99% of the time, I write from a place of inspiration.  I write because events have moved me to the point of expression that only characters in black and white set in 11pt font can articulate.  Lately, however, inspiration has not been lacking but rather hidden under to do lists, poor health, or sunny days that force me out of doors.

This week, a tragedy hit our community.  A vibrant young man is missing and our small school community is grieving.  Emotions have seeped out of places at unexpected times.  We all carry the weight of the grieve for the family.  Hard.

This week, I took my first load of junk to Carita's (a Catholic Charity similar to Good Will) and the Mistplatz (dump).  This was on my "to do" list for October.  It's May.  It was the first "in your face" action that highlighted our upcoming move.  Reality.

This week, I opened our windows open wide and realized winter is finally over.  Cool evenings and warm days have returned.  On the cement walls of my apartment, green vines grow without human intervention.  They once again frame my white paned windows and remind me of the urban setting that I've grown accustomed to calling home.  Lovely.

This week, we gathered at a friends house for a grill party.  Families gathered outside - the first time since last year.  We ate and laughed and ran toes through healthy grass.   Without knowing, we made more memories that will come back often as we each go out separate ways in the coming weeks.  These friends, who are more like family, have become an integral part of our lives.  Wonderful.

In one week, this happened.
There's more, but not so blog-worthy.

However, in one week, both hard and ugly and lovely and wonderful all took place.  Is it any wonder why human brains often need breaks just to take it all in?

In reading Joshua, most times when God spoke to him, He began with "Don't be afraid.  Don't be discouraged."  Joshua's human condition often wore him down to the most primal of emotions:  fear and discouragement.  Yet, God created him to operate from a different place ... a place achievable only in Spirit:  courage.  Abundant life promotes us from earthly living.  It's not achievable in our human condition or in our own self-effort.  It's a gift given by Jesus, a gift He left us with - the Holy Spirit.  When unwrapping this wild and beautiful gift we are left with courage.

Unwrapping,
Christina

When my girls were little, they all were given an assignment.  It was actually a life lesson that I wanted them to know in their deepest little parts of their tiny little bodies that would form their identity:  "You are God's Masterpiece." Ephesians 2:10

Because God is a creative designer, each of their personalities could be seen at young ages especially noticed while learning their life identity.  Addison, my dear first-born, driven little leader, would say - usually to a watchful audience -  "I a nasty piece" with all the confidence of a two-year old.  Parker, our precious middle child, carefree and whimsical, would say with a sly grin on her face "I a piece" usually with a fist raised to wrestle you lovingly to the ground.  Then ... Libby.  My youngest and most - passionate - of my offspring would not let the words fully trip out of my mouth when asking her what God said about her.  She would reply - passionately - "I know, I know Mom.  I'm a masterpiece."  She would then proceed to do whatever it was that occupied her at the time without flinching at my request.  She already knew her identity.