ambidexterity

"Ambidexterity is the state of being equally adept in the use of both left and right appendages  (such as the hands). It is one of the most famous varieties of cross-dominance. People that are naturally ambidextrous are rare, with only one out of one hundred people being naturally ambidextrous. The degree of versatility with each hand is generally the qualitative factor in determining a person's ambidexterity."  - Wikipedia

come to find out, this boy - my Asher, is proving to be ambidextrous. And of course that makes his Dad very proud as he says he was a bit ambidextrous as a child but his parents forced him to abandon the use of his left hand and only use his right. i think it's a very cool quality to have. the pediatrician told us that he actually has better muscle tone on his left side, which would make that side dominant. I have been saying for a while now that Asher was ambidextrous as when we sit to do some school work he cant decide which hand to write with. he switches constantly. i let him switch back & forth because he's got to be comfortable and he is who he is - i cant fit him into a box of my making. i want him to be comfortable in his own skin & know that he is perfectly Asher - joyful & happy!

now that i'm on that subject of ambidexterity, it makes me think of life. i know i'm stretching it here but stick with me.

ambidexterity isnt a bad thing. we should be able to on one hand know right from wrong and on the other have the ability to forgive when wrong has been done or even have the ability to accept that possibly we might not be right in our conclusions or decisions.

i'm not saying for one minute that ambidexterity should be a quality that we have in our faith in regards to our foundational beliefs. but we should have the ability to love, be compassionate, accept people as broken sinners - saved by God's grace (or as broken sinners, lost & dying in this world & in need of God's Son), and judge according to that compassion. the older i get, the deeper my understanding of scripture, i am finding that love is more powerful than judgement. if we choose to judge over love, we do nothing but separate and divide.

i've been studying Hudson Taylor & oddly enough Mother Teresa.

those two people understood love over judgement. they gave their whole lives in service to Christ and loving the lost, sick, poor....over judging them.

how is it that we as Christians find it hard to do that? we judge each other over loving one another? those closest to us even. why is it easy to love those we dont know & judge harshly the ones to whom we are closest? shouldnt it be opposite? the reality is it should be neither - we should love period. love wins every time.

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." - Mother Teresa

"Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all." - Hudson Taylor

now for a final comment - to see if you are paying attention and reading to the end. i was going to wait until the 20th when we had a picture to share...but we have already told the kids and family members.....we are expecting baby #7 in October. we are surprised - completely caught off guard and thrown for a loop with this one - was not even on the radar. we had just received the packet from Social Services to start foster care classes. we are happy. what a blessing a new baby will be and we are enjoying the excitement that the kids have over the news.