What I Think About Re-Reading

I am an avid book re-reader.  This past summer marked the first summer since I was in 8th grade that I didn't read Pride and Prejudice.

There are many who would argue that there is no time to waste re-reading the same things.  That there are too many good books out there to re-read.  I agree, there are great books; however, some books are so great they warrant second or fifteenth reads.

We do not read books as they are, we read them as we are. 

As we change perspectives or circumstances or age, the way we interact with literature changes.  Think about it, did you read To Kill a Mockingbird in 9th grade and hate it only to re-read it as an adult and consider it one of the most profound works you've ever read?  Has one verse in the Bible meant something different to you during different seasons of life?

There's a reason for that.

Cognitive functions change.  Circumstances change. Times change.  You change.  The book stayed the same but you change and that changes everything about the book.

As a teenager, I read Pride and Prejudice as a love story.  When I got older I read it as a profound explanation on the bonds of sisterhood.  I've read it as a comedy, and as a tragedy.  I've read it as social commentary and as an exquisite example of language use.  I've read this book at least 15 different ways and each time was affected differently.  I re-read this book (and a few others) because I am not the same when I start--or end them.  

There are great books out there but if one book just sticks with you, do not feel ashamed to re-read it one, two, or thirty-two times.  Truly amazing literature works deserve rich exploration. 

While others might you think you are wasting time re-reading a book, the truth is, you are reading the same book differently--which is the same thing as reading a new book.

This is why I'm a re-reader.

What are you reading?

If You Can't Say Something Nice

I can write about this now.  Last week, I would have been far too emotional but now, I can talk about it.

On Sunday the 17th we went to Panera Bread for little Sunday family lunch.  We were munching away on the deliciousness when the boy stated he needed to potty.  Boy and hubs went to the bathroom.

When they came back, my hubs told me what happened.

Hubs were using side-by-side urinals (you're welcome for that visual) and chatting up a storm.  As they went to was their hands, some not-quite-40 year old remarked to my husband, "That was English, huh?"

My husband, who let's face it--is the grace in our relationship--gave the guy "the look," took our son's hand, and left the restroom.

When he recounted this story, my heart sank.

Does our 3 year old speak clearly?  No.  Is he having his speech tested?  Yes.  Is it anyone else's business?  No!!!

Here's the deal.  I'm sure that guy was trying to be funny but folks, parents are sensitive about their children and do NOT want anyone joking about perceived abilities or disabilities.  So when it comes to other people's kids, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Really--it's okay.  You don't need a funny quip about everything.  Not everyone needs to know your every last thought.  Just because you have an opinion does not mean you need to share it with everyone  around.  It is better to look a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I have spent over a week thinking about this guy and what I wish we could have said.  We could have said, "What do you mean by that?" or "Yes his speech is developing--apparently just like your social skills."

In the end, Matt took the higher road.  Though it would have been great to put that man in his place the truth is, no amount of rebuke causes a fool to change.  He would have taken anything we said and used it against us--like there was something wrong with us (and our three year old who doesn't talk like a college graduate) for telling him our son's abilities are none of his business.

The truth is sometimes you have to follow your own rules.  Matt, thank you for not saying anything when you wanted to say so much un-niceness.

My Real Age {Mostly The Truth}

Since I last blogged I might have had a birthday.  I'm not at the age where you throw a big party or anything but I will say this, as of next year, I officially have to round up.

Until then, I am comfortably in my {just about} mid thirties.

My birthday was nice.  I didn't get out of my PJs until noon which is some sort of record for me.  Let's face it, I get dressed to my jewelry and shoes even when I have the stomach flu.  But this year, I just hung out in PJs and played with the kids and ate cheesecake for lunch.  Yes.  You read that correctly.  Cheesecake for lunch.  Amen.  After that we got a couples massage and then went to a murder mystery dinner at a comedy club with one of our favorite couples.  The dinner was over-the-top cheesy in the best sort of way.  I loved it because I had never done that before and always wanted to.  My hubs knows me well.

Here is where I get to the point (or as close to one as you're gonna get).

Tonight I was looking in the mirror.  One of my New Year's Resolutions is to stop treating the mirror like my enemy or tool of torture.  Anyhoo, I just looked at my face and it dawned on me.  I am not 22 anymore--I'm not even in my 20s.  Next year I have to round up!

Look at those lines across my forehead.  Look at those crow's feet.  Oh but don't worry because I have a zit on my chin.  Winning.

Just like that my resolve to treat my mirror like a friend instead of my nemesis was done.  D.O.N.E.  Crow's feet.  Wrinkles.  Dark circles.  Bags. Zits. (BTW, zits and wrinkles should never be an option.  Are you kidding me?!?!).  Fried, dried hair ends.  Awkward length. Thin eyelashes.  Are those lip wrinkles?  Can lips get wrinkles because I might have them.  Gawwwwwkkkk!

Please keep in mind this was a time span of about 30 seconds but in that 30 seconds, I pretty much tore every physical facial feature I have to shreds (and I'm pretty sure a bit a confidence, too).

Then I remembered my resolution.  The mirror was my friend.  I made myself do what I promised I would do when I made the mirror my enemy.  I replaced the lies with a truth.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are His works.

I am beloved.

I am precious in God's sight.

Those who look to Him are radiant.

He has made everything beautiful in its time.

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

There.  I said it.  The Truth as I believe it ... as it is written.  See, I can tear myself down by the lies I believe but I can also claim truth ... I was made by a God who only makes good stuff--that makes ME good stuff.

I stared at myself a minute more.  I am not 22.  I don't look my age {humor me if I just spoke out of line} but I don't look totally young either and you know what, I'm okay with that.

Those wrinkles are making me beautiful in my time.  Those crow's feet are radiant because of the laughter that accompanies them. Those lip wrinkles ... well, those are still a mystery but you get what I am saying.

The truth is my real age has nothing to do with my real identity.  Whether I am young or old, perfectly dressed or in PJs, I am beloved.

And that is something to smile about (even if smiling causes lip wrinkles).

Today, remind yourself of your value and worth; remember how you look is not where your identity lies.  Whose you are is your source of beauty and radiance!.  "Strength and dignity are my clothing; I laugh at the time to come "(Proverbs 32:35) (but maybe hold the wrinkles).

I Can't How

I love the cute stuff kids say.

Like M used to say "All my myself."  So cute!

Right now Pax keeps saying "I can't how" when he doesn't know how to do something.

Mom: Paxy can you put on your coat.

Pax: "I can't how zip!"

It is so delightful.  I am kind of dreading the day he stops saying it.

I can't how.  So cute!

What cute stuff do your kids say?

I Didn't Meet My Goal

So I'm a bit late on this whole New Year's Resolution stuff.

I mean, most people have already broken their resolutions and here I am committing to mine.

Better late than never, right?

First off, I didn't meet my reading goal last year.  I wanted to read 30 non-work/non-school related books.  I only read 22.  *Sigh*  Sometimes that happens.  If I counted my school and work books I'd be well over 40 but I'm not cheating.

So....

Resolution #1 for 2013--Read 30 non-school, non-work related books.

Resolution #2 for 2013 will be my biggest challenge.  I'm a going to work on RESPONDING rather than REACTING.  I'm huge at off-the-cuff, mouth is faster than brain reaction.  It's a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad habit of mine and this year I intend to work on it.  HOW you say?  By journaling my thoughts and responding when I'm calm.

I'm also going to take up breathing.  Apparently that helps.

Resolution #3 for 2013--Drink 60 oz of water a day.  Last year I feel like I was sick the whole year AND I felt dehydrated and headachy a lot.  I also didn't drink much water.  I'm thinking there is a connection so this year, I am working at downing a 60 oz water bottle every day.  So far, so good!

Did you make--or break--a resolution this year?

Why Mike Huckabee is Wrong

In the immediate Sandy Hook aftermath, Mike Huckabee came out and told people this devastating crisis couldn't be blamed on God because we've removed God from society.

This was an immediate reaction and it demonstrates a HUGE lack of wisdom on his part.  Sickly, it showed his desire to push politics--calling the left "godless" for example--rather than demonstrate empathy and leadership.

First, let me say I actually DO NOT think Sandy Hook can be blamed on God.  

If people want to ask where God was or how He let it happened or just be angry in general, I understand.  And you know what, so does God.  He is big enough for all of our emotions and that includes the ones that are angry with injustice and confusion.

But I don't think God compelled that young man to commit this heinous act.   I believe the reasons behind it were complex and deep.

If we really want to put this in perspective, I think we should ask if God was possibly there?  If maybe He intervened?  If the prayers of teachers covering children were heard and as a result, fewer people lost their lives than might have?  Was God there in the first responders?  Was He a part of the comforting hands that held relatives?  Maybe, just maybe, God was there.

Here is where Huckabee got it all wrong.  He believes we've removed God from society.

To be sure, we teach evolution and scoff and creation and Christmas carols aren't widely sung at programs, and prayer isn't mandatory.  Broadway shows and cartoons are blasphemous.  More people than not are leaving the church.  God is becoming less important to people and society.

BUT WE CAN'T REMOVE GOD FROM SOCIETY!

We can ignore Him.  We can disobey Him.  We can not remove Him.

Now, if you don't believe in God then the rest of this won't be persuasive and you can go to a new blog now.

But if you are a believer and you believe the Bible then please, read what the WORD has to say about where God is.

Matthew 1:23--They will call him Immanuel which means "GOD WITH US."

Deuteronomy 31:3--Be strong and courageous.  Don not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Romans 8:39--Neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 4:10--This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Listen dear friends, God is not surprised by the depravity of the world.  He was not surprised when people rejected His Son and murdered Him on a cross and He is not surprised or removed by rejection now.  No matter how deep we go, it is not so deep that God is not there still.  No matter how much we (or society) reject God, the offense is not so strong that He stops loving us.  

God's word is clear and true and we must fasten it to our hearts!  God is WITH us.  God is FOR us.  God LOVES us.  We CAN'T be separated from His Love.

Mike Huckabee was right--we can't blame God.  But he was wrong too because we can't remove God from us.  He is WITH us, indwelling WITHIN us, and THROUGH us He does good works.

This is a dark and scary world but do not let the darkness persuade you we can force light to flee.

A light shines in the darkness and darkness cannot remove it.

God with us.

Jeans

I'm the sort of gal who likes to dress up jeans but I have a confession.  I love dirty jeans.  Seriously, I'll wear a pair of jeans 5-10 times before I wash them.  Now when I say dirty I don't mean mustard splotches or mud dirty.  I mean worn several times dirty.

I just hate that crusty tight feel of freshly washed jeans.  Even my best pair of denim feels two times too small after a go in the washing machine.

Here's why I love dirty jeans:

1.  I don't have to break them in and stretch them out (read: no, "OMGosh did I gain weight!?" mornings).

2.  Less laundry.  I think that means wearing dirty jeans is green, right?

3.  I'm pretty sure 1 and 2 are enough :)

You're welcome for this inspiring and informative post.