Bethany and I went to Chicago last June for the Arts Conference at Willow Creek Community Church. It's one of my favorite things to do in the whole world! The theme of the conference was "Celebrating What's Right With the World." The first speaker was DeWitt Jones who is (or was....I don't know) a photographer for the National Geographic, and this was the title of his session. It was amazing; both Bethany and I loved it!
I realized at the beginning of 2008 that I needed to discipline myself to be more positive, and to learn to celebrate things more, so I took a journal that Cherri had given me a couple of years ago (it had been by my bed because it matched the decor in my room, but I had never written in it), and each evening I began to list the things that were "right with my world." I did it pretty consistently, and it seemed to help my overall perspective be more positive. My last list is dated February 10, 2008....2 days before John K. died. I haven't written in it since. It's been hard to even want to be positive these last couple of months.
But Spring is in the air; the birds are out and singing; the trees are budding; new life is all around. I feel the stirrings of new life within as well. So today, I want to celebrate what's right with my world:
1. Today is my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Cherri! She is one of my heroes in life. I bought her a card yesterday (I hope she doesn't read this before I give it to her tomorrow) that says: "What is yours is to play the assigned part well. But to choose it, belongs to someone else." --Epictetus
I bought that card because Cherri has played her part well in this life. It may not have been the part she would have picked were she to choose, but she has played it well, and she is my hero!
2. I have a wonderful family. We are not perfect by any stretch, but we love and respect each other. Tony is more than I deserve....he stands by me through all my ups and downs (and there are a lot of those). He is my rock. My children are finding their ways. Each is unique and is on their own journey of discovering themselves as they discover God. It's not always easy to watch, but it is good!
3. I have a great family of origin that is full of grace! Enough said.
4. I have a loving church family. We have walked together through some hard times, and they are "my people." I wouldn't want to do life without them. Church is not all that I would like for it to be, but it is a community of people who love each other....that's enough.
5. Spring is in the air. I look around at the beauty that is budding, and I hear the birds, and it brings me joy. One of the things DeWitt Jones said in his session was, "A bird sings not because it has an answer, but because it has a song." A bird sings because it was born with a song, and it is doing what it was created to do. Spring reminds me to do that....to contribute to this life through just being who I've been created to be. To love and to be loved is the greatest thing of all.
Melody
About Me
- The Lenoxes
- We are a family who strives to treat each other with love and respect, although we don't accomplish that perfectly. We believe that the most important thing in life is to love. Period.
6 comments:
Melody,
What a delightful post. It is uplifting as I read it and has an authenticity about it's description of real life that is often lost in Christian verbiage at the hands of others.
You've spoken honestly, simply and are a blessing to all of us as family continually. I love you.
Dad
THANK YOU, Melody!!! And I DIDN'T read this post before we had lunch together - and I LOVE the card!!! I have already shared the quote with a couple of friends.
Thank you for coming and bringing Bethany to OKC so that Dara, Mom & I could visit, share funny stories, and take pictures. You have a way of making special times even more memorable.
I love your heart, your spirit, your words, and your thoughtfulness. You bring beauty and depth to my life. THANK YOU for staying true to your journey and being such an integral part of mine.
Blessed to be your sister,
Cherri
P S - I FINALLY created an account so that I can comment on posts again!!! WOO HOO!!!
Thanks Dad! I love you too!!
Cherri,
Woo-Hoo I'm glad you can post again. I had a great time at lunch. It always makes me think, "Why don't we do this more often?" The trip isn't that long.
Maybe we can plan a lunch a month or something. Love you!
Well, I'm late in reading this. What a wonderful post. I thought I checked your blog every morning, but apparently I don't. Wished I had, then I wouldn't have been so stupid about the card at lunch. Would have had time to think about it.
Mel, I love my girls! How could a Mom be so blessed as to have you and Cherri for my girls. The only other equality is to have my two sons.
I also love our girl times together. We would have fun doing it more often, but we're all living our lives with our own and it's hard to find time. However, when we do, it's so good. Just plain fun.
I so enjoy reading your posts. Reminds me of our talks together when we used to live closer and then our girl-weeks together we used to have. A new way to stay connected. Keep it up.
MB
Mom,
You weren't stupid about the card! I had to read it a couple of times to get what it was saying as well. I was so glad you joined us Wednesday....even before you picked up the ticket! :)
The feeling is mutual...I feel extremely blessed to have you and dad for parents. I think I've said that about a million times, but I can't say it enough. I love our family!
ML
WOW, what to say? I just read your post. I haven't been very good about getting online and reading everyone's blog lately, but I read yours because of a comment your mom left on ours. I know I have said this before, but I feel SO blessed to be in this family. I've never experienced what you guys have. You all go through your ups & downs, whether together, or apart from one another. But WOE to the one that does or says anything to someone in this family. I say that in a kidding, but serious way. You love one another - right where you are. That's such a good feeling to know you have family that will support you. I hope you "meaning the entire family" never take that for granted. I am surprised at the number of people I have run across in my lifetime that either have no family at all, or choose not to associate with their family. How sad. I picked the right one :) I love you Brett, but I got a lot more when I married into this family.
KB
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