Thank God it's Friday!

Woohoo!

Here's what I'm thankful for today:

1. The best part of a three day weekend

Last weekend was a three day weekend, so this week was a four day work week. It's Friday! Hallelujah!

2. Friends that make time for me

Some of my favorite people are the busiest. I am grateful that I was able to connect with several of them this week via email or in-person chats. I always feel more grounded after touching base with friends I haven't seen in a while. I also feel energized after talking and listening to people about real joys and real problems. I also had lunch with my favorite friend, my husband. 

3. Keeping caught up with homework

Another school week down, another week I was able to complete all my homework! If you would like to read my UMC Book of Discipline, you can borrow it at the end of the semester. I am fascinated by it! 

4. Surprises

I have another friend who sent me a giant happy book. I checked the mail on Tuesday and there was a huge box for me. My friend Jennifer had sent me volume 1 of the best Bible dictionary available. I was ecstatic! (See picture? Excited!) 

5. Labor Day weekend perfection

Last weekend we had family and other loved ones come over and swim and eat and laugh. Several times I laughed so hard I couldn't breathe. Listening to discussions of certain presidential candidates almost made me spit water across the back room.  Yelling girly words to distract the men from listening to our conversation was hilarious as well.

6. First presentation down

Yesterday in my Methodist History and Doctrine class, I made a presentation about a John Wesley sermon. I was anxious, but it went well. If you would like an explanation of John Wesley's views of "Circumcision of the Heart" let me know and I will share a beautiful handout with you.

7. Grown up conversations with kids

I called the house yesterday from campus and spoke with Claire. We had the best conversation. It's so fun to hear her speak like an adult, advocate for what she wants, and be silly. I am so proud of both of my children and their beautiful hearts and hilarious personalities.

8. Miracles of time and space

Yesterday when I woke up, I realized it was one of those days with a milion puzzle pieces in my schedule and not a clue as to how they would all fit together. But through the miracle of the time and space continuum, I finished my homework and presentation, made it to class, and made it to both meetings I had to attend. I also met Adam and picked up dinner for the kids. By the end of the day I felt like I had lived two days.

9. AC repairmen on call

We love our air conditioner repairman. We love him! If you need a recommendation, please let me know. He'll be featured at Casa Boyette today because something is wrong with our unit. 

10. Connecting the dots

I'm taking two classes that are focused on history right now. It's exciting to me to go back and re-learn some history that I've known for years but through a theological lens. I love stories about the Tudors, but now I'm learning about the role of the church in the Tudors history. And connecting the dots between the first churches and the history of Methodism and history I've known before gives me pause and several "aha!" moments.

Seeing a miracle

I saw a miracle yesterday and it lead to all sorts of theological thoughts and debates.
I was driving to church to take the kids to VBS.  We were about to turn onto Hulen street when I noticed there was a giant tanker truck in the middle of the road, stopped.  The truck looked fine, and I know there is not any road construction at that intersection, so I started paying attention to what was going on.  Then I noticed there was a Grand Prix underneath the tanker truck.  There was a car completely under the wheel well of this giant truck.  We all hear about tragic wrecks like this which usually end in death. 
But as I was looking at the car the miracle happened.  The driver's side door opened and the driver got out of her car and walked safely to the side of the road unharmed.
My mouth hung open and the kids were shouting, "What's going on?"  The Grand Prix was obviously undrivable and the roof had been partly crushed down.  But the lady walked out of the wreck unscathed.  It was a miracle.
So while the kids, in particular Claire, was saying, "Thank God she was okay," I thought about God's role in that drama.
I do believe that the lady should thank God that she is alive.  I'm sure she was.  However, I don't actually believe she is alive because she might have prayed in the accident or was favored by God.  I don't think it works like that.
I believe God has infinite power that he doesn't always use.  I don't believe that he looked at the lady and said, "Oh she's a Jesus lover.  She should live."  I also don't believe that in the same situation God would think, "Oh, she's a hellion.  Death upon her."
I believe that God stays out of the details but comes in with love at every turn.
My thoughts led to a theological discussion with one of my ministers, who told me he is mulling over the phrase "self-limiting."  God has infinite power but values human freedom so much that he chooses to self-limit.  Jesus is the ultimate example of God self-limiting.  The divine came down in human form, self-limiting himself (or herself or itself).
So if God created humans to fellowship with him, it's not really fair if he keeps swooping down to fix the bad stuff.  Instead, I believe he provides healing and love in all situations.  I believe that every time you feel love, you are experiencing God.
I do believe in miracles, and I also believe that in the grand scheme of things, my little brain will never be able to understand all of God's power.  However, humans are always asking why bad things happen to good people and this is one answer.