My kids think I'm a nerd because I know the words to "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and half the answers on Jeopardy! and I like classical music and oldies (other than 50's or 70's, which they also like now). So don't tell them about this nerdiness - I love it when my things are well-organized. I've been reading and implementing a book called "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, who strongly recommends filing everything in folders with printed labels. I had things all over the house, in binders and boxes and school folders, but I'm gradually moving everything into one file cabinet. I find myself smiling as I go to create a new file folder, or file a piece of paper or a receipt, because the system is so good. I know I'll be able to find these things when I need them.
The other two books I'm currently reading for implementation are "The Simple Living Guide" by Janet Luhrs, and "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" by Peter Scazzero. These three books are good to read together because they are complementary. The gist of the first is that if you can get everything off your mind and onto paper in a good system, then the power of your mind will be unleashed and you'll get more things done. The gist of the second is that we are seduced by our modern culture into believing that happiness comes from getting more things done and having more things, and we need to release expectations and things in order to find true happiness, which is found in relationships with people. The third, the only Christian book in the bunch, argues that many of us are missing out on God's best for us because we have never grown up emotionally, even if we are frenetically "growing" spiritually. "Mature spirituality and emotional health are inseparable." So the three books balance each other out, and while I'm getting more things done, I won't mistake that for the source of my happiness or for mature spirituality.
But I do love a good system!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Little Reminder
I've been stressed out lately, with seemingly endless lists of things to do and prepare and reorganize now that summer's here and I'm not teaching history, English and math. So when I snagged my wedding ring on my sweater and realized one of the little diamonds was gone, it seemed to fit right in. I do have my ring cleaned and checked every year, but there's something about the prongs that wear down regularly. I had no idea how long the diamond had been missing or where it might have fallen out, so I was quite sure I would never see it again. I found the grace to be thankful that, unlike the time several years ago that I lost my big diamond (and found it), we do have the money to replace the gem.
Because I found the big diamond by sweeping the entire floor, I decided to try that again. I threw a little prayer into the air (as I saw it) - "Lord, it'd sure be nice if I could find that thing." Pete had also prayed that I would find it. As I walked from the bedroom to the kitchen to get a broom, I noticed a sparkle on the carpet. I leaned down and grasped - the diamond! I couldn't believe it - what were the odds?
This was a little reminder from God that He is perfectly capable of working things out. May I trust Him in the little things, the medium-sized things AND the big things.
Because I found the big diamond by sweeping the entire floor, I decided to try that again. I threw a little prayer into the air (as I saw it) - "Lord, it'd sure be nice if I could find that thing." Pete had also prayed that I would find it. As I walked from the bedroom to the kitchen to get a broom, I noticed a sparkle on the carpet. I leaned down and grasped - the diamond! I couldn't believe it - what were the odds?
This was a little reminder from God that He is perfectly capable of working things out. May I trust Him in the little things, the medium-sized things AND the big things.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Summer Softball
The slow-pitch softball season has begun! Each week, between fast- and slow-pitch, six or seven games feature someone from our house. Never have I missed my voice so much as now, when I can't yell and cheer for the teams - I sit in the bleachers and lamely clap.
Svea Church has two teams - one in the Bronze League, and one in the Silver (that one should probably be in the Gold - they won 38-0 last week). The Bronze League team consists of eleven Svea youth, ages 13-19; three friends, ages 16-19, and a mom. Our coach is the fantastic Jerry, who played on a state champion slow-pitch team years ago, but who has a perfect perspective for a church league team. Everyone plays as soon as they're ready; everyone bats (the league has a special rule allowing that). Most of the players don't play sports in school, although we do have a couple of girls' softball players, including our Sarah, and a baseball player.
Our record is now 2-2, but that is irrelevant to how we (coach, players and spe
c- tators) feel about the season so far. We derive great satisfaction from seeing how much improved the team is. Last year, if a ball flew to our outfield, the runner almost always got to second base at least; this year, the outfielders are able to either catch it outright, or field it and throw it in to hold the runner at first, a good portion of the time. They are aware of the "cutoff" player, and thinking about the game as it unfolds. The infield is even better. John, the pitcher, knows the game and remains aware of every situation; he saves the others from many mistakes by calling out what they should do. The first baseman, Liz, snags balls thrown to her, or speedily tracks them down if they are overthrown a bit. Our Sarah, having played third base on the 9th-grade team this year, has improved her throwing speed and accuracy across the diamond. Last week the entire team played almost flawless defense - which is the area I enjoy watching the most. Our hitting is slowly improving as well.
One of the umpires mentioned to me once that he loves refereeing church softball, and especially Svea's games. We shine in three areas of sportsmanship. First, our players encourage each other. Last week Rusty, a three-year veteran of the team, hit a great smash to the outfield and took advantage of an error to race home, along with the other 2 base runners. The cheering and backslapping went on for quite some time, because Rusty hasn't had a lot of batting success in the past. The very next inning, in the outfield, Rusty caught a well-hit ball and quickly funneled it in to the second baseman. We joked that he was a one-man team, and everyone was very excited for him. This is typical of our team.
Secondly, our coach stresses good sportsmanship. Often we play against teams who dominate us because they are made up of grown men - sometimes in the wrong league, but not always. Occasionally some opponents will sneer, mutter, or even make inappropriate comments or actions on the field. Not Svea - when we beat another team 15-0, everyone tried his best and didn't rub it in. Jerry always says, "You have nothing to be ashamed of" if the team did its best, no matter the score.
Thirdly, our fans are the greatest. While other teams frequently have empty bleachers, Svea always has a good contingent of cheerleaders. One year we did the can-can whenever a player hit a home run (fortunately there weren't too many!). Several of us have Svea softball T-shirts to wear. And we are relentlessly positive, never cheering against the opposing team, and even congratulating them on exceptional plays.
I know I'm bragging, but I love church softball! And I take no credit for it; Jerry and the team are just great!
Svea Church has two teams - one in the Bronze League, and one in the Silver (that one should probably be in the Gold - they won 38-0 last week). The Bronze League team consists of eleven Svea youth, ages 13-19; three friends, ages 16-19, and a mom. Our coach is the fantastic Jerry, who played on a state champion slow-pitch team years ago, but who has a perfect perspective for a church league team. Everyone plays as soon as they're ready; everyone bats (the league has a special rule allowing that). Most of the players don't play sports in school, although we do have a couple of girls' softball players, including our Sarah, and a baseball player.
Our record is now 2-2, but that is irrelevant to how we (coach, players and spe
c- tators) feel about the season so far. We derive great satisfaction from seeing how much improved the team is. Last year, if a ball flew to our outfield, the runner almost always got to second base at least; this year, the outfielders are able to either catch it outright, or field it and throw it in to hold the runner at first, a good portion of the time. They are aware of the "cutoff" player, and thinking about the game as it unfolds. The infield is even better. John, the pitcher, knows the game and remains aware of every situation; he saves the others from many mistakes by calling out what they should do. The first baseman, Liz, snags balls thrown to her, or speedily tracks them down if they are overthrown a bit. Our Sarah, having played third base on the 9th-grade team this year, has improved her throwing speed and accuracy across the diamond. Last week the entire team played almost flawless defense - which is the area I enjoy watching the most. Our hitting is slowly improving as well.One of the umpires mentioned to me once that he loves refereeing church softball, and especially Svea's games. We shine in three areas of sportsmanship. First, our players encourage each other. Last week Rusty, a three-year veteran of the team, hit a great smash to the outfield and took advantage of an error to race home, along with the other 2 base runners. The cheering and backslapping went on for quite some time, because Rusty hasn't had a lot of batting success in the past. The very next inning, in the outfield, Rusty caught a well-hit ball and quickly funneled it in to the second baseman. We joked that he was a one-man team, and everyone was very excited for him. This is typical of our team.
Secondly, our coach stresses good sportsmanship. Often we play against teams who dominate us because they are made up of grown men - sometimes in the wrong league, but not always. Occasionally some opponents will sneer, mutter, or even make inappropriate comments or actions on the field. Not Svea - when we beat another team 15-0, everyone tried his best and didn't rub it in. Jerry always says, "You have nothing to be ashamed of" if the team did its best, no matter the score.
Thirdly, our fans are the greatest. While other teams frequently have empty bleachers, Svea always has a good contingent of cheerleaders. One year we did the can-can whenever a player hit a home run (fortunately there weren't too many!). Several of us have Svea softball T-shirts to wear. And we are relentlessly positive, never cheering against the opposing team, and even congratulating them on exceptional plays.
I know I'm bragging, but I love church softball! And I take no credit for it; Jerry and the team are just great!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
More Thoughts on Unity
Last week I heard about a charitable foundation which had been transferred to the second generation - the grandfather had started the foundation, and now the father was in charge. Recently there was a request for a sizable donation from an organization the foundation had never given to before, and the father called his children before he said yes. He believed it was a good cause and wanted to give, and he had the perfect right to do so unilaterally, but he wanted unity in the decision. It was easy, because the children all agreed right away, but I found it interesting that he asked.
Another example of seeking unity that came to my mind was "John" and "Bill" (not their real names), business partners that I know. They have been working together for over 40 years, and John likes to brag, "We've never had to vote the stock," by which he means they have always come to agreement over the major decisions they've had to make. Each of these men jokes about the times when the other exercised veto power over an idea - Bill says, "John said it could be anywhere in the US as long as it was within 30 miles of home." Or John says, "I just do whatever Bill says." No doubt they have made a poor decision or two, or missed out on a great opportunity or two, because of that policy, but I have no doubt that in the long run, their business is much stronger. Not to mention the awesome example of partnership they present, to the point that the next generation believes working together is not only possible, but preferable, for many years to come. John and Bill have run their business more like a marriage, or a church, than the typical American business. Unfortunately, of course, most American marriages and churches are run more like businesses - "my way or the highway."
We expect that once Michelle is married, she will seek and find unity with her husband no matter what she has to give up, including family, country or all her dreams and goals. None of us knows the future. All the more reason to pursue and insist on unity on that most major of all decisions - who to marry.
Another example of seeking unity that came to my mind was "John" and "Bill" (not their real names), business partners that I know. They have been working together for over 40 years, and John likes to brag, "We've never had to vote the stock," by which he means they have always come to agreement over the major decisions they've had to make. Each of these men jokes about the times when the other exercised veto power over an idea - Bill says, "John said it could be anywhere in the US as long as it was within 30 miles of home." Or John says, "I just do whatever Bill says." No doubt they have made a poor decision or two, or missed out on a great opportunity or two, because of that policy, but I have no doubt that in the long run, their business is much stronger. Not to mention the awesome example of partnership they present, to the point that the next generation believes working together is not only possible, but preferable, for many years to come. John and Bill have run their business more like a marriage, or a church, than the typical American business. Unfortunately, of course, most American marriages and churches are run more like businesses - "my way or the highway."
We expect that once Michelle is married, she will seek and find unity with her husband no matter what she has to give up, including family, country or all her dreams and goals. None of us knows the future. All the more reason to pursue and insist on unity on that most major of all decisions - who to marry.
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