School - back to the routine. I was singing the happy song on Tuesday morning as I drove our two oldest to school. I even embarrassed them a little - though completely unintentionally. Really! I was so happy to have my family up with me early in the morning, preparing for the day and ready and eager to learn. Selfishly, this just meant everyone would go to bed a little bit earlier and I would get a little more sleep...or so I thought....
The school year has begun - filled with the forms that need to be completed, schedules that need to be re-arranged, lunches to be packed, and late night homework to finish. I have always said I am best with routine. When I know what to expect in terms of schedule and find a groove, I think I work best. However, I admit, this change over has made me a little bit cranky.
I guess I had my routine this summer. I stayed up late and laughed with the boys, and often fell asleep on the sofa - or tried to fall asleep in bed - with the boys up to crazy antics in our bedroom. I'd wake up early, try not to wake anyone else and go through my morning routine and off to work. Check in with the family during the day - come home from work and see what the evening plans were. Now that school has started - I don't like being the grouchy Mom who says - "time for bed," "did you get your homework done," and "we need to go."
So - I've decided that while I still operate best with routine and a schedule - I need to lighten up just a little. Lord, I need grace - and the right words. Thank you for your patience with me -and your never changing with the shifting shadows.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Being There
Joyce was in the throws of raising her three children, working hard to provide a good home life for Kaitlyn, Jocelyn and Chris. She didn't just invest in the lives of her kids and call it good. She invested in her community. My husband preferred going to her pharmacy because of her friendliness and constant help. Countless others frequented her store because they liked to be around her. She is the kind of person who always made you laugh, asked about your own kids, arranged time to spend with friends - she like being there. There for friends, her kids and her community.
Well, Joyce can no longer be there - it's our turn to step up. Joyce died unexpectedly in her sleep almost 3 weeks ago. Shock has filled her community and you can almost feel the loss when you walk into her store. It's almost awkward. The flowers are starting to fade. Her kids will start school next week. The shock is beginning to wear off and the reality is setting in.
In the midst of crisis management, I learned what a hole she has left. But I am confident many have learned from her model - though she never intended that to be. Being there has so much value - more than a wrapped gift or a bonus from work - she was there. And the challenge to me, make the most of every opportunity - to be there, for those right along your path.
Well, Joyce can no longer be there - it's our turn to step up. Joyce died unexpectedly in her sleep almost 3 weeks ago. Shock has filled her community and you can almost feel the loss when you walk into her store. It's almost awkward. The flowers are starting to fade. Her kids will start school next week. The shock is beginning to wear off and the reality is setting in.
In the midst of crisis management, I learned what a hole she has left. But I am confident many have learned from her model - though she never intended that to be. Being there has so much value - more than a wrapped gift or a bonus from work - she was there. And the challenge to me, make the most of every opportunity - to be there, for those right along your path.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
What's with that Music?
Music is often the topic of conversation at church, around the church and after church. Even when we meet with other pastors - "Hey, so what are you doing about the music?" It's a subject I am quite passionate about - for different reasons than you might think.
Music can be incredibly personal and holds so much emotion. What is it that makes music so powerful? We attach memories and feelings with a particular combination of notes and lyrics. I was watching a television show recently on my laptop at home. I was the only one watching the show. Typical background music that was creating a mood. Paul walked through the room and said, "that sounds like a funeral." Interestingly enough - it wasn't a familiar tune that anyone would recognize as being in a funeral or memorial service, like Amazing Grace or It is Well. This was really just an orchestra in the backround. While it wasn't a funeral I was watching, there was pictured a man in a casket. WOW, I thought - that music depicted the scene pretty well.
Later last night, we appeared to be hitting a wall with our kids and homework. The lack of sleep was taking it's toll on the kids in addition to the massive amounts of reading, project preparation and assigments that needed to be done. Suffice it to say - we needed to change the music. So, as I am known to do with my boys, I turned up the music. I started with the Happy Little Working Song from the soundtrack for "Enchanted." (This is the song I will play when I do housework....and would rather not be.) The words were a little hard to understand and it became more of a love song....which didn't exactly appeal to the boys. However, I then put on the soundtrack to the movie "Charlie's Angels" and that got the room to rockin'. They couldn't help getting up and getting goofy. Before you knew it - we were all into the strong beats and rythyms of the music getting the blood flowing again.
There are some songs I will sing (and I use the term "sing" loosely) when my boys need a pick me up. They eventually smile and decide life isn't horrible afterall. Just like when they were babies, I would sing to calm them and send them to sleepyland. The songs now are still to calm, but to give them new perspective. (Life should be fun.)
So - when someone is listening to music you don't "get" and they dance up and down in a way that might be considered exercise in some gyms, appreciate it - they may need it. Or, you feel like you might fall asleep, or need to put in earplugs because the volume is too high or the notes too shrill - appreciate the fact that you can hear and feel - the music.
Maybe today, you need a change in music - with a change in the station - you might find yourself experiencing something new and invigorating - or the peace you long for. So - find someone with different tastes than your own - listen to what inspires and motivates them. You might learn something new about the power of music.
Music can be incredibly personal and holds so much emotion. What is it that makes music so powerful? We attach memories and feelings with a particular combination of notes and lyrics. I was watching a television show recently on my laptop at home. I was the only one watching the show. Typical background music that was creating a mood. Paul walked through the room and said, "that sounds like a funeral." Interestingly enough - it wasn't a familiar tune that anyone would recognize as being in a funeral or memorial service, like Amazing Grace or It is Well. This was really just an orchestra in the backround. While it wasn't a funeral I was watching, there was pictured a man in a casket. WOW, I thought - that music depicted the scene pretty well.
Later last night, we appeared to be hitting a wall with our kids and homework. The lack of sleep was taking it's toll on the kids in addition to the massive amounts of reading, project preparation and assigments that needed to be done. Suffice it to say - we needed to change the music. So, as I am known to do with my boys, I turned up the music. I started with the Happy Little Working Song from the soundtrack for "Enchanted." (This is the song I will play when I do housework....and would rather not be.) The words were a little hard to understand and it became more of a love song....which didn't exactly appeal to the boys. However, I then put on the soundtrack to the movie "Charlie's Angels" and that got the room to rockin'. They couldn't help getting up and getting goofy. Before you knew it - we were all into the strong beats and rythyms of the music getting the blood flowing again.
There are some songs I will sing (and I use the term "sing" loosely) when my boys need a pick me up. They eventually smile and decide life isn't horrible afterall. Just like when they were babies, I would sing to calm them and send them to sleepyland. The songs now are still to calm, but to give them new perspective. (Life should be fun.)
So - when someone is listening to music you don't "get" and they dance up and down in a way that might be considered exercise in some gyms, appreciate it - they may need it. Or, you feel like you might fall asleep, or need to put in earplugs because the volume is too high or the notes too shrill - appreciate the fact that you can hear and feel - the music.
Maybe today, you need a change in music - with a change in the station - you might find yourself experiencing something new and invigorating - or the peace you long for. So - find someone with different tastes than your own - listen to what inspires and motivates them. You might learn something new about the power of music.
Friday, February 6, 2009
I have lots of thyme - but enough time?
What is it with spices - I have too much thyme and not enough time. Is that really true? Well, yes, I do have too many containers of thyme in my cupboard. My husband discovered some more hidden in the pantry. But about time - I have enough.
Some things change - but the 24 hours we are given each day - apparently God believed it to be enough - enough to accomplish what he desires us to do. That begs the question - what am I doing that may not be part of what God designed me to fit into the 24 hours he has given? That's something we need to regularly ask ourselves.
When I got up this morning - I checked my email, sewed a small project for a friend, quickly got ready for work, grabbed breakfast to eat in the car and headed out to get kids to school on time. Then, I ran to the office, checked email again, listened to phone messages, responded to many - not all, made comments on facebook, began cranking through the list of TO DO's on my notepad, had an unpleasant conversation with the flexible spending department, developed a bad attitude, went back to the to do list and kept focused until time for lunch. Then - headed over the finance department, made a delivery, met my husband at home for lunch to go over the "home list and calendar." While my tuna sandwich waited, I threw together a batch of cookies (from a mix) and put them in the oven. Ate lunch with Paul then got up and put together dinner for tonight. Kissed my husband and then headed back to work. While I was in the car - checked my bad attitude and determined it needed a change - so I did. That's the first half of the day.
At what point did I stop to ask for direction - I confess - I didn't. Maybe that's why I hit the bed at 8:30 last night and fell asleep. I was exhausted from running to please those around me, my husband, my kids, my boss, others at work, my friends - not once really asking Jesus - what pleases you today.
I watched a cute movie, the Princess Diaries 2. In the movie, the princess finds that in her role, she also has received "ladies in waiting." These two young women are there to meet whatever their mistress needs.
I have enough time - and so do you. To see my time expand to fit the work I am called to do - I find I must be more of a "Lady in Waiting" for my Lord - and less of a workaholic for others. You see, God will show me how to use my time - now, maybe I should check the cookbook for the excess thyme.
Some things change - but the 24 hours we are given each day - apparently God believed it to be enough - enough to accomplish what he desires us to do. That begs the question - what am I doing that may not be part of what God designed me to fit into the 24 hours he has given? That's something we need to regularly ask ourselves.
When I got up this morning - I checked my email, sewed a small project for a friend, quickly got ready for work, grabbed breakfast to eat in the car and headed out to get kids to school on time. Then, I ran to the office, checked email again, listened to phone messages, responded to many - not all, made comments on facebook, began cranking through the list of TO DO's on my notepad, had an unpleasant conversation with the flexible spending department, developed a bad attitude, went back to the to do list and kept focused until time for lunch. Then - headed over the finance department, made a delivery, met my husband at home for lunch to go over the "home list and calendar." While my tuna sandwich waited, I threw together a batch of cookies (from a mix) and put them in the oven. Ate lunch with Paul then got up and put together dinner for tonight. Kissed my husband and then headed back to work. While I was in the car - checked my bad attitude and determined it needed a change - so I did. That's the first half of the day.
At what point did I stop to ask for direction - I confess - I didn't. Maybe that's why I hit the bed at 8:30 last night and fell asleep. I was exhausted from running to please those around me, my husband, my kids, my boss, others at work, my friends - not once really asking Jesus - what pleases you today.
I watched a cute movie, the Princess Diaries 2. In the movie, the princess finds that in her role, she also has received "ladies in waiting." These two young women are there to meet whatever their mistress needs.
I have enough time - and so do you. To see my time expand to fit the work I am called to do - I find I must be more of a "Lady in Waiting" for my Lord - and less of a workaholic for others. You see, God will show me how to use my time - now, maybe I should check the cookbook for the excess thyme.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
God is Mysterious
Do you ever find yourself wondering why God works the way he does? I had coffee with a friend today who wonders WHY? I shared a cinnamon roll with another friend today who just lost his wife of 60+ years - he too wants to know WHY? I have a family member experiencing major stresses at work, with health of he and his son - WHY? I have friends who have lost much in the recent months, including jobs, health and marriages under fire - WHY?
I am not afraid to ask why....because I do TRUST in the One who can explain - and will reveal as the timing is right. My God is big enough for me to ask WHY - and for that I am thankful today. Sometimes I just look to my Jesus and ask - but because I look to Him - I have peace. Not answers today - just peace, knowing that the God of the universe is with me, always.
I am not afraid to ask why....because I do TRUST in the One who can explain - and will reveal as the timing is right. My God is big enough for me to ask WHY - and for that I am thankful today. Sometimes I just look to my Jesus and ask - but because I look to Him - I have peace. Not answers today - just peace, knowing that the God of the universe is with me, always.
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