Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Front Porch with the Fitzes!

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So I did a thing.  But before I tell you about it, I want to acknowledge that today is College Colors Day.  So to my fellow Baylor Bears, “fling your green and gold afar”!  And Sic ‘Em.  So ready for our first game tomorrow.  The rest of you can wear your school colors too.

 

I got to be a guest on one of my favorite podcasts.  I listen to Front Porch with the Fitzes every week.  And they asked me to join them!

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This podcasting family features three authors, Elyse Fitzpatrick, Jessica Thompson, and Joel Fitzpatrick.  I was so honored and excited and nervous.  But they were so welcoming and encouraging that they put me right at ease.  Plus I got to talk about Shelby – one of my favorite subjects.

 

The topic:  Disability and the Church.  Straight talk…this is tough.  I’ve hurt feelings over this post on the topic.  So I prayed up and asked God to give me the words to say that would bring glory to Him and build up His church.  I hope that I have done that here.  The subject is serious but the hosts are a hoot, so I think you’ll enjoy listening.  And please let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  It would really help me for any future podcast opportunities.

 

Thank you all so much!

 

Listen By Clicking the Logo Here:

 

 

Or find it on your favorite podcast platform – Episode 360

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up.

 

I loved Joanne Viola’s cure for what ails us in Desperate.  It’s so simple, so heartfelt and yet so difficult at times.  Pretty messy, but that is just like life.  This short read is worth your time.

 

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2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

 

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We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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Beholden

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Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

A podcast I listened to this week introduced a new-to-me concept in gratitude.  That of being BEHOLDEN.  I know, Thanksgiving was so yesterday, but as we continue our holiday season, I plan to build on the discipline of gratitude I’ve felt called to create.  There’s nothing like gratitude to get you out of a rut – at least that’s my prayer.

 

The word BEHOLDEN carries with it the idea of owing or being indebted.  It usually carries a negative connotation, as in, “I don’t like to be beholden to anyone.”  Even though carrying financial debt is more common than the cold, our fiercely independent culture doesn’t generally like the idea of personal indebtedness.  As a general rule, we want to accomplish things on our own and not owe anyone that we can look in the face.  If you think these ideals are sounding outdated, think about how difficult it is for you to ask a friend, neighbor, or even family member for help – with anything.  Money, a project, a ride somewhere, or an ear to listen.  We don’t like admitting that we don’t have everything we need.  And community suffers for it.

 

The give and take of relationships is what oftentimes cements us together. 

We need each other, and this creates gratitude.

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And for me, naming the things that I am BEHOLDEN for catapults me into an entirely different arena of thanksgiving.  I am grateful for my husband.  I have this thought sometimes multiple times a day, but my love and gratitude for him increase as I rehearse the things for which I am BEHOLDEN to him.  I am BEHOLDEN to Chuck for the way he works hard to provide for me and our children.  I am BEHOLDEN to him for the way he encourages me in my writing dreams.  I am BEHOLDEN to him because he patiently nursed me back to health after back injuries, a broken foot, knee surgery and cancer!  I am BEHOLDEN to my husband because he thinks about my wants and needs ahead of his own almost every time.  I could go on and on, but I only want you to get the idea – not loose your leftover turkey.

 

I don’t mind being indebted to another.  It means we are in fellowship.  If you have a relationship, be it spouse, friend, or family, that you don’t owe a whole lot (and vice versa); I might argue that it’s not much of a relationship.  As we finish up our Thanksgiving celebrating and turn our attention toward Christmas, my heart swells with how BEHOLDEN I am to Jesus.  He left the comfort of heaven to be born into a painful and sinful world.  I am BEHOLDEN to Him for giving us an example to follow in life and love.  I am BEHOLDEN to Jesus for dying a sinless death on the cross so that my sinful life could be saved from eternal separation from God.  I am BEHOLDEN to Him for making me right with my Heavenly Father and calling me friend.  He saved me, and gave me hope.  For that I can never repay Him.  And I am BEHOLDEN to Jesus for never asking me to.

 

Who are you BEHOLDEN to that you still need to thank?  List it, express it, write it and rehearse it before Thanksgiving gets too small in the rear view.  Lastly, I am BEHOLDEN to you, dear reader, for your kind attention.

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