Slowing down

Sometimes our life circumstances require us to slow down. For people like me who are always thinking, doing, or planning, just stopping to rest can be a real jolt, a shock. But after a couple of days of rest after a minor procedure a couple of days ago, I realize that my body needs rest as much as I "need" to be doing all of the time.

Judging Joe Paterno

We are told in the Gospels by Jesus that we are not to judge, lest we be judged. I have always looked at this as an admonishment not to judge the heart, or intentions, of others. We do, in a way, have to judge the rightness or wrongness of the actions of others; otherwise, our society would fall into anarchy. But judging the depths of the heart belongs to God alone.

I wish the family of Joe Paterno could be left alone in their grief. Losing a loved one is hard enough, but under these circumstances, it must be especially painful to endure the constant discussion about whether his football accomplishments, of which there are many, outweigh the scandal that followed him unto his death. But that, unfortunately, is the dark side of fame. 

Let's be honest here: we are all sinners. We are all a mix of good and bad. Some of our sins appear worse on the outside than those of others, but again, those are the outward judgements. God alone has access to the depths of the heart. So, I think part of the problem here is that "judging Joe Paterno" isn't our place. Sure, we can say he was an accomplished football coach who touched many lives for the good. But others, say the parents or friends of the abused boys, would say that his failure to act harmed many boys in an unspeakable way. Who is right? Which was the "real" Joe Paterno? Well, from what I know, both are real. Both describe the man. A mix of good and bad, virtue and sin. Like us all.

Ultimately, the real problem isn't how to judge Joe Paterno. He was a man, no more and no less. The real problem isn't how or if to honor him as a coach, or how to vilify him as a human being. It's that we're even trying to do so. This whole discussion about his legacy really shows the danger of heaping adulation on men and women for their earthly accomplishments the way we are prone to do these days.

It's a relatively new idea to me that we don't just wrongly judge others for the negative things they do. Sometimes we are just as wrong to glorify others and put them on a pedestal when they don't belong there in the first place. And I don't just mean Joe Paterno. None of us belongs on a pedestal of any kind. That belongs to God alone. And maybe that's where we need to start.

Known and loved

I love the Lord, base my life on His teachings, and have hope in all of His promises of Heaven. But just tonight I realized something...I'm not sure I believe, deep deep down, that He loves me. I'm not sure I believe I am worthy of being loved. And so tonight this all comes crashing down on me as I'm listening to  a song called Known, and the tears flow, as I hear the words that invite me to believe, really and truly, that He knows me and still loves me.

Scrapbook envy

Scrapbook envy nearly ended my love of this wonderful hobby. Constantly looking around at what others were doing drained much of my enjoyment from the creative process. Too many products, too many ideas, too many magazines, too much of...everything. I overwhelmed myself right out of the game. Nothing I did could possibly live up to what I saw around me. I recognized it, but couldn't stop the train wreck. That wasn't the only thing that caused me to stop, though it is the most sad. Family responsibilities, a desire to pursue other crafts, and loss of creative space also were factors.

It was hard to let go, but Project Life appeared and was the answer to my prayers. So simple, so easy, and a little bit creative. It's been catching on, and now people are finding unique, fun ways to ramp it up a bit. Okay, I feel it coming again...yes, envy. The last several days have found me clicking around (just like a subscription to an endless number of scrapbooking magazines!) and seeing the ways I could be doing it so much *better.* So, today I find this great blog post that says what I believe deep down, but don't always feel. This is the second time today God has spoken to my heart through another's words. This is internet at its best!

In the valley

I am definitely in the valley right now. Just discouraged in general. Wanting what's not available to me right now...more time to do. (I'm a Martha at heart...probably need to be more Mary!) I'm sure Satan is having a field day with all the possibilities he sees for how he could wreak havoc with my life. But I'm not going to let it get that far. "I can do all things in him who strengthens me"--Philippians 4:13. With Christ on my side, I know I can battle through anything and come out stronger.

Someone once said, "Nobody wants to homeschool in February!" I can extrapolate that out to January, I think. We just finished a two-week break and my 6yo son just asked if we could take another long break! This funky rhythm is giving me a lot to think about for next year's winter plans.

It's very cold outside and there's no snow.  The kids don't really want to go outside, though I think I will start just sending them out for at least 30 minutes a day. I think that would benefit us all. Truthfully, I don't want to go outside...there are far too many things I wish to do inside! Nature walks are the exception...I do love getting outdoors for that, and I'm hoping to get back on a once a week schedule for that.

Hubby and I are so caught up in our own projects and things that we haven't had good time together lately. I know it's just a season....

Heading to my mom's tonight to sort recipes and I can't wait. There are few things I'd rather do on any day than sort and organize and make sense of some part of my life. :)

Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Food for the soul

My mom's apple slices. Makes my mouth water for that apple-icing-pastry delight that is truly a labor to make, but so worth it when I finally get to eat it. I remember when she'd have these ready as an after-school snack. What a treat that was! I love to cook for my family, too, and make great memories for them this way. So many of my wonderful childhood memories revolve around food and I am so thankful for that. When you feed people from your heart, you also feed their souls.

Is it okay to think about spring in December?

Well, I am. :)