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Gifts and Grace
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Friday, April 4, 2008
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It was sunny in the Cities this week - finally, a chance to meander comfortably around campus without having to bundle up from head to toe! It's funny how the 'bundling' can turn into such a rote set of movements. Most of the time I make it halfway out of my apartment building before I realize 'Hmmm, I might not need this much insulation...' A buffer against the wind still helps... anyway.
Mike is in the final stages of preparation for his senior recital. It's exciting for me, (a) because it's cool to see his excitement over how things are coming together, and (b) because the end of the recital marks a significant battle won in the war of Erin vs. Mike's schedule. :) (Translation: less practice time = more free time, Lord willing!) It's funny, piano (or music in general) represents quite a large chunk of our shared interests, and yet, very little of our time together is spent in that direction - save worship - which is more than fine! When we do get to share some time enjoying music, though, I appreciate it ten times more. Today I got to sit in on his recital run through - and it was nothing short of amazing. That's one gifted man of God, there... and he handles his abilities with a measure of humility that's a very rare find indeed.
Chi Alpha's been talking quite a lot about gifts and service and how they fit together (which, in part, prompted the previous musings). Every once and a while, I still look back and with a wistful sigh wonder what happened to all those years that music was "my gifting." Don't get me wrong, I'm not writing it off. But in lieu of pursuing music at the college level, I've been discovering so many other passions and talents... cooking, for one. Well, actually, I can't say much for 'talent' in that area, but I do make a mean loaf of banana bread. ...Seriously, though. I was sitting with some friends and chatting about the sorts of things that really get us excited, the little things that we really enjoy... and more and more, I'm realizing how much I enjoy discussion - sharing ideas - not unlike Plato and his buddies, I guess, but with different subject matter. I love taking time to sit down with others and really think through and pick apart things... things you would normally write off as simple, supply a definition or maybe some scripture verses and call it good. I also seem to have a big thing for metaphors... seriously. Sit through a single discussion with me, and I'll bet you a Chipotle burrito that I'll incorporate at LEAST one analogy into what I have to say!
So I like ideas. I think some personality test told me that waaaay back in 6th grade... but some things you just have to experience yourself before they really sink in. The "theme" I've been stuck on for the last couple months is grace. (On second thought, it REALLY started almost a year ago when Mom handed me a copy of Robert Farrar Capone's chapter on The Pharisee and the Publican...) We've touched on it in The Encounter, and Sojourn just started a 6-week series on it (so fasten your seat belts, ladies and gentlemen!!) I've been blown away by the things God's been teaching me - what it really means to be saved "by grace, through faith - not by works" - and how I can barely begin to understand the depth of the love He has for me, even when I don't 'make the cut,' so to speak (And where did my notion of 'making the cut' come from in the first place, anyway?). There are so many aspects of this that I'm still chewing on... I really ought to put it all down on paper. Or perhaps, on blog.
Well, it's now officially another late night - leading into at least one more day of beautiful weather before the snow pummels us one more time...
Peace,
Erin
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