School days...and taking risks!

Jordan recently had a large role in his school play "Beauty & The Beast"..now, acting is NOT one of his loves but he is taking Drama and it was required.  He was irritated he had landed such a big role but this mama knew from the time he was a little boy that he would be gifted in "drama"...he is quite the entertainer.  He did a great job and begged me to not post pictures but kids don't always get what they ask for...one day he will be glad.  

I have felt sorry for their drama teacher with this crew!!!! She said they kept her laughing!

Jordan also finished up basketball season.  His school has been very successful in sports, winning state basketball championships and state soccer championships.  In fact I am enjoying the QUIET of my home as the entire family is at the girls state basketball final game.  I planned on going but then realized I could have about 6 straight hours of a Saturday alone and opted to stay behind...I am with the girls in spirit!!!

I have to brag on my kids here...they are all SO brave!!!  There will be some changes next year, one I am not yet at liberty to discuss publicly but the other one is Kailee will be leaving TCS next year for public school.  This decision involved many factors but ultimately Kailee wanted to try public school after her experience last year in MN.   By a total fluke we found out last week the school she would be going to was having cheerleading tryouts this past week for next years 8th graders.  She has cheered for two years at TCS and was on a gymnastics team so she can tumble REALLY WELL.  She is one of those that is just gifted athletically and can dance too!  She decided to tryout so for the last three days has spent the afternoons with 40 other girls she didn't know learning the cheers and dances.  Tryouts were last night and she made it!!!  In fact when her turn was over the judges asked if she would stay until everyone had left and asked her to come back in and tumble for them.  The girl pulled out a roundoff and three backhand springs in a row...she said she was so nervous as she hasn't done any flipping since Dec 08 when when she was on the gymnastics team.  Way to go Kailee!!!  (this was the girl that almost didn't make it, see Memorial Box Monday below)

My bible study is studying "Chasing Daylight" and is is about making the most out of lifes mundane moments and taking risks!!  We have tried to expose our kids to risks as they have grown up and we are thrilled that we see them choosing to do risky things on their own...Now..I am not talking foolish risks but as Erwin McManus writes:

"It has become an acceptable part of pop theology that the safest place is to be in the center of the will of God.  I am not saying that this statement is ill-intended, but it is misdirected and misinformed.  Whatever the motivation the result as brought more damage than good. If the safest place to be is in the center of the will of God then an appropriate measure of God's will is the test...Is it safe?

The inversion of this framework has clearly affected our Western faith.  We have concluded that God promises's safety.  Those who are outside of God's will, will experience danger.  You cannot have risk and guarantee safety.  Out pop-theology has eliminated the place for risk and insulated us with a comfort and security theology.  The view runs counter to what is found in the Scriptures.  I want to reiterate the fact that the center of God's will is not a safe place, but the most dangerous place in the world.  God fears nothing and no one.  God moves with intentionality and power.  To live outside God's will puts us in danger, but to live in His will makes us dangerous.  When we begin to seek our divine moments , we do not begin to live risk free, but instead free to risk"!!!

Wow...I read this after our decision was made in the above two areas...I am SO excited for the opportunities both of these situations will provide our kids and our families with.  We have felt like we are kind of living in a spiritual bubble.  School and church take up a lot of our time and little time is left for reaching out to the lost (ironic isn't it?).  I know I am leaving a lot out but we know we will be judged for our decisions by some but that is ok.   To add on to what McManus says I think the more dangerous thing is to not be obedient to what God is calling us to and again..a lot of the time if not ALL the time that involves risk.  It may not always turn out well in the end...failure is very possible.  He also writes "Failure can shape us, change us, teach us and motivates us.   You do yourself a disservice when every story has a happy ending in life.  It's far more important that there be a meaningful middle.  So often, we're paralyzed in our fear to do the wrong thing, and it is important to always move forward with all the wisdom possible....in the  midst of the process , there is a great deal of imperfection".  

I think of some of you who have pursued a child and that hasn't had a happy ending.  You took a risk, with your heart first of all and oh, how that hurts but I pray that there has been a "meaningful middle".  

I never want to be seen as predictable or my life as predictable,,,that kind of makes me sick to my stomach...I want to always be open and asking "what next?"  Life is SUCH a journey and although it can be filled with many mountains and deep valleys if we keep moving it will take us far beyond what we can see!!!

Now I am off to crank my IPOD and clean my house ALL BY MYSELF!!!! Wohoo!!!