ghosts of cheerleaders present

So, a good friend of mine is a cheerleading coach. It took me a while to be okay with that, since I was very much opposed to even having cheerleading in my (very small) high school. I have since realized that I have stereotyped too much, and there is definitely skill and athleticism needed to be a good cheerleader.

There's also some skill needed to be a good sports photographer. And special equipment helps, also. As well as permission to actually be on the floor where the cheerleaders (oh, and the basketball players) are, instead of behind the inch-thick plexiglass smeared with hockey-player sweat.

I don't have the right equipment. Or the interest in the game that it takes to be a good sports photographer. But I can do some fun abstract things when my subjects are moving too fast for my lens. Or when I focus on the smudges and scratches on the plexiglass and let the colors of the uniforms create its own art in the background.

The NCA boys basketball team is on a serious winning streak this year. I have no clue how all the divisions and sections and all that works, but they have made it to the Final Four of high school teams in New York State. Pretty impressive.

Must be because of those cheerleaders.

dis•tract•ed

adjective. unable to concentrate because one's mind is preoccupied.

yep. that's me.

for several weeks now.

:)

sometimes, being distracted is good, because you are distracted by something good. something new. something that brings joy and encouragement and peace and comfort.

The Lord is teaching me how much He loves me these days. Reminding me that it is not what I do that makes Him love me. I have known this for years, and could easily say just that to someone else and be quite convincing about it. But I was still trying to do all the right things so that I wouldn't lose out. I know there are sometimes conditions on the blessings of God. He told His people to obey His commands and enjoy His blessings. Disobey and endure the curses.

Yet He delights in mercy and overflows with grace. He likes to give us good things–deserving or not. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. When we were yet without strength…Christ died for the ungodly. Death as a gift. The gift that brings life. I love the paradoxes of truth.

I have felt "without strength" for a long time now. Not able to do all the things I used to do "for the Lord." I think now that many of those things are going to burn up in the end. They are the wood, hay & stubble–the things done to please those around me, and to gain the praise of men. Not the precious stones that will make it through the fire.

I'm glad He hasn't forgotten me. I have not been put aside. He is refining me. And though there is pain, there is also joy. He has turned for me my mourning into dancing.

The Lord God has not been distracted.