Living-Deliberately.com

Maybe we should re-name her “Mama Bear”.

Red Fox has taken to a fun game of “tag” with the cats lately. He rears down and jumps playfully and “dares” a cat or kitten to swat. Then they tear off in a circle, with Red Fox loosing every single time because cats have claws ;-). Stupid ugly dog won’t learn.

What’s great to see though is what Missy does every single time Red Fox wants to play this particular game. She’ll leap out of a sound sleep, back fur flared and tail like a bottle brush, to tear into Red Fox with a defensive vengance.

Somehow, Red Fox never figures out that he’ll have TWO angry cats to “play” with. Missy is Momma to most of them and protective like I’ve never seen another cat be.

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I’ve decided to read through the New Testament. I sort of considered gathering different books that were written on the topic of devoted or true christianity. Then decided that I”d rather get it “from the horse’s mouth” so to speak and wouldn’t mess with other people’s inflections and interpretations.

Turns out the Sermon on the Mount is not such an easy thing to read. I was able to confirm, per yesterday’s hunch on Dr. H’s site, that there is no indication that it took place on a Sunday. And things are hunky dory though the be-attitudes, the salt and light stuff, and Christ coming to fulfill the law.

And then he goes into a different pattern of speech. Impassioned….inflammatory? Harsh sounding. Where to divide between reality and metaphor? All through the parts about anger/murder and lust/adultry, I squirmed, wondering….seriously wondering if this was “exaggeration” or not. And then he goes into divorce and I wonder if he’s shifted into being literal again (if he ever left it). The part on retaliation is interesting too: voices in my head argue with it and wonder how far to take “door mat” behavior and sanctioned abuse.

And then we get to the thought-provoking clincher in chapter 5: For He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?…And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others?

And I thought to myself: Fantastic! That is exactly one thing that has been bothering me! We (and I mean ME) as spoiled American christians living in a very cooshy world don’t look any different than one another, or from non-christians, and one reason is that we (me) refuse to show real love, care, or give time, ear to anyone who doesn’t give it back. We’re fine with our buddies, our friends, but what if they’re:

• ugly?
• hyper?
• poor?
• not as well read?
• have something to say we don’t like?
• live differently than we understand?
• do something we don’t agree with?
• chew tobacco, have no teeth, and live on welfare?
• live in a McMansion, use daycare, and lease their cars?

I’ve lived for years just pretending these people don’t exist or factor into my life. And maybe that’s a big part of my problem. I’ve had no reward because I’ve had no love. No willingness to step out of my modern selfish being and extend myself a bit into territory that I can’t control. I’m not that surprised: I’ve struggled with arrogance for a very, very long time. Now just to figure out what to do with it.

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Yesterday we trekked to Maryville for a cub scout swim night and picnic. Seeking to retreive my Nina CD’s from Dr. H and Smallworld at a convenient time, I “dropped by”. Discovered yet again the effect of country life on my tongue (can I EVER stop talking so fast and so much?!), had a few sore laughs (rope swings and thirty-something year old bodies don’t always mix so well), and left my child behind.

Yup. There I was, just chewing ice and enjoying my Dave Ramsey fix on the radio, and halfway out to the picnic, when Sarah called and asked me if I knew why she was calling.

NO WHEATON!!

Sheesh. At least it wasn’t Walmart, but a friend who loves me and didn’t report me to CPS for neglect. For their part, W and his friend D had a blast, having “pulled one over” on mom and gained a few extra moments to play.  And David, who had a truly awful day at work, at least didn’t have to add the baggage of having forgotten his kid somewhere.

Andrew just said, “I don’t know why you didn’t notice mom. It was so QUIET in the car.” Well if that ain’t the pot calling the kettle black…..

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