Today words are not my friends. They've been really mean to me lately. They're tripping over each other as they fall from my mouth. They clog like an ink blot as they're scratched from my pen. They hate me. And I hate it.
When technology and I don't get along, when my suitemates pick on me, when the world seems to be against me, I still have my word-friends to back me up. Except now.
Who am I if I cannot cooperate with the English language?
I am still a daughter of God, a friend, a roommate. I'm still a role model, a team leader, and a big sister. But I am not me. I am a writer. This is what I do. What do you do when you can't do what you do?
You blog about it. But then you remember what Sherman Alexie said, "Every word on your blog is a word not in your book." I guess I'm nostalgic for my book. I reread and tweek scenes, but it isn't the same. Sure, I still have some of the excitement about someday finishing it but that someday apparently isn't today.
I. Am. Frustrated.
<>< Katie
Showing posts with label leader. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leader. Show all posts
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
April
Last summer, I helped with an inner-city VBS. I was sitting at the table with several preteen boys. I knew the family situation of these boys was not good. Two of the boys were being removed from their home and put into foster care. A different boy at the table was their cousin; he began trash-talking their parents. The older of the two kids in foster care, naturally, became defensive of his parents and threatened violence against his cousin.
I've worked with kids a long time. I can say, "I'm trained to handle that" to most situations, but this one was out of my expertise. I tried to get the kid to apologize. Fail. I tried to "jump the shark" and change the subject. Fail. I had no idea what to do. And I froze.
April came to my rescue. She knew this family's story and how to handle these boys. As soon as she had the situation under control, I excused myself from the table and moved to color with the little kids. I'm much more comfortable with crayons. It was during that week that I decided I wanted to be April when I grow up.
This week, I jokingly said, "God, I'd love to grow up to be April as long as I don't have to marry a guy like Christian." April's husband is one of the leaders of my 20s ministry, and on Monday we played Jenga. Until I accidentally knocked the tower into Christian's lap and he showered me with blocks. Mind you, Christian is a pastor and we are at church. We moved on to building with Jenga blocks where I used my right hand to build while using my left to knock Christian's hand away from destroying my creation. Luckily, I learned a long time ago that sassing and vexing is a love language, and most of my friends think it's my primary love language.
I love Christian and April. They're such a godly couple. Sure, they don't always get long. I've seen that, but I've also seen them both admit when they're wrong. I've seen them willingly give of themselves to serve God's Kingdom. I've seen them be used by Him. I've only known Christian and April for a year or so, but I do know I need more people like them in my life.
Happy birthday, April. I'm so glad you're coming home soon. We both know it's not good for Christian to be home alone. :-)
<>< Katie
I've worked with kids a long time. I can say, "I'm trained to handle that" to most situations, but this one was out of my expertise. I tried to get the kid to apologize. Fail. I tried to "jump the shark" and change the subject. Fail. I had no idea what to do. And I froze.
April came to my rescue. She knew this family's story and how to handle these boys. As soon as she had the situation under control, I excused myself from the table and moved to color with the little kids. I'm much more comfortable with crayons. It was during that week that I decided I wanted to be April when I grow up.
This week, I jokingly said, "God, I'd love to grow up to be April as long as I don't have to marry a guy like Christian." April's husband is one of the leaders of my 20s ministry, and on Monday we played Jenga. Until I accidentally knocked the tower into Christian's lap and he showered me with blocks. Mind you, Christian is a pastor and we are at church. We moved on to building with Jenga blocks where I used my right hand to build while using my left to knock Christian's hand away from destroying my creation. Luckily, I learned a long time ago that sassing and vexing is a love language, and most of my friends think it's my primary love language.
I love Christian and April. They're such a godly couple. Sure, they don't always get long. I've seen that, but I've also seen them both admit when they're wrong. I've seen them willingly give of themselves to serve God's Kingdom. I've seen them be used by Him. I've only known Christian and April for a year or so, but I do know I need more people like them in my life.
Happy birthday, April. I'm so glad you're coming home soon. We both know it's not good for Christian to be home alone. :-)
<>< Katie
Friday, December 26, 2008
Wii Reflections
My parents got us a Wii for Christmas. Or at least that's what they say. I think they really bought themselves a Wii. They even gave it to us early so I "have time to play before going back to school" (aka they couldn't wait to get it out from under the tree). Proof of my conclusion is that they even brought it to my grandparents' house this weekend.
We were bowling, playing pass the remote. My grandpa is a really good bowler in real life and in Wii world he wasn't too shabby either. In fact, he bowled a plethora of strikes. Boppy bowled a strike and my uncle (to be! Yay!) bowled next. He, too, bowled a strike and we were very impressed. (Greg's not a big bowler).
"I was just watching Jim," he said about my grandpa.
Next it was Grandma's turn. She bowled well but it was not a strike.
"I was just watching Greg," she said about my uncle.
We all laughed, but God spoke to me at that moment. No matter how great of a bowler Greg is, Boppy will always be better. Even if Grandma had made each move exactly the same way as Greg, she may not have bowled a strike. After all, Greg's strike was just luck (love ya, Greg!). If Grandma had watched Boppy instead she may have bowled a strike. His movements were true. Greg's were copied.
Sometimes we watch earthly leaders thinking they're good enough. True, they may be close to God. It's always important to fill our lives with Godly mentors, but we also need to look to our Heavenly Father for the best guidance. Everyone here on earth is just trying to be like God. Why should we watch them instead of watching Him?
<>< Katie
We were bowling, playing pass the remote. My grandpa is a really good bowler in real life and in Wii world he wasn't too shabby either. In fact, he bowled a plethora of strikes. Boppy bowled a strike and my uncle (to be! Yay!) bowled next. He, too, bowled a strike and we were very impressed. (Greg's not a big bowler).
"I was just watching Jim," he said about my grandpa.
Next it was Grandma's turn. She bowled well but it was not a strike.
"I was just watching Greg," she said about my uncle.
We all laughed, but God spoke to me at that moment. No matter how great of a bowler Greg is, Boppy will always be better. Even if Grandma had made each move exactly the same way as Greg, she may not have bowled a strike. After all, Greg's strike was just luck (love ya, Greg!). If Grandma had watched Boppy instead she may have bowled a strike. His movements were true. Greg's were copied.
Sometimes we watch earthly leaders thinking they're good enough. True, they may be close to God. It's always important to fill our lives with Godly mentors, but we also need to look to our Heavenly Father for the best guidance. Everyone here on earth is just trying to be like God. Why should we watch them instead of watching Him?
<>< Katie
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