Bigger than Washington

I had the honor of attending an evening at Oklahoma Weslyan in Bartlesville last night.  The dinner included an evening with Gov. Frank Keating titled, "Crisis Leadership."  Powerful topic, even more powerful was the prelude by Dr. Everett Piper where he clearly and poetically declared the mission of the University - a quest for absolute truth and the integrity to live out the findings.
So, as I am sitting there intrigued by the paths that led the woman and men around me to their careers, I realize that we've all had to address "crisis leadership."  Crisis, bad times, they come to all of us.  What a gift.  Sure, you are thinking - what????  But seriously, think about it.  The gift is the equal playing field and the reminder of the Coach.  Humans, no matter what title, all have a time of crisis.  Most of us have a time in our life that we have a visual so tattooed in our noggin that we can resurrect it at will and become watery-eyed over it.  Moments that are bigger than us.  Moments that are bigger than words.  Moments that we can only cry.
Last night, Mr. Keating had a moment like that.  Despite the honorable introduction, the long list of accomplishments, the name dropping, the rhetoric of political agenda - despite it all - even he had to stop mid-sentence as he was recalling seeing a soldier's dress blues and shiny shoe under the rubble of the Oklahoma City bombing.  That moment - was even now, over a decade later, bigger than him.  As his eyes teared and his chin quivered, I thought, "praise God."  I praise Him because He has created an emotion to remind us all that He is bigger than us and that even the brightest and best of humankind still hold no candle to the steadiness through a crisis that He keeps lit.
We are told that there are no tears in Heaven.  I believe that.  He does not need them because He is huge.  It all makes sense to Him.  But thank goodness we have tears here.  They are our reminder that even the most polished man still has moments that are bigger than him.
God Bless America.

Intentional

Women can get lost.
I have found it incredibly challenging to balance my life. I desire to be all things to all people especially those I share a roof with over our heads. I have always seemed to do it at my own expense. So, I get lost.
In my maze of discontent, I rear up and fight the ghost of achievement and lose yet again.
Stacking all the duties and descriptions defined by women writers, I find myself slowly slipping a heavy noose around my neck until I am dangling - feet kicking - then limp. A wet noodle of no value to anyone.
Over the years this cycle of the Proverbs 31 wife battling the Susan B. Anthony has become all too often and all too familiar. Stopping this cycle takes real intention, real understanding of the core that drives it.
So, for me, I have found a simple mantra of balance comes from staying balanced with intention.
My intentions for my husband are voiced and accomplished. He knows why I do what I do for him. He knows the intent of the daily actions. My daughter also sees my plan intentionally to be a part of the routine that encompasses her life. She fully understands that I am a part of her daily life on purpose, not because it is convenient or just worked out that way.
I look into fifth grade faces of children once a week because I have intended to reach, to teach and to provide an adult perspective of making it through this challenging world with a positive view. Intentionally, planning to be a part of an equation of healing and restoration.
Sure, I could go on with my intentions with friends and family and other interest in my life, but you get the point. The point is simple - intention is everything.
If you don't intend on doing anything - you will get lost.
Don't get lost. Plan your intentions today.