Everyday Miracle

"Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars; and they pass by themselves without wondering."

Augustine was so right when he said, he didn't even know it.

But just to make you think: the next time you have time, go outside on a clear night and just stare up at the stars. Don't think about how much cleaning you could have done or how many words you could have written for your essay thats due in 4 hours. Just look up and stare.

Then, taking some more needed time off, go find a small child. I know this sounds kind of weird, but look at the tiny hands and feet of a new born, or the hunger for love and affection and learning of a toddler.

Then look at yourself in the mirror. Really look. Don't see the imperfections that you think are there, but instead, think of the fact that you can SEE and you can hear and touch and taste and feel emotions and pain and hurt and hunger and thirst and happiness and love.

What an amazing thing. An entire galaxy right in front of them and these great Greek scholars just skipped right past it.

An everyday miracle.

More Quotes

Two quotes today, both to do with history.

The first from some German statesman, or something, from the '60's called Konrad Adenauer:

"History is the sum total of the things that could have been avoided."

And another one from some British Prime Minister in the early 20th century, Arthur Balfour:

"History does not repeat itself. Historians repeat each other."

One of these days I'll write about someone writing about something other than history....

Quotes

"History never looks like history when you are living through it."
John W. Gardner.

Who was he?

Good question.

The Monster (aka Wikipedia) says he was some sort of American who had something to do with Health, education, and welfare.

But who really cares.

I just liked the quote.

Just go to Sleep

It's summer.

Finally.

Already.

And yet, I can't wait for it to end.

A month and a half until school starts and theres still so much more to do.

It's late, or early. After midnight anyways which is almost 3 hours past my bedtime. Yes, I sometimes go to bed at 9:30. When you wake up at sometime after 6 and before 6:30 you need that sleep.

But tonight i just can't sleep.

Could it be the suffocating heat that seems to radiate in every room in my house? Or maybe the pent up rage (not just anger, rage) that's sitting in the back of my throat just waiting to be let out.

Whatever it is had better go away because its going to be hot again tomorrow and i still have to work no matter what.

There is dirt imbedded in my fingers.

I really feel like a man sometimes.

Thank you my friends

Today I experienced one of the toughest days in a very long time. The child my parents have fostered for two years now is leaving tomorrow and so my mother brought her to school so that I could say goodbye to her. Lets just say that parting is such sweet sorrow. She, being only 2 years old, was blissfully, I think, unaware of my miserable attempt to not cry. But when it came time for her to leave, she toddled off with a "bye Bec" and went on her way.
Between minimal hours of sleep and layers upon layers of stress, and the added emotional pain of loss, I spent much of my day in tears. In fact, just writing this blog out makes my already red eyes prickle with unshed tears.

To those who have never had to experience this all encompassing pain of losing someone I say this: First that I hope you never have to, and second, that if you do, take comfort in the things around you. Accept the empathy of friends and family and ask them to keep you and those suffering with you, in their prayers.

I am extremely blessed to have such amazing friends here with me. Ones who don't even need to know what is wrong, just that something has caused me pain and they immediately offer their support and say "I'll pray for you." I used to think this was such a cliche thing to say. Kind of like the whole asking someone how they are and not really listening to their answer. But I really feel as though the people here at school sincerely care about your troubles and will bring them before God.

For someone like me who grew up in such a conservative family, I have a hard time maintaining a personal relationship with God. I know that it's something I need to work on but sometimes life seems too overwhelming, and while I know it shouldn't take over your faith life, sometimes you don't realize this until its gone. But to see people and to have friends who say that they will sincerely pray for your well-being makes you want to renew that relationship with God all over again.

I want to thank all my wonderful friends at Redeemer who have been so sincere in their care for my well-being. I know that in times like these, with stress from school and the world practically falling apart, it's hard not to go the easy route and think only of oneself. But for people to so readily and willingly pull together and support someone in their community who is suffering is a true miracle indeed.

And I thank you all.