Lynse Leanne

A while ago i was having a conversation with someone about my story and they too were sharing theirs with me…but they prefaced their story with “my story was not nearly as bad and hard as yours.” as always i say something like “we each have our own journey and each person’s is different.” And honestly i didnt think a second more about it. We moved on and talked about the amazing things that God has brought both of us through and the grace that He has kindly lavished on us. We finished our coffee’s, left and carried on with our separate lives.

As my week continued the phrase “my story was not nearly as bad and hard as yours” seemed to be a theme. I started reading a new book called “The Kids are All Right” by Amanda, Diana, Dan and Liz Welch.

It is their memoir, all giving an account of growing up under the same roof but having very different memories and stories from the same times. But the title says it all, the kids are all right. No matter what they felt or remembered…even if it was different than their siblings they are all right. It was as if God was trying to get my attention. To speak something to my heart.

During Life Group a couple weeks ago we were talking about some situations happening in my life and the lives of those of us in the group and it came up again. “my situation is not as bad as __________. So i guess it could be worse….”

and in that moment i think the lightbulb came on for me. I heard what God was trying to say to me all week.

I always hear people comparing their stories….almost one upping eachother to see who has or had it worse. But in either case dont we all have it the worst?

In our circumstances. In our stories. In our pasts. in our present situations. It is our story. and we are right.

and for us in that time or this time it is the worst….for us.

statements like “my story is not nearly as bad or hard as yours.” is robbing yourself of the hardships and trials that you had to endure to get you to today. Yes, mine may be different than yours…but harder?

to you it is hard….and it should stay that way…

remember as you share your story and listen to others that we are all right.  we all have different levels that we can endure…we all have different lives and stories.

But we are all right.

“People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.” – Audrey Hepburn

Remember…in this holiday season, with your family, your friends and especially if you are in retail…that people grace.

Dont write anyone off.

Apparently this is a big discussion/debate….i was unaware of this until this year.

I work at Starbucks as we all know….and we have the Christmas blend coffee. When someone is ordering a cup of our drip Christmas Blend it is easier to write “Xmas” on the cup so that people know it is our Christmas Blend and not Pike Place….pretty simple and makes sense….right?

A few days ago i had a customer come in who was very offended that i would put Xmas on her cup. They said that i was taking Jesus out of Christmas….I was rather dumbfounded at this point because after explaining my reason they were still offended…but clearly 4 letters is easier than 9 letters in a rush…and yes, i could have written “bold” since it is the bold…but xmas just works.

so this got the old wheels a turnin’

….does it really matter?

the more i thought about it….it is a rather religious practice….cause doesnt it matter what is in your heart? You can say Merry CHRISTmas all you want but if Christ is not an active player in your life and heart it doesnt matter how many times you say it it wont change whats truly in your heart….and in my case i can write “Xmas” and i do actively seek God and have a relationship with him and i dont personally feel convicted because it still reminds me of Christ….

so just out of curiosity and some friendly discussion….

Does it really matter? is Christmas better than Xmas?

And before the comment section fills up with questions like “are you pregnant?!?” and “when are you due?!?” I am going to say right here…

WE ARE NOT PREGNANT! (just have to clear that up before those rumor mills start turning)

But here is a video of our announcement…and you can see Chad, who you probably have never heard talk. so enjoy.

You can find more info about the church here.
You can read a little more about what we are doing and how you can help here.

ummmm….so…..ya, february.

You know when you are playing a team sport and you have a play called and you are talking about it and at the end everyone claps their hands and yells “BREAK!”

Well as you read this think of that tone.

cause i am yelling “BREAK!”

I have spent a few days realizing that i should take a break from this little thing called blogging, twitter and facebook.

The play is for me to take 2 weeks off to spend time focusing on me…through continued healing as i am on my journey. To spend some uninterrupted time with Chad as we plan our next steps as the Stevens’. and to refocus my love towards God and remove this little idol that keeps creeping its way into my life.

So from tomorrow AM until December 14th i will be M.I.A. But i will be available by email at lynseleanne[at]gmail.com , but i will not be checking it as often, but i will be checking it twice a day. :)

I would appreciate your thoughts and prayers during these 2 weeks… make sure i dont miss anything too HUGE…kthxbai.