Using our gifts - Our youngest, Sadie, was Humpty Dumpty in the play, "Wonderland" last weekend with a cast from her elementary school. Despite all the drama and exhaustion of last week, there was something remarkable about seeing her shine so brightly at something she clearly enjoys and has a natural ability for. In both productions that we saw, she added a new gesture or action to her part, which brought that little something extra. I knew it would be an interesting experience when she started a conversation earlier that week with, "Mom, remember how Meryl Streep prepared for that one role...?"
Gift of laughter - In the creative hearing category, Sadie just realized today that this commercial was promoting McDonalds' "Filet of Fish" sandwich. Not, as she has been singing it, "Ole o' fish." Glad that we could both laugh like crazy about that, after a week of short tempers and tender feelings.
Enjoying nature's gifts - Even though I am an avowed hater of winter, I have to admit that seeing the ice caves in Bayfield, WI, was a pretty terrific experience. Ellen, Sadie and I made the long drive up, clomped half a mile from our parking spot, hiked another mile out on the lake and finally arrived at the caves. Despite the whining and sore feet, we were all thrilled to see the beautiful forms and wide variety of shapes and formations of ice. It was perfect that the day warmed to 40 degrees that afternoon, so we were comfortable walking around for a couple of hours on, in and around ice. Ellen made me promise that I would never make her do it again, but I was glad we went this one time to see it.
More using God's gifts - Poor Ellen is whimpering with every step these days, after the first 2 days of track practice. She insists, "It's not funny. I'm dying." The drama queen gene may run through more than one member of this family. Again, great to see her put her God-given talents to good use. Here she is at last year's Track & Field day, kicking booty at long jump. She's already planning which 2-3 sports she wants to do next year.
Appreciating the gift of others - One of my favorite moments from the past weekend happened off stage, on Friday night. Several of the teachers from our elementary school came to the performance, and after the show, formed a cheering archway to encourage and appreciate the cast members. To see them give up their Friday nights, and then work as a group to spotlight each kid who walked through was just beautiful and touching. I do love them teachers somethin' fierce. I will be very sad to have Sadie graduate from this school and all these committed teachers.
And the best gift of all - I was listening to a radio show today about focusing in on Easter, and how it is truly a more important Christian holiday than Christmas, but as usual, we screw it up and focus ten times the energy on Christmas instead. I so often lose my focus on what is TRULY important, when I get busy with work and Bible study prep and running errands and taking the kids to Scouts or picking them up from track or doing the laundry or WHATEVER. And the whole point of my life, THE. WHOLE. POINT. is simply to know God and to make Him known. And somehow I forget that. Worse yet, the more I get caught up in the stress of daily life, the worse job I do of representing Christ here. So, even if I have some extra activity around the house or at work or wherever, I can keep refocusing my mind on Him, and just what He wants me to do next, in this moment. And for right now, that is to end this and get some sleep. Early Easter blessings to all ~