The Power of Generational Legacy

Many people have asked my father how in the world a school teacher from Nebraska (who is not much of a world traveler), ended up with both his children serving God overseas.

Read this blog at the risk of altering the course of your life (legacy is irresistible), your children’s lives, and the lives of the kids around you. You WILL see a world changed forever...

How do you change the world?

Destiny Words.  

Spoken one at a time. Year in and year out. Over and over. They get under your skin and seep into your blood.

I’ve stood in awe of three generations of men who know how to speak the language of destiny.  I’ve seen it with my own eyes.  It’s powerful. It’s a force that cannot be stopped.

My grandfather was born in 1901.  As a teenager, while his brother was at boy scout camp,  he’d work all summer long on a dairy farm to earn $50.  At the end of the summer, his entire earnings went to pay for shoes for all the kids in his family.

Christian Jensen (20 years old - 1921)

One summer he discovered that one of the cow’s milk dried up.  No one could figure out why...till my grandfather found the boa constrictor that had been drinking the cow’s milk all summer. I’m trying not to picture that!

He was the first among his friends to save up enough money to buy a car...a black Ford Model T.  And he was COOL!  As the only dark haired Danish boy, attending a church of blond Swedish girls...he was quite the catch.

My grandfather married my beautiful grandmother, and he took a job with the Union Pacific as clerk.

To me, this is where the story gets really interesting.

Cecil B DeMille’s film “Union Pacific” came out in 1939, and the railroad brought in the film’s celebrities for the ”Golden Spike Days”– a 4 day event celebrating the film’s premier.  The president of the Union Pacific asked my grandfather to put together a drum and bugle corp of the employee’s kids for the event.  It was such a success, my grandfather was asked to continue the corp.

For many years he passed up promotions for his clerk day job...so he could keep directing the corp (accepting a promotion would have meant working on Saturdays...the day of band practice, so he declined).

For over 30 years he led the corp...and became like a father to many of the kids. Kind and generous, he mentored the boys, taking them on camping trips...where he made cabin stew, showed them how to build fires, and spent time fathering them.

Chris Jensen (first row...far left)

To him it wasn’t about money or titles – it was about inspiring and loving kids. 

He had so much favor with the Union Pacific presidents (because their kids were in the corp), that when he stepped down, his "clerk's retirement package" somehow reflected all those promotions he refused to take.

The UP Drum and Bugle corp was a special place, not just for my grandfather, but for my parents.  In fact, this is how they met...my mother was a baton twirling 14 year old and my father was the 17 year old drum major.

Paul Jensen - Drum Major

Dorothy Freeman (center) - baton twirler

The drum major and baton twirler -
almost 50 years later (they clean up good)

Which brings me to my father.

When I’m back in Omaha, Nebraska – invariably we will be out to eat at a restaurant with my parents.  I can’t tell you how many hundreds of times kids have come up to my father and said,

“Hello, Mr. Jensen, How is your day?  And how are you, Mrs. Jensen? And can I have my Bonus 2?”

Ahhh....the famous Bonus 2.  My father has been a math teacher for 40 years this year...and he has a running deal with his students.  If they see him out in public and can properly greet him and my mother...he will give them a math problem that, if solved correctly, can earn them 2 bonus math points.  I’m not sure exactly how far 2 bonus math points will really take you...but I will say these kids look like they’ve won the lottery.

Which reminds me, a few years back Warren Buffet gave my dad $10,000 – for winning the Alice Buffett Outstanding Teacher Award.

That’s pittance to what my father is worth as a teacher.

Kids adore him.  He is arguably everyone’s favorite teacher. I’m pretty sure this has little to do with the Harley Davidson songs he makes them sing, or the endearing nick-names he gives every one of his kids (if they haven’t received their Mr Jensen nick-name yet...they hassle him till he comes up with something they both like), or the games they play in and out of class.

I’ll never forget being in my bedroom as a teenager and seeing one of his students dart past my second story window – ready to drop a water balloon on my dad.  He had some kind of contest going about who would get soaking wet first.  I’m sure there was some kind of math problem worked in to that?

My dad and his grandgirls

For thousands of students, he has somehow made math painless, called destiny into the lives of every student, and left each one with a sense that they should “Not Fit in, But Stand Out for Jesus.”

Of course this is what my father did for my brother and I every day of our life – spoke God’s destiny into dinner conversation and car rides. My mother whispered it into our ears at bedtime. 

My mom, brother, me and dad
(2011 trip to US was the last time we were all together)

When my brother was applying for college, he spoke to the guidance counselor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  She said, “Oh...your dad is Paul Jensen?  We’ve heard of him.  So many students have come here to study teaching because of your dad.”

And that brings me to my brother.  He’s number three in this generational legacy.

He is a science teacher at an international school in central asia, attended by the children of political leaders and world shakers.

I’m sure you can guess. He is everyone’s favorite teacher. He makes science come alive, while he weaves in stories of freedom, sacrifice...and I’m sure you know what I’m going to say...destiny.

One day in Physics class he paused from the lesson and said, “Dream big for your country!” The class respond by saying they had never had a dream for their country. He threw the physics lessons out for the rest of the week and the kids began to plan, write papers, and share their dreams for their country with each other. 

Another time in Chemistry class, he challenged his students to finish school, go to college, and then return to help their country. The kids responded saying "No Mr. Jensen, security will never be good enough to live in this country. We will finish school and leave."

Then and there he gave them the call of a lifetime.  He told them, “I predict 2014 will be a year of peace and if I’m correct, I challenge you to return to this place and help build a strong, solid, country.”  This was 5 years ago when no one could have guessed that that next year would be likely to be peaceful.

At the end of the class, nine brave students signed a contract that hangs in my brother’s office...stating they would return under those circumstances. Many of those students are in college now, watching to see what 2014 holds....poised for action.

My brother in his classroom

My brother’s students today are their nation's leaders tomorrow.  The destiny of a nation has been altered.  And as we all know too well...what happens all the way around the world with heads of state...affects us all.

To those children who know only of war, corruption and retribution...his words and stories bring grace and freedom.

God’s destiny – when spoken over a lost generation – is water to a thirsty soul, balm over wounds, light in the darkest place.

As I look down my family line, I see that the world is altered for eternity when a father speaks destiny, life and vision....even to those children who are not his own.

Generational Legacy has a domino effect that I am convinced, when spread out over time, will affect hundreds of thousands of those who feel fatherless.

I have begun to think about generational blessing in a new way. 

Every night, Karl prays for our girls, and after my children have gone to sleep, I slip into their room and speak words of God’s blessing and destiny over their lives.

Emerson, Jensen, Adison

I tell them, “God has put you in this family for a very special reason.  There are things for you to do that no one else in this world can do.  You were born for a very important purpose and God has given you many gifts and talents. Do not be afraid.” The message alters, but the essential meaning remains the same.

It’s interesting, since I started doing this several weeks ago, Jensen’s nightmares that have plagued her for years and fears in general have totally disappeared. Huh!

Destiny Words spoken in the bright light of classroom or whispered in the moonlight... matter for all eternity.

This world WILL shake when we call our children’s God given destiny to the front! 

As I heard someone recently say, “May our ceiling be the floor our children walk on.” 

Nanosecond of Fame

Some of you have been wondering how in the world Jensen and Emme ended up in a Disney commercial.

Well...let me tell you a little story.

You may have seen the “I am a Princess” commercial playing on Nickelodeon and the Disney channel right now.

Our girls appear for the MOST NANO of seconds in that commercial – so if you blink...you will definitely miss them!

 Click here to see the "I am a Princess" Disney Commercial

It all started one day last spring.  We were getting behind a few months on Emme’s school fees (her school has a special program for Down syndrome and is over $300 a month).

We didn’t want to ask our supporters for more money – everyone had been so generous already.

As Karl was driving to Emme's school one morning he prayed, “Lord, please give us some creative ways to bring in more income to cover costs for Emme’s needs.”

That same morning, unknown to Karl, I received an email from the Down Syndrome Association about Disney looking for children with Down syndrome for their “anyone can be a princess” commercial. Disney is changing their princess image – from Barbie doll princesses who are slightly helpless – to princesses in all shapes and sizes – with character and courage

I thought..."Yeah! Right!"  But on a whim...I sent off a response and attached Emme's photo.
.

Our Princess

Apparently there is a lot of filming done in Cape Town (because of the great tax structure, mild weather all year round, ethnically diverse talent).  Who knew?

After a few casting calls and wardrobe checks...both our girls were selected and we showed up for the shoot.  Disney had chosen 65 kids to be shot at locations all over Cape Town in a two day period.  Our location was someone’s actual house.  We met a very nice Asian family whose two daughters had also been chosen.  They were in the room next to us (you can see them in several shots in the commercial). These were model children...delightful candidates...with perfect behaviour.  We however, were another story.

So we showed up that day bright and cheerful, but... 

After waiting around for 3 hours for our turn..the girls were getting pretty cranky

      - Emme refused to let Jensen put the handmade princess crown on her head – she just screamed and ripped it off (she does NOT like hats).  There is no bargaining with Emme. Promising treats for good behaviour or threatening punishment in a crisis situation gets you absolutely nowhere with her.

      - Jensen was too caught up in the amazing “girl room” decorations of their staged bedroom to pay any attention whatsoever to the director

      -  I was desperately trying to make the girls cooperate and didn't realize I was becoming “THAT parent.”  The director finally had to say, “Uh, Mom...we need you to move out of the way! Your arm keeps getting in the shot!” So Embarrassing!!

      - Every time the girls were doing something cute and princess-like (in my Professional Mom Opinion) – the cord would come unplugged on the camera (batteries would have been nice) and they would miss the shot that I am sure would have launched our children’s career in stardom

Completely frazzled, we were about to leave when they asked Karl if we would do a behind-the-scenes interview (for Disney’s internal purposes).

The interview began, and I really do not know what came over me.

They started by asking me...”So what have the Disney princesses meant to you?”

I could not tell you who that person was that started to talk...but suddenly I was overcome with how the princesses had changed my life! I went on and on and on....about how they made me believe in myself, how they were so unselfish and inspiring!  I even started to cry. What??!!?

It was crazy-town!

Poor Karl couldn't get in a word edge-wise because I could not stop talking about how amazing the princesses are.  This is a loss for Disney, as Karl is the true Disney fan in this family.  He grew up going to Disney World with his family and has many happy memories there.

Eventually the interviewer decided he needed to hear something else, so he turns to Jensen and says, “What do YOU think about the princesses?”

Jensen, normally quite the talker, looks at him very confused...saying absolutely nothing.  She clearly has not had any life-altering experiences with the Disney Princesses, unlike her mother.

In an attempt to jump start her, I say “Jensen...don’t you think the princesses are kind?”

She looks at me and says a bit bewildered, “Mom! Jesus is kind!”

She’s got that right.

We recover and apparently I was still talking about princesses when Jensen says, “Mom!”

I say, “Jensen...I’m talking.  Please wait.”

I keep on trucking on the Way Princesses Have Changed My Life Forever. Clearly I have a lot to say on this subject.

She says again a little more urgently, “Mom!”

Me (trying not to sound high pitched and annoyed in the middle of my Dateline worthy interview) say, “Just a minute, Jensen!”

Jensen nearly frantic now...“Mom!”

Me, “Yes! WHAT is it?”

Jensen... “Look at Emme, mom!”

And there across from us, Emme has the Vice President of Disney World Media on her knees in a near fetal position – with Emme’s death-grip on this woman’s beautiful long blonde hair.

I rush over...prying her fingers off and saying, “No! No! Emme. No! No pulling hair!” 

She may seem harmless...but she lures you in with her big smile - while she's planning all the while to pull a big chunk of your hair out by the roots

Needless to say the interview ended quickly and we left as soon as possible, convinced the girls’ scene would be cut from the commercial.  We were shocked to find out months later the girls had their nanosecond of fame after-all.

Although Disney hasn’t been beating own our door, it did cover Emme’s school feels for the rest of last year - an amazing gift from the True King for our Princess Emme!

That day I went a little princess crazy - and turned all of Jensen's old birthday hats into "princess caps" (although I thought  I was very clever...Jensen just really wanted the birthday hats back)

Note: Julie Ostrand  founded "Motherhood is Beautiful," a holistic program in South Africa created to empower at-risk mothers through mentoring, skills development, and job creation.

"Empower a Mom.com" is the brand name of the beautiful home decor products made in our job creation program.

These products are created by hand and every time you purchase an "Empower a Mom.com" product, you help a mother in Africa provide food for her family.

If you love empowering at-risk moms or helping a small business get started...join us now and contribute seed money to help us launch our new home decor product line and create jobs for moms in Africa!

Our goal is to raise $5,000 by October 31, 2014! Help launch our business in Africa to empower moms and contribute now...

Me and June Cleaver

I really do feel like I’m living in 1954. I have to say...believe the hype! There is something a  magical about life 50 years ago.

For instance...

1. I am the dishwasher - We do not have a dishwasher so we hand wash all our dishes.  Wow!  Three meals a day for a family of 5 – that’s A LOT of dishes.  June Cleaver made it look so fun in those dresses and aprons! She didn’t sweat! She glowed! Her hair was magnificent and her kitchen sparkled. I think I would be having a much better time if I added some heels, pearls and cardigans to my dishwashing experience.

I’m way too excited about these kitchen scrubbers sent by a friend in America (thanks Jennifer)

2.  Not a disposable lifestyle – We seem to save everything!  It’s almost like I grew up in the Great Depression...I just can’t throw it away!  Ziplock bags, plastic disposable cups, the flimsy container the strawberries come in....you get the idea. I even look at empty toilet paper rolls and think, “I’m SURE Jensen could make a craft out of that!  It’s really TOO good to throw away! I could desperately need this someday!”

In fact she did make a craft out of the TP roll...last week I turned around and she said, “Look, Mom! I made this 'camera' all by myself!" (I was actually pretty impressed)

On a side note....someone was asking me about our “wheelybin” recently.  I kept saying “What?” “What?” Until I realized they were saying Wheely Bin – meaning our outdoor trash can on wheels. I’m not absolutely positive I speak English here.

3. Line drying laundry – Until I moved to Africa...I had never hung clothes to dry outside. Here’s how I used to look at sunny days...

·         As a kid -  Fun! Now I can run around the neighbourhood endlessly and ride my bike and climb countless tress

·         In my teens – Great! Now I can lay out and get a stellar tan!

·         In my 20’s – Not Great! I’m stuck inside working on a gorgeous day.

·         In my 30’s – Fantastic! Now I can line dry my laundry and save $2 on electricity (big savings not using the “tumble drier” as they call it)

4. Jensen’s school – Jensen goes to a “public school” – but it feels like a nice small town school from the 50’s.  Her teacher is a Christian, they can pray in school, and religion is encouraged. The parents are nice, the teachers are nice...it’s all just so very nice.

5. He’s on the 20, the 15, the 5, Touchdown Nebraska! Karl found a way to listen to the Husker Game last weekend on the radio.   Kinda like a big screen, high-def TV...but not really. Actually, it was an iPad app that lets you listen to any radio station around the world. Similar to 1950...but in a much more global, techy way. 

 6.  I truly feel like I’m living in a small town.  The valley where we live is composed of several small towns within a 7 mile stretch.  So even though there are about 100,000 people in this little nook on the tip of Africa...every time I go to the grocery store or local cafe, I run into many people I know. Jensen and Karl play the game, “Who can see the first person we know?" (Jensen always wins with her eagle eyes).

Upside...you’re likely to know someone in the parking lot if your car won’t start (it’s happened...came in handy for a jump start). Downside: I can’t just run to grab some bananas in my sweats and hope I won’t see anyone I know. They will find me...especially if I’m make-up less and severely wind blown.

7. Mom and Pop Stores - There really aren't a lot of “chains” around here...the area is largely made up of locally owned restaurants and shops.  Where we used to go to Walmart as one stop for everything...we now have to go to 10 different smaller stores. Fish Hoek, a nearby small town, feels like Ansley, Nebraska 50 years ago – when small towns were alive and well. We can’t help but “Go Local and Buy Green.”

I confess there is a McDonalds nearby, but I have yet to find someone who can understand my thick American accent filtered through the drive-through intercom system (I try to tell them it's not ME with the accent).  This experience is usually composed of two people yelling, “What? What? WHAT??!?” into the microphone till I give up and drive to the window to give my order in person (they are still not quite sure what I’m talking about...which is pretty amazing since I’m just listing items off their menu). Karl is waging a silent war and now refuses to ever order anything through the speaker system (to their shock...he drives straight to the window every time).

 8. Neighbours with Chickens - Jensen was saying the other day that she really wants to see chickens and “pick eggs.”  When you’re living in the 1950’s...you naturally have friends with chickens in their back yard. Why wouldn’t you?  Of course we stopped by our friend’s house and Jensen gathered some eggs! Those chickens are on a mission!

Real chickens pecking away!

 9.  Words have new meaning -   Expressions that came from an earlier time in our history have taken on new meaning for us!

·         Don’t let the bed bugs bite – I used to say this to Jensen all the time back in America while I was tucking her in.  Ever since our bed bug incident...Jensen will say, “Mom! Don’t say that!! That scares me!”  She’s right...bed bugs are no joke.

·         Pecking order – Who knew that this expression came from chickens?  When Jensen went to feed the chickens the owner explained to us that there is a pecking order – as the chickens literally peck each other in a certain order. Chickens are not to be trifled with.

·         See you Soon, Baboon – Too many baboons around here that we do NOT want to see soon!

 10. Services – They pump your gas for you at the gas station (job creation is a big deal here so even you wanted to...you can’t pump it yourself) and when you go to the doctor you actually see the doctor for most of the time (instead of all the nurses – the doctor is the one that actually weighs you, takes your blood pressure, and checks out the pee you JUST peed in a cup...right there in front of you...I admit...slightly disturbing...I prefer to think of my pee in a quarantined environment not handled by actual humans)

So there you go!

Of course this is Africa...and there is so much poverty, drugs and horrible situations...right next to all the 1950ness.  My life really feels like a strange combination of The Help, Lean on Me (or Dangerous Minds or Freedom Writers – take your pic of inspiring inner city school movies), and Tsotsi (set in one South Africa's notoriously crime-ridden townships).

We hope we are tempting you to visit and experience (or re-experience) America circa 1954 Africa style!

Motherhood is Beautiful

Motherhood is messy and noisy and shockingly wonderful.  Adison Rose...my beautiful, smiley precious baby girl – is also my marathon crier, Olympic back-archer, and serial nap protester.  You would think my perfect parenting would have fixed this by now!  Ha!

One night a few weeks after she was born, my husband found me in tears around midnight.  I was so thankful for his helpfulness...and my heart was broken for women all over the world who do not have supportive husbands, kind family members, resources or even a separate bed to put their new little baby into at night. I really couldn’t stop crying.

As I looked into my baby girls’ eyes...my heart was torn to shreds for those without enough money for diapers,  enough knowledge about breastfeeding, enough energy for parenting....for those with not enough of just about everything they really need.

The answer here in Africa is not handing out more cash, distributing bigger bags of food, or even finding someone a job.  We need a holistic way to a walk a journey with the mothers in our community...a journey of beauty from the ugliness that surrounds them.

All Too Common Ugly Scenarios

• Babies are hit/beat if they cry too much (culture says that these babies are being “naughty” and should be punished)
• Diaper rashes and cradle cap easily get out of control (babies with a severe, raw and bleeding diaper rash and cradle cap goes untreated for long periods of time and infection sets in)
• Children often grow up on a diet of chips and soda pop (that’s all these mothers know to do...because that’s what their parents did for them)

I am challenged to resist the temptation is to treat the ugly symptoms I find so appalling...without digging deep enough to see Him bind up hearts where they are most broken and turn the ashes into beauty.

He makes motherhood beautiful when we walk a journey of gratitude, joy and hope together.

“Motherhood is Beautiful” – a new Baby Safe program we are launching next week -  was born out of a desire to encourage and support mothers through discipleship, training and just being living examples.

Strategy: Engage with women 5 days a week (with Baby Safe staff and volunteers plugging in to areas where they are passionate)

·         Discovery Bible Studies

·         Baby Health (breast feeding, diaper rashes, cradle cap, proper growth, colic, etc.)

·         Finances (creating and maintaining a family budget)

·         Time Management (developing healthy life rhythms)

·         Nutrition (buying and making healthy meals for your family)

·         Child Rearing (taking joy in motherhood, communicating with your child, discipline)

·         Exercise (walking and dance lessons)

·         Sewing classes (potential source of income)

So Motherhood is beautiful.  It really is. 

Beautiful at 2 am with a screaming baby. 

Beautiful when you have changed your shirt for the 5^th time that day (due to a seemingly never end flow of spit up on your left shoulder).

Adi and the 5 shirts she spit up on that day

Beautiful when you’re late again due to another out of control poopy diaper that has somehow amazingly blown out both the back and front – with no substance actually in the diaper (this actually happened to me when I was by myself with a 9 month old Jensen on an airplane – found a large pile of poo in my LAP – none to be found in the diaper. Let’s just say the passenger next to me really appreciated that.)

Beautiful when you realize how much thankfulness, joy and hope are wrapped up in this tiny little bundle of epic smiles, ear piercing screams, and life altering moments when you realize you ARE IT. 

No one else is going to parent this child but you.  Ministry, promotions, projects and hobbies can wait.  Parenting cannot. Parenting is THE gig...and it’s beautiful.

Want to join us on a journey to see mothers in disadvantaged communities embrace the beauty of motherhood?  

Find out how to get involved with "Motherhood is Beautiful!" Click here: http://www.karlandjulie.com/info_whatwedo_teaching.asp

Top Five Moments in Africa With My Parents

I couldn't help but burst into tears when I saw my parents walk out of the Cape Town terminal. This is the first time they have flown over the Atlantic and it was an incredible time together. They got to meet Adison Rose for the first time, experience the breath-taking beauty Cape Town and connect with our amazing community.

Here are my 5 top highlights...

1.     STATE FAIR: Driving on the “wrong” side of the road was quite the adventure for my dad. He would yell “State Fair!” during scary moments.  He said, “It’s a lot like a ride at the state fair... mostly safe, but you still feel like you are about to die at any given moment.”

  

2.     MEETING ADI: My parents had to wait 3 ½ months before they could meet their seventh grandchild...Adison Rose!  They fell in love with her instantly! The first thing my mother said to her at the airport was, “Adi Rose! Who do you look like?” After carefully looking her over and deciding there was no obvious family resemblance, she said, “I guess you look like yourself!” She does look like...well... herself! I suppose we all look a bit like ourselves. J

On a side note: Regarding Adi...I REALLY don’t know why I get asked numerous times if she is “a doll.”  Finally the last time I said, “No!  Why would I do that?” And the women remarked in deep South American accent “Dees people...de will do anyting!”  At any rate...I guess she’s right.  I looked it up and there are women who buy these “reborn dolls” – made to look like real babies.  They take them out shopping, to restaurants, to events – treating them like actual babies.  I guess people really will do anything!

Adi looks like a doll??

Maybe?

3.     THE BLESSING: My parents took some time to bless our fellow missionary friends in our house church...they said, “On behalf of all of your parents...we just want you to say, We are so proud of you!” Everyone was so touched by the love and support of my parents.

Here is a video of our house church the night my parents came (singing "Spring up O Well")

I've got a river of life flowin' out of me.
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see.
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free.
I've got a river of life flowin' out of me.

Spring up O Well.
Within my soul.
Spring up O Well
And make me whole.
Spring up O Well
And give to me
That life abundantly.

This song is the prayer I want to walk out every day with my life!

4.     FRIENDS FROM OCEAN VIEW. It was so great to have my parents meet Claudine.  She said, “I finally get to meet my American family!”  I also really enjoyed having my mom come to the Yellow House and meet the high school girls from Ocean View I’ve been mentoring for a few years.  She shared her story of how she met Jesus and prayed a blessing over them.

5.     THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE: I couldn’t believe it when my dad said, “Julie, this was the best day of my life.”  It was a great day of spending time together and soaking in the beauty of Africa. We went to the top of Table Mountain and pictures really can’t describe how awe-inspiring the view is – from the top you can see two oceans, all of Cape Town, and many of the small towns surrounding where we live. That night we experienced some African food with live African dancers.

I am so grateful my parents came and blessed us in more ways than we can describe in words.  Since we are not going back to America this year, it was life-giving to have family visit us.

As Karl was pulling out of the driveway to take them to the airport to leave...my father was sitting in the front seat.  I ran out, jumped in his lap and wrapped my arms around him. I’m not too old to sit in my daddy’s lap.  


I thought...I understand God better because I have a good father.  A father who knows how to give good gifts, who delights in just being around me, who loves deeply and sacrificially.

This is our God...our amazing Father!  He adores us and is working out hundreds of details every moment of every day for our good.  He is trustworthy...He is perfect...He is worth it all!

The Negativity Fast

I’ve decided I want to root out the sin in my life...truly on every level. When I look it in the eye, I think the biggest area of sin in my life is negativity.

How far am I willing to take things to let real joy take over?

I recently heard a woman talk about the scripture that says “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely...” (Hebrews 12:1)

She talked about how some things in our life may not be sin...but are definitely weights.  Things like...

-          A hectic schedule – A schedule that gives you no time to breathe (so much so you are usually praying other people will cancel on you).  She said God doesn’t make the schedule, you do...so fix it.

-          Debt – When you’re in debt you constantly feel the walls closing in around you. She said to make a plan – a real plan to save and get out of debt.

-          Unhealthy Eating – Being overweight  (oh how we love to eat). I recently ate an entire bag of my precious American chocolate chips...before I could even make the cookies.

-          Negativity – Complaining, whining and gossiping.  She suggested a Negativity Fast. Oh dear! Can I give up my precious negativity?

Huh!  I really could improve in all these areas- but the Lord is speaking to me about my negativity.  It’s sad, really, that I need a fast to help me guard my words.  But the truth is...I do.

I want to call a spade a spade – it’s gossip...slandering someone I know. It’s not giving my opinion, supporting a friend or seeking advice. It’s gossip.  There...I’ve said it.

And complaining is just that...complaining.  I’m usually trying to get my husband to do something differently with my complaining– but the truth is that whining is not pretty.

Here is my plan...

1    --  to enlist as many people as I can to join me (or at least hold me to it)

      --  replace my negative words with God’s life-altering words

The first topics that have to go...

-          1. Commenting on crazy drivers (I’m sure I’d be appalled at what other drivers are saying about me within the confines of their cars...I can certainly be a little crazy myself)

-          2. People who have hurt me

-          3. Programs (and the people involved) that I feel are ineffective, ill-intentioned or just plain annoying

The truth is...I can only be negative if there is something I want more than Jesus.  Many times I realize there are quite a few things I want more than Jesus (people to like me, life to be easy, pain to be minimal)....but I WANT to want Jesus more than anything.

So I begin with something small...a 7 day fast from poisonous words. I will lay it aside! I had two friends join me today...and I must admit.  I got a little bit excited! 

What if we did this with our closest friends...our spouses...our community?

What if we all decided not to let one word of complaint or gossip pass through our lips for 7 days?  What about 40 days? What about a year?  I think it would change the culture....joy would seep in, praise would sprout up, hope would abound. I want it...even if I can only grasp 7 days at a time. I’m all in!

Read what my friend Claudine has to say... http://www.karlandjulie.com/journal_may2012.asp#negativity

If you have a verse...ANY verse that has been encouraging to you...please send it my way (leave comments below) or email to julie@karlandjulie.com