Having an ear to hear books

It's becoming known how much I like Ted Dekker's writing. When the Pastor mentions his wife's penchant for audiobooks, especially those penned by what author, and members of the body of Christ call it out ... uh oh! After 'House' (wow), I recently finished 'Obsessed' and was stirred by the unction to obsess as God obsesses - what a convention ... "like a pearl of infinite price". The husband and I are listening to a third book of the Circle Trilogy - we didn't get this 'Black' until after hearing 'Red' and 'White'.

I've also ventured into Francine Rivers' books - reading her story about the 'Prince' made the Biblical events come to life for me and more importantly perspective. As many times as I read the Bible the order and connectivity of events can get away from me, so I really enjoyed how she captured the life and loyalty of the first prince of Israel.

Meanwhile, I am 'literally' (pardon the pun) reading photography books - trying to get the concept of settings and the setting of settings to set naturally to me. Pray for me on that one.

Of Mice and Giants?

The giant, our eldest son, does nothing run of the mill; that includes illnesses and injuries. The flavor of the moment is MRSA, which his older sister calls Mutant Reaction to Sister Absence. But it is really staph infection in his knee area. The pain is such he can barely walk. So he is quarantined in the hospital wondering what became of his three-day weekend. Praying he is well soon.

As the saying goes, ...

The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men,
The best laid schemes of Mice and Men
oft go awry,
And leave us nothing but grief and pain,
For promised joy!
Robert Burns, To a Mouse (Poem, November, 1785)

Peace in the knowing

I struggled and fussed and overturned all the possibilities to gain resolve on one issue watching minutes turn to hours to more than half a day - overly invested - but a solution was required. He handed me the answer. I had gone on to other things that need be done. 'Did you not KNOW I would be there for you?' I realized I had once again gone off under my own steam. Now I am sitting at the feet of Jesus and I have peace.
Isaiah 41:10 

short life in a small world

There was a fatal accident in the Inland Empire last week along the side of the freeway creating severe traffic back up, as traffic one way was at a full stop and the opposite moving slowly. As I understand it, hours earlier, two were in the act of refueling a car when a semi truck veered into them, subsequently setting everything into flames and jack-knifing. The guy fell down to the lower street afire and the girl burned to death by the car.

It was amazing to hear such graphic details at 5:30 in the morning as our vanpool decided its route to work; other stations weren't quite so thorough.It left me pondering life ephemeral and praying for their loved ones. They were young, and shortly before life lay open before them. Now they are gone.

Life is not only tenuous; once again I see it is a small world. I had wondered, familiar with the vicinity of this accident, whether I might know them or someone they knew. Such coincidences often occur in the fabric of existence. On the weekend I discovered that one of the deceased was a client of the barber who does the youngest's hair.

Don't take life for granted - this moment is the only one you're promised; the next holds no guarantees.

a rose for working dedicated moms

I wasn't given this rose because I am a working mom. My colleague's roses were in bloom and she shared them. It wasn't because she's a working mom; her children are now grown as are nearly all of mine. But I share this rose in tribute to the dedicated mothers who face the challenges out there in the marketplace, wherever it may be. Too easily their dedication can be slammed by those who haven't walked in their shoes, just as easily as some sneer at the dedication of some moms to the challenges of staying-at-home. In all, cheer their undaunted creativity and drive to complete their families the way that fits best for them and in their given circumstances.

"She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
...Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
Bless you.