Triple-Hog Dare Over a Barrel of Cheese

A friend as beloved to me as is John to Christ gave me a precious gift for our ride on this new wave of Grace into another place.

She delivered it right to my door, better and fresher than any Domino’s pizza ever.

It came inscribed with words of love and a dare.

If you were as fortunate to know her as I do, you’d be certain without me telling you that when this lady dares me to do something, it’s likely to be a double-dog dare that I never ever would have volunteered for in my own strength!

She honored me with my own copy of one thousand gifts, Ann Voskamp’s own dare to The Body to LIVE FULLY right where you are.

She knew not only that I would adore it, but also that I would need it in this neon crayon land of hurricanes and flat landscapes so smooth that they make shelf paper look like ski slopes.

She trusted to me to understand that it was more than just another inspirational title,

but also the freedom to map my mind,
the invitation to transfuse my attitude with gratitude,
the inspriation to discern a God-incident from a coincidence,
the lyrical hug of a well-painted phrase,
the sweet assurance of Glory’s side,
the bursting open the Word like a first born son,
the thrill of vanilla extract in a freshly scrubbed cupboard,
Splenda on the top of the first morning’s box at coffee time,
the stark reminder that survivor’s have scars,
and the sultry, tangerine dawn of certain hope.

Never one to back down from a dare, especially a double-dog dare from a heart like John’s, I have invested this past week of tears, attacks and work to seek His face as industriously as you know I have also organized our lemon blaze kitchen and stalked innocent boxes like a hungry leopard.

I’ve found Jesus is not so good at hide-and-seek.

He’s everywhere,
everywhere
and ever,
forever
when I simply stop
and look for Him
as constant
as His Promises.

My Jesus is just too shiny to be any good at hide-and-seek.

And so my beloved ones,
I dare you.
I double-dog dare you.
I triple-hog dare you over a barrel of cheese…

LIVE FULLY right where you are.

Get a pad of paper or journal.

And get ready to take notes.
lots
and lots
and lots
of notes
like a Homeric catalogue
as His Name is Holy
and He loves
you as much as me.

You are His
own beloved.

You’ll find Him there right where you are, blessing your life with gifts of love just for you.

I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah!