Today I found God in....

…..a random act of kindness.

This morning I was really too tired to be a good Godseeker, although I did manage a chapter from Scripture. Good reading, but I found Him elsewhere today. Unexpectedly, I found Him in this "random act of kindness." And the person managed to leave the impression that I was the one doing the favor. Better explain this one, I think.

It really started last night as I tossed, fidgeted and raised my head from time to time to check the clock. From about 10:30 to close to 3:30 I did this--knowing I would have to be up by 5:30.

But I guess I should really go back two weeks to the day I first realized I was coming down with the flu that's been dogging a lot of us around here. And it's been with me for lo these two long, dreary weeks. After about four days on my back, I was able to drag back to work and get on with my life, but it's really still there. Every day I've awakened tired and gone to bed exhausted. Not to complain, but you have to understand how precious my sleep is right now.

Back to last night. After falling asleep around 3:30, I hauled out of bed at the usual time and went in to work. The voice was a bit better, so I downed a disgustingly strong cup of coffee as I prepared and started working on the voice stuff. Oh, did I ever mention that I work part time at a local radio station? Just an hour in the morning. I record some voice liners, weather and public service announcements, as well as a bit of trivia about old 60's tunes. I get done by seven am, hurry home to get the kids ready for school and we all pile in the car and head out. My guy teaches college, I teach music K through high school, and the kids, of course, learn. A bit challenging under normal circumstances, it's been gruelling these past few weeks, and this morning--all I can say is, I was glad to be a coffee drinker.

I went home, this morning, wrestled the kids into their clothes, thrust some breakfast into their hands, and shoved everyone out the door. We got to school, I got my preschooler settled into her classroom, and raced down to my first class. I opened my briefcase, only to find--all my music was back home.

I stared at row upon row of 4th through 6th grade students, realizing that if any one of them had forgotten his or her homework, I would have docked the grade 10%. And here I was with nothing prepared--at least nothing prepared at school.

I grabbed my guitar and we sang a song, talked about phrasing and the structure of songs, then I let them try their hand at composing. I redeemed the situation by turning it into a learning experience.

Next class went better. The jr.-sr. class was having band day. Instruments and voices--they were pretty well self-contained.

I went downstairs for a short break, knowing that for the youngest classes I had nothing. Nothing. I shared my quandry with a couple of teachers. One even offered to let me use her car to go get my stuff, but I knew with two hours of sleep under my belt, I had no business behind the wheel of her car.

Then the church/school secretary offered to drive me home. Well, I hate to inconvenience anyone--I always have--but I had no choice, really. So I took her up on it.

Here's the part where she left me feeling she was the one receiving the favor. In the course of the trip, she mentioned she had prayed that morning that God would send someone her way who needed help. Well, now, I know from experience that when you make God an offer like that, He could send you someone with a really big, really inconvenient problem just to see what you would do with it. So I guess my coming along wasn't so bad. I don't live that far from school. I guess it got her out of the building for a few minutes. And for me it was kind of nice just to be someone's answer to prayer. Know what I mean?

It got me thinking. You know, since we've started this RealGodseekers blog, we've found God in all kinds of places. In the garden, in big, neat opportunities, in sweet morning walks. And today--well, today I found God in the kindness of a friend.

What about ash Wednesday for the Christian?

Ok ladies- I have been quiet but not forgotten (I hope) Things are my normal crazy busy and God is good. Even in some hard times (and they have really gotten stinky at work) I am given some good. I'm reminder that the Lord gives and takes away. My playground fundraising has paid off and we will see some new equiptment going in this Spring. The ladies Sunday school class idea has taken hold and we will soon see how this progresses. And lastly (for now) the Performing Arts Ministry book study idea has begun with several participating. The best news of all is that I am not leading everything. People are getting plugged in to use their gifts and strengths. I am merely been coreographing. (Which after another class I have been in may be my spiritual gift- administration). Oh I almost forgot, the I- team. Or passion team or whatever we called it. The recommendations were made to the elders. I had a HUGE concern that no one would see the impact. That we would only be successfully at making the I-team more passionately spiritual. Well, wrong. God laid it in the hearts of the men from the team to step up into leadership positions. As a result, all of the men are now elders/deacons or staff members. The women of course continue to be strong supporters. But having the men that went through with us and understand the recommendations be leaders is a big plus.

OK what does this have to do with Ash Wednesday?? Nothing. I was just up dating you before I got to my question. So what about it? I know it signifies the beginning of Lent. But is it biblical?? I tend to think a lot of the Catholic traditions stem from strong politics. So is Ash Wednesday biblical or political?? Can anyone give my reference and verse??