I know you likely read that title and thought that it could be read multiple ways. That, my friends, is a deliberate choice in ambiguity. Many would read that title and think I am going to talk about how it is so difficult to be a Christian. I am instead going to pose the question the other way: Why does everyone else think it is so hard to be a Christian? This is part 1. I am going to focus on the topic of sacrifice.

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Graduation Bells

by HomeschoolGirl

I’ve known since I made the decision to leave school that I wouldn’t have a traditional graduation. There would be no walking across the stage, my gown fluttering behind me, flashes of the camera in my family’s row while the principal pressed a cylinder of paper into my hand. I would not celebrate with my classmates afterward, generously distributing hugs to everyone I’d liked and not liked and not ever spoken to. I knew that, just as well as I knew I wouldn’t ever attend prom--but, hey, look what happened there.

His nose was almost on the ground,
The one I’d saved at the pound.
Friends we’d been forever,
Enemies we were never.
Myself and the Red Dog

This morning we’d set out in the fog,
Going on in a steady jog.
Myself and the Red Dog.

He was red all over,
And I had named him Rover.
His ears were big and daggy,
And His coat a little shaggy.
He was my big Red Dog

Mulling

I.

Skinande Skinande Skinande
I chant as if the words have shamanic power
And when it was frozen slick
we slid down on our --
I cannot even remember the word;
they do not have them here.
On the Indian oak I hung my lyre
and wept.
Snow pants.

II.

If I could ask a fictional character over for tea,
Who, you might ask, would it be?

I’d have a hard time deciding,
Maybe I’d ask for the girl who went riding,
With the little red hood,
But then, would that be any good?

Pinocchio would be rather quaint,
Dressed in little real clothes not paint.
To watch his nose continually grow,
Now that would be quite a show!

To pour tea for Belle and Alice,
And ask to see Belle’s pretty palace,
I wonder what she would say,
Yes?
Now that would be the day!

Farewell
Farewell to all, near or far,
Sleeping or awake,
To critters here or creatures there,
And even to the snake.
Farewell, my dears, for I must go
To my home to stay,
Remember me, I’ll wave goodbye
And now God Bless I say!

Chai Tea
My tea is hot, it’s good to drink,
I think you’d like it, too.
It is Chai Tea and it’s the best,
And love it? Yes I do!

A few years ago, I had a radical meeting with Jesus which ended in a marriage proposal. It was achingly beautiful, and wholly moving. I could not resist the tug on my heart or the meaning of His words whispered into the depths of my spirit. "Be my bride my beloved, I will love you no matter what." I said yes of course, tears flowing down my face. I was in complete disbelief, but from the deepest part of my soul, I wanted what He offered. The next day I woke up, looked down at my ring, and realized wow, that really happened! Now I’m married!

To see things simply
To stop and smell the roses
To stand and taste the rain
To do these things daily
It’s such a lovely life, I can’t deny.

Daisy chains and floral crowns
Bluebirds chirping and maggies squawking
We’ve only got a small time here
And we often rush through it,
This wonderful,
Lovely,
Life.

Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.