I've noticed my personal workload seems to ebb and flow sometimes like the tide.  I've never checked it against the moons though - probably should.

Anyhoo - When it (the workload) seems to crest, there are two different types of results: 1) A small number of extremely large projects, or 2) Several small, nagging, chihuahua biting at your ankles kind of tasks demanding to be taken care of. 

In other words, there's mountains, or there's piles.

I have no idea which is better or worse. 

On the positive end, I could argue that with the small ones, at least you can do a few a day and feel some sense of accomplishment that you are able to X them off the list.  On the other hand, finishing a major project can give you a long term goal with premium satisfaction when it is completed and with much more enduring effect. 

On the negative side, the small ones seem to multiply - like fleas - or flies - or any other pestering insect - take your pick.  The large items can seem insurmountable, and there are days when a solid 10-12 hours of work doesn't seem to make a dent - and that can be mighty discouraging.

I guess that's why God commanded a Sabbath.  As much as I don't understand about it, I do understand this: Man gives forced labor.  God gives forced rest.

Nice to know - especially when there's lots to be done. 

jas

There's just something about planting a seed and watching it come up.  As far back as I can remember, we would start out plants for the garden in little peet-pots in an area on the back porch that my father had covered with plastic.  The aroma generated by the warm water soaked into the peet takes me way back. 

I would run out to the 'greenhouse' every day because I wanted to be the first one to see the sprouts.  If saw them, I would run back to my father and tell him what was up.  You would have thought I had caused them to sprout, because I was so proud.

It's no wonder that pagan religions felt the way they did about spring.  They saw winter as the death of their gods and spring as when they were reborn.  Although they missed the mark on who God really is, what they did see was the plants whither, and then the seed would die, only to give life brand new. 

Jesus even uses the seed in a parable to explain how one must allow their life to 'die' (in the spiritual sense, of course) in order for life to spring forth. 

Now, when people drive by and see some of us bent over out in the lawn here at the building, they may think we've lost something.  But in reality, we are finding the little juvenile bluebonnets all over the place - the ones we planted last fall. 

We are now watching how they grow and anticipate the bloom. 

Hmmm.  I wonder if God looks at us in a similar way?

jas

Ok.  So maybe it's a little larger than a 'momentary' lapse.  I've missed SO many days of blogging.  I feel like such a slacker.  But, as Mr. Bennet said in Pride and Prejudice, 'But not to worry, I'm sure the feeling will pass; and perhaps more quickly than it should.'

Do you know that the more I teach people Greek, the more I find it difficult in different areas? 

Do you know that our polarized political community actually shares more views than in any time in the last 20 years?  And btw - that's not a good thing.

Do you know that the economic stimulus package is proposed to be funded by printing the cash - fresh off the presses? 

Do you know what the definition of 'inflation' really is?

Do you know that some of the California courts are trying to outlaw homeschooling in their state?

Do you know that every single leading Democrat presidential candidate supports tax funded abortions?

Do you know that it's costing literally thousands of dollars and months  - perhaps years of time to go through the legal process of immigrating an elderly couple from England who want to retire and bring their retirement funds to spend here - yet our national leaders are yet trying to finagle another way to get current illegal aliens amnesty for free?

And - do you know that regardless of how foolish everyone around us behaves, our Savior has it all under control.

Now, deep breath.  Smile.  Move on.

Blessings,

jas

Spring seems to bring about more feelings of anticipation than any other season to me.  After lunch today, Ann and I went looking through the area where we've planted some bluebonnet seeds last fall.  Sure enough there are some that are starting to come up. 

Moreover, Elizabeth planted several of the seeds we had saved from some of the native plants here at the building.  She put them in some starter planting pots I picked up the other day.  In only 3 days they are already starting to peak out. 

The trees are starting to bud.  The geese are heading north.  The fish are coming towards the shallows for the spawn.  The birds are chirping it up, looking for food, and a place to build a nest.  Temperatures are feeling more warm than cold.  Rain is headed this way on the radar.

I am anticipating all these things.

And the Lord's congregation has grown here. 

And I am anticipating what's around the corner from Him.  Skies the limit ~ and here comes the rain.

jas