Sunday, February 10, 2008

Strangely Hopeful

It was 18 below zero this morning. I've been talking about being tired a lot lately. It appears that I am not the only one around here. A lot of people are confessing to being tired lately, and are blaming the weather for their condition.

Attendence at all the services was underwhelming. Attendence at the meeting I led was even more underwhelming. I'm sure the weather played some part in that. There were probably other issues as well.

And yet, I am strangely hopeful.

1) Some of the people who co-led the meeting with me had never led a meeting before. They did a great job.

2) I now have the start of a new Contemporary Worship Planning Team.

3) There were two really good ideas offered -- one by a high school girl.

4) At least two people said that they wanted to continue to develop relationships with others in our congregation.

Later on, I took Scout to playtime. Unfortunately, she is starting to exhibit some of her old "possessive" behavior again, mostly with dogs. She got a soft squeaky toy and started running around the gym with it. She would run away from me as well, but if I caught her, she let me take it. But at one point she got into a little altercation with another dog (Scout was, I am afraid to say, the aggressor), and all of the squeaky toys went back in the box. The trainer let me know that I should work on this issue. (sigh) She doesn't know the half of it. I could write a book about working on Scout's issues. Cute, charming, happy Scout. Part-time ferocious resource guarder.

And yet, I am strangely hopeful.

18 comments:

Barbara B. said...

In the words of Grover from Sesame Street, "Where there's life, there's hope!"
:)

Diane M. Roth said...

Ah, Grover. He's so right!

Jennifer said...

I'll take strangely hopeful any day!

Lindy said...

Diane, if it were 18 ABOVE zero, I wouldn't come to your meeting. The weather you endure is just frightful. You and those who show up for anything in Minnesota have my admiration. I couldn't do it. I think you have to be hopeful just to get out of bed and face that kind of thing day after day. The low for today in Austin will be 58. That's 58 degrees ABOVE zero. I am soft and spoiled, I know.

I imagine Scout has fewer "issues" than most of the humans I know. Hang in there. She's such a doll. I can't imagine that she ever did anything that bad.

Elaine (aka...Purple) said...

Certainly sounds like lots of positive things happened with a few amount of people. Yeah!!!

Diane M. Roth said...

Lindy, I know it's hard to imagine, but if Rowan and Scout were in the same room and there was a squeaky toy involved, Scout would NOT be nice about it. However, if there are no soft squeaky toys involved, they would probably play very nicely.

Lori said...

I was explaining to my son why bubbles escape the the holes in the eggs while they are hard boiling. So that the egg doesn't explode. Strikes me as what being strangely hopeful does for us perhaps.

Pastor Eric said...

Hope is a very good thing.

RevDrKate said...

I think hope is often a matter of attitude....and I'm so appreciating yours. Reminds of something Henri Nouwen says: "Hope is the trust that God will fulfill God's promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands." Thanks.

Sharon said...

Wow that's cold! Don't think I could get out in that.

Sounds like wonderful things happening in the church!

Scout is a sweetie! Hope you have luck with the agressive behaviors.

Anonymous said...

Brrrrr. I'm shivering just thinking about the weather! I'm sure the cold has plenty to do with the low attendance and people feeling tired. Still, it sounds like you had a productive day.

DogBlogger said...

Ooh, I like what Presbyterian Gal said! PG, you're so philosophical.

Fran said...

Strangely hopeful is the Christian's position, yes?

18 below is a tough one though. And loving thoughts to Scout.

Diane M. Roth said...

Fran, yes, as a matter of fact, it is.

Rev SS said...

Yep. What Fran said. Glad to hear the meeting went so well.

zorra said...

*sigh*
((you))
((Scout))
Been there.

I saw this morning it was FORTY below zero in International Falls! I can't imagine what that would be like. I hope you don't have to go out much today!

Unknown said...

My be next week the gatherings will be better and I am sure Scout will always improve over time.

Anonymous said...

It's been cold here as well, but what's even worse is the snow. We broke the record today for the snowiest winter ever, and we still have a lot of winter to go!

After spending over an hour driving to/from work, and then another hour clearing the driveway, and repeating this every other day...yes, I'm tired :)