Defined by Story

I find it amazing that the Lord used story to put forward his most important messages. Who can ever forget the Prodigal son story, or the story of the lost sheep. I then began reflecting on how important the stories that are our own lives are to us. We are in many ways the stories of our lives, shaped by our defeats and triumphs, colored by the richness of our relationships and the connections in our conversations.

It is no wonder that we have been given the Word, that story of stories, to help us glimpse, even if darkly the wonder of what the Lord God has created for us. The words we speak are so important. Are they not indeed bread for the hungry, drink for the thirsty? Do they not bring comfort to those in sorrow, and celebrate with those who are joyful? In turning to God, and seeking Him, should we not reflect on the Story he has given us, to see if our story resonates with it? No imperfection is not revealed in the Story so we can be comforted.

Resting as the Beloved

I went with Alicia, Buddy and Evan (Daughter, son-in-law, & grandson) to New Hope this morning. The pastor spoke on the importance of resting in God. He pointed out that man's first day (the seventh day of creation) was a day of rest, and that chapter three and four of Hebrews has an emphasis on rest. I am finishing Henri Nouwen's "Here and Now". It talks about believer's being beloved of God, and how that is important to meditate on in the ebb and flow of life. It is hard accepting life's challenges and staying in faith. Although God had promised the Israelites a land of milk and honey, when the sent in spies only Joshua and Caleb came back with a positive report. If I understand the power of word correctly, by their speaking, the 10 cowardly spies and those who belived them created their 40 year fruitless hejira in the desert. As for Caleb in Joshua as they say in Numbers 14:8 "... do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

Living in the beloved, as a child of God doesn't mean no storms. I just means that walking through the dark places we don't walk alone.

Spring is nigh! Praise the Lord

I didn't realize how long it had been since I set down my thoughts. January! Lots has happened since Christmas. Christmas in New England had some fabulous moments. We had two tinkertoy sets sent to Chris, and Zeke, Caleb and Michayle had a great time. John made a bug wapper! Chris served us high tea which was very special. Michayle who is five had made fruit kabobs with strawberries, and kiwis on toothpicks -- her own invention. We also had a great dinner at Hank's and a wonderful Mass at St. Pauls. They have Franciscans there now, what a change!

Now we're getting ready for spring. I bought a native hybrid azalea last Fall and I wasn't sure it would make it, but little green leaves are peeking out. The turtles have returned from whereever turtles go in winter.

I went to the INCOSE IW in February in Mesa AZ, outside Phoenix. I had a great time, but picked up a number of assignments that I am still working on. I volunteered to write a lesson plan template, for SE in classroom, but I didn't realize how much was involved. I have been gathering input, but putting myself in the mind of a Middle Schooler is a little tough. Hopefully I can get some words down this week.

Sue and I are thinking about planting a few things this year which was really exciting. We have some azaleas in front that are ready to bust out into bloom. My roses in back survived the winter, deer and squirrels. I'm hoping they can make a comeback. We're also going to try to put in a raised bed. I have been very frustrated at not being able to grow things in the South. Perhaps here I will make a difference!

Life is a little different than expected!

Here we are in the New Year and I have just finished two great books: "Switch: How to Make Changes When Change is Hard" by Chip and Dan Heath and "The Back of the Napkin" by Dan Roam. The first gives new perspective on resistance to change based on the intellect, emotions and the environment. Knowing the basis for resistance gives a path for making change. The second is for the "drawing impaired". It gives some interesting perspectives on how to sell ideas based on the way the brain works. "Switch" comes out February 15th, and " The Back of the Napkin" is available now. Both are must reads.

Maybe there is a Merry Christmas somewhere

I was worried about how Christmas would go with my youngest daughter, Alicia, her new husband Buddy, and son Evan. We joined them for dinner on the 20th as we were headed out to New England. We bought Evan a Tinkertoy set which he opened after a wonderful dinner of stuffed shells Alicia had prepared (one of my all time favorites). The tinkertoys were a little different than I remembered, and had a few additional parts. The good part though, was that Evan (who is seven) dove right in and started making cars.

I guess part of Christmas is reliving Christmas as a child sees it. It is bright shiny and beautiful filled with beautiful sounds and smells. Best of all it has wrapping paper and surprises! I wonder if we looked at all of life that way it wouldn't bless us all and take some of the "bah humbug" out of life in general.

Holidays??

Well I am beginning to understand why people get depressed on holidays. We barely survived Thanksgiving by joining my son, Nate at a restaurant, now we get to figure out how to do Christmas! My youngest daughter Alicia has a step-son, Evan who is seven. They get to split him half-days with his Mom. I certainly haven't figured out my role in this. We have decided to get him a Tinker-toy set for Christmas, but honestly I still feel a little uncomfortable about it. I can see this has always been a tough time for Sue and I, coming from enormously different expectations.

She just mentioned the thought of going upt to New England for Christmas, and frankly the thought terrifies me. I guess I feel like a third wheel when Sue is with her family. Oh, well. With Nate moving out just before Sue's Dad passed away, we really haven't been able to have the time to figure out where we go from here. I guess I'm afraid if we went North that would never, ever get resolved.

Looking for grateful children!

I guess we live in an odd age, where our children view their accomplishments as their own, and their failings as someone elses fault. I have been reading "How People Grow" by Cloud and Townsend. One of the very freeing things it covered in the book was that living in a sinful world, we would end up being sinners. We are responsible for our sin, but we have a God who is ready to forgive us.

When I was a young man, my parents bought me my first bike for my birthday. It was a heavy 26" Columbia with no extra gears -- that was uncommon in those days. I had many skinned knees and many good times on that bike. In fact it may have saved my life. One Saturday morning my Dad sent me off to a local market for a pack of cigarettes. I had to cross US 5, a four lane highway. As I started across a car jumped the light -- the next thing I remembered was laying on the roadbank stunned. My bike was junk, but other than a mild concussion I was uninjured.

Somehow I think all of lif is like learning to ride that bike. We are bound to make mistakes. Only we can decide if we will learn from them. The journey to holiness definitely has some bumps and scrapes. If we are defined by our jobs, our education, our children's success, and not by the fact that we are Children of the Most High God, we are always bound to be dissapointed. We won't always get the recognition we deserve; our education may bind us up rather than opening us up to the wonder around us; and the sacrifices we make for our children may not lead them to treat us with any respect.

Perhaps its a graduate school in humility. Perhaps no one would enter the school intentionally, but the benefits are great.