Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The Water Mule

This summer, my grocery shopping habits changed. The refrigerator in the apartment was small and a little cabinet served as the pantry. Everything I used to prepare meals had to fit in a bag I toted or in a cart I wheeled. I bought only what I needed for a day or two and what I could comfortably carry.

One afternoon, I walked up 3rd Avenue to a drugstore where bottled water was on sale. The ballerinas took lots of water with them every day and we couldn't fill their reusable water bottles at the apartment because the water there was cloudy. I bought three cases of water. Two easily fit in my shopping cart (not the lovely one pictured, but a servicable one nonetheless). The third . . . not so well. I managed to get it in, but the canvas top wouldn't completely close.

Feeling quite satisfied with my purchase and the bargain it represented, I wheeled my cart out the door just as rain began to fall. I pulled my purse strap across my body, pushed the button to open my umbrella, took a deep breath, and began walking. Uphill. In the rain. Pulling a cart with three cases of water.

Did we need water? Yes. Did we need three cases of water? Yes, but not that day. One would have been enough. Two at the most. Certainly not three.

You see, I made my burden heavier than it needed to be. I took what was a good and necessary thing and made it an overwhelming thing. The burden I carried that day was greater than the burden I needed to carry.

Jesus tells us that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Being yoked to Him means I can't run ahead or lag behind Him. He sets the pace, balances the load, and gives rest. Oh, how I need that today.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

The basket photo is from victoriantradingco.com. I know nothing about the company, I just like the wicker trolley. The water photo is from samsclub.com where I buy too many groceries at once, load them into my SUV, and store them in my pantry!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Heart-Knower


Last night I read the first chapter of Acts in the Greek-English New Testament. No, I can't read Greek. Yes, I occasionally like to read the New Testament that way because it is a literal rendering and it helps me look at the verses in a new way. Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts.

Anyway, I was cruising along, got to the word καρδιογνῶστα, and came to a screeching halt. Heart-knower.

The NIV says, "Lord, you know everyone's heart." The literal translation reads, "Thou Lord Heart-knower of all men."

A difference without a distinction? Not for me.

Peter was leading the disciples in prayer, asking the Lord to show them who should replace Judas. When I read it in the NIV, "Lord, you know everyone's heart," my soul heard that as the Sunday school prayer. "Oh, Lord, please bless everyone today. . ." But when I read it in the Greek, my spirit said, "YES!!!" He is the Heart-knower. He knows MY heart.

I find great comfort and peace in the Heart-knower. I love having a new name for Him. Heart-knower.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Spy in the House of Love


What do you get when you combine the memories of subway performers with the thrill of visiting the International Spy Museum?

An undercover musician.

And, yes, I made a contribution to the "tin cup." After I quit laughing.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Boys Are Back In Town

The boys (Writer and Sketcher) joined us in NYC for Ballerina's performance. And what a show it was! The amount of talent and energy in that auditorium was unbelievable!

After the show, we went to Little Italy for a fabulous dinner with Writer's seminary roommate and his family. We picked up right where we were the last time we all were together . . . never missed a beat. We ate, laughed, and talked for hours.

The next morning, our family vacation began in NYC. In three days we went to the Museum of Natural History (Sketcher's first pick), ascended the Empire State Building (up 80 flights by elevator and 6 flights by stairs), and rode the Staten Island Ferry. We shopped at the Strand Bookstore (18 miles of books!!), Toys R Us, FAO Schwartz, the fruit stand on the corner, and at a collector's bookstore with books in the $4,000 to $85,000 range. We rode the subway, the bus, and in our SUV.

Sketcher loved Times Square! All the lights and motion and commotion!


He studied the skyline from 86 floors up,


and the subway map from many levels down.

Ballerina and I were glad the boys were in town!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Beyond the Threshold

After weeks of dropping off Ballerina at the corner of 19th & Broadway, I finally got to go beyond the threshold. Woohoo!


Four flights of stairs later (74 steps to be exact), parents were allowed to observe a technique class (and listen to a world-class pianist).

I captured Ballerina in motion. She, as always, captured my heart.

(Click on the photo to see more detail)