Small Talk

This morning, I had the opportunity to speak at the Franklin High FCA. I was nice enough to make two friends come with me, despite the early hour (thanks Brandon and Reco!!). Being asked to speak was pretty convenient since Pastor Williamson gave the church homework in which we were to share our testimony with people (I love how God won't let me make any excuses). I spoke briefly, only about 3-5 minutes, if that. I briefly spoke about how God captured my heart, or how I finally noticed rather, then about His amazing, incredible love for us. I told them I worried about them because too many teenagers are filling their lives with things that will destroy them, and no one is letting them know there's a better way, and we have a God who can fill all the emptiness in us. I finished, and Brandon and Reco led the group in a time of worship through song. Amazing how a small gym can turn into a sanctuary so quickly. It was a great morning, a perfect way to start the day. Thank you Father!

It's a jungle out there...and I'm out of gas

Yesterday, upon arriving home from running with Missy, I noticed just how our backyard had become overgrown. I swear I saw some lions creeping around back there too. So, being an "action" type person, I decided to mow the lawn. So, off I went, to tackle the jungle, hoping to not be attacked by whatever creatures were hiding there. During this adventure, I also realized just how big our backyard is. It's big, real big. But anyway, I struggled, I strained, I was close to completion when putt putt sputter sputter, the thing was out of gas. After an entertaining conversation with Andy that went as follows, I headed to seek out a gas can.
me: I ran out of gas!
Andy: Ummm, what?
me: The lawn mower, it's out of gas
Andy: Oh, that gas (chuckle chuckle)
me: Yea, you're funny. I've gotta go to fill 'er up because right now our backyard has a mohawk
Andy: (chuckle chuckle) OK, bye.

All ended well, just as the sun was setting, I finished the job, and our yard no longer has a mohawk. Small blessings, but I'm thankful.

Spring is in the air....

I love Spring. I love Spring, and I love Fall. They are my two favorite seasons. There is vivid color everywhere I look, and the temperatures are not extreme. I love this time of year!

Andy and I have been reading "Blue Like Jazz" by Don Miller. It is an incredible book! If you haven't read it, do so immediately! There are many stories he tells in this that I love, stories that have made me laugh out loud, others that left me saying, "Hmmm, how true." At the end of his chapter entitled "Worship," he writes, "At the end of the day, when I am lying in bed and I know the chances of any of our theology being exactly right are a million to one, I need to know that God has things figured out, that if my math is wrong we are still going to be okay. And wonder is that feeling we get when we let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. I don't think there is any better worship than wonder." Beautiful, oh so beautiful!

Miller also talks about all kinds of people he has come into contact with, and how they have taught him about love. He writes that non Christians have taught him how to love others better than Christians have. It's sad, but the more I have thought about it, it is true. I think about myself, the kids I teach. I can get so angry with them because they are making some of the stupidest decisions a kid could make. I don't get it, and I, being so "caring", tell them I think they are acting like fools for a moment of enjoyment that can essentially destroy them. But you know what? In all their foolishness, poor decisions, and all out defiance, they have taught me about love. They love each other, plain and simple. They may not make the best decisions, but they look out for one another, in their own way. They are a tightly knit bunch of kiddos, destructive as I may see them to be. I am thankful they have let me in to see this display of unconditional love, one that is based not on actions, but just the fact they are kids in need of someone to love them. Maybe they aren't as ignorant as I thought after all.

And with that, I am off to finish my cleaning for the day. (Yes, I like cleaning, it's one of the few things in this life I can control!) Please pray for Joanna and her dad, her mom died this last week, after years of being ill. Regardless of the circumstance, this kind of situation is never easy. Please lift them up as often as you think of it. Peggy is now going through radiation, something she described as being, "just me, this dangerous thing, and God, but it's knowing God is there too, when everyone else has cleared out because they know how dangerous the radiation can be, that gives me peace." (have I mentioned how much I love Peggy lately?) Finally, pray for some missionaries in India. My friend, Stephanie, was able to go on a mission trip to work with an orphanage there. There is a huge attack going on against Christians, please pray for the men who have been faithfully serving there, and especially for the children this will impact.

Blessings to each of you, and I pray the colors of Spring are helping you to stand in awe of our heavenly Father!