life

this was one of those weeks where i saw so clearly both the bitterness and the sweetness of life.

the slightly bitter:
a broken dishwasher (2nd new motor in three weeks).
a mid-week toilet paper job the night before it rained.
a trip to the dentist to get some cavities filled.
a broken water-softener
being busy running errands for Christmas

the bitter:
a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes of the Janney's 21-year-old son.
the death of the Hendrix's dear friend, who battled cancer for many years.

the sweet:
lauren's acceptance letter from biola offering her a partial scholarship
tessa getting her driver's permit
lauren and erica hosting their own Christmas party at our house.
(they did all the cooking! and they will do all the cleaning up!)
getting Christmas cards from friends that fill me in on their lives
running errands for Christmas
maddie finishing her 12-week memory training
a pre-Christmas dinner of syrian food (a family favorite) with carolyn & rick and a special aunt
and uncle


as i was making this list, it is striking me that the categories aren't as clear as i thought they would be. in some of the bitter things, there is great sweetness--like in the death of the Hendrix' friend, Jeanne Clem, who right at this moment is with the "God With Us." and in some of the things that seem sweet to my earthly tastebuds, there may be hidden sorrow.

my human mind loves to try to make sense of everything by putting it into a neat, little box. and as i write this this morning, i am reminded that life isn't that simple. maybe all that is important for me to know is that, here in this life, He is in it all.