The Holidays - Cheers! or Oh Dear!

The early promotion of the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons sets off a low-grade panic in my mind. There are so many options everywhere that I feel like there's no way I'll do everything that needs to be done before the happy day of December 25th. Add to that the budget constraints that most people are still under and that time of joy begins to feel like a long, dreadful march uphill in the rain!

This week is Thanksgiving, and what I had originally foreseen as a quiet, "no fuss" holiday for this year to accomodate the tiredness I feel from this busy fall has morphed into more of a "deal" at our home than I thought I wanted. But this morning, as we prayed the prayer of confession at church, I became aware of the magnitude of my selfishness. We have so much to be thankful for! How can I possibly want to just shut the door to others who are without family or resources? Shame on me! Thankfully, God is always gracious and forgiving, and my heart was calmed as I asked for strength and joy to serve and welcome whomever He adds to our celebration this year.

Christmas is next. As we look at our calendar and I try to figure out how to shop and prepare, I keep thinking about the importance of joy in this celebration. Once again, I'll need grace for that to happen. I've already been encouraged along those lines by Nancy Wilson's excellent post about Christmas at Femina this week-end.(see link under Good Reads) Be sure to check it out!

And, in the words of Fra Giovanni, "Take joy"!

Bless or Impress?

What motivates us to do what we do? I know for many girls and women, it's the desire to impress someone - parents,teachers,a young man,a spouse,co-workers,other moms,employers, etc. Our desire for approval impacts our decisions, large and small. Even something as simple as what to wear can be a big deal when we're concerned about impressing some one. Does this mean we shouldn't factor in other people at all as we make decisions? I don't think so. As a Christian, I need to remember that I'm called to a life that is God-ward first and foremost, but my expression of love and faith is lived out with other people. My motivation for choosing to clean house, do laundry, dress tastefully, wash my hair, cook tasty and nutritous meals, etc. is based on God's call on my life. In Genesis 12, when God called Abraham, He told him that He would bless him and that Abraham would, in turn, be a blessing to others. So, this idea of "blessed to be a blessing" gives me my framework for decisions. It gives me a focus on both God and others as I make all kinds of decisions each day.

I really don't care whether or not I'm impressive, but I do pray that, in some small way each day, I'll be a blessing. How will you bless those around you this week?

Seasonal Beauty

Autumn is my favorite season! I love everything about it -- the variety of warm and chilly days, the consistently cooler evenings, sweaters, hot drinks, pumpkins, sweet potatoes.... well, you get the picture. But the thing I love most is the breath-taking surprises the trees give. In the midst of the expected greens, yellows, and browns, there will be a glowing red maple that casts rosy light over everything around it. Leaves that appear to be neon orange. Crimson dogwoods. Every year I'm amazed at the beautiful mix of subtlety and boldness in the colors of autumn. The beauty of autumn is different from the beauty of spring - that season of riotous colors from all over the color palette! Autumn's colors are, for the most part, variations on just a few basics.

I was thinking about this today in light of the seasonal beauty of a woman's life. A young woman in the springtime years is energized with possibilities. Having four daughters has allowed me to observe (and remember!) those years of "trying on" different looks and exploring a wide variety of interests. It's an exciting season with a beauty all its own. Then there's summer - that season of sameness, in some respects. Since I live in the South, my experience of summer is one of consistent, and sometimes overwhelming, heat, but there are some of the most gorgeous reflections of light during the summer - a sunrise, sunlight glimmering off a lake or ocean, a sunset in the mountains. The days are intense, much like the early adult years for a woman. If there are young children in the mix, that intensity can be magnified, but the potential for such beauty is there! The beauty of these years comes as we learn to reflect the light of grace in all of our relationships - husband, children, co-workers, parents, and siblings.

Autumn is definitely my season. The intensity is beginning to wane, and things are more focused. I'm enjoying the fruits of many things during this season. I get to see grandchildren being born as well as reap the benefits of years of teaching (getting to spend more time actually enjoying my students as I need less time to research and prep lessons!) My prayer is that, as I go through this season, I'll be a reflection of focused living in Christ - subtle in some ways, surprisingly bold in other ways! As winter approaches, I want to experience the beauty of that season as well. Winter can be stark, but there's a clarity to that starkness and a quietness as things rest. Snow is the most beautiful aspect of winter - a blanket of clean peacefulness that falls over our little part of the world. I want to be that way for those in my life -- peaceful, settled, yet with a clear perspective on life and death that allows both joy in the present and hope for the future.

I pray you'll also enjoy the beauty of the season, both the natural beauty around you as well as the beauty of your season of life.

Fall's a whirlwind!

It's been over a month since I've posted, but that doesn't mean I've been thoughtless for a whole month. (hehehe) I've been pondering a few things I want to blog about, but this first October entry is something easy - FOOD!
Many of you don't know that Rick taught at a boarding school for twenty-six years, and our family lived on campus. That means that we ate meals in the dining hall for nine months out of the year. I know; pretty sweet, huh? I learned to like things I probably wouldn't have tried if I'd been doing the menu planning (like salmon), but I also learned what a pleasure cooking can be. Now that we live in our own home with me as the chef, I'm finding new and wonderful things to make. At least, they're new for us.
For tonight, I'm preparing a recent find: Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese (modified from the Fix It and Forget It Cookbook)
8 oz. cooked macaroni (I ususally do a wee bit more)
3-4 c. shredded sharp ceddar chesse
1 13 oz can evaporated milk
1 1/2 c. milk
2 eggs (I beat these before adding them)
a pat of butter (about 2 tsp)
1 tsp salt
some fresh ground pepper (to taste)
1/2 tsp ground mustard

Combine all ingredients except 1 cup of cheese in greased slow cooker. (I grab a stick of butter and run it around the sides and bottom to "grease" mine.) Sprinkle reserved cheese on top. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Don't remove lid during cooking!

We'll be enjoying this with grilled Italian sausages, grilled onions and peppers.

Loving Teaching Writing

I love words. I'm enthralled with the mystery of language - how the particular arrangement of a few sounds can produce ecstasy, puzzlement, laughter, or a life-changing insight. I'm also saddened by the fact that so many people don't realize that their words can produce death - loss of joy, confusion, death of a dream, solitude, despair. Proverbs says that "death and life are in the power of the tongue." (I need to always remember that, especially when interacting with children and young folks. )The power of words is also part of the challenge and joy of writing.

Last week I had the privilege of teaching a mini-writing refresher to a handful of high schoolers, and I was reminded of why I love this so much! Of course, the understood goal was that they would have a stronger grasp of the elements of good composition at the end of it, but the perk was that, along the way, some of them actually began to glimpse the possibility of enjoying the process! It is the coolest thing in the world to watch young men or women discover that ideas and feelings are "at their command", so to speak. Words become something more than air vibrations. It's humbling to be present when a student discovers his or her own voice in writing. For me, it's almost like assisting at the birth of child!

I hope each of you is able to take the time to notice the beauty in the spoken and written word at some point today. This is as important to our well-being as the beauty of the natural world is. If you have young children, find stories or poems that evoke delight and enjoy them with your children. Play word games; laugh at their puns. Learn a new word each week that has delightful sounds. (Beatrix Potter's books are excellent in this regard for little ones!) If they have a foundational love of language, growing into writing should be a delight for them.

Who's Listening?

It's that time of year when a mother's thoughts turn to school. Whether it's buying new lunch boxes for kids going off to school, helping that college student pack the car, or planning homeschool lessons, we want to make sure we are as prepared as possible so that our children will grow in knowledge and wisdom. There are so many externals that demand our attention, though, that sometimes we miss the simple things that really nurture our children's minds and souls.

Did you know that a good conversation is one of the best teaching tools at your disposal? Active listening with appropriate responses that draw out the child actually contribute to his neurological development, not just his self-esteem! Dr. Jane Healy in her book Endangered Minds says, "Conversation builds the executive brain." That is, the working, problem-solving part of the brain that takes in information and makes connections is dependent upon consistent, quality conversation for optimal development. All those seemingly random questions that pepper your day are more important than you realize!

This is obviously true during the early developmental years, but it doesn't become optional once children are in their teens. As you answer questions and make observations in conversation with your teen, you are modeling for them a thinking process, a template for how to "connect the dots" in their world. These moments that aren't connected to "teaching" per-se can have long lasting effects, often more so than well-plannned lessons! As a bonus, you are cementing your relationship with them through your availability to listen and treat them as adults with legitimate thoughts and concerns.

Many families like to have regularly scheduled times for one parent to go out for a time with one child. These times can often be fruitful, and they help build good memories. Our best moments, though, have been those spontaneous ones that come while folding laundry, preparing a meal, or riding in the car. Deep questions are often asked at the most unexpected times, so we need to prepare our hearts and minds to be ready to really focus and listen so that we can pursue those good conversations.

One last thought (hope you're still listening!) Our husbands thrive with this kind of attentiveness from us as well!

Stay-cation

I have a confession to make - I've been struggling with covetousness these past couple of weeks. As I read about the restful vacations to beaches, mountains, and exotic places that many of my friends were enjoying, I found myself wondering (and whining inside!) "When do I get a rest? When do I get to leave this all behind for a while? What about those of us who have to work with no cushion of time or money for a vacation?"
I also want to proclaim that God is good! It wasn't long before He reminded me of His provision of all I need in Christ. "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST." (Matthew 11:28) What a difference a change of perspective can make! Tiredness didn't magically disappear, but gratitude replaced envy, peacefulness replaced agitation. Words from an old hymn have been in my head the past couple of days - "Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed; finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest."
So, I encourage you to find your "stay-cation" this month in the comfort and encouragement of God's word.
"Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee." Isaiah 26:3