Metal Sliver of Hope

God, you use all things for your plans. You are unashamedly good. Therefore, your good plans come out in the end no matter how oblivious I might be.

The first time the tire went flat it was no doubt a by-product of age and stress; things wear out over time and rocky terrain.
The second time it must be due to a faulty tire even after patching it up, must be the tube.
Another tube later, which I patch as well, has no excuse. I am getting all too good at removing and repairing back tires, a skill that is essential to any biker, but annoying all the same.
It's time to investigate in depth now, the source of the flat tires. The rim (who knows?) should be fine. My stereognotic finger tips told me there were no sharp points a whole tube ago. After careful examination, of the rubber tire, by lamp light mind you (gotta love apt lighting)...ah ha! a tiny metal sliver no longer than my finger nail is plucked out and shown around in all it's villainous glory.
How can something so small cause so much heartache, frustration, time, energy?
I wonder how often God asks the same question about my issues here in the world?
"God, I need a place to live for two months in this certain area." - Dori
"How can something so small cause so much heartache, frustration, time, energy?" - God

God is right.

You always are, Lord, you have promised to cloth me as you do the lilies of the field. I have hope for that part of my future. I trust you.
It's not easy at all, these intangible ideas of hope, trust, love, etc. They come if we ask the Father for sure. How they get here is not always so easy because we learn by doing, right? You want patience? Okay, wait for it...waaaiiiittt foooorrrr it. You need trust? Here, jump; I'll catch you....1-2-3, go! You need a new flavor of hope? Dream big on this 'little one'. Love? Easy, fall into my arms, let yourself go, rest in me.

[big sigh]

Olympic Hopeful

What do grad students so the week before classes commence for the second of three years? Well, nothing that's not revolving around the Olympic television schedule, especially in the evenings. It's true here we sit three totally addicted Beiging 08 watchin' roommates each engrossed in their own tasks, but all in the living room sharing in the experience together. You know it's bad when we have favorite commercials not to mention the new ideas we have for training for the trampolene, table tennis, beach volleyball, etc competitions.
Ahhh...its that time of year again, "makes me want to go buy school supplies. if I knew your name and address I'd send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils. But this not knowing has it's charms..." - Joe Fox (You've Got Mail)
I do admitedly get uber happy over new school supplies. Sadly these days have nothing on the elementary shopping list. Let's face it, if I could still take a box full of crayons, erasers, #2 lead pencils, and colored pencils it would be so much more rewarding to pack the bookbag on the first day; I might even consider wearing my hair in pig tails, if that was possible.

Good good good

You ever feel like your heart is so full of praises, of God's goodness that it could burst right out of your chest in an instant? Yeah, that's what I got right now. God is Good! Can you hear me, I say, GOD IS GOOD! Man, I am blessed. I don't mean to brag, but if I will boast I shall boast in Him, so listen up! My God and Father Jesus Christ has not only, ya know, saved my soul and set up a place for me in Heaven when I die, He has gone above and beyond. I am surrounded by the most caring loving people I know, chosen children of God who care to share His love with me. He provided for me an earthly family that loves me, supports me, will be there in a second no matter how far; He gave me a church family that would do the same. My church spans the continental US and beyond, it reaches into Brasil (South America), Africa, Europe, Asia, (not so sure about Australia). My community is near and far and everywhere in between. I rejoice that He has taken me to such exotic places, He set me on a plane to talk to people from same town USA. My heart has been broken, pieces strung all over the continental US, people carrying my broken heart with them (even if they know it not) as they return to their homes, live their lives, minister to God's Beloved in foreign cities, countries, ethnic groups, etc. I mourned my broken heart, sure, I got over that just minutes ago as I realized I am blessed to have known...lucky to have met and experienced life with others. Ones who have lifted my spirits, challenged me to live to a better standard, probed me with the hard facts of life and sin, discussed the faithfulness of God, and held me in their arms through which flowed His life giving touch. Wow, God you are Good! If only I could be used to bless others as much as they have blessed me. Would you use me too to go there, to bring your lively spirit, your laughs, smiles, hugs, tears, arms to hold, to take an encouraging word, an act of service, a gift of the spirit? Would you send me, can I go? Can I be that for my neighbors my ones in this city and the next? Will you allow me to represent your Good Name, Your One and Only Son. Can I be used and it said of as it was said of Onesimus by Paul - that I be your very heart? Can I? I can't surely, we both know that, but You can use even the least of these. I praise you Lord for I rest assured I am in fact
Your Beloved