Roller Skating Lesson

Yesterday I took all three of my children roller skating.  It was a brave effort on my part to be the sole one responsible for three kids (and myself!) on moving wheels!

Lindsay and Logan had been to the skating rink before, but this was three-year-old Luke’s first experience.  He was very excited and talked about how he already knew how to roller skate.  His story changed mighty quickly when he had those skates laced up and stood upright!  It was only a moment before he landed on the floor with a puzzled look on his face.  He had to be thinking “this is not quite as easy as I thought.”

As Lindsay and Logan skated circles around us, Luke and I dared to hit the floor.  Luke danced around and became quite frustrated until it climaxed into a crying fit.  When he screamed his ear piercing dissatisfaction, I lifted him over the short wall and made him sit on the bench to calm down.  I skated around the rink a couple of times to cool down myself!  After Luke composed himself and saw everyone skating and some falling down, he decided he wanted to try again.  I skated behind him holding both of his hands, and we made it from one end of the carpet to the other end where he wanted to get off the skating floor.  He crawled back to the bench to wait for his confidence to grow again.  I skated around with Logan a couple of times and then sat with Luke.  Finally Luke  decided he was ready to go again, and this time he made it all the way around the rink holding my hands.  I was so proud of him!

This event made me think of myself in the experience of life.  I like to play it safe and sit on the bench.  Trying something new does not come easy to me…I guess that’s why God gave me my adventurous husband!  Sometimes, though, God calls us to step outside our comfort zone.  If we stay within the safety of the bench, we cannot experience God’s fullness for us.  He is the One who gives us the confidence, courage, and cover for what He wants us to do for Him.  Our faith will be stretched and our trust in Him will grow.  There is no better place to be than in the center of His will.

Just as Luke gained boldness on roller skates holding my hands, take that step out of your comfort zone, and God’s hand will meet yours.  Luke told me last night, “I want to do that again.”  Hopefully, that will be what we say when we step out for God!

Continue On

A friend shared the following poem by Roy Lessin with me last week.  I admit at times I have felt non-contributing.  I complained to my husband recently that I have no special talent, I cannot sing, I cannot play a musical instrument, I cannot sew, and I do not earn a paycheck.  But God has shown me that I am the only person who can take care of my husband and our three children.  I can give a hug, cover a boo boo, wipe a tear, say a word in due season, and be my children’s biggest cheerleader.  Being a wife and mother is the highest calling for a woman because she is making a difference in her little corner of the world, and one day, when her children leave home, they will impact their little corners of the world for the Lord.

“Continue On”

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.  She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.  She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference.

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated.  “Is it worth it?” she often wondered.  “Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?”

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.  “You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be.  Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye.  But I notice.  Most of what you give is done without reward.  But, I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support.  Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know.  I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.  Your children are precious to Me.  Even more precious than they are to you.  I have entrusted them to your care to raise for Me.  What you invest in them is an offering to Me.

You may never be in the public spotlight.  But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me.  Continue on.  Remember you are My servant.  Do all to please Me.

By Roy Lessin

Wow!  How’s that for encouragement?  We moms are so special to our Heavenly Father.  Don’t ever doubt your high calling!

Reminders

I had to laugh this morning when I walked into my laundry room and nearly tripped over a basket of dirty clothes.  I vaguely recognized that basket as being from MY closet!  Was my husband sending me a message by bringing it downstairs?  Maybe he was just trying to be helpful when he saw a need.  I don’t know, but I thought it was funny!  Mine and Brad’s clothes are now washed and in the dryer!

Sometimes we need reminders, no matter how subtle or not so subtle they may be!  Reminders to spend quiet time with the Lord, to send a note of thanks or encouragement to a friend, to speak a kind word (when really what we want to say might not be so kind!), to call a parent, to mend a relationship, to not participate in gossip, and on and on.

I had a wonderful group of like-minded homeschooling moms to my home last night.  We laughed, shared, and read Scripture.  It was refreshing to be with such wonderful women in the Lord.  I was reminded during that time that I cannot do any task (including homeschooling) in and of myself.  It’s the Lord who does it through me.  He is teaching me patience and total dependence on Him.  My whole purpose in everything I do is to glorify God, and I cannot do that if I am impatient and continually frustrated with my children.

I set time aside to refocus on my mission in Scripture.  My mission at this season of my life is to support and love my husband and children and to pour life into them.  Isaiah 26:3 says “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.”  Thank you, Lord, for the reminder!

Now…off to fold laundry!

What Goes In

Logan has a habit of putting objects into his mouth and chewing on them.  Now, I’m not talking about food!  During school today, I saw him chewing bits of his pencil eraser off and I stopped and asked him, “What is supposed to go into your mouth?”  (We have had MANY discussions of the like.)  Logan matter-of-factly replied, “Food and dessert.”  I had to laugh because I was expecting the answer of “food and drink.”  I guess he thinks dessert is pretty important!

Likewise, we need to be careful what goes into our children’s hearts!  As parents, it is our responsibility to protect our children.  No one else is going to do that for us!  Be tuned in to what shows your children watch on television, what music they listen to, what internet sites they visit, what magazines they peruse, and certainly know who their friends are!  All these venues serve to influence our children for the good or for the bad, and we need to be aware of these. We’ve all heard the phrase “What goes in is what comes out,”  and it’s so true.

God’s word declares in Psalm 101:2b-3 “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.  I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.”  May that be the testimony of our homes!

Relief in Haiti

Like you, I’ve been so saddened to see pictures of the devastation in Haiti caused by one of the worst earthquakes to hit the small, poor country in over 200 years.  It is heart breaking to hear the stories of mass graves necessary to handle overwhelming  numbers of the dead, orphans without formula, relatives seeking word of each other, and relief supplies not being able to reach the injured and hungry.

The needs of Haiti are many, and at times, seem insurmountable.  However, in the midst of such devastation, God can work to show His Hope to the hopeless there.  The people there have probably never been so desperate, and these are the times God can send revival.

I’ve been encouraged to see the world unite to help Haiti.  Many countries are pledging monetary support and are sending planes with relief supplies.  Our military are heroes for their air drops over the country and for going in to rescue the helpless.  Churches across the United States are taking up special offerings for Haiti.  Our church’s RA’s and GA’s are collecting supplies that are most needed right now in Haiti.  A family in our Classical Conversations group made beautiful cookies and colorful sprinkle brownies that they sold for donations which will go to Samaritan’s Purse’s relief efforts in Haiti.

I would encourage you to give (to a reputable organization of your choice) to help these precious people because it could just as easily be us in need.  The amount does not matter.  I love this quote from Mother Teresa:  “If you can’t feed a hundred, feed one.”  Our gifts together can be huge and can make a difference and can show the love of Jesus.  Let’s unite our hearts in prayer for Haiti and watch for the miracle stories that are sure to come!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear.  Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.  Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.”  (Psalm 46:1-3)

Stop and Smell the Weeds

As I sat reading this morning, my three-year old came in from play and found me.  He walked over to me with a surprise behind his back and then his chubby little hand revealed a yellow dandelion he had picked for me.  His first words were, “Do you like it?”

He totally melted my heart!  For my little boy to think about me while he is outside playing with his brother and sister and then to stop and come find me and bring me his treasure, I was so touched.  He was so proud of his offering, and I couldn’t help but hug and kiss him.

Even though his flower was a weed, I saw it and smelled it like it was a rose!  My tender-hearted little boy turned a weed into a rose in my eyes.  I love that weed not because of what it is in itself but because of the love for me that came with it!  “Yes, Luke, I like it!”

Lost Treasure

As we usher in a new year, we start thinking about resolutions.  You know, those things we want to change or improve in our lives, like getting organized, working on a character trait, or learning a new skill.  My husband says he used to make New Year’s resolutions, but he doesn’t anymore because they don’t work for him!

Maybe we moms could add journaling to our resolutions.  When my children were really little, they would say the funniest things!  A lot of those things I wrote down.  It’s fun to go back and read and share those funnies with my kids.  Just that small remembrance of a conversation brings back such memories to me!  Here are a few of their funny moments.

Almost three years ago, we had our last home on the market.  I had a six-year old, a four-year old, and a five-month old.  After it sold and after having to leave the house on a moment’s notice with the house in tip top shape, Lindsay remarked, “I’m glad we sold our house.  We don’t have to keep it clean anymore.”

One night at our dinner table during devotions, my husband asked Logan, the name of Daniel’s friends.  He helped him with the first two saying, “Shadrach, Meshach, and…”  Logan replied, “Amigo!”

One morning I served our five-year-old Logan slightly burned French toast for breakfast.  Logan took one look at his plate and exclaimed with excitement, “Is this chocolate?”

In the midst of breaking Luke of his pacifier, I encouraged him with these words:  “Big boys don’t need pacifiers.”  Well, to that he replied, “I’m a baby!”

These precious memories would be lost treasure if I did not write them down.  My brain is so busy handling every day life, that I know I could never remember all of these cute things.  Take time to journal your children’s memories.  They will thank you one day!

Christmas 2009

Here are some pictures from our Christmas celebration!  We had a wonderful day, and we praise God for blessing Brad and me so abundantly!  To God be the Glory in 2010!

Sometimes You’ve Gotta Be Specific

As my daughter approaches the age of ten, I am learning that as she shows responsibility and maturity in certain areas, she is becoming capable of more freedom.

The big bowl in our pantry is full of Christmas candy right now.  The big bowl is where the children go to pick out their dessert when we have candy.  The other day Lindsay asked me if she could have some candy and how much.  I told her she could have as much as she feels comfortable having.  She looked at me kind of funny, expecting and wanting me to set a limit.  I replied, “You will know what is enough.”  After three chocolate mint kisses, she decided that was enough, and I was proud.  She is beginning to govern herself in this small area!

Now, my seven year old son, on the other hand, is not quite ready for this kind of freedom.  Yesterday Logan asked if he could have some m&m’s.  I told him he could, “but do not eat them all.”  He agreed.  Later I laughed out loud when I found his small bag of m&m’s back in the pantry with all but two m&m’s gone!  Although he did obey my instructions by not eating them all, I learned that sometimes you’ve gotta be specific!

“I love Jesus, I love Jesus”

My three year old Luke just went through another phase.  It seems children’s lives are a series of phases strung together which make up their childhood!  As soon as they leave one phase, they enter another.

One day as I went to discipline my Luke, he urgently and passionately repeated, “I love Jesus, I love Jesus.”  He was sweetly smiling and just adorable!  I guess he figured Jesus would save him from this pending discipline, and I admit it was a weak moment for me.  He did not get what it was he deserved for whatever it was that he did!  I did laugh and share with my family how cute he was!

Then it happened again!  And again and again, but I was strong.  I was not going to let him get away with his disobedience, no matter how adorable he is or how adorable his words are!  I guess he’s learned this tactic no longer works because he doesn’t say it any more, so I’m wondering what the next phase will be!