Temptations of the weary

If you think being tired is just a state of being, think again.  Exhaustion, weariness, tiredness can be traps to make a real mess of our lives.  Do you ever hear yourself apologizing and then blaming your behavior on being tired?  "Oh I'm sorry.  I didn't mean that.  I'm just so tired--"   There are the stories of people who signed papers, made purchases and agreements and promises when tired and not thinking clearly.  These acts of weariness have resulted in years of problems.  When you're tired it will take you sometimes twice as long to complete a task.   When you're tired you're more likely to be impatient, unkind, or rude.  Ever noticed how ticked off you can get when you're exhausted?  When you're tired it's hard to hear from God.  That's because your frame of mind is agitated and dulled.  You're just not listening.  When you're tired it's easier to feel sorry for yourself, find fault and complain.  If you stub your toe when you're rested you might yelp with the sudden pain, but if you stub you're toe when you're sleep deprived and/or worn out, you  become enraged.  People have forfeited their morals when tired; they have compromised their integrity while in a state of weariness.  The good news is tiredness is a temporary condition.  A little sleep, a little folding of the hands, and we're good to go again, and no longer prone to the temptations of the weary.

On the road

Working on a new book or a new painting is like stepping into another country.  In this way I'm always traveling to new countries. And now I guess you might say I'm on the road again.  I'm writing my third book of fiction.  (My second book, AN ORDINARY DAY IN HEAVEN, isn't out yet.  I confess I get a little anxious in this waiting period between the words "The End" and "Now in Bookstores."  So in the meantime, I work.)  And I appreciate the world around me.  (We must never miss an opportunity to appreciate the world around us, I always say.)  For example, today I was explaining to my granddaughter the Sacred Act of Eating.  She held back chuckles as I explained that eating is a Holy Event.  Every meal, holy and sacred.  The taste, texture, sight, sound, aroma, and sheer delight of food--  She munched her veggie burger and then chuckling openly, she said she'd never think of eating quite in the same way.  It's all about Being Present, I explain. She does not look at me as if I'm from another country.  She gets up from the table, comes over to me and gives me a big hug.  I'm back from the road.  I'm definitely home.

Back home

Wow.  All flights canceled from Washington D.C. because of the huge show storm.  Makes me wonder if weather rules the world.  (We know better, of course, but nevertheless it's daunting. )  The airport in DC was chaos beyond anything I've seen a long time-- not since the ice storms in Vermont a few years ago when I was in graduate school trying to get home.  Newscasters are warning to watch the weight on our roofs, stay off roads, load up on groceries. I was at the Prayer Breakfast in D/C. where Obama gave his little talk, nothing like we had hoped, and Hillary carried on-as keynote- first time for me to hear Hillary in person.  She is the definitive political speaker, let me tell you.  Warm, personal, funny, and for me, as the writer with a spiritual eye-- totally phoney.  Like the president's talk.  Something is wrong at the top, friends, terribly wrong.  At the congressinal dinners and luncheons I attended I met men and women in office who are scrupulous and reputable  people of integrity-- but if you';ve never been a person of prayer for our nation, let me sound the alarm-- now is the time.  Pray for our leaders.  PRAY. 

Off to President's Prayer Breakfast in Washington

Did you notice the silk painting?  It's only a small section of one of my silk scarves and it's after Romans 12:21:  "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good," and entitled "Overcoming."  In a few hours I'll be flying to Washington D.C. for the President's Prayer Breakfast.  (Speaking ofovercoming!  We'll be praying up a storm.)  It's a three-day event with a National Leadership gathering as well.  There will be a congressional dinner and leadership luncheon besides the famous Breakfast with the Pres., as I like to call it.  I was a speaker for the event in '08, and it's quite spectacular with leaders and dignitaries from around the world.  It is a grave time for prayer for this world, not only our beautiful nation.  I learned more about the condition of the world (things the news media don't tell us) at the U.N. Prayer Summit a few months ago in New York.  As we gathered in those impressive chambers listening to leaders from around the world tell their stories it was most sobering.  Talk about a call for intercession!  I will  try to blog when I'm in Washingotn.  I understand the city is under 5 inches of snow.  This Minnesota girl will be right at home.  Please pray for me.  Are you telling anyone to join us on this blog?  I hope so!