This is How Two People Communicate after 10 Years of Marriage

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Dear Sir,

It is with my deepest regret that I write this letter to you. Due to the increase of canine activity in the latter evenings, and the lack of ability to obey a simple command, I am writing to tell you that I am unable to maintain the workload associated with this behavior.

These careless activities add much demand on my daily responsibilities, of which I cannot with good conscience say that I am efficient in my job and serving as unto the Lord, using the time He has given me to the best of His Glory. In desiring to be the best steward of my time and resources, I regret to inform you that I will be resigning from daily morning vacuuming of all canine fur of the entire first floor. Consider this my official, written resignation.

Furthermore, if you intend to continue to invite guests into our home who were not invited, prior to the original contract, you will have no choice but to perform the above duties thoroughly prior to retiring into your sleeping quarters. Should you have any questions please contact me for clarity.

Thank you for understanding in this manner.


Mrs. Happy to Serve You in All Ways Except This Capacity

p.s. I am serious

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RE: sincere regret

Dear Mrs. Happy to Serve You in All Ways Except This Capacity,

Under the circumstances and current work load, I accept your written resignation. I have three understudies that would be willing to take turnover from you as you transition from this task. However, like any good employee, and as you can imagine with the scope of this work, please provide two-weeks notice for proper turnover and training. This will maintain your "good standing" with the company, and also provide for a pleasurable written recommendation in your departure. As with any task you perform, I'm sure your training of the trainee will be thorough enough for a smooth transition and not disrupt the current cleanliness standards.

I want to thank-you for your service, and wish you well in your new endeavors.

Sincerely,


Luckiest Husband in the World

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I Have an Itch

Well, winter seems to be tapering off around here. For the last several weeks I can see my perennials beginning to grow. The corkscrew willows have buds on them large enough to see from my dining room window. Strawberries and chives are peeking through last years growth. And looking really closely, I could find faint little baby buds peeking out on my raspberry plants.

I love it.

There is much to do to get the garden ready. And I am so anxious to get out there and begin creating. Last fall my husband covered our back patio, and the project will need finishing this spring. So that will have to take priority. But in the mean time, I will be digging up and moving our raspberries to give them more room. I found some old salvaged handmade bricks on craigslist, that I would like to border some beds with and hopefully make a meandering path from the patio to the garden. I will need to fence the garden this year, due to a small 160lb pony we have living in our backyard, that, well, seems to always find something to do in my garden (even if it is laying in my strawberry bed).

All this being said, I must keep my focus on what the Lord has given me today. My heart, my roots, would love to be on a rural peony farm, watching them rise from the wet ground a few weeks from now. I would love to be cultivating with my children all our food from hard work, learning and teaching all that we have learned to those who want to learn as well.

To have a root cellar, and a compost bin, and a large clothesline outside. To wake up with my cup of coffee and not hear and see my neighbor's roaring engine, and to sit on my front porch in my pajamas and watch the sun come up in peace, being sure, that no one will be driving by to see my crazy hair (there I said it).

For now, for some reason, this is where God has us right now, and today I will rejoice in Him. Discontent comes so naturally. Even Paul, whom the Lord broke many times over, had to learn to be content.

"I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. I might be here at this address a very long time.

Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,

rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him,

“Lord, are You washing my feet?”

Jesus answered and said to him,

“What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them,

“Do you know what I have done to you?"

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.

If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

John 13:1-15

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When I read this passage of scripture, there are so many things that get my mind thinking. But the most quieting thing is the heart of Jesus towards his friends. He knew that His hour had come, to die a gruesome death, to bear the sins of the whole world on himself, to be separated from the Father, to be accused of many things that He had never done, to experience physical death (which was never designed to be), and to leave those that He considered His dearest friends. He had perfectly executed all things that the Father had given Him to do, and was going back to the Father, leaving those that He had poured His truths into day after day.

He rose up from an intimate meal with them, and began to wash their feet; all of their feet, even Judas Iscariots' feet.

This example that He gave He said they would not understand right now, but later they would understand.

I think about how hard it is to receive from the Lord sometimes. How my pride takes it's place on the throne of my heart and says, "I don't need to be cleansed".

I think about Jesus' desire to cleanse me, to give me the grace I so desperately need.

And how I am like Peter in how I respond.

He is my teacher, and my Lord, may I sit at His feet and receive from Him, the grace I don't deserve.

May it cost me something to give that grace away.