It is 4am, and I am awake. Apparently after a few months of having to nurse Gideon every single time anyone woke me, I now move into awakeness even when I should just roll over and go back to sleep. I'm hopeful this effect will wear off...
In keeping with the deep thoughts traditionally associated with the very tired and 4am, this morning (night?) I am musing on Catch-22. (Literally, the book.) I hated this book in highschool - really hated it. This is probably because no one mentioned Catch-22 was a satire before I started reading it, and so while I frittered away the last precious moments of my summer vacation reading a book for school that appeared to be the musings of a crazy person, on par with The Little Prince for French class, I stewed in frustration that THIS was the best literature the education system could dig up for me to read. It wasn't until I was virtually to the end of the book that I realized the whole point is to highlight the insanity associated with beaucracy - a topic which is near and dear to my heart. Needless to say, I softened toward it a bit. Over time, I find my appreciation for the themes of the book has only increased - probably in part because the actual reading of it is becoming more and more a faded memory. (In fairness, who knows if I would appreciate it as much if I sat down tomorrow to re-read it and had to slosh through the three cycles of senselessness again).
The book seems appropriate again in light of our current economic situation. People are in debt, prompting the fedeal government to hurl itself father into debt, and this new debt is likely to reduce family savings further through additional taxes (to pay interest on it) or inflation (printing money to pay the interest). We seem to have entered a self-perpetuating cycle of debt, don't we?
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Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Of Sovereignty and Son
Recently, it occured to me how often I'm on facebook for absolutely no reason - say, when I have already been on in the last few days, or worse, the last few hours. I realized this was becoming a bad habit when I then got distracted from my train of thought, only to then log on to facebook a few minutes later. Yikes! So, I am now being more intentional about living life outside the computer screen. I might get a bit more reading done, for example.
Specifically, I have recently started to read If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn. I wanted to read this book, because lately I have been very troubled by the suffering I hear about in the world, and I have decided I ought to dedicate some time and attention to improving the schema in which such feelings reside.
I firmly, firmly believe that God is good, all the time, no exceptions. It is his instrinsic nature, and it remains to this day - and forever- untarnished. He is also sovereign, having absolute authority over all things that occur everywhere; nothing sneaks by him, and he is never backed into a corner and forced to allow suffering. He is aware of it, and he has the power to stop it, and yet he doesn't. He is able to redeem all suffering and evil to his glory, and indeed, a cursory read of the stories of Joseph (Genesus 47ish) and the book of Ruth, to name just two, clearly identify God as not just the redeemer but also the purposer of suffering in the lives of his children - bringing about great and better plans, identifying important and magnificent traits of God, increasing his glory.
Although I am only three chapters into the book, I am hopeful that Alcorn's book will be a provocative read. He agrees with the basic concepts listed above - that God is always good, uncompromisingly sovereign. He seems willing to wrestle with Biblical truth without compromising as many seem to do in hopes of making the issue of God and suffering neater and more easily digested by the general populace. I don't expect Alcorn to have "the answer," but I am hoping for some good food for thought about the Biblical content relating to this topic. I'll let you know if the book meets expectations once I have finished it.
In other news, life with Gideon continues to be an increasing blessing. Not only is he now sleeping - 10 HOURS AT A TIME, hallelujah, but he also now shrieks with laughter and has a developing sense of humor. He understands that when David growls and booms and makes other loud noises, it is funny - not a sign that we should all panic. Furthermore, he delights in David's magical powers - namely, the ability to make the trash can lid pop up on command (it has a foot pedal for hand-free opening), to make food disappear (chewing and swallowing), and to make David's work ID badge appear and diappear (it is on a retracting clip that is pretty fast, and G's eyes don't track moving objects at that speed).
It is now a week later, and I am finally returning to post this little entry. Better late than never, I hope.
Specifically, I have recently started to read If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn. I wanted to read this book, because lately I have been very troubled by the suffering I hear about in the world, and I have decided I ought to dedicate some time and attention to improving the schema in which such feelings reside.
I firmly, firmly believe that God is good, all the time, no exceptions. It is his instrinsic nature, and it remains to this day - and forever- untarnished. He is also sovereign, having absolute authority over all things that occur everywhere; nothing sneaks by him, and he is never backed into a corner and forced to allow suffering. He is aware of it, and he has the power to stop it, and yet he doesn't. He is able to redeem all suffering and evil to his glory, and indeed, a cursory read of the stories of Joseph (Genesus 47ish) and the book of Ruth, to name just two, clearly identify God as not just the redeemer but also the purposer of suffering in the lives of his children - bringing about great and better plans, identifying important and magnificent traits of God, increasing his glory.
Although I am only three chapters into the book, I am hopeful that Alcorn's book will be a provocative read. He agrees with the basic concepts listed above - that God is always good, uncompromisingly sovereign. He seems willing to wrestle with Biblical truth without compromising as many seem to do in hopes of making the issue of God and suffering neater and more easily digested by the general populace. I don't expect Alcorn to have "the answer," but I am hoping for some good food for thought about the Biblical content relating to this topic. I'll let you know if the book meets expectations once I have finished it.
In other news, life with Gideon continues to be an increasing blessing. Not only is he now sleeping - 10 HOURS AT A TIME, hallelujah, but he also now shrieks with laughter and has a developing sense of humor. He understands that when David growls and booms and makes other loud noises, it is funny - not a sign that we should all panic. Furthermore, he delights in David's magical powers - namely, the ability to make the trash can lid pop up on command (it has a foot pedal for hand-free opening), to make food disappear (chewing and swallowing), and to make David's work ID badge appear and diappear (it is on a retracting clip that is pretty fast, and G's eyes don't track moving objects at that speed).
It is now a week later, and I am finally returning to post this little entry. Better late than never, I hope.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I saw my son...
Sara Groves sings a song entitled, "I saw what I saw" about a recent trip to Rwanda, and the music video plays footage of her trip as the song plays. At one point, she sings a line, "Something on the road, cut me to the soul," and soon the words "I saw my son in a little boy's eyes" are printed on the screen as we see her talk with one of the Rwandan boys.
Lately, I've been reading and thinking about children who live in situations of neglect and abuse both here and abroad, starting with orphans in Russia, and I think Groves' sentiment is the clearest descriptor of how I am affected by what I read and hear. I am "cut to the soul," in Groves' words, for it is as if I see my son in these tender children.
I have spent several weeks attempting to blog on the topic of Russian orphanages, and I find I am virtually unable to do it. The concept of being orphaned - of having no one delighting in your every smile, no one affirming to you your intrinsic worth -these things I find deeply, deeply grieving. Unfortunately, many orphans in Russia live in this reality, where they are not just orphaned from their birth parents, but in many cases, from enriching, satisfying human contact in general. Russia does have a few foster homes set up to provide children with family environments, but the stipends are so small as to be worthless, and there is no support to speak of for these families, from what I have read (for more information, see this article).
Most orphaned children in Russia do not live in a family care setting; they live out their childbood in institutional settings in which attachment to caregivers is not promoted or may be actively discouraged. Often this is the product of systemic problems in Russia, like underfunding for orphanages, working in tandem with an outdated understanding of child development in which the importance of emotional nurturance is undervalued or competely unrecognized. At the root of the orphan issues there are vast, entrenched social problems, such as high unemployment rates and widespread poverty that result in an environment where 95% of orphans actually have living parents but have been given up to an insitution providing minimally or sub-sufficient standards of care. Most will never be adopted.
I am eager for the church to engage children around the world who are hungry for love, hungry for someone to meet their needs and affirm their value. "Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling" (Psalm 68:5). We are to be imitators of God, according to Ephesians 5, and God is a father to the fatherless. This is our calling as the body of Christ, as the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Eph 2).
I hope that you will be praying for the countless children around the world who have unmet emotional or physical needs, that the Lord God will care for them as he does the sparrows, providing their needs daily. Specifically, we can pray that the Lord moves in the hearts and minds of those influencing adoption systems and laws so that children can be quickly (and still safely) adopted by those desiring to parent them.
Other ways to fulfill the calling to be father to the fatherless, I believe, is to become attuned to statements of need from children in your neighborhood, church, your children's friends, or organizations that meet the needs of children. Simple statements of affirmation, recognizing their worth or talents or creativity can be very, very meaningful. Children in your neighborhood may be greatly blessed to have in you a friend with an open door, and as you grow in friendship, you will likely also grow in awareness of what, specifically, would bless that individual child. Or, consider adoption or supporting families who are interested in adoption - financially, as a trustworthy babysitter on occasion, or by simply asking someone you know who is in the process of adopting how you can help.
Finally, you might want to sign up to support a child through World Vision. Monthly payments provide a child with access to education, medical care, food, and in some cases, assistance for the family that may enable them to become more stable and able to provide for the children. World Vision also has links and magazines that enable you to select an option for how you would like to assist a family (for example, buying them chickens so they can sell the eggs). Anything that supports families, supports children.
Lately, I've been reading and thinking about children who live in situations of neglect and abuse both here and abroad, starting with orphans in Russia, and I think Groves' sentiment is the clearest descriptor of how I am affected by what I read and hear. I am "cut to the soul," in Groves' words, for it is as if I see my son in these tender children.
I have spent several weeks attempting to blog on the topic of Russian orphanages, and I find I am virtually unable to do it. The concept of being orphaned - of having no one delighting in your every smile, no one affirming to you your intrinsic worth -these things I find deeply, deeply grieving. Unfortunately, many orphans in Russia live in this reality, where they are not just orphaned from their birth parents, but in many cases, from enriching, satisfying human contact in general. Russia does have a few foster homes set up to provide children with family environments, but the stipends are so small as to be worthless, and there is no support to speak of for these families, from what I have read (for more information, see this article).
Most orphaned children in Russia do not live in a family care setting; they live out their childbood in institutional settings in which attachment to caregivers is not promoted or may be actively discouraged. Often this is the product of systemic problems in Russia, like underfunding for orphanages, working in tandem with an outdated understanding of child development in which the importance of emotional nurturance is undervalued or competely unrecognized. At the root of the orphan issues there are vast, entrenched social problems, such as high unemployment rates and widespread poverty that result in an environment where 95% of orphans actually have living parents but have been given up to an insitution providing minimally or sub-sufficient standards of care. Most will never be adopted.
I am eager for the church to engage children around the world who are hungry for love, hungry for someone to meet their needs and affirm their value. "Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling" (Psalm 68:5). We are to be imitators of God, according to Ephesians 5, and God is a father to the fatherless. This is our calling as the body of Christ, as the fullness of him who fills everything in every way (Eph 2).
I hope that you will be praying for the countless children around the world who have unmet emotional or physical needs, that the Lord God will care for them as he does the sparrows, providing their needs daily. Specifically, we can pray that the Lord moves in the hearts and minds of those influencing adoption systems and laws so that children can be quickly (and still safely) adopted by those desiring to parent them.
Other ways to fulfill the calling to be father to the fatherless, I believe, is to become attuned to statements of need from children in your neighborhood, church, your children's friends, or organizations that meet the needs of children. Simple statements of affirmation, recognizing their worth or talents or creativity can be very, very meaningful. Children in your neighborhood may be greatly blessed to have in you a friend with an open door, and as you grow in friendship, you will likely also grow in awareness of what, specifically, would bless that individual child. Or, consider adoption or supporting families who are interested in adoption - financially, as a trustworthy babysitter on occasion, or by simply asking someone you know who is in the process of adopting how you can help.
Finally, you might want to sign up to support a child through World Vision. Monthly payments provide a child with access to education, medical care, food, and in some cases, assistance for the family that may enable them to become more stable and able to provide for the children. World Vision also has links and magazines that enable you to select an option for how you would like to assist a family (for example, buying them chickens so they can sell the eggs). Anything that supports families, supports children.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Catch Up
A wonderful month filled with family, family, more family, and friends. We took a short afternoon trip with David's parents to see Josh, our brother-in-law (David's side). After planning to see him in concert in early July, I got to see him again briefly as we had a surprise meet in the Dallas airport, flying to different locations. A bonus visit :) Altogether, it was nice to introduce Gideon to Josh and have some time with Gideon's grandparents. He clearly thinks that people who adore him, like grandparents, are great.
Also, I had a great visit with my Aunt V and cousins at a cute little diner out in the country about halfway between my place and theirs. I love family time.
And, I traveled with Gideon to San Antonio to see my parents, sisters, the old Mad-dog, and my niece-dog Penny. Such fun! It was great to have conversations in person with them and to eat my mom's tremendously wonderful food. Even her everyday sandwiches just taste better than mine...topped with avocados, tomatoes, pesto or hummus...yum. We swam the Gideonite around the pool a bit, and as best I could tell, he thought being in the water was pretty much the same as being out of it - he gave very little reaction to indicate his feelings on the experience. We'll give him time to love it. He did, however, seem to REALLY enjoy his aunts and grandparents.
This past week, we have had some great time with friends, and this morning I had a visit from a good friend from highschool and now World Traveler Extraordinaire, Kate, and her mother as they were passing through town. Lovely. We could never have imagined days like to today and experiences like we've had, back when we were sophomores in band practice. I feel both greatly blessed and old :) Sophomore year was a ways back by now.
And, this July we're celebrating the birth of a beautiful little girl to good friends of ours in Georgia! Praise God for another little image bearer.
As for projects...they are still not done. But, I suppose that is just how it is going to be! Now that I'm back and things are settling down, I hope to make progress again.
My curtains STILL aren't done, largely because of both problems with the grommets that required reordering...and now require spray painting (supposedly "gold" grommets arrived, and they are clearly orange. Darn.).
I need curtains upstairs, too, and I need a non standard size. Who knows why the windows aren't a standard height, but they aren't. This has limited my ability to buy a set to hang - at least, until I saw a set on an HGTV do-it-yourself show that proposed a solution. I found a nice blue pair of curtains, on the short side, for cheap cheap cheap. Now at some point I need to whack off the bottom three feet or so and replace them with a matching patterned material... a panel long enough to reach the ground. This should be very easy, but the trick will be getting around to doing it. Until then, I think we'll just hang them and live with curtains "a la highwaters."
Finally, I have found a wonderful book list, published originally by World Magazine and summarized in my church newsletter, from which to read over the coming months. I've been wanting something a bit more substantive than my usual fiction fare, so this list is rather timely. For those wanting to check out the list, I believe it is in this article which costs $5 to view online. (Disclaimer: since I already have a few books to work through, I haven't paid to confirm that is the correct article). Also, I have gotten some additional recommendations from others. First up for me:
The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, CEO of World Vision. About the application of the gospel to world issues, from what I can tell.
If God is Good: Faith in the Middle of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn
And, The Battle: How the Fight Between Free Enterprise and Big Government Will Shape America's Future by Arthur Brooks.
I recently read Studying, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible by Henrichsen and Jackson. I highly, highly recommend it. It is an easy read with a straightforward approach to studying the Bible. It would be particularly useful to those involved in discipling others, as it is a method that seems easily transmittable.
Ok, that's it! Next time, a few facts and info on the Russian orphancare system.
Also, I had a great visit with my Aunt V and cousins at a cute little diner out in the country about halfway between my place and theirs. I love family time.
And, I traveled with Gideon to San Antonio to see my parents, sisters, the old Mad-dog, and my niece-dog Penny. Such fun! It was great to have conversations in person with them and to eat my mom's tremendously wonderful food. Even her everyday sandwiches just taste better than mine...topped with avocados, tomatoes, pesto or hummus...yum. We swam the Gideonite around the pool a bit, and as best I could tell, he thought being in the water was pretty much the same as being out of it - he gave very little reaction to indicate his feelings on the experience. We'll give him time to love it. He did, however, seem to REALLY enjoy his aunts and grandparents.
This past week, we have had some great time with friends, and this morning I had a visit from a good friend from highschool and now World Traveler Extraordinaire, Kate, and her mother as they were passing through town. Lovely. We could never have imagined days like to today and experiences like we've had, back when we were sophomores in band practice. I feel both greatly blessed and old :) Sophomore year was a ways back by now.
And, this July we're celebrating the birth of a beautiful little girl to good friends of ours in Georgia! Praise God for another little image bearer.
As for projects...they are still not done. But, I suppose that is just how it is going to be! Now that I'm back and things are settling down, I hope to make progress again.
My curtains STILL aren't done, largely because of both problems with the grommets that required reordering...and now require spray painting (supposedly "gold" grommets arrived, and they are clearly orange. Darn.).
I need curtains upstairs, too, and I need a non standard size. Who knows why the windows aren't a standard height, but they aren't. This has limited my ability to buy a set to hang - at least, until I saw a set on an HGTV do-it-yourself show that proposed a solution. I found a nice blue pair of curtains, on the short side, for cheap cheap cheap. Now at some point I need to whack off the bottom three feet or so and replace them with a matching patterned material... a panel long enough to reach the ground. This should be very easy, but the trick will be getting around to doing it. Until then, I think we'll just hang them and live with curtains "a la highwaters."
Finally, I have found a wonderful book list, published originally by World Magazine and summarized in my church newsletter, from which to read over the coming months. I've been wanting something a bit more substantive than my usual fiction fare, so this list is rather timely. For those wanting to check out the list, I believe it is in this article which costs $5 to view online. (Disclaimer: since I already have a few books to work through, I haven't paid to confirm that is the correct article). Also, I have gotten some additional recommendations from others. First up for me:
The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, CEO of World Vision. About the application of the gospel to world issues, from what I can tell.
If God is Good: Faith in the Middle of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn
And, The Battle: How the Fight Between Free Enterprise and Big Government Will Shape America's Future by Arthur Brooks.
I recently read Studying, Interpreting, and Applying the Bible by Henrichsen and Jackson. I highly, highly recommend it. It is an easy read with a straightforward approach to studying the Bible. It would be particularly useful to those involved in discipling others, as it is a method that seems easily transmittable.
Ok, that's it! Next time, a few facts and info on the Russian orphancare system.
Global Food Security Act
Ok, short and sweet. I received an email with the following article from World Vision, and I thought it worth sharing. It talks about the starvation taking place in Niger, Africa, AND provides an easy way to advocate with your legislators to co-sponsor the Global Food Security Act. Do something to help fight against hunger today. Check out the article and participate!
Click here to read
Click here to read
Sunday, July 11, 2010
To Be Continued
Lately, I haven't exactly been a faithful blogger. Unfortunately, this is going to extend a bit longer. I have decided to just announce that I'm taking July off from blogging...check back in August, if you read. I am working on a few projects at the moment that compete with my blogging time. I need to finish my curtains, and I'm traveling to see family, etc.
Also, this fall I am going to somewhat change the topics about which I write. Now that I have a child, I have found it alters my perception of the world in unexpected ways. One such way is that I feel deeply, DEEPLY grieved about social issues affecting children that I already knew and cared about - like Russian orphanages in which infants have such low levels of relational interaction that they no longer make vocalizations. And child abuse. And lack of food and medical care in many countries. These days I more than care, I am borderline obsessive about them. Since at the moment I'm not going to pick up and head out to work hands on with these issues, instead I am going to research related topics and post condensed issue briefs here.
So, check back. I appreciate that you read!
Also, this fall I am going to somewhat change the topics about which I write. Now that I have a child, I have found it alters my perception of the world in unexpected ways. One such way is that I feel deeply, DEEPLY grieved about social issues affecting children that I already knew and cared about - like Russian orphanages in which infants have such low levels of relational interaction that they no longer make vocalizations. And child abuse. And lack of food and medical care in many countries. These days I more than care, I am borderline obsessive about them. Since at the moment I'm not going to pick up and head out to work hands on with these issues, instead I am going to research related topics and post condensed issue briefs here.
So, check back. I appreciate that you read!
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Conundrums of Choice
This week I read an article in Money Magazine about choice that I found applicable to basically all of life. Key thoughts that stood out to me:
1)Neurologically, we are wired to manage five to nine options well. More is overload and often produces an avoidance response, where we just don't make any intentional choice, because we can't decide.
And 2), We highly prize keeping all options open, so we are likely to waste energy and resources keeping all options available, even when there are way too many.
As part of her research on this topic, Sheena Iyengar set up a booth selling jam and found that when she offered more varieties, more people stopped at the booth, but fewer bought. When she offered fewer varieties, fewer people stopped, but more bought. I think this is completely fascinating, and in my life, true. Case in point: I have now essentially made my curtains for the living room, but they continue to languish unhanged against the wall. Why? I need to order a grommet setter from the internet, but it seems that there are a gazillion websites selling them, and each sells a slightly different variety. After reading the article, it occurs to me that I'm rather endlessly procrastinating because I'm not sure how to figure out both who I should buy from and which size and what type of grommet setter to get. I should figure out some criteria to be king - say, a website who will accept payment via PayPal, for security - and just order it.
In terms of grommet setters, choice isn't exactly impacting my life in a major way. However, the problem of choice IS affecting my life in some significant ways in other areas. With Gideon, I have a set amount of free time each day when he sleeps. Some situations make it easy to choose what I will do - sleep, cooking, showering...these are important to daily life functioning. But between other fairly equal and competing options? Much tougher to decide. For example, I could commit to practicing the piano every day again. But, then I might not be able to practice Spanish, and long term, I will not be fluent. And so on and so on...since I haven't decided what DOES make the cut and what doesn't, I don't seem to be making progress on either one, or any of the other competing options either. Instead, I facebook. Not that I intend to throw facebook by the wayside, mind you, but it doesn't need to occupy all the time I'm giving it lately.
So, my goal, after reading this article? Identify ONE thing (beyond the basics of everyday) to be involved with on a regular basis. And then do it.
As I thought about this article more, I realized that difficulty making choices is not just a new problem resulting from all the technology that has exponentially expanded the options available to us. This problem of avoiding decisions has been around at least since the time of the apostle Paul, and surely since the beginning of man. "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, for the days are evil..." Eph 5:16 This verse seems to have some rather specific applications, as suggested by the verses immediately around it - namely that wisdom is to be an imitator of God. But additionally, the action of the verse seems to be a caution that we are to intentionally steward our lives to the glory of God, rather than just be acted upon by the days. (I remember meditating on this verse not too long ago and thinking I should be more intentional...and here I am. Clearly, still working on this one).
For all of us, then, a certain amount of choosing and decision-making is an appropriate and required element of the God-honoring life. Iyengar's research certainly doesn't map out exactly how we should go about stewarding our lives, but it does offer interesting insights into how to work with our brain makeup - rather than against or in spite of it - to make choices in the everyday. It's worth a read, in my opinion.
1)Neurologically, we are wired to manage five to nine options well. More is overload and often produces an avoidance response, where we just don't make any intentional choice, because we can't decide.
And 2), We highly prize keeping all options open, so we are likely to waste energy and resources keeping all options available, even when there are way too many.
As part of her research on this topic, Sheena Iyengar set up a booth selling jam and found that when she offered more varieties, more people stopped at the booth, but fewer bought. When she offered fewer varieties, fewer people stopped, but more bought. I think this is completely fascinating, and in my life, true. Case in point: I have now essentially made my curtains for the living room, but they continue to languish unhanged against the wall. Why? I need to order a grommet setter from the internet, but it seems that there are a gazillion websites selling them, and each sells a slightly different variety. After reading the article, it occurs to me that I'm rather endlessly procrastinating because I'm not sure how to figure out both who I should buy from and which size and what type of grommet setter to get. I should figure out some criteria to be king - say, a website who will accept payment via PayPal, for security - and just order it.
In terms of grommet setters, choice isn't exactly impacting my life in a major way. However, the problem of choice IS affecting my life in some significant ways in other areas. With Gideon, I have a set amount of free time each day when he sleeps. Some situations make it easy to choose what I will do - sleep, cooking, showering...these are important to daily life functioning. But between other fairly equal and competing options? Much tougher to decide. For example, I could commit to practicing the piano every day again. But, then I might not be able to practice Spanish, and long term, I will not be fluent. And so on and so on...since I haven't decided what DOES make the cut and what doesn't, I don't seem to be making progress on either one, or any of the other competing options either. Instead, I facebook. Not that I intend to throw facebook by the wayside, mind you, but it doesn't need to occupy all the time I'm giving it lately.
So, my goal, after reading this article? Identify ONE thing (beyond the basics of everyday) to be involved with on a regular basis. And then do it.
As I thought about this article more, I realized that difficulty making choices is not just a new problem resulting from all the technology that has exponentially expanded the options available to us. This problem of avoiding decisions has been around at least since the time of the apostle Paul, and surely since the beginning of man. "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of time, for the days are evil..." Eph 5:16 This verse seems to have some rather specific applications, as suggested by the verses immediately around it - namely that wisdom is to be an imitator of God. But additionally, the action of the verse seems to be a caution that we are to intentionally steward our lives to the glory of God, rather than just be acted upon by the days. (I remember meditating on this verse not too long ago and thinking I should be more intentional...and here I am. Clearly, still working on this one).
For all of us, then, a certain amount of choosing and decision-making is an appropriate and required element of the God-honoring life. Iyengar's research certainly doesn't map out exactly how we should go about stewarding our lives, but it does offer interesting insights into how to work with our brain makeup - rather than against or in spite of it - to make choices in the everyday. It's worth a read, in my opinion.
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Making of Things
Last night Gideon slept in three, 3.5h shifts. I preface this with that, because restedness is a key predictor of my level of motivation... I am still mourning the disappearance of the four hour shifts, but hope they will return soon. In the meantime, I am glad to have had a night without ANY two hour wake-up calls.
Since I woke up fairly well rested this morning, I have decided that this is the week to tackle my first major sewing project ever. Curtains. I am making grommeted single-panel curtains with a liner, for those who care for such details. I like this option because it calls for a single width of fabric rather than two or three widths...much more affordable (especially when one utilizes 50% off sales at local fabric stores - ALWAYS exciting). And, it requires header work, but not so much as to make me cry before I even start. I had thought I wanted something formal like a French pleat, but then I realized that there is no such thing as french pleat header tape. There is only the tape/buckram that one must pin and then sew into pleats. Since french pleated curtains also require 2-3 widths of fabric to look remotely full, the savings resulting from doing the work myself is...zero dollars. I would actually spend MORE to make them than to buy a really nice formal pair of curtains. It would take me forever, and I would cry before finishing them, and possibly even before starting them. That's just silly. Clearly, grommeted is the better option.
So, to prepare for the launching of my sewing endeavor, I have had my recently acquired (via Craig's list) sewing machine tuned up, and, I bought a sewing basket. My thread, needles, scissors, buttons, and pins are finally graduating from my jr. high pencil box - from which they were overflowing - into their very own organized home.
Actually, I spent a ridiculous amount of time organizing said sewing basket this afternoon, and now have it conspicuously placed in the middle of my kitchen table - open - so I can admire it. I know, it's just a sewing basket. But, there's nothing like enjoying the simple pleasures in life, right? We'll see if I'm as enthusiastic about the curtain-making process as I have been about the getting-ready-to-make-curtains process...more on this later.
Since I woke up fairly well rested this morning, I have decided that this is the week to tackle my first major sewing project ever. Curtains. I am making grommeted single-panel curtains with a liner, for those who care for such details. I like this option because it calls for a single width of fabric rather than two or three widths...much more affordable (especially when one utilizes 50% off sales at local fabric stores - ALWAYS exciting). And, it requires header work, but not so much as to make me cry before I even start. I had thought I wanted something formal like a French pleat, but then I realized that there is no such thing as french pleat header tape. There is only the tape/buckram that one must pin and then sew into pleats. Since french pleated curtains also require 2-3 widths of fabric to look remotely full, the savings resulting from doing the work myself is...zero dollars. I would actually spend MORE to make them than to buy a really nice formal pair of curtains. It would take me forever, and I would cry before finishing them, and possibly even before starting them. That's just silly. Clearly, grommeted is the better option.So, to prepare for the launching of my sewing endeavor, I have had my recently acquired (via Craig's list) sewing machine tuned up, and, I bought a sewing basket. My thread, needles, scissors, buttons, and pins are finally graduating from my jr. high pencil box - from which they were overflowing - into their very own organized home.
Actually, I spent a ridiculous amount of time organizing said sewing basket this afternoon, and now have it conspicuously placed in the middle of my kitchen table - open - so I can admire it. I know, it's just a sewing basket. But, there's nothing like enjoying the simple pleasures in life, right? We'll see if I'm as enthusiastic about the curtain-making process as I have been about the getting-ready-to-make-curtains process...more on this later.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
The Good and Unexpected
Sunshine, GLORIOUS sunshine! Today our small family of three began the day with an idyllic walk around the neighborhood. At least, that was the plan. Unforuntately, David's sandals malfunctioned, and it turns out we bought a stroller that doesn't really stroll all that well. (Sigh.) I have taken it out and about a few times, but this was the first time I tried such challenges as slightly uneven sidewalks, bumpy streets, and grass. It doesn't go, so much as stop, when it encounters such obstacles; poor Gideon may need a chiropractor. The stroller came from Craig's list, and thence it shall return.
Ok, that was Saturday, and today is now Tuesday. I seem to have gotten distracted.
Sunday started out a bit disastrously, as Gideon was awake frequently throughout the night, and in the morning I was exhausted and had a very sore throat. Not the auspices of a great day in the making.
But, the day recovered well. I wouldn't have imagined that such a day would end up being one of my favorites of the spring, but it was. We (and by we I mean David) planted wonderful little green and flowering plants along our front walk and along the back patio. I potted a few plants, but on the whole my contribution must be described honestly as keeping him company rather than really working...for the most part I rested on the blanket and fetched water or tools or cookies (true sustenance)as needed. Gideon is quite the contented outdoor baby, at least at this stage. He seemed happy to lie on the blanket, watch trees, and wiggle under the breeze. I was very glad to be out in creation enjoying my little family. Such wonderful blessings.
And today, Tuesday, has its own gloriousness as well. Last night was the first night that Gideon managed a five hour stretch at night, making this morning a much easier morning. Usually we do 2-3 hour increments, occasionally a four hour stretch. Five was unexpected and, I can only assume, the product of having loaded Gideon up on formula last night before bed. I always give one ounce after the bedtime nursing, and for various reasons, last night I gave three. And then he slept, and I slept and no one made a peep until the wee hours of the morning...and it was wonderful. Needless to say, three ounces could become the new nightcap norm. Today is also going to be a lovely day of family time, and I am very, very excited. I love my family.
I am exceedingly grateful to the Maker of beautiful babies and wonderful husbands and summer days for the glories of the recent days. We do receive such undeserved gifts at such unexpected times. As much as I have enjoyed the recent gloriousness, I am reminded that it is pale indeed compared to the gift of Christ, the great Gift and guarantee to those who believe on Him of an eternity of glorious days in the prescence of the Most Glorious One.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation due to a shadow of turning. James 1:17
Amen and amen, no?
Ok, that was Saturday, and today is now Tuesday. I seem to have gotten distracted.
Sunday started out a bit disastrously, as Gideon was awake frequently throughout the night, and in the morning I was exhausted and had a very sore throat. Not the auspices of a great day in the making.
But, the day recovered well. I wouldn't have imagined that such a day would end up being one of my favorites of the spring, but it was. We (and by we I mean David) planted wonderful little green and flowering plants along our front walk and along the back patio. I potted a few plants, but on the whole my contribution must be described honestly as keeping him company rather than really working...for the most part I rested on the blanket and fetched water or tools or cookies (true sustenance)as needed. Gideon is quite the contented outdoor baby, at least at this stage. He seemed happy to lie on the blanket, watch trees, and wiggle under the breeze. I was very glad to be out in creation enjoying my little family. Such wonderful blessings.
And today, Tuesday, has its own gloriousness as well. Last night was the first night that Gideon managed a five hour stretch at night, making this morning a much easier morning. Usually we do 2-3 hour increments, occasionally a four hour stretch. Five was unexpected and, I can only assume, the product of having loaded Gideon up on formula last night before bed. I always give one ounce after the bedtime nursing, and for various reasons, last night I gave three. And then he slept, and I slept and no one made a peep until the wee hours of the morning...and it was wonderful. Needless to say, three ounces could become the new nightcap norm. Today is also going to be a lovely day of family time, and I am very, very excited. I love my family.
I am exceedingly grateful to the Maker of beautiful babies and wonderful husbands and summer days for the glories of the recent days. We do receive such undeserved gifts at such unexpected times. As much as I have enjoyed the recent gloriousness, I am reminded that it is pale indeed compared to the gift of Christ, the great Gift and guarantee to those who believe on Him of an eternity of glorious days in the prescence of the Most Glorious One.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation due to a shadow of turning. James 1:17
Amen and amen, no?
Friday, May 7, 2010
The Goodness of the Week
Oh, the random goodness. Today, we officially eradicated the baby mullet! Who knew my child was born with such an unfortunate hairstyle?! Not me...I must have been blinded by mother love. Having finally realized it two weeks ago, I made a mental note to cut it, and finally have. In our attempt to even out the sides and back to match the shorter top, I have basically shorn him bald. He's such a cute bald baby!
And, the major news of the week is that Gideon smiles! I love it, love it, love it. It is wonderful to have a sense of what things made his little happy neurons fire. The big winners so far are the swing, the crib mobile, and a windup music-playing toy that intersperses a few lines of off-key music with a tinny dog bark. All play music. Apart from things that play music, plaid seems to be also quite entertaining. He can stare at the plaid fabric on his highchair for almost the entire duration of my dinner prep activities...who knew plaid was so exciting?
Finally, in this catalgue of random good things, this week I made my big return to partaking in outside gloriousness. I pulled out the stroller and off we went. I even had the opportunity to go walking with another mother from church, a welcome moment of friendship and conversation and sunshine. Praise God who makes all things, who is the giver of good gifts like babies to take on walks, hot winds, sunshine, brisk post-rain air, and adult conversations. I have enjoyed them all.
Future goodness to enjoy? More sleep. While I am immensely pleased with the increase in sleep between week 1 and week 6, I am still anticipating more to come. Today I got up with Gideon in the morning, enjoyed a bit of play time, and went back to bed when he went down for a nap. Then when he woke up, David got up with him for the late morning awakeness while I slept in. I foresee great things for Saturday mornings if this plan continues. Praise the Lord for Saturday mornings and NAPS!
And, the major news of the week is that Gideon smiles! I love it, love it, love it. It is wonderful to have a sense of what things made his little happy neurons fire. The big winners so far are the swing, the crib mobile, and a windup music-playing toy that intersperses a few lines of off-key music with a tinny dog bark. All play music. Apart from things that play music, plaid seems to be also quite entertaining. He can stare at the plaid fabric on his highchair for almost the entire duration of my dinner prep activities...who knew plaid was so exciting?
Finally, in this catalgue of random good things, this week I made my big return to partaking in outside gloriousness. I pulled out the stroller and off we went. I even had the opportunity to go walking with another mother from church, a welcome moment of friendship and conversation and sunshine. Praise God who makes all things, who is the giver of good gifts like babies to take on walks, hot winds, sunshine, brisk post-rain air, and adult conversations. I have enjoyed them all.
Future goodness to enjoy? More sleep. While I am immensely pleased with the increase in sleep between week 1 and week 6, I am still anticipating more to come. Today I got up with Gideon in the morning, enjoyed a bit of play time, and went back to bed when he went down for a nap. Then when he woke up, David got up with him for the late morning awakeness while I slept in. I foresee great things for Saturday mornings if this plan continues. Praise the Lord for Saturday mornings and NAPS!
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