Pardon me while I ramble

What kind of society have we become when only the sensational gets our attention? We have created a carnivorous culture speckled in extremes. We watch the news and most of the stories do not faze us. Death is not tragic until it involves some measure of violence. Victories don’t count unless you’ve singlehandedly upended the forerunner. Love stories don’t matter unless you’ve overcome some extraordinary odds to be together. Testimonies are no longer relevant until you see something physically impossible become possible. So, what happened to slow and steady wins the race? We’ve all heard the stories of the person who was miraculously healed from cancer, to the astonishment of their doctor. We’ve heard the story of the person who struggled with physical pain and was miraculously healed. We’ve heard the one about the person in the throes of addiction whom God set free. Praise God! These are truly things to rejoice over. I believe that wholeheartedly. I also believe that we sometimes miss the mark. Sometimes, God’s miracles are astonishing. Sometimes God works in small, and yet, equally phenomenal ways. What about someone who suffers with depression, but dragged themselves to church. What about the person who hurts all over, but still manages to stand in reverence? I will never forget watching a World War II vet in a wheel chair use every ounce of strength they could muster to stand at a parade as the American Flag passed. Patriotism was something they wholeheartedly believed in. It was a moment that changed me forever. What ever happened to rejoicing over someone’s faithfulness? Timothy praised God throughout his illnesses. Job praised God in the depths of despair. Peter suffered bodily ailment. Habakkuk was faithful through her barrenness. What about us? My grandmother was a woman with a soft spoken faith. She went to church every Sunday. She sat in the same spot, in the same pew, for 50 years. She was one of the most forgiving, gentle mannered women I have ever had the pleasure to know. That is not to say she didn’t speak her mind when necessary. Nevertheless, I knew two things to be true about this woman, she loved God and she loved others, just as Jesus commanded. She is someone who should be celebrated. She had a testimony that remains as ripples on a pond. I feel her influence every day of my life. Don’t get me wrong, she did some pretty unbelievable things. She was one of the first women in the coast guard in WWII. She was the first woman mail carrier in Albany, OR. She raised 4 children under four on almost nothing. She did it all with a grace that I couldn’t muster on my best day. I wish I would have celebrated it more while she was with us. If nothing else, I have learned that we should rejoice in the small victories and give praise to God for all things good. “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50. We are commanded to give praise, to revere Christ as Lord and to always be ready to share the reason for our hope (1 Peter 3:15-17). My new mission is to do just that.

In loving memory

I got a new tattoo yesterday. The tattoo is in honor of my Grandmother, Marjorie Marie Crichton House. It is not just a meaningless tattoo to me. It is a tribute to one of the greatest ladies I have ever had the priviledge to know. Let me explain. My grandmother was a Coast Guard S.P.A.R. during WWII. After the war, she worked as a postal carrier. She was very proud of both of these achievements in life. What she was most proud of though, was her relationship with Christ. If you asked my Grandma the reason for her hope, she quoted 1 Peter 3:13-16 "Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." If you notice in verse 15, it says "Always be prepared". Not only was that the Coast Guard motto, it was my Grandmother's mission statement in life. As for the beads, anyone who knew grandma, knew that she loved her "Mardi Gras" pretties. I rarely saw her without beads. I placed the tat on my chest for two reasons. One, my grandmother was a very dear part of my life and is, and always will be, close to my heart. The second is, every time I place my hand over my heart to salute the flag, I will think of her. She is the one who taught me that you can be both Christian and patriotic. She served her country and her God with both perseverance and reverence.

Confession time

I just want to get it out in the open that I am a bad mom and a bad person. I use disposable diapers. I didn't breastfeed. I let my children drink out of plastic. My kids sometimes swallow their toothpaste, which has flouride in it. My boys watch TV daily. I don't make my own laundry and/or dish soap. I believe in my second ammendment rights to bear arms, including assault rifles. I don't have any inclination to "occupy wall street". My family eats processed foods with dyes in them. I intend to, and am currently sending my children to public school. Oh, and I don't own an environmentally friendly, well, anything. Oh, and my kids love McDonalds. All this to say that, sometimes our benign posts are not as benign as we think. Before posting, ask yourself this, 'How important is it that I get my opinion out there?' Think twice, post once. That's all I'm saying.