What I've been thinking...No matter how much I grow up, I will still fight me and my selfish heart.
Even though I learn a lesson here and there, it sticks with the practice of trying again and through failure.
Failure only means, I get to try again... to be kind to harshness...to be calm in chaotic times... to extend grace to the unlovely...
What I've been reading in Scripture... Of God's power in the Book of Acts... Of Him being my shelter, my refuge, and my tower in Psalms...
What I've been hearing... That it is dark for long lengths of time... That we ought to take our vitamins and drink green tea and exercise...
What I also am hearing... We thrive in being thankful to God for all circumstances... He never moves away even in the darkness of winter...He can reach into the darkness and help us live joyously, even in Idaho...
What I am learning... I don't have to understand a situation to show love... It is my privilege as a Christ follower to show love to all my daily people, even the ones who are living in sin... my disapproval of their choices doesn't make me more righteous. Only the blood of Jesus makes me righteous and possibly, showing love, love with skin on it, my back into it, with grime and dirt, smelly and ugly.
What I am frustrated about...senseless repetition of behaviors, behaviors that could change if there was the will to... thoughtlessness... when people don't take the time to actually hear what a person means...the anxious chatter of life...small spaces... clutter...physical tiredness...
What I have discovered...I like teaching 5th and 6th graders. I love words and numbers... Especially words... And I love personalities and quirks... I may one day actually get to write that book. I sure do have some good material to get started.
Even though I learn a lesson here and there, it sticks with the practice of trying again and through failure.
Failure only means, I get to try again... to be kind to harshness...to be calm in chaotic times... to extend grace to the unlovely...
What I've been reading in Scripture... Of God's power in the Book of Acts... Of Him being my shelter, my refuge, and my tower in Psalms...
What I've been hearing... That it is dark for long lengths of time... That we ought to take our vitamins and drink green tea and exercise...
What I also am hearing... We thrive in being thankful to God for all circumstances... He never moves away even in the darkness of winter...He can reach into the darkness and help us live joyously, even in Idaho...
What I am learning... I don't have to understand a situation to show love... It is my privilege as a Christ follower to show love to all my daily people, even the ones who are living in sin... my disapproval of their choices doesn't make me more righteous. Only the blood of Jesus makes me righteous and possibly, showing love, love with skin on it, my back into it, with grime and dirt, smelly and ugly.
What I am frustrated about...senseless repetition of behaviors, behaviors that could change if there was the will to... thoughtlessness... when people don't take the time to actually hear what a person means...the anxious chatter of life...small spaces... clutter...physical tiredness...
What I have discovered...I like teaching 5th and 6th graders. I love words and numbers... Especially words... And I love personalities and quirks... I may one day actually get to write that book. I sure do have some good material to get started.
"To show love to all my daily people." Sometimes that's very easy. Sometimes it's so hard I can hardly muster it.
ReplyDelete