Irony

My dad and I always fought over the definition of the word "irony." (And I was always right, by the way.) Years ago there was a joke-rumor going around that Rosa Parks was hit by a bus and killed. I told him that was ironic.

"No," he replied. "Now, if she had been sitting at the front of the bus and got shot by a drive-by, THAT would have been ironic."

No offense to Ms. Rosa Parks, but we fought over you for years.

The day before yesterday I was feeling bored and stuck in the house in the middle of an overdone routine with these two toddlers. Living vicariously through my mother (who had a day off work), I called her, fishing for "fun" information. After a good chuckle, I hung up and asked the kids, "So, what should we do today?"

Without blinking, my 2-year old daughter put up her hands, said, "I dunno," then vomitted all over the living room carpet.

ironic.

My Psalms reading for this morning fell into Psalm 127.

2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward

Very ironic. How interesting that Solomon sees fit to remind us of the blessings of children right after reminding us that "He gives to His beloved sleep."

But I encourage you to read into the first part of that Psalm. It was a good reminder that no matter what I do around here in my current chosen occupation, nothing good will come of it if it's not done in the Lord. So much of my focus is on the "here and now." My attention needs to on my kids ability to direct their focus to Him.

And my focus? Well, I told you we were studying the second half of Daniel. My head is spinning each time I finish a homework lesson. Last night's was no exception. In looking through Daniel 8, we learned that the focus of that beast is not Antichrist, but Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The prophecy of his dreadful ruling was a foreshadowing of what Antichrist will do in the end times. And we were directed to look into I Thessalonians 4:18.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

All the things Paul had listed in regard to end times events were downright frightening and/or jaw-dropping. But he ended by reminding us of the purpose of his writing them.

To comfort one another. Encourage. Give Hope. Redirect Focus.

Yup, that's the one I liked, too. My focus needs to be on my Savior and showing my kids how to do the same. Once I can do that, maybe I won't be so bored during the day.

And maybe He'll consider me His beloved and grant me sleep.