13 Hours of Rain

"God knows all the stuff. You don't!" you, my son, proclaim to end a debate between siblings. I smile, laugh and quickly grab a pen to write down the sentence on a scrap of paper. A few moments later, you question your Daddy. "Daddy, can you kick a ball all the way up to the sky?" "No. No one can." "But God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit can," you correct. Your Daddy nods with a slight smirk on his face, "Though, I don't know why they would want to." Just now, as I type this post, you ask: "Is our house made of bricks?" "No. It's made of wood." "Can wood break?" "Yes." "Is the outside of our house wood?" "No. It's plastic." "Can plastic break?" "Yes J. Everything can break." "Not God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit," you remind me once again. I think you will be a preacher one day. :)

There is something about attending a Missionary event. You hear stories of the "front lines", so to speak. Miracles. Healings. Life changing conversions. The Power of Prayer. Oh, I know not everything is glorious overseas. My short times in such contexts have illustrated the hum-drum of everyday-ness. Yet, there was an expectancy that God will do something to draw people to Himself. Shouldn't we in North America have the same expectancy? Last week I heard a missionary speak. She commented on the apparent disconnect between displays of God's power in developing countries and affluent countries. She concluded that we probably don't see many miracles here because we are too self-reliant. We don't need God. We are not desperate for Divine intervention. There is always some financial system, some medical institution or some person who can help us out. Thus God shows up where He is truly sought. And often that is where the poorest of the poor reside. Yet, ther...

I am yearning to work again. I am longing to use my brain in more ways than engaging in household management a good portion of my waking hours. I ache to use my leadership and teaching skills on a larger scale than just typing away thoughts in a blog that some people read (thank you!) and you children will read *some* day. All of this reminds me of your Nani. Your Nani was trained to be a Biology/Chemistry teacher. But she really wanted to be a medical doctor. Since medical school was financially unattainable for a lower middle class Pastor's income, your Nani had to settled for what her father could afford: learning to teach the subjects that most related to becoming a physician. Your Nani was an excellent teacher. She taught at a reputable school for three years until she married and traversed ocean and land to live in a relatively isolated region of our province. She called her new home as a new bride and new immigrant to our country "the jungle". Interestingly eno...

Life is full of changes. And when I have a certain rhythm going on in life, potential changes to that rhythm require adjustment. So, change can stress me out. Yet, I also welcome change. It implies a new season, a new way of thinking, a new approach to life. My view on food is changing. Back in the day I thought low-fat and multi-grain was the way to go. Now, I am not too sure. As I do sporadic reading, visit Naturopaths and listen to people who have made significant lifestyle changes, I am questioning the health kicks of the past. For instance, take fat. Fat is not that bad of a thing any more, as long as it is good fat. So, I cook with more healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and butter. I eat more nuts and avocado. And while I still purchase lean meat, I am more lenient on my consumption of good 'ole bacon. And while I am eating more fat, I am attempting to lower our family's sugar consumption, especially refined sugar. Our society's overindulgence of sugar ...

This contemplation began with a realization that a dream or two of mine may not come to fruition. I had many plans in my heart. But some will be lost. Or reconceptualized to say the least. Do I wake up in the morning and live the life I've been given with true joy and thankfulness? Some days I do. Some days I do not. Instead I look to others and covet their lives, their dreams, their purpose. But their lives, their dream, their purpose was never gifted to me in the first place. Today I saw "fancy-smancy Mommy" driving her white SUV with perfect make-up, cream-colored spring jacket and stylish black leather boots. For a moment, I wanted the appearance of her life. Ridiculous, isn't it? She was obviously off to some great job, dressed for success, establishing a stunning career while probably being a super-mother-of-three. While I am walking around in a frumpy blue spring jacket getting ready to grocery shop, recycle and do laundry. Comparison is the robber of joy...