When I was in Europe, I ran an experiment for my stateside colleague. I showed up at work in braided pigtails. Pigtails!!! My international physicist colleagues didn't even bat an eye and treated me like the colleague I am. In fact they didn't even notice the pigtails. They are as oblivious as my husband, and I love him all the more for that very reason. I explained to my stateside colleague, the same reaction to the pigtails would NEVER happen in the states. Never. I can show up naked for work in Europe, and it'd be the same. Although, I might get a lot of smiles and extra visitors. I'll refrain from conducting that experiment though.
I haven't gone to the length's of my mother in law who used to go up to people and ask if her own sons were theirs (yet). Oh, the looks I get though make me want to pretend they are someone elses' children. The latest adventure resulted when I asked them go and search for a snack for the week each would like and it went like this:
1: How about this?
2: Let me see. Nope. Corn syrup, no way! Put it back!!
1: oh, mini oreos
2: Hmm... it says the first ingredient is SUGAR!!!! Put it back!!!
1: This one has high fructose corn syrup.
2: No!!!! NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP!
1: THIS ONE JUST SAYS FRUCTOSE?
2: SAME THING! Put it back! Oh, I'm taking teddy grahams.
1: uh-uh, let me see... Oh no corn syrup. I'll take those too!
1,2: Mom, we're ready!!!
I guess I shouldn't tell them I bought cookies for my weekly snack?
Cowboys play on Sunday!!!! Somedays I really, really, really wish we had tv reception. I'm wondering how bad it would be if I were to hide the purchase of a digital receiver from husband. Is there any way I could accidentally purchase one?
I'll have to give that some thought. Next week they play MN!!! Good times. I'm sure Maria will give me play by play updates if the Vikings score.
What is it about growth spurts and crankiness? Trees and flowers bud in silence, my children - not so much. Her majesty woke up (late), cranky, went back to bed and re-awoke as little Miss cranky-pants. I don't get it!
We've been to the state fair of MN (eh - it was ok), but not OHs' yet. They'll never be the state fair of Texas so why bother going is my opinion(oh, did I say that aloud? There will be retribution I'm sure!), but here's something I won't be reminiscing about, fried or on a stick?
Fried beer. Apparently it's a winner. There's so many things I miss about Texas but fried beer won't be one of them.
I asked Monkey boy last night: Why did God create you?
Without batting an eye, taking a breath or searching his mind, he rattled off ' to know him, love him, serve him and be happy with him'
"In heaven", I added. 'yep'
I stand in awe that God chose me to reveal to his children who God is and in so doing they reveal to me who God is. I ponder sometimes that soldiers don't go wandering aimlessly through a battlefield, players don't go on the field without a game plan, I don't go in unprepared when I need to make a presentation to my colleagues, so why should I go out in life not prepared or knowing my purpose, my mission? If I don't know what my purpose here on earth is, I'll wander aimlessly in and out of doors leading who know where. I'll be occupied for sure, but I'll never know nor complete my mission. More's the pity for me.
Well? Don't you? This is the question posed to Jesus by Martha today when she's overburdened with work and there's no one to help her. Why, I wonder do I also assume that Jesus just doesn't care when he sits back and waits while I turn irreverent, selfish, conceited, and yes I very much am all the things I just mentioned. Although, I could have just as easily said 'the world turns irreverent...', but why travel so far when the problem is really much closer than that. Does he not care?
He cares only too much. So much does he love us that he will not force his will upon us, because a gift that's required is no gift at all. He wants us to love him, to love our neighbor as ourselves, but he will not make us do so.
So what’s my response? To be present, truly present, when I’m listening to someone drone on, when I’m with the kids, when I’m distracted with problems and in all the moments of today, if I could just be present to whoever and whatever needs my attention, I just might be able to become a better person and in so doing, give him the gift he so desperately desires of me.
Monkeyboy wanted to buy a remote controlled plane with the money burning a hole in his pocket. So off we went, only he sabotaged his purchase by terrorizing his sister. The next day we tried again only his behavior was an exact replica of the day prior. My response: I'm done! We've tried. You're not trying - don't ask again.
Hmmm... What is remarkable to me is that in my own life our Lord listens to me (He actually listens, which really anyone who listens to me should get a prize.), and forgives me each and every time I ask forgiveness, for the same stupid stuff I do.
This isn't a mute, name-less, face-less Lord, it's Jesus himself who hears me, who listens to me, who forgives me over and over and over again. He never tires of forgiving (my confessor - well that's probably a different story).
I guess we'll try for the plane again later this week and then again this weekend until we get it right.
Five times I have received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I have been beaten with rods; once I was stoned. Three times I have been shipwrecked; at night and at day I have been adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brethren; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? (2 Cor 12:24-29)
and how was your day?
The children's night prayers always put me to shame. Always.
'What are you thankful for today?'
- for the family
'You're thankful for the family when I'm cranky at you for having eaten all the chocolate?'
(It was my special belgian batch and it was suppose to last another week at least!!!)
- yeah
'Oh, please what is something you are really thankful for today?'
- Just because your cranky with me doesn't mean I don't love you and the family.
By the way the follow up question was: 'What's something you'd need help doing?'
-not eating all the chocolate
