13 Hours of Rain

One day I would like to preach a sermon for a good thirty minutes. Sadly, I don't have any Bible School training. And I know ever so little about h ermeneutics  or exegesis in comparison to your seminary trained Daddy. Regardless, I'd like to expound a passage of scripture after weeks of study and share what God has placed on my heart for that moment. Today, I can finally allow myself to imagine such an opportunity, as when I was a little girl, I bemoaned my gender because I believed women couldn't preach. My paradigm has shifted now. While I cannot claim to be brilliantly eloquent or profoundly insightful, I still think I have something to offer my listeners if such a privilege was entrusted to me. Maybe one day. One day I would like to write a novel. It isn't a deep passion of mine in comparison with other beloved people in my life. Neither am I gifted in weaving creative tales or spinning fantastic plots. My writing is kind of run-of-the-mill... sort of ordinary...

I take a spade to the front flower bed and dig out the quackgrass that tends to infiltrate the south edge. I firmly push the shiny blade with my foot. I uproot some of the underground rhizomes. I pull and discard plants with my gloved hands. "So, Mommy, can we make a plan about what we will plant this year?" A. asks. "I don't want to think about that right now. I just want to weed," I mutter (Sorry, I was not the most inspirational Mother at that moment). "Can we talk about it anyway?" A. persists. "Sure." "Can we plant peas? I like peas," J. adds. "Yes." "And carrots?" A. asks. "Yes. We'll plant short ones." "How about cucumbers?" A. continues. "Maybe." "Broccoli? I love broccoli!" A. exclaims. "Probably not. Broccoli is hard to grow." You kids continue to dream, imaging the garden we can grow in our limited space. I keep on weeding,...

I searched my archives and found my " Mellow Sunday " post from about six years ago. I laughed out loud (a true LOL) and smiled at how such days are still a reality for me. After an intense week with my children and more responsibilities than usual, I come to this day of rest in a state of exhaustion and discontentment. My motivation is low, as to be expected, and I want to just sleep the day away. Your Daddy is having a nap right now after returning from the Provincial Drama Festival. You kids are observing quiet time while constructing imaginative things with Lego. I am here writing, letting my thoughts run free for a while, as a way to embrace the mellowness of such a day. There are days I wonder if this whole meta-narrative involving a Creator God, a Faithful Son and the Comforting Holy Spirit is one immense delusion. Our pastor just concluded a series on the Book of Revelation. We were reminded to be ready for Christ's second coming. Instead of being hopeful, I w...

There is no shortage of causes to give to. Take our faith community for an example. Just in the last couple of months, there have been financial appeals for at least five different fundraising campaigns. Each cause has been advertised from the pulpit and deemed worthy of patronage. All of this is in addition to the general budget the organization needs to raise to meet operating costs. Step outside of the church, and another wave of giving opportunities hits. Disease research campaigns. Red Cross appeals for earthquake ravaged Nepal. Environment and green funds. Political party donations. Local sports clubs. School fundraisers. Sponsor-a-child agencies. Then, on top of all that, are the financial needs of extended family and friends! There are some days I feel overwhelmed and stretched in my giving. Other days I feel guilty that I'm not giving enough. I am a huge advocate of generosity, especially as a resident of a "first world" country. I acknowledge that I ...

I am a worrier. And I struggle with mild anxiety. Though, I don't think I worry as much as I used to. As for anxiety, I define it as "mild" because it isn't mentally paralyzing. While my anxiety aggravates my gut and makes me prone to panic attacks, I have discovered ways to cope. Is it just me, or does it seem that mental illness is on the rise? On both sides of your family, there are people who struggle with mental health issues. It isn't something people like to discuss, as the subject is still "taboo", especially for people of Asian ethnicity. We are quick to admit our physical ailments such as diabetes or heart disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. But depression, anxiety, bipolar or obsessive compulsive disorder? Umm... (((Let's not talk about that too much.))) Back to my question. Is mental illness on the rise? I think so. Personal experience and observation combined with some research supports my tentative yes. Please note, the ...

You have a creative mind. Imagining, Dreaming, Envisioning rocket ships out of Lego, Zooming through time and space. You have a compassionate heart. Consoling, Praying, Opening your little arms wide, Comforting with a kiss and words. You have a sense of humor. Giggling, Smirking, Singing silly songs with a rock beat, Playing the air guitar with gusto. You have a desire to compete. Running, Skating, Negotiating through various board games, Winning the satisfaction of number one. You are our soon to be school boy. Reading, Computing, Leaving the shelter of home, Embracing a new world with joy. (And I, your Mommy, will miss you.)

Let's say you attend a Women's Conference. It isn't anything flashy. The poster advertising the event doesn't promise life changing advice or earth shattering results. The main speaker is "plain jane" and not clad in today's bling or tomorrow's trendy. The conference doesn't have a gymnasium full of booths with famous authors signing autographs. Neither are there inspirational coffee mugs with quasi-Christian phrases for sale. The atmosphere is not frenetic or vacuous. Rather, the events are fairly ordinary. God's Word is expounded with integrity. Prayers are spoken in unison and in private. Songs are offered with sincerity. The Lord's Supper is observed. And genuine thankfulness is offered to our God for divine redemption through His Son and the Gift of His Spirit until He returns. Doesn't that sound refreshing? Why doesn't everything these days have to be spectacular? I just finished reading a book entitled O r·di·nar·y b...