I feel as if I’ve been running around continuously for days, and it’s not done yet.  Between classes and students and meeting with friends and such, there always seems to be something on the agenda to do or accomplish.  But, in the midst of the busy schedule, I’ve found myself returning to some foundational lessons…

Patience is a virtue.  It seems like, these days, life is all about waiting.  But not just suffering through the moments until I get to the next step.  That’s not really patience.  Patience involves joy and laughter and confidence that this moment is just as important to God as the goal (maybe more important).   The truth is, no matter what the issues in life, we are all called to live where we are and not rush on to the next stage.

“The Kingdom heart is never hard.”  Dallas Willard made that comment in his book The Divine Conspiracy.  Definitely a worthwhile read for all who long to see Jesus in their real-life realities.  But that comment has been particularly haunting to me recently.  My heart it seems is always hard toward someone: God, friends, my pastor, CU, Eric, myself.  Yet a heart formed after Christ’s heart will not look like that.  I want his heart: loving, tender, breakable and welcoming.

God is good, all the time.  He is not withholding any good thing from me.  He is filling my life, moment by moment, with an abundance of goodness.   He is pouring Himself and his life into me.  He has surrounded me with friends, with material blessings, with so many things and realities that to choose to live in fear and discouragement and anger is to snub my nose at Him and all He has done for me.  I do not want to respond to all his grace like that any more.

So there are the thoughts running through my head all the time.  But, so as not to seem too serious today, here are some happy thoughts for you to enjoy:

• Yesterday in class, as I turned my Thesis Sentences powerpoint on, a student called out, “I knew you were going to talk about that!  I knew it!”  As I took a drink of water, I commented, “Yes, You are so clairvoyant.”  His response: “Well, I can read minds.”  I nearly choked on my water laughing at him.  Poor kid…at least he learned a new word yesterday!
• And, for all who were wanting it…here is the recipe for Deb’s cookies from the shower.  Enjoy!

Sinful Saltines

Line 11″x15″ jelly roll pan with foil.  Line pan with saltine crackers.
Melt butter and sugar; bring to boil.  Pour over crackers.  Bake at 350
for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven; while hot sprinkle chocolate chips on
top.  Give a minute to melt; spread to cover crackers.  Dust with nuts.
Refrigerate until completely cool.  Break apart and keep in refrigerator
until served.