Loving life right now

Yesterday was really hard. The end of it was hard. We're still trying to work out this whole community thing and there was an incident which sort of pushed a lot of buttons in me. I ended up getting really sad, making a lot of assumptions about my housemates and getting really upset. Then, I decided to say what I needed to in a polite way, even if I didn't think anyone cared. And they did care! It was great. My point was heard and we worked it out. Wow... Suddenly my attitude is different today. God does look after us, he calls us into some hard things, but He really does work to our good.

I've been working on this painting of Mary-- you know the mother of Jesus. It never ceases to amaze me that this little teenage girl had such faith in God's working out to her good. It's been profound to think of the weight on her shoulders and the faith it must have taken to sing Luke 1:46-55:
46And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."

Next time I'm pregnant out of wedlock, maybe I'll sing that too. (just kidding of course, But sometimes it does seem like there are too many unexpected challenges like a random virgin birth.)