Many of you might know that I attended the Theology of the Body Institute's first course last week. It was equal parts moving, soul-searching, informative, heart-rending and faith-strengthening. It was an experience I won't ever forget. I look forward to the days and weeks to come as I unpackage all my materials and notes.
One of the things our instructor said early on in the week was about a song from my all-time favorite musical. Yep - you guessed it - Jesus Christ Superstar! Haha - just kidding. If you know me at all, you know it is The Sound of Music. His children had recently performed in the musical, and many themes from it were fresh in his mind. And at the top of his list was the song "My Favorite Things". He began singing a few bars and asked us to join in if we knew the words (ummm. . .I know the words). Maria sings the song to remind herself and the children to think of their favorite things when they are afraid (or when the dog bites or the bee stings).
Our instructor took this song a step further, and reminded us that God knows all our favorite things. He knows our favorite things sometimes before we know them. And even better, God sings the song of our favorite things to us all the time. Our lives are filled with the music of God singing to us those things which move us and shape us and bring us joy. That admiration of the majestic mountains? God singing to us. Overcome with the vast beauty of the ocean? God singing to us. A bunny hopping across the neighbor's yard while on a walk? God singing to us - what? Does he only sing that verse to me? Surely I'm not alone in that one.
The thought of God knowing me. . .little me, in an enormous universe. . .and caring to put in front of me all of my favorite things truly brought tears to my eyes. Here I am, living my (small) life, and the God of the universe is loving me enough to give me joy. He knows my heart and chooses to love me anyway. His love and forgiveness are vast.
So - here are a few of my favorite things. What joy I derive in them! And what joy to know that God knows even more of my favorite things, and has plans to reveal them to me in the future.
My children's faces
Bunnies hopping across the yard in spring
Clean, crisp sheets
Sweet romance movies (think Anne of Green Gables)
Peanut butter in all manner of preparation
Worshiping with my church family
My home
Laughing with my children
Potato Chips
My sweet students
Taking a walk with my husband
Singing beautiful choral music
80s music
Musicals
A good book
Coke Zero
The ocean and Lake Michigan
Shadow's euphoria at my arrival home
Big family celebrations
Oh dear reader. . .the list could go on and on -- and I don't even know everything that goes on this list! But God does. He knows my heart and loves me so much that He sings this song to me every day.
What is God singing to you, my friends?
Monday, March 19, 2018
Saturday, March 3, 2018
Shadow Tales
As I posted earlier, we have been doing some work on our house. About three or four days before the floor was to be refinished, we realized we really needed to ship Shadow out for the duration. We contacted a friend of ours from church whose daughter has a pet-sitting business, and had watched Shadow once before a couple years ago. She was willing and excited to have him, and her mother and father are very generous people and agreed to let Shadow move in temporarily.
The pet-sitter and family have moved since she watched him last, so this was a new house to Shadow. When we brought him in, he darted around, sniffing everything and checking out all the corners. I can only imagine he was searching for anything that might be a candidate for chewing and ruining later. I always feel little anxious when we take him somewhere, lest he give in to his naughty desires. After a few moments, they brought out their cat, which concerned me even more (would Shadow attack the cat? would he growl and be fierce?). The pet-sitting mom seemed quite chill as the two chased each other around the house. "They're just playing", she said. I continued to hope that Shadow would behave himself.
I began giving the family some info about Shadow puppy, including, but not limited to, things like: don't leave any small items on the floor, or he will chew them up; and also, don't leave food near the edge of the counter, or he will help himself to a snack. Whilst I was doing this, Shadow was exploring the house, moving quickly around us. Suddenly one of my kids yelled, "Shadow pooped! Shadow pooped!" I immediately whipped my head around, and discovered that he had indeed pooped on the carpet. I was mortified and shocked, as he has only very rarely done that, and it hasn't happened for years. I was also amazed as his speed! He was moving at a rapid rate -- he had no time to make the traditional doggie pooping tripod. "It was a drive-by pooping!", I said, horrified. The pet-sitting mamma handled it beautifully and assured me that it was okay. When I left a few minutes later, I begged her to let me know if he was naughty and we would come to get him stat.
I checked in regularly, and apparently he was at his worst when making his first impression (classy, Shads), and has behaved well enough the rest of his visit. I am greatly relieved, and very thankful for a family who was willing to help us out.
It was a lot easier having Shadow out of the house (though we bought a hedgehog while he was gone - are we lunatics?), but I gotta say I missed having him around. He's home now and settling back in, though his meet and greet with the hedgehog was rather comical (more on that later).
The pet-sitter and family have moved since she watched him last, so this was a new house to Shadow. When we brought him in, he darted around, sniffing everything and checking out all the corners. I can only imagine he was searching for anything that might be a candidate for chewing and ruining later. I always feel little anxious when we take him somewhere, lest he give in to his naughty desires. After a few moments, they brought out their cat, which concerned me even more (would Shadow attack the cat? would he growl and be fierce?). The pet-sitting mom seemed quite chill as the two chased each other around the house. "They're just playing", she said. I continued to hope that Shadow would behave himself.
I began giving the family some info about Shadow puppy, including, but not limited to, things like: don't leave any small items on the floor, or he will chew them up; and also, don't leave food near the edge of the counter, or he will help himself to a snack. Whilst I was doing this, Shadow was exploring the house, moving quickly around us. Suddenly one of my kids yelled, "Shadow pooped! Shadow pooped!" I immediately whipped my head around, and discovered that he had indeed pooped on the carpet. I was mortified and shocked, as he has only very rarely done that, and it hasn't happened for years. I was also amazed as his speed! He was moving at a rapid rate -- he had no time to make the traditional doggie pooping tripod. "It was a drive-by pooping!", I said, horrified. The pet-sitting mamma handled it beautifully and assured me that it was okay. When I left a few minutes later, I begged her to let me know if he was naughty and we would come to get him stat.
I checked in regularly, and apparently he was at his worst when making his first impression (classy, Shads), and has behaved well enough the rest of his visit. I am greatly relieved, and very thankful for a family who was willing to help us out.
It was a lot easier having Shadow out of the house (though we bought a hedgehog while he was gone - are we lunatics?), but I gotta say I missed having him around. He's home now and settling back in, though his meet and greet with the hedgehog was rather comical (more on that later).
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