Monday, February 25, 2008

Things that Change

I am taking the afternoon off so I don't need to feel guilty blogging in the middle of the day! Here is the results of the Bible Quiz I took, she said arrogantly:

"You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic! " http://www.gotoquiz.com/ultimate_bible_quiz"
Oh, yeah! I am so NOT a Biblical scholar! But it is fun to take these little quizzes.

I went to the "Everything Must Change" conference in Dallas this weekend. It was very interesting to be with so many evangelical Christians who share my concern for social justice issues. I guess I have been party to the notion that all evangelicals care ab out it abortion and homosexuality. (Still do not like the music, which was guitar, keyboard, violin, and drums.) I really related to McLaren's paradigm shift and ways of approaching and naming the issues of prosperity, security and ecosystem. It gave me hope which was quite surprising. Now, I need to finish the book. I didn't come to any conclusions exactly but left with plenty to think about, pray about, and begin to work on.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

I want to share a great joy, even though it goes into the "forbidden" area of politics. I grew up in the 50's where Mom stayed home with the kids and Father did know best. As a teen and young adult in the 60's I and other young women had more choices than my mother's generation, but there were and are still firm beliefs that men are superior to women. Yesterday, I got to vote for a WOMAN for president! That is incredibly freeing to me and much more than a symbolic gesture. Whether or not she wins, it is a recognition that she is qualified, that women are qualified and are not inferior men. Huzzah!

The God who Smites and Kills

I am reading "Everything Must Change" by Brian McLaren in preparation for the workshop this weekend. I am finding out how much I buy in to the idea that the world will end in suffering and violence. The angry Old Testament God who smites and kills was my idea of God as a child. Even though I know that God has dealt with me wonderfully and lovingly and loves us all, that Killer God still lurks in the back of my mind. I would like to believe in McLaren's concept of a Peace Revolution but I am still not there yet. Maybe this weekend will help.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Ask, and ye shall receive...

After whining on the blog yesterday, it occurred to me that I was in my "I have to do everything myself" mode. So I picked up the phone and called my dear stepdaughter Bird Girl and asked her if she could take her dad to the Texan Family Breakfast tomorrow while I wait for the furniture delivery. She is wonderful and always helps out if she can. Amazingly, I can get respite without triggering the Texan's feelings of rejection! I guess that even Socialworker has to actually ask for help to receive it. Do ya' think there is a lesson there?

There really is a difference in our need for "alone time." The Texan, being a twin and the 8th out of 9 children, has absolutely no need to be by himself. After all, he was not alone, even in the womb! There was always noise and people around him, so he goes off in his head if he needs to. And, let's face it, he is alone most afternoons while I am working. But, I, on the other hand, the oldest in my family by 5 years, and working around people all the time, crave some time to myself. So we have conflicting needs and we work it out as best as we can. Some times, we succeed better than others.

They are predicting rain here this weekend. Please God, give us gentle, steady, soaking rain.

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Long Time, No Write

It has been a while since I have written on this blog. No good reason, really; just that I have been pondering things in my mind without wanting to commit myself to writing things out. My friend MB "tagged" me into writing. The nearest book was a mystery by J.A. Jance, "Dead Wrong." The first 3 sentences on page 123 are: " There are 24 shots per camera. Only 16 of them have been exposed. Casey lifted plenty of prints." Yeesh! I didn't realize that she wrote so poorly. Maybe I had better upgrade my reading level!

The Texan and I celebrated 18 years of marriage on Sunday. They have been years of love and a lot of happiness. I wouldn't part with any of them, even the ones where he was so very ill. The lessons I have learned from the difficult years have been valuable ones, too. We are happy together, yet I still feel confined by his depending on me and most especially, by so seldom having any "alone" time in my house. His always wanting to be with me has been an ongoing problem in our marriage, and I suspect that it will continue to be. I know that he misses his independence, and I do too. I know that I am fortunate to have him at all - but, oh God, is it too much to wish he had somewhere to go without me one day a week?

Friday, February 1, 2008

Changes for the better

The next few days will be a real change of pace for the Socialworker. I'm going to spend Saturday and Sunday with Lawyer Girl and her Virus/Researcher/Scientist fellow which will be a treat. They are getting more committed to each other in their distinctly unusual order of things - looking at houses to buy together. More than anything, I want them to be happy and they truly seem to be. Then it is off to Alamotown to attend a child abuse conference.

The Texan has been so well lately that we have found ourselves cooking dinner together; he is doing the supper dishes, helping bring in groceries, picking up the living room etc. Almost seems like old times, only we are truly appreciating the times we are in. For someone who was supposed to die about three years ago, he is truly my Miracle Man! Although I do need a bit of respite, we were both reluctant to have him go to his daughter's house tonight.

I have been doing a bit of redecorating lately due to some unknown urge. First it was the new bed coverings, then the leather furniture and now, I'm looking at new tables for the living room. What in the world has gotten into me? All I can say is that I have left the beige period behind and am now in a world of burgundy and chocolate--not a bad combination in real life either!