Measuring Growth

Sunday was our quasi annual measuring day.  Marks on the wall in the kitchen inched upward as we got out the ruler and Chris' level eyes to see how much growth occurred over the course of the past year.

And while the marksclearly show physical growth it doesn't show the growth we are really more concerned with.  A quick inventory of spiritual growth shows a desire for intellectual knowledge in one of my boys.  A desire for relationship from another.  It shows a growing fascination with creation through the eyes of a youngster.  An innocent love of worship in a toddler's heart.

A deeper inventory shows struggles with what the culture says is okay versus what the Bible says is okay.  Struggles with the sins of deception, cheating, land anger bubble up.  There are struggles with insecurity, obedience, and fear.

The young people are not the only ones measuring growth.  Not the only ones who want to know, "Did I move up?"  Bible study has been hitting close to home and making us uncomfortable.  Taking stock is something of an annual event but lately it has been forefront as we wrestle with our time use, our hobbies, and our treasures.

Reaping what you Sow

Paul wrote to the Galatians to be careful because, "...A man reaps what he sows."  

My mom used to scold, "You made your bed, now lie in it."

I say, "This is a mess of your own making."

After my first visit to the dentist in five years the Spirit whispered this wisdom, "A man reaps what he sows."

I am currently reaping heaps of pain because I sowed neglect.

I am lying in a bed of financial distress because I made a bed of stupidity.

Ugh, I made this mess in my mouth because I HATE the dentist.

And the Spirit didn't stop.  My lesson was not over.

After a visit to the allergist I realized I was reaping an attitude of complacency because I had sown denial.

I saw that the bed of my attitude meant I had to lie in uncomfortablness with my kids' attitudes.  

In neglecting to sow the Father, Son and Holy Spirit into the fabric of my everyday I had reaped bitterness and depression.

Reaping what you sow should not be so profound but somehow I had lost sight of the cause and effect world I live in.  The cause and effect of the long term and the short.  

It is startling and a bit crippling to have that relationship brought into focus.  To see the bounty of bad where I had wanted good but failed to sow it.  

As Psalm 121 reassures, "My help comes from the Lord."  I start afresh, tilling and weeding and pruning what needs to die knowing that the harvest will glorify God.  I cast my anxiety about a month of dentist visits and the pain and uncomfortableness on Him knowing He will bring me the peace I need to stay in the chair.  I trust in the Lord with all my heart when it comes to my allergic son knowing that He knows the plans He has for him.  

Being a Hero

When my phone showed a call from my neighbor I didn't think a thing of it.

When she asked if they should give Elijah a ride home I was confused.

"Chris is there.  At practice.  To get Elijah."  I stuttered.

When she explained about a horrific car accident involving a car, two kids, the helicopter, and a slew of emergency personnel I went to the dark place.  That place in my brain that immediately assumes the worst has happened.  In this case, it involved Chris hitting kids.  Or my nephews being hit.  Or...

I immediately called Chris who was giving a statement to police.

 He has been first on the scene.  He had seen flying bodies and heard cracking windshields.  He had been calm.  He directed others to call 911, to block traffic, and start assessing injuries on the young victims.  In his previous work he was an EMT and his brain holds all sorts of knowledge on injuries and treatment.  God gifted him with this incredible ability to remain calm in stressful and high drama situations. Like when the mother of the victims is hysterical by your side.

He arrived home with gloves on his hands.  Hands covered in the blood of a young girl.

He arrived home with tears in his eyes.  Tears from seeing the pain in the children.

He is a hero.  Placed at that place, at that time but God who sees and knows all things.

and I  love him and God for doing it.

Anderson Adventures Part 3

Whew!  We made it to the final adventure.  The pinnacle of all our travels and training and talking.

My dearly beloved completed the hardest physical feat of his life. 100 miles traversing gravel roads, goat trails, a mountain, and the horrendous Powerline climb that comes at the end of the race.

I completed a 6 mile run (I use run loosely) at 10,200 feet above sea level.  Did you know there is 30% less oxygen at 10,200 feet above sea level?  I needed that 30%, badly.

The boys made the best crew and support team ever.

My beautiful sister and family were the key to a less stressful trip by keeping the Moomer.

On a rock outcropping on the way up Colombine mountain

Above the tree line.  On the top of Colombine.

Daniel got to drive down with a little help from Joe.

The most beautiful and clear lake I have ever seen.  So peaceful and fun!

"Brr!  It is cold, Mom!"

Why we really went.  A short notice devotion and time of prayer brought in 20 athletes and family.

Our beloved Augie and Marcia

Sitting in a sage brush field waiting for our team.  These guys did so great!

Smiling in true Chris fashion.  The hard part is yet to come!

This is the last of the smiles for a while.  He would crash literally and mentally, thanks God for a team of brothers.

A Psalm

A lifetime ago I taught a Faith Formation class.  I rarely taught the same thing twice since each group of kids was so different but one thing we did each year was study the Psalms and then write our own.  I say we because teaching this class was just as much about my faith formation as it was about theirs. 

I came across the Psalm I wrote some years ago.  Not surprisingly it still rings true.

Your beauty is all around me,

yet my heart is not satisfied. 

Your love has set me free,

but still I am enslaved.

Why am I always floundering about -

searching -

when only You have the answers?

The desires of the world

push the desires of my heart

down

so

deep.

Holy Father, satisfy my heart.

Amazing God free me from slavery.

Faithful Friend help me seek your counsel.

I praise your HOLY name.

Strengthen me

sanctify me

fill me

Oh, Holy Spirit.

Set my focus on You;

set my feet on the path You blazed

I praise your HOLY name.

Amen