Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Truth is Truth

Have you ever wished you could go back in time knowing what you know now?

I took a creative writing class in college. One of the assignments was to bring in a piece of literature for the class to read and teach class on that piece. I brought in a proverb.

I think the reason this episode sticks out in my mind is because I knew I wanted to bring in a portion of the Bible for everyone to read, but at the same time, I did not want to "offend" anyone. I wanted to find a portion that was not controversial. I had the hardest time finding a passage.

The Bible, and the Christian faith in general, is very controversial. It offends people because it is truth and that makes people uncomfortable (myself included).

I wish I could go back to that class and that assignment and redo it. I don't know for sure what piece of literature I would pick. If I did pick the Bible, I don't think I would be afraid to pick a more "controversial" chapter.

I am not sure what the point of this post is. Let's try don't be afraid to speak the truth (in love of course - that is a very important ingredient). Don't try to soften it or explain it away. Truth is truth.

Friday, February 23, 2007

You Need to be More Flexible!

Growing up my dad would often tell me "You need to be more flexible Megan." I never really liked to hear it, but I knew he was right. If my plans were changed at the last minute, I would have a hard time adjusting. I love a well-executed plan!

Well Dad, like it or not, I am learning to be more flexible. I don't really have a choice - motherhood has forced it upon me! To be an inflexible mom is a very miserable existence. Kids have a way of messing up even the best-laid plans.

Consider the following:

- You plan to go to Bible study in the morning only to have your daughter throw-up in the middle of the night forcing you to cancel your plans.

- Your goal of the day is to clean the downstairs portion of your home, but little hands follow you at a distance, undoing all you've done.

- You are excited to wear your new dress to church only to have it covered in spit-up minutes before you leave.

- You are looking so forward to nap time - you NEED a break, but for some reason your children decide to take turns crying leaving you no peace.

I could go on and on, but I won't - I think you get the idea! When my frustration levels start to rise because things are just not going as planned I try to remind myself of two things:

1. It is not about me - Usually my inflexibility is based on my own selfishness. Reminding myself that it really isn't about me, helps keep things in perspective.

2. This is just a season of life - Life is full of seasons and those seasons are constantly changing. This reminds me to cherish every moment with my child, even the unplanned ones, because this season will be over all too quickly.

Although I still get frustrated when my plans get ambushed, I am learning to be more flexible. Dad, I think you would be proud!

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Thinking about Words

I like blogging. Coming up with blog topics is the difficulty. Trying to write words that are somewhat interesting to whomever may be surfing by is a challenge for me, maybe that is part of the fun. Writing whatever is on my mind is theraputic. Sometimes, I don't even know what is on my mind until I start writing, which makes for an adventure (what that says about me I don't know :))!

I like words. Words have a lot of power, or at least the ideas behind the words do. Words can change the world; they can change me. Words like "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son." 13 small words linked together to form one powerful sentance!

Ink on paper can communicate such powerful ideas. Ideas that stand the test of time. Words like "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," have been read by millions of people over thousands of years - some believing them, some wondering if they are true, some creating words that contradict them.

I love to be inspired by words. I love it when a paragraph seems to jump off the page, like it was written just for me. I love it when my perspective changes because of something I've read.

I could go on and on, the tangents are endless. But, before I lose any readers by writing too many words, please allow me to share two more: The End.