Moving to Annapolis and living downtown to be near the Academy has introduced a whole new area of my life that I like to refer to as “sanctification by parking”. Since I have invented this phrase I realize that it requires some explanation. Sanctification is the life long process by which the Lord draws us closer to Him by rooting sin out of our lives. (I am not sure if that is how a theologian or even my husband would explain sanctification, but that is my best shot.) The parking part is really what might need explaination for some. In downtown Annapolis most homes including ours don’t have a driveway or any parking that is part of the property. So, you compete with the tourists, the employees of all the local bussinesses, and the midshipman for spots on the street. For a girl from TX where there is PLENTY of space….this is ludicrous. (Can I hear an AMEN from all those not from an overcrowded northeastern city?) Imagine yourself a mother of young children coming home from a morning of errands with crying kids in the backseat and a trunk full of groceries and finding that your only parking option is several blocks away from your house. It makes me CRAZY! Now I know that this inconvienence pales in comparison to suffering that some people deal with, but for now this is the means by which God has chosen to reveal sin in my heart. And, oh my, the sin that is there. Impatience, discontent, lack of self control, unkindness, envy, bitterness, wrath….I am really NOT exaggerating here. The root, I imagine, is that I believe that it is my right to be able to park at my house, which is partly a product of my American upbringing. How much to do want to bet that people in China would not even begin to understand why I am discontent? Anyway, what has dawned on me the last few days is this great truth. God loves me enough to put me in this situation that I might be able to see my sin and become more like Christ. Before, all this nastiness was just hanging out in my heart, well hidden for the most part, but still there and an affront to the Lord. The Maker of the Universe, Sovereign One over all creation cares about me enough to work in this relatively small detail of my life and deal with my heart intimately and tenderly. Amazing, no? He is truly GOOD, this Lord of ours.

On a related note, I am considering (with MUCH thankfulness) it God’s provision for me that my local grocery store will deliver my groceries that I order on line. It is worth every penny of the delivery charge. One less parking battle to fight.

On an unrelated note. Our camera is sick, possibly even dead. So, if you are hankering for pics of Brenna we will post some as soon as we get a new one or resurrect the old one.