Grace

Grace, she takes the blame
She covers the shame
Removes the stain
It could be her name

Grace, it's a name for a girl
It's also a thought that changed the world

And when she walks on the street
You can hear the strings
Grace finds goodness in everything

Grace, she's got the walk
Not on a ramp or on chalk
She's got the time to talk
She travels outside of karma, karma
She travels outside of karma

When she goes to work
You can hear the strings
Grace finds beauty in everything

Grace, she carries a world on her hips
No champagne flute for her lips
No twirls or skips between her fingertips
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt, what once was friction
What left a mark no longer stains
Because Grace makes beauty out of ugly things

Grace finds beauty in everything
Grace finds goodness in everything

- U2

Interrupted by God

"We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. we may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks, as the priest passed by the man who had fallen among thieves, perhaps - reading the Bible." D. Bonhoeffer, Life Together

What do you think? How can we know an interruption is by God? Are all interruptions by God? It's interesting to think of, especially as a mom to 3 kids, where I know that oftentimes my agenda and plans are interrupted by them, and for good reason. They truly are important and truly are from God.

Still, things must get done and I struggle with knowing if there's a balance and what that is.

Do Not Ignore

"Do you wish to honour the body of Christ? Do not ignore him when he is naked? Do not pay him homage in the temple clad in silk, only then to neglect him outside where he is cold and ill-clad? He who said:"This is my body" is the same who said: "You saw me hungry and you gave me no food," and whatever you did to the least of my brothers you did also to me. What good is it if the Eucharistic table is overloaded with golden chalices when your brother is dying of hunger? Start by satisfying his hunger and then with what is left you may adorn the altar as well. -John Chrysostom
(quote from 3rd century)

Habit of Happiness

I was trying to make room in my overcrowded bookcase and thought I'd purge a few books that I did not love or those that I had bought but never gotten around to reading. I have a hard time getting rid of books; to me, every book has value. Of course, this may not be true but even ones that I disagree with at times have been beneficial.

Some books are too "women" oriented and I don't view myself super girly and all that. (I suppose this is one area I'd do well in trying a bit harder at) So, the easiest ways to purge a book is to look and see if it has "women' in the title.

Have you noticed that most books created for women are almost like a "lite" version of the real thing? I'd rather just read the real thing!

Yet I do see the value to addressing women's issues and seeing things more in that realm. Truly, there is a difference between man and women. I know this. It's quite evident yet it bothers me when things are just dumbed down and marketed to women in more digestible, easier to read ways.

Of course, not all books are like that. Some are just truly addressing the things that women go through. Like being a mother. I often forget that is my God given role and it's utterly important.

So, one of the books I almost purged what Elizabeth George's A Woman After God's Own Heart. I daresay if I read this book I just might hate it, but only because I fall so short of it.

As I pondered getting rid of it, I opened it up and my eyes fell on this phrase: Habit of Happiness. And it's a choice. Its work. It's prayer. It's not just a feeling, it's something cultivated and sought after.

Often I think that it's not true happiness if I have to work and will my way to it but perhaps I'm wrong?

I've posted a few days ago about rediscovering joy, about amazing grace and now I'm being stretched to realize a bit more. I think that one of the reasons I struggle with forgiveness/grace is because I expect much. I know we are supposed to give expecting nothing but I find that hard to do! If I search deep enough, my actions, words all have a motive that usually centers around me.

In Elizabeth George's book she writes that a heart that gives is required of us. We are servant and goes on to say that we should have a heart that is giving, generous, expecting nothing in return and a heart of fun.

The bad thing about books like this is that in the end, I'm just trying to go through a checklist, and I fail. I fail so badly! I'm not saying I shouldn't even try; I know I should try and my life will be blessed for doing these things, being a good wife and mother, friend etc. yet sometimes I think I'm missing something. What is the balance of doing things, being obedient and doing things out of love for the Lord?

Amazing Grace

A long time ago, when I was in high school my church chose to do a musical called HiTops for our drama team. In jr.high I was a part of a smaller team but high school's team was much larger. HiTops was set in your average high school except 3 angels were sent to be students and help out. I can't recall all the plot because my scenes primarily were with one other person; I wasn't in many "all cast" scenes. Originally I was cast as the valley girl and I wanted to be the nerd, so my friend and I switched. I'm confident I got the better role because this nerd, named, Grace, "Amazing Grace" was really quite a character! I fell in love with her. Our drama leader wasn't too thrilled with our switching roles but once he saw both of us play the part, he was fine with it. At one point my friend wanted her nerd role back because they cut nearly all her scenes but by then I WAS Grace; there was no replacing me.

Let me tell you about Grace; Grace was an angel and a really good angel, but when I was sent to earth I wasn't accustomed to it and was quite a klutz. I was tripping over everything, trying to get used to such a strange environment..... and I was lonely. I tried to make friends, but nothing seemed to be working. Sadly, I turned to put my books in my locker and one of my books dropped onto the head of the most handsome human I'd ever met. It was nerd love at first sight, and we gazed into each others eyes and burst out into a love song. He was just like me: A bit klutzy, trying to fit in and really sweet. We even held hands, er, pinky fingers.

I wore a plaid skirt, black leggings, plaid HiTops, a green striped shirt and nerd glasses. My hair was up in pigtails and I twirled them when I was nervous, which basically was all the time. My laugh was unmistakable and a bit like a machine gun. I was just a classic, hopeless nerd.

Can I say I loved being Grace?

Though I was "Amazing Grace" I failed to show much grace to my fellow cast members. Because my scenes only included my fellow nerd love interest, Norman J. PItts, and we were nerds and fairly accomplished actors and figured out our lines, stage directions easily. The dance moves that took others so long to learn was easy for us: We were nerds so there was a lot of leeway in how bad we performed our dance steps! Because of this, I was required to attend rehearsals but week after week I just sat in the pew watching my friends go through their lines/choreography over and over again.

I say all this because even though I played the role of Grace I struggle with this concept of grace. I'm strangely drawn to truth, expect much of myself and others. I know that grace is important and a huge component of the Christian faith. It's interesting because one of my favorite musicals in Les Miserables and the part where the bishop gives Valjean the silver instead of sending him back to jail for his wrongdoing brings me to tears every time. Grace is so sweet and yet I struggle with it greatly.

What about you? Does grace come easily for you?

Last year I was loaned a wonderful book by Philip Yancey called What's So Amazing About Grace? . I think this is a book I need to read annually.

Wild Mustard

The forecast is dreary: Wet and windy weather for the next week, if not longer. Although the news predicts torrential rain, in my experience around here the rain is punctuated by clearing. Today was the first day of the storm but by the early afternoon it did indeed lighten up.

Normally I'm pretty protective of my camera yet that doesn't stop me from taking it to hostile places and situations: the beach, the rain, etc, especially these days because I secretly would LOVE to upgrade to a Canon 5d.



Still, I waited until the rain eased up a bit before piling the kids in the car and ransacked Katie's closet for a fun dress to wear. I chose an apron dress that is funky and fun, especially with frog rainboots. It was a hard decision: Ladybug rainboots or frogs? I let her choose. Looking back I think the ladybug ones would've been a better choice.


I loaded the car up with a chair, doll, and bear and a few other props and soon we were at the field. It's a beautiful field sandwiched between a newly constructed building and another construction site. I've seen it for months now, watching the vibrant yellow mustard flowers grow amid what looks like remnants of an old orchard. I keep thinking that it's just a matter of time before this field is razed.

Of course, as soon as we arrived my boys pointed out that it was raining. It was but not too bad. I grabbed the chair and my camera, then started trudging through the field. It was VERY muddy! Such a beautiful setting, with even, overcast lighting with an occasional ray of sun. Within 30 minutes I had filled my CF card with over 300 photos, then realized that my kids were so very muddy! I was happy though because the photos seemed really fun and I couldn't wait to get home to play with them.

I wish now I'd have been able to take more photos! It was just a beautiful, perfect day. I'm going back tomorrow. Truly, I am so smitten by vast fields of mustard flowers. I look forward to the spring every year just so I can enjoy the photo opportunity in such wonderful flowers.

Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17

1 Better a dry crust eaten in peace
than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

2 A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
but the Lord tests the heart.

4 Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
liars pay close attention to slander.

5 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

6 Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged;
parents[a] are the pride of their children.

7 Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

8 A bribe is like a lucky charm;
whoever gives one will prosper!

9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.

10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

11 Evil people are eager for rebellion,
but they will be severely punished.

12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

13 If you repay good with evil,
evil will never leave your house.

14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
both are detestable to the Lord.

16 It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool,
since he has no heart for learning.

17 A friend is always loyal,
and a brother is born to help in time of need.

18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for a friend.

19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

20 The crooked heart will not prosper;
the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool;
there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

23 The wicked take secret bribes
to pervert the course of justice.

24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

25 Foolish children bring grief to their father
and bitterness to the one who gave them birth.

26 It is wrong to punish the godly for being good
or to flog leaders for being honest.

27 A truly wise person uses few words;
a person with understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.