OK, here are some clues...

What the...?

What is going on here?
Leave a comment and tell me what you think.
Most creative (yet appropriate) answer gets a prize.

Refreshing

Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!
Proverbs 25:13 (The Message)

Lessons from the stye: Sometimes faith means saying “no.”

A stye, an infectious obnoxious little lump, has taken up residency in my eye. As you can see, it’s ugly. You probably can’t see how badly it hurts.

I tried to cover the red puffiness with eye makeup, which actually is quite effective. The only problem with this method is the cover-up prevents me from treating the problem (by inserting antibiotic cream-goop and placing warm compresses on my eye six times daily).

I have to choose between looking pretty on the outside and healing the inside. In this case I can’t do both, so I’ve gone without makeup this week.

If only I could treat healing of the heart the same way. It’s so easy to cover the wounds, the pain, the hurt, the soul infection. What would actually happen if I left them uncovered and did the work of treating the “root” of the problem? The pain often gets worse before it gets better. The infection has to keep swelling until it comes to a head before healing starts.

There are many ways in which I cover my heart-wounds. One primary way is busyness. If my life is filled with activity I will feel loved, useful, needed, important. If I’m busy, I won’t have to take the time to deal with the painful pangs my heart is feeling.

Will you do this? Will you do that?
Yes, yes, yes, I aim to please!

So much so that my days and evenings and weekends are filled. When I don’t take the time to attend to what’s going on inside (let my heart heal with rest and time with God) the inner-infection builds. My heart and soul start to die when I don’t do what makes me come alive (for me, being creative and enjoying God’s creation).

So I challenge myself to say “no” to some things (even “good” activities), which just fill up my time, but don’t fulfill God’s purpose for my life.
I challenge you to do the same. Feel what your heart is beating. Allow time and space in your life for healing. Pretending your wounds aren’t there wont make them go away. Do the work to heal the problem, rather than covering up the symptoms.
My eye is healing, my heart is feeling, and I’m believing God that sometimes faith means saying “no.”

Disclaimer: I reserve every right not to follow my own advice. After I decided I’m too busy, I said “yes” to a freelance editing job. In addition, I’m planning to start back with the Thursday-night writing group, get certified to teach yoga in October, and start massage therapy classes in January. I’m working 12 more days at Peterson Air Force Base. Oh did I mention I work full-time? And try to maintain friendships, attend a Bible study, and a small group. I like to sleep, eat, and exercise occasionally too.

It takes two to tango.

I learned the basics of the tango at the Mercury Cafe (my favorite urban hangout) this weekend in Denver.
Argentine tango is known as the dance of passion--to be danced with extreme connection and focus on your partner. However, no partner is required for lessons, and even if you bring a partner, you're required to switch every fourth song.
As a woman, this means you must listen to man--not with the ears, but with the arms. We were required to shut our eyes and our mouths the majority of the time.
According to my instructor, this dance is all about the embrace. It's strong and sexy, but respectful. The woman must not allow the man to walk all over her, nor does the dance work if she leads.
Dance has so much to teach about relationships.
After all, you know the saying...it takes two to tango!