Deep Thoughts from a Shallow Mind

 Two Three thoughts, or streams of thought, are chasing around my head this morning and so I will get them down and possibly revisit them at another time. 

1. HOW can anyone possibly think we have the "idyllic family life?" I have been open and honest about our family, in person and online. We have ups and downs. We have successes and failures. We have vast differences about all manner of political, spiritual, and cultural issues, and yet we respect and love each other. We find ourselves in a time when we long for community and have little energy to seek it. For God's sake, our son was murdered, and we are all picking up pieces as we live with the consequences of another's choices...and still some comment on how "perfect" life is for us. Life isn't perfect! Life is hard. I suspect it's supposed to be hard. God carries us. He's near. Life still hurts.  As an aside anyone who has spent time with us would assure you, we are NOT remotely a 1950's family, and no, we are not patriarchal...though we do love and respect Michael...as he does for each of us. 

via google photos

2. It is quite possible to be incredibly grateful, to look for grace, to see God at work and to STILL grieve. Do not assume tears or prolonged grief means a person is not grateful. Do not assume expressing thankfulness and grace means a person is not grieving. Do not assume joy and grief cannot co-exist. They can. It's odd, but they do. 

3. Another thought I am processing this morning is that my habits can move me toward God or away from Him. I'm examining habits. 

That's all - more deep thoughts from a shallow mind.