Living the Life

Okay, I don't care if I never publish a single thing; this moment in time is sufficient to make me feel like a writer! That's because I'm sitting here at Panera with Lizzie, actually writing! This is what I picture some of my favorite authors, like Robin Lee Hatcher and Lisa Samson doing. Only they would probably not be doing it on a Sunday morning . . . but I'm headed to service shortly. This is awesome though; I'm loving it. I can quickly look up references thanks to Panera's free wireless access, and the words are coming. Woo-hoo!

Awesome Verses for the Day

Proverbs 23:17-18 Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Make that verses for life, perhaps. Seriously, if we don't have hope in Christ, what do we have?

Meet Lizzie

Who's Lizzie? My new laptop! After lingering at the front window for the better part of two hours today, the Fedex guy finally arrived. So far, it's everything I hoped for. Only my hands are a bit tired tonight from playing on it all day so this post will be short.

When my gram was little, she was called Lizzie until an older gentleman encouraged her to go by Betty or Bessie, for some reason she never really understood. I think she suspected later on that Lizzie sounded like a not-so-nice woman of the day. I think my gram was always Lizzie though, somewhere deep inside. Lizzie was that part of her that most people never really knew.

So while I'm not actually naming an inanimate object after my dear gram, I like to think it represents a part of me that no one knows . . . yet!

Worst Ever Dog Toy

Last Saturday, my husband picked out what we both thought would be a great toy for our Boston Terrier, MacGyver. It was a open-webbed rubber ball, about 6" in diameter. We gave it to Gyvers to play with in the bathroom for a while (don't ask) and soon heard him happily enjoying his new plaything. About 30 minutes later, I checked on him and yuck! The toy was big enough for him to grasp in his mouth and shake, and in doing so, he'd managed to fling slobber all over the semi-clean bathroom - doors, floor, walls - everywhere! Ugh! Hubby grabbed the toy and put it up for a while. I went to wipe Gyver's paws off and ugh again! He was covered from head to toe with his own slobber. There was nothing left to do but head for the laundry tub and a much needed bath. Poor little guy just looked at me as if to say, "what did I do?"

I don't stop loving my dog however, when he makes one of his famous messes, even though that's not exactly what I signed on for when we got him. The same is true in my life when I make a mess of things: God never stops loving me. I may not fling slobber all over the place, but sometimes my attitude is rather stinky. I'm subject to bouts of extreme negativity and tend to focus on problems rather than my abundant blessings. Sometimes I can picture God reaching down to me, when I'm ready to give up my nasty mess (which for some reason I've actually been enjoying). He gently picks me up and His love washes over me like a cleansing stream. I'm so glad God is patient with me. I'm so thankful for His new mercies everyday.

Thoughts on Lent

I haven't practiced or given much thought to Lent since changing churches at the age of ten. Several years ago I was convicted when I glibly commented to a friend who bore the smudge of Ash Wednesday on her forehead "Oh, I'm not _____ (her denomination)." Afterwards I realized even if I didn't practice Lent myself, it could be an opportunity to talk in more detail about our faith.

Since then, I've had a curious interest into the origins and practice of Lent, and while I still don't observe it formally, I've been challenged personally to consider its benefits. One obvious benefit is taking time during the weeks before Easter to reflect on the cross of Christ. I usually try to read through all the Gospel accounts of Christ's last week on earth, ending with Romans chapter 6 on Easter Sunday.

This year I've been thinking about fasting, or rather, the absence of it in my own life. I am way too indulgent and naturally impulsive; the practice of fasting (done properly) forces one to focus on the sufferings of Christ and the victory we have in Him. One thing I do believe about fasting: it really should be a personal and private thing, not something we broadcast or announce what we're abstaining from, or I think we might nullify the whole purpose and miss out on the blessing.

I don't know where you readers are on the subject of Lent. I'd love to hear your experiences if you do observe it. If you currently do not, consider this excellent article posted on Crosswalk.com: http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/1382259.html.

Blessings!