Love is in the Stars

I'm reading C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters right now, so that might give you some insight into my thoughts on how, exactly, we might be deceived in our everyday lives. In nearly every chapter, I've discerned something that rings true to me personally and am heeding bits of wisdom hidden within. If you haven't read this fictitious account of a devil's attempt to capture a human soul, it is not as "scary" as it sounds and truly a worthwhile read.

Back to my thought process. I'm examining my thoughts and intentions, my attitudes and actions lately and although I learn a lot from a man like C.S. Lewis or any number of the current Christian books, it is the Bible that holds the Truth that sustains me. It is only this book that reveals itself deeper each time I read it as if hidden doors lie within.

This was not always my M.O. Back in the day I was a seeker...of God, certainly, but really of anything and everything. I was disconnected to God and therefore sought connection with any substitute. This could be a person. This could be a group of people. This could even be "the Universe." As I floated through my life on a whim, allowing any and every sign to dictate my day, I was especially fond of the daily horoscope. I'm a Pisces and would find the words written for me (and about 1/12 of the human population) to be very personal. Often, I would allow those words of advice or wisdom to linger in my head. If I were out at night and my horoscope said "Beware of tall dark strangers bearing gifts," I would not accept a drink from a brunette. This is tongue in cheek, but you understand what I mean. I would allow the horoscope or any other sign for that matter, Chinese fortune cookie, shooting star, etc, to alter my reality.

Years later, my reality has been transformed by the truth of the gospel: that God gave his only son to die for my sins, so that I may have eternal (and abundant life). John 3:16. I am no longer disconnected to God but am connected to him through his Grace and son Jesus. I am still a major work in progress. In fact, I never feel closer to the truth of this gospel of Divine Grace and Mercy than when I am painfully conscious of just how human and fallible I am. I try to earnestly seek God, ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and try not to be swayed by signs and symbols or horoscopes anymore. I try to "test every spirit" by running it through prayer, and God's Holy word. I don't always succeed, yet I try.

So this morning, I decided to take a quick peek at the horoscopes, my head and heart being far from where I used to be. I haven't looked at them in years, but I no longer fear what they may or may not say. I told myself that yes, the horoscope would seem eerily written for me, but that didn't mean it was MY Truth, and then I turned the page. You know what? Every single horoscope could have been written for me. Why? Because every human has the same desires, needs and fears. If someone wanted to deceive swarms of unsuspecting and good-hearted seeking people, they might easily be able to do it as we all truly want direction, and we truly want to hear what we want to hear. That we're loved. That we belong. That good things are possible. I always wanted to "matter" to the Universe, and with the horoscope and other such readings I got that- a sense that I mattered. Turn on the television or the radio, pick up a book, read a blog post. You'll find someone somewhere confirming what you want to hear.

Once I had signs and uncertainty. Now, though Christ, I certainly have much more than that. Much more than I deserve and more and more and more to explore.

Here are the horoscopes in today's paper in mixed up order. Can you guess which one the Universe wrote just for you?

Put more time and effort into money matters. Look over contracts and make adjustments you feel should be bringing higher returns.

Avoid hasty decisions or making assumptions without having all the facts. A mistake involving someone you care about can end up being costly. Keep things under control by fulfilling your responsibilities.

A trip or attending an event will encourage meeting new people and discussions that will get you thinking about your future and your options.

You may want to make changes to your home or surroundings, but before you jump in, make sure you can afford what you want to do.

Don't jump to conclusions or take actions in haste. Wait and see what transpires before making a decision. Pampering should be scheduled.

A change of location or doing something special with someone will bring you closer together. Whether you are single or in a relationship, socializing will enhance your love life.

Keep the peace. Use charm and take a sophisticated approach to anything you are asked to do. Love will change your life.

A change in your financial situation is apparent. Look at job offers and fill out applications that can lead to better earnings. Love is in the stars.

Uncertainty is likely to overcome you, making it difficult to decide what to do next. Take a close look at personal papers and go over your options thoroughly.

Stick to the truth. You will be caught if you embellish or offer a false excuse. Do your bit when asked for help, or at least offer solutions that are doable. Love is in the stars.

Approach money matters carefully. If someone pushes you to make a quick decision, back away. You can't buy respect, but you can gain it.

OK, humans, if I might summarize our horoscope for today:
Be cautious when dealing with money or making decisions. Be trustworthy and pamper yourself. Get out and live a little because love is in the stars!

:)

DO Diligence

Sometimes I like being lazy.

Some of my best memories from this summer are the quiet, lazy moments I've had with my family...lying on the couch doing nothing but watching Sponge Bob with my son...listening to the quiet as I stand outside my daughter's door and watch her sleeping late...sitting still so my cat can purr on my lap and rest.

Don't get me wrong, we had excitement, went on trips and drove and played hard, went to the movies, gave birthday parties, shopped and swam. But the lazy times--and the fact that I was so conscious of the fact that I was being lazy--are what I'll hold on to when the vigor of school life and teaching kick up again in the next few weeks.

Sometimes lazy is exactly what you need. Rest. Respite. Deep breaths of nothingness.

But sometimes, laziness can become a way of life. I know, because I used to be very lazy in my former days, and still, I have days when the temptation is there in the form of procrastination. But there is much to do, I know this now, "and miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep."

Lately, I'm learning endurance. Lately, I'm learning that you can't take shortcuts to greatness or great achievements. I'm learning it the hard way, the only way...through enduring. I'll just admit to the world that I'm training again for a big race--bigger than I've ever run. This race is so big, it's God-big for me, and I need a big God to see me through. I just began training two days ago, and although I've run 1.5-3 miles regularly this summer in this amazing heat, things are heating up. I'm waking up early (for me) and being diligent to eat and drink properly, to have the right clothing and shoes, to get my mp3 player loaded and ready. And when I open the door and the humidity is so thick you could spread it like butter, I head out and take step after step because I have to do my due diligence in this training. There are no easy steps. There are no shortcuts. I have to do this right. Knowing this gets me out of bed when the alarm goes off and my head tells me to hit snooze again.

Why am I training again? After all, I ran my first half-marathon in January. For a non-runner like me, isn't that enough? Isn't it enough to have run a half-marathon and check that off my bucket list? Once upon a time, I would have told you yes. But now, something else has taken over. This learning endurance has changed the way I do things. I don't just like having run the race, I like Running.

Meet ED and ING

I used to spend a lot of time with ED. You know him. He's the guy that tells you what you've done before. How you livED in such and such house that was bigger than the one you're in now. How you lookED much younger ten years ago. How you lovED the way you felt when you were dating your soon-to-be-spouse. How he treatED you differently. Yes, ED can keep you mired in the past. Spending time with ED prompts sighs and oh wells and discontentment with your current situation.

Alternately, ED can make you feel better about yourself than you really should. ED can promote laziness and cutting corners, if you don't keep an eye on him. I remember several years ago, I was working with my very talented and patient out-of-house editor, Rachelle Gardner. I think we'd come to a sticky spot in a manuscript I was working on, when I felt like I didn't have any choices. I attempted to do the easiest thing to fix said problem when Rachelle saw right through it and set me in my place. Sure, I had published three or four novels at the time and thought I had it going on, but as she put it, You can never rest on your laurels. You have to keep challenging yourself to get better and better. Or something to that effect. At first it felt like a bee sting, but the more I rubbed it, the truer it rang.

I was quite pleased to have written. I WROTE several novels. Those were the laurels I was resting on. What I've come to understand fully these days it that it doesn't mean a hill of beans what I did in the past. Big deal. The past is where ED lives and where he wants to keep me.

Now, meet ING. She's young and hip and the future. She has momentum and good ideas. She picks me up and keeps me going. What matters is what I am doING now. What am I doing now? I am writING. I am runnING, trainING, lovING, livING, constantly movING forward, growING in my faith, learnING, listenING, waitING, wantING, laughING, blessING, honorING, hopING, expectING good things.

Who cares if I did all these things in the past? That was then and this is now.

So how about you? Who were you before? Did you like that person? Yes? No? Did you do things you were proud or ashamed of? What matters is what you DO from this moment on. Are you likING the person you are now?

I listened to a sermon by Christine Caine not long ago and she said something to this effect: Some people get mired in what God once did in their lives. I've done this. I watched God do mighty things with my marriage, my children, and my career. I told everyone about these things. I couldn't help it. Look what God did! But Caine said something that perked up my ears. She said it is wonderful what God has done in your life, but don't get stuck there. Look around you. What is God doING now?

I don't know about you, but I want to see God movING in my life all the time. Sometimes, when it seems life has stallED like an old stubborn car, it takes doING the small things again, the diligent things, to start seeING God's presence. Little things that may not seem like much. Reading scripture every day like brushing your teeth. Hugging your children. Smiling at your spouse. Washing the dishes. Cleaning the house. Lacing up your shoes and heading out the door to get some exercise. When ED seems to have deceived you into thinking that God once movED in your life and never will again--don't believe it. Start being diligent in the little things and watch how sometimes the little things are more important than you think.

Final Illustration
I've been thinking about this topic for a while, but I read an article in the Post and Courier today about a man who was a disgruntled employee at a dialysis clinic in West Columbia. He had been suspended for luring elderly people into the clinic and supplying them with narcotics. Upset that he had been asked to leave the facility, he allegedly sneaked back in that Saturday night and poured bleach into the water tank that was to be used for the dialysis machines.

"We believe that this individual, with full knowledge and intent to harm or kill these clients coming in for dialysis, that he knew what he was doing and that this would kill the patients who would receive this contaminated water while they underwent dialysis treatment in the clinic," (Sherriff) Metts said.

Apparently there were 20 patients scheduled for treatment on Monday. Twenty lives about to be taken.

"Thank goodness, his plan failed due to the fact that the technicians, even though they had checked the water on Saturday afternoon after they finished all of their clients for the day and took no clients on Sunday and was going to begin back on Monday, they went through their checks and found the high contamination of the chlorine in the water," Metts said.

Thank goodness, indeed. It seems that God worked in a mighty way that day, sparing the lives of those 20 people and thwarting such an evil plot. And how did he work? Through diligence. The technicians could have cut one little corner and not tested the water. They'd probably done it a thousand times with no issue. But they decided to take the time and do it one more time.

^"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:15-16

What is it that you are so tired of doing? Did you do something great once and now you're tired and ready to pack it in? Are you not seeing results quickly enough in your diet or exercise, in your prayer life, in your love life, in your walk with God? It doesn't have to be so difficult. The tortoise really does win the race because he moves along diligently and doesn't give up.

I'll remember my own words in a couple days when I set out for my next run in this Lowcountry heat. The old me would have given up long ago, I assure you, but the new me knows I have an all-Powerful God ever-present in my life, livING, and lovING, and coachING me to the finish line.