chronicles of a non-desperate housewife: Columbus Day

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

Luke 13:18

He said therefore, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?”.....

So let’s just say - there is something beyond what we see. What everyone else around us sees. Something beyond the refugee camps blossoming this year into millions, and the many more that would do anything just to move to one. Something beyond waiting for yet another MRI, or being told that you need to sit and watch your disability score raise even though you are no longer capable of watching your own children. No help yet - maybe never. Something beyond days of winter illnesses, repeated surgeries, climbing bills, dwindling resources, and the continual search for the person who is gonna really “get behind you" and the quieting of those who don't. Something beyond ebola headlines. And something beyond the fear mongers. Something beyond misunderstands, hurt feelings, unmet expectations, and the sinful brokenness of the person you hoped would be your next best friend. Something beyond my sinful brokenness. At 6:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. and then again at 11:30. And then again tomorrow. Something beyond a cell phone with a humorous or “informative” news feed that momentarily takes the edge off - and silently steals moments from my day - days from my children’s childhoods - all moments of quiet. As I daily participate in the epidemic loss of the contemplative.

It would be worth sailing for. It would be worth campaigning for, raising awareness of, and leaping out in faith for. It would be worth more than all the gold of a new world. Worth all that is lost of the old world. And there would be signs of it. A slight bend in the distant horizons that whispers, “They are all wrong.” “There is more.” “There is a way.” “Set sail.”

And the bend in the horizon is the beautiful moments and the narrative of those who have been just a little further down the road… or seen it all from a slightly different tilt. And scripture - a map. Perhaps I read it poorly, but well enough to know which way to start. And all the stories and glimpses and directions combined give one enough hope to say, “tomorrow - I just hoist the sail again, aim that way, and wait for the wind. For I can’t set sail without the wind, but I can be prepared to catch it when it comes to carry me … one step closer to the unknown… but the promised.”

And i'll practice reading the map.

So here’s to Columbus Day and the beautiful fall that has been the bend in my horizon:

New family members... and their traditions... and all the beauty it brings to a simple Kansas life.

Good friends who have become family. Better than family.

Crazy Grammees' who just keep things FUN

And Bunny ears. They are of the kingdom of God. They are. Really.

And family... spread far and wide: geographically, philosophically, and in every other way but roots

Field trips. I think my kids should go on a field trip every day.

And if they don't we make family field trips.

Or dinner dates with Grandpa.

And there is produce. All kinds - I don't care if is baked or thrown out of a trebuchet - It is blessing

Doubly if shared with friends.

And celebrated with friends.

Kingdom medicine for my soul.

And Saudi kingdom medicine for my body, "Amanda, it is ok. It is the Saudi way to take it all together." Good. I'm a bit Arab after all.

And when we are well we should build things and shoot things and dance and eat hot dogs over an open fire and hold snakes and play tennis. We see the bend past all the brokenness in these ways.