The Value of Nonsense

I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope - which is what I do - and that enables you to laugh at life's realities.

~Dr. Seuss

Girls' Night Out

WA mom and I went to see Anne of Green Gables last night at the Everett Performing Arts Center. I think it was one of the first movies we watched together so it was fun to see the musical together. It was a surprise for her. She said she didn't guess it, so I'll believe her. I love all things Anne...

Prince Edward Island

L.M. Montgomery

The books

Sullivan's movies (Green Gables and Avonlea...not the other ones)

There were parts that made me miss my friend since all my trips to PEI have been with her and how can you watch Anne with Diana without thinking about your bosom buddy/kindred spirit? But...sometimes you just gotta let go...right?

One of the small comments I tucked away in my heart came from Mr. Lamb back in Curtis. We were talking about Anne with his wife - and he, being the kind husband he is, had actually watched the movies!! We didn't know he was listening, but from the other room, he said, "Anne puts me in mind of someone, don't you think?" Mrs. Lamb smiled and Mr. Lamb jerked his thumb at me. "Through and through," he shook his head. I don't know if he meant it as a compliment - he was a burly, gruff football coach - but I took it as one. Anne's the best. She's imaginative, intelligent, kind, odd, creative and totally unique. She doesn't fit in anyone's box. She loves deeply, feels things intensely and wrings every color, experience, and moment out of life. People can't help but love her in return.

"Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive - it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for the imagination then, would there?"

~Anne Shirley

There's a bit of Anne about my MA too. I think that's why we're the kindred-est of kindred spirits.

Just for you, my WA mom!

There's one in every crowdJ

Pain

To manage a life of pain, as a believer in Jesus, remember:

This is all the hell you will ever bear.

(M'Cheyne)

For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.

2 Cor. 4:17

Thoughts

Sometimes when I listen to people talk about their absolute faith in God, their supreme sense of peace, their total ability to cede control of their lives - I find it very difficult to believe. Do these people never have doubts? Do they never struggle with questions...why? when? what if? Or do they have a supernatural ability to let go?

There are times when I think this attitude of complete acceptance gets in the way of true communication and burden-sharing. How do you open your heart to someone who has it all together? I don't want to be judged. I don't want to be told what I'm doing wrong or how I'm falling short. I don't want to be compared to someone else and found lacking.

I was thinking about this the other night because I was angry with God. (What's new?) As I tried to figure out the cause of my anger, I realized it wasn't Him. I had been listening to explanations, expectations and outcomes that caused me to question God. As I sat and wrestled with my thoughts, it occurred to me that none of the things I was arguing about were things HE said. They were things people said ABOUT Him. I was angry at Him when He had nothing to do with it. I allowed lies or misdirection to settle in my brain.

"If you did this, then He would..."

"If you accepted this, then He would..."

There really aren't a lot of "if/then"s in the Bible other than if you accept Him then He will save you. Otherwise there's no Hallmark card that says, "If you do__________, God will respond by taking away all your pain, doubts, hurts, struggles." It doesn't work that way. To feel guilty, like I'm doing something wrong, might be playing right into Satan's hands. To feel angry, like God has failed me, is definitely doing so.

Aaaaah...so much to think about and pray about. Refocus my gaze, retune my ears, renew my mind, restore my heart.

The Best?

We're not doubting that God will do the best for us, we're wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.

~C S Lewis

Painting Pictures of Egypt...part two

But the places that used to fit me

Cannot hold the things I've learned...