"Seasonings"

Cleaning out.

saltysarah — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:08:02 +0000

We are in the process of cleaning out our house because we are moving. (See our newsletter for more details- if you don’t get it already you can sign up to receive it here)

One of the first things we did was order a dumpster. This has proved amazingly valuable for us in the past because if you have a dumpster you can look at things differently.

For example: If you’re cleaning the basement and don’t want that old artificial Christmas tree with the broken lights that doesn’t stand straight anymore, you have to make a choice.

1. Throw it away.
2. Give it away
3. Keep it and hope to fix it someday
4. Sell it.

If you don’t have enough room in your garbage, the tossing it option is out. And then you find yourself stuck with a pile of stuff you still don’t want and no one else really does either…

By the way, we completely filled our dumpster. It was so gratifying the day they removed it – knowing that huge obnoxious eyesore was GONE from my driveway.

But then I found myself in my bathroom with no “throw away” bucket big enough to begin the task of sorting through the medicines, hotel shampoos and other various sundries that have cluttered my closet and cabinets for over 7 years. The small waste basket behind the toilet just wasn’t sufficient for the task. So every time I went to shower I kept thinking “if only I could just get started on this monumental project.” But each time I found myself avoiding it.

Why?

I didn’t have a container big enough to handle all my stuff.

My experience reminds me of life…

Often we keep unnecessary “junk” because we don’t have a convenient or sufficient disposal option. We might try to give it away to someone else (dumping), or even “sell it” (a really persuasive gossip session) or put it in a closet for later (stuffing our emotions). When in reality, if we used the proper method for getting rid of our unwanted baggage, we’d be thrilled with the results (a completely full dumpster in my driveway…taken away!!!!!)

When we go to God he will “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Not only that, he promises to remove them far, far away!

What are you hanging on to? “Order a dumpster” and get rid of it!

Chosen.

saltysarah — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:13:25 +0000

Our family is undergoing lots of changes. As I’ve been praying, often through tears, I have been led by the Holy Spirit to dwell on this one thought: “You were chosen for this. I chose YOU.”

Sometimes we want to give back the assignment, or life situation, we find ourselves in, asking God to trade it out for a different model. But today I pray you find comfort in these words:

God chose you.

God designed you for a purpose only you can fulfill. So instead of heading to the dealership for a trade-in, examine the features of what you already have, and use them to the best of your ability to thrive just where you are today.

If he chose you – he will equip you.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Shut out of the Dog Park.

saltysarah — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:24:03 +0000

The other day, I took my dog to the off leash park near my home. When we arrived at the gate there were 4-6 dogs clamoring to play with her. We could hardly get in the gate for fear of letting them all out!

Once safely inside, I let her off the leash to play. That’s when it happened.

I wasn’t in the gate for more than 2 minutes, and suddenly all the other owners and dogs seemingly disappeared!

My dog took off to find the other dogs who were walking the trails within the confines of the large gated area following their owners.

Have I mentioned yet that I’m kinda new to this whole dog park thing???

When I caught up with my dog, (who isn’t the greatest at coming to my command, I admit) the few owners, who were clearly regulars and FRIENDS, looked at each other and said, “Which way do you want to go?” And they abruptly began to walk the other way from me, dogs in tow. They didn’t acknowledge me or my dog. They just hightailed it outta there to keep on doing their “dog park thing”.

I quickly leashed my dog and made my escape, slowly dragging poor Millie behind me.

I felt awkward and unwelcome. And I didn’t like it one bit.

Moments later on my way to the car, I thought about church, and asked myself:

Do “outsiders” feel this same way when they are new to church?

When they don’t get ‘how it works’ do we show them the ropes or ignore their apparent cluelessness?

Are we so busy with our usual friends that we don’t take time to meet someone new and engage them in conversation?

Do we care more about making sure our ‘place’ is intact than we care about including others?

I left that dog park feeling like I didn’t want to go back. I felt like I was stepping on people’s toes because I am pretty sure I didn’t follow the typical protocol.

The moral of the story is: Don’t be a dog park snob. Or a church snob either.

Gratitude.

saltysarah — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:19:58 +0000

I’m currently reading 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

I am astounded by the impact I have already seen in my own life by journaling the things I’m thankful for each day.

I find myself more intentional about looking for instances of gratitude, anxious to write them down! My view of the world is clearer, seen through the lens of beauty, grace and precious experience, as opposed to quick glances in my hurried, get-there-now, don’t-have-time rear view mirror.

Here are a few entries so far:

1. A Rising Full Harvest Moon
2. Prayer time with the 10 y/o replete with stuffed animals holding hands in a circle
3. Budding leaves popping out on trees as witnessed in the mirror while drying my hair
4. Laughter of children (even teenagers!) on my bed in the evening.
5. Cousins catching up and treasuring every second together
6. A joyful Mother seeing all her brood together, singing, making merriment and wearing Irish green
7. My Wisconsin Badgers winning in the NCAA tournament
8. My husband making omelets for my daughter before school.
9. Getting to know a new friend.
10. Speaking to a group of “Seniors” (60+) and being so encouraged by their faith and love for Christ.

So, do you want to join me on a journey of Gratitude? There’s no time like the present to open your journal and start writing!

So what is a #hashtag anyway?

saltysarah — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 22:16:13 +0000

At our February “Seasonings with Sarah” we talked about the social media phenomenon of using #hashtags. A hashtag is a # symbol followed by a clever combination of words with no spaces, or even a company or product name. If you watched Super Bowl commercials or spend anytime online using Facebook or Twitter, you’ve likely seen lots of #hashtags.

Because we don’t want to be left out, Salt and clay has created our own brand #hashtag:

It’s our way of encouraging you to think about how you can #besalty in your daily life.

Some ideas: bring a meal to a neighbor, do a favor for a friend in need, pray for someone who’s hurt you, share your “story” with someone, do something out of the ordinary for God…you get the idea!

And WHEN you are #supersalty (get the idea?) send us an email at info@saltandclay.org, post it on our Facebook wall, tweet it to your friends, or shout it from the rooftops! Just be sure that if you’re writing it on Facebook or Twitter you mark it with #besalty!

Think of it as our little way to show the world what Jesus meant when he said,
“You are the salt of the earth.”

Sarah Beckman is the co-founder and owner of Salt and clay ministries which is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Sarah is a Christian speaker/teacher and blogger, and also hosts a local coffee hour twice monthly at Dunn Bros in Eden Prairie, MN which is open to the public. For more information on her ministry and how and where she spreads her salt check out Salt and clay ministries website.