Cindy Gaskins

“For in him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28

For the first time in my life, I am taking a dance class. I was a loud-mouthed cheerleader in high school but never a dancer. Let me clarify what type of dance class. Hula. I’ve lived in Hawaii almost eleven years and enjoyed many hula performances. But it is not something I thought I would ever try. That is, until my dear friends signed me up for a five week class taught by their friend. Usually I am a deliberating soul, but here was a gift so I said yes and thank you!  I was game even as my non-dancing body laughed at the thought of it!

Have you watched a hula lately? Elegant hands, amazing moving of the hips and tummy. Smiling all the time and making the moves look so graceful. As with any dance, hula has exercises, vocabulary, steps to learn, directions forward and backwards, up and down. In hula, the hands and arms tell a story, they aren’t just movements to compliment the feet and legs. The words to all movements are first Hawaiian. Then the English understanding is given.

I attended my first class with the delight of a birthday party and a first date – nervous, excited, and embarrassed at my double lack of knowledge and graceful coordination. My instructor was charming, beautiful, welcoming, and fun. She made it look easy and complimented and corrected us as we began our learning. She repeated with patience, told us to relax, trust and watch her.

Since my friends had signed me up, all I knew was my teacher’s first name. Several stories our teacher shared in class made me curious. After class, I googled my teacher’s full name and discovered she was Miss Hawaii 1973 and has danced at one of Honolulu’s prominent hotels for 42 years. She’s been described as maybe ‘the most photographed Hawaiian hula dancer.’

Whoa! I’m learning from someone who knows and loves what she is teaching. I will never see a hula the same way. There is a story being told every time and you can see it.

Here’s another angle that’s been brought to my mind. It’s nothing anything you don’t already know. We have been invited to The Dance. The Master Teacher knew us before we knew His name.  He is passionate about us, loving, patient and kind, whispering grace and truth. In this Dance, there is always something to learn, to practice, to be reminded of. We are part of The Story Jesus wants to tell. He wants us to dance in such a way that others are made curious. Jesus shows us the Way. He corrects us when we get things wrong. He tells us to trust Him and keep our eyes on Him. When we follow The Teacher then our hands and feet tell this beautiful Story. Jesus asks us today, “May I dance with you?”

“Christ in You, the hope of Glory.” Colossians 1:27

Our family first moved to Windsor Drive when I was in the 7^th grade. It was the home that helped me re-enter American life after spending all my childhood in Rhodesia. (Zimbabwe)

My grandmother, well-named Grandarling, lived in Windsor House when she needed a new nest. She welcomed all three of my sisters to live with her at some point during their college years.

Mom and Dad moved back in to live with and care for her. As a nurse, Mom took care of both Grandarling and dad before they stepped into heaven.

These last few weeks, I’ve been helping my mom downsize for her next nest. You know how this goes for any move:

First, you get rid of the obvious.

Next come the things that no longer have useful value but have tender strings attached to your heart.

Lastly, you curate the boxes that haven’t been opened in a looong while. And that’s where you find life you have forgotten about or didn’t have a clue to.

Through it all, you laugh hard at what has been saved, filed, kept for “future use.” You tear up and remember the joy, a pain, a lesson, a season. You curiously wonder “why did we keep this?”

All through these weeks of looking, listening, learning, I am reminded that life has treasures, joy, pain, and hope and they can surprise, teach and disappoint.

My mom, dad, and Grandarling have lived well and I’ve touched much of the evidence of that proves this.

Spiritual application for me is simple: Loving God and loving others is what lasts. Christ in me the hope of glory. I must decrease so He can increase. To get there, I’m pondering the work of spiritual downsizing.

• Obvious clutter are things I ignore that should have long ago been discarded.  It’s that touchy attitude, a selfish demand, an unkind look that has lingered. Some of the obvious is so clear to me but I walk past it and choose to ‘deal with it later.’
• Tender heartstrings are attached to realities that need some pruning. My pride, my impressions, my laziness, my resistance, my need to confess the hurt I keep remembering.
• Those places of the packed away, pushed down, ignored, forgotten or simply didn’t know about is etched into my story. Without recognizing it, I miss what is best because I have kept these things hidden. Usually someone else helps me uncover or open up that box.

Here’s the Good News. We have a Never Giving Up God who is always ready to awaken us into His restoring ways. Nothing is hidden or packed away in His presence. The Holy Spirit can open our eyes, reveal truth, strengthen us to let go of the grip we have on our past!

As I have enjoyed the treasures of Windsor Drive, I’ve wondered what my children will find in my stuff that will point to the adventure, the pain, the truth of walking with Jesus in every season. These are the things that will last.

Join me in downsizing. May we be willing to let God’s Spirit clean out the clutter, remove the excess, speak the Truth so we can live well today and for tomorrow.

Cindy Gaskins

All around people are taking steps away from and towards.

Graduates who are both exhilarated with being “done!”  Fully aware (maybe) that next steps mean change whether it is a summer job, college, a gap year, looking for a job, travel, but probably moving of some kind. Maybe moving back in with mom and dad. Step by step.

Spring and Summer weddings fill the weekend which also means showers, parties, travel, rehearsals. The walk down the aisle or the walk into a new home. Moving of some kind. Step by step.

Vacation time or at least the dreams for summer schedules from school and jobs.  Maybe it’s just knowing traffic will be different driving to work. That is certainly the case here on our island where there is one way to get to the University of Hawaii! Slow step by step.

This week my husband and I stepped away from our church that has been home for over ten years. The Father has directed us in a clear and promise keeping way. While there are tears in our throat, there is hope in our steps. He knows the way. Step by step.

Whatever the season, steps are a natural part of life.

Sometimes those steps feel slow or even at a standstill when the unknown is staring back at us in a hospital waiting room, or a chemo treatment, or a fresh grave. Sometimes they are moving so fast that it is hard to catch a breath. Sometimes the steps are lonely when you move into a new neighborhood, new job, new discipline. Or maybe it’s surprise steps in a friendship or with a family member. Maybe the steps mean a new trust and obey with Jesus that feels crazy. Maybe it’s that step across the street to invite a new neighbor for coffee or to a Sweet Monday evening. Maybe it is steps that take you to a quiet spot in the house to look into the Father’s Book.

Remember His promise – I AM…The Lord who directs the steps of the godly and delights in every detail of your life. (Psalm 37:23 NLT)

Step by step.

Cindy Gaskins

It was a crazy fun week! Spirit Week at our elementary school calls for a daily dress up and show your school spirit.

Monday it was PJ day. Some literally rolled out of bed and came to school!

Tuesday was “dress like a teacher” day. Fun versions of our teachers walked around all day and some even had the chance to ‘teach’ the class.

Wacky Wednesday meant you could dress as crazy as possible with your outfit backwards, mismatched, goofy and designed anyway you wanted.

Thursday was fancy fashion. Bow ties and fedoras, swirling dresses both of flower girl and movie character type, a few tuxedos, ties and vests and styled hair brought a delightful demeanor not often seen on campus.

Friday was super hero day as we prepared for the afternoon’s fun of Jump Rope for Heart. While the spirit was willing some of the elementary sized flesh just couldn’t get the hang of jump ropes or hula hoops! But what an effort in trying!

There was spirit everywhere. Some more giddy than others. Some with great anticipation of who would get a daily spirit award for the choices they made with their attitude and outfit. Most delighting in participating in the common goal of creativity of the clever daily fashion designs. And great intentional thought given by most as to how to prepare for the next day.

It’s a new week. Time for the Spirit!

I’m guessing a few of us might need a pj day with some rest, an accomplish-nothing retreat, a slowdown day…even if it is Monday!  Or maybe you have to push on through looking like you just rolled out of bed!

Maybe some of us will sit in the presence of those we cherish as teachers in our lives. Or maybe you are the teacher and you will listen to those in your circle of influence and delight in the growth steps you observe.

Maybe it will be a wacky week full of the unpredictable, the mismatched, goofy moments that you will either laugh about or you will need to pause, catch your breath and get some balance back again.

Maybe there will be moments of putting on your best when underneath you are feeling vulnerable, disappointed, sad or angry.

You may put on your super hero shoes and

deliver a casserole on the way to the ball field

step up to help during a melt-down

hold the hand of a friend in shock or grief

or see the interruptions to your work as divine.

Whatever the theme of the day, The Spirit of God is hovering over us. Like elementary students, we have the choice about how to participate. We can be full on delighted with the possibilities of the day. Or blend in with minimal effort in our participation.

Ephesians 6:10-19 tells us to get dressed with the full wardrobe of God which is

• the belt of truth buckled around your waist
• the breastplate of righteousness in place
• your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace
• the shield of faith that you don’t want to move without
• the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Remember that when you are dressed, keep praying in the Spirit every day, in every occasion, always alert and praying for all the Lord’s people.

This is the way to win in the Spirit.

This is the way God transforms us into beauty and grace.

This is the sweet way that flavors every life, every occasion.

Every conversation as a hostess. Every invitation to your home. Every attempt to make Mondays matter. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday too!)

This is the crazy fun way to live.

Cindy Gaskins

Can I tell you what a humbling, mostly overwhelming feeling it is to have the privilege of visiting with you on Sweet Mondays? Praying always that the right words will come to encourage our Sweet community to laugh, lean in, listen well or love a little deeper. The odds are great that you and I don’t know each other. We’re strangers. But we’ve been invited to this moment in time together today. Strangers. But here we are connected through sweetness.

I’m typing this as I sit buckled in and ready to take off from our island and head to Texas. There is a sweet party of three waiting at the other end of this flight.  Friends for 35 years, we are gathering to celebrate the retirement of one of us. Because we don’t live in the same spaces, seeing each other face to face is a wonderful hope.

For almost 2 years we have gathered through video conference calls. We calendar the date and guard the time as a treasure. The conversation is never dull because we are all learners. (You are too, that’s why you read this!) We talk about books, travel, exercising (or not), faith formation, movies, our teams and our longings.

All of these sisters have buried both parents. One buried both parents within the last three months. Only one is left with a mama on earth.  Only one of us has children. Three of us have battled cancer. All of us are ministers not because of a church declaration but because we believe we are a chosen people a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God.  (2 Peter 2:9) We sisters have traveled all over the world and we love to welcome the nations into our homes, churches, ESL classes. You will find us teaching, mentoring, laughing and crying with people God brings into our lives.

These safe sisters will speak truth, give perspective and aren’t afraid of asking hard questions. We have cried over aging parents, cancer treatments, car wrecks, workplace grief, people we struggle to understand, and people who live with little but are rich in hope. We are not satisfied with the way our world is and believe we are part of the problem and solution. We petition our Redeeming God because He is Able. And because we believe where four women are gathered in His name – even through video calls – He is there.

This is one way the Christ Life is meant to be. It is a shared life. One that offers safe companions who travel a long road across life’s miles. The Christ Life is about making commitments to vulnerability, truth, presence in joy and pain.

When our video conference call is over, we always want more time. This weekend we will want more when it is time to say goodbye. We will have made new memories, cried fresh tears of laughter and ache, eaten some great Tex Mex, chewed on God’s Word together and prayed some bold prayers.

That is what Sweet Monday is all about – opening the door to conversation where new friends are welcomed, a common hobby or favorite tea shop shared, or a new way to fold clothes is discovered. It is making your home a place that invites a friendship that can be a lifeline down the road. Maybe even a safe sisterhood.  May I take Hebrews 13:1-2 and paraphrase it for our Sweet Monday?

Keep on loving each other as sisters. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Strangers connected through sweetness. Angels amongst us!

Cindy Gaskins

Today my firstborn turned 30. And I’m just not sure how that happened! Sweet newborn smells, tufts of red hair, squeaky crying, and wrapping her in the hospital blanket still seems unmistakably recent to her parents.

I remember my mom arriving and helping me breathe deeply through my new mom tears, helping me believe this fragile bundle was really quite strong. A week later all three of my sisters and my dad arrived to celebrate the first grandbaby/niece.

Oh, and Thanksgiving!

Last weekend we held the memorial service for my 30 year old nephew who didn’t wake up the morning after Trick or Treating with his family. His wife was his sweetheart since meeting her on Bus 23 in the eighth grade. His two little girls were his favorite dance partners and the reason he was a stay at home dad for their first years.

Oh, and Thanksgiving doesn’t feel right in this dark, interrupted season.

In many ways and spaces, Americans will gather to celebrate this fourth Thursday in November.

Families, friends will find their spot while strangers will gather at huge tables while other strangers cheerfully serve them a hot meal. Military members, first responders, hospital employees, care giving homes will be on alert even as they share the day. Our tables may feel beautifully full or achingly sad. There may be a new life or an empty seat.

Remember, Jesus enjoyed gathering around the table. Even when some were not happy with his choice of company. Even when some were grumpy there was no help in the kitchen. Jesus knew His time on earth was about relationships. He came to make a way for God to have all His creation at The Table with Him. Jesus would remind us that thanks living brings miracles. Thankful words expressed in

• holding up two loaves and five fish to heaven
• prayers in front of Lazarus’ tomb
• words spoken over spilled out perfume and tears
• the prayers for His followers
• dying breaths from the cross giving John the care of His mother
• “It is finished!”

Sisters, today is what we have. Whatever your season, God is present. Cry with thanks or in grief. Welcome His life. Trust His comfort. Believe His truth. Oh, Sweet Thanksgiving!

Cindy Gaskins