War and Peace and geometric patterns

I've been trying to get through the classic historical novel, War and Peace, for months. Why? Because I love to intellectually torture myself, of course! And because I crave knowledge - I love to learn and I hate feeling like I don't know important things. War and Peace is one of those books that I think everyone knows of but few have actually read or know what it's about, and I want to be counted among the few. Not because I love war stories (I don't) or am a sucker for ridiculously complex Russian names (I'm not), but because if a book has lived as long as this one has and is still considered one of the greats, I want to know why.

It's a little over 1,200 pages of combined historical commentary and fictional plot, set in 1805-1815, during the Napoleon era. I read the majority of it on my Kindle (Kindles are wonderful for reading hefty books), but decided to download an audio version for the last 20%. Thus, I finished reading W&P while simultaneously beginning my cross-stitch project.  I love multi-tasking!

While my cross-stitch pattern is large, it is not too complicated. Books, as you might already know, have a general geometric shape to them, all straight edges and right angles. There's not a lot so far in the way of shading and blending of colors. So it's been a relaxing and refreshing start. Don't they look nice?

I'll admit that there was quite a bit in the book that I didn't really understand. There was a lot of high philosophy that was over my head, and it was hard to keep all the characters straight. But I'm ok with that because I grasped one significant take-away: Napoleon was not as amazing as we like to think. In fact, none of the political and military commanders of this tumultuous corner of history were incredibly vital to the course of human events. Before you think me dark and cynical, let me explain.

Tolstoy went to long and great lengths in his story to show how foolish everyone was - leaders that tried their hardest to do what they thought would be the best thing, other leaders trying even harder to foil those plans for their own benefit... plans made, battles fought, schemes attempted, blah, blah, blah... And if any of them had been successful, much worse things would have happened than actually did. We often attribute good and bad things that happen in the world to people who seem to us powerful and fearless and clever and indestructible. But Tolstoy boiled it down to an age-old proverb:

"In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps." - Proverbs 16:9 

When directed at selfish me and my plans, this doesn't feel like good news. But when I think of this truth in the perspective of our history and the scheme of eternity, it does bring great comfort and peace. Think back on different eras of history - the real-life evil villains who intended to wipe out whole ethnic groups or take over the world or erase God! How good it is to be reminded that they are not all powerful - THEY DID NOT WIN. None of their wicked schemes came as a surprise to God, and never once has God had to fret over "what to do, what to do!" He is the all-powerful one and establishes the paths and boundary lines for every stooge who thought they could usurp his authority, throne, and name.

The Psalms proclaim his might and power and majesty over and over... I love looking in the pages of Scripture and seeing this truth repeated like an anthem. But when I look up, when I look back, when I hear the stories from every generation, I see that anthem continue. God is the King of all Kings and will be forever and ever, Amen!

Introduction: So Many Books... So Little Time!

Because of my previous cross-stitch/worship-blog project, a friend gave me a very creative gift for my birthday (back in April): she gave me a cross-stitch project. But she didn't just go to the store and buy a packaged set - she actually printed out a pattern, bought the corresponding colors of floss, and bought a canvas! It's a pretty big (8in x 12in), and the image includes 18 colorful books on a bookshelf and the words "So Many Books, So Little Time." It is pretty special, because my friend knows I love cross-stitching AND books AND creative, thoughtful gifts.

I had a lot going on during the past few months and just didn't feel like I could commit to it yet, so I set it aside for the opportune moment... which I believe has finally arrived! I decided that instead of music, I would listen to audio books while I work on this project. Who knows? Maybe I'll get through 18 books in the time it takes me to complete it! But I will blog about the books I'm reading/listening to, and how they call me to worship... because YES, I do believe stories are a wonderful way to worship! 

Here we go! 

Our audience of One

"I believe God made me fast, and when I run I feel his pleasure." - Eric Liddell

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." - Romans 12:1

We all have things we like to do in the few spare personal and quiet moments in our week. They may not seem to have any real practical usefulness to others, and we may not think they have any significant impact on the world. So when we talk about them we try to minimize them and reduce them as our little hobbies or indulgences that are fun and keep our hands busy. 

But secretly we cherish those activities as sacred, don't we? They bring peace to our frenzied minds and refreshment to our threadbare spirits... they fill our hearts with simple delight and satisfy a piece of our soul that is underused and often hidden away. 

We don't call ourselves athletes, poets, musicians, or artists because the world doesn't recognize us as such - we've not earned money with our gifts nor have we received any great honor or award. And a corner of our rational thinking scolds us and insists that we really have more important things to do with our leftover energy. 

But we are drawn to the garden, the canvas, the instrument, the oven, the journal, the workbench, the yarn bag again, finding comfort as we hold familiar tools in our hands, and suddenly we feel that this is the most important thing that we need to do right now. We're alone, pouring our heart out on a span of black and white keys or a creamy square of card stock or a mixing bowl of dry ingredients. 

And maybe no one will ever see or hear or taste or experience what we create - or if they do, they'll never know the care and tenderness that was generously given to this moment. It may look like we're doing this just for us... but are we really? 

Because it doesn't feel selfish, it feels like an offering - a living sacrifice, even - a gift that we are creating and sharing at the same time. It's a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, an act of worship and our very best childlike attempt to present something special to the Lord. 

He is listening and watching and smelling and enjoying it with us... and He is greatly pleased when we find joy in using the gifts He has given.