Laurie Hopkins

October 23 2019

Why We Need To Love One Another More Than Ever

It has been a few weeks –time flies when you are having fun! How has your life been going; fast, slow or somewhere in-between? Grab yourself a hot drink in your favourite mug and I will wait for you at the kitchen table. My thoughts for today revolve around why we need to love one another more than ever.

Moving Quickly

We live in a world that is moving quickly. While we are moving quickly, our attention is pulled in numerous directions at one time. Not only that, we have easy and immediate access to so much more information. We hear/see everything that is going on around us in live time, often whether we want to or not. All this movement and information trains our minds and emotions to move quickly as well, in order to keep up. And we all know, that when our minds and emotions move quickly, some things get lost in translation.

We Are All Unique

In the past, many of us have lived in communities in which everyone was very similar. We grew comfortable being with those who were very much like us. We had little experience with those who looked different than us or thought differently than us. However, within those communities, there were different ways of being. Overall, we have been OK with that, chalking it up to the “uniqueness” of the individual.

We Are All Different

There has always been a level of uniqueness in our communities, however, because there have been so many similarities, our focus has been on being the same. Therefore we are comfortable. Now that the varying degrees of uniqueness among us are being highlighted, our focus has tended towards being different. And, unfortunately, feelings of being different often leads to feelings of discomfort.

Perception Is Everything

Perception is everything. When I perceive you to be different rather than unique it lends itself to feelings of dissimilarity which leads to discomfort. However, if I were to view you as unique, rather than different, I would better understand that we still have similarities, which maintains a level of comfort.

How does the speed our society is moving at, impact this conversation? When we are moving quickly, we are thinking quickly. When we are thinking quickly, our emotions kick in quickly. Quick emotions influence a quick perception of the people around us. Quick perceptions often get us into trouble. Although we have always been told that the “first impression” was the most important, I beg to differ. That “first impression” is often not a great indicator of that actual person, but rather a real reflection of our own biases and judgments. When we are moving and thinking quickly, we give our emotions permission to move to quick and often inaccurate perceptions.

So, What?

So, we find ourselves in a world that is moving quickly. Over time we have moved towards a focus that looks at differences rather than uniqueness, which has increased our levels of discomfort around the diversity in our communities. On top of those feelings of discomfort, because we are moving quickly, we often allow our emotions to take control of our perceptions of those around us; this only serves to reflect our biases and judgements rather than to give us accurate views of the people we are perceiving.

When we are running on discomfort and potentially inaccurate perceptions of others, generally, we are going to have a more negative view of those around us.

Jesus Said

As Christians, we are called to love those around us. All of those, not just the ones we have developed positive perceptions of. Second only to loving the Lord, is the command to love your neighbour as yourself.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the first and great commandment. “And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22: 36-40

(“Matthew 22:1 (NKJV) – And Jesus answered and spoke.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 23 Oct 2019. https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/mat/22/1/s_951001)

Loving Our Neighbour

In the midst of our discomfort with those around us who seem so different and our tendency towards quick perceptions of those around us, how do we follow the command of Jesus to love your neighbour as yourself?

Who Is Our Neighbour?

First of all, who is our neighbour? When the lawyer in Luke 10 questioned Jesus, asking “who is my neighbour?” Jesus responded with the story of the good Samaritan. The man on the road had been stripped and wounded and left half dead. The first two people to encounter him were people who were more similar to him, yet when they encountered him they went to the other side of the road and passed him by. The third man to come along was a Samaritan. He would have been considered to be very “different” from the man lying on the side of the road. And yet, this man stopped, had compassion on him, bandaged his wounds and took his somewhere where he paid for him to stay until he was recovered. From this, I understand that our neighbour, the one we are to have compassion on and to love, is even that one who is very “different” than us.

He Had Compassion

“And when he saw him, he had compassion.” Luke 10:33

(“Luke 10:1 (NKJV) – After these things the Lord.” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 23 Oct 2019. https://www.blueletterbible.org/nkjv/luk/10/1/s_983001)

This phrase really struck me when I was reading this passage. The Samaritan, when he saw his “neighbour” who was very “different” from himself, lying on the road, stripped and wounded, had compassion. I believe it was from that place of compassion that the Samaritan was able to slow down his thinking and his emotions. In doing so, his perception was changed from a focus of “different” to one of “uniqueness”. From that flowed the ability of the Samaritan to truly love his neighbour as Jesus had taught.

Why We Need To Love One Another More Than Ever

We live in a world filled with individuals that are unique. We also live in a world where many are full of fear and judgement because they have been lured into the lie that because we are all so “different” from one another we can’t make connections with those around us. But Jesus said, love your neighbour, that neighbour that is actually very different from you. The love he talked about was very practical; it required the Samaritan to stop and to give of his own time and resources. And it was driven by compassion. When the Samaritan saw the man, stripped and wounded and left on the road, compassion rose up within him. That compassion allowed for the demonstration of the love that Jesus not only talks about but also commands us to have for one another.

What I Know

This world can be an uncertain place. As Christians, we must be willing to declare our certainty in the love and salvation we have through Jesus, by allowing Jesus to demonstrate his love for others through us. This will begin to happen as we become aware of how our perceptions are formed and how biased they tend to be. It will also happen when we allow compassion to rise up within us for those around us. Once that compassion begins to rise, there will be no question about our willingness to go out of our way and to give of our time and our resources to care for those around us, regardless of how “different” they may seem from us.

Until Next Time

Well, it is that time again. My cup is empty and I have a “to-do” list to get to. I’m so happy you were able to take the time to sit at the kitchen table with me for a visit. I always enjoy our time together! Until next time, start slowing down your perceptions and begin to look for the uniqueness in those around you, rather than the differences. Love on someone this week; someone you would not normally think to love on. Take a step or two out of your comfort zone into your discomfort zone – in time you will see your comfort zone expanding in a most wonderful way.

If you are interested in more Devotional reading, head over to my Facebook Page where you will find a Weekly Devotion early every Monday morning. Click here to go directly to Weekly Devotions with Laurie.

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

Laurie

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October 7 2019

Moving From a Destination Focus to Valuing the Journey

Hello, my friend! The time has moved quickly from last week to this week. What endings did you encounter? Were you able to choose to unfurl your hands? Did you have some moments of “arms and hands open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, with abandoned laughter and don’t care who is looking, kind of living” this week? I hope so! Now that our hands and our minds are not as clenched, this week, I thought we could chat about moving from a destination focus to valuing the journey.

Mindsets

The Merriam Webster Online Dictionary describes the term mindset this way: 1) a mental attitude or inclination 2) a fixed state of mind (retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mind-set). So a mindset is a fixed way of looking at something. Mindsets are kind of like strong habits. They are deep-seated beliefs that we may or may not be aware of in our conscious minds, but that dictate our ways of behaving. We are, for the most part, comfortable with our mindsets. When someone tries messing with the way we think, we get uncomfortable.

But since we have committed to some “arms and hands open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, with abandoned laughter and don’t care who is looking, kind of living”, I thought it would be OK to disrupt some mindsets today!

A Destination Focus

Are you a traveller? Do you love to explore, see new places and experience new things? Do you travel physically or even vicariously through movies and books? As novice travellers we generally start out with a destination focus. The vacation/trip/adventure doesn’t really begin until you have arrived at your destination. At that point in time you can let down your hair, kick off your shoes and begin to relax and enjoy. The rest is just a necessary evil meant only to be endured until you get to the meat of your adventure.

What I’ve come to learn is that this part that is meant only to be endured actually takes up a large chunk of your vacation time. The trains, planes and automobiles that you need to take to get where you are going and back home can be as much as ¼ to ½ of your time away.

Experienced Travellers

What experienced travellers have learned, is that all parts of your vacation/adventure are to be enjoyed. The moment you begin dreaming about your trip, the fun begins. There is the dreaming stage, then the planning stage, then the preparation stage and the getting there stage and the arriving stage and the adventure itself followed by the preparations to return home, the trip home and then the reminiscing and sharing that takes place upon your return. When you are only focused on enjoying the actual destination, look at all the other opportunities for enjoyment you are missing! Yes, some of the bits and pieces of your adventure may not be fun and interesting in the same way, but surely, in all our wisdom, we can find ways to make it more enjoyable.

A Shift In Mindset

For instance, take the travel time to and from your adventure. We may not all enjoy the early morning trip to the airport or the waiting time, however, if we challenged our destination mindset, things may look differently. I can bring fun snacks and a great book I’ve been waiting to read. I can take fun selfies. I can have uninterrupted talk time with my spouse. I can chat with others who are also waiting. I can have some quiet, uninterrupted time to just rest. I can actually sip and enjoy that cup of coffee that I never seem to get time to finish at home. It is also a great time to catch up on knitting or crocheting. A shift in mindset can free up a lot of time!

Life and Destination Focus

We often ask ourselves and those around us, “Why do I feel so rushed?” It feels like there are not enough hours in the day and not enough time and energy to go around. I have an answer for you. Regardless of how much we actually “produce” in a day, when we subscribe, knowingly or unknowingly, to a destination focus in our life, we will be left tired and run ragged. There will be a distinct lack of satisfaction and joy in that which we have accomplished.

You can’t have a to-do list long enough, that when it is all checked off, produces satisfaction in and of itself. We are not built that way. We are built for joy and purpose, not doing for the sake of doing.

Valuing the Journey - Shortening Our Time

It is time to shift our mindset from a destination focus to valuing the journey. So, how do we value the journey? That will look a bit different for all of us. However, there are a few things we all need to know. The first thing we need to stop doing is always looking ahead to the next thing we have to do or get through. How often in a day do we say or think, “If I could just get xyz done”. What happens when you get it done? You quickly move on to another target to complete. We feel rushed because we are always watching something ahead of us; wishing out time away. And we wonder why our time seems so short.

Valuing the Journey -Measuring the Moments

The next thing we need to do is begin valuing the moments. Time is made up of moments. Bits and pieces of time in between those things we are aiming to get done. The moments are where the joy is found. That is where we see our purpose being fulfilled. This is where we find the “aha”. Without a focus on the moments we are like hamsters on a wheel – moving fast, expending a lot of energy, maybe producing, but feeling like we aren’t getting anywhere. How do we do find value in the moments? Engage. Stop thinking about the next thing and the next thing and focus on the thing you are doing right now. Give it your full attention. Treat it like it is the only thing on your to do list. And see what happens.

Valuing the Journey - Relationship and Surrender

The other important piece of enjoying the journey is in trusting that there is a solid plan – whether that plan is detailed or loosely designed for spontaneity in between. For every great journey there is at least one planner; one that gets out the maps and plans the route and the stops along the way. God has prepared this journey called life, for us. We are His “workmanship”; He has created us with a plan and a purpose. If we are walking in relationship with Him, we can trust that He will direct our steps. That takes a lot of the pressure off. When the journey is well designed there is freedom to move in the moment without worrying about “what’s next”. We may not always see the big picture at once, but when we are spending time with Him, He will at the very least, show you that one next step you need to take.

Valuing the Journey - Unique to You

The rest is up to you. How you choose to find joy and purpose and the “aha” in your moments may look different from how I do it. Some of it will be trial and error. But the most important piece is that you recognize that a destination focus is a mindset; a mindset that can and needs to be changed in your life. Valuing the journey as a whole will help take the rush out and put the joy into the moments that make up the journey.

What I Know

I know that recognizing and changing mindsets is not something that you do overnight. It is, in itself, a journey – a journey of self-discovery and growth that is also to be enjoyed. Don’t allow it to become a destination. Be aware of the moments and let the Holy Spirit guide and direct your steps as you aim to become more and more like Jesus.

Until Next Time

Well, it is that time again. My teacup is empty. I encourage you to continue to choose “arms and hands open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, with abandoned laughter and don’t care who is looking, kind of living” this week, which includes starting to shift from a destination focus to valuing the journey.

I Would Love to Hear from You!

Drop a note in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you! Be in touch and share your experience with destinations and journeys! Growth is much more effective and more fun when we do it together! Let’s take this space and make it a place to share and encourage one another.

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

Laurie

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September 23 2019

Endings and New Beginnings and Everything in Between

Endings And New Beginnings And Everything In Between

It has been a challenging few weeks on this end. I’m happy to be back at the table with a cup of tea in my current favourite mug and some time to sit together and chat! Today I thought we would chat about Endings and New Beginnings and Everything in Between. You know the drill; grab your mug and your hot drink and let’s take a few minutes to encourage one another.

Clenched Fists

Things end. It is a fact of life. Next to things changing, things ending is probably one of the most fought against experiences we encounter. Although we long for adventure and new journeys and all the opportunities that are out there for us; we often cling tightly to what we already have. And in clinging tightly, our hands our preoccupied and we are unable to reach for that which is to come next. Clenched fists don’t allow for reaching out or reaching forward.

Unfurl Those Hands

On Dec 26^th, 2013 I wrote a blog called: Unfurl Those Hands. This is an excerpt:

I have read in various places recently about unfurling our clenched hands……grace comes, but you must release that protective posture of clenched fists, unfurl those fingers and release that palm:

– release it to open and receive grace

– release it to reach out to another and lift them up

– release it to rise up and praise the Creator

– release it to open up your body, spirit and mind to the possibilities of truly living

Not existence, not surviving, but radical, arms and hands open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, abandoned laughter, don’t care who is looking, kind of living

We live in a clenched world. Look around, listen to the news, listen to the radio, and listen to the conversations that float around you – the world is an uncertain place; wars, harm, crime, illness, the unexpected, the unprepared. Underneath the masks of money and prosperity and “I’m OK” lies of North America, lies the dust of uncertainty. Am I safe, am I enough, what will tomorrow bring, what will the next 5 minutes bring, am I ready?

And so we protect ourselves; from others, from ourselves – from outside harm, from the harm that comes with self-doubt and guilt. And we begin to curl inwards. We self-protect. First, our hands become fisted – then our minds and spirits and even our physical bodies began to curl inward, taking up less space so as not to be noticed and therefore not a target. Fetal position – curled – protecting what we have so no one can take it away.

But in the process we become small. Physically we expose less of ourselves to the outside world. Then we began to close off our minds to the things around us. We bubble wrap our thoughts and beliefs and then our spirits begin to shrivel. And we are no longer living. We are only existing; surviving the day and the night to start all over again the next day. We are not living the arms and hand open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, abandoned laughter, don’t care who is looking, kind of life. Instead we are managing. The one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, I’m doing “OK” kind of life.

I Believe

I believe what I wrote about in 2013 is even truer today. We are a society that lives with clenched fists. Mostly unintentionally, but clenched nonetheless.

More and more I’ve come to understand that clenched fists makes us small; small thinking, small presence, small impact.

When it comes to endings, we often find ourselves holding on tightly to that which has run its course and needs to end.

Not Easy But Necessary

Are endings easy? No

Are endings necessary? Yes

Sometimes we have to let go of one thing to be open to the next thing. Sometimes we have to allow one door to close so the other door will swing open. Trying to prop open both doors at the same time leaves us unbalanced, literally and figuratively.

What I Know

So what is the answer? Even more, today, than I thought back in 2013, I believe that a commitment to “radical, arms and hands open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, abandoned laughter, don’t care who is looking, kind of living” is necessary.

Unfurled hands allow for opportunities. Unfurled hands allow grace to come in and fill up the empty spaces.

Some days in our wide-open living we will FEEL the grace ourselves.

Some day in our wide-open living the grace will be released for those around us.

Will it allows be easy? No.

Will it be worth it? Yes.

Will we understand it at the time? Kind of.

Will we grow to understand it more fully? Absolutely!

This Week!

This week I choose to “move radically, with my arms and hands open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, with abandoned laughter and don’t care who is looking, kind of living” into an ending. I will not clench my fists and hold on to the season that is over. I will be grateful for what has been, while slowly opening my hands to let it go. I will unfurl my hands, allowing grace for myself and those around me. I will allow this door to close so the next one can open. I will walk gracefully and with confidence towards the next new beginning.

Until Next Time

Well, it is that time again. An ending of sorts, all in itself.

This week, think a bit more about endings. What endings are you in the middle of? Will you choose to unfurl those hands? Will you choose “arms and hands open wide, twirling barefoot in the grass, head back, with abandoned laughter and don’t care who is looking, kind of living”?

I Would Love to Hear From You

Drop a note in the comments section below. I would love to hear from you! Be in touch and share your experience with endings and beginnings and everything in between. Let’s take this space and make it a place to share and encourage one another.

Until next time,

From my heart to yours!

Laurie

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