we can laugh and play and ninja kick.

I love kids.

Broken record, I know.

But seriously. I love them.

Yes, they are adorable and spontaneous and completely random. But most of all? They are free.

Spending thirty seconds in the presence of a thriving child is like wiping nasty gunk from the lens of my life. Kids never cease to remind me of living in fullness, of refusing to conform to social standards, of pursuing radical ideals and big dreams knowing that failure doesn't mean you've reached the end. Weight and pressure and worry find no corners to occupy their precious little minds, and there are few things I love more than watching their curiosity and thirst for adventure run rampant.

I'm remembering a particular scene tonight. I was living in Sacramento, and the red-headed brothers were out front with some neighbor boys. I could hear them loud and clear with all the windows open, and continued to rearrange the furniture in my freshly painted room. Ankle deep in bedding, picture frames, and dirty clothes, my city momma swing opens the door with a huge grin on her face and an impending message in her eyes. She had gone for a quick run (literally, she was running. on her feet. she's my hero.) to pick up the littlest from daycare several streets down, and while turning the corner back home, had been mobbed by all the kids in our front yard.

"They want you out there," she said.
"Huh?" I retorted, slightly surprised they were asking for me. It looked muddy out there.

Apparently the following conversation had taken place when she turned the corner:

four year old Evan: "Henry, where's your sister?"
Hen: "She's not my real sister. She's just my sister for now. She's really my cousin."
E: "Oh."... long pondering pause... "well where is she?"
Hen: "She's in the house."
E: "Why?"
Hen: "She's working on stuff."
E: "Well, can you tell her she needs to come out?"
Hen to momma: "Can you tell Alyssa she needs to come out here?"

I giggled at the exchange. Didn't matter who I was, they just wanted someone to play. There really was no choice- I was being summoned by a four year old so what I could I really do? I put on flip flops and grabbed a sweatshirt just in case. I trooped down the hall and out the door. I saw my little friends huddled on the sidewalk dancing around a new toy car Charlie had just received. Their eyes fell on me, and the next thing I knew I was dancing too.

I spent over an hour with these five little cowboys, playing and racing. Tag came along naturally. Red face and wind chapped, I was having the time of my life. I can picture every single second of it in slow motion like it was just yesterday. The boys demonstrated their ninja kicks, and three year old Sam's declaration that "I'm good at everything I do" set me into a fit of laughter. Of course he wasn't the best at tag or ninja kicks, and come to think of it, I'm sure he came in last on every race. But losses don't define greatness. So in my heart, and in his, he was great. No argument there.

Departing the scene to head back inside, smiles and contentment were in order. My heart was filled with something beautiful, magical even; but whatever it was in that moment, I was relishing, not analyzing. However, as I look back today, it's filled with more introspection. How could playing tag and racing small little souls bring me so much joy? And then I was reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 18:3 when he said "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Somehow in the span between childhood and adulthood something begins to choke us, to take a part of our very core, to deform the freedom inside of us. I would surmise that God isn't exactly a fan of this chokehold. In fact, bondage isn't even an option for a child of God, for He is committed to setting the captives free.

Kids seem to lack fear, anxiety, and depression for the most part. My goodness, I've seen kids leap into a pool when they don't even know how to swim. But they're fearless because they know daddy is waiting with open arms to catch them. That's what God is reminding me today. He wants us to know Him so well, that we can simply rest. We can hang up our fears. We can laugh and play and ninja kick with the best of them.

If God is telling us to become more like children, then I think it's honestly really simple. Laugh more. Let go of things more quickly. Be confident in who we are, even when we're not the best. Embrace life. Cherish others. Get up and scrape our knees off when we fall down.

If I'm a child, then I know my daddy is there. and if I know my daddy is there, then there is just no reason to fear. at all.

Let's be kids again.

I think it will be way more fun.

And maybe, just maybe... we will begin to approach Jesus with new eyes to step into the most creative way we can run this race for Him.


Love,
Lyss

I take the cup.

Wind gapes through these brunette locks and catches the droplets of sorrow and grief. I imagine my wet teardrop being whisked away to a heavenly storehouse where my perfect Jesus bottles it in His unfailing love and healing grace. There's clouds hovering and the air is thick and heavy with grey. But piercing through, a single ray of fierce light. It fights the darkness and the cold. And I fight the suffering and sin all the same.

From the mysterious realm of cloud and sky, new droplets descend. They crash with a roar against the green earth. The ray of sun shattered in one piercing instant. Feet wade in the fresh puddle. Tendrils drip wet and eyes close beneath the impending storm.

Teardrops and rain mix, and together they create one big thundering roar.

And it all seems to be too much. Even if just for an instant.

I'm a forgetful creature. I'm a woman of self-absorption, gripped with sin, whose brokenness often blurs a holy perspective. But the skies open. Rain falls. God's grace reigns abundant. I sorrow, but also does He. I weep with a covering of safety, knowing that He has already wept.

I love that God's grace doesn't demand that our wounds be ignored or forgotten. God completely frees us from the veil of shame because His grace already bore that wound.

We weep and we mourn and we suffer- Adam and Eve's fall ever infectious over these lives we live- and we ache for all the suffering in our world to be healed.

I pour hot tea into my most favorite mug. Dark caramel, cream, and black cherry dancing wildly together in a cup. I feel restless. and maybe it's because I'm thank-less?

I'm reminded: "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving."

One of my most favorite quotes from Ann Voskamp: Deep chara joy is found only at the table of the euCHARisteo – the table of thanksgiving…As long as thanks is possible, then joy is always possible. Joy is always possible. Whenever, meaning – now; wherever, meaning – here…Here, in the messy, piercing ache of now, joy might be – unbelievably – possible!

The beautiful miracle of healing and restoration and overwhelming joy- that miracle we ache for beneath those heavy skies and disappointments, when failure runs deep and we bear brutal scars, when scary change looms on the horizon- it comes when we offer thanks. 

I fully, 100%, with everything I am, believe this. 

It comes when we, with sorrow raging wild and darkness swirling, sit at His feet with gratitude saturating our wet, tear stained cheeks and whisper truth. 

Discouragement, anxiety, fear, anger, sadness... it just can't stick with a thankful heart for long. 

And it's so hard. It's a hard offering, my dear friends. 

But it's so worth the miracle of perfect Jesus joy. It's so worth satisfying the craving of indescribable beauty and life abundant. 

In the frustrating, foolish, hungry, relentless pursuit of eternal joy... there is such a valuable secret. 

This is it. 

My tea cup is empty. So I reach for the red glazed pot and pour it until it fills. 

And I reach for that Word and receive the filling. I clutch truth, and in sorrow's place is perspective. 

In the gospel of John, it says that on the night Jesus was betrayed, He took the cup- the cup of suffering and death and costly crucifixion- and He gave thanks. 

So I take the cup, 

of scary changes, 

of death, 

of loss of love, 

of scarred reputation, 

of stabbing words, 

of abandonment, 

of pierced plans, 

of fear of the future, 

of this wounded walk of life, 

and I give thanks. 

I give thanks. 

For grace. For the God of grace who covers all and sustains all. For the heart of that God, who is for me and never against me. For the Giver of every good and perfect gift. For the God who allows me to suffer, never separating me from His goodness. For the Healer, who comforts, but also cries. With me, beside me. For the perfect God in whom joy is ALWAYS possible. 

I give thanks. 

And suddenly, the clouds disappear and the rain dries up. Darkness shrivels back in fear. 

Sunshine!! It's so good to see you. 

What a beautiful day. 

Giving thanks, 
Lyss

Belayer.

I've been climbing mountains my whole life.

It's treacherous and steep with very few sturdy grips. My extremities burn hot, and sometimes, I feel like I won't make it. At times, I'm downright terrified.

I could tell you a lot about mountains. But this isn't about mountains. Not today, at least.

It's about you.

We all have a mountain to climb. In this life, we are sure to have several. Some mountains more dangerous than others. Some mountains we're prepared for. Some mountains we want to climb. Then there's mountains that seem to rise up out of the earth and intimidate us with no path but upwards.

Why do we climb?

Sometimes, we climb for the challenge. The accomplishment. The view.

There's such a magical view on the mountain top.

And it just feels really good to conquer.

But sometimes, we climb mountains only because we have to. Because the alternative is failure. alienation. regret. divorce. defeat. maybe even death.

So we climb, one shaky foot in front of the other.

Yet Jesus promises that He will give us absolutely everything we need to climb it. and He does.

Today, though, I'm thanking Him for you.

He gave me you.

Because I can't climb this mountain alone. None of us can.

I researched climbing. Literally typed into my google search engine "climbing." I started reading. about technique. about gear.

and I found this: Belay : The process of securing and safeguarding a climber by using a rope to hold the climber’s weight if he falls. The ascending climber and the belayer, or the person holding the rope, are a team that is linked together by the rope.

We need a belayer. 

Without a belayer, the mountain might consume us. Without a belayer, this mountain is most deadly. 

So today, I'm thankful for my rope holders. You encourage me to keep going. Remind me to rest and take in the view. When I can't see ahead, you search for a way to direct me. You seek Jesus on my behalf. You share my burden. You fasten that lifeline and secure it around me. You cut me slack. 

You and I are linked together. God is the rope that so perfectly binds us. I feel the hold and it reminds me: I'm not alone up here. 

When I fall, you help me up. You bandage my wounds, brush away debris, offer me cold water and hoist me back up on that mountain. 

And when I reach the top, you marvel and bless and thank Jesus with me. Because you understand. Because you climbed the whole thing with me. 

You were my belayer. 

I encourage you today to thank your rope holders sometime this week. Go to coffee, write a note, leave cookies on the doorstep. Whatever that looks like for you. Just say Thank You. 

Thank you. 

Thank you for being God's hands, His voice, at times even His presence in my life. 

You are my belayers. 

and I'm grateful. 

Love to you, 
Lyss

big.

Hey, You.

The one wondering if it's safe to dream anymore.

The one who has to swat discouragement away like a pesky fly.

I know those feelings so well. 

So I just want to lean in and whisper this hard truth. To all of us.

The riskiest thing we can do is not dream.

The only way to avoid making mistakes is not to do anything- and that's the biggest mistake of all.

The only way to avoid being hurt is to never love- and a life without love is the deepest wound a heart can have.

The things that help us feel safe are the same things that can put us at the greatest risk.

You are braver, stronger, and more capable than you know.

And the God you serve is big.

... and I mean really big.

Dream, friends.

Dream today. Dream tomorrow.

Dream until the day you die.

... and then discover that you've done something pretty radical and incredible and inspiring-

you've really lived. 

Dreaming with you,
Lyss

after all of that.

My life drips with the need to continuously bring myself under the control of the Holy Spirit.

That's why as, last week, my incredible little five year old friend threw a tantrum and I walked her out of the public place we were in, I understood. I understood that this was a simple battle of wills and control. She screamed and pulled, and I sat down across from her at a picnic bench outside. 

It was freezing. 

"I am more than happy to sit here all day until you are ready to calm down and we can talk." I told her. 

No good. No good at all. She was just crazy angry. I waited. She screamed. I waited some more. She screamed some more. Her anger and frustration had been spewed out in words and tears over the last twenty minutes, and I could see that she was beginning to become weary. 

"I'm just SO MAD!" She yelled and threw her hands up in the air. Her tears were angry, hurt even. 

I took a deep breath, and saw the little girl in her eyes. And I knew she was me. Not just at age five, but right now. She was me. When I throw my hands in the air and want my way, when I stomp and scream and cry angry tears.   

"You can kick and hit and scream at me all you want. But I will still be your babysitter. and I will still love you." 

 Something in her tiny body broke. 

"Really?" She asked. Her tears were turning from anger to relief. "After ALL of that, you'll still love me?" 

Yes.

Yes. 

And instantly I'm reminded of just how sweetly Jesus comes over to where I'm sitting, scoops me up, and carries me close, whispering, "After all of that, I will still love you. I will always love you." 

I will sit with you until you are calm. 

I will be here when you are out of control. 

I will be here when you are angry. 

... and I will always, always love you. 

Love, 

Jesus

I got up from my spot at the table, went over to where little love was sitting. I kissed her on the cheek, grabbed her hand, and we walked to the car. 

The ride was almost exclusively silent the whole way home, until she sighed a deep sigh, and whispered, "I love you, too. and I'm real sorry." 

The rest of the day was filled with hugs, naps, hot chocolate, and lullabies. 

Thankful today for children, picnic benches, and reminders of His unfailing, relentless love for me.

~Lyss

abide.

2012 recap (questions stolen from a facebook thread I saw this morning):

1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
This is an almost impossible question to answer. God has done SO much this year. But I was (and AM!) so so grateful to be accepted into nursing school. I will never ever forget that moment. Shaking hands, heart about ready to beat outside my chest, ripping open that letter. Reading the words. Accepted. Laughter. Tears. Sweet celebration. Unity. Family. I get chills just thinking about it again.

2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Hands down my biggest challenge this year has been learning how to face opposition. Opposition that seemed so unfair and unjust. Opposition that didn't make sense. It's been a year of learning that God promises that I will face trials, but He remains the same. I can trust Him. It's been a year of asking God for deeper grace and humility, but also a year of learning to stand firm and confidently in who He has created me to be.

3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
I could write a whole blog post about this alone, and if you want to hear the full story I am more than happy to tell it. But in short, there was some seriously beautiful restoration that happened this year. It was unexpected. and it was really joyous. God has taken my dear friend Emma and I on a seriously radical journey, and it is with great *unexpected* joy that I call her my dear friend. Such beautiful lessons we've learned. Both together, and apart.

4. What was an unexpected obstacle this year?
I totaled my car in March. THAT was unexpected. and scary. and a lesson in "don't turn around and talk to someone in the backseat no matter how bad they want you to look at them."

5. Pick three words to describe 2012.
I really love these kinds of questions. like, a lot. My three words: battle, rooted, hope

6. What were the best books you read this year?
The last half of my year was spent with my nose in textbooks. But the first half of the year I read some incredible books. On the list of winners this year, in no particular order: The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, Heroes and Monsters by Josh Riebock, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, ZVI by Elwood McQuaid, Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, and Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks.

7. What were the best movies you've seen this year?
Les Miserables. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Pitch Perfect.

8. If you had to thank one person for their role in your life this year, who would you thank and why?
I loathe this question. I really do. Therefore, I will not be following the rules. There are SEVERAL people I'd like to thank. But before I do, I'd like to thank all of you. Every blog reader, every facebook friend, every stranger who has smiled at me in Trader Joe's. Every single one of you is so valuable. and I treasure your role. Now, for those of you who just need a few extra sentences :) Again, in no particular order:

Soph: Oh, sweet girl. You have taught me so much about patience, discipleship, and consistency. Jesus has used you to show me what it means to "rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn." You have celebrated with me, been excited with me, and laughed with me. and you have cried with me, prayed with me, and sat in trenches with me. You are such a treasure.

Mrs. Read: Preparing for your wedding was one of the most beautiful seasons Jesus has let me be a part of in all of my 20 years. This year was wild!! A whirlwind six months, followed by the most breathtaking day. and now you and Alex are cultivating such a welcoming, safe, Spirit-filled home. I'm so grateful for this year of friendship with you. It was crazy and stressful and beautiful and so so life-giving. Love you.

Emma: oh my goodness gracious. look at this year!! That's really all I have to say. Thanks for being a best friend, an encourager, and a voice of reason and hope. I adore you!

Julie: I don't know if you're surprised to see your name here or not, but seriously: I am SO grateful for your voice in my life. You have done nothing but support me and challenge me to settle for nothing less than God's best. I loved getting to know you a bit better this year, and am so humbled and thankful for the time you have taken out to pour into me.

Sister: This year has taught me SO much about perseverance and living from a place of victory. It was a year of fulfilled dreams and fierce battle. Thank you for being a part of that and choosing to walk life with me. You are loved.

Emily: You called out the leader in me this year. You oh so faithfully chose time and time again to remind me who I am and remind me what I am capable of. Thank you. So much.

Rebecca: This year God loved showing me that He can change everything in the blink of an eye. Long gone are the awkward little high schoolers who only knew how to talk about math and our siblings. and in their place are two women seeking after Jesus and a nursing degree and truth. together. what a legacy.

9. In what ways did you grow spiritually this year?
Again, a whole blog post could be dedicated to this alone. I'm not even sure how to capture this question with words. I've learned some hard lessons. I've been on the front lines of battle. I've made mistakes. I've deeply loved. As I think back on this year, my soul is overwhelmed by the vast goodness of God's Sovereignty in every season. Every last detail has been accounted for. This year, I learned that I am strong. I learned that Jesus faithfully equips me to drudge through judgement and misunderstanding and disgust to speak the truth and hope of God all over the people He has placed in my life. The child-like faith in me still believes in miracles, the impossible, and the amazing equipping of boldness and humility that God grants His kids. He chose me to be His daughter. To be a part of the family of God. Forever. There is no love truer and deeper than that. I have the chance to bottle up just a little sliver of that hope, of that love... with my words. I'm a writer. I embraced that gift this year. 

10. What was the most enjoyable part of your work this year?
My favorite part of my job, always, has been this: I get to step into homes and become a part of the family. I've had friends wonder why I'm so picky about which jobs I take and which jobs I don't. That's the clincher. Right there. Family. I will love your kids, invest in your kids, pray with your kids. Nannying is SO much more than a business arrangement. It's a heart job. and I give it everything I've got. So, this year, and every year, I'm thankful for my families. 

11. What was the single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Instagram :)

12. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Obviously, time with Jesus is the most precious part of my every single day. But I think the best way I can use my time is simply loving the people God has given me. It's been such a beautiful year investing and pouring out. I get so excited for coffee dates or couch dates :) and there's been LOTS of them this year. Hearing people's stories, sharing mine, growing together, learning together: that's a really good use of my time. 

13. Pick a word for 2013. 
I've done this for three years now. In 2010, my word was jubilee. In 2011, my word was cling. This year it was disciple. This last week, as I've sat in the presence of Jesus and asked Him what He might have for me this year, I've consistently heard the same thing. over. and over. and over again. The first time it hit me I was driving. last Wednesday. talking with a friend on the phone, actually. and {abide} hit me square in the chest and wouldn't let go. and it's been there ever since. pushing, nudging, pursuing. I'm not sure what this is going to look like yet. But I'm hopeful. and listening. 

Here we go. It's gonna be wild. 

Love to you. 
~Alyssa

Paper Hearts and Sandy Hook.

In a fallen world, we trip and break our hearts.

Sweet little man comes to me with his cut directly out of paper.

When you're five, you can do this. You can take a pair of scissors, grab a piece of paper, and cut your heart neatly out of a white, square, 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of computer paper.

This is what he brings me. A white paper heart.

He has tape in his hands.

"Will you do it, missy lou? I can't make it work." He holds out a roll of mangled scotch tape.

I am helping his brother with a spelling lesson. Decoding the letters of this world.

"What are you trying to do, sweetie?" I try to read him. He wants the heart taped in half? Taped to the wall? Taped to his folder?

"I just want the heart taped to me. Just right here." He points his finger at his chest.

His brother's erasing the paper too hard, wearing a big round whole right through the homework. "How do you spell receive? Is it the 'i' first or the 'e'?"

"E", I murmur quickly, trying to tear of a bit of tape.

"Just tape it right here," he says. He's pointing just above his own beating heart.

"And why are we doing this exactly?" I'm on my knees in front of him, half smiling, looking up into his baby blues, my thumb smoothing along the tape line of this exposed heart.

I ask the question, but my heart knows the answer. Wasn't it just this morning that we sat over toast and tears, talking about the horrid tragedy in Connecticut? Wasn't it just this morning that we talked about how we need to give love to others and embrace every moment?

I think this visual mnemonic is bold and brilliant, a walking sign of hope.

I'm usually the one to cup his face in my hands, but here he has me knelt down in front of him, so he takes full advantage of this moment. He cups my face in his hands, and he bends over slightly so his nose is touching mine. I can feel his breath.

"Because Lyssa..." he pats my head oh so gently. "... so we always know His love's around us everywhere."

He wants to wear a heart right across him so he never forgets.

He holds my face in his hands and I can feel it. I feel how we are held. Perfectly held. Forever.

Will he cut out a heart for me, too?

Will he lend me his sign? This simple declaration that has so elegantly painted the love of Jesus. The love of Jesus so magnificently gentle and wild. The love of my God who births stars into being in my darkness. The love of my Father who shapes His thoughts and pursuit of me into letters that I can read. The love of my Savior who redeemed my fallen life with nails driven right through His hands.

Huge and white, wearing God's heart right there on his striped shirt. He smooths it out. and it tears. right down the center. He looks down at the now broken heart.

I don't know what to say.

Is it his heart or His that's broken today? Maybe it's both.

In the face of deep waters and split-open hearts, God hovers close. The broken-hearted He binds up, swaddles near.

Will he understand this?

"It's okay, I guess. Even when a heart's broken"... his finger runs along it's raw edge..."Jesus still has his love all around me everywhere. and maybe the love gets in easier cuz it's tore?"

Yep. I'd say he has abundant understanding, sweet little love.

All day, he walks the house. Broken heart of love taped to his chest. All day, he reminds me that God is good. God is love. All day he sings "I can sing of your love forever," his song a broken-hearted hallelujah rising on wings of hope, trust, and incredible faith.

Sandy Hook elementary school, we love you. Connecticut, we love you.

God is just. God is love.

Love,
Lyss