Patsy Clairmont never disappoints. She is a really great storyteller.
The take away gem from her is to practice the curb. The challenge is to take whatever life gives you and practice it until God's plan arrives.
I admit that I am not always good at this. I always am either struggling with wanting to change the circumstance or getting out of it.
Not becesarily willing to wait or work through it.
I am sure that I am the only one who struggles with this?
For the first time ever, I made it to the opening sessions of Women of Faith.
I never know what to expect. I go to a great church with awesome worship and great teaching. I am in a sharegroup.
I got a corner on the "getting down with Jesus" grid.
However, even an old dog can learn a new truck or two.
As I have openly discussed before, I feel like there is some unnecessary baggage that I carry with me at times.
I know that some of it is just stuff I pick up along the way. But I feel the need to understand why I pick it up.
Why do I take ownership of things that aren't mine? Why do I waste myself and my time and my opportunity on things that are not even about me.
And, then I heard Steven Arterburn speak. I know that I have some more boundary work to do. And, the best part is knowing that I am sharing this journey with others.
Like I said, you never know what you can learn in a morning at Women of Faith.
I vividly recall my first trip to Washington D.C. At the age of eight. Maybe it was the opportunity to see landmarks and national monuments, or maybe it was the wretched summer heat that made the biggest impression. But, I like to think it was set that changed my world that summer.
My mom used the opportunity to take my sister and I to the national gallery where they were showing an exhibit of Andrew Wyeth's Helga. But the real catch for me that day was Van Gogh's Starry Night.
I remember being mesmerized by the color and by the magic. I believe that the night sky is more beautiful than even a Van Gogh. As a closet painter, I really love looking at things from a different perspective. It's interesting to look at a painting from the side. I like to the bevels and strokes of a painting.
But life occasionally affords an opportunity to look at life from a different angle. I had one of those moments this week.
Bol and Jok are two of the Sudanese Lost Boys. To listen to their presentation and look at Bol's amazing art work is surreal. The obstacles that both men have overcome make most lives look like a fairytale.
I think that we all need a reminder that the power of the human spirit is able to overcome so much. It reminds me that no matter what happens, or how hard things seem to be, things are always better than they seem.
Last night I had a chance to see the new Fast and the Furious movie. Despite my irritation at paying so much for B grade acting, the movie has an upside - cars.
I think that most people who know me would be surprised to know how much I love muscle cars. I don't like to study their stats or know what's under the hood. I just want to drive it - as fast as I can.
If I had a secret wish I would go race cars. I asume I get this from my mom who has never driven the speed limit anywhere, but I digress. My uncle rebuilds cars as a hobby, and I am never interested until the car is finished.
My younger brother is a complete gearhead, and the one I go to for my car repairs.
But it's not just cars.
I love jet skis and snowmobiles, crotch rockets and dirtbikes.
It's all a blast. I blew an engine on a key ski a few years ago.
But if they are built to go fast, shouldn't you see how fast they can go?
I have escape-itis so badly right now.
It is clear that I am a flight not fight kind of gal.
Whenever things get stressful, I have to escape to think.
Sometimes I escape by running, but sometimes I literally take a trip.
Today is one of those days when I would like to take a trip.
Anyone up for a roadtrip to Washington?
