So, I got a new vacuum (well, actually it was a hand-me-down from my sister-in-law BUT, it is new to me) … one of those Rainbow deals… you know, the kind filled with water and enough sucking power to inhale a small animal? …Well, that might be a slight exaggeration but it definitely has enough to suction to get rid of some serious set-in carpet funk. In fact, I was incredibly shocked and a little bit disgusted when I vacuumed the upstairs and saw the amount of goo and gloppy gunk floating in the water chamber. After seeing that filth, I knew I was not going to sleep well until I degunked the rest of the house.
I gathered my strength, rolled up my sleeves and worked my way from room to room, sucking up grime and dragging my water hauling R2D2 friend behind me (working up quite a serious glisten, I might add). Of course, in true vacuumusing fashion, my mind began to wander. I began to ponder the debris that was hidden deep in my seemingly clean carpet. I began to think about the (good grief) pain in the rear this whole deep cleaning process really was. Then, I started thinking about my own life and the dirty mess that has built up over the years, hidden beneath the surface of a fairly fuzz-free exterior. I thought of the extraordinary efforts I’d exerted in the past trying to sweep away all that accumulated dirt in order to make my life “right”.
Still partially reeling from a powerful study of John in this week’s Bible study, my mind immediately turned to verses in John and Ephesians that talk about the futileness of human effort in the battle of dirty build-up in our lives. I am aware that I could work diligently every hour of every day to correct past wrongs, clean up every mess, follow every rule and observe every tradition; still it would never be enough. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is a gift from God and is not the result of human works. The good news is that the extraordinary effort has already taken place. The deep cleansing has been done for me. I simply had to accept the offer.
It doesn’t make practical sense. It doesn’t make logical sense. I suppose it won’t really make any sense at all until I have the opportunity to talk to the creator Himself when I reach my final heavenly destination but I do know this: Christ, through His infinite love and compassion, exerted all of the effort needed to wash the gunk from my life and He continues to give my spirit a deep cleaning. There is no other effort required of me...no hauling around of special machinery, following detailed instructions and working up a sweat trying to get it right…simply a decision to follow Him and a request for Him to come into my life. He takes care of the rest. Amazing.
vacuumusing: deep thinking while vacuuming
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Static
Tara Lynn is vacuuming the hallway, I thought to myself. Earlier today it was: Tara Lynn is sweeping Pringles off the kitchen floor, and before that: Tara Lynn is scrubbing sticky goo out of the kitchen sink. Yes, lately I have found myself narrating my life in terms of facebook statuses; and lest you think my days consist only of crumby, gooey household chores (which is only partly true), today Tara Lynn has also been reading a really good book, drinking a wonderful latte and playing a rousing game of Connect Four with her four-year-old.
Of course, one could argue that I spend too much time on facebook (I would vehemently disagree with them but, they would really probably be right). But hey, at least I’m not posting a new status on facebook every time I change activities. I am keeping these status changes to myself…mulling them over in my own head. In fact, one could argue…and I will…that this is actually a healthy activity. It’s a little brain activity that I (and, I’m sure, millions of others) like to call “the practice of being present”.
I am a writer, an analyzer and a contemplator; genetically pre-disposed to spend a lot of time ruminating over things. Like many other people, I struggle with what I call static of the brain…so many thoughts happening at once that it is difficult to focus on just one; and virtually impossible to act on any of the cluttered plans buzzing around and bumping into each other like a bunch of pesky gnats.
Unfortunately, as a result of this brain static, I spend most of my time functioning on auto-pilot and missing out on the simple joy of being fully present in everyday events like eating a delicious breakfast, reading a fascinating new story to my very appreciative child, or enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of crickets while sitting on the back porch.
For too long, my body has been present during these activities but I have not. When I think about the memories I have missed and the opportunities I have overlooked, I more determined to be present in every activity, to be intentional with my time, to cut through the static and clear my head. If narrating my life in facebook statuses helps me to accomplish that goal then so be it. However, if I start posting every one of those statuses on facebook, someone please plan an intervention.
Of course, one could argue that I spend too much time on facebook (I would vehemently disagree with them but, they would really probably be right). But hey, at least I’m not posting a new status on facebook every time I change activities. I am keeping these status changes to myself…mulling them over in my own head. In fact, one could argue…and I will…that this is actually a healthy activity. It’s a little brain activity that I (and, I’m sure, millions of others) like to call “the practice of being present”.
I am a writer, an analyzer and a contemplator; genetically pre-disposed to spend a lot of time ruminating over things. Like many other people, I struggle with what I call static of the brain…so many thoughts happening at once that it is difficult to focus on just one; and virtually impossible to act on any of the cluttered plans buzzing around and bumping into each other like a bunch of pesky gnats.
Unfortunately, as a result of this brain static, I spend most of my time functioning on auto-pilot and missing out on the simple joy of being fully present in everyday events like eating a delicious breakfast, reading a fascinating new story to my very appreciative child, or enjoying the cool breeze and the sound of crickets while sitting on the back porch.
For too long, my body has been present during these activities but I have not. When I think about the memories I have missed and the opportunities I have overlooked, I more determined to be present in every activity, to be intentional with my time, to cut through the static and clear my head. If narrating my life in facebook statuses helps me to accomplish that goal then so be it. However, if I start posting every one of those statuses on facebook, someone please plan an intervention.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Resolutions
To me, there are few things more exciting than an empty spiral bound notebook; pair that with a pack of new pens and, my goodness, the possibilities are endless! I love this time of year…an abundant selection of school supplies in every store, a clean slate of potential stretched out in front of me. It doesn’t get much better.
Maybe it is because I seem to have perpetually either been a student myself or a parent of a student that it seems only natural to me that my new year’s resolutions come not in January but in August with the beginning of a new school year. I can recall writing my name in each clean, crisp notebook and carefully wrapping each text book in custom book covers (typically left over paper grocery sacks decorated with colorful marker-drawn designs). With each preparatory task I would resolve to be more organized, take meticulous notes, do all of my homework at home rather than rushing through it in class and so many more heartfelt promises to make the upcoming school year run more smoothly than the last. Of course, like most new year’s resolutions, a couple weeks into the year, these resolutions would dim in the shadow of a hectic schedule.
As a parent, my resolutions look a little different but are born of the same spirit. I vow to do all I can to make this new year even better and more perfect than the last. I resolve to get up each morning to be sure a healthy breakfast is had by all. I will stay on top of homework, help whenever and however I am needed…maybe even sometimes when I am not needed. I will make sure that our family sits down together for a home-cooked dinner at our kitchen table at least four nights a week. I will be sure all permission slips are signed on time and projects are completed well before their due dates.
Yes, my parental resolutions are a bit different except one: I resolve to be more organized. That one remains the same every year, without fail. Unfortunately, I am sure I can count on another similarity between my industrious student resolutions and my supportive parental ones: A few weeks into the new year, these promises will be pushed aside in the chaos of football games, after school activities and a hectic schedule…until next year when we have the chance to start all over again.
Maybe it is because I seem to have perpetually either been a student myself or a parent of a student that it seems only natural to me that my new year’s resolutions come not in January but in August with the beginning of a new school year. I can recall writing my name in each clean, crisp notebook and carefully wrapping each text book in custom book covers (typically left over paper grocery sacks decorated with colorful marker-drawn designs). With each preparatory task I would resolve to be more organized, take meticulous notes, do all of my homework at home rather than rushing through it in class and so many more heartfelt promises to make the upcoming school year run more smoothly than the last. Of course, like most new year’s resolutions, a couple weeks into the year, these resolutions would dim in the shadow of a hectic schedule.
As a parent, my resolutions look a little different but are born of the same spirit. I vow to do all I can to make this new year even better and more perfect than the last. I resolve to get up each morning to be sure a healthy breakfast is had by all. I will stay on top of homework, help whenever and however I am needed…maybe even sometimes when I am not needed. I will make sure that our family sits down together for a home-cooked dinner at our kitchen table at least four nights a week. I will be sure all permission slips are signed on time and projects are completed well before their due dates.
Yes, my parental resolutions are a bit different except one: I resolve to be more organized. That one remains the same every year, without fail. Unfortunately, I am sure I can count on another similarity between my industrious student resolutions and my supportive parental ones: A few weeks into the new year, these promises will be pushed aside in the chaos of football games, after school activities and a hectic schedule…until next year when we have the chance to start all over again.
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