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!"

This.Is.Amazing!

David Crowder Band-SMS (Shine)

You dropped your pants!

Imagine me running after a man down Wells street with a mega soda from Subway in one hand and a copy of Anne of Avonlea in the other shouting, "Excuse me! Sir! Sir! You dropped your pants!"

If you had been walking down Wells street at lunch time today you would not have had to imagine... A pair of jeans fell out of this dedicated jogger's unzipped backpack and landed right at my feet. Obligated by sympathy I scooped them up and tried to catch him since the ipod was impairing his hearing. (Apparently he was not expecting anyone running after him shouting about pants.)

So a lesson for all of you... a word to the wise... zip up your pants before running at lunch otherwise, you'll drop them!

Aragorn Strumming on the Old Banjo

When I started the last post I had no intention of writing about men. Not sure how that happened...(wah!wah! Bring on all your witty reasons.)

What I meant to write about the concert, was that Andrew Peterson was talking about hope and despair. He was describing a scene from Lord of the Rings (forgive me for not remembering exactly which one… they are ALL so epic). Long story short: someone almost gave up but then didn’t because something/someone intervened and then everyone was victorious.

Andrew pointed out that to despair is to assume that we know the end of our story, but we really don't. At any moment something could happen or someone could show up and it could totally change the course of things. And so despite the dire circumstances or the darkness or the hurt, there is ALWAYS cause to hope.I know the details are a little hazy, but the point stands out in my mind. 

I was reading through some old journals a few weeks ago and was struck with how many times I said the same old things.... every time thinking they were original or groundbreaking. Oh well- at least I am consistent. :) I wished somehow that from my current place in life could have spoken to the Rachel who penned some of those hopeless words; wished in those moments of despair and loneliness I could have told her what hope and light was coming round the mountain (with Dinah...haha).

Also, quote from my journal Summer 2008 after seeing Lord of the Rings for the first time: "How did I ever live without this epic narrative in my life?" 

For the love of the weekend...and men

Last weekend rocked my face off… no seriously, there were so many favorite things packed into one weekend that my little heart could hardly contain it all:

Fall colors and a walk through the park – check!

Derek & Sandra concert – check!

A drive to Naperville at sunset – check!

Girls running club – check!

The marathon – check!

Spending time with so many good friends – check!

Tastee Freeze – check!

The Amazing Race – check!

Andrew Peterson concert – check!

Tag team story telling – check!

Praise and worship with the church – check!

Deep sleep – check!

My heart may burst just from reading this list back!

Saturday night’s Andrew Peterson concert was such a gift. Andy Gullahorn and Ben Shive came too and all three were wearing plaid. 

3rd row seats courtesy of the most generous Dave & Joscey!

 I don’t know these men personally, but there is something so rare about them that comes through in their music.  Their love of the Gospel, of Jesus is so apparent and I find myself thirsty to know the Word more. Their humor and honesty about themselves leaves you with no doubts that they are regular guys- though more poetic than most.

Oh dear- I feel like this is turning into a fan post and that’s not really what I want it to be at all.

The media and the world is so quick to exalt and measure men by their harshness of power;  and I just appreciate that these guys manage to avoid the trappings of that mentality and focus on the cross instead. Don’t get me wrong, I love a strong man as much as the next gal, but I think there is something skewed about the expectations men feel; whether it’s from women or the church or the world or even themselves. I couldn’t really explain to you why men are always such a passion subject for me. For what it’s worth though: I really want to see men have the freedom to glory in their Redeemer; to serve and speak and love and lead from that place.

In every ministry I have been a part of, in every brokenness I have experienced or witnessed, there is a unique role in healing that only men can play.  Sadly, too often men of God are absent from this process. I’m not sure why that is… Men, don’t you know how vital you are?  Have you never considered how cool you are? You hiking, biking, money making, bicep curling men out there? (lest this list exclude you, please insert your –ing activity of choice)Seriously, the church needs you, the family needs you, the Westside of Chicago needs you, the world needs you! Please don’t hide. We think you are really great. REALLY GREAT!

I’m pretty sure only women read my blog, so this is not a very effective medium for my gushing. Maybe I should go climb a mountain and shout this…or the rooftop perhaps? :) [insert Fiddler on the Roof song here!]