B is for.......

Continuing my alphabetic blogging of gratefulness... today's letter is B...

Beards... well, specifically, one beard. Belonging to my beloved spouse of 22 years. I've never known him without one. I love him and his beardliness!

Beth... a caring, ready-for-God's-next-big-thing, 18-year old. Proud of you, sweetie!

Birds... we have a huge variety of birds in our backyard. The Carolina wrens are raising their second brood of the summer in the birdhouse. The purple finches and gold finches are introducing their winglets to our birdbath and bird feeder. The sparrows, cardinals, bluejays, catbirds, mockingbirds, swallows, and robins are in the yard every day. And the hummingbirds stop by frequently to tank up from one of our feeders, or to care for our butterfly bushes. Pretty cool, creative, stuff, God. Thanks!

Butterflies... Both the biological and the spiritual ones in my life. I was an SD for the winter Chrysalis Flight #56 in February. It was a privilege to watch God work through the team and in individual butterflies' lives. And I continue to pray for them!

Boy Cats... We have two in kitty heaven: Klibban, the ring-tailed rabble-rouser, who was our first "baby". And then Clyde, the reformed barn cat with a snaggle tooth, scarred ear, and cross-eyes who was an incredible lover, not a fighter. Now we have King Henry the first who (tries to) rule the roost. And he has his own blog with Tiria HERE!

Bread... I enjoy baking bread, though most of the home-made loaves recently have been under the direction of Reedy Girl, who is quite an excellent baker at 14 years of age! There's nothing like that 'come-hither' smell as the loaf begins to crust over and brown. We tend towards "the-whiter-the-bread-the-sooner-you're-dead" bread. Recipe for the family favorite (non-bread machine) is HERE! That Jesus used the metaphor of bread to describe the life-giving gift of the Cross has always spoken volumes to me...

Books... Love them. Tons. I'm getting more serious about reading "non-school" books, which includes non-pastoring books, too. Recently I read The Other Preaching in Lynchburg by John Killinger, which was a snarky, angry memoir and could have used a better editor and a whole lot more grace in its pages. But I wonder if sometimes the truth isn't easier to just shell out in his unvarnished way. And I'm in the middle of Waiting for an Ordinary Day: The Unravelling of Life in Iraq by Farnaz Fassihi, the Wall Street Journal's Iraq correspondent. It is from the view of the Iraqi people, not the military, but it does offer a lot to think about. This fall members of our church are doing a Jane Austen book club and while I will miss some of the sessions because of my class, I fully intend to read along with them.

Blessings... there are so many in my life I am grateful for. Healthy kids. Great husband. Nice home. Rain. Sun. Central air conditioning and running water. Utilities. Even my computer. Things I take for granted but are forgotten as the blessings they really are.

Blogging... I didn't realize when I started journaling years ago that I would ever do this in an on-line fashion. But I continue to find cyber-friends, connect with old friends, and pursue living life with God's power and strength. It's an amazing journey.

Grace falling like rain...

I have a sense of God's love washing over me... in ways that I did not expect today. It's busy. It's almost so busy it's frantic. But love and peace are falling down on my head, in an almost overwhelming way...

Why is that? and why and I so surpised?? WHO is in charge?? I sense His love and blessing and am weeping...

• Maybe it's because I am a few days away from departure and am feeling some (self-induced) performance pressure
• Maybe it's because I am writing a sermon on "complaining" and I realize how much I do it myself... a case of preacher, heal thyself?
  
• Maybe it's because I am receiving emails and letters full of love - - of excitement, joy and encouragement as I'm preparing to leave
• Maybe it's the deadline extended on a paper that was supposed to be done and won't be
• Maybe it's because God's grace flows when we look up and cry, "OH GOD, HELP!"

I am undone.
God is kind and loving and gracious.
And it is never earned... only given...

Not whining or complaining.
Just incredibly grateful...
Blessed....

and dang it, crying again.

Deb


Hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
Hallelujah, all my stains are washed away, washed away



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Now playing: Todd Agnew - Grace Like Rain
via FoxyTunes

More than a friend for the journey

I don't blog about him enough...

My closest friend for the journey is my Beloved Bearded Spouse. I guess I don't write about him a lot because he's an introvert and I don't want to shove him "out there" into the blogosphere. But there is no way I could do this adventure I am on without him.

For example...
In less than 24 hours he has...

• ...managed the home front (I had meetings from 8-2:30)
• ...did troubleshooting on the wireless router (what IS it doing???)
• ...reminded me that it was time for supper (I forget when I am "on task")
• ...joined me for a casual chat with M&K
• ...prepared the coffee autopot for the morning (ahhhhh)
• ...set the alarm for me (something I often forget to do and frequently goof up)
• ...herded the kids to church on time (no easy feat, even if they DO dress and get breakfast by themselves!)
• ...corralled the kids and got them home for lunch (45 minutes ahead of me!)
• ...and now he's off doing his son-ly duties when he really wants a nap...

Then there's the numerous times he has...

• ...covered things at home when I am involved in ministry.
• ...handled the TOTAL home life while I am traveling, or at modular week at school.
• ...give me a (small) dropkick to go to the doctor because I am sick.
• ...living with and loving my family of many loud, happy folks when he comes from a small quiet one.

Not to mention...

• ...the long talks, with me venting and him philosophizing on what it is that has me REALLY ticked
• ...finding resources or ideas for me when I am stumped on research
• ...making me see possibly a more *balanced* view than my emo one (as if!)
• ...taking a stand for me, with me when I feel attacked
• ...reminding me that the "best things" in life are usually right here. Not "out there."
• ...giving fantabulous backrubs!

I think I'm blessed. Wait. I take that back. I KNOW I am.

So thanks, love...
Deb