Day Seventeen - April 17, 2020
Today I awoke to freezing temperatures and frost on the windshield as we pulled out of the driveway to take the little one for her walk… She pranced through the fields and woods - full of life and joy!
The sun rose - reminding us of a brand new day!
*****
We’re slowly coming to the end of this incredibly bizarre college semester. All three of our kids are taking some form of college classes and will be so happy to have this particular semester completed. Kat is a full-time junior at Kutztown and is taking five incredibly dry, no-nonsense classes this semester. Yesterday, her morning statistic class had their exam beginning at 8pm - after she got home from work. Whew! I woke up this morning to a note tacked to the refrigerator, “Don’t mess with me - I got an 84% on my stats test - I dare you - …” Everytime I went into the refrigerator today, I had to laugh!
Right now the front of our refrigerator kind of mocks us… Typically, I write up our family schedule a month or two in advance - with fancy handwriting and colors… and post it on the fridge so we can all keep track of each other’s coming and going. Now, everyday or so we see the schedule and it reminds us of what we “thought we were going to do…” Tennis tournaments, doctor’s appointments, ministry work in NYC, Easter, birthdays - just to name a few. Typically, our days are busy and full of life, school, sports, ministry, small groups, teaching, family and friends. To be honest, with the exception of this virus/quarantine, I love most things in this season of my life.
One thing I don’t enjoy is baking… cooking is enough of a challenge for me to face everyday - multiple times… Baking is just not my thing. Our kids are actually pretty good cooks and they aren’t too bad when it comes to desserts!
Recently, our oldest made a commitment to a pretty intense elimination diet for health reasons. No gluten, dairy or added sugar for 3 months. She began the first day of spring break this current semester… This only added another dynamic to the already bizarre semester. She has been super disciplined and incredibly determined to see this thing through for 3 months. Today marks 6 weeks into her journey.
Every once and awhile - the restrictions catch up with her… particularly emotionally. 5 weeks ago, she had a mini-meltdown that none of us saw coming. We have a nutritional coach helping her walk out this challenge who made some suggestions that have really helped.
So on top of the five dry college classes, a bizarre shift to online learning instead of face-to-face, a sweeping pandemic - she has steadily moved forward with this pretty intense elimination diet.
And so today, I tried my hand at baking her something special - gluten, dairy, sugar free. I didn’t really enjoy the process of kneading the sand-like dough to make garlic knots… but I needed to express in a tangible way how proud I am of her. For working hard in school, adapting to changing schedules, maintaining a health goal… but more importantly - for just being a beautiful daughter who stands ready and willing to help at any moment. More often than not, she packs her own bags alongside mine to stay overnight at my mom’s when needed. I am super proud of her…
We have had our misunderstandings - some of them larger than I ever anticipated… but God’s grace and fierce love continues to allow us to have a close relationship - something both of us are grateful to God for!
Today I was still stuck on that word “consider…” from my study in the book of James. I saw the great big calendar taped to the front of the fridge and remembered to consider… I saw Kat’s proud 84% note and paused to consider…
I find that in this season of quiet quarantine it can sometimes be hard to judge if I’m getting anywhere. There’s no calendar to cross off days as they pass or appointments accomplished.
But true success and growth is never measured by what we’ve accomplished externally - but rather deep within.
Today we read 2 Peter 1:3-10:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him. He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them we may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
For this very reason, make every effort
to add to your faith goodness...
and to goodness, knowledge…
and to knowledge, self-control…
and to self-control, perseverance…
and to perseverance, godliness…
and to godliness, mutual affection…
and to mutual affection, love.
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is the spiritual ladder we climb to add to our faith. Starting with moral excellence and virtue all the way to LOVE. This is the HIDDEN way of life… One that is not shaken at its core by anything. It is rooted in faith and covered with love… After all - perfect love casts out all fear.
The garlic knots were edible and were received with a small smile and a little rolling of the eyes… I don’t think I should try baking again to convey my affection!