Dimly Lit

Annie Dillard in An American Childhood describes hiding a penny in the crack of a tree or in a little hollow when she was a little girl. She would then draw arrows on the sidewalk directing any passerby to the hidden treasure. She would hide nearby in order to see the look of joy and surprise at finding such a treasure, hidden right there next to the sidewalk.

Frederick Bueckner describes the clack-clack of tree branches striking each other in a gentle breeze.

Elie Weisel tells a Hasidic story of a poor Jew who traveled all the way to Crakow because of a dream that told of treasure; only to find the treasure buried under his own stove when he returned home.

If there is something that I continually need to be reminded of, it is that the greatest joy, the most beauty is experienced in the midst of the mundane. It is in the everydayness of life that God meets us. It is, perhaps, in the drudgery of changing a diaper at 3 o’clock in the morning, or while trying to soothe a 3 year old who’s overtired, who’s feelings have been hurt and who can’t stop crying. These are the treasures under the stove.

I need to be reminded that it is in the life of my family day in and day out that I ascend the heights and meet with God. Around each of the corners of my crumbling house, in the most unlikely circumstances, He is there. The bruises I feel may be from wrestling a 3 year old, but they may just be from wrestling an angel. And I may very well limp for the rest of my life.

Since I’m on the video kick right now. This is a video about nothing, but it’s oddly compelling and makes me feel good just watching it.

Where the hell is Matt?

By the way, you can read more about this guy at http://www.wherethehellismatt.com.

Check out this very cool Honda commercial. From what I’ve read, this is not animated and they really pulled it off after a bunch of attempts.

http://www.boardsmag.com/screeningroom/commercials/581/

It’s been a while. I don’t suppose I really need to explain why I haven’t been posting this time. Just scroll down to the pictures. You’d think you’d remember the crying, and being frazzled, and constantly repeated, “What do you think he needs?” questions. It must be part of God’s mercy that we forget – babies, while cute and wonderful, are hard work. (I hope it’s needless for me to point out here, that I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world!)

But now I’ve heard from 3 old friends that recently found me due to this blog, and that encourages me fire things up here once again. Much of life right now revolves around eating, sleeping, changing diapers, and somewhere I squeeze in going to work. My lovely wife works at juggling 3 kids, a dog and a 100 year old home all day – and she does an amazing job of it while still managing to stay sane! I would venture to say that as a result, the posting will still be light and may contain a lot more familial type anecdotes.

I’m tired a lot, but then I’ve been tired a lot for the past 4 years or so. My mind often feels like I imagine eggs would feel after they’ve been scrambled. If I ramble, forgive me. If I make no sense at all, just wait for the next post and maybe encourage me to go get another cup of coffee.

Life is good.
God is good.
Family is good.

What life have you, if you have not life together?
There is not life that is not in community,
And no community not lived in praise of GOD.

T.S. Eliot

I’ll take one please!