Summertime Sunday

So, what do bloody tampons (this is not TMI.  I promise.  I will explain in a few paragraphs.  Trust me.), hyperactive children, people I've been friends with for half my lifetime, and a house full of relatives have in common?

If you said they were all part of my day today you would be correct.

Let's dive right in with the bloody tampons, shall we?

I've been thinking a lot about religion this week.  It's not a word I like.  Another word I don't like?  Christian.  There are loads of people out there who would call themselves religious.  Also loads of people walk around calling themselves Christians.  But many of these same people are not Jesus followers.  They've got no relationship with him.  It's all rules and trying to be good enough to get into heaven.  Which is not how it works!  

I am saved by grace.  Can I get an 'AMEN'?

Which brings me to bloody tampons (you thought I forgot, right?).

Last night I started reading a book called "Jesus>Religion"  by Jefferson Bethke.  In the first chapter the author shares that one of his favorite verses is this one from the book of Isaiah: "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."  He goes on to say that "...the Hebrew word for "filthy rags"  can be interpreted as "menstrual garments."  In that verse God says our good works are no better than a bloody tampon.  Next time you're in a public restroom and you see the waste can, feel free to remind yourself that's your righteousness apart from Jesus. (Gross, I know.)"

As soon as I read that I decided I love this book.  And I knew I would use that paragraph in the Sunday school class I was scheduled to teach today.

Every other month I get to teach the Jr. High girls.  I love these girls.  What I don't love is being locked into a curriculum.  I'd so much rather talk about what's on my heart.  So that's what I did.  We talked religion, relationship, idolatry, Jesus.  I got so passionate, I cried.  Our whole 45 minutes was definitely Spirit led.  I felt like I was glowing as I left our classroom.

Then I went to church and all hell broke loose.

It started out well.  The worship team was playing some AMAZING songs.  I love me a good worship set.  Love, love, love.  But then this son started kicking that son.  And that son tried to grab papers from the other son.  Someone called someone else a "baby".  Someone wanted me to hold them.  And I tried to sing "Be Thou My Vision" with a face that looked something like this:

That's my are-you-even-kidding-me-right-now? face.  I'm hoping it was scarier looking to the child that was seeing it in the moment.  Cuz right now I can't stop laughing at my own face.  I.Am.Ridiculous.

Anyway, the sermon started but our pew had the problem of NOBODY CAN WHISPER.  Or sit still.  Or stop touching me.  I may have prayed this prayer "Sweet Jesus, please help me or I am going to strangle all these kids right here in this church pew.  I'm not even kidding."

I'd love to tell you I ended up hearing a great sermon but that is not the case.  The sermon probably was great but I heard about 3% of it.

After leaving church with super high blood pressure, we were off to a cook-out with long time friends.  Where all the kids could blessedly be outside.  Away from me.  There were burgers, there was swimming, there was 4-wheeling, there was laughter, there was how-the-heck-do-we-parent-these-kids-well conversation.  It was absolutely lovely.  I wish I had photos to show you.

Then we went directly to my aunt and uncle's house for a welcome home party for my cousin who spent the last 5 months studying abroad in Italy.  My sons tried to have a wrestling match in the middle of the living room.  I put them outside.  And told them not to come back in.  Ugh.  There was buffalo dip, there were gorgeous photos of Italy to look at, there were stories to hear, there was laughter,  and it was loud.  I loved it.

But right now might be my favorite part of today.  Because I am alone, finally.  My hermity heart is grateful.  The patio door is open and I can hear summer's symphony.  I can feel myself breathe.  I can think back over the day and laugh at the rough parts.

Today was a good day.  Thank you, Jesus.