You’ve memorized lots of things: spelling words, birthday/anniversary dates, network passwords … Pick a Bible verse to memorize this week.
What does skin care have to do with my spiritual walk? (Prayer devotional for the week of Sept. 25)
A long time ago, I instituted the post-shower “sniff test” to ensure that the boys actually used shampoo instead of just rinsing off their hair (or, in some cases, “forgetting” to get it wet at all). Now that they know I’m serious about hygiene, I’ve been trying to encourage the older boys to get into the habit of washing their faces regularly, too. One asked why you have to wash your face if you don’t have any pimples. Well, do you wait to put on deodorant until after you start to stink? It’s preventative.
We also talked about how drinking water is important for our skin, because it helps the skin from the inside out. When you put good things in your body like water and veggies, then your body simply works better. Our bodies thrive on nutritious foods.
So, what does this have to do with anything spiritual? When we don’t take care of our bodies on the inside, it shows on the outside. And, not to take the b.o. illustration too far, but when our spiritual lives stink, it spoils everything else. If we wouldn’t want to live in a sweat-reeking locker room, then why would we want to live with foul attitudes and worldly behaviors that make the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) look like rotten produce?
We need water to survive – and to thrive. Similarly, we need to feed our spirit good things, as well. “[M]an does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3b). God’s Word is nourishment to our souls. Read it. Memorize it. Share it. Live it.
What time is it?
*Disclaimer to any men folk reading: You might just want to skip this post. You’ve been warned.
Ok, ladies – here’s the deal: Since I had a hysterectomy a few years back [let us pause for a moment of silent hallelujah], I don’t know what my hormonal cycle is up to. When I’m having a rough day (or days on end, as the case may be), sometimes I wonder if it’s just work/the kids/school/grief/whatever or if it’s PMS, and I just don’t know it. I can’t point to the calendar and have an obvious answer for why I’m feeling bummed.
Over-sharing? Perhaps. I’m still thankful that I don’t have to explain feminine hygiene products to the boys when they go rummaging through my bathroom cabinet looking for a Band-aid. 😉
Prayer prompt for Saturday, Sept. 24
Commit to the Lord today to building a strong foundation for your own life and your family. Live authentically.
Foodie Friday: Spinach
Spinach is like the nerd in high school who isn’t appreciated until years after graduation, when everyone else is struggling to make ends meet living paycheck-to-paycheck and the doesn’t-wear-Coke-bottle-glasses-anymore-because-they-can-afford-Lasik-and-you-can’t nerd is pulling six figures, filing patents and publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Then, everyone takes notice.
Spinach is one of my favorite foods now, though I must admit that I turned up my nose at it when I was younger. I love fresh spinach in salads, but my favorite way to eat spinach is with eggs. 
This morning, I made a spinach omelet, and I wish I could’ve shared a bite of it with you, because this picture doesn’t do it justice.
It was scrumptious, and such a healthy way to start my day!
For the record, some of my best friends were nerds. Heck, I was a nerd. I do prefer the more recently en vogue term “geek,” though. 😉
My impending mid-life crisis
One of these days, when I finally succumb to a [perfectly excusable, inevitable, you-would-too-if-you-had-five-boys] mid-life crisis, I want to get one of these:
1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe. Image (c) Kevin Campbell - I hope Mr. Campbell doesn't mind me swooning over his beautiful machine, which I noticed that he entered in the Cops & Rodders Car Show in Tuscon, AZ, a few years ago. (Source: http://www.copsandrodderstucson.org/carphotos.html)
It is a 1988 Ford Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, and I used to own one. Mine had a 5-speed manual transmission, moon roof, all kinds of engine specs that make men drool and a trunk that could hold two or three bodies (just guessing on that last spec).
I bought it used in college after my Ford Escort was totaled by a young man who shall remain nameless, but I’ll give you a hint: he ended up becoming my husband. (He says I hold grudges, but I swear that I haven’t mentioned that particular incident in YEARS. And whenever it did come up, he always reminded me that I got my sweet T-Bird out of the deal. So, I suppose it worked out in the end.)
Why don’t I still have it? Well, that’s a long story, but here’s the nutshell: I felt led to go overseas to teach English with a nonprofit education group after graduation, but I had to raise my own support. My home church and friends and family were very generous in helping me toward my goal, but I don’t exactly hobnob with the uppity-ups, so I had to sell the car.
Logically, I know that it wouldn’t be practical to have today; after all, you can only seat two comfortably, though I suppose a contortionist could squeeze into the back “seat.” It’s not a family car. It’s a sports car.
So … perhaps I can get one in 10 years when the youngest monkeys are going on 17, except then the car will be 33 years old and probably worth more as a “classic” than I will be able to afford with two Juniors, a Senior, another Junior in college and a Senior in college.
Goodness gracious … what did I just write?!? Perhaps the crisis part of the mid-life crisis will hit me sooner than that! LOL! O.o
Prayer prompt for Friday, Sept. 23
Who have you blamed for your failures? Confess it to God, for starters, and if possible, ask that person’s forgiveness today.
Playing the odds
In case you haven’t heard, a 6-ton dead satellite is slated to plummet to the Earth sometime today or tomorrow. Am I the only one who finds it odd that scientists can calculate with uncanny precision the landing point for a rover to Mars, yet experts don’t know where this satellite will land? Granted, it will burn up and break into chunks as it falls through the atmosphere, but still …
The Scientific American forecasts that there is a mere 1:3,200 chance that the debris will hit some poor schmuck on the planet, which works out to a 1:27 trillion chance that you (or I) will get hit. Comparatively speaking, the odds of winning the Texas Lotto jackpot are nearly 1:26 million.
Give or take a few zeros, I still find it ironic that people count on winning the lottery but dismiss the chance of being hit by space debris.
So, if several tons of flaming metal happens land on my office building, please be sure to tell the amazing tale to my grandkids for me someday. I’ll be rockin’ in worship on Glory’s side.
Prayer prompt for Thursday, Sept. 22
Sin may seem like no big deal at the time, but don’t be fooled; the snake from Genesis is still up to tricks (2 Corinthians 11:14).
Writing Wednesday: Finding time
I’m starting to feel the crunch of the semester this week. I have a mid-term exam next week that consists of nine essay questions with a 2.5-hr window in which to write/type. (The test is timed, and there is no grace to pause or restart.)
In fact, I’m using a vacation day to catch up on reading and prep for the exam. My evenings are ok for reading and brief assignments, but sometimes I have to carve out a few hours to really focus. If I can’t do that on a weekend, then I am thankful that I have vacation time to use. Some vacation, eh? Ha!
As soon as that exam is finished, I have two term papers to write. One of them is 20-30 pages, and from what I know of that prof, I should probably err on the 30 end. Oi vey. I have begun some preliminary research for the term papers, but my first priority is to knock out the exam. The prof gave some general topics that we need to be mindful of, so I am going to take that as a hint and write up some generic paragraph prompts to help the essays go more smoothly during crunch time.
Prayers for clarity of mind and time to focus are much appreciated!
faith, sweat & tears 