
The Fine Art of Forgetting
Have you ever noticed how some people seem to have an uncanny ability to remember every wrong committed against them? They can recall with perfect clarity the exact moment someone cut them off in traffic three years ago or precisely what their spouse said during an argument in 1987. It's like they have a steel trap for memories, but only the unpleasant ones.
I confess, I can be that person from time to time. My mental filing cabinet remains stuffed with folders labeled "Times People Have Wronged Me," complete with cross-references and color-coding. It's exhausting being the keeper of such detailed records, yet I often can't seem to help myself.
Recently, while reading my Bible, I stumbled across a verse that convicted my record-keeping heart:

Swatting Away the Easy
Oh, the joys of living in the countryside! The fresh air, the rolling hills, the peace and quiet...and the flies. Yes, you read that right. Flies. Those pesky little critters that seem to appear out of nowhere and invade your personal space without an invitation.
Oddly enough, we typically have very few issues with bugs in our area, but with the recent warm weather and fertilizing of the nearby fields, our home has become a fly paradise. They buzz around our heads, land on our food, and generally make a nuisance of themselves. And with no screens on the windows, they have free reign to come and go as they please.
Now, I’m not one to shy away from a good fly-swatting session. In fact, I have several fly swatters on hand at all times, ready to do battle with those little pests. But there's one problem: Tess.

Leaving Our First Love
The letter to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2 opens with a beautiful description of Jesus, who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands. This imagery reminds us that Christ is the centre of the church. He is the One we orbit around as we shine His light in the darkness.
Jesus commends the Ephesian church for their devotion to righteousness. They worked hard, persevered through trials, and maintained doctrinal purity by exposing false teachers. The Ephesians had a lot going for them. They seemed to be a model church.

It All Boils Down to Love
In my Bible study time, I’ve been looking at the various passages of Scripture that talk about putting on or putting off things. The gist of these verses is that we are to put off the old ways, the sinful ways, and the ways of the flesh and put on the new man, the one who longs to be like Christ. It’s been an insightful study, and I’ve learned much.
As I closed out my study yesterday, I read Colossians 3:14, which reads, And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Bees on the Brain
For the past few weeks, I’ve been busy co-planning a mother/daughter luncheon. We decided on a bee theme and set about finding decorations, paper goods, and gifts centered around the theme. It’s been a lot of fun, but I can officially say I have bees on the brain. I dream in yellow and black. Every time I use the word “be,” I turn it into some form of “bee” pun. Everywhere I look, I see things that would fit the theme, though not necessarily the budget. My mind is abuzz with bees! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Filled to Overflowing
I don’t know about you, but I desire to be so full of God that He flows out of me and touches everyone I meet. So, I do the things I know to do to get “topped up” with God’s love and goodness. I spend time in His Word. I pray. I attend church and worship. All good things, right?