Staying the Course

If you are a regular reader, you've probably figured out how hard it is for me to write during pregnancy. As I round the corner for the final month or so, I find my brain thinking only of what needs to be done for the baby, before the baby comes, or during the labor and delivery that I have shortly to endure. It's hard work to force myself to really think. It's hard work to make myself concerned over my own walk with the Lord and my struggle with sin.

So naturally, you would assume that pregnancy is an impediment to living well and doing right. I don't think so. I think of it as rehearsal.

Something my pastor says sometimes has caused me to think. "It's not starting well that is the hard part. It's finishing well." What he means is that it is somewhat easier to serve the Lord and work with fervor in His name when you possess the energy of youth. It's harder when you are exhausted from life, when your body has worn down and you have more aches and pains than passions. I think women, at least women like me that have a hard time with pregnancy, have a sort of warm-up for old age.

Sort of a weird thought for today, I suppose. I think it came to me as I began to notice that I was groaning and waddling and tiring out as easily as the ninety-year-old woman who sits next to me in choir. But as hard as it is to imagine living this way with no end in sight, no birth of a baby to free me from the physical toll being taken on my body, I'm inspired by her determination. After all, she's still in choir. She's not sitting at home waiting to die. She's living for the Lord as best as she can no matter her situation.

I guess if she can do it for the long run, I can do it for a few more weeks.

Going Green

I want to go green. I honestly, positively do from the bottom of my heart. It bothers me that my fellow Americans and I consume so incredibly much, abusing the earth by filling it with garbage and smog and acting like there are no consequences.

It troubles me the attitude that Christians have had concerning the world we have been put in charge of by the Creator. I've actually heard it said that it doesn't matter what we do with the earth because Jesus is coming back soon anyway.

I believe He's coming soon more than I believe in my own existence. That's not the point. The point is that God gave man a job to do at the very dawn of life. He told us to take care of the world and all the creatures that lived in it. We don't need a single other reason to do so. We should do it because He said so and it would please Him.

But obviously it would be to our own benefit as well. Who wants to live in a dirty world?

It's at this point that it gets sticky. So far, the only people interested in saving the earth are liberals who believe the theory of global warming. Radicals who would rather use grain in biofuels than to feed the hungry in poorer countries. What Christian could in good conscience go along with the ideas that are so obviously formed on the panic of living without a knowledge or belief in the God who created and sustains this world until He's ready to make a new one?

So I think it's time for Christians to make our own decision to "go green" in our thinking. There's no reason to consume so much. There's no reason for us to live like it doesn't matter. Recycling, buying organic or natural products, using less fuel and making less garbage are goals that each of us can and should work toward, because God wants us to. Be creative, think of ways that you can make a little bit of difference in the way you live. Try to get by with fewer diapers. Use washable water bottles instead of disposable. Take a walk or a bike ride for family night instead of getting in the car and going somewhere. Put a bin in your garage and throw your cardboard and other recyclable material in it and arrange for it to be picked up, or just drop it off at an appropriate site when it gets full. You'll be surprised how quickly it becomes habit.

Just a few suggestions, in view of the beautiful resources God has given us in this world. No need to panic, no need to despair that God does not have it under control. But every reason in the world to take care of what He gave us as a gift. To show our appreciation.

This picture is my dad's. You can see more of his photography on his website, link is on the left.

Thoughts on Parenthood

Busy days, growing lives

sometimes it's hard to realize

that these precious hours are some day gone

fading into distant song

What will I do with a moment in time

when you are here and you are mine

what will I do and be and say

to lead you on in the only Way?

Your high pitched voice, your childish lisp

carried away with a gentle wisp

This day will be a memory

Lord, make me ready to set you free.