Stop circling the wagons!

I have one complaint about Christians.  OK, maybe more than one, but for the sake of this blog post we'll go with one.  I love my fellow Christ followers...I do.  Despite the fact that we love Jesus, we're still mortally flawed human beings desperately in need of grace. 

What I have a problem with are the cliques that seem to permeate so many Christian groups.  We (yes, I'm including myself in the proverbial "we") get involved in something, find the set of friends we want to associate with and there we sit.  We're comfortable.  We don't want anyone to disrupt our little bubble.  Heaven forbid that anyone else might want to join us.  New people show interest in participating and the uproar begins. 

"No, we like things the way they are.  We don't want things to change. Let them start their own group."

Really?  Is that how Jesus handled the masses who pressed in around him?  Thankfully He welcomed them all, excluding no one.  Not the lepers, the prostitutes, the tax collectors, the most unclean.  No one was left out. Scripture tells us God is no respecter of persons.  So why are we?  Do we think we are that much better than him that we can choose who to include?  God calls us to reach out and mentor, helping those who are behind us on the journey, loving those who have not yet begun.  Instead, we close our ranks and become exclusive. 

If we're circling the wagons around our "perfect" little piece of terra firma, how on earth is anyone suppose to grow?

Life is messy - wear goulashes

This week kicked me in the butt.

We survived the first week back to school.  I wish I could say it was great...that we all jumped back in with enthusiasm, worked hard and had wonderful attitudes.  I wish I could say that.  No, it was more like slogging our way through the trenches doing the best we could to keep the mud out of our eyes.  We were all exhausted and quite dirty by the end of it all, but we got it all done.  Well, unless you count the two dental appointments on two different days that I completely forgot...but I'm not counting those. 

Along with the usual craziness of wrangling the troops there were some landmines thrown in as well.  You know, the things you never saw coming that totally throw you for a loop.  Funny thing about landmines is when they go off life around them doesn't stop.  You're still left to do all the normal, daily stuff with one hand while trying to clean up a mess with the other.  It's part of life.  Part of living in a fallen world I guess. 

The important thing is we survived and lived to see another week.  Here's hoping it's a bit smoother and a whole lot less messy, but just in case I'm wearing my goulashes.

Miss Scarlett, Miss Scarlett!

Today's a funny day of sorts.  Our first day back to school is going well...insane, but well.  No, that is not an oxymoron.  We're still laughing and speaking to each other, so overall I'd say it's been a success.

Today also marks the three year anniversary of Fred's first visit.  I went to bed on August 7th oblivious to the coming storm and woke up August 8th in a deep depression. 

Talk about a bad day. 

It took about a year to get him to leave, but thankfully he finally did.  I can feel a bit of anxiety flitting about the edges of my mind today, but I'm trying not to give it any playing time.  Today I'm glad for busyness...it doesn't leave much room for reflection.  Reflection can be good for the soul, but the right timing and perspective are critical or it just might suck you back under. 

So in the words of Scarlett O'Hara, "I'll think about it tomorrow.  After all, tomorrow is another day!"  Now where DID I put my big hat?

So it begins

"So it begins." Gandalf in Return of the King

Granted Gandalf was referring to the last battle for middle Earth and the end of all mankind...this is just the first day of school, but if feels a lot like going to war.  We've prepared and prayed and waited.  And now it begins.  Thankfully our outcome is a bit surer than that of our LOTR friends.

Emma and I got a head start last week and had a wonderful time learning about China with Five In A Row and The Story of Ping. This week the boys hit the books along with us. There's still a lot of craziness with multiple football practices, but I've been assuring them they can do it. They are set on convincing me they cannot. I bet I win.

Homeschooling is a lot like living in a one room school house. This year I'll be "attending" high school, Jr. High, 4th and 1st. Deep breathe...deep breathe. Add in sports, church, hs group, hearth and home and I honestly don't know HOW it will all get done, but somehow it always does. It's a lot like tithing. Give 10% to God and He somehow stretches the rest. I can't explain it, but I trust as I do it for His glory that He will make it work.

Our favorite Lord of the Rings characters needed strength, courage and an amazing bow wielding elf to accomplish their task.  I'll need copious amounts of coffee and equal amounts of prayer to accomplish mine.  Come to think of it, maybe the bow wielding elf might come in handy too.

Goldilocks and the not so blond hair

OK, so apparently complaining about the weather has no affect on said weather.  I think it only serves to leave me in a bad mood - a mood so bad no amount of Reese's ice cream bars can conquer.

I found myself considering a move to Colorado or Alaska to escape the 30 something days of plus 100 degree heat.  A friend suggested Antarctica, but I think that's a little extreme.  Even as I considered cooler climates, I realized those wouldn't make me happy either...too cold in the winter.  Really?  I sound an awful lot like Goldilocks - "That one's too hot!  That one's too cold!  That one's just right!"  I don't want it too hot, I don't want it too cold.  I want it just right to suit me.  Yes, I sound like a little girl throwing a temper tantrum.  Like Goldilocks minus the blond hair.

I wonder at such a view of life.  How often do I adopt the Goldilocks perspective, not wanting anything "too hard" or "too soft", but only what is "just right"?  Translation - only what is easy?  That's not reality.  Scripture tells us things will be hard and we will face trials (James 1:2).  There will be hardships, difficult relationships, disappointments and loss.  I shouldn't wish them away or consider moving to cooler climates to avoid being uncomfortable.  It's in being uncomfortable that we're stretched in our faith.  It's surviving the hardships that make us stronger.  Not stronger in ourselves, but stronger in our realization of the One who gives us strength. 

Paul says in Philippians chapter four he has learned to be content in any circumstance.  Though he doesn't list extreme heat, I'm sure that's what he meant!  His secret?  He recognized his lack of strength and utter dependence on Christ.  I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me...even withstand the heatwave of 2011. (paraphrase mine!)

So while moving to cooler climates may be appealing, it's not the answer to the Goldilocks perspective.  What I need is not a climate change, but an attitude change.  Who knows what I might find in the midst of the heatwave if I stop looking for "just right" and instead look for Jesus.

A bit of summer rambling

My "no complaining about the heat" idea is over.  Being positive is overrated.  I'm officially complaining.  107 today according to my handy dandy weather app.  That is not fit for man nor beast!  At almost 9:00 p.m it's still 101.  Yes, I am done.  I realize my complaining will not in any way alter the actual temperature or weather patterns, but at least it lets off a little steam.

Emma's first day of first grade went swimmingly (still stuck on the "heat" theme here).  She had a bit of a fever last night so we considered postponing things, but in the end her excitement won out.  We did however opt for school in her jammies.  We'll save first day of school pics for tomorrow when we have time to brush our hair.  Twenty years from now no one will be the wiser.

Connor and Austin survived football practice.  They are tougher than I am...but don't tell them I said that.  After all the morning festivities I got the grocery shopping done and was able to pack away another five meals in my freezer.  I'll try to get a few more done tomorrow.  Meals in the freezer will help tremendously when all the football games start up in a couple of weeks.

I'm going to go plop down on the couch now and put my feet up.  It's been a full, but wonderful day.  I think I deserve a treat don't you?  There's one of these in the freezer calling my name.  Oh yeah, they are divine and they're all mine!  I told the kids they're "mommy treats"...don't judge me.