Diapers and Miracles

Miracles, by their very nature, seem improbable.
That's what makes them a miracle...
even when it's the smallest of details.

Endurance

Don't be fooled by what I am about to say.
My actions may sound impressive, but they're not.
It's just evidence of a sweet friend 
willing to slow way down 
and keep me accountable.
(Well, it might be semi-impressive that I'm getting up before 6 am;
..or, if you know me... a lot impressive.)

Anyway,
this morning, during our run, 
my friend was telling me about
this approach to cycle training.

Represented by a triangle,

this method assigns each point of the the triangle 

one of these three components:

endurance, strength and speed.

That got me thinking.
I mentioned to my friend
if I had to choose one at which to excel, 
I would choose endurance.
(Side note: I love that it's at the top of the triangle.)

While it would be nice to be fast
and great to be strong, 
do either matter much if I lack endurance?

Endurance says, 
I will keep going
I won't quit
I refuse to give up
I will finish.

Endurance shouts durability 
when circumstances might otherwise crush.

Endurance waves the banner of perseverance
when other voices say stop.

Endurance digs in its heels
when winds of struggle might uproot.

Endurance outfits itself in persistence
when it's easier to throw off responsibility.

Endurance clings to tenacity
when commitment threatens to fade. 

Endurance is about focus and never losing it.
Jesus had it.
And so did Paul.
I want it.

To be tenacious.
Resolute.
Unyielding.
Relentless.
Sure enough to cling
and keep going.
Having the end always in sight
though it's still over the horizon.

To endure in order to find that which endures.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize 

for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14

Prelude to a Storm

I watched the storm roll in.
Literally.
In my backyard.
Ominous clouds moving eastward.

Looking west, leafed branches move violently.
Winds stir quick movements.
And seconds later I am caught in the squall.
Yet the trees have stilled.

A hawk soars above and catches air.
Normally graceful, but now glides erratically on gusts. 

Grass pulsing in invisible currents.
The draft shares lilac's fragrance.

I stand in awe.
I wonder at nature.
Divine art in motion.
Creation orchestrated by Providence.

And I just want that to be me.
Guided by the Author of my soul.
Doing what I was made to do.
Driven by His passion.
Moved by His power.
Unafraid.
Freed 
to bend 
or sway 
or soar
or pulse
as He sees fit.

Standing in the yard
just before a storm
and my soul aches
to be directed 
by the same Beauty
directing the zephyr.

Winds conceive longing
and
spirit births Spirit.
Pneuma.


And I am reborn in the backyard.

The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, 

has magnificently cleared the air, 

freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny 

at the hands of sin and death. 

Romans 8:1 (The Message)

A Rant

"If only closed minds came with closed mouths."

(Read on a lapel button)

photo credit: Alberta Human Services

Here are my thoughts on this irritating little statement.

100 Posts and a Nudist Colony

This post marks the 100th time I have clicked "Publish" 
after writing a blog entry.

The 100th time I have laid a piece of me bare
for anyone who might find it.

Taking Back What Isn't Mine

In Hosea 5:10, the prophet is calling out the Jewish religious leaders,

The NLT says it like this:

"The leaders of Judah have become as bad as thieves."

And at the bottom of my bible, in a footnote, it says

this verse could be rendered

"have become as those who move a boundary marker."

Things I've Learned (or Re-learned) Recently:

My kids cooperate really well when playing Wii together.
My kids argue really well when playing Wii together.
I do, indeed, have more than one gray hair.
Trusting God is hard.
I often operate from a position of fear.
Jillian Michaels kicks my behind.
Watch what I say...it may come out of my kids' mouths.
I have lots of mirror conversations.
Women served (illegally) in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
Children are beautifully resilient.
The purpose of education is discipleship.
Snuggling with my kids feels really good.
One of my greatest pleasures is reading out loud to my children. 
When feeling stressed, I don't like people to touch me.
When feeling stressed, one of the things I need most is a hug.
My oldest is simultaneously astonishingly creative and incredibly tiring.
The best Mother's Day gifts cost very little money.
I have trouble asking for help.
I have trouble receiving help.
Even Reese Witherspoon messes up.
The literal definition of amuse means "no thinking". 
(I see a future blog entry here.)
One of the sweetest sounds is my 5-year old sounding out words.
Prayer is what often saves this anxious heart.
It's easier to talk emotional health than to pursue it.
I like storage containers even more when I feel out of control.
I hardly ever write a "real letter" anymore.
Math is more fun with a dry erase board.
God is crazy about me. Always. Period. The end.