Which calendar matches your life rhythm?

With the new year upon us, it's calendar time. I was shopping with my daughter in a local mall after New Year's Day and noticed the kiosk selling calendars had a big sale going on. The 2018 calendars are now 75% off. When the new year turns over, a new calendar is in order for the office, your home, or study. Shopping begins in December, and by January 1 the calendars are basically obsolete. 

Even as a seasonal/yearly person–who doesn't really get into calendars–I find it difficult to live without a calendar to schedule appointments, keep track of birthdays and anniversaries, or set aside dates for travel or a needed vacation. My main go-to calendar is on my computer/phone, both sync to each other. Last year I had a few wall calendars at home. One in the kitchen and one in the dining room, both artsy from Etsy (Buy directly from someone who put their heart and soul into making something special). Just in case I needed to know what day it was. :) Several years ago a good friend gave me the Hymn Calendar from littlethingstudio. It's so fun to turn the page at the first of every month. And, then there's the one my daughter gave me for Christmas last year, from Haven Paperie. Simple, yet gives me an overview of the year. 

Calendars are kind of a must-have whether you're a seasonal/yearly person or not.

How I feel about calendars

No matter your life rhythm, everyone has to have a calendar to keep track of life. The difference is which style of calendar you live by. 

Are you a daily planner kind of person? My daughter who lives in New Zealand is a daily person. My guess anyway. She cannot live without her daily planner. During a recent visit, we checked out various options of a daily planner. One had a place for notes, which she prefers. But, she also likes to see the week as well. A bit of a mix between daily and a week at a glance. 

My husband found a great week-at-a-glance calendar (basically a weekly to-do list) that he can coordinate with his monthly calendar, particularly since he travels a lot. Remember, he's a calendar guy, lives to a weekly/monthly rhythm. Really gets into his calendar(s), as you can see below. Four calendars–monthly on his MacAir, weekly to-do list, month-at-a-glance, year-at-a-glance. At least for now. Notice the colors. 

I think I might have found my calendar for the year. We'll see if I use it. A year at a glance, I think it helps me visualize the seasons of my life in a way no other calendar has yet done for me. I like the linear look of the month. I've been known to have good intentions to use a yearly calendar, but get to the end of another year with no markings on it. Sigh. It's hard to be seasonal/yearly and have an affinity for calendars. 

How about you? What's your life rhythm and what type of calendar do you like to use? 

Beyond Ourselves

Perhaps a painting that isn't about Christmas is more about Christmas than we realize. Rembrandt's painting, Return of the Prodigal, shows the attitude of both sons, but more importantly, the heart of the father. 

Like the prodigal, left to ourselves, we spiral quickly. 

Left to ourselves, we are a people of hatred, envy, greed, lust, and power.

Left to ourselves, we control, manipulate, slander, abuse, and judge.

Left to ourselves, we create a world of war, racism, slavery, injustice, and oppression. 

Left to ourselves.

God knew the truth about us. He knew that we would not be happy without the freedom to make our own choices. Choices that would bring consequences. Choices that carried shame, sorrow, and pain. He knew that sin–missing the mark of what His Kingdom looks like–would bring destruction. But to do otherwise would not be love, even knowing a freewill meant his own rejection.

This love that gave mankind a freewill, a love that refused to control, provides the means by which we can be rescued from ourselves. Being the omniscient God that he is, he had a plan. It was a plan from the beginning of time, because he knew what would happen. Left to ourselves. 

In his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Henry Nouwen reflecting on Rembrandt's painting, writes a challenging portrayal of this story from Luke 15. The rebellious son chose to leave home and family with his early inheritance, carelessly spending it until there was nothing left. Left to himself, he ended up tending to pigs, sharing the same food he fed them. Only then did he recognize the destruction of his choices and turned his heart toward home. 

Nouwen challenges us to take a closer look at the elder son who stayed home. Truth be told, a judgmental and disgruntled attitude may describe more of us than outright rebellion (much like the Pharisees of Jesus' time and to whom he is telling the story). 

Yet, there is an element to this story that we often miss. The character of the father. This, Nouwen insists, is the crux of the story. He vividly portrays the heart of the father, who waits patiently in hope, graciously extends forgiveness, and generously bestows honor. 

What a different world it would be if we became more like the father – traits that move us beyond ourselves. 

Beyond ourselves. 

Beyond ourselves, we are a people of love, trust, generosity, kindness, and goodwill. 

Beyond ourselves, we are gracious, empathetic, compassionate, trustworthy, and respectful. 

Beyond ourselves, we create a world that is peace-loving, just, benevolent, impartial, and good-hearted.

This is why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus came to rescue us. From ourselves. From sin. From the enemy of our souls. Jesus came to set us free! 

The compelling factor that enables us to live beyond ourselves is a love founded in God through the gift of his Son, Jesus. 

A gift who gave himself "for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. - 2 Corinthians 5:15

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

My Greatest Joy

In the short time Unforced Rhythms has been released, I am encouraged by the responses from those who have read it. The highest compliment is to know that those who read the book sense my heart to relate and understand. My greatest joy is to know that others are finding freedom in God's grace.  And, the ultimate fruitfulness is to know Jesus is making himself more at home in people's hearts. 

Here's a taste of what people are saying: 

While the idea of questioning daily devotions seemed outlandish to me, I also have struggled for my 32 years of faith to follow a daily devotional schedule. As an artist, a writer, and a creative individual, I believe that I might trend toward a more seasonal, yearly rotation, as Jackson highlights in her book. I will spend hours, days, and even weeks in a state of prayer, scripture study, or worship, and come out renewed, strengthened and restored. – M.M.

The spirit of your book so clearly reflects who you are. It may be of no surprise to you that I am a daily person, however, I love what I am reading and agree with you so much about how we often make burdensome rules for one another to carry while defining it as spiritual maturity. Thanks for taking the time to write your book and for your deep loving care for so many. – L.W. 

Great truths - practical and your vulnerability sets people free to do the same. It has much to contribute to the spiritual formation landscape! – J.L.

I am just getting into reading your book. So far, I don’t want to put it down! I, too, wrestle with the guilt of having daily quiet times. I’m excited to see how the Lord uses your words in my life. – T.R. 

Finally, someone has spoken out loud what I have been thinking/struggling with for years; I don’t do “devotions” everyday and have spent much of my life feeling like I don’t measure up. As a pastor that is an obvious wrestling match. It’s not that my relationship with Christ isn’t daily, it just doesn’t always consist of reading my Bible and spending an hour in prayer everyday. – D.B.

I would imagine any author appreciates feedback on a book they have written. I am grateful beyond measure for those who have written to express the impact of the book on their life!

My prayer for those who find freedom in the pages of Unforced Rhythms comes from Galatians 5:1 – So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. 

It Found Me

Today I am sitting in the Budapest coffee shop where I first read Erica's email (as described in my first chapter) explaining her struggle with daily time with God. It was here, in this place, where I began to put words to paper in my response to Erica. This was the beginning of Unforced Rhythms. What began as an average email response ended up developing into an attached 5-page document. 

Coffee shops and Budapest inspire me :)

Writing out my thoughts has always been something that has helped me make sense out of life. And so, as I began creating a response to Erica, the words flowed out of years of my own angst in time with God, yet I could respond to her out of a place of freedom.  

Over the years, writing a book is a thought that crossed my mind from time to time. A few people told me that I should write a book on prayer.  In a roundabout way Unforced Rhythms is about prayer, but it took on a whole different angle than I ever saw it going.

After two decades of seeking and searching for answers to daily devotions, the truths and discoveries in Unforced Rhythms found me. They came to me through the Word, particularly Matthew 11:28–30. They came to me through the gentle voice of my heavenly father telling me to "just live" in place of striving. They came to me through others, like my friend, Dave, who shared his brilliant concept of Life Rhythms. 

I've heard it said, recently, that some things find us.  

The words to Unforced Rhythms came to me like a river flowing over granite cliffs falling to the base below where the waters just keep flowing. Though I searched for answers, the book came out of the answers that brought me freedom. They found me.

Life Rhythms and Children

Looking back on my life, I can see my seasonal/yearly rhythm playing out as early as my grade school years. The daily school routine would get the best of me. Up every morning at the same time to catch the school bus, homework every night, and the pressure to perform each day took its toll. Christmas break was never long enough. Summer gave freedom and flexibility. A routine sounded good at the beginning of a new school year, but within the first month I was already feeling the weariness of the day-in and day-out schedule. 

Recently a mom of four was sharing how her youngest has really struggled with the daily routine of school. He's having a difficult time getting up in the morning and pushing through the day. She hadn't even read the book yet, but by reading the website posts on the different rhythms, she determined her son most likely beats to the seasonal/yearly rhythm.

We talked about helping him to think in seasons to enable him to manage his little life in blocks of time. Having a beginning and end to things will help him to find a break from the routine. Giving him the freedom and flexibility to be unscheduled on the weekend would be important, a respite from the Monday through Friday drill. It will give him downtime and breathing space to be ready to get on the school bus Monday morning. 

A dad of two shared with me how he and his wife share the seasonal/yearly rhythm, as well as their teenage son. This leaves their middle school daughter who's daily often frustrated living in a household with three seasonal people. Structure? What structure? You can imagine with both parents beating to a seasonal rhythm, to-do lists, routines, and daily tasks are not a significant part of home life. This poor daughter must be going crazy living with seasonal only family members who tend to be more random than routine. Being aware of this is crucial to parenting. As a middle schooler, she can be guided in creating a routine for her days that make sense with the rest of the family. Perhaps a personal note pad where she can create a daily to-do list and check off the tasks (homework, household chores, etc) upon completion would be satisfying for her. 

It's important for parents to think about their kids life rhythm in regards to their spiritual formation. A mom of two junior-highers has been encouraging them to have their daily devotions, but after discovering Life Rhythms, realizes this might be counterproductive in their time with God.

Taking your child's unique Life Rhythm into consideration will be beneficial in helping them to connect with God in ways that are life-giving rather than defeating. If a child is daily, they will lean into the structure of a set time with God each day. Perhaps morning prayer before they head off to school, or a bedtime routine that includes prayer and a devotional book at the end of the day. If they're not daily, helping them discover the life rhythm they naturally lean into will guide them in how they spend time with God. A spiritual growth goal for the weekly/monthly child will motivate them to pursue a child-size plan that moves them forward in becoming more like Christ. Giving the seasonal/yearly child time to reflect, either through conversation or by keeping a journal, to process thoughts on life, things they're learning about God, and how they see themselves, will be meaningful to the seasonal child. 

Now, it makes sense to me that I roamed country roads and pastures on the farm I grew up on, in deep contemplation of God and life and faith. My third-grade teacher often accused me of day-dreaming, which I'm sure I was doing to take a mental break from the tedious routine of school. Even as a child, not knowing I lived to a seasonal rhythm, I found ways to experience life-giving moments in the midst of the daily. 

Discovering a child's life rhythm will empower a parent to know best how to facilitate their child's schedules. Whether a child is daily, weekly/monthly, or seasonal/yearly, understanding their life rhythm will only help them to make more sense out of how they do life.  

Hearing "Me Too" in other parts of the world

This past weekend Dennis and I had the privilege of celebrating the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation with our Egyptian friends. Sitting in the same room with key evangelical leaders from around the world was a surreal experience.  There are an estimated 250,000 evangelical Christians in Egypt, about 20% of the population.

The Great Pyramids of Giza

Though it was amazing to visit a city with rich ancient history, and to see pyramids dating back to 2,500 years BC, what I most enjoyed was the opportunity to interact with people. 

Hanan was our translator and so gracious to answer all my questions. Along the way she discovered that I had written my first book, curious to know what it was about. I told her the title and subtitle, pausing to wait for a reaction. She gave me a nod, with a knowing look, and so I continued on to share a bit more specifically about the book's topic. "Yes, we struggle with this here in Egypt, too." 

I wondered if Unforced Rhythms would be a book that crossed cultures. Did Christians in other parts of the world have the same spiritual angst that I did with daily devotions or was this just a North American thing?  

A few months ago in Africa, I spoke with our Zambian leader and pastor who oversees the church planting efforts in Malawi. He, too, asked about the book. After describing the topic of the book, I ask him if he had daily devotions. "Yes, but I do good for a couple weeks and then I struggle to stay at it." I told him I understood and that I think he would find the book helpful. He chuckled and said, "Well, you are the ones that taught us to do it!" 

Trusting God to determine the scope of influence in the message of Unforced Rhythms. 

Unforced Rhythms Spans the Generations

From millennials to retirees, the impact of Unforced Rhythms is making its mark. Much to my surprise, I am hearing from those who I thought might react to Life Rhythms.  I thought, perhaps, those who have been in the church for a long time might push back on something that goes against the grain of Christian standards. 

One retired couple reading it aloud on the 2,000 mile road trip to their winter haven in Arizona  sent me a message saying, "We are loving your book," asking to order three more copies for accountability friends. "When I read a few pages of the book before we left on the trip, I knew immediately he (her husband) would love the book." 

This is my hope and prayer, that all ages would be impacted by the message of Unforced Rhythms, and that it would be a book that both men and women would enjoy. I'm encouraged that 20% of my Instagram followers are men. And, the highest age span is 25–30. My favorite age group to connect with are young adults. Perhaps it's because my young adult years were so life-changing. It was in that season that the trajectory of my life was set.

I wrote the book with people in mind. I thought of my kids, all in their 30's, trusting that their hearts would resonate with the words. I wanted it to speak to millennials who are looking for authenticity in the church. I thought of my 86-year-old mom who suggested that I have the text font clear and crisp so she wouldn't have a problem reading it. :) I thought of my brother. who continues farming on the land I grew up on. I wanted him to believe the book worthy of a sit-down-and-read (without falling asleep) in the midst of full days on the farm. And, mostly I thought of anyone who needs to be set free from oughts and shoulds, from self-or-others imposed expectations, and those bearing heavy yokes. 

It's a book about freedom, celebrating each other's differences, and mostly, about God's love and grace.

A Year of Psalm 91

Early in January, Dennis and I had the opportunity to meet up with Global Partner leaders In Barbados. I know, not such a bad place to go in January! It wasn't the first time we had been on this gorgeous island. On a previous visit, we ask the National Superintendent (of the Wesleyan Church) and his wife if they used Fahrenheit or Celsius for their weather reading. They looked at each other considering the question. "We don't know. We never have to think about the weather." For those of us who live in the seasonal changes of summer to fall and fall to winter, can you imagine?! This little island, 21-miles long, 14-miles wide, stays a summery 70 to 88 degrees all year round. 

Since we were there over a Sunday, the leadership team spread out to preach in a number of churches across the island. Dennis and I enjoyed the vibrant Caribbean-style worship, and then I was so intrigued by what the congregation did prior to the message. The worship pastor had the congregation stand to recite a passage of scripture on the screen at the front of the church. One passage was from the Old Testament, and the other from the New Testament. These passages, he explained, were chosen as a declaration of their faith for the new year. They planned to read them every Sunday. 

As I took in the words of their Old Testament selection, Psalm 91, I decided right then and there, this was a passage I wanted to put to memory. Seasonal person that I am, I first thought I would memorize it over a 3-month period. Early on though, I decided to be creative with the passage, sketching an image that represented a set of verses, using my watercolor pencils to complete the picture. 

It has been a meaningful way to take in this Psalm, and it's going to take me the entire year to get through it. So, rather than a Psalm for a season, it has become the Psalm for 2017. That's a seasonal/yearly person for you.