Mondays

With anything in life I think we have those good and bad days, some days are more difficult than others and yet some are really good. I look forward to those really good days. Every day is a new day, with each new day it seems like there is something about home I miss more than usual.

Today I am missing my little red headed buddy, Brady!!! Monday was my favorite day of the week because that was my day to spend with the little guy, oh how I cherish those times. I never knew it was possible to love someone that much, I really do feel sorry for my own kids (if I ever have them) because hands down Brady is my favorite. Things I miss about the nephew: going feed the ducks, racing (he always beats me), playing in the tubes, hide and seek, bake (he loves to make a mess), tickling and hearing that adorable laugh, getting coffee (the baristas at Starbucks know his drink), reading, singing Brady’s song (which by the way I can hardly ever sing, hear, etc. anymore without tears), playing cars, watching Nemo, going to the zoo, seeing him at church on Saturday night, sleep overs/camp outs at Lolli and Pops’ house and so much more!!! Yes I Mondays make me miss the toot but I am so thankful for the memory making times we have had up to this point.

Back to School

It is that time of year, as summer vacation draws to a close and it is back to reality we go I think back on my many “first days” of school. Tomorrow many moms and dads will drop off their little ones to Kindergarten for the first time and tears will be shed as they try to come to grips with their babies growing up. For some reason the young ones think school is cool and they love the teacher, those elementary students will have a hard time sleeping tonight as they are excited to be back in those tiny desks. Then there are those strange years of middle school…they are special! That awkward stage of life when preteens are trying to figure things out, some are too cool for school and others are wetting their pants scared to death of the new environment of middle school. And of course those crazy high schoolers…enough said! Everyone knows that high school has very little to do with class and everything to do with socializing!!!

I think back to those first day of school pics in front of the fire place and then out in the front yard, we were always so proud of our new clothes and more importantly the new lunch box!!! I remember riding to school with my big brother on my first day of high school…I thought I was so cool, little did I know. I try to erase the middle school from my memory bank, such an awkward stage of life. Even better those first days of college…those were the best four years of my life!!!

There are a lot of first in the next few days and for some lots of last first…last first day of school, last first game of the season, last first pep rally, etc… Back to school, back to school…prove to dad that I’m no fool

Be Still

Be still (cease striving) and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Psalm 46:10, 11

Over the past few weeks I have had an unusual amount of down time, way more than what I am accustomed to. Things were so back home had been so busy those last months but especially the last three weeks I was in Texas before I left for Virginia, I had very little free time as there were people to see, trips to make and things to get done. The past three weeks here have almost been polar opposite, I get off work and have nothing, and the weekend comes and goes…nothing. At first all this “free-time” was unnerving but I have grown to appreciate it and I am sure as things pick up and the semester heads into full swing I will miss the “free-time.” Truth be told, I think that sometimes being “busy” is a status statement, as to say that we are important, connected or whatever it is that we want our image to be. What I have found recently is that silence in the stillness is uncomfortable as well, at times. Just as we manage to find things to keep us “busy” we also manage to surround ourselves with noise, to the point that silence is awkward. Even though I have had more free-time than normal I still find myself looking back and asking where the time has gone…lots of wasted time. Not that any of the following is bad but really is it the best use of my time? Facebook? (justified in that this is probably the number one way that students communicate and so I stay connected), stalking Phelps in the Olympics, shopping on-line for good prices on flights home (this is not a waste of time), etc…

Sometimes I am just a slow learner but I think it is sinking in this time. I guess it is true that life experience is the best teacher. Be still…

shower in the stairwell

This morning I had the “privilege” of receiving an object lesson at church. The 8:20 big church service had let out early and so I had gone out to check on one of the small groups. As I was making my way back over to the main campus a friend stopped to let me know she had brought an Americano for me. Bursting with excitement because I had not yet had any coffee we ran back inside and headed down for the special delivery. As we were walking down stairs to the FLC I hear this “splat” and see what at I first I thought was water showering down from above. IF ONLY it were water, the shower was accompanied by a putrid smell and a little girl crying…”mommy, I don’t feel good.” Well, I am thinking, girlfriend you better be feeling better now because you just threw up all over me.

Now you have to understand, I have an incredibly weak stomach so as I realize what has happened I am running to the restroom myself (Mamma, I don’t feel so well…oh wait my mamma is not here). I then try to clean myself up enough to make the trip back to the house to change. The thing about vomit is that the stench stays with you and every time I get a whiff, it makes me want to vomit. Thankfully I made it home to change and back up to the church in no time flat so I did not miss out on anything important.

In the service this morning we participated in Communion and Todd reminded us of the significance and symbolism of the elements that we share at the table. Tonight as I reflect on the day I think about how disgusted I was by the shower in the stairwell, does the sin in my life disgust me in the same way. I am thankful for the Grace that I enjoy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and I want my life to be marked as one that was in pursuit of Him no doubt. One thing that Todd challenged us with as we gathered around the table was for us to take a look at our spiritual lives and ask where I am and what is keeping me from true intimacy with the Lord. Does the stench of the sin in my life keep me from returning time and time again to my flesh and to those things that so easily entangle me? I don’t want to be like that dog who returns to his own vomit.

You Are Not Alone

I search for love
When the night came and it closed in
I was alone
but you found me where I was hiding
and though I'll never ever be the same
It was the sweetest voice that called my name
singing

You're not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away every fear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest night
and I'm the one that's loved you all your life
All of your life

You cry yourself to sleep
cause the hurt is real
and the pain cuts deep
All hope seems lost
With heartache your closest friend
and everyone else long gone

You've had to face the music on your own
but there is a sweeter song that calls you home
**sayin'

You're not alone
For I am here
let me wipe away your every tear
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through the darkest nights
And I'm the one that's love you all your life
All your life

Faithful and true... Forever
For my love will carry you....

You're not alone
for I... I am here
let me wipe away every fear... Oh yeah
My love I've never left your side
I have seen you through your darkest nights
Your darkest nights
And I'm the one that's loved you all your life
All of your life