A Lesson in Daily-ness

I participate in a weekly Bible study. We're studying the life of Moses, and are currently in Exodus.

Last week one of the passages we read was about how God fed the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert. Monday through Saturday, he provided manna (bread) in the morning and quail (meat) in the evening. They were supposed to gather only what they needed for that day. Except Saturday; then they gathered enough for that day and Sunday.

It was a daily lesson in trusting God. They had to trust him to take care of their most basic need, food. Our teacher asked us to think about this lesson of daily-ness. Do I really believe that he will take care of my daily needs? And the needs of those around me?

The future can be a scary thing. But rather than get caught up in trying to plan for what's down the road, maybe I need to gather just what I need for today. And trust God to provide again tomorrow.

Practical Shoes

I've noticed that most of the women in my office wear practical shoes. Smart, fairly plain, with little to no heel. Usually they're black- sometimes brown or blue- to coordinate with countless suits and other "business professional" attire our dress code requires.

I wouldn't say my work footwear is ridiculous, but it definately leans more to the "unpractical" side. I'm not as adventurous as my colleague, who has some brightly colored shoes including a shiny patent leather yellow pair. I own mostly black and brown shoes, but they nearly all have some unique design and at least a 2 inch heel. The closest to a practical work shoe in my closet is a pair of black textured "flats" with a half inch heel, which ironically have given me more blisters than any pair of heels ever has.

There have been a few occassions where I wish I was a practical shoe person. It would certainly make the frequent trips between our building and the other locations easier. And rain, puddles or dewy grass wouldn't be a problem.

But then I look down at my cute, somewhat unpractical high-heel shoes and can't bring myself to trade them in for sensible flats.

Hope

Hope. I think hope is one of God's greatest gifts. It's a funny, unpredictable and yet incredibly powerful thing. Sometimes you're hope-less and sometimes hope-full, and maybe other times somewhere inbetween.

I almost titled this blog "Hope is a thing with feathers" from another poem by Emily Dickinson, because I tend to be a hope-ful kind of person and I think Emily perfectly captured the essence of hope.

May hope's sweet tune be with you today.

Hope is a thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chilliest land
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
-Emily Dickinson

If I could do anything

Every so often I like to dream about what I would do, if I could do anything.

I don't mean "anything" like when you're a kid and you wish you had super powers and could fly or shot laser beams from your eyes. (Although I would be one of the first to sign up for super powers, if I could.) I mean "anything" in a more realistic sense, as in any job or career.

There are a lot of things I'm interested in, and would love to try my hand at. Some are just whims, that I'd want to try for a year. For example, I think it would be fun to be an interior decorator. I'd love the chance to put together fabulous rooms, using paint colors, furniture and decor. Or be a florist and work with an array of flowers to make beautiful arrangements. I also would like to go to cosmetology school so I could learn cutting techniques and how to mix and apply perfect hair color.

Others are more serious, things I think I would like to do long-term. One of them is being an editor at one of my favorite magazines, and do things like brain storming ideas, interviewing and writing full-time. The other is being a travel journalist, so I could visit all the little corners of the world and write about them, but get paid to do so.

If you could just jump into a job, anything you were interested in doing--even for a short amount of time--what would you do?

Grabbing the bull by the horns

I'm usually a fairly easy-going, peaceful person. But if you push me into a corner, I'm not going down without a fight. I'm going to come out swinging. 

Over the past month and a half, I've felt gradually pushed into a corner. It made me anxious and agitated. The frustrations consumed me and I found myself complaining constantly.

But about noon today I had had enough. Enough of being anxious and enough of my own complaining. So I faced the person I was afraid of, the person who was making me so anxious.

My heart was practically beating through my chest, but I did it. My reasons were twofold: 1. I wanted to show this person I can be assertive and to not overlook me and 2. I needed to fight for my own well being and confidence. I let this person chip away at my self-worth, and that is a dangerous thing. 

Today I grabbed the bull by the horns, and I feel stronger and better for it. 

When Life Turns Upside-Down

Romans 8:38-39 TNIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Beauty and Ugliness of Politics

The dynamics of this year's presidential election is exciting to me. It is certainly on its way to being the most interesting political race I've experienced in my lifetime.

I love that we have the freedom to vote. I'm glad I live in a democratic country where we have the opportunity to choose our governmental leaders. I see it as both an honor and a responsibility for American citizens.

But I also hate politics.

I hate the mud-slinging, and nasty accusations. I hate the heated arguments that are caused by them. I hate how different political views can create rifts between family members, friends and colleagues.

The freedom to choose - to vote - is a beautiful thing. But sometimes it makes us say or do ugly things. I pray that this election season you have wisdom to discern the candidate you believe will be the best to lead our country and the grace to accept those who believe differently.