Courageous Joy

Random Friday a.m. Thoughts

10.3 miles….I thought yesterday was Friday and was bummed I’d have to ride 13 miles on Saturday but it was only Thursday…so only 3 miles or so for tomorrow to make the 50 mile a week mini-goal. {G}

When a German shepherd stalks you; you discover you CAN go a bit faster and a bit further after all! {bg}

We began studying “Lord, Teach me to Pray” by Kay Arthur at PWOC this week. I’m leading – which means I’d better do the homework – ya think? I’m really enjoying this study. It’s not labor intensive…but it could very well be life changing – I’ll let you know in a few weeks. It’s only 4 weeks long. It’s FULL of practical applications. Today, before biking, I read, studied and meditated on what it meant to address God as “Our Father who art in heaven”. We also looked at Heb 11 and the necessity to have faith to believe that He IS….I finished up and headed out the door still considering how God is like a Father.

I think I had an insight while riding. It may not have been because sometimes ridiculous things seem perfectly profound when you are oxygen deprived and burning…. I have been pedaling and praying. Eventually, I found myself at the top of the “roller coaster” hill again. My praying stopped and I gave myself totally to the exhilaration of racing down the hill. I even opened my mouth and almost let out a big whoop. At the bottom I said “Oops – I was talking to you” and then clearly heard in my heart “it’s OK to play”. Well OF COURSE it’s o.k. to play. I play at the park. I play games with the kids. I make time every day to play with the kids. I play with Mike. Of course it’s o.k. BUT then I realized…that I have a very strong sense of responsibility. I find it hard to play for ME. I have to make myself play monopoly and go to the park…because it’s important for the kids that I play with them…but that’s not really playing just to play for ME. Riding down that hill IS….it benefits NO one….it accomplishes NOTHING…it’s simply FUN…it gives me pleasure…..instantly my mind flashed to a scene around 15 years ago. We were living in Portland, OR and had a 2 yo boy, 3 yo girl and 5 yo girl. We were all out in our yard on a summer evening. The kids were having a grand water fight. Poor Krista was smack in the middle and getting from both her brother and her big sister. Mike watched in pure delight as she noticed the hose with the gun nozzle still attached. She toddled over, grabbed the hose and turned it full blast on Bre and Cy. As she hosed them she screamed with the joy of her come back and Mike roared with delight. He took such unmitigated pleasure in watching his children play. God, MY Father, takes pleasure and delight in watching me enjoy the blessings He has provided. It’s o.k. to play. {I realize for many in our society the have missed the work ethic and play all the time..But I’m betting I’m not the only Christian Mom who needs to know it’s o.k. to play once in a while….in case some without a strong sense of responsibility are reading….open Bible and see what it has to say about work and then get to it! ::snort:::} In fact, I now realize that I was so busy in AK that there was no time for me to have the friendships that I so desired. We pray every assignment for at least one family friend that will last a life-time and God has been faithful….but I was to busy to really enjoy deep relationships or PLAY in AK…..

As for the rest of yesterday…my phone rang like an instrument possessed. Bre called and brought home to me that Mom is always needed. My Mom rang in with the news of my Dad’s accident. My sister-in-law rang in to share concern over Dad. Mike called in the a.m. with things he needed to do – and that superseded my plans for school. We had speech. I made over 3 gal of spaghetti sauce. We had friends over for dinner. Mike got home very late from work. I worked on plans for PWOC Traveling Training...which we are hosting.

We’re having friends over again tonight…yippee! We saw Brenda and her family again on vacation and now she and one of her daughters will be up for the night. Sally shoots and there is a shooting club up here having their first “shoot” and so they are driving up for it. I’m looking forward to visiting some more with Brenda. Brenda’s family is our “one lifetime friend” from our assignment in San Antonio 7 years ago.

Today I really must work on a SAGE newsletter – our next order date is the 12th…..we have lots of new members and making that min order for the truck is no problem at all. I also need to get some more apples drying, do school, work on a few more details for PWOC, answer some emails, pay bills and we’ll see what else the day brings….