May 12, 2006

On Growing: The garden went in this week. I spotted a big koi in the pond at church. There’s a jay’s nest with 4 blue eggs in our orange tree. Two more orchids have new flower spikes. What common denominator pulls these together? They all exhibited signs of becoming what they were made to be.

The garden is at the beginning of the process. I hadn’t seen the koi since last fall and it grew considerably. The jay was a fun surprise. They’ve nested next door for the past 3 years. I look every week for flower spikes. The one I really want is holding out on me, but these two keep me hoping.

On Women (wives and mothers): I know it isn’t by magic that clean socks and underwear show up in my drawer each week. I understand that dishes don’t wash themselves nor does the front room pick itself up. I recognize my part in the ebb and flow of our household, but the one who holds the fabric of my home together is my wife.

She’s not my mother – I have to remind her of that on rare occasions. But on this mother’s day I would like to pay tribute to the woman who has the most influence on my life right now. Thank you, Kelly. And you should know, Mom, I love you. And for you, Harriet, I feel very fortunate to have been welcomed into your heart and life.

On Distractions: Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way we hope for or even plan. So this afternoon when something that I wanted done wasn’t getting done, I stressed. And because the job required me to rely on technology, and because that technology was reminding me that there’s more important things in life than technology, I fixated on technology for a few hours.

Then I took a deep breath and said there are more important things sometimes than getting everything done the way I had hoped (or planned). It’s most important to end the day with peace and joy and sanity. And I did. And then I could come back to this project and write it with a smile on my face rather than the furrowed brow that would have accompanied it earlier.

On Focus: I talked to the 5th & 6th grade classroom yesterday about the importance of not just being busy, but about putting our energy towards a purpose. I’ve been working this week on being more focused – having clear priorities that show up in my daily schedule. Until this afternoon, that focus made a big difference. And now that this afternoon is over, it makes an even bigger difference.

“And this righteousness will bring peace. Quietness and confidence will fill the land forever. My people will live in safety, quietly at home. They will be at rest. Isaiah 32:17-18

Be at peace, (not in pieces)
Pastor Steve