a. My husband is GOOD to me and is finishing the to-do list this morning.
b. My child is SLEEPING like a champ.
Because Brian is running our errands, I have nothing outside of the house to do. And because Asher is sleeping, I can't run the vaccuum, regardless of how desperately the floors need to be cleaned. So. Here I sit on the Saturday before Christmas with nothing to do. How about that.
Every single person who has made a guess on the sex of this baby has said it is a girl. I honestly am hoping for health and longevity only. A boy would be fun for some reasons, a girl would be fun for others. Either will be exciting. Still it's a little odd that EVERY person has said that, don't you think?
I think most of you know I teach a little boy with autism two mornings a week. Our time invariably includes playing outside as part of our day, and I normally play just as hard as he does. But I jumped on the trampoline two days ago, and have since deemed myself Too Pregnant for the Trampoline. It's not that I'm very big, it's just - not a good idea. Poor kid. He relies heavily on routine and really doesn't understand when I change things up. But I'm not going to be able to give on this one.
I've been catching up on my blog reading this morning. Thailand Chani said this last week:
It occurs to me that most of us have one fundamental belief, something we cling to, something that makes the world make sense. It keeps us going through all the craziness, all the tragedy, all the inconsistencies and all the experiences of ourselves and others.
So what is the belief that keeps you sane?
Mine is that God is loving toward all He has made. It's this belief that gives me hope, is the essence of my faith in God, and without it all would be lost.
Another blogger mentioned earlier that she used to think people who still believed in God had never questioned their parents' religious beliefs (I'm seriously paraphrasing, but I think that was the jist). I think that's totally fair. I can see how it would look that way from the outside looking in, the same way that I question the attitudes towards women in other religions. Surely reasonable people would not come to such a conclusion. One of my favorite things about that particular blog is I never feel like I need to defend myself or my faith, so please don't read this as a defense. I just wanted to say - yeah, I see why you'd think that. And I think anyone who has any kind of serious faith has questioned the religion of their childhood. I think it's an essential step in spiritual growth.
After I wrote the post last night about being so stoic, I've been weepy all day. Surely SURELY it is pregnancy-plus-stress-induced. I teared up this morning when Asher cried. I was talking to a friend just a minute ago, and could have cried again, in a conversation that did not merit emotion. What is THAT about? It's really unusual for me.
I vow before God and these witnesses I will never no never again wait until the last minute to shop for Christmas gifts. It is not fun. It is only stressful. I've learned my lesson and I promise to do better from now on.
The end.
Your turn: pick your question.
1. What one belief keeps you sane?
2. Is faith made stronger by doubt?
3. Are you finished Christmas shopping?
Finally, a picture of Asher on the carousel on his birthday. The question you should be asking yourself is - who is this kid? Where did that tiny baby from last December go?
8 comments:
1) The belief that keeps me sane is my strong belief in the inherent goodness of people,
2) Not doubt.. but critical thinking,
3) I don't Christmas shop.
Wishing you the best for your holiday.. and thanks for picking up the question :)
1 - That God is sovereign and God is good. So everything that happens is in his plan, even if it seems totally jacked up to me. And because he is good, no matter what, it is ultimately a *good* plan.
3 - oh yeah. I learned not to ever do that to myself!
No I am not done Christmas shopping but I have made progress given that I started this morning. That picture of Asher is great, and his Auburn shirt is the best.
My belief is, "God has never let me down before, why would He start now?" Or something along those lines.
I am DONE shopping.
1. That in all things, there is grace.
2. Absolutly. Without doubt, there are no questions. I believe it makes our faith stronger when we question it - it allows us to explore what it is we really believe.
3. Yeah, no to brag, but I actually finished my shopping before Thanksgiving. But that it totally a first for me. It was necessary since I had to send every thing off BEFORE I left for Indonesia!! (btw - your presents will be arriving the Friday after Christmas via my sister)
1) That people are essentially good. Really. I honestly believe that, despite, well, you know...
Lovely picture.
Huh. Ironically, questioning my parents religious beliefs (and everything else about them) helped me foster a deep relationship with God.
1. The belief that keeps me sane is the idea that I can't found belief on any one thing, and therefore must keep searching for it - very existential, no?
2. To a point, I believe doubt makes faith stronger, but I also believe that there are questions out there which, when confronted, cannot be honestly dealt with by faith, and therefore must be held in tension with faith. It is then that answers are not the end, only a distraction from the question - very existential, no?
3. I worked very hard on a Christmas present for my family, which a particular company screwed up, and now I actually have nothing to give anyone for Christmas. This is a strange answer, therefore, I will explain further in detail later if you want to know - very existential, no?
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