Laugh. Love. Learn.

check out what i’m wearing today.

i love it. Sundays are so my favorite. i’d forgotten that for a while, but i recently remembered. don’t get me wrong — i am thankful for my new job. thankful that it’s close to home; thankful that it’s an opportunity to love people; thankful for provision for my family. i don’t doubt it’s the next step i’m supposed to take, and i’m going to be obedient in that. and, i’m going to like it. but — i’m so glad there’s a place i can go on Sundays and not have to try. trying gets old, fast, and on Sundays i get to just be. the New American Standard version of the Bible translates “be still and know that i am God” as “cease striving and know that i am God.” it’s easier to focus on Him when i’m not wasting my energies elsewhere…striving. what situations in your life require striving? impressing people at work? neighbors? trying to be, or dress, or act a certain way?

i hope Sundays are a time when you can just be.
if they’re not, want to hang out with us?

after a rain delay, we had the privilege of hearing Steven Curtis Chapman in concert tonight. it felt more like “hanging out” than “hearing a concert”… i am amazed at his transparency and the honesty with which he addresses his recent life circumstances. i knew it would be a good night when he opened by singing “Blessed Be Your Name,”
acoustic, and it gave me chills.
you give and take away
you give and take away
my hear will choose to say
blessed by Your name
(more about that song later…another post)
everything was acoustic, actually, because of the weather, and he talked a lot more than he sang…but it was awesome, and spoke directly to my heart. it is incredibly reassuring to hear someone who’s had to endure such public tragedy, and so recently, stand up on stage and say that moreso than ever he knows that the gospel is true!!! it was also awesome to overhear my 8-year-old later telling her grandmother the story of Maria’s adoption and salvation…i can’t imagine how many seeds of a call to adopt are being planted in pre-adoptive parents and pre-Christians as a result of Steven’s willingness to share his life. it is clear that he is a man of true integrity and authenticity, and his fath is refreshing.

he’s one of those people who make you want to drop what you’re doing and get in the Word more. more tomorrow…