Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Good Things

Have I ever mentioned how much I love Spring? Today was glorious. Although my daffodils have just passed their peak I have a couple of cherry trees that are about ready to burst. The rain has moved on and left a cloudless blue sky and sunny day in its wake...and I felt ready to get out and enjoy it. My spirits are so high it left me sitting here tonight thinking of some of the other 'little things' in life that make me happy these days.

1. American Idol: I know it is cheesy, but I just don't care...I love seeing these young folks chasing their dream! My heart quickens just a little when I hear the intro music. (And yes, I admit, I do vote most Tuesdays.)

2. Dark chocolate: Somehow I have missed out on the glory of dark chocolate for the last 34 years. But since I inadvertently tried Hershey's dark chocolate kisses at Valentine's I have developed just a little bit of an addiction. Yum!

3. Hot tea: My sister-in-law, Amy, introduced me to Stonewall Kitchen a few years ago and their Raspberry Peach tea is my nightly ritual. It is like a huge sigh of relief at the end of a long day.

4. My children's imaginative games: This age is so full of energy and independence and yet, those little minds are putting the world together in such astounding ways! Their new favorite past time is playing with Webkinz. Surprisingly, only a small portion of the fun is online. They play with these stuffed animals constantly. Tutu, Gilbert, Hootie, Squirt, Chip, Uga, Spotty, Ry the Lion and Wacky are independent characters with interrelationships I cannot keep straight (a gorilla is a dolphin's Daddy and an owl is his Mommy?) These furry friends are part of our home life from sunrise to sunset. Their adventures are the source of HOURS of entertainment each day.

5. James 4:13-17. (How was that for a surprising spin on a superficialish post?) I referenced this passage Friday night when posting about plans gone awry. One of our pastors preached on it Sunday in such a powerful way that I wound up using it as the basis of discussion with my Monday Night Girls last night. It launched a really wonderful conversation with them about making God the center of our life and plans...not an afterthought. That challenge has resonated with me over the last couple of days. It is FAR too easy to get caught up in the 'stuff' of life and completely lose sight of our real purpose. I do not want to be one of those folks who treads water through life, just trying to keep my head above water.

I found this quote from Annie Dillard and added it to the upper right side of this web page:"The way we spend our days is, of course, the way we spend our lives." What a poignant reminder to make our moments matter.

It fits nicely with the way this passage of James ends:
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." James 4:17 (NIV)
A terrific memory verse for my children (and for me!)

As I shared this last night, one of my Monday Night Girls said tearfully and timidly, "So, does that mean if I , like, know a friend of mine is being beaten by her parent and I don't do anything I am sinning?"

We had a long chat and that sweet child made a very courageous decision to speak up for her friend.

The Word of God does not return void.

7 comments:

sara said...

What an encouraging and uplifting post!

Linda said...

The whole post is great but one thing that is really sticking out to me is the Annie Dillard quote. How powerful is that. I am going to keep that somewhere as I tend to fall into the trap of "if only, then I would"
Blessings,
Linda

storey said...

wow! thanks for this! and thanks to amy for raspberry peach tea, yummm!!! haven't had any of mine in a while :)

Kristin said...

Aren't there so many wonderful contestants on American Idol this season? I just got done voting myself.

dee said...

I feel the same way about AI, especially this year. We have been listening to Anoop sing for years at UNC, thus all our family votes are for him! Another favorite at our house is March Madness! Happy Spring!

Unknown said...

very nice
all my love and His from above,
Diana Sienkiewicz

Me said...

Your sweet little Monday night girl has moved me to tears. So often ADULTS cannot take the steps to protect a child. Courageous indeed. Let her know that she inspires, blesses and encourages me.