As we were getting ready to head to the ballpark for Josh's baseball game the other night I handed Jakob a pair of socks and asked him to find his shoes. I was busy cleaning up dinner and loading the dishwasher and Jake walks through the kitchen and announces as he usually does that he has to use the bathroom. A few minutes pass and again I ask Jake to get his shoes and socks on. He says, "I don't know where my socks went." I say, "Did you take them in the bathroom with you?" The next thing I hear is "HOW did YOU know that??" My response was, "Because I am a mom and mom's know...." Jake says, "EVERYTHING!"
This is a saying my kids are well acquainted with. From the time they were little bitty and they would ask me how I knew something I would always reply, "Because Moms know everything!" I guess it is like when I was little, I remember standing on the furniture and my mom would holler at me from the other room to get down. Shocked by her keen sense of knowing, I asked her how she knew I was standing on the furniture and she told me she had eyes in the back of her head. I don't know if I really believed that she had an extra set of eyes....but I knew she possessed some sort of "super powers" that I didn't have!! So, when I became a mom I wanted to be their super hero!
I think I really had my kids convinced for a few years but, now it is more of a game. You know what it is like when your mind is running a million miles a minute going over your grocery list at the same time you are folding laundry and one of the kids walk up right in the middle of your thoughts and says, "Mom, do you think Tank and Myrtle will ever have babies?" (Tank and Myrtle are our Red Eared Slider turtles) And my automatic response is......"I don't know!" My kids will say, "But you are a MOM and moms know EVERYTHING!"
For the last week I have been pondering the thought of being all knowing. It would definitely have its advantages, many of them obvious. We would know what job to take or how to raise our kids perfectly. But, at the same time many disadvantages like never having another surprise or not having the chance to experience things for the first time. I am thankful that I do not know everything but, God does. "Nothing comes to you that has not passed through His hands first." (Shelia Walsh) So, I can take refuge in that. He knows what is best for me and what is to come.
"O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely,.......All the days ordained for me were written in a book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:1-4, 16
Friday, June 24, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
A Lesson on Thankfulness.....
One evening last week Josh's team won their little league game. So, in following local tradition we went with the team to a local ice cream joint to celebrate. On the way, the younger three siblings were begging and pleading for milk shakes too! I was willing to buy them ice cream but, I wanted to get them cones because they were cheaper. Each time I said I would get them cones, they would rebel and again demand a shake! So, I began to lecture them on being thankful that they were even going to get ice cream at all!! I said, "Do you realize there are kids in other countries who have never even tasted ice cream!!! YOU should be THANKFUL you are even getting ice cream at all!!!"
While we were hanging out, outside the ice cream place with all the other winning teams, a group of kids come running around the corner of the building yelling "HOBO! HOBO!" The kids had been creeping around behind the building and thought they had seen a homeless person hiding back there. It soon piqued the interest of all the kids and they made a game of running behind the building trying to get a glimpse of the homeless person they thought they saw.
After my latest lecture to my kids on thankfulness I could not help but think how this just fit right in to my theme of the evening......being aware that they are blessed to have what they have! Life does not just guarantee that you will have a home or get ice cream. These are privileges that should not be so easily taken for granted.
A few days after our evening of celebratory ice cream we were at a family reunion with my husband's family. He has family from the Joplin Missouri area. We had an opportunity to hear first hand the devastation they have recently witnessed. Jason's Aunt Terri was sharing with me how she was vacuuming her carpet one day and thought how dirty it was. She said "Then, I thought to myself, at least I have carpet to vacuum." So many of those around her no longer had a floor to vacuum!
That conversation hit me like a ton of bricks! I had lectured my kids about kids in Africa who had never tasted ice cream.....but have I been truly thankful all that I have in my life?? As I contemplated the concept of thankfulness I could not help but think about the verse Philippians 4:12 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." I believe that a key to thankfulness is learning to be content with what you have. Not looking to the next best thing, or day dreaming about what it is that I want next. Just taking account of what I DO have and being content with that, thankful for it. Not looking at the long list of things that need to be fixed in our hundred year old house and feeling frustrated about it but, being content that I have a warm (or cool) home with a roof over my head. A safe place to raise my kids while making memories in our home! I need to change my perspective on the days when I am worn out from working all day then running to the kids' ball games. At least I have a job, and my kids are healthy and able to play ball!
So, a week after my lecture to my kids.....I am sure I have learned a lot more than they did about thankfulness!! May I not soon forget it!
"Continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as your were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7
While we were hanging out, outside the ice cream place with all the other winning teams, a group of kids come running around the corner of the building yelling "HOBO! HOBO!" The kids had been creeping around behind the building and thought they had seen a homeless person hiding back there. It soon piqued the interest of all the kids and they made a game of running behind the building trying to get a glimpse of the homeless person they thought they saw.
After my latest lecture to my kids on thankfulness I could not help but think how this just fit right in to my theme of the evening......being aware that they are blessed to have what they have! Life does not just guarantee that you will have a home or get ice cream. These are privileges that should not be so easily taken for granted.
A few days after our evening of celebratory ice cream we were at a family reunion with my husband's family. He has family from the Joplin Missouri area. We had an opportunity to hear first hand the devastation they have recently witnessed. Jason's Aunt Terri was sharing with me how she was vacuuming her carpet one day and thought how dirty it was. She said "Then, I thought to myself, at least I have carpet to vacuum." So many of those around her no longer had a floor to vacuum!
That conversation hit me like a ton of bricks! I had lectured my kids about kids in Africa who had never tasted ice cream.....but have I been truly thankful all that I have in my life?? As I contemplated the concept of thankfulness I could not help but think about the verse Philippians 4:12 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." I believe that a key to thankfulness is learning to be content with what you have. Not looking to the next best thing, or day dreaming about what it is that I want next. Just taking account of what I DO have and being content with that, thankful for it. Not looking at the long list of things that need to be fixed in our hundred year old house and feeling frustrated about it but, being content that I have a warm (or cool) home with a roof over my head. A safe place to raise my kids while making memories in our home! I need to change my perspective on the days when I am worn out from working all day then running to the kids' ball games. At least I have a job, and my kids are healthy and able to play ball!
So, a week after my lecture to my kids.....I am sure I have learned a lot more than they did about thankfulness!! May I not soon forget it!
"Continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as your were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:7
Saturday, June 11, 2011
"Friendship"
It is summer time!....which means sleepovers! We are just getting into the sleepover stage with our kids. It's kind of a new experience . I find myself wondering if they are behaving, if they are having a good time, what they are doing and so on....So, when Josh was staying with a buddy the other night Jason texted his mom to check up on Josh. She responded back with a text of praise for Josh and his behaviour saying that Josh was "a good influence" on her son!
Later that evening after Josh got home from his friend's house he was telling me about how much fun he had and gave me a play by play of his past 24 hrs. I was eagerly listening and then he begins to list the reasons why he likes his friend......"He cares about people, he believes in God, and he doesn't say any bad words."
My heart melted to hear him describe the qualities he noticed in his friend. Over that same 24 hour period I had been thinking a lot about friendship and my childhood best friend because it was her birthday.
We had been friends since 3rd grade. We spent the night together all the time, went to church camp together, we usually had a crush on the same boy (most of the time she got him). The only class I ever skipped in High School was with her! We were in each other's weddings....and as we grew in to adulthood I always thought we could pick up where we left off. But, as time went on and our lives went different directions that didn't happen. The last time I talked to her was 2 years ago when I called her to wish her a happy birthday. My birthday wish was not a welcomed wish......we have not spoken since......I think and pray for her often. In that same 24 hour period, my husband made a difficult decision that disappointed his childhood best friend........
So, I began to ponder what friendship is and what the Bible says about friendship. It is not always something that comes easy. It takes time and effort. It is give and take. I also thought I must not be the only one that struggles with it, Lisa Welchel (Blair from the Facts of Life) wrote a book on the difficulties of friendship as an adult woman. Hearts at Home has workshops on finding meaningful friendships. Our lives get so busy with raising kids, cleaning house, working, volunteering, maintaining a marriage, that sometimes we don't have anything left to be a good friend.
The Bible tells us that friendship is important. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, "If one falls down his friend can help him up. But, pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" God made us to be relational people! We need friends!! I pray that God will help me to be more like the friend described in Colossians 3:12-14 "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Later that evening after Josh got home from his friend's house he was telling me about how much fun he had and gave me a play by play of his past 24 hrs. I was eagerly listening and then he begins to list the reasons why he likes his friend......"He cares about people, he believes in God, and he doesn't say any bad words."
My heart melted to hear him describe the qualities he noticed in his friend. Over that same 24 hour period I had been thinking a lot about friendship and my childhood best friend because it was her birthday.
We had been friends since 3rd grade. We spent the night together all the time, went to church camp together, we usually had a crush on the same boy (most of the time she got him). The only class I ever skipped in High School was with her! We were in each other's weddings....and as we grew in to adulthood I always thought we could pick up where we left off. But, as time went on and our lives went different directions that didn't happen. The last time I talked to her was 2 years ago when I called her to wish her a happy birthday. My birthday wish was not a welcomed wish......we have not spoken since......I think and pray for her often. In that same 24 hour period, my husband made a difficult decision that disappointed his childhood best friend........
So, I began to ponder what friendship is and what the Bible says about friendship. It is not always something that comes easy. It takes time and effort. It is give and take. I also thought I must not be the only one that struggles with it, Lisa Welchel (Blair from the Facts of Life) wrote a book on the difficulties of friendship as an adult woman. Hearts at Home has workshops on finding meaningful friendships. Our lives get so busy with raising kids, cleaning house, working, volunteering, maintaining a marriage, that sometimes we don't have anything left to be a good friend.
The Bible tells us that friendship is important. Ecclesiastes 4:10 says, "If one falls down his friend can help him up. But, pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" God made us to be relational people! We need friends!! I pray that God will help me to be more like the friend described in Colossians 3:12-14 "As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on LOVE, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
"Mommy, Go back to bed!"
Tuesday morning I was getting ready for work and Jake came downstairs and says, "Mommy you need to go back to bed! You are not supposed to be up yet!" He wanted to snuggle with me before I got up. I stopped my morning routine and rocked him for a few minutes and was able to convince him to snuggle with daddy. A few minutes later Jake came walking in the bathroom again asking me to go back to bed so I could snuggle him. I said, "Jakey I am sorry, Mommy has to go to work." As a tear ran down his cheek he responded, "Sorry doesn't make it better!"........My heart broke!!
That was like the straw that broke the camel's back! The past few weeks I have really been struggling with feelings of failure....failing at parenting my children. I am not quite sure if it is vacation hangover, or adjusting to the kids being out of school but, whatever it is I have found myself mentally preparing for my kids to need a therapist to deal with how I messed them up. Then the next minute I was sure I was going to be the one to need the therapist!
As I stood at my mirror Tuesday morning dying inside because I didn't want to leave to go to work, I began to read the scripture mirror clings that have hung on my bathroom mirror for the past few years. It was like God had them placed for just that morning!! They said.....
.
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Psalm 105:4-5 "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done"
Isaiah 41:10 "I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
As I read them I remembered the devotion I had read just a half an hour earlier that said, "Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But, if it is I (God), then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive." (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)
It was like God gave me a chance to ponder who was in charge of my life....including my parenting.....then through the scriptures on the mirror reminded me of HIS strength and that in the journey of parenting I am not alone. I KNOW that I will fail some days. I am not a perfect parent....the "perfect" earthly parent does not exist. But, if I remember to turn the control over to God and rely on Him, He will give me the strength to be the best parent I can be!
That was like the straw that broke the camel's back! The past few weeks I have really been struggling with feelings of failure....failing at parenting my children. I am not quite sure if it is vacation hangover, or adjusting to the kids being out of school but, whatever it is I have found myself mentally preparing for my kids to need a therapist to deal with how I messed them up. Then the next minute I was sure I was going to be the one to need the therapist!
As I stood at my mirror Tuesday morning dying inside because I didn't want to leave to go to work, I began to read the scripture mirror clings that have hung on my bathroom mirror for the past few years. It was like God had them placed for just that morning!! They said.....
.
2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Psalm 105:4-5 "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done"
Isaiah 41:10 "I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
As I read them I remembered the devotion I had read just a half an hour earlier that said, "Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But, if it is I (God), then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive." (Jesus Calling by Sarah Young)
It was like God gave me a chance to ponder who was in charge of my life....including my parenting.....then through the scriptures on the mirror reminded me of HIS strength and that in the journey of parenting I am not alone. I KNOW that I will fail some days. I am not a perfect parent....the "perfect" earthly parent does not exist. But, if I remember to turn the control over to God and rely on Him, He will give me the strength to be the best parent I can be!
Friday, June 3, 2011
A Dose of Reality and Rest for my Soul.....
We have been home from vacation for almost a week now....and what a week it has been! I feel like I needed a vacation to recover from vacation!! We had a wonderful time but I was not ready to re-enter reality!!
I will be completely honest....this last week I have been irritable, impatient, and well, I will admit just down right GRUMPY!! Those that live and work with me can attest to that! It's like I have zero tolerance for anything. I feel like the Lion who has a thorn in his paw and doesn't want anyone to touch him. But, I could not put my finger on what the "thorn" that was bothering me was......
It has been a busy week. I have not made it to bed before midnight one night. I went to a coupon class Tuesday night, (by the way it was awesome!!) and we had little league games both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Not to mention working all day. I have walked around my house and looked at the unpacked suitcases on my bedroom floor, the piles of laundry in the laundry room, the messes in my kids' rooms, the dust bunnies on my floors and let that completely steal my joy!
Today is my day off and I had huge plans and expectations on my self to clean my house from top to bottom. But, the reality is, it is simply impossible to accomplish that in one day when you have four children. Most of the time I am not willing to accept that reality! My track record is to set these unattainable goals for myself and family and then melt down when the goal is not achieved.....I know history repeats itself.....and I was not up for a rerun today.
So, in an attempt to come to grips with reality, instead of jumping in to full crazy woman cleaning mode, I decided I need to do some soul searching to prevent another repeat........I have read a couple of devotionals and scripture this morning, along with a couple of blogs. It is amazing how quickly the view of your own life and reality can change when seen in perspective of other's lives and struggles, and God's Word. I was quickly reminded that my idealistic goals of attaining and maintaining a perfectly organized and clean house were just a little out of whack!!
I have allowed myself to become weary and burdened by all of my self inflicted expectations instead of focusing on Him and the blessings He has given me. There are others who are burdened with much bigger worries than I! God has provided for ALL my needs, blessed me with a job, a home, four amazing children, and an awesome supportive husband! So, my focus should be on Him and thanking Him for His bountiful blessings and peace.
Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." No matter what causes us to be weary and burdened whether it be large or small, we can rest in Him! As I am still trying to re coop from vacation and clean my house today, I am going to find rest for my soul in Him!
I will be completely honest....this last week I have been irritable, impatient, and well, I will admit just down right GRUMPY!! Those that live and work with me can attest to that! It's like I have zero tolerance for anything. I feel like the Lion who has a thorn in his paw and doesn't want anyone to touch him. But, I could not put my finger on what the "thorn" that was bothering me was......
It has been a busy week. I have not made it to bed before midnight one night. I went to a coupon class Tuesday night, (by the way it was awesome!!) and we had little league games both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Not to mention working all day. I have walked around my house and looked at the unpacked suitcases on my bedroom floor, the piles of laundry in the laundry room, the messes in my kids' rooms, the dust bunnies on my floors and let that completely steal my joy!
Today is my day off and I had huge plans and expectations on my self to clean my house from top to bottom. But, the reality is, it is simply impossible to accomplish that in one day when you have four children. Most of the time I am not willing to accept that reality! My track record is to set these unattainable goals for myself and family and then melt down when the goal is not achieved.....I know history repeats itself.....and I was not up for a rerun today.
So, in an attempt to come to grips with reality, instead of jumping in to full crazy woman cleaning mode, I decided I need to do some soul searching to prevent another repeat........I have read a couple of devotionals and scripture this morning, along with a couple of blogs. It is amazing how quickly the view of your own life and reality can change when seen in perspective of other's lives and struggles, and God's Word. I was quickly reminded that my idealistic goals of attaining and maintaining a perfectly organized and clean house were just a little out of whack!!
I have allowed myself to become weary and burdened by all of my self inflicted expectations instead of focusing on Him and the blessings He has given me. There are others who are burdened with much bigger worries than I! God has provided for ALL my needs, blessed me with a job, a home, four amazing children, and an awesome supportive husband! So, my focus should be on Him and thanking Him for His bountiful blessings and peace.
Matthew 11:28 says, "Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." No matter what causes us to be weary and burdened whether it be large or small, we can rest in Him! As I am still trying to re coop from vacation and clean my house today, I am going to find rest for my soul in Him!
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