I'll Leave Home for Christmas

This poem is totally, 100% inspired by the current series being presented at our church right now.  Thanks to Pastor Dave Bish for the inspiration! (To the tune of 'I'll Be Home For Christmas')

I'll leave home for Christmas.

Earth is in need of me.

They do not know the love I'll show,

From birth to Calvary.

Don't expect great fanfare.

I am a King in his infancy.

I'll leave home for Christmas.

Will you have room for me?

A Little More Like Uno

Oh Uno.... He is our almost-8-year old boxer.  His teeth are yellow, breath a bit fishy, and he has gone gray in the face.  I wish I was a little more like him, though...in another way.

He has mastered the art of self-control.  Not many humans have.  We have all got our vices, but very few have conquered them entirely.   When speaking of self discipline there are so many things it could involve. Spending, lust, vanity, technology, words, temper, food, you name it...it may just have you in its chains.

Whew, lately, I have been abusing the whole tasty world of gluten.... Making a glutton of myself with gluten, if you will.  I am supposed to steer clear of it for some autoimmune reasons.  But, once I have had just a tad, then feel fine, it is like I MUST gorge myself until my body aches and feels horrible.  This has been going on for about 3 weeks now. There is an addictive cycle to my lack of self control and plenty of reasoning to go along.  "But ahhh- it's the holidays- I should give myself a break.... Or sometimes, I just have to eat what is convenient.... Or you are stressed- enjoy a second piece of cheesecake!"

Back to Uno... He can have a Milk bone on the carpet for a few hours before he decides he is ready for it.  Or perhaps his bowl is filled with a fresh cup of food-- he won't touch it, until he is ready.  I admire that, because if I am being honest, all it takes is to drive past a Dairy Queen, and my brakes are squealing to get myself turned in just enough time for the drive-thru.  Or Jeesh- if ANY form of chocolate is in our kitchen, it won't be as soon as I know of its existence.

God does take this reckless lack of management seriously however.  One who is following Christ, and growing in Him should have the following qualities,"love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Gal. 5:22-23) Just wondering if self-control is last because it is most difficult to attain??  It runs the gamut of so many areas in our lives- far beyond chocolate and gluten.

Other verses to think about as you ponder your own self control (or lack thereof):

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

2 Peter 1:5-8 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

That last one is powerful.  If we seek to have any lasting change, we have to increase our knowledge of His word and depth of of our relationship with Him.  You want to be productive? Be your best self? Set an example? Please God?

Lay down the excuses, the secretiveness of your struggle, and pray for yourself.  Yes- pray for you.  God is the only One who has the power to change you.  You are the only one to change your own habits with HIS help.

Ps- isn't it incredible that we have natural consequences for things we do not have under control?  For instance- my waistline will not get any smaller if I continue eating like T-Rex.  You checkbook will bounce once you have spend it all and more.  Your own mind and body can and will suffer if lust gets the best of you.  I would say God programmed us that way...or else we would never learn.

I Own My Phone. It Doesn't Own Me.

Blessed are those who own dumb phones, for they shall possess the moment.  

Yes, I do believe in the power of a phone that cannot do much for you other than make a call or text a few phrases, without the use of all those fun emojis.

I am holding on and trying not to give in.  Gosh, would it be nice to get directions with a quick search, or send a text just by saying it.  I would love a smart phone just to get a cute cover (pathetic much?).  I know, I have the soul of an eighty six year-old.  The sales kid at the Verizon store could have told me that.... He didn't get me at all.

But, I had consciously chosen the dumb phone at my last "upgrade" due to the fact that I know a few degrees of separation is better for me.  I like the present.  I enjoy watching where I walk, and looking at the faces of those conversing with me.  Too convenient it would be to reach in my purse and with a few taps update my Facebook status.... Only to be suckered into reading everyone else's posts about their kids, their dinner, their political views, etc...

Not all are consumed with their smart phones, but enough people I know have made me think twice about owning one.  All of these instantaneous & constant news updates, trendy hashtags, and Pinterest boards.... Add to that the trending topics, selfies, memes, fantasy sports and I find it all a bit dizzying and exhausting.  

When does anyone have time to live life and experience moments rather than pose and put them on display for all 1,200 of their closest friends to see?  Seriously.

Debbie Downer, here... I suppose.  I love sacred. I love meaningful.  I love being there & showing up. I love 100%.  I love single-tasking as opposed to multitasking.  I love my baby and husband and the mundane moments of our days.  I even love social media- just not 24/7.  Holding on to my no-frills phone a little bit longer. 

Evidence All Around Us

You and I are delighted in and doted upon every single day.  God has made sure we don't forget His love for us in countless ways.  It seems, though, for most of us- if we have lived on Earth for any number of years, we can start to take those reminders for granted.

He didn't have to, but God fashioned Earth in grand and minute ways that make our physical experience here so much more enjoyable. It could be colorless, flat, and dull.  It could be cold all the time, or spring all the time.  But you know what?  He gave us so much convincing evidence of His love for in those first days in creating this globe on which we dwell.

Animals of all species, sizes, colors, temperaments, capabilities, and appearances can be seen all over our planet. We have four seasons to see our world cycle through and be made new each year.  The stars and moon are miracles and lights in the night sky.  Mighty ocean waves move about in constant motion.  Snowflakes, by the trillions, fall from the sky- each differing in design.

These are the very things were are blessed with, but we can (and do) easily brush off or even complain about them.  In "The Color Purple", Alice Walker wrote, “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back.”   Not how I would say it, but she does make a point!!  Every facet of Earth declares God's ingenuity, creativity, and His love for us.

Notice those little things.  Take delight in them and thank our Lord for another day here.  Our physical experience will not last forever... But so much of His goodness surrounds us.  Take delight in Him as He takes delight in you.

Chicken Nuggets & Stuff

       Upon coming home tonight after a long work day, I found myself thinking about things that I felt guilty about... Now, let me mention that I had an afternoon of parent conferences, an abscessed gum, and very little energy by the time I picked up my son from the sitter.  To add to the mix, my hubby is at school tonight for the 3rd consecutive night in a row.  (No sympathy needed, just prefacing you with my mood as I was pondering these thoughts.)

Mom guilt is a very real thing.  Anything can make for feeling like a failure. Anything.

       I started to feel badly that my son was eating Tyson chicken nuggets (for the second time this week) and not some wholesome homemade version that we made together in the kitchen.  Then, there was the kitchen... Um... My floor should NOT be that dirty and crumby.  Well, I decided to watch a movie with my son, but sheesh- I should be reading to him or making play-doh sculptures or something.  My feet just didn't want to stand another minute, though.... Oh yeah- we could have been outside since it was rather mild out.  I should have taken him to the park near our house and showed him the importance of exercise.

       You see? That list could go on and on.  I started to justify those feelings of failure and shortcoming, but after a few minutes, I remembered that I do my best every day.  Some days my "best" is better than others.  The reality is, we do go to the park, and we read before bed every night, and I do make dinner many nights of the week.

       Despite feeling a bit comforted, I needed this real reminder: "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

      Because of God and His power in me, I understand that I do not live by my own strength.  I teach a classroom of 5th grade students by the grace of God.  I can support my husband in his ambitious academic endeavors by the grace of God.  I can raise a healthy, happy young boy by the grace of God.  You see, it never was about me or how I was feeling.  I simply cannot do all of these things alone.  If all was rosy and picture-perfect in life, I would not have room for God's grace.  Life would be too good to let someone else in charge.  Sparkling floors, home-cooked meals, & Norman Rockwell moments are wonderful things... But they are things that can leave God out of the equation.

     If not for some of my pathetic mommy moments, I would never be able to fully understand the depth of love that Christ has for me.  I am one disorganized hot mess on many days.  These are the days that I can brag about my strength coming from the real Source.

A Gentle Reminder

You are NOT defined by:

The money in your bank.

The size of your pants.

The people you know.

The people who know you.

The sins of your past.

The degrees you have obtained.

The hobbies you choose.

The places you've been.

The cleanliness of your home.

The car you drive.

The clothing you wear.

The prayers you pray.

The mood you are in.

The folks in your family.

The exercise you do/don't do.

The social engagements you attend.

The job you perform.

The brand of your purse.


You ARE defined by Your Creator as:

Redeemed. (Ephesians 1:7)
Loved. (Romans 5:8)
Forgiven. (1 John 1:9)

Share it! Shout it!

It goes away just as quickly as it arrives. Fall.  It is one of my favorite times of year.  The trees right now are just at a tipping point between clinging onto the last of their chlorophyll and turning into breathtaking shades of autumn.  The photo above does not do this tree justice.

It is one of my favorite trees where I live because it is an early-announcer... It changes into hues of crimson and plum weeks before the rest of the trees are even thinking about turning. It is the one who bravely proclaims, "It's coming! Fall is almost here!" It is eager to get our attention.

Christ followers, we are designed to be just like this go-getter.  In our own way, we can and should live out loud because we have the Best News of all to share.  In fact, The Kingdom of God depends on it.  We are all in ministry to show the grand love story of God.

As natural as it for that tree to turn plum and deepest red, it should be just as natural for us to share and shout from the roof-tops, "Christ is here, now! He lives in us when we choose Him!"  After all, if you can name ONE- just ONE blessing bestowed upon you because of choosing Him, then you do, indeed, have good reason to share.

We share other good news without blinking an eye... You have a baby on the way? Got an excellent report from the doctor? Saw a cute puppy video on Youtube? Really- we will share anything, but do think twice sometimes about revealing our faith, which ought to make 1st priority of all.

Did you overcome the impossible? Live through the unbearable? Was Christ in the center of that cyclone for you?  God preserves you, loves you, heals you, and provides for you.  Share it. Shout it.  Be the first to announce it.  You were designed to do so.


“Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples."  Psalm 96:3

Birthday Parties & Pity Parties

Yesterday was my 34th birthday.   I was feeling a little sad that my hubby would be at school and not home for dinner, and that I would not be seeing my parents because they were camping.  I woke up kind of grumbling, and was rolling it all over and over again in my mind.  By 7:15 AM, I made up my mind it was no birthday at all!  I was just Little Miss Entitlement, I suppose.  However, just like a light switch, I hopped off the pity party train with one realization....

I AM living the dream.  As cliche as it is, not only is it my dream, but also the dream of millions of others on this Earth whose birthdays come and go without much fanfare.  (Thinking of a little child whose parents are absent and tangled in drugs or crime or maybe the sweet mother living  in 3rd world conditions just trying to keep her head up in spite of the disparity that surrounds her.) Hang with me here.

As much as I love a cake and singing, and gifts, I have so much more than those millions I just mentioned.  I am living my dream and theirs, quite possibly in several countless ways.  I am blessed to have a home, and a family to call my own---in a safe community.  I have not only running water at the push of a faucet, but also indoor bathrooms.  I have enough money and resources to make meals 7 nights a week.  My teaching job feeds my passion for children, and gives me a platform to do GOOD in their lives.  I have clothes- new clothes- some rarely worn.  My car takes me from point A to point B.  I AM living the dream of many others.  I am NOT entitled to more.

Ohhhh, yes, I adore the scarecrow my Aunt Deb got me, and the new plates I asked Tim for.  But, I also adore my everyday conveniences that go so unnoticed and taken for granted.  Paper towels, washing machines, shoes, electricity, the basics, are truly gifts.

So as I wave good bye to 33, and hello to a new year, I hope that I can cultivate a culture of gratitude in my home and yours even.  Those little things are BIG things to so many others walking this globe.  No need for cake or candles, or even the well-meaning gifts (although very appreciated).  For, I am and YOU are blessed indeed.  


PS- my day didn't go unnoticed by my best friend who brought me cupcakes to work or my sister who cooked me dinner & took me for ice cream!!  I am blessed and spoiled.

We Are the Champions

You have probably seen the tee-shirts with über confident slogans on them.  Mostly from athletic companies, some can seem downright arrogant.  The one shown above is one I got for my son on a clearance rack about a year ago.  I thought it was cute.  After all, he is my little "champion."

I was in front of him yesterday, pushing him on a swing when the saying on it struck me as truth.  "Champion in The Making."  It was a moment of realization that we are all wearing this title in God's eyes.  If we have given our selves to God, He is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  We have won be because of the One who died for us.  Even more, we are always going to be in training while dwelling on Earth AND also living in victory, knowing the grace and grand love of God.

In my mind, to be in training, there has to be some effort involved.  Growing in faith doesn't just happen.  I thought about 3 things that are essential to my growing faith...here it goes:

1.  Show love- true love for mankind.  Make a difference in someone's day by taking delight in them.  Show love in the simplest of ways, and mean it.  Show love without getting credit for it, announcing it, or looking for a returned favor.  (i.e.- hug, compliment, pay for someone's lunch, make a phone call, etc...) "AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ 31“The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 


2.  Practice gratitude- deeply, genuinely express a thankfulness in quiet for all the works and miracles in your life.  As swift & winding as a life's path can be, we never can appreciate it all if we don't pause daily to be thankful for the little things.  Thankfulness is a lifestyle.  I truly love Einstein's quote, "There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."  Isn't the moon miraculous? Don't you love the miracle of a newborn? Your heart beats without you prompting it...miracle, right?


3.  Be consistent- if you mean to drink more water, do it daily.  If you want to spend more time with God, take some moments to retreat from TV, work, technology to do so.  Like a bank account, saving a little each day adds up to a large sum in the end. What you do consistently over time, is what you become.  Albeit little or trivial now, it can make for a mighty difference later on.  

Living as a champion in training doesn't mean there are no mistakes.  There will be. That is sin.  There are days that I fail miserably at all three... With the help of a loving God, though, we can have a hope of living in triumph in our fallen world.

And in Other News, Josh Duggar...

Hmmm... The Duggars, specifically Josh, have had quite a year.  I have to say, his name was not one I expected to hear on the Ashley Madison affair website, but I was not surprised.  As we have learned, he is a very broken individual.

But, this post isn't for Josh.  It is for all the Josh's and Anna's out there who are reeling through infidelity and finding little solace anywhere. I found myself praying for Anna as I was driving the other day.  (By the way, I HAVE to get a better system for prayer.  The car is the only time thoughts freely move about in my head-  another blog topic, I suppose.) Anyway, I asked God to give her wisdom for her actions and her words.  I prayed for the future of her babies.

It just struck me tonight how many other husbands and wives are living her reality though.  Just because she married into '19 Kids and Counting' and has her personal life blasted through the media doesn't mean she is the ONLY one to ever go through trust issues in marriage.  Major trust issues.  For instance,  if they stay a couple, will he ever be able to have a computer, smart phone, etc?  Can she ever fully know where he is when he is gone?  What will she tell the kids about their dad?   Where will he sleep? (Seriously.)

Even in a home where God is loved and praised, affairs can and in fact, do happen. It is the "now what?" moment that is so crucial.  I don't know what I would do if I were Anna, or anyone else dealing with a faithless, sick husband.  I do know there can be healing, even forgiveness.  It might mean a lifetime of forgiving, which many would see as a waste.

So tonight, tomorrow, whenever, please pray for these hurting spouses with me.  There is so much at stake, with or without children involved.  When a vow to love "in good times and bad" is tested---really tested, it is beyond difficult for us mere humans to navigate.

Dear Lord- 
 Thank you for the gift of marriage.  It was your idea, after all.  Please take hold of those hurting couples tonight.  I pray your healing and grace to overcome the situations and for their desires to be purely about Your purposes.  I pray also for our fallen world, which is so polluted by pornography and the like.  Draw us close to you, and make us see what is truly worthy of our time.

I pray that the marriages of my generation can be a revival of sorts.  I hope that we would see marriage for life. Seeing what some of our parents have been through in divorce, I pray that we could make better daily choices for ourselves, our kids, and our world.  I think about young couples my age and pray that the bond strengthens as You become central in the home.  You are Redeemer and Healer.

Amen.

Wise Words

Our mouths. They have a tendency to do one of 2 things: uplift or tear down.  


In a very literal sense, just as a house stands on a foundation, so do our lives/emotional well-being/mental fortitude.  The foundation is usually laid by parents and family who raised us.  If you are blessed to have had strong, positive role models as a child, your foundation is a firm one.  It is often in later years we find that what others say can chip and chisel away at whatever foundation was there to begin with.

This is where we all falter at times.  Words that depart from your lips can permeate others incredibly deeply whether you realize it or not.  Just one ill-timed, or rudely stated phrase can begin a crumbling of sorts.  For me? I can start to dish out brash or snide comments when I am hungry, angry, PMSing, etc...  The brunt of it goes to my husband.  But just because I am lacking sleep or a sandwich doesn't give me an 'automatic' reason or entitlement to be nasty.  James 3:3-5 states,"A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!"

Yikes!!! Soooooooo much potential rides on that one very small muscle in your mouth.  Just err on the side of potential for good not harm.  I love going to the Runner's Club races for my elementary school.  At the high school track, the kids run with their age group, and a winner is determined after 4 laps... My observation is that when the kids are nearest the cheering crowd, they run harder, and even smile or give a 'thumbs-up'.  And yep, you guessed it. The further they are from the bleachers of cheering friends and family, the harder the race is.  It is all about words- everyone needs a cheerleader or two or three.

Only one person on Earth ever had His tongue perfectly controlled.  So the majority of us need this reminder every now and again: "It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it,..." (James 3:5-6). 

Before you say it, ask yourself if you are building onto someone's foundation or tearing it down?  EVEN if what you say is true, is it necessary? Kind? If not, swallow your words.  Once you get into the practice of swallowing those unnecessary, unkind words, it does get easier.  On the flip side, you might discover that speaking life into others is so much more worthwhile....because it is.


One last thought from James 3:7-10

"This is scary: You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue—it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!  My friends, this should not happen."

The Cheese Shaker

A few weeks ago, a dear friend and I went to lunch at a local Italian restaurant for lunch.  Amongst the giggles and story-telling our meals came out, and both happened to be the zucchini/vegetable pasta with marinara.  I began to sprinkle the cheese from the shaker, explaining that it may be a while, before she gets her turn with the shaker. I like cheese. A lot of it.  Then, she picked it up and in her witty way said, "Why waste your time sprinkling when you could just pour?"  She then untwisted the lid of the jar, and dumped a small mound of cheese onto her pasta.  I was seriously impressed.  We laughed and I decided that never again would I spend two eternal minutes sprinkling, when I realized that I could just dump half the jar!  I wanted a lot of Parmesan, and all I was doing was shaking a minimal amount- for quite some time.  My mission was a mound, not a sprinkle!

I didn't think of it again until tonight, but that instance is so very appropriate when it comes to many fronts in life.  When our intentions are there, why do we dilly-dally and put them off or in the back burner? Let me explain...

Our family (ladies only) does a once- a-month get together, which we have called "Winey Family."  At the end of each gathering, we pull out calendars and cell phones to schedule our next date.  Why? We want to be intentional with our time together.  It is oh so easy to intend on meeting up, but another thing entirely to actually follow through.  "Why sprinkle when you could just pour?"  Relationships don't deepen or endure when they are based on intentions only.  I promise that.

My hubby has wanted for years to go back for his doctorate degree to one day teach college.  You know what?  He is taking classes to see that dream made into reality.  Last fall he began a rigorous schedule, which is causing sacrifice now, but is accomplishing what he always set out to do. In the figurative sense, he has taken the lid off the shaker, and someday- his intentions will be realized.

As for me, my most recent challenge has been health and eating, and bettering my body to last into old age.  It is not always easy, nor fun... And I mess up often.  I would rather forget the zucchini pasta and eat regular old linguini with a bunch of Alfredo sauce.  The thing is, though, I want to actualize my goals instead of allowing them to be fleeting thoughts.  

For what are we without goals? God has given you a drive, a want, or a purpose for good.  You are so capable and with Him you cannot fail (Phil. 4:13).  Not talking about winning the lottery or owning a Porsche, here... I am referring to hitting your target for the good of all.  Be a blessing to somebody who needs one.  Be a responsible steward of your body, your Earth.  Be an awesome wife.  Whatever it is, be insistent. Why sprinkle when you could just pour?

Forget seize the day.  

 Seize. This. Life.

Food Shmood

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  

–1 Corinthians 6:19-20

There is an awakening happening...do you feel it? Like, all of a sudden, we are paying more attention to what we are eating, or supposed to be eating.  Maybe it is just me, but I love it.  Now, before I go any further, let me just tell you- there are a few things I will not compromise on: birthday cake, ice cream, and ketchup. (And many others that I will indulge in occasionally).

But hear me out.  A lot of people have sickness and we live in the land of plenty. Plenty of factories that produce 'foods' which seem to be easy, cheap, and even healthy.  The fact of the matter may be though- if it is not from the ground, the trees, or the sea- then you should think twice about ingesting it.  I love a magazine article that quoted Cameron Diaz so eloquently saying,"But what I've learned is that just 'cause you can chew it and swallow it and poop it out doesn't mean it's food."  She was referring to her 20's when she would drive through Taco Bell and eat burritos.

She is right though.  We grow up with junk being put into our systems and we forever can believe that it's okay, then gain weight, fall into illnesses, and teach the same to our children.  I thought, as a child, it was just normal to gain weight as you age... And to some degree it is.  I took that as truth since both of my grandmas and mostly everyone else's grandma were plump in their later years.  That's a lie.  

My kitchen shelves, and maybe yours, too, are lined with goodies that have carcinogens, preservatives that will make them last til the end of the ages, and ingredients that have too many syllables.  Then, we scratch our heads and wonder why everyone we know has cancer.  Beyond the 'c word', we wonder why we as Americans are overweight, tired, diabetic, etc...

Our bodies are the only vessel we get.  It is a one-time shot.  You can be healthy or you can be miserable...sooner or later.  We are made in the image of Christ, yet many of us neglect what our creator has blessed us with.  Instead, we like the convenient, the inexpensive, and the tasty (how can donuts be so good and bad at the same time?). It is frustrating, but not hopeless.  It takes baby steps to make a lifestyle change.  It takes some relapses to make a lifestyle change.  If you haven't yet, you will need to make one.  I hope you do so before it is too late.

My awakening came in a few forms, but primarily, because I have watched my mom suffer with pancreatic cancer, and also, because I am a mom and need to set the example.  So, here and now- I want you all to know that am divorcing pop.... I am making a conscious effort to rid my gut of this poison for good.  After about a week of drinking nothing but water, I had some yesterday, and the stuff burned the whole way down.  This is one of my baby steps to a lifestyle change.

I hope I can encourage you today to take a baby step of sorts.  Clean out the garbage in your pantry, give up something artificial -- & soooo much of it is.  Live life like you mean it.  Be the master of your food instead of its slave.

In Search Of...

Moms of young ones, I need you.  More specifically, I need you on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday this coming fall.

An idea popped into my head this weekend, and I think I may just act on it.   My husband will be gone and traveling for school and work on those three evenings beginning in September, and I am really hoping and dreaming up a close-knit scripture or verse study group for young moms for one night a week.  I am tired.  You are tired.  The time for a devotion only happens here and there (for me) once school begins.  I am looking for any young mom who is in need of encouragement, verse memorization, and some friendship.

Here is the gist: one gal provides the locale, while the others bring their bible, food, and yes- even the kids (although, optional).  We can rotate houses every week, and have light appetizers or a full-on potluck.

Yes, there will be interruptions, and diapers, and the occasional 'mommy, mommy- Jake took my dinosaur.'  But, moms- we will have laughter and learning and prayer, and FOOD, and maybe some wine ;)

My only request is that if you host, then you pick the scripture/ topic for the night.  That way we all have a chance to share our views, experiences, etc...   It is all about encouraging each other and walking with God together.  If you are interested, please private message me on Facebook.  If you know someone who would be, share my blog with them.  We would tentatively start in the 2nd week of September.... I will have to go with whichever evening fits a majority.  Oh! You don't have to come every week....that is unrealistic to expect.  So no pressure here!  I hope to hear from you friends!

PS- if you are reading this, and are either not a young mom, or too far away- please consider starting something of your own! (Think: 'Grandma Group', 'Forty-somethings'... You get it. God will bless whatever you do in His name!

Mimi

Mimi, my mom, has been on a journey.  Last year at this time, she really didn't know if she would be alive right now.  We planned a beach trip to Cape May about 8 months ago, and literally, she did not know if she would be present for that trip.  We just got back this weekend, and she made it!

The last few months have been nothing short of a miracle for our family.  My mom went to Johns Hopkins to get surgery on her cancerous tumor, which was located on her pancreas.  Prayers from near and far were heard.  Fast forward to today, and she no longer has cancer, but she also has no pancreas, gall bladder, spline.  She is thin and diabetic, but, she is alive.  Better put- she is living.

We are all embracing moments a little more these days, knowing that my mom could have been gone by now.  On February 3, she turned 62 years old, and along with our family, her best friend since childhood, Saundra, joined us for the evening.  We had a delayed Easter celebration, and mom even did her yearly tradition of egg hunt and prizes for the grandbabies.  Mothers Day was a sweet one, with a picnic on the porch and kids playing in the yard.  Any given visit on any day of the week is really miraculous, and we no longer take that for granted.

Tragic circumstances can do one of two things: 1) create a "Woe is me" attitude which beckons for empathy from others & festers a bitterness towards life or 2) stir up gratitude that has always been felt but never properly expressed, therefore seeing everyday events as the miracles that they truly are.

My family is so very thankful to have had a rich, memory-filled vacation with Mimi- healthy & joyful.  It is an incredible thing to be with the ones you love and to also realize how invaluable each member is... Especially when you know how close you came to being without them.

Ecclesiastes 3

A time for everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2         a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Tom, Jimmy, & Adam

Castaway has long been a favorite movie of mine... Actually, I think you really cannot go wrong with Tom Hanks.  If you aren't familiar with the plot, it goes a little like this: Parcel delivery company worker (Hanks) goes on a flight to deliver packages abroad, but a freak plane accident over the ocean finds him the lone survivor floating on a mostly deflated raft.  He eventually washes ashore a tiny island, and has to learn survival skills in order to stay alive.  Four years go by... yes, FOUR, and still he has not been found, and in fact, presumed dead. This desperate man goes to desperate measures to find someone to help him.  He finally sets sail on his handmade log raft, and a large cargo vessel spots him.  He is brought back to the USA safely to return to life as he once knew it. Whew! What a journey.

Then there is It's a Wonderful Life. That one takes the top spot on my list.  Again, if unfamiliar with the story, here it goes: George Bailey (played by Jimmy Stewart) finds himself married with children, running a not-so-successful loan business/bank with his very forgetful uncle who misplaces a large sum of money.  This was it.  George saw no way out and was about to end his life by jumping into a river, when an angel is sent on mission to save George's life.  He takes George through a tour of his town & how different it would be if George never existed.  It seems every part of George's life has touched so many others for the better, and without him, everyone is worse off.  Clarence the angel saved George from doing the irreversible and unthinkable.  George regains immense gratitude for his family, community, and own life.  By the end of the film, he is running downtown shouting "Merry Christmas!" to anyone who will hear him.

Do you see a parallel in these two movies?  Both men in need of help.  Not just anyone, but someone who can do them a HUGE favor.  Both men take drastic measures to make things better, and in the end, both are saved.  I love a good redemption story.  Triumph after trial is just so fulfilling to witness.

There is another story not unlike the above movies that everyone needs to hear about....except, it happened.  Hollywood has yet to come up with a better plot. Here it is: a man made in a perfect, beautiful garden is in close relationship with his Creator.  He even names all of the animals sent to make his world enjoyable, even fun.  He is given a woman as a helper, and his only instruction is to stay away from a particular tree, which bears fruit of knowledge of good and evil.  A devious serpent tempts the man into eating a forbidden apple from that tree.  Guess what? He is alienated from his Creator. His legacy becomes all of mankind's tragedy.  His actions have led us all on a path of disparity.  His choice doomed all people to be far away from God while making mindless, selfish, sinful choices. Then, enters Jesus.

His life, His choices, His legacy changed it all.  We all have hope because of this Man who went to extreme circumstances-  a criminal's death, and a cruel one at that, to bring us back to God.  We need to just accept the offer, the help so freely given.


The parallel, I hope, is now obvious between all 3 stories.  Fallen human in search of  help, exasperated by trying to get it right and merely surviving, finds a Savior when least expecting, and is brought safely home to live a life of purpose.

Love Goes the Extra Mile

1 John 3:18
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

I just happened to get a haircut recently while sitting next to an elderly woman, who was getting her hair cut by her granddaughter.  An interesting conversation topic came up.  We women were talking about how men don't usually know where to find things in the house, or what to do when wives are away from home (in certain situations).  Then, an awkward moment of silence arose after an exchange between the elderly woman and her granddaughter.

It went something like this: 

Grandma: (proudly) "I made Grandpa his lunch before I came here... Been making his lunch for 40 years."

Granddaughter: (snidely) "Grandma- and do YOU get lunch made for you?  Will he have a sandwich ready when YOU get home?"

Ouch. Good point, honey, but that's a terrible approach to love.  

That poor Grandma was ridiculed by her very trendy and outspoken granddaughter in front of the whole salon.  That smart Grandma also knows a thing or two about love which desperately needs to be passed to our younger generations.

How do you stay married for 40+ years?  It doesn't depend on lunch, and who is making it.  It does, however, depend on love in action.  If we are always hoping for an even exchange in the end, then it isn't really called love...it would be more like a deal.  

I love blessing my husband.  It has everything to do with my love languages...if you haven't read the book, you should (The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman). Without expecting a single 'thank you' in return, I enjoy doing little things that will create joy for Tim.  Some of my more routine things are: buying a treat for him from the impulse items at the check-out (usually jerky or gum), taking out the trash, or making breakfast.  As for the Grandma I mentioned from the hair salon, I understand the satisfaction she gets out of giving to her husband.  There is no expectation. Period. 

Another way to see it is mentioned in the book of Colossians:
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians  3:23-24

So, I would love for this particular blog to be a sounding board of comments on Facebook.  What do you do that blesses your spouse?  Big or small, let us encourage each other with ideas.  We can learn from each other. Way to go, Grandma!

It's the Soda Talking

I really love the "Share a Coke" campaign.  For me, scouring (for a few minutes) through a tower or bin of bottles is so satisfying.  It is not about finding my name.  I enjoy spotting those of friends and family, and even get a kick out of seeing a 'Pierre' or 'Raul' in our little town in western PA.  Have you seen a few snapshots here or there of someone and "their" bottle?  The other day I came across 'Kathryn' and had to buy it.  You see, that was my maternal grandmother's name.  So now, my mission is to find my other grandparents' names.  I don't even know why.  Good luck trying to find 'Velma', 'Guy', and 'Ralph', right?

I am intrigued with this marketing strategy so I looked it up.  Coke has this to say on their site:

“Share a Coke gave the brand a new way to do something we’ve done for almost 129 years: connect people… our bottles and cans became a special part of people’s most memorable moments last year. Whether they were hanging out with friends, with their family on vacation or at a wedding, they personalized these moments and made them even more special with Coca-Cola.”

Two words got me: connect people.  Isn't that God's vision, too?  He wants those who are found in Him to connect with everyone: his found children AND his lost children.  Jesus modeled it so well.  Luke 19 documents the day Jesus came into a town, and wanted to have dinner with Zaccheus.  This Zaccheus was no angel, no holy-roller.  He stole tax money from the citizens to make himself rich.  He was rather despised and despicable. Jesus loved him anyway.  He wanted to connect with him.  He wanted others to see this connection! It was unlikely, unexpected, but Jesus embraced the opportunity and had some dinner at his house.

Then there was the time when some doubted Jesus' sovereignty when he allowed a prostitute to pour perfume onto his feet in the midst of a meal at a Pharisee's house.  He set them right when he told them that she was doing the very things that THEY should have been doing.  Her faith saved her from her sins (He told her so)... & just like that- Jesus connected with another lowly sinner, showing the so-called 'godly' folk how to be in His presence.

So in reality, I am positive that even Christ would endorse the "Share A Coke" campaign, too.  In fact, that is His mission for us...(could it be that Coca-Cola borrowed this marketing strategy?).  He invites you to share a Coke, a coffee, a dessert, a whatever, and spend time with others for the sake of His kingdom.  Encourage and share.  Laugh, converse, pray, and CONNECT.  Who needs or deserves your time? It may be unexpected.  But it will be so worth it.


"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  Hebrews10:24-25

"Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality."  Romans 12:13

The Empty Corner

I have been scheming for a while now about how soon to take the rocking glider out of my son's room.  He has hit his 2nd birthday, and yes, we still use the glider daily, but for a brief time (tops: 4 minutes) before bed only. 

It is something that's been part of his bedtime routine since, well, ever.  I have to admit, I am looking forward to just laying him down after his bath, and cutting that cord, since he really insists upon it, with ONLY me.  But, before judging me, (if you haven't already one way or another), the glider has got to go, because before I know it, he will be 13 and I will be rocking him still.

So I did it.  Rather, Colby and I took out the chair today.  In its place for just a few moments was the empty corner.  I did not anticipate my sadness over this one move.  In fact last night as I was holding him there In the dark, I became abruptly aware that this was IT.  I must have kissed him a dozen times. As excited as I seemed to be about the next stage of freedom for both of us, I was equally sorrowed.

Our (my) daily outlook should be that of the psalmist when he said, "This is the day that The Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."  So, I will rejoice in the fact that my little boy is growing into a big boy, BUT...

I am also looking at this instance as "don't be ready for things to be over too soon."  Our world feeds us that impulse of "I can't wait until          (fill in your blank.)  From wishing for 5:00, to waiting for Saturday, to anticipating vacations, we have got it all wrong.  There are plenty of songs I cringe at from the 80's but the message of Loverboy's "Everybody's Working for the Weekend" is the Worst. Anthem. Ever.  

Really? We work and labor for 5 miserable days just to be happy for 2?  

So, this glider situation has gotten me to promise myself to stop saying, "I can't wait."  Because, you know what?  I can.  I can wait for the next big thing, and enjoy all the little ones until then.  God has intended for us to go through seasons, not experience it all at once.  We have today to live and tomorrow will come.  After all, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4:14). It is so true.  Our short life here on Earth happens quickly enough without us wishing it away.  


P.S.-  We both missed the glider tonight.

3 Myths I Used to Believe

1. God has favorites.  
You know the names...Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, your next-door neighbor who has been on 13 mission trips.  I truly grew up with the notion that anyone who is someone in God's eyes, must be doing the BIG stuff for him.  The truth is, God appreciates your existence as much as the next person's.  He simply asks us to love Him and love one another.  Be His representative to the world in whatever way you can.  Your talent may not lead you to be on a stage, hop on a plane, or write best-selling books.... But do what YOU can.  He loves you just as much as His Son. (If there was anyone in line to be favored, it was Jesus.)

2. I must be in church every Sunday.  
It is an important and very crucial part to growing and developing in your walk with God.  I won't dispute that.  I actually used to feel extreme guilt, though, if I didn't make a service (sickness, vacation, etc...).  I am not advocating prolonged absence but having a child made me see that God will not be angry with me for not attending.  I had to become flexible with a new little being's schedule, and sometimes, that interfered with church.  What matters much more to Him, rather, would be how I am living day-to-day.  Where is my heart? If not in a church building, is it abiding in Him?  He knows.  The church is not limited to a brick structure.  It is alive and well in all of its members, every day of the week.

3. Everything is as it seems.
This was perhaps, one of my greatest on-going blunders as I was growing up.  You see, my middle name should have been 'Naive'.  I have too many examples to name them all, but I think many of us have been there.  Behind closed doors is an unknown world- yours and mine included.  Appearances are a joke.  If everyone was truly as poised and cheerful as their Christmas cards would have us to believe, we would be living in a perfect world.  Not that we need to hang our heads, and complain when life is less than pleasant, but rather, we should be aware that false impressions happen all the time.  Our world is fallen.  We all sin.  Consequently, reputations collapse, marriages fail, promises dissolve, and lies are revealed.  I am still learning to put down my rose-colored glasses.

"Sexy" and other 4- Letter Words

One of my sweet friends has a daughter in kindergarten.  She was appalled to learn that her daughter used the word 'sexy' when passing a boy in the hall.  As mortified (& angered & confused, etc...) as ever, she asked me what I thought.

The very first thing that popped into my head was not about punishment, nor blaming her daughter (although later we did discuss that she needed to  give some consequence).  I honestly had to tell her first that she should think about the world we live in and what those precious kindergarten ears have heard in the past 6 years.  

Now, "sexy" is not the worst word, I know... it is rather mainstream these days.  It would be quite simple to turn on the radio and hear that term in most genres.  How about television? That's a garbage heap for the ears AND eyes.  More 4-letter words are being used before prime time on tv shows than ever before.  In fact, more EVERYTHING is seemingly allowed now.  What my husband and I would have regularly watched before our son was born is now being replaced by Mickey Mouse or Frosty the Snowman (for the 400th time).  That is fine by me.  I sound like a prude.  That is fine by me as well.

Why?  Tim and I need to guard our hearts and minds as well as Colby's.  He will be exposed to it soon enough.  What we allow into our home is what we also allow to take root in our lives.  We control that. 100%.  

Good.Golly.  Must we hear about casual sex, gender changes, violence, and everything of the like on a daily basis?  Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 23 says, "Above all else guard your heart, because from it flow the springs of life."  That phrase is powerful because of its first 3 words... "Above ALL else."  To me, that means, nothing is more important than guarding your heart.  


If I constantly expose myself and my children to everything happening in the Kardashian family, we will start to see that as the norm.  If my tv, radio, or reading habits conflict at all with what God would have for me, then I need to take the high road and avoid things that would cause me to see my life as a 'free for all.'  Self control, true compassion, forgiveness, wisdom...these are truths.  These are the qualities born out of a life lived in Christ.  

Be vigilant in seeking truth, not what the world feeds us through media.  It affects you and your family.  You cannot unsee nor unhear ideas once they have been presented to you.  Don't see it, read it, or listen to it just because it is #1 on somebody's list.

So, nope.  Sexy isn't the absolute worst word ever.  My friend's daughter will hear more, I am sure.  You will too. But remember, YOU control everything that comes across to you.  YOU choose what you expose your home to.   "Above ALL else."

All Things New

Isn't that picture incredible? I mean, really, that baseball must be 10+ years old, decomposed, separated, and rotting, and yet- a tiny sprout is finding life within it!  My nephew found that ball while on a walk in the woods yesterday, and he was excited to find such a thing amongst his "hideout", but I am intrigued that that old stinky thing could even possess the potential to grow a living organism.

God isn't the least bit surprised, though.  He does that type of thing all the time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11 reads, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end."  For instance, men on death row, who have been accused of the most heinous acts have turned their hearts to Christ...to be fully renewed and set free of their sin.  A wayward child who struggled with drugs and addiction as a teenager is now sharing God's message with the world.  A lonely woman who faced thousands of days in her 20's in an extremely isolated world of depression and obsessive compulsive disorder has broken her chains and finding strength in encouraging others daily.

That last one was me, by the way.  I was pitiful, broken, sad, and nobody really knew.  I loved Christ.  I loved my family, my husband, my job.  I hated my mental life.  I loathed waking up some mornings.  My mind hit replay probably 700 times a day on the same thought.  It was hell on Earth.  Really.  Then, I met someone who helped me figure out that I was not strange...who helped me to 'disbelieve' my thinking.  God knew I would overcome, and he knew I had a purpose beyond my 20's decade.  Just like the ball in that picture? God has sprouted life anew in me.  

If all of us, on our worst day, our darkest hour, would lift our heads to believe that God will pull us through, he will reward us for that show of faith.  It may not be overnight (it took me 13 years), mind you, but He is in the business of creating new life.  Take the woman who had the bleeding ailment for 12 years (see Luke 8:43).  She tried everything... Then truly BELIEVED that just by touching the clothing of Christ she would be healed.  Her faith made her well.

Trust.  He is all you have.  He is all you need.  If He can do it for a baseball, just imagine what He can do for you.