Irresistible Grace—the I in TULIP

is coming!

Please check back on Wednesday to read TULIP Tuesday a day late.

I'm just busy, running behind, and tired. ;)

Menu Plan Monday--November 9

It's Menu Plan Monday!

Monday--Baked lemon/garlic/rosemary chicken

Tuesday--Leftovers

Wednesday--Tilapia packets with veggies

Thursday--Lentil and chicken stew

Friday--leftovers

Saturday--Meatloaf, green beans, mashed cauliflower (I'll try to fool my family!)

Sunday--simple supper/leftovers/take out

Kroger Grocery Baggers and How George Costanza Relates to Grapefruit: Tonight's Random Rants

I love my Kroger reusable grocery bags. They are practical and sturdy. The handles are roomy enough to sling the bags over my shoulders.

The Kroger baggers, however, need to heed my bagging instructions.

Do NOT bag "like with like." When you bag three 2-liters together, I can't lift it. When you bag two 10-pack juice boxes with one 2-liter, I can't lift it. When you bag two gallons of milk, I can't lift it.

When you bag a bag of chips, a box of plastic sandwich bags, and a bag of croutons together, I become angry.

Proper bagging technique is this: a heavy item on the bottom, a few medium-weight items in the middle, and a light item on top.

I'm happy to give you a bagging demonstration, if needed.

~~~

I'm concerned that each time I want to slice a grapefruit in order to scoop the fruit with a spoon, I always cut it in the wrong direction.

It's most troubling to me since I analyze and contemplate the cut—convinced I'm doing it right—only to discover that I've done it wrong again.

I think I need to follow George Costanza's lead in the "The Opposite" and just do the opposite of my initial impulse.

At least when it comes to cutting grapefruit.

(This clip makes me laugh out loud. I post it because I really need to laugh out loud tonight.)

~~~

My kids sucked me dry today and I am in the middle of Diet Failure.

Here's looking forward to reset and reboot tomorrow.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Before I had children, I was such a good mom. I think a book was published a few years ago by that title or something similar. I only wish I'd thought of it first. It's a sentiment that resounds loudly with me and most moms (if they are being honest) I know.

I mean, I had it all figured out: the "right" things to do and say to make my kids into perfect little angels.

I was so self-righteous.

Ironically, I've become the woman I used to judge. Because parenting—especially Christian parenting—isn't quite so cut-and-dried.

I've now had a solid week to evaluate and ruminate over the oft-debated, sometimes controversial, issue of Christians' celebrating and observing Halloween. We did celebrate it this year—and will continue to do so—and I think now I can articulate our reasons why and how they relate to our faith.

Growing up, we always celebrated this holiday with costumes and jack-o-lanterns. It was fun and always a family time with my aunt and uncle and some of their friends.

As I entered adulthood, I began to encounter Christian parents who chose not to celebrate Halloween. My goodness. I had never heard of that before! They cited the pagan roots and rituals from which Halloween came as their reason to shun the holiday.

Well, of course, I decided then and there that I would not partake of such evil, and my children would not, either.

And then I had kids.

As with most decisions of this ilk, I was determined to explore the issue and come up with my own defense as to why we would or would not celebrate this holiday.

Could we celebrate in good faith? Could we trick-or-treat to the glory of God?

We did decide the answers to those questions were "yes" and "yes," based on a soup of various experiences and convictions:

• The first year we opened our door to hand out candy to our neighbors, I loved—absolutely loved—the community feeling. I loved chatting with neighbors and seeing cute little kids and meeting new friends. Like it or not, we in our neighborhoods rarely visit those who live closest to us. Our family tends to run in the same circles, and though we are called to be salt and light to those around us, I fear we rarely are because we just don't get into the lives of those around us. Halloween night is a terrific opportunity to meet, laugh, and love on your neighbors.

After that first night of camaraderie and community, I decided that indeed it was a picture of the gospel. We gather with neighbors and caravan trick-or-treat through the neighborhood. We have the best time laughing and talking and eating and drinking. We are investing our lives in our neighbors, many of whom are not Christians.

• I think the context of Halloween has changed such that deciding not to participate in a contemporary event based on how it began 2000 years ago, is kind of like abiding by Paul's admonition that women should not have braided hair or wear gold. Contextually and culturally, the roots of the holiday are irrelevant. (Yes, I know that there are those people who practice witchcraft and celebrate such occult aspects on Halloween. But aren't there persons who don't believe in Jesus who celebrate Christmas? Should we not celebrate Christmas on that basis?) Halloween was adopted by the Church in an effort to redeem it. I say, let's continue that redemption and reformation, Christians! And to be consistent, if one chooses to abstain from Halloween based solely on its pagan roots, then one should also not celebrate Christmas and Easter and throw out their calendars, as the months of the year and days of the week derive their names from pagan gods and goddesses.

• Abstaining from Halloween because of its "evil" associations is for me a stumbling block. That's right. That abstention actually contributes to my sin.

I am such a Pharisee at heart that I'm quick to grasp anything that may make me feel superior or more holy or more righteous. I want to point to one something that I do or don't do that shows everyone else I'm a Christian—and a good one at that. For me, it's much more humbling and a greater exercise in dependence on Christ to participate within the boundaries of Christian liberty. It stretches me more as a Christian (and as a Christian mom) to participate while teaching the children about freedom in Christ and doing all to the glory of God.

We've had discussion after discussion with our six year-old about the difference between the delight, fun, and creativity associated with dressing as a make-believe fairy or princess as opposed to celebrating or calling attention to evil or demons. So, even within the parameters of the celebration, we are able to give Christian lessons.

• We also observe Reformation Day on October 31 with our kids. In 1517, Martin Luther set the Protestant Reformation into motion by nailing his 95 theses on the Wittenburg Castle door. That one act forever changed the Church and all of civilization.

I read an interesting post that has been floating around the Internet since 1996. Basically, it states that Halloween's pagan origins have been grossly misunderstood and Halloween began as a Christian celebration of Christians mocking at Satan as he is defeated by Christ. I certainly applaud this sentiment. The problem is that I'm not sure if it's true or not. I question the guy's scholarship because I can't find any original source anywhere. I will continue to research this, though.

Finally, I do not judge nor condemn parents for any decision they make for their family. For Christians, we are free in Christ. Whether you sit at home on Halloween night, take your little princess and pirate to the church fall festival, or trick-or-treat with the neighbors and roast marshmallows at a bonfire, it is a matter of personal conviction.

As with most everything in our self-gratifying, idol-worshipping, need-meeting culture, all holidays have become sensationalized and commercialized. Redeeming the holidays with a focus on something other than self and acquiring more, more, more! is a daunting task. But I think God calls us to be culturally relevant without compromise of conviction. Let us not forget that he has ordained all, including the time and place in which we live.

Photo credit: flickr.com by solyanka

I Am Tired, Part 2

"We need just a few more volunteers. Do any of you want to help?"

No, I think. Lady, I'm just here to take pictures and watch and have no responsibility.

I felt like such a cranky b**ch this morning. But for today? I just didn't want to do anything.

I attended my daughter's big race at school for one hour this morning. Apparently, the organizers were short-handed on volunteers for lap-counting or they hadn't scheduled enough people or someone didn't show or something. Whatever the reason, the lady approached a small group of us moms standing there waiting for the race to start and asked for help.

I didn't jump at the chance. I didn't offer to help. I just stood there.

Ordinarily, that's not my personality at all. I am the volunteer of volunteers. I REALLY enjoy helping. I like being part of a team to do anything. I'm a joiner. I was a member of everything in high school and college (seriously) and held a leadership office in most any organization of which I've ever been a part.

(Except organized sports. I don't have an athletic or competitive bone in my body.)

As this week squeaks to a halt, however, I'm confronted with my limits. I am exhausted. I think I'm a bit over-committed (which is nothing new; I've been over-committed since I came out of the womb) and honestly, I don't know what to do about it.

I guess refusing to help monitor the race was a good place to start? Hmmmm.

Here's what our week was like (and we aren't the busiest family by any stretch):

• Preschool fall festival party-Friday
• Basketball cheerleading signup-Saturday morning
• Trick-or-Treating-Saturday night
• Church-Sunday morning
• Cruise on the Cumberland River-Sunday afternoon
• Dinner out with church group-Sunday night
• Van wouldn't start and was in the shop for two days
• Girl scouts meeting-Tuesday night
• Run to the grocery store for ingredients for school bake sale goods-Tuesday night during GS meeting
• Bake muffins-Wednesday night
• Deliver muffins-Thursday morning
• Spaghetti supper at school-Thursday night
• Race at school-Friday morning
• Work, work, work, and work-Thursday night I was up until 1 a.m.

So, Lady At The Race Today, if you ask me to help next year, maybe you'll catch me at a time when I'm a bit more rested and not so overwhelmed.

Or maybe not.

I think this is one reason why my friend Jennifer chose to homeschool this year.

I Am Tired

So tired tonight but up late working. Just taking a minute to keep up with my commitment to NaBloPoMo.

And so, I remind myself of the comfort contained in these words:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

—Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Things My Mama Taught Me (and a few I learned from HGTV)

So, I didn't learn this from my mama or HGTV; but it's a recipe and so, it fits in with this series.

In 1998, I did my student teaching in English for twelfth grade (someday I'll tell you the sordid tale of my journey from broadcast journalism to PR to education to publishing; quite the interesting story that it is).

I cried everyday when I came home and worked so hard just to get through the semester. The students were the "standard" class, which meant that their only goal was to pass the class so they could graduate. Period.

Yeah. They cared not one hoot about the nuances of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (and, really, I couldn't blame them). They had no interest in expanding their vocabulary nor writing a titillating essay.

I finally made it to Christmas break. I remember the kids asked me, "What are you going to do during Christmas break?" I replied, "I'm going to sleep. And then I'm going to clean my tile bathroom floor." They looked at me as if I were a Martian, certainly relieved to be rid of me—that crazy woman who loved semi-colons and deducted points from essays for their use of crude language and descriptions of alcohol use and evading the law.

My highlight of that semester—I kid you not—was a sweet loaf of pumpkin bread. My mentor teacher baked me a loaf and gave me the recipe, too. It's the best pumpkin bread I've ever eaten, and I always get rave reviews.

That gift helped me get through that semester—and many since then.

photo: dreamstime.com

Pumpkin Bread

In a large bowl, mix together the following:
3 1/3 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. salt

Stir in:
4 eggs
1 cup oil
1 can pumpkin (15 oz.)

Optional additions:
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped raisins

Pour batter into 2 loaf pans (9" x 4").
Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

My notes: add ingredients in order as listed. Use a hand mixer to stir in the wet ingredients. I never add anything to my bread (I like it plain). Fill pans only about 1/2 to 3/4 full; filling too full will not get the bread done and the top will be gooey. Use more than 2 pans, if needed.