Misty Melting Monday

Today has been a total reversal of the last two fabulously sunny days. It seems that it coincides with my study of Esther and the reversal of destiny that is so prevalent and the topic of Chiastic Structure that was introduced in the study but also brought up by a local Bible teacher! I won't do justice to the definition given in the study, so if you really want to understand the literary term, I highly recommend doing Beth Moore's study of Esther!! There's a roundabout plug. To give an example of it: "Eat to live, don't live to eat." See the reversal? Anyway, the mists have been flowing in all day. Right now I can barely see across our pond. It comes and goes, but having it instead of snow is a positive. The weather is continuing to melt our snow and the bank in front of the house is slowly receeding!

As the snow is slipping away, I am finding my energy return. I went to a friend's son's soccer game the other day. He is four and there is something so sweet about watching 4-5 year old's try to play soccer! They do pretty well, considering, but there was a moment that was extradordinary! Towards the end of the game, one boy had a wide open shot. He wound up and gave it his all; only to find the ball alluding his toes, but finding the heel. He proceeded to trip up and the ball literally cushioned his fall the entire way down. It was perfect. The ball travelled along his body as he fell down, yet never hit the floor hard. All of us in the "crowd" stifled our giggles, and exclamations as his little teammate made his way to help his friend. Then it happened. The 2nd boy had an open shot as well, but his sights were only on his friend. He, the 2nd boy, disregarded all of us in the stands yelling for him to kick the ball, in order to bend down and help his fallen friend. Once he realized the game was going on and his friend was ok, the rest of the kids had made their way to the scene and the shot was no longer open. To my dismay and humbling realization, most of us watching began to bemoan the lost goal opportunity. It hit me immediately that we should have erupted into cheers for that boy's actions, for they showed the best life lesson. I loved how the focus was totally for his friend and the game was completely secondary. Only after the shouts penetrated his conciousness did he mentally return to the game.
I was so convicted. I wondered how often I was "in" the game and didn't stop to help a fallen friend. I knew I had gone right past. I have a tendency to become very task-oriented and narrowly focused. Leave it to a 4-year-old's soccer game to impact me. I truly hope my heart will be melted as the snowbank in my yard and that I will be able to see the friends who need a hand and not bemoan a lost opportunity to further my goals or finish my tasks.

Marvelous Monday!

Barely made it. I thought I would be really good at utilizing my only day off when my husband is at work to do a very thought out, serious, deeply moving entry. Not so much. I think a couple weeks ago when I thought up this genius idea, he had the day off. When he has a day "off" it really means a day of work on the house that necessitates my help. I am usually thrilled at the change of events and enthusiastically drop any plans that I had (usually much more relaxing plans) and jump right in! Note the sarcasm. I'm working on all that, sarcasm included!

Then there is today. My fabulous husband (seriously, no sarcasm) has such a strong work ethic that I often feel guilty if I haven't been productive in my days home. I felt very proud of myself today, as I did laundry, re-stacked the wood pile, cooked a fancy meatloaf with mashed potatoes on top, walked the dogs, and cleaned the kitchen and living room. Oh, and I made our 2-week menu and went grocery shopping, stopped at the bank and even browsed the bookstore! I felt like a superwoman! I cannot figure out how moms do it. I would go batty. Kudo's to moms!
So all that to say, I have not spent too much time on my "pooter" as a nephew used to call it. I try to stay off the computer when my lover is home so as to better give him all my undivided attention as we watch t.v. or whatever! Well, he's out at a practice for a musical (he's a phenomenal drummer), so I'm back online!

Sometimes I really should take more application of all the Proverbs that speak of fewer words. Does it count if it's online and not out the mouth? This way I can peruse what I've "said" and edit if needed! A deep theological discussion for another day perhaps.

On a slightly more serious note, I am on for starting this women's group. I am so lost! I am so glad that it is not about me. Talk about going batty... I felt led to begin this group now and I think the timing is not at all conducive to good management! I thought I would wait until fall, but that was not the message I was getting! O.K.! I figured there would not be interest in it until fall, when the timing would make more sense. I threw out my thoughts of starting this to my pastor and he instantly put it into the church news that is sent via email and printed to be passed out at church. To my surprise, I've had several responses! Apparently, I'm not the only woman in our church who desires a women's group. I'm sensing this is why there was a push to do this now. But really? ME? Am I really a good representative to facilitate this? I am reminded of an acronym that was once used at another church for the qualifications of a leader: FAT. Lovely, huh? On a simplified explanation, I need to be faithful, available, and teachable. I think that's right. Alright, I will strive to be FAT!

I love the Sunday School study of Esther that we're doing as it has shown me so much. I felt that God was telling me that He wanted me to do this now, and if I wasn't going to, He'd use someone else. Didn't Mordecai say something similar to Esther? I clearly am not in such a place and time to save a people from genocide, but it struck a chord. I can let myself be used and place myself in a position to be used thereby enjoying the blessings of seeing God work, or I can let someone else do it. I cannot tell you how excited I am to see what God has planned for us!

I am researching studies that I want to do - too many and so little time - and other research materials that I'd like to utilize for myself. I have been praying my head off for God to be glorified in this and not me or a specific study. I have been toying with logistical issues, and decided that this can't be for everyone, so it will just have to be. God will decide what it will be for those who come.

Well, I think I hear my husband coming!
So much for deep, theological entries!