Quick Thoughts

Friends, I’ve missed you! I’m sorry I’ve been MIA for a bit–things have been rather busy.

No, you didn’t miss an Annunciation. My rock star sister just added a pair of girls to her brood, leaving everybody with many babies to snuggle or tickle or toss in the air¹ but very little time for anything else. I must have started a dozen posts in my head but by the time life winds down for the evening, I just don’t have the motivation to do anything but grin at ESPN.com.²  So I figured I’ll give you the quick versions of many of my recent thoughts and y’all can tell me if you need me to flesh any of them out.

• The other day, I was struggling with a particular sin that I did not want to let go. I knew it was a problem but it just seemed too hard to fight. I honestly felt that I couldn’t even try to be better on this front and then quite suddenly I remembered the grace of the Sacrament. And, as grace would have it, confessions were starting in 20 minutes. I know I’ve told you before how wonderful this Sacrament is, but it really struck me that in that moment, I would have caved and left the sanctuary enmeshed in my sin if it weren’t for the knowledge that God would strengthen me through the Sacrament. And so far, it’s been better–praise God for grace!!
• Now, I’m a surprisingly angry and impatient person, so maybe this is just me. But I’m pretty sure that 90% of my sin (and hence of my unhappiness) is a direct result of thinking that people owe me something. Like it’s somehow my right to have people turn left when there’s enough of a gap or ask me to be a bridesmaid or remember that I hate bananas. So I see it as an injustice when I’m slighted in any way. And sure, maybe I’m a decent person or have been particularly important in someone’s life. But relative to who I should be–relative to who Christ is–I’m pathetic.³ If I could get over myself and realize that I don’t deserve anything–that really, I deserve hell and eternal misery–maybe I could quit getting so ticked off at people. And maybe I could be more grateful for the things that I take for granted.
• Go Irish!! Number one!! AAHHH!!!
• I was expecting to be kicked out of church when Father was locking up tonight. Instead, he told me he’d come back later to turn off the lights. I’ve been kicked out of more churches than most people will go to in their lives–what a blessing to be allowed to stay with the Lord tonight.
• I spoke last week on the Reformation and the core differences between Catholicism and Protestantism. There’s some apologetics in there but also some emphasis on the common ground and what we can learn from each other. A number of people mentioned that they wanted to see it, so the video’s here. Unfortunately, I don’t have the Q&A on tape–those Georgia Tech kids sure had some good questions!
• In the past two weeks, I’ve done a True Love Waits retreat (middle school), a talk on holy friendships (high school), a discussion on persecution (high school), a lecture on the Reformation (college), a talk on being a new creation in Christ (middle school), and a talk on the New Evangelization (young professionals). I’m so versatile! And super available if you’re near DC–I’m in the area helping out with all my sister’s babies for a while, and I’d love to help with whatever your ministry is.
• My Google Reader stresses me out.
• Manti Te’o for Heisman!

Well, that was pretty easy. Maybe all those ladies who do Seven Quick Takes know what they’re doing…. Anyway, I’ll try to have something more substantial for you later in the week. Thanks for loving me even when I’m lame 🙂

1. The big ones, not the newborns. [↩]
2. Did you know my Irish are number one? Literally number one, not like how I’ve screamed disingenuously about being the best all these years. Actually number one in every single poll. And, you know, the highest student athlete graduation rate of any university. [↩]
3. Yes, I’m lovely and a child of God and all that, but I know who God is calling me to be and I know how I’ve treated him. He gave me dignity and I deserve to be loved and respected, but if it’s all about what *I* deserve on *my* merits, I’d better watch out. [↩]