Reader's Digest

Yeah, I know... I need to post more often instead of putting out these novellas, or manifestos, or other long-winded pieces of print.

Heavy Heart

My dearest friend, Jude, has lost her father, lost an uncle, and struggles to find a way to relate to her mom. And I am at a complete loss as to how to help her. Not that I haven't been in a similar situation - I was the one who held the family together when my Dad died, and my mom later lost her ability to think straight. The tough part, I think, is that all this other stuff (caring for her mom and the estate stuff) is making it extra difficult for her to process her own grief. I wish I could lift off some of this other stuff and give her the space to process. Everyone needs the opportunity to process grief at their own pace. But, alas, I am not superwoman (could she do this?), or God. So I will call out to the one who is. God, that is. I'm not calling out to a fictional character - I'm not that far gone!

God, it is my prayer that you would not leave Jude in this space any longer than necessary to accomplish whatever it is You have purposed. Bring your comfort to my friend and the strength necessary to walk this path. You are with her all the time - there is nowhere she can go that You are not there. Be her comfort, her strength, her counselor, and give her Your perspective.


Exegesis Schmexegesis

Yuck. I hate when I have to do this. I had to do it once before in a small house church, and I don't think he ever quite fully forgave me.

I had to challenge someone on a public teaching that I didn't think was exegetically correct. I'm risking relationship, but I feel so strongly about truth that I couldn't keep quiet. Now I wait for the fall-out.

Yuck.


Fit Fit Fit

Yesterday we got a family membership at the Y. You know what this means, of course.... More structure in my life! Generally speaking that's a good thing, but I fear being too busy in fall and not having enough down time. Tradeoffs. Life is full of 'em.


Camp WannaHockALoogie

We brave (insane?) souls took our boys camping for a couple of days last week. Doug's parents were here (for a family funeral) and always come with their fifth-wheel trailer, so we took advantage and went camping with them to Riding Mountain on their way home. They in their trailer. We in our tent. It was a good time, for the most part, but on the second evening of the mandatory drive to spot wildlife both boys fell asleep in the van. Not good. Not good at all....

Matt spent the next few hours whining about how he couldn't sleep. It was enough for Doug to cut our stay short by one night. Doug has enough sleep issues himself. He knew he couldn't take another night like that and remain reasonably sane.

On the plus side, we did spot several black bears, a herd of bison, four deer, a moose, and several (read dozens of) crows. Oh, and one vole.

So, there you have it. My life at the moment. Keep on challenging your assumptions. After all, what's the worst that could happen? You could find truth....