The Pilgrims said what?!

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The first grade classes presented a Readers’ Theater play before the school’s annual Thanksgiving lunch this morning. In a nutshell, the kids took turns reading from a script to give them practice reading aloud in front of an audience. I was getting my camera ready to snap photos of my two guys, and a little girl’s voice caught me off-guard when the play started:

“I’m tired of this shi*!”

Wha?? It took me a few seconds to realize that she said ship, as in, Mayflower. Her character was complaining about how long the journey was and that she was ready to be on land again.

Heeheehee

Monday Musings: At the dinner table

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I can hear you chew;
Can’t I eat my meal in peace?
It turns my stomach.

I’m fully aware that everyone has their own pet peeves when it comes to mealtime. For example, I happen to love buffalo wings, but I realize they aren’t the daintiest food to eat. I try not to make a spectacle of myself and try to be conscientious of what other people see when I am eating, but there are probably some folks who are grossed out by seeing someone eat a plate of chicken wings.

Dinnertime at our house is not a somber affair; I don’t mind the boys talking and sharing about their day, as long as they don’t get rowdy or gross. We have an unconventional setup where the boys eat at the curved bar (perfect seating space for five), and the grown-ups have a small, round table in the breakfast nook. (We do have a table big enough for eight, but the “formal dining room” is our “study,” for all intents and purposes, so that table is a homework table more so than an eating table.)

There are two things, though, that really grate on my nerves: smacking and loud eating. Few things can make me lose my appetite as quickly as being able to hear someone else eat. I don’t know what it is, but there are times when I would just as soon leave the table than try to eat when I can hear someone else chewing or smacking.

Every member a minister

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There is an adage among public officials and church leaders (our pastors have described similar experiences in their own family): being a leader is like living in a fishbowl, where passers-by gawk at you and tap on the glass as if you were on exhibit. Ask any preacher’s kid or missionary family, and I’d bet you an ice-cold Diet Dr Pepper that they’d nod in agreement.

Aren’t leaders supposed to set a good example for others to follow? Certainly. The book of Hebrews encourages us to “consider the outcome of [our leaders’] way of life and imitate their faith” (13:7b). There’s a reason the cliché is “in the public eye.” Leaders in the church should be trustworthy people of integrity, folks who lead by example and don’t make fools of themselves (or the gospel). The problems begin, however, when we elevate our leaders on a pedestal so high that it becomes wobbly, and it is difficult to keep from crashing down. Being a leader can be like reality TV: every flaw, every faux-pas, every failure is grounds for criticism.

On the same token, if we envision leaders as some breed of Super-Christians, then how can any of us fill the role? Isn’t it just an excuse to claim that we don’t measure up, when really we simply aren’t willing to step up?

Have we forgotten that the apostles were ordinary guys? With the possible exceptions of Luke the physician, who was the equivalent of upper-middle class, and Matthew the tax collector, who might have been considered upper-class, most of the disciples were working-class fisherman, untrained in the synagogue beyond an elementary level. In other words, they were just like you and me.

Do you get that? Leadership isn’t limited to the elite, the well educated, the wealthy or the innately brave. The people Jesus called to follow him and perform miraculous wonders in his name (They raised the dead, y’all!!) were just average people who stepped out in faith and let God use them. How can we not be willing to do likewise?

Foodie Friday: lettuce wraps

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I don’t want my Foodie Friday posts to sound like advertisements (though I should probably clarify that they are not sponsored by anyone, just my humble opinion), but I wanted to tell you about my new favorite way to eat a sandwich: lettuce wraps! They are crunchy, hearty … and I don’t miss the bread at all!

Here are three of my faves, plus another that isn’t really a sandwich, but I love it, just the same:

  1. My first exposure to a low-carb burger option that was actually on the menu was at Hardee’s. We don’t have one nearby, but I like to stop there on roadtrips out of town. You can get a traditional burger or chicken sandwich made into a lettuce wrap, so it makes a great fast-food option for road trips.
  2. Apparently Jimmy John’s was already popular in other parts of the country, but my town just got two franchises very recently. Any of their sandwiches can be made into an “Unwich” lettuce wrap. My favorite is the tuna, but I also like the all-veggie option.
  3. One of the choices in the Student Center on campus is Mooyah, which offers an “Iceburger” option instead of bread. They also have yummy guacamole, which is always a winner, in my book.
  4. Last, but not least, I love the lettuce wraps at Pei Wei. They are pretty messy to eat, but they are scrumptious and really hit the spot when I’m craving Asian food.

 

So, there you have it — several options for “sandwiches” that won’t sabotage your carb count! Enjoy! 🙂