Sickness

I began this blog with every intention of posting frequently.

Of course, intentions don't always translate into fact. I, unfortunately, spent a week in bed, sleeping off a nasty stomach bug. Well, frankly, between bed and the 'water closet.'

Scientists, of course, can pinpoint viruses and bacteria as the causes of illness, and can replicate them on petri dishes. Perhaps you've gotten swabs done in your mouth when you've been ill, the horrid q-tip sent off to a lab, only to receive a paper a few weeks later, describing your host of ailments.

But beyond that, we know there is a spiritual, Christian element to illness. The Bible gives us the truest, Godly explanations of why viruses and bacteria were placed on earth. The explanation, of course, is sin.

If we sin, or we habitually think sinful thoughts, God will try to right us through physical illness. (Psalms 32:1-5, 2 Chronicles 21:12-18, 1 Corinthians 11:29-32). I must say, I attempt in all things to avoid sin, but it is a constant struggle to avoid thinking habitually sinful thoughts. That is, after all, our human nature. I must admit to certain sins - coveting a friend's lovely necklace and her recent vacation; not honouring my parents as dutifully as I knew I ought; laziness on quite a few occasions.

That said, waking up today, much improved, gave me new appreciation for the small blessings in my life. The rosy sunlight shining through my pink curtains; the way Mother sat in her easy chair, watching the little ones play on the floor; the satisfying crackle and smell of the eggs I fried for everyone's breakfast; how smart Daddy looked in his suit and tie as he went off to work - and a thousand other small blessings!

As always, God's plan has been perfect.

A badly cropped photo of my bedroom window. Pink sheers!

Down the street from my house, just a few weeks ago. Isn't it lovely?

Sharing our Talents

Titus 2:3-5 encourages women to teach other women - or in my case today, a little girl.

Tuesdays, I look after a little girl named Rachel. She's five, and lives on the nearby reserve. Her brother, A.J., drops her off at our home on his way to Conestoga College.

Today, we listened to the Suzuki Volume 2 cassette tapes (what can I say, I'm old school) - not all of it, of course! We listened to the theme from Judas Maccabeus and the Hunter's Chorus. Hunter's Chorus was her idea - she likes the uptempo melody - whereas I chose Judas Maccabeus because it's better suited to her skill level.

She proudly plays her songs for A.J. and her grandmother, but she still hasn't even mastered how to hold the frog of the bow.

It's adorable, though. It's moments like that when I dream about having one... or two... or five or six... of my own.

That said, Miss Rachel does not follow the Bible. Her grandmother follows the pagan Six Nations religion. Rachel and A.J. marginally follow Catholic teachings.

But sometimes, leading people to Christ isn't just about telling them "this is what's right." It's about doing what's right. Looking for ways to help people, even if they do things that you disagree with.

Perhaps Rachel and A.J. will never come to Christ. Perhaps they will. But as a Christian, we must never give someone a reason to avoid Christ, or to think Christianity is a religion devoted to conversion, without the love to back it up.

* I must note that my father or mother supervises when A.J. or Rachel visit, and pre-approve my violin lessons. Your father will be able to tell you if a particular person will be a negative influence or distraction from Godly behaviour.

The Story of a Crystal...

I'm going to tell you a story.

A story about my mother's crystal necklace.

When my mother and father were newlyweds, he gave her a beautiful Swarovski crystal necklace. It is a treasured gift; a precious, delicate jewel that represents their love.

A photo of the necklace in question.

Mother keeps her jewel nestled in a pinewood box. It sits on her dresser, next to her hair brush, her rollers, and her bobby pins.

One day, when I was about five, I did something that I still regret. I crept into my parents' bedroom. I sat down at her dresser and played at being a lady, brushing my hair with her ivory-handled comb. As I set down the brush...

...I knocked the pinewood box off the desk.

Horror. Panic. I scrambled off the feminine stool, knelt on the ground and picked up the box. The fall had dented one corner. My heart raced as I inched it open. I expected a shower of crystal shards to fall to my feet.

But no, the pendant was blessedly whole and perfect. The velvet and pinewood had cradled it, protected it.

I set the box back on the dresser and ran out of the room, no harm done (my discipline after admitting the offense... well, I'll discuss that another time!)

Our lives as Biblical women are like that crystal. Dutiful daughters might roll their eyes at yet another comparison to jewels, or rubies, but it's as true now as when Solomon spoke of the Proverbs 31 woman. Ask yourself this... do you want to be a perfect crystal? Or would you rather be a thousand shards, trying to glue yourself back together?

I can promise you that my path is the happy one... because unlike many of you, I have lived the secular life. And my father rescued me to Christ - together, we glued my pieces back together.