Sunday, July 29, 2018

Caring

Summer break is quickly coming to a close for my kids, with school beginning in less than 2 weeks! Yesterday I took my 12-year-old and one her friends to spend the morning at a splash park to play in the water and ride water slides. 

While they played I sat under a giant umbrella reading and also watching, both them and other people. All ages were at the park, from babies to grandparents. There were the fashionable teens, the toddlers with swimmies, the parents who were trying to get their kids to relax and enjoy the water, and the parents who were just the ride to the pool (like me!). 

I noticed a little girl in a wheelchair especially made for the pool. Her parents would roll her into the water to let her splash around, then roll her to the shade for a snack. There was a lady holding a baby, dipping his toes in the water. There was a dad waiting at the end of the water slide to catch his little girl as she plopped into the pool. There were lifeguards watching for any issues. The kids in the water were surrounded by people who simply cared that they were safe and enjoying the day. 

Job 10:12 You have granted me life and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit. 

It's good to realize that God cares for us even more than all those people cared for all of those kids yesterday. 

Sunday, July 22, 2018

Painting

For over a year I've wanted to attend a painting class with my 12-year-old. You see, my sister and aunt have been going once a month to paint with a local artist, however, it was always on a school night. This week we finally got to go! Honestly, my child was worried about how many people would be there, who would see her in slightly unfashionable paint clothes and if she was going to fail miserably at this endeavor.  I was surprised at her hesitancy because she's a true artist, having taken art in school. I'm not, having only painted walls in my house. :D

Once we got settled in and started, she forgot about the other people and got lost in the painting, as did I. We had a great teacher and painted beautiful pictures of the ocean and a lighthouse by following only his instructions. He was a willing teacher and showed us much encouragement. He wasn't looking for perfection, only a willingness on our part to take a step and try something new. 

God does the same for us. He's a willing teacher who never asks for perfection, but does want us to work on His canvas. In doing so, we are likely to discover true beauty.

Psalm 25:4 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. 



Sunday, July 15, 2018

Play Ball

I skipped out on writing my blog last week because I attended a AA Baseball Game. It was an event set up for our Middle School kids at church. My daughter wanted to go with one of her best friends, so I offered at accompany them. It was the Gwinnett Stripers vs the Charlotte Knights and I had a blast! It had been years since I attended a baseball game in person and I truly forgot how much I enjoyed them. The girls were a bit clueless and I tried to explain a few things. However, I found myself more wrapped up in the game as the innings progressed. With a 3 run lead of the Stripers by the top of the 9th I thought it was going to be an early afternoon, but the Knights tied it up as we headed to the bottom of the 9th. It was close, but the Stripers pulled out a run and the game ended on a good note for us. 

By the time I arrived home that evening, I had forgotten all about the blog. I apologize to my faithful readers receiving CrossSums in an email. Please don't think I am ending my blog, I'm not. I just took a day off to play. I searched for the word 'play' in Bible Gateway and found many references to playing an instrument, but this one fit better. It is a description of the future city of Jerusalem. 

Zechariah 8:4-5: "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.'

This sounds like a lot of fun, doesn't it?

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Goals

I operate best if I have an attainable goal. It can't be too easy to reach because there would be no growth. It can't be too hard to reach because I would give up before I got started. I reached a goal this week that I didn't really set initially. 

About 2.5 years ago, I attended a workshop and was given a code to take 3 nationally sponsored financial aid credentials. Each exam was valued at $99 each. I gave it a try over the next 6 months and thankfully passed the tests. From that point any time I attended a workshop or conference, I would sign up for a 2 hour class to get another code, since the price of the conference included the exam fee. Over a 2 year period I was able to take 14 exams and in my mind I was done - unless any of the last 3 subjects were ever offered for 'free'. 

Honestly, I didn't care if I ever finished all of them. However one day my supervisor decided to do a group purchase for our staff. My last 3 subjects were in the set. I felt like I had to bite the bullet and try for them all. Thankfully, I completed the 17th exam on Tuesday. Finally! I was done and I was the 1st in our office to do it. 

Proverbs 13:19a A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,

I am so relieved that goal has been met. Next I plan to set goals, perhaps more in line with the things I love.