Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns
If you think Jesus would have come into your home that day and not issued a strong rebuke to the head of household, you are mistaken. These words of condemnation have been haunting me for days now. They aren’t all that different than the soundtrack I play in my head on an almost-daily basis. It’s…
I am nesting. On Saturday I emptied the refrigerator. Last summer’s homemade pickles in their jars. The bread ends that seem to multiply on every shelf. The eggs. The milk. The fruit and veggies. All of it sat on the floor or the counter as I carefully removed the shelves and wiped them down with…
I’ve heard that life is like a highway. And it definitely seems like that sometimes. The pace of life swirls around me at dizzying speeds. We’re all so busy. In such a hurry. Always somewhere to be, something else to do. I’m a get-to-the-point, get-there-quick kind of girl. I don’t like to waste time on…
… move to Alaska, or Maine, or Canada. The temperature hit 99 today. Ugh. And it’s supposed to be in the 90s all week. Given that I’m not all that fond of double-digit snowfalls and below-zero temperatures either, I’m thinking that moving north would not improve my discontent with the weather.
I don’t tolerate heat well, and I think my children are following somewhat. Whenever the temperature is high and the humidity likewise, our house seems less of a happy home. We’re more tired and less patient, eager to be outside but unwilling to roast our pale complexions in the sun. I’m the most guilty. I determined this morning to not turn the air conditioner on until it was absolutely necessary and by 3 p.m., it was. The damage to my mood was done by then. Isabelle wanted to go outside and do chalk, which I finally consented to at 5:45 p.m. The temperature at that point was at its highest, but my husband kindly withheld that information. Nobody wanted to eat much dinner, especially if it was warm in any way.
Does this happen in anyone else’s house?
And today’s only Monday. Anticipating that the heat/mood problem will likely worsen as the week goes on, I’m trying to think of ways to stay cool. Here’s my list so far:
Head to the mall. Isabelle can run free in A/C while I push Corban in the stroller. Downside: I’d be tempted to buy something with money we don’t have.
Phone a friend, especially one with a pool, wading or otherwise, or even a sprinkler. Our otherwise mostly perfect rental home has no outside hose hookup. I’m told sprinklers make just about anything better.
Liquid diet. Popsicles, milkshakes, smoothies … a brain freeze sounds pretty good right about now. Downside: Extra calories and sugar. Although maybe I’ll sweat enough to counteract it.
Indoor picnic. Lunch on a blanket in the living room, the coolest room in the house because the window air conditioner lives there.
Any other ideas? We’re talking inexpensive (free if possible), creative and fun ways to beat the heat with a 2-year-old and a 7-month-old, with or without leaving the house.
Help, please! Before I pack up our stuff and head north!
As the Fourth of July holiday nears, I’ve noticed the number of American flags increases. Actually, I started noticing it around Memorial Day. Most of our neighbors seem to have small ones lining their flower beds in their front yards. The flags are so prevalent I asked my husband, “Did we miss the free flag giveaway?” Last night on our walk around the block, we noticed a neighbor had put up a flag on a very short flagpole. The flag was just barely touching the ground while hanging limp from this too-short pole. We shared a look that indicated our appreciation for the effort at patriotism but disappointment for the execution. My husband, a veteran, is passionate about properly and respectfully displaying the flag.
Is it ironic, then, that we don’t have an American flag on display? I wonder if our neighbors, whose lawns are covered with small American flags, would consider us unpatriotic or un-American? I don’t much care if they do think that because flag or no flag, my love for my country is what it is.
So it is with symbols of my faith. I went through a couple of cross necklace phases (and a WWJD bracelet phase) but over time I abandoned those outward declarations, preferring to let my life speak for itself. (Disclaimer: I have no problem with anyone who chooses to wear a cross necklace, earrings or bracelets of any kind that proclaim a message about the Christian faith.) Granted, my life hasn’t always spoken well of the faith I profess, but I think sometimes the symbols immediately closed doors of conversation where without them, they could have been opened. Sure, the cross is offensive to those who don’t believe, but do we want people to be offended by us before we even have a chance to get to know them?
The Bible says people will know we are Christians by our love for one another, not by our jewelry, T-shirts, bumper stickers or fish magnets. (Or for my PA Dutch readers, by the black bumpers on our minivans.) If we aren’t loving each other in the church, and loving people outside the church, then the symbols of our faith that we wear will mean nothing to anyone.
I’m becoming more aware of how loudly my actions speak. What good does it do me to call myself a Christian if I don’t help those in need, pray for the hurting, visit the lonely and comfort the broken-hearted?
I’m reading this book, “Amish Grace,” about the shooting that happened at an Amish school near here several years ago, and how the families affected by this tragedy demonstrated forgiveness to the killer and his family. The authors describe how forgiveness is woven into the lives of the Amish for generations and is taught by example even to young children. It’s an essential attribute of their faith and lives, so when tragedy struck, they didn’t have to think hard about exhibiting forgiveness. That’s not to say it was easy, but they knew it was the right thing to do.
What is it about my life people will see? And will it move them closer to Christ? Most days I feel broken, unworthy and unable to carry the living water the Lord so freely offers. I mess up. I ignore. I judge. I dismiss. I see an opportunity and I pass it right on by. At least I’m honest, right?
Really, I guess what I’m saying is I don’t need to display a flag once a year or from Memorial Day to Labor Day to prove I’m patriotic, and I don’t need a cross necklace or a fish magnet on my car to prove I’m a Christian. Neither of those acts go very far in my mind to prove anybody’s commitment to anything.
In short, let your life speak, even if you think it doesn’t have much to say.