Cinderella, Beach Towels, and Roman Society

These are some notes I took during Bible study last May.

Like Cinderella, trapped in my soot-stained rags, I suddenly find myself transformed into glittering royalty by the act of a fairy godmother, who clothes me in a glorious filmy gown. I become what I am wearing.

Like a kid emerging from the pool just after the sun has dipped over the horizon, goosebumps beginning to prickle my skin, the wind breathing its sharp breath on my wet back, my rapidly bluing feet pounding on the concrete, almost running under the lifeguard's poised whistle, longing for the comfort and warmth and homeness of that suddenly comes in the form of an overlarge, fluffy beach towel, flung and pulled tight around my shivering body. I scrunch my legs beneath it, tucking the edges around my feelingless toes, and sigh with relief and ecstasy. This is all I've ever wanted in life.

Roman women wore clothes to indicate social and legal status. A child went out in a toga, symbolizing the protection of her father's house. A married woman wore a stola, which showed that she was under the protection of her husband. A prostitute wove purple into her garments, and put gaudy golden trinkets on the hem. She was under no one's protection, and could legally be taken advantage of with no retribution.

Romans 13:14 "But put on (or clothe yourself in) the Lord Jesus Christ"

Luke 14:22 " But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.'"

running thoughts

I wish the first post of this blog could be inspiring, thought-provoking, or at least stunningly well-written. I like to think of myself as an intellectual, a person with an active and thirsty mind. And while I do love philosophy and the finer things of life, very often the thoughts going on in my mind go more like, "what am I going to cook for dinner tonight" or "my, that is a cute little bird in that tree" than, "hey, listen to my new thesis as to the causes of and solutions for poverty". To be honest, that's why it has taken me so long to write anything here. I feel intimidated by all the deep and philosophical thoughts my friends are thinking into their computers. I feel like I need to be always thinking thoughts like that, and spinning them out into beautifully worded entries that will inspire and enlighten all my friends.

But I had a conversation with Bethany the other day, and she said that I was being silly. She said that I didn't have to live up to any standard of profound content or lovely language. She said that my friends will probably love me anyway, even if I'm not extra clever or talented. And she's just about always right. So I decided that even though I may not have anything to say that you, dear reader, will be even slightly intrigued by, I am going to go ahead and spin my little thoughts into this computer, just for the heck of it.

And here are some of those thoughts:
I have recently started training for a half-marathon with some girls in my Bible study. Honestly I didn't think that I could do it at first, but so far it's going well. And in the process, I have discovered a few things. First, I really like running. Well, maybe it's just that I really like spring weather and sunshine and a little breeze in my face and the chirping of birds. I think it's a bit of both. Also, I have discovered a new passion: Classic Rock. Man, I love it! There is nothing that can get me motivated to run like "Back in Black". Andrew has always loved it, and it's rubbed off on me a little bit since we've been married, but ever since I made a running mix on our iPod, I can't get enough of it! I chalk it up to my homeschooled past. I guess most kids discover this kind of stuff, I mean rock n' roll, cussing, alcohol, drugs, things like that, somewhere around middle school. But all that stuff was kind of delayed for me (some of it indefinitely). When I was in middle school, I remember thinking my friend Mike was headed down the path to destruction because he listened to Weezer and Nirvana. So AC/DC and Aerosmith and Led Zepplin were clearly out of the question for me. I mean, I was a Christian, for heaven's sake! Well, I got over all that Christian vs. secular stuff a while ago, but I guess it took a bit longer for it to trickle down into a love for good ol' rock n' roll.

Well that's all for now. Perhaps next time I will venture into more profound subjects, but I trust you will be my friend even if I never do.

You say goodbye, I say hello

With newfound inspiration from Bethany, I have decided to have another go at this! More to come soon...