Another Week

It's Friday, people, my favorite day of the week. Time for more Quick Takes.

(1) It occurred to me the other day that I'm a passionate person. This may or may not be news, I don't know, but as I was bemoaning my mood swings, I realized I FEEL. I feel great loss, real sadness and get down easily, but I also know excitement, joy, and tremendous gratefulness. Though sometimes the low times are tough, I'm glad for this ability to embrace the little things in life with gusto and really let them soak into me. It may make me a wacko sometimes, but all in all it's worth it.

(2) Earlier this week I looked in the mirror and kind of liked what I saw. I thought I looked good (Progress?). Calm. Younger. Rested even. It was enough of a change to make me wonder what made the difference. It wasn't that I'd been eating better. I spent the entire weekend eating and eating and eating for my birthday. I did exercise more last week (to counteract the stuffing of my face, you know), but it didn't seem like a significant change. My sleeping patterns were as erratic as ever. What was left to attribute it to? It had been a wonderful weekend. I was very happy. My husband, my kids, my friends made me feel so loved. Is that what showed? Is our beauty enhanced by the knowledge we are loved?

God also gave me an answer to a question I've been asking Him for a few weeks. It relieved me of a burden I placed upon myself and gave me the focus I've been looking for. Does being confident of God's plan bring out our inner shine? Do we, like Moses, show the glory of the Lord when He reveals Himself to us?

Whatever it was, I wish I could capture it and hang on to it for more than a day or so. Or better yet, bottle it up and make a fortune.

(3) Do you think God can take the "secular" and use it to teach us lessons? Can something as evil as a television show teach us truth? I think so. I've been watching True Beauty, a reality show where contestants believe they are vying for the title of most beautiful person. What they don't know is they are secretly being observed for their behavior in order to determine if they are beautiful on the inside too. I have to say I've been convicted more than once of stupid things I do without thinking that are insensitive and selfish. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't make it past week two.

(4) Yesterday my fifteen-year-old called around 4:PM to ask if she could have a few friends over after school. They had to be back at school for the rest of the evening by 5:30. Often when this happens, kids will go through a drive-thru and congregate at someone's house to eat together. Since they had done that already this week I offered to make spaghetti for them.

"How many will be coming?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe six or seven."

By the time I got home from running errands, four kids were already there, none of which belonged to me. No bother. They're good kids I trust. I'm glad they feel welcome enough to come on in. Then they just kept coming and coming. At 4:30 there were twelve kids in the house who needed to eat in the next 30-40 minutes. I made a quick call to Superman to bring reinforcements--more noodles, more sauce, more bread, pronto, and we pulled it off. The kids were very appreciative and it was a fun time.

Though it can be a real whirlwind and always puts a kink in my plans for the day, these spontaneous events are important. It gives me a chance to get to know my kids' friends and helps me see why they like spending time with them. I learn they can be trusted. Plus, I get to be Wonder Woman for about an hour. As we say at our house, "It's all good."

(5) Did you watch the Inauguration? What a proud day for our country. President Obama highlighted the remarkable progress well in his Inaugural Address.

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed, why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall. And why a man whose father less than 60 years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day in remembrance of who we are and how far we have traveled."

Indeed. What hope.

(6) My husband and I had a lunch date with our ten-year-old yesterday. At one point she just sat in the booth and smiled at us, looking as if she was about to erupt in either laughter or tears.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," she said, but she couldn't stop herself from smiling.

She never told us what she was thinking. Sometimes this girl is so full of joy she looks like she could burst. How I wish I could catch it from her.

(7) This daughter also has a sense of humor.

Yesterday morning I told her, "I'm going to take a shower. I have no idea what I'll put on when I get out, but I'm going in."

She giggled and said, "Well, good luck then."


And there you have it, a peek into my week. Wander over to Conversion Diary to see what's on the minds of others.

Have a great weekend, friends.