A Pleasant Saturday

Today was just a nice Saturday. We went to Home Depot to get bark chips for the back yard. Then we went to Laguna to do some tide-pooling. It was a perfect March day. Here are some pics of our outings.

Systematic Beauty

The other day, I picked up my oldest son from his school carpool. We began a typical conversation about homework. I asked specifically about the homework he was working on for his music theory class at Saddleback College. He told me about his homework that dealt with the circle of fifths and key signatures. I mentioned that he was good at music because he is good at math. He said, “Yeah, it’s pretty systematic.” I answered, “Isn’t it interesting that something so systematic can be so beautiful? Music theory is systematic and yet you end up with something that is subjective…it can feel happy, sad or scary.”

As I pondered this, I realized that there is an insight here for our spiritual growth. We set up movements for ourselves that, when strung together in various ways, make beautiful music in our life. Just as there is a “system” to music—key signatures, scales, time signatures—so are there some basic practices we engage to nurture our relationship with God. Each of us knows which practices nurture our own souls. You know in your own heart what draws you to your Father. You alone know your deepest desires. These are the places from which “the disciplines” spring.

Each person is unique, just as is each song. God is, of course, the true composer, as He speaks through His Word, through nature, through friends and through our own lives.

A Dog's Life

I admit it. I have become one of them. I never thought it would happen...but it did. I’m a “dog person.” However, I don’t feel this way about all dogs...just our new pet, Lex. I guess I should say I have become a “Lex person.” He is just the cutest thing. That is him above, taking a nap at the foot of my bed.

Two weeks ago, we went to the shelter, hoping to find a small, well behaved dog. Lex was the first one on the right side as we walked into the dog building. Most of the other dogs were barking loudly, echoing through the concrete hall. Lex just put his nose through the iron gate and looked at us. That was it. He found a place in our hearts immediately.

Lex is fitting into our family just fine. With Alan’s encouragement, the boys have come to the decision that “God led us to Lex because He knew just what we wanted.”

I Never Saw Today!

“I never saw today!” my son, then 4-years-old, exclaimed as he peered out the van window. There were some dark grey storm clouds ahead of us. Behind them was blue sky, with splashes of pink and gold. It was the beginning of sunset, and, evidently, my son had never seen the sky in exactly that form before. The only way for him to describe this amazing sky was, “I never saw today!”

I was reminded that I, too, “never saw today.” My day had been full of school Christmas parties and continuing to prepare for another party that evening. I was scurrying around doing the tasks of the day and hadn’t stopped once to wonder at the day given to me by my Creator.

We are getting ready to hit the holiday season with full force. It might be a good idea to decide right now that you won’t miss “today.” I am going to try not to let the tasks overshadow the meaning of Christmas. I want to enjoy this season with my family and friends. It is ok to take the time to enjoy the people and events of the season.

So instead of “Seize the Day” I think I will try to “See today!”

“Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’" (Lamentations 3:22-24)

The Waning Days of Summer

I haven’t blogged since for a while. We went on an extended vacation, part of which was visiting our friends in Pennsylvania. On that trip, we spent 2 days in Washington D.C. You can see my boys (above) in front of the reflecting pool with the Washington Monument in the distance. As usual, summer went by very fast. We had a great time resting, playing and traveling.

School starts next week so it will be back to the “regular” schedule. I hope, as I do at the end of every summer, that I will be able to take my inner pace back into the more structured schedule.