you sacrifice opportunities of today to yesterdays or tomorrows, you miss what’s in front of you. You might not like what you see in the mirror right now, but without looking at who and where you are in the context of God’s perspective, you’re likely avoiding reality.

Let God define today. Be willing to learn. Be ready to fully experience God’s presence and live his will.

So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. Genesis 1:27

I’m not talking about my own hands. I looked around the airport and starting searching for hands that had nothing in them. There were entire families with not a single hand free. The kids toted miniature suitcases on rollers and sippy cups. Or they wore small backpacks but clung to a favorite stuffed animal with both hands. They’d made it through security and no one was going to tear their well-loved buddies from them again for a long time.

Moms had the overflow of the kids’ stuff: everything they’d pulled out of their bags while trying to entertain themselves or those items the kids needed to keep in sight for comfort but couldn’t carry. Of course, moms also had their own purses and carry-on luggage. Those who could juggle also firmly grasped a favorite Starbucks drink.

And then there were the dads. In some cases, they were nearly imperceptibly human. A variety of bags hung from every available limb. Often times, hands clung to two bags at once, pulling fingers in contorted directions. One dad had looped his arms through the luggage handles, so he could carry the entire family’s lunch, including a full drink tray.

The Styx song, Too Much Time on My Hands, played in my head as I watched people loaded down with stuff. I  slightly adjusted the lyrics. People getting off planes were juggling stuff. People getting onto planes were juggling stuff. There were those, who likely travel often, who didn’t have much luggage but still had a coffee cup in one hand and a phone, e-reader or other device in the other. I felt crowded, and I realized it wasn’t because of the people swarming around me. It was the vast amount of stuff!

I have too much stuff. I’ll admit it. I’m no hoarder. I don’t have everything I could ever want, but I have too much. How do I know?

Because I have plenty. My guess is you have plenty, too.

Plenty is more than enough. So today, I’m challenging you (and myself) to share. It will be a double blessing. Sharing will bless someone else in need (or perhaps want). Sharing will bless you, because it will lift a burden. You can’t possibly hold everything you have in your hands anyway. Why juggle and potentially drop it? Just go ahead and share it now. Be intentional. You don’t have to wait until something is outdated, half-broken, or forgotten. Hand it off to someone.

Share your plenty.

You had plenty of everything, but you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a pure heart. (Deuteronomy 28:47)

God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

God’s love is active. Is yours?

But in all these things we are completely victorious through God who showed his love for us. Yes, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

God’s love is trustworthy. Is yours?

Dear friends, we should love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has become God’s child and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

God’s love is the source of our love. Are you relying on God or trusting yourself?

You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.” But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.If you do this, you will be true children of your Father in heaven. He causes the sun to rise on good people and on evil people, and he sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. If you love only the people who love you, you will get no reward. Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than other people. Even those who don’t know God are nice to their friends. (Mathew 5:43-47)

God’s love has no limits. What about yours?

No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches. (Matthew 6:24)

God’s love assumes priorities and choices. What are you choosing?

One of the teachers of the law came and heard Jesus arguing with the Sadducees. Seeing that Jesus gave good answers to their questions, he asked Jesus, “Which of the commands is most important?” Jesus answered, “The most important command is this: ‘Listen, people of Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’” (Mark 12:28-30)

God’s love is not one way. Are you loving God?

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

How are you living biblical love out loud today?

Always wear clean underwear in case you get in an accident.

Have you ever thought this through?

(1) If you’re in a minor accident, there is no need for anyone to see your underwear.

(2) If you’re in a major accident, (a) you’re not going to care whether or not someone sees old or dirty underwear, or (b) you’re going to have dirty underwear because of the accident!

I know many people in healthcare, including those who work in emergency rooms, and I have never heard a single one of them say in an appalled (or any other) voice, “Can you believe she was wearing dirty underwear?!”

Here’s my revised advice:

• Don’t drink and drive.
• Don’t text and drive.
• Don’t change clothes and drive.

Yes, there’s a story. Truth be told, the person wasn’t driving and changing clothes. The husband was driving, and my friend was changing clothes. She’d bought a new outfit and just had to change into it. After all, it was much cuter than what she had on. As she changed, her husband glanced – repeatedly – in the rear view mirror. And he got a bit…excited. Before he knew it, he was pulled over beside the road waiting for the policeman to approach the window – while my friend finished wrestling herself into her clothes. When the policeman asked if there was a reason for the rush, my friend’s husband shared the whole story. A smirk and one speeding ticket later, my friend and her husband were on their way.

While I haven’t tried to change my clothes while driving, I’ll admit to trying to multitask way too much while I’m driving. Multitasking requires a shared focus and can be a good thing in some situations. But not in situations where a single-focus is essential – like driving.

In what situations do you most need focus?

How would you rate your focus in the situation(s) you listed?

• My focus is like a laser beam. Nothing can distract or deter me.
• I do okay sometimes, but sometimes I feel like I’m watching for dozens of dodgeballs being thrown at me at once.
• I struggle with focus. It’s like trying to choose one kind of ice cream in a mega supermarket freezer aisle!

When you need to focus, write yourself a note that says FOCUS. Write it. Read it. Say it. As your mind wonders, focus on the word. Say it out loud. And focus!

Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good. Proverbs 4:25

“Not at all!” was my quick response.

I went on to explain how well Tim takes care of things while I’m gone (as well as when I’m home). He tries to keep up with the laundry and dishes. He cleans up any significant messes and takes out the trash. I was sure that even if he was sick, he’d end up disinfecting everything before Courtney got home from school, let along before I got home the following day.

I checked in with Tim a couple times through the day, and he was feeling better by late afternoon. I told him what I had told my roommate, since I was sure it would convey my appreciation for all he does.

He had a busy morning the following day. I called him as I was driving home from the airport. He arrived home only an hour before I’d be there. He seemed preoccupied, so we didn’t chat for long. When I got home, he confessed. Because of what I’d shared about his willingness to keep the house in presentable order, he felt pressure to be sure he met my expectations. He’d been rushing around, making sure everything he thought should be done was done before I arrived.

That certainly wasn’t my intention. I simply wanted to let him know I appreciate what he does.

When have you tried to meet someone’s expectations?

What’s the difference in your response between feeling someone has unreasonable expectations of you verses expectations that challenge and encourage you?

How are you communicating your expectations to others?

Tim didn’t think I had unreasonable expectations, but he was definitely motivated by what I said to him. There’s a fine line in motivating someone with encouragement and motivating someone with intimidation.

Considering God as the role model, what we expect of others and how we communicate those expectations should always be founded in love. Godly love isn’t the sappy, mushy, feel-good love we might think of as love.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth.  Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.  (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Love is active. It builds. It honors. It responds.

Today, expect with love. When you do, whether someone perceives the expectations as too high or low, you can be less concerned with the perception of expectations and more concerned with the perspective of  expectations.

Mom’s Chili

Okay, so I wasn’t much of a chili fan when I was little, but I loved the smell, and I grew to love the taste. I now enjoy filling my own house with the scent of spices warming the air.

Brown 1 1/2 pounds ground beef and drain well. Place in crock pot with 4 cans drained red beans, 1 large bottle of vegetable juice (such as V-8) and 1 chili brick (This is the “secret” ingredient that makes the chili so great. Sorry if you can’t get one near you, but Carl’s in Carlinville, IL, makes the best!). Add chili powder to taste.

Roast

It’s simple but delicious. Place a beef roast and pork roast together in a crock pot, along with one package of onion soup mix, and simmer them overnight (for a noon meal) or all day (for an evening meal). There’s something about the combination of the two that seasons both just right. A couple hours before serving, add peeled potatoes and carrots. Add a green vegetable and homemade biscuits, and you have a complete meal! I often use the leftover beef to make italian beef and the leftover pork for barbecue.

Marshmallow Puffs

This was a favorite recipe from 4-H. I didn’t mind practicing them over and over!

Dip a large marshmallow in melted butter and cinnamon and sugar and completely wrap it in a crescent roll, making sure all the edges are sealed. Dip the top (smooth side without the gathered edges) in melted butter and place in a greased muffin tin. Sprinkle cinnamon-sugar on the top and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Let cool slightly before eating (but they’re best when they’re warm and nearly burn your mouth as the melted marshmallow oozes!).

Taco Pie

Place four crescent rolls in the corners of a square baking dish (leaving a diamond-shaped space in the center). Pour 2 pounds browned ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning on top of the crescent rolls. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Top with four more crescent rolls placed in the same design as the bottom. Bake at 375 degrees until the top crescent rolls are golden and cheese is melted.

Hot Chocolate Mix

Another 4-H recipe. Mix 1 pound instant chocolate drink mix (such as Quik), 2 cups powdered sugar, 6 ozs. dry coffee creamer and 8 quarts powdered milk. Store in airtight container. Add several teaspoons to hot water to enjoy!

Brownies Cookies

These cookies made my college care packages very popular in my dorm! Mix 1 package fudge brownie mix, 2 eggs and 1/4/ cup oil. Drop by teaspoon on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Remove when still soft, and cool slightly before removing from cookie sheets. You can enjoy these plain or sprinkle with powdered sugar or ice with fudge frosting when cool.

Grammy’s Custard

Custard was one of my favorite snacks at Grammy’s house. I’ve met several people who say they don’t like custard, but once they taste Grammy’s, they change their minds!

Heat 2 1/2 cups half-n-half in a saucepan. Mix 1/2 cup sugar, 4 slightly beaten eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a separate bowl and then add half-n-half. Place entire mixture in round cake pan and sprinkle with nutmeg. The custard will bake best and be creamiest if the round cake pan is placed in a larger pan of hot water while baking, but it’s easy to spill the water or splash it into the mixture, so be careful. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes until slightly firm (it will still wiggle until it sets for several minutes after removing from oven).

And it’s not just the experiences I’ve had and continue to have with my two grown daughters that I savor. I have several young women I’ve “adopted” who I truly love. I have a blast investing in their lives. In most cases, our lives collided because of mayhem in their lives, leading them to reach out for help. While I supported them through a season and continue to support them, I feel like I’m the one who receives the most blessings. I get an opportunity to invest in someone’s life, meet her where she is and walk through a season together. I gain a friend in the process.

And then there’s my own mom. You’ve probably gotten to know her through some of my blog posts. She’s taught me a lot and is an important person in my life. I respect and love my mom, and I’m thankful for the 43 years we’ve had together (some better than others, of course!).

I don’t want to appreciate these people just one day a year, and that’s probably why I’ve had a bit of an aversion to Mother’s Day, not wanting to make too much of a big deal about it. There have been a couple times I asked for something specific, such as spending the day biking a favorite trail, but in most cases, I simply wanted to enjoy motherhood.

While I was on a plane recently, I remembered a specific Mother’s Day when I was flying home. I was on the West Coast until Saturday evening, and I didn’t want to miss Mother’s Day at church with my girls (who wants to be the missing-in-action mom on Mother’s Day?!), so I took a red-eye. During a brief layover in Chicago, I changed clothes and slapped on a bit of makeup, so when I landed in my home airport, I could drive straight to church. I was a bit tired, but it was definitely worth it.

I got to the church only a few moments before the service began, and my girls were eagerly waiting for me. Some men in the church had organized a special treat for women that morning: a chocolate fountain with all kinds of scrumptious goodies to use for dipping. My girls didn’t want me to miss out. They had created a personalized plate of goodies for me…and I enjoyed every bite!

I made every effort I could to get home that morning, and my girls anticipated our family being together. As I flew home recently and recalled that day, I wondered how intentional I am about anticipating the opportunities I have to be together with my girls, my mom, and the many amazing women in my life.

It’s not just about Mother’s Day. It’s about fully living your day TODAY.

What would spur you to jump on a red-eye to get to someone?

Who would you fix a plate of chocolate for because you don’t want her to miss out?

Who do you need to connect with today? To sit and listen to? To invest in? To giggle with?

Don’t wait until tomorrow. Today is the day.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today”… (Hebrews 3:13, NIV)