All Things New

I ate a juicy delicious cantaloupe for dinner tonight. Thinking of and loving Grandpa....SO MUCH!

Hope Floats

At some point in my life I have seen this movie, but all I remember about it is Sandra Bullock line dancing while Harry Connick Jr. twitches his lip in sync with his eyebrow. The title is applicable to my thoughts tonight even if I have no idea what it has to do with boot scoot boogies in Hollywood.

There is something poetic about hope…it undoubtedly keeps us afloat at times; keeps us from throwing in the proverbial towel. In the spiritual arena we have such grand hopes- heaven, glory, righteousness, calling, salvation, eternal life, light, justice, etc. I have my list of frivolous earthly hopes too- a husband, children, a guesthouse with paned windows,  trim down 50 pounds, etc.  Though I know the only ones guaranteed to me are the spiritual ones, there is a quality in all of them that causes me to look forward and press on toward the future.

These hopes feel like a double edged sword at times to me though. Waiting for faith to be made sight seems to take FOREVER and I find myself losing heart that they will ever be realities after all. It makes me feel impatient and weary to imagine keeping that flame of hope flickering any longer.

Ever since my grandpa died 2 years ago I have had this uncanny ability to choose really great cantaloupes. He had a knack for choosing a good one himself. He also used to torment the old women at the fruit market, doing everything short of a dance to test out the melons while watching them copy his “technique” out of the corner of his eye. It’s nothing superstitious, but a gift nonetheless to cut into one and be reminded of what a great grandpa I had. Last week I bought a cantaloupe from Pete’s market. I cut into it to find it was hard and dry and terrible. It may seem silly but it devastated me. 

When I came back to Chicago from a family fun weekend in Kalamazoo, my house was here waiting for me. Everything was in the exact spot I left it, it was silent and there was no one to welcome me home. I felt so small and insignificant….and forgotten. Being spoiled with affection around my family for a couple days and then coming back to all my stuff was a stark contrast. Don’t get me wrong, I have a very full and meaningful life but sometimes the loneliness makes me anxious about the future.

Walt Disney, Sandra and Harry failed to mention that hoping is hard work; that it takes grit and determination and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a beautiful thing that I cling to even though on some nights it is only by a thread. God’s promises are secure and one day we will not need hope any longer. Our longing and waiting will be over and we will see Him face to face!

This thirsty soul drinks in the comfort of that surety.

2 Corinthians 4:16| Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

SAFETY FIRST

Practicing blowing my whistle

 That's right.... you should all be jealous. Today at work I was appointed FLOOR MONITOR! If there is a fire...or a fire drill I have to put on this vest, blow my whistle and make sure all in my office complex vacate to safety.  

Can't hide from saftey

 My new role reminds me of this video

"Be where you should be, not where you shouldn't!"