Day 15: Gummy Vitamins

I’ve never been big on taking vitamins, even when I was pregnant, I opted to try and eat really healthy instead of taking a huge pill.  However, given all the sickness running through our house lately, I decided now would be a great time to start beefing up our daily intake of vitamins and minerals.  And let’s face it, our consumption of junk has sky-rocketed recently.

Today, I added gummy vitamins to the grocery list, to dinner, and to Lent.  Of course, they were a hit.  Now the challenge is thoroughly explaining that taking more than the recommended dosage is not just my rule, but printed on the bottle.

I think I need a similar once-a-day spiritual vitamin-taking-routine.  I probably could benefit from a devotion pill every morning and evening.  I used to consume a daily devotional diet.  I think I have unfortunately associated devotions and routine with a very legalistic approach to spiritual living…partly because I allow guilt to consume if I miss a day, and guilt doesn’t come from Jesus.  However, when I consider devotions as just a good healthy routine to boost my spiritual immune system, the idea is less shaped like a huge horse-pill and more like a little glossy-red sugar bear.

“I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

Job 23:12

Day 16: Swatches

Judah and I went in search of fabric for the new dining room chairs.  So many colors.  So many designs.  So many patterns.  So many choices.  It was fun for both of us to leave each store with free long strips of colorful samples.  He would grab a handful and shake them as he sat in the cart.  We both felt like we were somehow getting away with a great heist, waving our loot in the air without paying as we ran out the door.

We added swatches to Lent today.  We added joy and admiration of pretty little things…and the thrill of a free gift.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23

Day 17: Calf Scramble

We were invited to the Houston Rodeo.  My favorite event was the Calf Scramble.  Fifteen calves were released in the arena along with thirty kids.  On foot, the youth chased and roped the calves.  It had the entertainment value of The Amazing Race and America’s Funniest Home Videos piled into one.  Kids were darting and dashing in every direction with great purpose and execution while others were being dragged behind the dirty end of a bovine.  Catching and roping the calf proved to be only half of the battle.  Once caught, the calves have to be led back to the center starting point in order for the child to receive the payout.

There was one little cow that was quite stubborn.  He dug his front hooves into the dirt, head down, determined not to budge.  His juvi-wrangler spent a solid ten minutes in a stand-off with him, the two in a battle of the will.

I think I’m a stubborn cow most days.  And the days I’m not fighting the Father as He tries to guide me back to center-point, I’m running like a Banshee for the nearest exit.  Who do I think I am?  He always wins.

“Yet the Lord set his heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”

Deuteronomy 10:15-17