Gymnastics

My 11 yr old daughter loves gymnastics. She is in the gym 4 hrs/day, 4 days /wk. She's a level 7. She competed level 6 in the fall and moved straight to level 7 in January. This is the policy of our gym, as well as many gyms. We have been going to meets since October, 2007. She did well at the level 6 state meet....6th all around. I can't remember any of the particulars......it's all a blur.
Today we went to the level 7 state meet. We drove 4 hrs, stayed in a crummy hotel with a crummy "continental breakfast." She had her worst meet of the season!!! We're afraid to see what she placed all around. She was 9th on the beam.
We prayed for favor. She gave it all to Him. And she bombed...........
So during the 4 hr drive home.......I wrestled with God. Why???
He reminded me of my entry to this blog about the Tapestry. My daughter went down into the valley and faced her giants. Did she win?? Well, she remembered to call on the Lord. She decided to give it all to Him. WIN-lose.
We all have heard the analogy of the tapestry. We see one side of it, but God sees the whole thing. I don't know what to tell her about her scores, but I know that the Lord was there with her. And I know that He knows what's best for her. Tough stuff. But I know He was there.
She competed with very sore heels. Courage.
She can't wait to get back to the gym Monday. Perseverence.
She congratulated the competition at the resaurant we had lunch at. Good sportmanship.
She's asking questions, but not doubting the Lord. Faith.
WIN!!

Shower time

The Lord often speaks to me in the shower. It's one of the few places he can catch me alone. This morning I was thinking about a dear friend of mine that has moved away. She told me that they have thought of moving back, but that this place was a spiritual wasteland. a spiritual wasteland......... hmm......

I began to look at my life to see if this were true for me. The Lord brought to mind a song from the 60's by Carole King, "Tapestry." I'm humming it to myself, right now. "My life is like a tapestry of rich and royal hues....." I was so moved by this song and the realization of how true this is in my life.

Before I came to know the Lord my life was like a black and white, two dimensional picture. Now, in Him, it is full of depth and rich color. Every day with Him more dimensions and colors are added. He is so rich.......the richest of fare. The only way to know this is to know Him.

So, if Carole King will forgive me, I'm going to mess with her song a little and change the words a bit.

"My life is like a tapestry of rich an royal hues, the never ending presence of a never ending You........"

I am blessed and God is good!!!