Pause

Hello, my wonderful readers. You guys rock! I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to my thoughts on a weekly basis.

Because I am entering a very busy season of time, teaching, preparing to leave for Asia, support-raising, etc. I have decided it would be best for me to take an extended break from this blog.

I hope to resume blogging either this summer or when I head out to language school in China this fall (at which point I'll have lots of interesting Chinese words to weave into my posts!)

Blessing to you all. Go where God takes you!

-Elizabeth

Hatting Freely

"So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, 

and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law."

~Galatians 5:1

 

 
Alice leans in to admire the Hatter's creations.

"It is good to be working at my trade again," he says.

"It's just a pity you have to make them for her," replies Alice.

She's right. The Hatter has the freedom to create, to beautifully fulfill his calling as hat-maker. He'd almost forgotten the chain around his ankle; forgotten that he's slaving for the bulbous-headed Red Queen, who prefers to be feared rather than loved.

Recently, I passed the brand-new Mormon temple just south of my city. Arches on arches tier up and pinnacle with a stunning gold Angel Moroni. The commissioners and builders must be proud. And unaware of their invisible ankle-chains.

It's not enough to do what we were made to do. We were designed to offer our talents freely, not under compulsion. That is how we will fulfill our callings in heaven, bringing glory to the One who gave both talents and freedom. Which is why Satan schemes so actively to create passable counterfeits, and why we must refuse to be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.

A! Eh?

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, 

as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.

-1 Peter 4:10

This week I offer a poem I wrote in 2008. I now find myself on the giving end of grades, and this is a good reminder that As have never been the goal of life.

A! Eh?

Another paper handed back

Like every other day

I hardly glace to see that I received

Another A

Getting grades is bittersweet

A mix of pride and apathy

And, as a result, shame

Feeling the touch of injustice from an unexpected side

What of the others?

Did they not try?

I know they studied just as hard

But I’ve the A. Why?

“Just accept it as a gift”

“Use your mind to save the poor”

Each voice, a different opinion

Each voice, a different blur

I take the gift to the one who gave it

“What would you have me do?

I could use an owner’s manual

To teach me proper care and use.”

A comprehensive manual

You did not have in mind

So I’ll take a lamp to guide my feet

And for the present, write.

-23 November 2008