Lent--that period of 40 days during which believers in Christ prepare their hearts for His death and resurrection--began two weeks ago. I didn't grow up observing Lent but over the last several years, I was drawn in to the practice by services at the
Evanston Vineyard. This year, I'm far from Evanston. And I recognize my increasing need to engage my heart with Jesus and His sacrifice. The Sacrafice.
So of course I gave up Facebook.
And as I expected, that has given me an amazing, embarrassing quantity of time to do something else. However, since I didn't resolve to detach my phone from my hand, I've instead been reading blogs. Yes, I always read blogs, but in the past two weeks I've been devouring them. They've all been swallowed and my Feedly is almost empty (it was last night. just went to look at it and there are 54 posts there. oops. now I have to resist doing that instead of this).
This is what I've learned: other people are writing great things. If I ever want to be one of them, I need to actually write! So here's a story about doings around here yesterday.
Koji loves his
Nintendo 3DS. The day before yesterday, he started talking about earning money to buy a new game. In the past, we've tried allowing him boost to his allowance (which is 1000 yen--around $10--per month) by doing extra chores. But results have been mixed. Mostly he chooses things I think he should do for free as part of the family, and then does them hastily and poorly. And then, because I agreed in advance to do so, I have to pay him. Not a recipe for happiness and satisfaction.
So this time, I proposed that he work for an hourly wage of 400 yen per hour. He was initially horrified at the thought of working for a whole hour. I helpfully pointed out that he's 10 years old, and adults twice his age and beyond make only a little more than twice that at part time jobs in the area (for example, the nearby grocery store, Yamazaki has posted Help Wanted signs offering 850/hour). A night of sleeping on that logic, and perhaps a miracle from God later, and he was sold.
Yesterday morning he cleaned the floor and took out the trash--20 minutes. After school, he rushed home, did his homework, and started working.
My son did housework for two hours and 10 minutes.
He washed dishes. He folded laundry. He cleaned the shower/bath (that took awhile.....). He cleaned the windows and the mirrors. He chopped carrots. And so on. He could have done more, but I was so flabbergasted, I couldn't think of the next job quickly enough!
Did I mention that he did all of the above with an excellent attitude for the duration?! Truly, all things are possible.
And now, on to the things I've enjoyed online lately:
This quote:
“If only we’d stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time.” ~ Edith Wharton
"This is what “supposed to” looks like:
- Get up before dawn.
- Cue cheerfulness.
- Flip open a Bible, a notebook, various commentaries, an alternate translation or two and some kind of reading plan.
- Read, absorbed, for 15-30 minutes. Heck, make it an hour.
- The children do not wake up.
- Be touched, in some way, by what you read. “Begats” are no excuse. Be convicted, but not alienated. Be uplifted without being comfortable, meditative yet studious, etc.
- No grumbling stomach: you’re happy to put off breakfast.
- At the end, sit still for a moment. Listen to God. Hear him clearly.
- Only then should your feet touch the floor, the children wake, and your stomach remind you of your need for food and caffeine.
THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME."
Finally, this post on time expresses a fear I have: people don't engage with me because they think I'm too busy. I may be too busy? I admit that I struggle with time management.... but I think I Have All the Time I Need.
