1. I did it! This blog is raw. I lack photos, background info, and 2 years of previous posts to which I could insert self-referential links. Banishing fear is in the action taken, so I count this a grand success in my fight against perfectionism!
2. I love: when Waverley offers her affirmatives as a string of enthusiastic responses: "Yeah! Sure! I'd love that!" Each in a higher, tinier, more excited voice than the one before.
3. Speaking of excited voices: the jubilant squealing of happy preschoolers is precious, but not at all conducive to reading, much less mediating upon, today's Lenten scripture. (My calendar lists Isaiah 58: 1-8.) So I'll have to try again later.
4. And quiet voices: Tigaloo has been sleeping through the night. Already at 10 weeks. Life is good.
5. All her sleeping, in combination with the improving weather, means it will soon be time to resume daily walks to morning Mass!
6. Favorite part of writing up 2 weeks worth of menus? "Meatless Friday." Simple. No planning required. Works great all year round.
7. How long can I work on this post before it ceases to be 7 Quick Takes?
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Seasons
2nd day of Lent -- Luke 9:22-25
Christ predicts his Passion, and reminds me that to follow him, I must "take up [my] cross daily." And so is the focus of this season, both Lent and this time of my life. I'm beginning a period of "strict training," albeit much belated. With God's grace I will improve my efforts daily. In Cold Mountain, Inman adds an eighth deadly sin: regret. I agree wholeheartedly, and add for myself: fear. Not the proper fear of the Lord, but paralyzing fear that has left its mark across my past as indelibly as wine stains on a fine tablecloth. So Lent begins, the season of my life (rearing, not bearing, unless God chooses otherwise) begins, and my fight against my own fear begins in earnest.
And I'll begin mourning the end of my bearing season. I just hope the decision to stop is not motivated by love of my own life so much as my desire to lay my life down in service to the precious blessings God has granted us. For His purposes. Is this decision weakness of faith? If I were blessed with a 4th pregnancy, would the outcome not be God's plan no matter if I survived?
Christ predicts his Passion, and reminds me that to follow him, I must "take up [my] cross daily." And so is the focus of this season, both Lent and this time of my life. I'm beginning a period of "strict training," albeit much belated. With God's grace I will improve my efforts daily. In Cold Mountain, Inman adds an eighth deadly sin: regret. I agree wholeheartedly, and add for myself: fear. Not the proper fear of the Lord, but paralyzing fear that has left its mark across my past as indelibly as wine stains on a fine tablecloth. So Lent begins, the season of my life (rearing, not bearing, unless God chooses otherwise) begins, and my fight against my own fear begins in earnest.
And I'll begin mourning the end of my bearing season. I just hope the decision to stop is not motivated by love of my own life so much as my desire to lay my life down in service to the precious blessings God has granted us. For His purposes. Is this decision weakness of faith? If I were blessed with a 4th pregnancy, would the outcome not be God's plan no matter if I survived?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
