From extraordinary to ordinary and then.............

1/1/11 What's the best approach? Today's date is extraordinary. Last week was extraordinary for us. We had a house full of folks including 5 little Texans, 8 & under and 3 yr. old Owen and lots of drop in family and friends. The carport was parked with scooters and bikes and mini golf carts, not cars. We played inside and outside---in coats and gloves and shorts and rain gear. It was a monumental effort just to feed and bathe and entertain with Wii and board games, homemade play dough & legos, stories & slide shows. Movies, ice skating, Christmas tree for the birds. We tried to do it all.
Now they, and all the company that accompanies their infrequent visits, are gone. How does one transition? How does one go from clutter to calm? From delight to doldrums? From extraordinary to ordinary?

The time with them is so fleeting. I want it to be special. We see them so seldom that I want it to be memorable. I work hard at is and so does Larry. Their parents sacrifice to bring them. I want it to be memorable. When they drive away and I see that Texas license plate disappearing from sight I cry. I get that sick, lonely feeling in the pit of my stomach as if I'm homesick. I can hardly swallow. I call and check on them along the way. They will be glad to get home to their toys and their beds---their ordinary is their comfort zone. My transition to our ordinary feels sad.

In Eccl 1:1-11, we learn that life is fleeting and disappointing---here today and gone tomorrow. Just like all the football games we've watched today. It seemed so important to cheer for the right team---I was so glad when the horned frogs (I almost typed toads) of Texas Christian won and especially when the quarterback quoted I Peter 5:6. Yet, I probably won't remember next year---just like I can't remember who won the Rose Bowl last year or even the Super Bowl. It seems so important at the time but the simple truth is most of these thoughts are fleeting and 100 years from now will only be known, not remembered, by someone who happens to "google" those statistics.

Life is fleeting and I want to make the most of those relational moments with family and friends. I want those moments "under the sun" to count for eternity where they won't be fleeting. I want my loved ones to know that the best way to live "under the sun" is to live in the Son. I want all these fleeting moments of ordinary to become extraordinary because they count for eternity.