I'D PAINT MY TOENAILS...IF I COULD SEE THEM

Last week, I painted my toenails for the first time in, umm, over a year, I think. Wow. A lot changes in a year...

I discovered that even with my "magnifying" glasses, my toes were nothing close to being in focus. Still, I pressed bravely ahead. Then I discovered that getting my toes close enough to my face to have any clue where to aim the brush was...difficult. It seems I am less flexible and much thicker around the middle than a year ago. Not a good combination for someone who wants flashy toenails.

Still, I pressed ahead. After applying one coat, I needed to dig out the polish remover and a Q-tip. It looked like I had dipped my toes into the polish instead of applying the polish with the tiny brush. Okay, quick clean up and then to apply another coat. The second coat didn't go on any easier.

But, while I discovered that I was no longer able to polish my toenails with any degree of competency, I also discovered something else. You know what? Once I put my feet back on the floor and stood up, my toes looked fantastic. From five and a half feet away, I couldn't see the blotches and smears. All I could see was bright, shiny color. Incredible.

Come to think of it, I don't have as many wrinkles, and my floors don't look so dirty after all...when I take my glasses off. Perhaps weakening eyesight is a God-given grace to the middle-aged!

Sure, you younger folks shake your heads at us messy olders. That's okay. Your day is coming. And with it, lots of grace.

TITUS 2-SDAY - THANK A TEACHER

I am so grateful for the wonderful teachers I have known over the years. Even when attending relatively small churches, I've had available to me classes taught by diligent, enthusiastic, hard-working brothers and sisters in Christ. Books of the Bible, church history, ministry, evangelism, parenting - diverse topics, and sometimes difficult doctrines.

Currently at Grace, we are doing a study by The Apologetics Group on Wednesday evenings - Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace....amazing stuff! We haven't shied from discussing the sovereignty of God in election, the efficacy of Christ's atonement on behalf of His people, and "false gospels" of Grace-Plus embraced by many contemporary churches. We have some animated discussions. Sometimes, my head is so full it feels like it will explode. Always, I leave encouraged, challenged, stronger in my faith and in my understanding of Scripture.

Sunday mornings, we just finished up a study on heaven. I missed most of that class because I was teaching preschoolers over the summer. It's a good thing I wasn't able to attend the entire series...after just the last three weeks, I'm ready to check out and head home! Next week, we will begin a new class looking at the prayers of the saints recorded in Scripture. I am really excited about this new study and am eager to see how the things I'll learn will impact my own prayer life.

In my journey through the Bible this year, I just finished Galatians. This verse in chapter six jumped out at me yesterday - One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. (Gal. 6:6) I am definitely "one who is taught" and I have received much that is good from the labors of those willing to teach. This verse reminded me that I should not keep the good things I'm learning to myself. I need to say to those teaching me, "Thank you." I need to let them know their work is impacting my faith and my life. I need to look for opportunities to bless those who step into the yoke of teaching in practical ways, to share with them "all good things."

I couldn't name here all the individuals who have taught classes in which I participated. They are simply too numerous. But today, I can write a note of thanks. It's a start.

A FEW THINGS I LIKE ABOUT MY KIDS

I like that when I find an unfamiliar plant or bug or tree, one of my kids can usually tell me what it is.

I like that my kids prefer my fried peach pies over every other fried pie they've ever eaten.

I like that my girls can hide away in their room for hours, working together on a quilt or creating new clothes for their dolls.

I like that my boys, as well as my girls, talk about what they want to name their future children.

I like that my college students come home on the weekend and talk about their classes, teachers, classmates, and life on campus.

I like that my married kids call and email and chat with me on Facebook and write letters and postcards to the younger siblings.

I like that my sons take time to explain contemporary music lyrics to me.

I like that my kids enjoy making huge messes together in the kitchen....and they frequently make tasty food, too!

I like that my kids often read book passages aloud to each other and to me and Dad.

I like that my kids weave quotes from The Princess Bride or Nacho Libre into normal daily conversation without even thinking.

I like that my children can carry on intelligent conversations with people over 50.

I like that my kids enjoy making music, and I especially like hearing them make music together.

I like that my kids find ways to encourage me as a mother, whether it's a note under my pillow at bedtime or the "Here, Mom, let me help with that!"

I like that my kids create poetry that breaks my heart, music that helps me breathe, and super heroes that make me laugh.

I like that my huge boys still hug me in public, and my girls aren't embarrassed to hold hands with their mom when we're out running errands together.

I like...no, I love that my kids love and enjoy each other.

DEER FEVER

Two of my children are running high fevers today. They are both agitated, restless, and unable to focus. I know it's pointless to get out the Tylenol or Motrin - this is just one of those things that has to run its course. By tomorrow night, my boys will have returned to normal, with only bright eyes and glowing cheeks giving testimony to today's internal inferno.

Twenty-four hours from now, Lord willing, these two boys will be eagerly perched in deer stands back on the family farm. The stands are waiting, bows are readied, gear collected and prepared. Both have invested much time in target practice. The weather forecast has become almost an obsession - what high and low temperatures are predicted for tomorrow? What about the wind direction? Will skies be clear or overcast? Any chance of precipitation? The National Weather Service website has probably been swamped by keyed-up hunters this week!

I'm sure my boys have already planned their 4:00 a.m. breakfast for tomorrow, as well as what sustenance they'll need to pack with them into the woods. It'll be early bedtimes at the Kendall house tonight, and I suspect Nate won't be in the mood to tolerate any loud, late-night movies for the rest of us!

But less than 36 hours from now, after the Saturday sun has set and we are gathered around the table for dinner, the fever will have broken. Instead of fitful pacing and chatter, instead of the nerve-wracking countdown, there will be stories of the big buck that was "just out of range," the doe that walked right underneath the deer stand, the turkeys heard in the cool morning air before dawn, maybe even the unsuspecting bobcat spotted tip-toeing through the underbrush. Excited tales of the day's adventures and eager plans for the next hunt.

And maybe this time tomorrow, just maybe, there will be the first installment of this year's meat for the freezer, hanging in the walk-in cooler at the meat processor's. Your Mom wishes you both Good Hunting, boys!

Anybody else out there afflicted with a similar bug this week?!

YO(GA) MAMA

Over at his blog this week, Tim Challies posted a link to an article by Albert Mohler entitled "Should Christians Practice Yoga?" Wow - what I read nearly knocked my socks off. Definitely not an article for the timid or faint of heart!

I routinely attended a yoga class several years ago at our (then) local YMCA. It didn't take me long to realize that there was a difference between "practicing" yoga and "doing" yoga. I was interested in developing muscle flexibility and proper body alignment, not "finding my inner source of strength and energy." Clara, our instructor, would shoot me a disapproving glance in the fitness room mirrors when I snorted or giggled at her instructions to "empty your mind and find your place of inner peace." Seemed to me some folks were taking this yoga business a tad too seriously!

Anyway, after reading Dr. Mohler's article, my first thought was, "Are Christians free to eat meat that has been offered to idols?" Okay, my mind moves in weird ways. I wondered if there were parallels between the dietary practices in Corinth, and the fitness practices of some Christians today. Dr. Mohler seemed to equate yoga - of any type - with pagan religious practice, therefore making it undeniably unclean and inappropriate for believers. Some in Corinth associated particular bits of cooked meat with pagan religious practices and therefore considered them unclean. Others, however, looked at the meat and saw...well, just a piece of meat. Dinner. Paul's discourse doesn't seem to imply that the issue at hand was the roasted meat, but rather the conscience of the individual diner.

So back to yoga...is a forward bend or a leg lunge necessarily anti-thetical to sincere Christian faith? I think that depends on what's going on in the mind of the individual. Dr. Mohler writes, "...if you have to meditate intensely in order to achieve or maintain a physical posture, it is no longer a physical posture." Which leads to another question - is there a difference between meditating and concentrating? If no difference exists, then almost every athletic/physical discipline seems to be suddenly called into question. What about the ballerina, dancing on pointe? The major league ball player, perfecting his home-run? If a difference does exist, then is it possible to do yoga (and concentrate) without practicing yoga (and meditating)?

I have to admit that when I work through my routine each afternoon, I am NOT emptying my mind, searching for my inner center of energy, or channeling. No, I'm watching a CD lecture on American History. The yogi who truly "practices" yoga would say I'm not really doing yoga at all, although they would recognize many of the movements and positions. Sure, when I'm standing tall on one leg (like a "tree") and trying not to wobble, I'm aware of my body alignment and balance. I'm also thinking about significant figures in America's Great Awakening, or the industrialization of American cities, or the construction of the first trans-continental railroad. Clara would be appalled!

I think the key to understanding Dr. Mohler's concern hinges on that particular word "practice." Is a forward bend a posture for meditation? Or is it a way to stretch tight back and leg muscles? The tone of the article seems to communicate that exercise in any way related to yoga is contrary to Christian faith. Dr. Mohler writes, "When Christians practice yoga, they must either deny the reality of what yoga represents or fail to see the contradictions between their Christian commitments and their embrace of yoga."

After reading Dr. Mohler's article, I have to admit that I would feel uncomfortable doing yoga in front of someone who didn't know me. What if they misconstrued my actions as some form of pagan religious practice? What if they assumed I was trying to "channel the energy of the universe," instead of relying on Christ for my strength and purpose? (Then again, I wouldn't feel comfortable working out in front of a stranger anyway - for vanity's sake. Too many jiggles! Too much puffing! But vanity will have to be a topic reserved for another post.)

Back to 1 Corinthians 8...After reading this article, I agree that those whose consciences are weak in this area should not be doing yoga. And no one who claims Christ should be practicing yoga. That said, I'll be rolling out my sticky mat on the living room floor this afternoon for another session of stretching and toning, while Professor Patrick Allitt talks to me about the Richard Nixon and Watergate. And tonight - it's pork chops for dinner. Guilt free.

I found Dr. Mohler's article very thought-provoking. I need this kind of challenge to make every thought, every action captive to Christ. Thoughts, anyone?

TITUS 2-SDAY - MEDICAL EMERGENCY

(Today's idea comes from my Mom. She recommended this to me many years ago, when my children were still small, and it's definitely a suggestion worth sharing.)

Several years ago, my in-laws were keeping my little niece while her parents traveled overseas for a vacation in France. A medical emergency arose - my niece somehow broke a glass storm door and suffered a very bad gash in one leg as a result. Grammy and Granddad applied first aid and rushed to the emergency room, only to find that it would be impossible to get necessary treatment without the approval of the child's parents...who were half a world away in France and unable to be reached. After a many-hours, nerve-wracking delay, Grammy and Granddad were able to secure a legal document from a local judge granting them permission to seek medical treatment for their grand-daughter. Their ordeal was an absolute nightmare - not one any childcare provider would want to have to endure. Which leads me to today's Titus 2-sday idea....

Per my Mom's instructions, I have prepared for each of my children an I.D. packet. We had photo ID cards of each child made at our local Driver's Testing Center. These look basically like a Tennessee Driver's license - except for the small red print at the bottom that reads, "Not valid for the operation of any vehicle." I believe the fee for having the ID cards made was about $5 apiece.

Then, I went to Wal-Mart and purchased some baseball card covers. These are small plastic protective sleeves made for folks who collect baseball cards, pokemon cards, etc. (I believe they were in the toy department - my memory is a little faded after so many years!) Very cheap.

Back at home, I made photocopies of each child's insurance card. I also typed up and printed a medical release form for each kid which included mine and my husband's phone numbers, basic information about the particular child, and authorization for Grammy and/or Granddad to seek medical attention for my child should they need it. I saved the form in my computer, and can easily and quickly print up release forms with the name of another caregiver as needed.

Then, I put an ID card, a copy of the insurance card, and the signed medical release (folded-up, of course!) into a plastic baseball card cover. All these are kept in a ziploc baggie in an assigned location. The few times that Steve and I have traveled without the kids, I've taken the baggie of ID's to Grammy's. Also, Grammy knows where we store the ID's here at home, in case she needs them when we're not officially "on the road."

Having everything together in a handy location makes remembering to take care of this important piece of business pretty easy. If your kids are ever cared for by grandparents, a baby-sitter, or another adult, I highly recommend making your own ID kits - it's good advice from Mom!

POST-HOLIDAY BLUES

I played hooky on Friday. Actually, I ran away from home. But I'm back now, trying to settle into the routine of Monday morning life after a fantastic, wild-and-crazy weekend. Kind of a bummer, huh? Monday morning blahs....

I talked to a couple of friends yesterday who, like me, were experiencing waves of what I call post-holiday blues. Me? I'd had an awesome holiday with a dear sister. Talking, walking, eating, laughing, grieving, and just breathing together...life the way it should be. My friend B. had enjoyed a long week-end with dear friends - the kind you call family - in another state. For young R., it had been dinner with church family and shopping with a buddy. For all of us, it had been fellowship, affection, delight.

But by yesterday afternoon, all the goodbyes had been said and each of us found Monday looming large on the horizon. And each of us was experiencing a sort of sinking feeling inside, a long heavy heart sigh. Not that any of us expected Monday to be unpleasant...it's just that we were watching a delightful, precious season give way to the ordinary.

I have this same great sinking feeling when Emily and Dennis head down the driveway, back to Iowa. When the boys load up the car and drive off for another week of school. When all the Thanksgiving leftovers have been consumed and we pull out the math books again. When we take down the Christmas tree, leaving the living room strangely naked and empty. When I finish reading an incredibly good book. When Sabbath rest fades into Monday morning.

But this sinking feeling is not entirely a bad thing. Rather, it is a clue, a shadow, a reminder of something huge and eternal. We are created for community. We delight in rest and in celebration. We by nature long for the intimate conversations, the long walks, the quiet evenings under the stars, the raucous family feasts, the festival decorations, the shared laughter, the presence of dear friends, the clasp of a familiar hand, the press of a hug...we long for these things because it was for these we were created.

I find that the sinking feeling which once felt like sadness has grown to feel more and more like longing. It's as if God has assured me - "Yes, this is how it should be, this fellowship and sweet communion. And this is how it shall be, only better!" Each sweet moment shared with a beloved child or friend, each celebration and festival...they are small glimpses of the unbroken, uncorrupted fellowship that is to come. Appetizers.

Monday morning is already peeling my grasp away from a delightful weekend. But my heart sigh today, although tinged with sadness for having to leave what lies behind, is a sigh of anticipation...for what lies ahead, "further up and further in."

Isaiah tells me, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." Sounds like God has something incredible in store for His children. Based on the glimpses and hints He's given, I can't wait for this celebration - the one that has NO end - to begin!