some sweet reflection

Dear Mercy,

Today I'm standing in the middle of your bright green room- we're planning to paint it this month. Papi bought grey paint, just ordinary grey. Truth be told- it's hard to cover up the old paint, the vibrant green that reminds me of you, of the way you live each day. I love that about you, Mercy.

So, I'm taking down your eclectic wall decor: Audrey Hepburn next to Tintin, fashion beside a cardboard basketball jersey, pictures of kids, lots of smiling kids, and worn dusty books- Anne of Green Gables, Betsy,Tacy, and Tib (and all the sequels). Next the closets (Aye!). . .the spaces crammed with memories of people, events, photos, thrift store finds, creative pursuits: fabric, paper, paint, sequins (did I mention the shoes?) I resist the temptation to dig in, to sort, to toss- and instead I just close the closet doors. And I think about all that overflowing mixture of life and beauty that reminds me of you.

Mercy, I love that you're relational and so persistent in pursuing people- and I've watched you pursue me.
I've noticed how you're not satisfied with "cream on the top" kind of conversations with me; if I don't go deeper then you take me there. . . so curious, since I'm the one known around here for going deep! I'm thinking about our conversation over coffee awhile back when I was struggling with an issue. You made some observations that surprised me, that brought me to a new place-- and I remember your thoughtful exhortation. That day was good, Mercy- Thank you. . .

with affection always,

Mom

to detect the burdens of others

I've never been fingerprinted. . . that is until now. I guess a woman doesn't need a background check to mother the children she gives birth to.. .
So,  the other day I helped my friend with 3 foster children, a set of tiny twins and their 15 month old sibling.
I rocked babies, held bottles, changed diapers, wiped spills and spit up, hugged and listened to my friend's big boys. And for a spare 30 minutes I sat with my friend, feet propped up, sipping coffee, a bit of a chat--this too is mentoring.

I was doing some on-line reading the other day and came across an article about the ministry of burden bearing.
I extracted this quote for my journal:

Here is a vocation that will bring you more satisfaction then if you become a millionaire 10 times over: Develop the extraordinary skill for detecting the burdens of others and devote yourself daily to making them lighter. (John Piper)

 John and I are defining a new season of life- a season of new vocations.
Lord, help me to see the beauty of  simply bearing burdens!
I do- but I don't. . .  my vision is short sighted.
I see the obvious, plain-as-day kind of opportunities (like my sweet friend and her foster children).
I want to start today- to work at developing this extraordinary skill for detecting the burdens of others and devote myself daily to making them lighter.

"Christians must have strong shoulders and mighty bones-

sturdy enough, that is, to carry heavy burdens"

Martin Luther

cabled mittens. . . and my heart

Packing my suitcase for Ohio, I tucked in a skein of lovely grey wool along with the pattern for a pair of cabled mittens, size small- for me! So- I knit on and off, just enough to finish one mitten and begin the second before coming home. A few days ago I completed the second -although wool mittens aren't especially useful in the Texas spring time. Truth be told- I'm obsessed with completing pairs! I love the twisting pattern of cables knit into almost anything. Sometimes I knit the cable row all wrong; I have to rip out, back up, unravel, sort out stitches, but if I calculate and execute correctly, then it comes out just fine- smooth, cabled beauty!

I've been thinking about relationships that get tangled up, like tangled cables. . .  hmm, I wish the untangling could be as uncomplicated and predictable as fixing cables in my knitting.  God pushes himself and his truth into my tangled relationships. . .

( Colossians 3: 12-13) As those chosen of God, holy and beloved,  put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love. . .all those qualities that are vital and useful in the context of relationships. God sees how I dress my heart and so do you!

Bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint, forgive one another as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven you. (do you all ever have complaints?)

If I have a complaint, a persistent complaint resulting in disunity, I need to remember the question/answer from James 4:1

Q. "What is is it that causes quarrels and conflicts among you?"

A.  "Is it not the desires that wage war in your members."

So- lately I've been examining my heart for those stray selfish desires that sometimes hide deep; then if the conflict persists, I'm asking:

Have I been compassionate enough? Have I been gentle enough?  Have I been humble enough?

Have I loved fervently enough? Did I forbear long enough? And in the midst of the battle, did I loose hope? Did I give up?

It's not a formula- this pursuit of peace, of untangling relationships. But I worship the God of Peace, revealed in the Gospel of Peace- so I keep at it day after day til there's no more days

. . .to worship the Prince of Peace.

to navigate a new season. . .

We're home, out of the snow- squirming into a routine of sorts. Last week I told John, "We've been home for 3 retirement days-- and it's good!"

With old routines closed up, fresh opportunities and unknowns wait in the wings. . . but really, a lot is still the same in our day to day lives. John just has more free time and we'll hang out together more.
And we're happy to be home with our church family- to love our body, to serve them, to bare their burdens, to know they love us in Christ Jesus- inspite of ourselves.

Last Friday I met with dear women for coffee, conversation, life sharing and at the end of it- they surprised me with a retirement basket; John's the one who officially retired, but I guess it's about me too! A card wedged in among the gifts reads:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. . . (Ecc 3:1)

This basket contains a few items we thought would be helpful as you navigate this new season:

Water bottles and protein bars- for all the bike rides that John will take with Darcie.

Fancy Pancake mix and maple syrup- for all the breakfasts that you can leisurely enjoy!

Sparkling Cider, chocolates- to remind you of the blessings of your marriage that survived all those years of public school teaching!

Mr. and Mrs. hand towels- also to remind you of the beginning and how you have lots of tie now to practice being Mr. and Mrs.

List of questions to ask one another- to keep the conversations going now that you have lots of time together!

A good book- to read aloud on your car trips to see the grands!

A children's book- to read to the grands!

A soft blanket- to cuddle together.

Retirement mugs- to enjoy coffee and tea with each other.

We love you, 

ROCC (real organic conversation club)

I'm not an easy one to surprise, but I was. . . . and so delighted. John surveyed the list of couple questions and began with this one:

"One of the qualities that drew me to you when we first met was. . ."

"I remember thinking, This girl has a lot to say!!"

"Was that a good thing?" I inquired.

"Umm, hmm. . .and so it is- still." he assured.

about routine (and a bit about reproof)

I'm learning that amid a midwest snow storm, folks shovel and shovel, more than once a day.  Brett shoveled snow 3 times in a day. If my winter visits become a routine thing- I'll buy boots.

On a clear day we drove to Syracuse for an eye blink visit with Abi and Nathaniel- we encountered lots more snow; in fact one day we were out in a quiet snow storm!

 I'm learning to knock snow off my shoes before getting in the car.  And I'm learning the slipper routine. . . replacing snowy shoes with cozy slippers is the preferred routine or  one leaves puddles.
(I'll buy slippers too. . .)
 After 3 weeks I've figured out the children's snow outfit routine: first the snow pants, then the mittens, the puffy jacket, snow boots and finally the furry hat. If you do it right, then they're ready for a blizzard.

The rhythm of routine settles my heart-  our good God created us that way- and when I'm away from home, out of my normal,  then my time in God's Word sags. . . Oh, it's there, but not too deep.

As we motored through the snow, my sweet friend was traveling with her family as well. I sent her a text, "Thinking about you, how's the trip?"
My friend responded, "As usual, when I'm away from home, I struggle with finding time alone in the Word, but I was able to get up early today and everyone slept really late. . ."

Ahh, friend, I know the challenge-- 

Then she shared, ". . . everything I read today was reproving me the way I needed. God is so good--to always meet me where I am. Wish that I wouldn't need so much reproving!"

Ahh, I love this dear woman's transparency, her humility and attentiveness to God's persistent and loving reproof in his Word. I'm praying today-
"God, make my heart tender, for I know, reproofs of discipline are the way of life . . . and will you encourage my friend-

The ear that listens to life giving reproof will dwell among the wise 

Proverbs 15:31

good for my soul. . .

One afternoon I was peeling potatoes with my Bible open on the sink. I read Psalm 131:

Oh Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me, but I have calmed and quieted my soul. . .

My days have overflowed with ordinary work this month--like shopping, organizing, washing up, folding, scrubbing, chopping, baking, serving up food and repeating it all.
(And I get to do it all for dear ones!)

I know this. . . God created me to discover satisfaction in ordinary work, but sometimes I forget,  sometimes I want more. When my heart is lifted up I'm agitated with the ordinary; I desire work that seems more important, work that will be praised, recognized, work that doesn't need repeating tomorrow.

Amid so much to cherish this month, I've found pleasure in ordinary work. . .work that is good for my soul.

living His story. . . still

Seek the things that are above where Christ is. . . Set your mind on the things above-

We're cozy inside again today, watching from the window-  snow swirls, brave souls step out on icy streets. I'll mix up a pot of soup from the bits and pieces in the fridge- reminds me of my life in rural Mexico, sort of. . .

But one day this week Ivan and I crunched through the snow to the library and arrived just in time for  story hour. Ahh, how I love a good story, the picture books that tell a real story with lovely words and images, like The Gardener and The Friend by Sarah Stewart. But Ivan is 2- those stories wait in the wings.

This week in Texas John completed his last day of school, the last day in the same school for the last 24 years. I called him at 4:00 and he was still there, inputting grades, hugging kids- I could hear the hum of school life. Yesterday morning he turned in his keys, badge, final paperwork. He called me,

"I walked through the gym and the kids ran up, Mr. Newton, can I go to the bathroom?"

"I'm not the teacher anymore. . . you have to ask Coach B!"

 A chapter closed . . . sounds rather dramatic!
I know my husband- he'll remind me about our King Jesus and his grand eternal story. And we'll tell each other, "We're still a part- still living His story!"

Since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is. . . Set your mind on the things above. . .for your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3: 1-4)