Monday, June 18, 2012
The day the neighborhood saw my underwear...
The other day I was planting my garden... If you know me well, you understand that when I get something in my head I run full speed into the idea throwing caution to the wind. On this day last week, I suddenly had the urge to plant a garden. I must say, I looked really cute that day, I had my hair all done up and I was wearing this nice, big skirted, flowing dress. I somehow managed to hoe the whole garden, pull up all the weeds, scratch up the soil and gingerly plant all of my treasures without getting my dress coated in grime. My hands however, were coated in all sorts of mud and yuck so I went to wash up in the house. To my dismay, my roommates had come home and locked the house on their way out! I was stuck outside!
Suddenly, I remembered that a few days before I had found a spider on something and was so entirely freaked out that I had opened up the window, pulled out the screen and thrown the object out onto the roof. :) That window must still be unlocked!?!?! I climbed up the side of the house via the chain link fence, neglecting to lock the gate on the way up. Unfortunately, ALL the windows into the house from the roof were locked tight so I decided to make my way down. But, the gate I hadn't locked in all of its swingingness was IMPOSSIBLE to climb down onto... Smart move, Korynne.
My only option was to jump off the roof. Thoughts of both of my legs breaking in two raced through my mind as I prepared to jump.
And then it happened, I sailed through the air and it was glorious. But I was in a dress! The nice, flowing type, remember? The whole thing went over my head like a parachute that couldn't catch the wind... As I flew through the air, I wondered if there was anyone around to see my underwear. And then I landed on all fours in the grass with my dress over my head. Embarrassing.
That is something I would've done when I was 10 years old, but at 25?
The lesson I learned was twofold, never should one garden in a nice dress and even more importantly, one should NEVER CLIMB UP TO A ROOF IN A DRESS.
Suddenly, I remembered that a few days before I had found a spider on something and was so entirely freaked out that I had opened up the window, pulled out the screen and thrown the object out onto the roof. :) That window must still be unlocked!?!?! I climbed up the side of the house via the chain link fence, neglecting to lock the gate on the way up. Unfortunately, ALL the windows into the house from the roof were locked tight so I decided to make my way down. But, the gate I hadn't locked in all of its swingingness was IMPOSSIBLE to climb down onto... Smart move, Korynne.
My only option was to jump off the roof. Thoughts of both of my legs breaking in two raced through my mind as I prepared to jump.
And then it happened, I sailed through the air and it was glorious. But I was in a dress! The nice, flowing type, remember? The whole thing went over my head like a parachute that couldn't catch the wind... As I flew through the air, I wondered if there was anyone around to see my underwear. And then I landed on all fours in the grass with my dress over my head. Embarrassing.
That is something I would've done when I was 10 years old, but at 25?
The lesson I learned was twofold, never should one garden in a nice dress and even more importantly, one should NEVER CLIMB UP TO A ROOF IN A DRESS.
Thoughts for today...
The past two weeks have been full of work, hard work but the fun and adventuresome type. I moved in to a beautiful old house with a ton of character and so much potential... It has beautiful wooden detail work and wood floors throughout the whole house, romantic fireplaces and the cute type of windows that you always wish you could have in your house. And... can we just talk about the stinking kitchen! It is gloriously enormous! And it is all updated with new appliances, nicely tiled floors and granite countertops. My heart is to make this a community house for young women, a safe haven to know and be known as well as a home where we can propel each other into the deeper things of God.
When I moved in, this house was a WRECK! I mean, an absolute beautiful mess! For example, there is a really cute sunroom in the back side of the house, I plan on turning it into a little prayer and worship room but it was used as a storage room for a few years. In that little sunroom alone I pulled out 10 bags of trash! Not to mention all the random items that are still in the garage waiting to be claimed. Everyday I have picked a room to spend the day cleaning and organizing. I even cleaned out the flower beds and planted a small garden. Last week I finally hit that mark where I could take a deep breath and say.... "Now I can call this home!"
As I was cleaning this beautiful home, I saw it as a picture of how the Lord deals with us. He knits us together so tenderly, with so much creativity and joy in our mother's womb. As we learn and grow we allow the enemy to come through our choices, circumstances and culture and flub everything up with his trash and muck and dirt. The goal of the enemy is to steal, kill and destroy every ounce of promise and beauty possible. He does a good job, sometimes we have to dig really deep beyond the surface of our hearts to find an ounce of hope. But, if we open our hearts to the Lord and allow all of that muck and junk to be exposed to Him, He will come with more tenderness, with more joy and excitement than you can imagine and clean out those broken and dirty places. He knows the beauty He placed there, He sees beyond all the crap, all the pain, all the bitterness and sorrow. He is more than willing to restore those rooms of our hearts if only we are willing, if only we can come to that place where we surrender and acknowledge our need for Him to make the wrong things right.
Sometimes I look at my heart, see the darkness and want to give up... I absolutely despise my tendency to have a bad attitude when I don't get my way. Or worse yet, my ability to manipulate situations to get what I want, sometimes I just feel gross about the way I respond to people. My heart is SO DARK! What I love about the Lord though is that He sees beyond the darkness because He made me, He already knows the potential that He placed there Himself and He is committed to drawing it out. I am dark but He sees the lovely! Oh, what a privilege! To be seen as lovely by the Creator of the universe!!!
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn of many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified!
Romans 8:28-30
I am setting my eyes on the things above, and relying on His restoration power to bring me into fullness of LIFE in Him!
I am THANKFUL for His grace today!
When I moved in, this house was a WRECK! I mean, an absolute beautiful mess! For example, there is a really cute sunroom in the back side of the house, I plan on turning it into a little prayer and worship room but it was used as a storage room for a few years. In that little sunroom alone I pulled out 10 bags of trash! Not to mention all the random items that are still in the garage waiting to be claimed. Everyday I have picked a room to spend the day cleaning and organizing. I even cleaned out the flower beds and planted a small garden. Last week I finally hit that mark where I could take a deep breath and say.... "Now I can call this home!"
As I was cleaning this beautiful home, I saw it as a picture of how the Lord deals with us. He knits us together so tenderly, with so much creativity and joy in our mother's womb. As we learn and grow we allow the enemy to come through our choices, circumstances and culture and flub everything up with his trash and muck and dirt. The goal of the enemy is to steal, kill and destroy every ounce of promise and beauty possible. He does a good job, sometimes we have to dig really deep beyond the surface of our hearts to find an ounce of hope. But, if we open our hearts to the Lord and allow all of that muck and junk to be exposed to Him, He will come with more tenderness, with more joy and excitement than you can imagine and clean out those broken and dirty places. He knows the beauty He placed there, He sees beyond all the crap, all the pain, all the bitterness and sorrow. He is more than willing to restore those rooms of our hearts if only we are willing, if only we can come to that place where we surrender and acknowledge our need for Him to make the wrong things right.
Sometimes I look at my heart, see the darkness and want to give up... I absolutely despise my tendency to have a bad attitude when I don't get my way. Or worse yet, my ability to manipulate situations to get what I want, sometimes I just feel gross about the way I respond to people. My heart is SO DARK! What I love about the Lord though is that He sees beyond the darkness because He made me, He already knows the potential that He placed there Himself and He is committed to drawing it out. I am dark but He sees the lovely! Oh, what a privilege! To be seen as lovely by the Creator of the universe!!!
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn of many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified!
Romans 8:28-30
I am setting my eyes on the things above, and relying on His restoration power to bring me into fullness of LIFE in Him!
I am THANKFUL for His grace today!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
A really, really fun and encouraging dream...
A dear friend dreamt of me this week and it really blessed me, it goes as follows....
In my dream, it was your wedding day. The ceremony was taking place at my old church in Seattle - Christ Church Kirkland. I remember entering the foyer and seeing you standing there in your gown, getting ready to make your entrance. The gown was completely made of lace and had long sleeves (it actually reminded me of the dress my grandmother was married in in the 50's) and you had your hair down and a veil on. Then, you took a flask of oil and dumped it over your head! I thought it strange at first, but then I realized you were anointing yourself in preparation for your nuptials. You were flushed and seemed a bit nervous, but mostly excited.
Then I am sitting in the church watching you walk down the aisle. You walk down alone, smiling the whole way. I look at the other end and see your groom waiting for you - he is smiling as well. (Don't remember any clear details about the groom's physical appearance other than he had dark hair and maybe a beard) I also remember knowing that the groom's name was Steve.
As you continued to come down the aisle, nearing the front of the sanctuary, there was a sudden change in the atmosphere. Up until now, it had been a happy but fairly somber event. All of a sudden, coming up behind you was the craziest wedding procession I have ever seen! It was like a circus - trapeze artists, people juggling on unicycles, acrobats, dancers, clowns - everyone wearing brightly colored clothing and top hats (reminiscent of the Mad Hatter's tea party in Alice in Wonderland). After exchanging vows, you were escorted out by your crazy processional in an explosion of color and movement! I remember thinking that I'd never in my life seen a wedding quite like that.
So - as far as interpretation goes - here's what came to mind. I feel like this whole dream is really more of a picture of your relationship with the Lord and the journey you've been on with Him over the last few years. When you left for IHOP, it reminds me of you standing there in your wedding dress, anointing yourself with oil. You were already consecrated to the Lord, but you were wanting to go deeper with him. I feel like the time you've dedicated to seeking the Lord at IHOP is like you anointing yourself with oil, preparing to enter the "holy of holies."
Then came the actual wedding. Now, as you know, my dad and brother are both named Steve so I happen to know that the name Steve means "Crowned One" - essentially, it means a Prince. I feel that this was a dream about you becoming "married" to the Lord - entering into a whole new level of intimacy with him. As I was praying about it, the Lord spoke to me about the how something changes in a woman when she gets married - she becomes safe and secure in the arms of her husband; confident in who she is and how deeply she is loved; intimate in a way that she has never before experienced. Women are created to be protected and loved, so there is something about the safety of a committed married relationship that allows a woman to be completely free in who she is. All these things, I believe, is where you are headed with the Lord in this next season of life.
Then there was the circus entourage - so crazy! To me, that was just a clear picture of the wildness and unpredictability of our Lord. :) We all have a tendency to put Jesus in a box - to take his wonderfully uncomplicated love and nature and make it super serious and full of about a bazillion rules - to "church-ify" him. Even the fact that you started out the wedding very traditionally - modest old-school lace gown, walking down the aisle with quiet music playing softly - and then were suddenly interrupted by all the craziness! I felt like He was saying, "I'm not as serious as you think!" Yes, he is holy and mighty and amazing. But he is also fun and full of color and life! I feel like the word "unpredictable" is key - there may come a season (and soon), where He leads you in a direction you did not anticipate. But fear not! It will be more full of life and joy than you could ever imagine. I think He's going to blow your mind, actually. :)
All of this is reminiscent to me of the verse out of Isaiah 62 (which I've included below).
ISAIAH 62:2-5
The nations will see your vindication,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her);
and your land Beulah (Married);
for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
5 As a young man marries a young woman,
so will your Builder marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.
In my dream, it was your wedding day. The ceremony was taking place at my old church in Seattle - Christ Church Kirkland. I remember entering the foyer and seeing you standing there in your gown, getting ready to make your entrance. The gown was completely made of lace and had long sleeves (it actually reminded me of the dress my grandmother was married in in the 50's) and you had your hair down and a veil on. Then, you took a flask of oil and dumped it over your head! I thought it strange at first, but then I realized you were anointing yourself in preparation for your nuptials. You were flushed and seemed a bit nervous, but mostly excited.
Then I am sitting in the church watching you walk down the aisle. You walk down alone, smiling the whole way. I look at the other end and see your groom waiting for you - he is smiling as well. (Don't remember any clear details about the groom's physical appearance other than he had dark hair and maybe a beard) I also remember knowing that the groom's name was Steve.
As you continued to come down the aisle, nearing the front of the sanctuary, there was a sudden change in the atmosphere. Up until now, it had been a happy but fairly somber event. All of a sudden, coming up behind you was the craziest wedding procession I have ever seen! It was like a circus - trapeze artists, people juggling on unicycles, acrobats, dancers, clowns - everyone wearing brightly colored clothing and top hats (reminiscent of the Mad Hatter's tea party in Alice in Wonderland). After exchanging vows, you were escorted out by your crazy processional in an explosion of color and movement! I remember thinking that I'd never in my life seen a wedding quite like that.
So - as far as interpretation goes - here's what came to mind. I feel like this whole dream is really more of a picture of your relationship with the Lord and the journey you've been on with Him over the last few years. When you left for IHOP, it reminds me of you standing there in your wedding dress, anointing yourself with oil. You were already consecrated to the Lord, but you were wanting to go deeper with him. I feel like the time you've dedicated to seeking the Lord at IHOP is like you anointing yourself with oil, preparing to enter the "holy of holies."
Then came the actual wedding. Now, as you know, my dad and brother are both named Steve so I happen to know that the name Steve means "Crowned One" - essentially, it means a Prince. I feel that this was a dream about you becoming "married" to the Lord - entering into a whole new level of intimacy with him. As I was praying about it, the Lord spoke to me about the how something changes in a woman when she gets married - she becomes safe and secure in the arms of her husband; confident in who she is and how deeply she is loved; intimate in a way that she has never before experienced. Women are created to be protected and loved, so there is something about the safety of a committed married relationship that allows a woman to be completely free in who she is. All these things, I believe, is where you are headed with the Lord in this next season of life.
Then there was the circus entourage - so crazy! To me, that was just a clear picture of the wildness and unpredictability of our Lord. :) We all have a tendency to put Jesus in a box - to take his wonderfully uncomplicated love and nature and make it super serious and full of about a bazillion rules - to "church-ify" him. Even the fact that you started out the wedding very traditionally - modest old-school lace gown, walking down the aisle with quiet music playing softly - and then were suddenly interrupted by all the craziness! I felt like He was saying, "I'm not as serious as you think!" Yes, he is holy and mighty and amazing. But he is also fun and full of color and life! I feel like the word "unpredictable" is key - there may come a season (and soon), where He leads you in a direction you did not anticipate. But fear not! It will be more full of life and joy than you could ever imagine. I think He's going to blow your mind, actually. :)
All of this is reminiscent to me of the verse out of Isaiah 62 (which I've included below).
ISAIAH 62:2-5
The nations will see your vindication,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her);
and your land Beulah (Married);
for the Lord will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
5 As a young man marries a young woman,
so will your Builder marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.
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