A Short Break at Last

So, tonight was the first night in over a month that I have had at home. It was a long day with two funerals but I was home at 6pm and in my pajamas at 6:05pm. Today, I realized a few things:
1. Sometimes we say "yes" to things others think we should say "no" too, simply because we must. And others will never understand the reason.
2. When you least expect it, you get a much needed email of encouragement from a favorite colleague.
3. When you think someone plays you.. they pobably do.
4. When you think someone cares about you.. your probably right.
5. Doing funerals are amongst my greatest joys in ministry, but also what makes me the most tired.
6. Family is truly important. Take the time it takes to connect with them. And let them know how you feel and what you need from them. It works, maybe not right away, but it works.

Rantings

I am not in a very good mood tonight. It's a whole mix of things, really, but mostly, I need to be done with this hectic November and on to something more soothing and engaging: Advent!
So, I am assistant directing a community play. It opens the weekend after Thanksgiving. We have a cast of 16 kids and while it has its challenges, I am overall glad I am doing it. BUT, there are a lot of adults that "volunteer" to "help out." And some of them are really mean and actually very rude to the kids. It's hard for me because I am not one to put up with that sort of crap... in my line of work, in my life, kids are treated as equals and given respect just like everyone else. I am so stressed out about the way the kids are being treated.. this is supposed to be a fun expereince for them, and don't get me wrong, I am sure they are still having fun, they are resilient, but its horrible the way the are talked to and it makes me so angry. But being the assistant director, I don't feel its my place to say anything. If I was in charge it would be easier to say what is tolerated and what isn't, but I am the assistant and don't want to step on anyone's toes. So I go home angry and stressed out and then the next day I'm not focused on making it a good expereince for the kids and then we all lose. So maybe I just need to put my mouth where my heart is and speak up anyway? Or.. maybe it means I need to direct someday so I can set the tone? Oh great, I feel anoter hectic November coming on!

Fireproof

Something I don't do often is go to movies. I like to go.. but have never felt comfortable going alone and haven't always had somebody to go with. So today I finally did it! Went to see Fireproof. At first I thought it was going to be a cheesy-type Christian movie.. but it was REALLY good! I kept getting all choked up. Even though its about marriage and I'm not maried, I took a lot from it.
Every relationship we have - if its to mean anything at all - takes our attention and effort. I got hooked on the forgiveness theme in the movie. Caleb really messed up and when he tried to make amends for it, it was too late, Katherine had already lost respect for him. Then when he really commited himself to "earning" her forgiveness he said, "I pray to God that I will be forgiven, and I will do whatever it takes until you forgive me too." That was a powerful statement, because how often in our lives do we mess up? All we have to do is ask God for forgiveness and its there, but people aren't God. We actually have to earn peoples forgiveness and gain back their trust and respect. It's a process of awareness, acceptance, humility, and desire... to be in right relationships with people, married or not.
I thought it was cool that Caleb grew to have such faith that he could separate God from people.. he knew the differences but wanted to relate the similarities... our ability to make things right and our ability to love and trust again. God made us that way, so we could be like God, "in God's image."
It was a good movie, I recommend you go see it - and don't shrug it off, listen and apply it to your relaionships.

Joining the Bloggin World

Well, I have heard much about all this blog hype but never paid much attention to it. Then out of the blue my brother says he has started to blog and that I should check it out. So I did and here I am. We will see if this phase keeps up or dwindels off. I have a lot on my mind on a regular basis, so this may be a great way to get it off my mind and have some conversation around it.
So... I will try to write each day, simply share whats most weighing on my mind... and see where it goes from there.