Lessons from Colgate

Some writers find their inspiration in coffee shops or nature, but this morning, I found it in the simple act of brushing my teeth. Kudos to Colgate...or to my brain that can't seem to rest. As I scrubbed away at my teeth, I began to wonder: when was the toothbrush invented? What did people do to clean their teeth before then? Did they clean their teeth before then? If people back in Bible times lived hundreds of years but didn't have proper dental hygiene, were they all suffering with rotten teeth by age 20?

In the cafeteria of my mind, the tray moved to another astounding thought: God created the world and everything in it, but didn't necessarily explain it all to Adam and Eve. As far as I know, God didn't sit down with the two of them and explain the biology of each animal or the play-by-play of mating. Instead, he gave creation (including their very lives) to Adam and Eve and allowed them to discover its intricacies.

If I had a teenage child and gave him a cell phone and then proceeded to explain every function and whistle, I would rob my child of the joy of discovery. Instead, the teenager would much prefer a little preliminary guidance and then be left to discover its features. As a parent, it would be a joy to see my child enjoy and learn about a gift I had given. Similarly, God delights in watching us learn freshly about His creation and His character. Whether it's inventing the toothbrush or teaching a drama class, we are in a constant process of discovery--a gift given to us to be a joy and not a frustration.

Live Ready

I stole this from another blog, but thought it was worth repeating:

A radio clip, with Chuck Swindoll in his southern baritone, said something to the effect, (and he said it far better), that no one warns which days will forever change our lives. No one wakes us that morning and says, "This day will require you have an unwavering trust in the sovereignty of God. This day you'll need to be prepared with all truth."

There is no one sounding the alarm before the storm descends.

We have to live ready.

I took a crisis counseling class this past summer, and we talked about how the Bible says two things about crises: 1)that they will happen and 2)that God is sovereign. In one of the books we read, the author encouraged all those who are not currently experiencing a crisis to "shore up resources" now so that when those moments come (and they will), we will have something to draw from. It is reminders like these that encourage me to delve into scripture, to memorize it, wrestle with truths, write, study, and learn all I can about God so that when difficulties arise, Truth is automatic. We have to live ready.

Dogs: let's be honest.

For those who know me, it will come as no surprise that I have little shortage of honesty--a painful quality at times. However, I have grown up in the south, which encourages people to smile when they are really frustrated and say things like "Bless your heart" when they really mean "You're an idiot." We southerners like to put a glossy finish on all our sentences. Typically, I buck the system and just tell it how it is, but when it comes to dogs, I've been a true Southern Belle for far too long.

For years, I have pretended to like dogs, to smile when I see them, and to pet them just enough to convince those around me that I'm fond of those furry animals. But here's the (painful) truth: I am awkward and uncomfortable around dogs. It's not that I hate dogs; theoretically and from a distance, they are delightful creatures. Up close, however, I'm like a 12-year-old boy at a dance: he likes girls and will talk in the corner with his friends about them, but when he actually has to dance with one, well, it's awkward.

So, I've decided that it's time to be honest about my awkwardness around dogs and to stop pretending that I'm natural with them. If you've ever seen me around dogs, you know that I'm anything but natural. I'm not really afraid of them or have had a particularly bad experience with them, but when I'm around dogs--any kind of dog--I have an aversion to them and become stiff and jumpy and just generally uncomfortable. I have several theories about why I have this problem including (but not limited to): my dad's aversion to dogs, the fact that my parents thought a half rottweiler-half lab would be a great pet for young children (the thing outweighed me in a few months), and that I'm a bit of a neat/germ freak and don't like dog smells.

So, if you have a dog, please know that I still want to hang out with you, that I'm not an animal hater, and that I'll even hang out with you AND your dog...and even pet it! But when you see me looking reminiscently like a pre-teen at a dance, just know that it's not your dog; it's me. Honest.

Let's Get Organized!

I've always thought that if I wanted to pursue a career other than teaching, I'd go into professional organizing. Seriously. I find a ridiculous amount of satisfaction in creating order out of chaos, making functional space, and finding ways to help people stay organized even after I've finished the initial "clean sweep." My mom loves this quality in me because I compulsively clean some part of her house every time I go home. I thrive on the immediate results and the joy it brings her to have space she can use more effectively. I really should take before and after pictures. I've organized closets, pantries, offices, storage spaces, and even barns for family, friends, myself, and work.

Not to over-spiritualize this trait, but in many ways, this desire to bring order out of chaos reflects our Father's desire to do the same. Our world is overrun with the weeds and vines of sin, selfishness, and waywardness, and in His redemptive way, he "strikes a straight blow with a crooked stick (thanks to my favorite pastor, Joe Novenson, for that one). God is in the business of re-ordering the universe, of clearing the clutter of our lives, and giving us ways to live that lead to freedom. The satisfaction I find in organizing (other than the fact that I'm just a bit of a neat freak) is one way that I bear God's image, reflecting His character. As Bob Flayhart says, "Joy is found when your God-given talents meet a need."

So, if you need some organizational tips, encouragement, or outright help, I'm at your service. And I'm always looking for new and inventive ways to organize, so send me your ideas and what has worked for you; if you're not one of those organized people, not to worry: you're probably more normal than the rest of us.