SuperWoman

I have a daughter who has entered the working world this summer.  She's away from home, works long days and at the end of the day she's exhausted.

She called me totally in awe of me and surprised:

"How do you do it?  How did you do it?  You worked 8-5 and then you came home and cooked real meals. You didn't do this once a week, you did it for years.  I'm in awe of you, seriously.  After work, I'm so tired.  You know what I'm having for dinner a Lean Pocket.  I said,  "Well I couldn't have given you lean pockets for dinner."  She continued, "I'll never say you do nothing again.  You are Superwoman." I was practically left speechless.

I never set out to be Superwoman - I don't even claim the title willingly.  I do know that once I had children, something clicked in me and I decided I would do what I had to do.  Anything that seemed impossible, became doable. Of course we are products of our environments, so I did what I saw my mother do with eight children. She planned meals for days in advance - I modified this to something that would work for my lifestyle.  She eventually stayed home, I never did.  She baked and cooked; cooking was enough, I didn't have time for baking. Laundry never ended and while I applaud minimalist thinking I've found with 4 children it's better to have more underwear than less as it reduces the frequency with which I have to do laundry.

I determined that I would never complain, no matter how tired I felt. I would not become a frumpy mother either - I would always look like I took time with my appearance.   I never bought sodas, and we did not eat fast food on a regular basis.  Many days at work, that focused look during a meeting was me figuring out the quickest way to get dinner on the table and also remembering that I had to make a stop at Walmart before going home. Honestly, when I look back, I don't know how I did it.

I appreciated the sentiment of my child calling me blessed!

Hang in there parents; do what you need to do.  Do the best you can with what you are given; stay open to trying new things, talk to other mothers and parents who have the same values as you and relax.  I didn't know this when I was raising them, but I know this now.

Are many of you at the stage where your children rise up and call you blessed?

DADA

Thursday, June 28th I attended Debbie Allen's Dance Academy (DADA) inaugural production of a new Dance Company.  As Ms. Allen stated after intermission, she never intended or wanted to do this.  I'm so glad she did, because we all now get to experience the unique style she brings to dance.

It was AMAZING!

I initially became familiar with her program when I saw the Hot Chocolate Nutcracker at Christmas.  It's the Nutcracker - with soul, and soul makes you feel alive.

Last night did not disappoint.

My favorite piece was Church which is reminiscent of Alvin Ailey's Revelation.  It was beautiful; the last piece was synchronized dancing of a congregation feeling the Spirit - it was mesmerizing to watch and even though it was rehearsed it seemed natural.  When you feel the Spirit, your body is liberated in it's expression and it doesn't matter what anyone else around you thinks because it's an act of worship.  It's exuberance and praise to God.  As Maya Angelou's poem says - "Every time I feel the spirit - I'm immersed in the essence of church.  Church is where I go when I want a certain fulfillment and church is where I don't have to go because it's always with me."


There was also a solo dance performed by a male to "How Bad Do You Want It (Success)?" INSPIRATIONAL, especially when he simulates fighting for his life; watch the video.

If you're in LA, support DADA, it's worth it.  If DADA ever travels to city near you, try to catch a performance.

Dance is a testament to the beauty of the human body and what it can do.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Are you creative? Do you support the arts?

Bummed Out

Since last night I've been feeling bummed out about Christianity and I was having lots of talks with God.  

Then I read Pureed Pursuit, this morning and my spirit was encouraged. God has the most interesting ways of responding to me.

Because my spirit was encouraged, I was able to demonstrate love by being a friend to someone in need (I didn't see that coming).

Let me veer off course for a second - moving is a challenge.  I've lived in the San Fernando Valley since I've moved and I still don't feel like I'm part of a community; I don't feel connected to a larger group of people.  I've made friends and do my best to maintain friendships, but when it begins to feel like work, I stop.  The few people that are in my life since moving, are there because they're supposed to be.  One of these people is someone I've recently befriended.  Friendship feels different at this stage of the game - it almost feels like dating (though that's foreign to me also).  I don't want to come across as needy or desperate for friends but as the same time I can't be someone other than myself.  Sometimes I feel that my personality doesn't fit in with this mellow SFV.  In any event, she felt the need to unload alot of what is going on in her life, and being in the right place at the right time I was able to listen and help her.

This is just a reminder, that regardless of how we feel God is working. Conversion is a work of God; in love He draws people to Himself. He uses circumstances, His Word, people, to pursue hearts. Be encouraged in your witness for Him. He will use your words and deeds in His pursuit of those who need Christ.

Are you bummed out?

Think on These Things

I recently met a fellow runner via BGR-LA(Los Angeles) and we've been meeting on Saturday mornings, logging 5 miles. We typically run 4 mins and walk 1 min (there's a name for this method, but it escapes me).  Believe it or not this allows us to average a 10 min mile pace or better.  Because of our weekly meetings I've decided to incorporate this method at least 2 mornings a week, while running 3 miles by myself.  I don't understand it, but now 3 miles seems very easy.

Prior to running this morning, I had my quiet time.  It's my favorite part of the day; as I was reading (run 4 mins) and meditating (walk 1 min), these verses came to mind -

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.  Philippians 4:8-9

I appear to be a positive person, the eternal optimist but sometimes what I think about, can weigh me down. Sometimes I think about things that are false, dishonest, unjust, ugly, gossip - things that aren't virtuous or praiseworthy. Do you see how the converse of verse 8 is also true?  When I think like this I become a negative person, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  I become a naysayer, I lose sight of the big picture,  I am not an encourager and I don't project hope. In verse 9, Paul is using himself as an example as he speaks to the Philippians.  Since God was using him to teach, model the behaviors that he taught.  The ultimate end result is that we will have peace, which is sorely missing in many today.

My morning run reminds me to enjoy God's beauty and think on positive things; a by product is that the more  I do this, the easier it becomes, just like running.

Are you a positive person? Do you find that spending quiet time with God allows you to be more positive in your thoughts?  Have you mastered "thinking on these things?"