I knew I would grow lazy because of my recent trend in posting the mundane, and I have. I have been sitting here trying desperately to come up with something more thought provoking than a one-sided conversation about the weather and your health, and I'm coming up dry.

But as a peace offering I'll give you at least this:

I am recently challenged by one reoccurring thought: Have I grown so accustomed to asking for God's best that I wouldn't know God's best if it sat on the front porch and split peas with me? I think I have. I am struck again by the fact that God doesn't just want our pious meager sacrifices, He wants our hearts. He wants us to be able to say that we stood firm, but we knew when brokenness and contrition were the order of the day.

I stand firm. I am resolute. I lock my jaw and my convictions and God help anyone who dares challenge them. I remember the times when I was so much like the wave tossed to and fro, and so desperate to just be radical for the Kingdom of Heaven. And I don't know how it happened, but now I find myself on the other side of that leap and desperate for a bit of pliability in my spirit. God, give me flexibility and joy in the process!

I am at the Little Yellow House with the kiddies I love so much. I don't babysit, honestly, so don't consider this advertising. But tonight when the Daddy of the house called and asked if I could come over for a few hours while he watched the Mama of the house and her sisters do a sister act in town, how could I say no? We read stories and played games by no other rules than the ones we made up and now they are mumbling themselves to sleep in the bedroom upstairs. I love them.

I am still looking for an apartment despite the complaints from the Mama of my house that she doesn't want me to leave. She has grown far too dependent on me and my crazy moods, and I think the only way we can break this is for me to move, and quickly! This morning, on a lazy Saturday morning, we sat in the family room and just talked for two hours, at the end of which she declared "But do you have to move? I know you need to, but do you have to?" To which I reply, "Something's gotta give."

The real reason I have to move is because we two have a robust addiction to Scrabble and can't go a day without playing it. And even when we do go a day without it, we still make words in our heads. And even further than that, we count up how much words we use during the day are worth. Futile -- 8. Utility --10. Lurking --12. This madness must stop!

This week reminds me of one of the things I loved about Tennessee: the heat. I was on the phone with a friend tonight and I said to him "I think where I live is just about the prettiest place on the planet!" and it is. Truly, I believe that. We get the fullest of four seasons, there's water, mountains, fields, pretty downtowns, and skies that regularly rival anything I've ever seen. But heat is something we are not accustomed to--so this week of sticky, hot humidity is being cherished by yours truly.

I love it.

On a related note: Tonight, while I am here, my dear family is out on the boats and other water apparatus at Norwood Lake. I love the water. I love the water. I love the water! Some people are picky about the dipping place of choice, only chlorinated pools for some or fresh waterfalls for others; wide, open lakes for some or the ocean for others. I care not. Honestly. My favorite thing about summer is the water.

This summer is my first summer in many years where I won't be lifeguarding. I'm turning over a new leaf! Offices painted with Silence and printers that run out of ink! Staff meetings and PDF files! Uncomfortable desk chairs and phone calls galore! The most water I'll see on a regular basis are the water-cooler jugs stacked in the closet. Oh well.