The fifth verse

The Lord has promised good to me; 

His word my hope secures. 

He will my shield and portion be 

as long as life endures.

My favorite verse of "Amazing Grace"

Chomp, Chomp---Chocolate!

Today I was greatly encouraged to stumble across CNN International's Freedom Project. One of the stories they covered this year was child slavery in the Ivory Coast cocoa fields. Synopsis: The bad news is that child slavery remains largely entrenched ten years after most major chocolate companies signed an initiative pledging to end "chocolate slavery" by 2005. The good news is that over the past ten years thousands more consumers, including you and me, have learned the truth about our chocolate supply and can make an educated decision with our purchases.


In perusing the blog posts and videos posted by CNN, I was especially struck by this particular story, which briefly describes how easy it was for the reporters to find trafficked children in the cocoa fields. Although all of the research they had read in preparation for their journey described trafficking as being remote, the CNN staff quickly found child slaves on their first day in the country. Moreover, the farms did not try to hide the children, as forced labor is "normal" in the region.


Most of us understand that people around the world will never enjoy equal standards of living and that some will always be fated to suffer more than others. Still, there is a fundamental difference between being impoverished and being enslaved, and I do not want a discount on my luxury cuisine at the expense of a ten-year-old boy. Thankfully, several reputable organizations continue to perform the legwork of investigating and certifing ethical producers so that I can be sure my ambrosia moments are slave free. Look for the labels below when purchasing or for any advertising telling you the source of their cocoa beans. When stuck, choose "organic" as the stricter requirements for growth and production tend to curtail slave labor practices.


Thank you for supporting fair trade!

 

The Work of Justice in Your Hands

One of my absolute favorite organizations is the International Justice Mission. Employees and volunteers faithfully persist on the front lines of the fight for justice, rescuing and restoring victims of violent oppression. Now smart phone users can receive updates and such from IJM with their new app! Click here to download. The video below briefly explains the app.

To Do

Last Sunday I heard a list of "Signs of Busyness." Here are the ones that still smart a week later:

• Clutter-physical and mental
• Need for speed and multitasking
• Relationship fatigue

Can I get a witness?

This post, ironically read by yours truly as an excuse to stay in bed and rest just a bit longer, is excellent reminder that those of us who have been gifted freedom should refuse to submit to slavery. This means we dictate our to-do list, not the other way around. 

In response, I shifted my laundry, wrote this blog post, and went back to bed to watch an episode of "Monk" before rolling off to a birthday party.

Savor your Saturday!

Cure for the Homeschool Blues

This guy is genius. Bonus points for the Awana vest!


I have been told: "You were homeschooled? I never would have guessed." I'm never sure whether to be disgusted or amused. (When in doubt, snicker internally.)

Snow White, So Trite?

The reluctant transition from the weekend means Mondays are a little loony at my work. Today my co-workers were assigning Disney characters to the department members.

Co-worker #32: “Katie, you’re Snow White.”

Me: “Okay, I guess no more tanning for me then--no more department meetings on the patio.”

Co-worker #9: “Oh, actually that could be true. She’s unattached and single. She has yet to meet her Prince Charming!”

Me: “Tell me about it.”

Co-worker #32: “Better start singing!”

Me: Paroxysms of laughter.

Co-worker #14: “The hiiiiilllllls are alive!”

Co-worker #32: “…And then the little birds die.”

...Such little faith in my vocal ability. Or is it my complexion that's lacking?

Go fletch.

If ever I am at a pub quiz and the quizmaster inquires "What is the name of the feathers, fins, or vanes positioned at the end of an arrow?" I will surely be the hero of the team. A co-worker and Wikipedia (two irreplaceable resources) have revealed that these elements are referred to as "fletching" or, if you prefer, individually as a "fletch."

The tip of an arrow performs its function, the shaft holds it together, and the fletching directs it. Each part is essential in order for the arrow to hit its target. That being established, anyone game for a life metaphor?


Tip --> Talents and resources
Shaft --> Character
Fletching --> Priorities


Just as with an arrow, we can sharpen our talents and resources; we can avoid situations that crack our character; and we can choose our priorities. This last point struck me the other day. (Get it?) Again, I can choose what is important to me. These priorities, whether people or hobbies or dreams, will shape my life direction. Thankfully, the fletching is the easiest part of the trio to change. When I am feeling frustrated with my lack of physical coordination or bored with my weekly schedule, I can swap a couple of metaphorical feathers or simply remind myself that I am on course for a different target. 

“If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, 

or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, 

but ask me what I am living for, in detail, 

ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.” 

― Thomas Merton

Source

Grace abounds!

A little Christmas cheer bedecking my nightstand--thanks, friends!

Hiking through the Santa Susanna hills earlier this week, I made a haphazard attempt to explain my feelings about someone who broke their word, a transgression that particularly irks me.

"Well, of course I'm mad because ..."

"But really I can't be mad because they were only doing what they knew."

"So even though I'm upset because ..."

"Really, I'm not because I understand..."

My lovely friend kindly summarized: "So it was wrong, but there is grace."

Hmm, some of us have the gift of excessive detail, and others the gift of succinct synopsis.

As we start 2012, this is a beautiful phrase to remember: "It was wrong, but there is grace."

20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.

But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

21 so that as sin reigned in death,

even so grace might reign through righteousness

to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:20-21

Happy 2012!

"He's Always Been Faithful" by Sara Groves

"Always" is a word we bandy about quite easily for dramatic effect, but it is entirely accurate here, isn't it? Enjoy.