Life On God's Terms

Some random stuff...just because...

Shannon was inducted into the National Honor Society today, carrying on a fine family tradition.  It was extra special, because I always play a little "mood music" for the tapping ceremonies.  For a few years now, I find myself sitting at the grand on the stage and playing appropriately-semi-formal chord progressions, with a dash of Pachelbel and Bach and the occasional old hymn.  I enjoy it, and I usually tear up as I watch my kids' peers join a rather elite group.  Shannon finally gathered the credentials to get in, and today was her day.  She was announced and subsequently tapped by her sweetheart, hugged by her dad and stepmom, and then I got up from the piano and skipped across the stage to give her a hug myself.  It was very cool.  I am very proud.

On that note, the entire household has A/B honor roll grades, save for one pesky little C in a statistics class.  I'm extremely pleased with my kids' efforts.  Unfortunately, the two carrots that dangled in front of the boys for straight A's are still dangling - maybe next nine weeks. 

I'm getting ready for a one-week study break next week.  The kids are going with their dad for spring break, and I'm going to hunker down, disconnect and get some reading and forward planning done.  I am really, really looking forward to this with great anticipation - and not because I'm tired.  I am eagerly awaiting the chance to work, uninterrupted.  I know God's messing with me, and I'm ready to do some wrestling.  I have a ton of books to read.  I have a date with God.

Still reeling from the impact of last Sunday's service and the implications for our community.  Life is messy.  Community is messy.  Churches sometimes make it messier.  It's a challenge.

The girls are full-swing into raising funds and planning for their summer mission trip to Macedonia.  I am incredibly proud of them.  They are focused and excited.

Sarah has finalized plans to spend the summer in Germany with our cousins.  She'll care for their kids and live as a big sister to their family for about 8 weeks.  I'm thrilled - and petrified.  Learning how to let go in a major way.  I find myself wondering what, exactly, I was thinking when I said, "Yes!  What a GREAT idea!!!"  But it is, indeed, a great idea.  My head knows that.  I've got a few weeks before my heart believes it.

Every time I turn around, something else musical is going on.  Friday night, Sarah's playing with the band she has half-way committed to - The Half Jeffersons - at a club in the city.  A guy from our small group is playing a swing band show that same night.  Our PCC band is playing cover tunes at The County Seat Restaurant here in town on Saturday night.  Another PCC group is playing a prayer breakfast on Friday morning in Midlothian.  Of course, there's Easter coming up - lots of music and a choir to boot.  The girls just got a call to play and sing at the upcoming Relay For Life event.

We're busy.

We're broke.

But I'm not anxious about it.  Considering this: 

If you grasp and cling to life on your terms, you'll lose it, but if you let that life go, you'll get life on God's terms.  - Luke 17.33

Yes.  In spite of my tendency to grasp and cling, that's what I want.  I'm learning to let go.  I do believe that in the end, life on God's terms is better than the melted mess left in my hands.