the in-between

I just received an text message from my partner in crime at the reception desk. She said she is running late this morning because of a "bang crisis." "I hate my bangs," she writes. "Please remind me that they will grow out and that my beauty is an inward beauty that comes from Christ, not from my bangs."

I was feeling sort of grumpy and bummed this morning already, because in an effort to remember to grab the dry cleaning and the movies that are due back at the library today, I left my breakfast sitting in the refrigerator at home. But, I did make it to the library drop box and the dry cleaners before stepping in the office at 8:00AM this morning. I remembered my lunch but forgot my breakfast: steel cut oats that I made last night, topped with cinnamon, almond slivers, 1/2 a banana and a dollop of Fage.

This was no granola bar and apple. This was not a packet of instant oatmeal, this was going to be a really great breakfast. So instead, I dug through my desk looking for a packet of oatmeal only to find a Luna bar, a Clif C bar and a zip-lock bag full of expensive licorice. Non of these are good breakfast options. So, I picked the boiled egg white out of the tuna salad I brought for lunch and ate it with a slice of Ezekiel bread (that I had also brought for lunch).

Because breakfast is a must for me, and I usually eat pretty heartily so I washed it all down with a Milk Muscle Light that I've had in the refrigerator at work now for about three months. It expires in less than ten days, so I figured this was a good a time as any. And, while we are on the subject of food like substances, like protein drinks and meal bars, I've decided that I am giving up processed foods for Lent. (sugar, cereal, wheat thins and coffee-mate...)

I've never participated in Lent or recognized Ash Wednesday or Epiphany or the importance of the Liturgical Calendar. I've just always said, "I'm not Catholic, so I don't do those things." Ignorant. Stereotypical. Wrong. But I AM Christian, and they are Christian and so much of there practices are rooted in deep tradition and meaning. I think I could glean so much from taking a step back from the way I'm used to doing church and listen, look and delve into the heritage of my faith.

I can change my view, my attitude. See the bigger picture. The way we all fit into this together. The way I'm just a tiny tiny speck in a huge masterpiece. The way bangs and forgotten breakfasts and dirty dress slacks in the bottom of the clothes hamper on the day that I wanted to wear them are not really important things.

I want to speak truth in love to believers and non-believers and not be timid when approaching righteousness.

The film, the scrim between the present, past and future is not an iron wall. It's alot closer than we think it is. The unknown is just that: unknown; i's not worth worrying or being afraid of. "No power in hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from his hand!"

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary,
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
he will come again
to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

Amen