Ray of Sunshine

Have you ever met someone who is just a ray of light into your life? There's a girl at my church. I've known her since she was in middle school. She sings beautifully. And she's always been cute and funny and popular and everything I wasn't in high school--and only on my good days since. She's in college now, and I've gotten to know her better. She really is as good as she seems. Unfailingly smiling, sweet, enthusiastic and really focused on what God is doing--in her and through her. She sings at venues throughout the surrounding area. And her music.. it never fails to encourage me to look toward God, not to settle for less than His best--to press on even when we can't see the way, because we know Who does.

So thanks to Claire, for her joy and for still being everything I want to be. But more than anything, for giving me a happy song.

Hairapy

And now for a little distraction...

I've inherited much of my hair's personality from my mother. A little unruly.. a lot dry..a bit of frizz. I don't have a "bad hair day". I have a "good hair day" and then every other day is a matter of trying to recreate conditions to have another good one... with very little success.

This sad fact has come to my attention because today happens to be an excellent hair day. My hair dried perfect.. it's soft, shiny.. and is laying down like it's supposed to. A perfect hair day. WOW. And what was my most excellent plans for this evening.. hot date? Photo shoot? Some gala affair where perfect hair is a prerequisite for entrance?

Alas.. it was me in the laundry room for most of the evening and grabbing a bite to eat with my one of my bestest friends, attired in my laundry pants.

Sigh...God's time is an amazing thing, isn't it?

Ok.. that's it. No more posts about my hair. I promise.

Ache of Sorrow

So, it happened in a small mountain town in Virginia instead of in New York City on TV. It happened to college students and professors instead of average office workers and plane passengers going about their business. It happened because of one troubled young man with a gun, instead of an organized plot by a terrorist group.

And yet, the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech has troubled my heart even more than that horrific Tuesday morning in September in 2001. I think it's because I went to school in a small mountain town in Virginia. I was an RA. I was an English major. My greatest friends were at college. Outside my family, my professors were my first mentors.

And even now, I work with college students at church. One of my closest friends teaches at a university. And every time the news shows the pictures of those who were killed, I see those kids, that friend. It could've been any one of them. My heart aches, with sadness, and with thankfulness that mine were not involved.

And compared to the parents who sent their kids to school, only to have them never come home; compared to the classmates and roommates and friends of those lost; compared to all of those waiting for those smiling faces to return---my ache is so incredibly minor.

As we all grieve, I pray that we hold our loved ones closer, and keep those most affected in most fervent prayer. And to all the college students out there who feel a little unsteady since Monday--hang on to God. He'll uphold you. And to those at Virginia Tech--may you know God's peace and the comfort of His love.

Brave and new

I am so not brave. I pick the same thing at my favorite restaurants every time I go. I've never had my ears pierced. I don't go anywhere without a sweater.

I'm not afraid of normal things. Heights are not a problem...spiders don't freak me out...I can even clean the bathroom without rubber gloves...but bobble-head dolls? They are creepy.

But do you know what has always scared me the most? Change. I kept my first cell phone for five years. Shoes are sitting in my closet from high school...

And growing up? I've never wanted to be a grown-up. Not in the sense of I never wanted grown-up responsibilities, but I didn't want anything to change. Everything wasn't always good--far from it--but I wanted what I knew. The unknown is so scary.

But what I've been learning, is that I don't know anything. And if I stick to what I know, I'm going to have a very small life. Not only that, but change is the one thing that you can count on in this life--so we must face it. As much as I hate to admit that, hiding hasn't exactly been working.

So what do we do--when we long for consistency in a world that is always changing? We take God at His word and know He's the same yesterday, today and forever. Good to know some things, well... one thing... doesn't change.