Sisters 2010

I'm really excited today... I have a "follower." And it is even someone I know. My sister. What a blessing sisters are... we just returned from a three day annual event called variously "sister weekend" or "sister trip" or as Janelle has termed it "sister Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday."

One thing about sisters is this... they flex with you! Since I have weekly commitments with the church, they were gracious and agreed to move the "weekend" to the "week." Of course, no matter what day of the week we choose, it is fun, fun, fun!

We do fun things. We eat really good food! and we talk. A lot. Some current stuff and lots of memories...often contested as to their veracity, or at least the angle with which it is presented. Were we 3, 7 and 10 when this happened? Or really 4, 8 and 11? Did dad really get mad at someone? Or was he, as she remembers, never, ever mad at her.

We have only our varying degrees of fading memory to check the facts against. Such is the blessing of families......... enjoy this picture courtesy of sister Janelle......

Old Shoes

I have a terrible time getting rid of old shoes, especially my walking shoes. Even when I know they are worn out, when the support is gone and my knees begin to complain that my shoes aren’t supporting me the way they should, I just don’t like to give them up. There is something about the way they feel that makes me wear them long after I should have replaced them.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally dropped my resistance and bought a new pair of walking shoes. I was amazed at how much better I felt with that new support. It was worth the effort to make the change, to try something new.

Sometimes my spiritual life is like that as well. I have certain practices that I do regularly – forms of personal scripture reading, study and prayer, ways of doing ministry that are just comfortable. Tried and true, they have supported my spiritual life for decades. And yet, there are times when I realize that so much “comfort” may indicate that I might be avoiding deeper things that God wants me to experience and places where I need to grow spiritually. But, oh! It is hard to change a routine.

In Hebrews 5:12 the writer reminds us that we who have years of experience in our faith ought to by this time be past the days of “milk” as primary nourishment like infants in the faith, and on to solid food – learning the more “mature” things of God: discernment, forgiveness and ministering to others. Sometimes that means stepping out of my routine and trying something new, like a new devotional practice or finding a new way to serve those around me. I guess I'm saying: "Ok, God... show me the way......"

Hmmm... hang in there with me and let's see what comes of this!