Pray Always. Words Optional.

Once upon a time (okay, in high school!) I was president of five organizations simultaneously. It has hung over me my whole life, that IF I joined such and such a group eventually I knew I had it in me to rise to PRESIDENCY (of that group, that is!) It now consciously keeps me from being a joiner. Maybe I just enjoy retirement and being this age too much. Maybe I was stung enough in being forced out of NCCAP. But it's intriguing hearing this discussion from my wise and insightful kids - thank you Anne, Jon. I'm thankful that you go back to, or yea, even start with, the Word of God in seeking your definition of these words or this phrase of "greed of ambition". For some reason this week, I was apprised of the truth that one doesn't need an advice columnist if one consciously seeks the answer in His Word. 

So speaking of "word", our priest started Sunday's homily with "Pray always. Words optional" and sat down. For quite a long time! We were ready for more, and using our word-addiction (texting, multi-tasking, etc) he wove a smooth picture of words. Now I wish I could remember more - based on II Peter 1:16-21 - "words like a lamp shining in a dark place." 

I gave a speech to a group in Maddock; had been invited back for that purpose after we had returned to New Hope for the last year of seminary. Subject was Language and Words. I gave it my all. But aterward, a neighboring pastor came up and started talking about Word made flesh, and he lost me almost immediately. It should have propelled me to dig deeper but it didn't. Nevertheless, that sense of shallowness in me has remained. Now what that has to do with greed and ambition I don't know, but I throw it out there. 

We had a great supper at an Irish cafe Sunday night - Dick and Jack had gone to the White Sox game and Reeni and I went to the Heard museum which is all native American and could prompt a separate discussion but won' at this point. Then we came together for supper, with Ted, Tommie and Anna, exchange student from Como, Italy living with Ted's, joining us. It was delightfull to share and contrast outlooks of those three generations, and those different cultures, on whatever topic came up - education, participation in government, church and service (Ted is in charge of a yearly trip to Mexico, southern Baja, where they build a house - and Intel is growing, so he's overwhelmed work-wise and church-service-wise at the moment). Look forward to getting together again Friday night when Reeni and Jack come down for the opera but they first want to get together for supper (okay, so we'll ignore their formal wear! But that might get me into "conspicuous consumption" which I think my sister is guilty of. Does that hit on the above-named topic at all??) 

I withdraw my Ben's-birthday-ode as being a poem. 

Love, Mom