The last few weeks have been full of school, National Board writing, and youth committments. I keep finding myself thinking, "this is harder than when I was getting my Masters." Until Wednesday, I marveled at how much energy I must have had as a 21-year-old grad student. Until Wednesday, I was starting to get concerned that I must be getting old.
Then it snowed.
Suddenly, I remembered all of the late nights in 2008, waiting for the "don't bother driving to Garfield tomorrow" calls. Snow days were the mandated Sabbath of my masters program. God always provides the straight and narrow path out of the overwhelming!
Snow day number one was devoted to writing National Boards entries. I also registered for my final assessment AND successfully burned a DVD. Amazing to have a whole day of uninterrupted productivity. Now, the lesson I was planning to film and analyze has been postponed for the last 3 days because of the snow. And, it will probably have to wait a few more days depending on the official decision about our finals schedule... but at least I have the major work of the entry done!
Snow day number two was devoted to ministry conversations and connections. I talked with students and families about our upcoming winter camp. I researched sustainable agriculture practices for my upcoming trip to Burkina Faso. I created a line of greeting cards to fundraise for the trip. I practiced French by watching my favorite movies. But the most beautiful part, I rested. God loves us so much He gives us time to rest in Himself. Mmmm!
Snow day number three has made the roads so much worse for little cars like mine. So, to honor a friend who is going stir-crazy, I'm going to walk to the coffee shop that is half-way between our two houses. It will be nice to see someone other than my cozy neighbors (even though they are very kind!) I haven't left the homestead since Tuesday night.
I often find myself trapped in the performance mentality that "rest is for the weak." But, real deserved rest is beautiful. Even the angels rest:
"Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet." -Psalm 18:4
Even though it would have been better in my view to have school every day this week, I trust the God who holds the snow. We all needed a rest.
Friday, January 20, 2012
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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