Trash & Thrash: Separating the Mess from the Message

If you're not familiar with the different definitions of the word thrash, allow me:

1. to beat out
2. to toss about violently
3. to defeat overwhelming
4. to separate grains from husks

Now that I've laid the groundwork, let me tell you about my day of trashing and thrashing.

Yesterday, Margaret (my assistant with the church's treasury work) and I ventured to clean out old files.  As a rule of thumb, anything older than seven years was pitched in a trash heap--unless it was of an official nature, then those were retained--permanently.  I was surprised at how quickly our task was accomplished.

Still blessed with a few hours of sunlight, I decided to tackle some yard work.  My flowerbeds were out of control.  I thinned out irises and then took to thrashing stubborn weeds and uninvited saplings.  It was the only way to pry them from their deep-rooted stance.  Then I grabbed a hold of the spindly zinnias that were well beyond their prime, their droopy faded heads resembling aged corsages saved long after the relationship with the prom date had soured.  Why did I allow them to linger so long? Was it the hint of color that still remained?  Was it my way of hanging onto a piece of summer?

Back to the Drawing Board!

Well, I tried.  I submitted my proposal and manuscript to a literary agent who I had set my hopes on to mediate a contract on my behalf--only to receive a prompt reply that he did not represent children's books.  Hmm...back to the drawing board, I guess.

A drawing board is an architect's or draftsman's table.  According to Phrase Finder, the phrase "back to the drawing board" has been around since the WWII era and was used in conjunction with a failed design that needed to be tweaked.

Whenever you look for Him, you will find Him --2 Chronicles 15:2 TLB

Teacher. Writer. Parent (and soon-to-be grandparent!).  Like you, I wear many hats.  But in everything I do, I venture to put God first, so He will direct me and crown my efforts with success (Proverbs 3:6 TLB).

I give Him the first part of each day.  Invariably, as I spend that quiet time with Him, reading His word and praying, I am enlightened to a "new" truth--something that seems to jump off the page of my bible or my study material.  Other times, I see glimpses of God in my everyday life--in the nature that surrounds me (see photos) or in the classroom where I teach.  God never ceases to amaze me!  Whenever He brings something to my attention, I can't wait to share it.  Hence, the impetus for this blog.

I hope you will enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it and that it will flood your soul with sunlight--or, shall I say, Sonlight. 

Stay tuned for those glimpses...look for them.