LineaLanoie's Weblog

One nice thing about blogging – it gives one a place to rant about pet peeves. So here goes.

Our streets seem to be littered with bright orange snow removal signs. This morning I almost ran overone that was lying flat on its face where I needed to park. I needed to park relatively close to the school I was visiting this morning, like within two blocks, since I had to trudge through the snow and I was not smart enough to wear my Sorels.

I know the sign has only been in its spot since the blizzard stopped – which is maybe two days. But in this town, it seems as if they put up signs for snow removal that have nothing to do with what is actually going to happen in the near future. I am sure that in the next few days or weeks or certainly before spring, the snow will be removed by the wonderful, hard working, city crews. But why not wait until they really mean it before putting out the signs? Then one could take them seriously and refrain from parking in those areas that would certainly be done that day and would, if you ignored their warning, leave the car buried under a graderload of snow.

End of this rant. I will see if I get away with parking in the same spot this afternoon!

This time the weather guys were right on. We are having a blizzard.

It will be a quiet day at the office. It has been quiet this morning – only 4 out of 9 people came for appointments.

They have just closed the highway south of PA. The pain would have to be intense to bring anyone out in this weather. I just wish I could go home.

How would the patients feel if the dentist just didn’t show up, I wonder?

We were discussing the fact that a woman we both know is interested and concerned for my daughter.

“Why would she be impressed by me and why would my story interest her? 

“Maybe because God loves you very much.  Have you ever thought about why you are here and not one of the millions of other kids struggling in Africa?”

“Yeah, I think about that a lot.”  Pause.  “I should pray more”

“Well, do you pray?”

“Not very often.”

“You pray when you are desperate don’t you?”

“Yeah.  And I guess my dance is a prayer sometimes.  Its what God made me good at.”

We celebrated. 

In fact tonight is the third day in a row when I have had guests.  True, most of them have been family – or at least on all of the occaisions, family was present besides other non-related guests. 

In a family where the kids are likely to drop by for a meal uninvited and unannounced it becomes difficult to think of them as guests.  They are usually treated as non-guests and get to help. 

Saturday – The meeting of the Congo Connection.  I think we ended up with about 35 to 40 guests in our home.  They came from PA, Saskatoon and Wakaw; parents and children; casually dressed and dressed in finery.  One little girl wore a light blue dress and had a white fur stole around her neck – Must be a princess,” I said as she walked in.  Later on she was running up and down the stairs with the rest, the stole forgotten somewhere.  It was fun but I, not being a night person, was very tired by 2:30 am when we got to bed. 

Sunday – New Years Eve.  I did not think we would invite anyone over but after a nap, we were ready to call some friends over and put out the leftovers from the night before, plus a few extras.  There really is nothing better than sitting around talking and watching comedy with good friends.  Some of our kids were there and Leo has been accused of trying to get Eric’s mother-in -law to consume more spirits than was good for her.

The kids were off in all directions – the younger ones that is.  I suppose you could say that Christian was working since being a drummer for a New Year’s Eve gig is what he was up to. 

This morning, we did not rise too early. 

Poor “of age” daughter learned a bit of a lesson about imbibing too much.  She had to work this morning and when she got up the room was still spinning, she said.  She also has to fork out a chunk of money to have a friends car cleaned.  She thinks she learned her lesson.  I hope.

Tonight another big meal – just roast beef.  The table was full again – but only one table of ten.  Auntie Florence came over to help us celebrate.  It was good for her to get out of the nursing home and nice to have her able to join us.  She enjoyed getting lots of hugs and kisses from Zaka.

“It is not God we’re missing.  It is the awareness of God in the commonness of life that we fail to cultivate.”  Called to Question by Joan Chittister p 40,41

Journaling the events of the day and paying attention to the places where I have been aware of God’s presence during the day not only help me to remember those times but keep me on the lookout for God in the ordinary circumstances of the day.  Whether I am cooking supper, babysitting, listening to a child’s problems or working at the office I will encounter God if I pay attention.   But God generally will not yell or resort to fireworks or visions.  Just a very still small whisper that I sometimes must strain my ears to hear.  I suppose for me journaling is like wearing a hearing aid, helping me to hear God.

On the other hand, when I am using time in a wasteful way (and I do not mean relaxing or leisure time because that is good time but rather time when I know I am  blocking out the responsibilities I should be taking care of) then I am blocking God out.  If I cannot carry on whatever I am doing as though God were at my side, I am closing the door on his presence, telling him that I am busy, come back later when I feel like it.  I can hardly expect God to come and go at my pleasure as if he were mine to command. 

Today, going for a walk was the best thing I did.  I had forgotten how good the clear fresh air tasted.  I had forgotten how good it was to walk in God’s presence with my eyes open to his world around me.  How green the evergreens are against the snow.  The sun’s rays slanted a warm gold across the open snow on the river to the trees on the island.  It was good to stretch my limbs and muscles.  How badly I need to do this regularly! 

Last night I watched Zaka as Grace had some business to take care of, helping out her brother.  He is beginning to walk and he knows that he can perform this feat to our great delight.  He toddles about 10 steps between couch and coffee table then stands up to clap for himself.  It is a much fun for him as for us watching.  It is a delight to watch him develop, to see him discover things he can do and see that once he has it figured out he adds that skill to his growing repertoire.  He learns new things almost daily.  I hope that the joy and love we are able to share with him now also is also stored away inside to be drawn on later to help heal the hurtful parts of life that will come someday. 

Both these events – the walk and watching my grandson – were places I met God.  Nature is an easy place for me to encounter God.  It holds endless things to wonder and marvel at.  And a child beginning to discover life – just watching him discover walking or pushing a ball down a tube – that is an experience in the reality of being “fearfully and wonderfully made.