Wednesday, May 29, 2013

friends - i love mine

Where has the time gone!!  I can't believe that an entire week has passed me by...  Well, actually I can.  This past week has been so full of so many good things!  I have spent time with so many different friends this past week that I can't help but call myself blessed.  Friends of old and some new ones.  Some that I've spent hours with and some just a few passing minutes of conversation.

But every evening I go to bed thinking about my little old blog.  I just love this blog.  I love sharing my heart and my experiences and the little things that God teaches me on a regular basis.  (I need constant teaching and reminding.)  I think of the people who I know actually take the time to read it!  And those of you who maybe read it and I just don't know it.  But because I haven't written and connected with you all for a week, I miss you!  Seems kind of sappy, I know.

But then again, it's after 10:00 and I am tired and I tend to get a little sappier the later it gets...

One thing that I have learned about myself over the years is that I am so very far from being a perfect friend, or even a good one.  I forget birthdays.  I say dumb things.  I let my selfishness get in the way. I don't keep in contact with far away friends like I should.  When it's supposed to be my turn to call or text or message or email, I fall behind.  There are some parts of friendship I'm just not that good at!  I'm trying to get better, but that takes time.

Sometimes God prompts me to do something thoughtful or wonderful or so generous for a friend and then I seem like this really great gal... but I'm still not.  That's just God being awesome through me.  I do the not-so-great stuff, God does the awesome stuff.  But you know what?  Even when I do the not-so-great stuff, He still manages to do great things through it.  That amazes me!

Many years ago in high school, I made some choices that made it tough for my dearest, closest friends to want to be around me.  (Nothing major, I wasn't a naughty kid, I just prioritized wrong).  But you know what those friends did?  They came up around me and talked me through it so that we could be friends on the other side.  A couple of those friendships are still the strongest ones I have to this day.  See what God did there?  Took my bad and turned it into His best.

Okay, time to end this rambler.  Do you have a friend who maybe needs your grace?  Being a friend isn't all about taking, often it's more about giving.  What can you give to a friend this week?

KC


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

learning is for nerds

As my daughter reaches her last day of school tomorrow, I am reminded of when I reached (what I thought was) my very last day of education.  I had graduated from college and would never have to go to school again!!  I had completed 17 (if I am doing the math correctly) years of school and was FREE!!  Enough education.  Enough school.  No more teachers, homework, studies, or any of that garbage.  For so many years school had been a drag; I was always looking forward to summer.

Now I didn't struggle too much at school.  That wasn't the reason why I was ready to be done.  I think my mentality was that it was something I had to get done and out of the way so I could get on with life.  Shortly after I graduated, I got married and I remember having a conversation with my father-in-law about learning.  I don't remember what started it but we definitely had different viewpoints at that time in life.  He never wanted to stop learning; he thought it was great!  I was done, never wanting any further education.   He looked at me like he was a bit surprised.  Looking back at it now, I guess I can understand that look.  How could this bright college grad think that her learning was over?  How could she never want to educate herself about anything ever again?

Well my perspective certainly has changed, although I will admit it took a few years to get to that point.  I find so many things interesting that I want to learn about it all!  And not all learning is from a book.  Sometimes it comes when you are listening to an expert or to someone who has had a ton of experience in a field.  Sometimes it comes from hands-on experience (my favorite).  Sometimes it comes from observation.  However it comes, I like learning new things. I think I might even be that old lady who goes back to college at 75 so that I can be a nurse or something like that!  (Well not a nurse - turns out I'm not very good at that sort of stuff.) 

As I reflect back on my attitude back then, I hope that maybe I can change that viewpoint for my kids.  I want them to like school.  I want them to enjoy learning and see it as an awesome thing that allows them to do so much more in life.  It might take a while for them to understand that.  After all they are surrounded by kids telling them they can't wait to get out of boring school and have a fun summer vacation!  But we'll try, even if it means we sound like nerdy parents.

You know, not every kid is good at the academic (math book, paperwork, handwriting) side of education, but that doesn't mean that you can't help your kiddo find something they are good at to become passionate about.  Funny thing is that my daughter is great at math but doesn't enjoy the homework all that much, especially her math facts.  However, she loves the idea of being awesome at playing the piano so she will sit and struggle and learn at our piano.  That, to me, shows passion.  So while we might keep working on our math facts throughout the summer, we're going to spend a whole lot more time at the piano.

So tomorrow is the last day of school, but we're going to keep learning all summer (just don't tell the kids!)

KC

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

sleep is over-rated

My husband and I are pretty much in agreement that we don't want to have any more babies in this house.  We've been through it twice and we think that's enough.  (I do reserve the right for both of us to change our minds...it has been known to happen!)  One of our reasons is that we don't want to miss so much sleep.

Hmmm, but in reality, our sleep life currently stinks.  Our kids are 4 and 7; well past the infant, waking up every hour, stage. However, they are not sleeping like a 4 and 7 year old should be. 

12:00 (midnight): 7 year old: "Mommy, I had a bad dream, can I sleep on your floor?"
2:00 a.m.: 4 year old is moaning/crying in his sleep.  By the time I get in there, he's calmed down and still asleep.  Funny thing (not funny to me), I get up 2 more times in the next 10 minutes because he's still moaning.  I finally rouse him only to have him tell me he's frustrated because he can't find all the gems!  Dreaming about video games?  Could you do it a little quieter please?
2:45 a.m.: (I'm finally falling back to sleep): 7 year old: " Mom, my stomach hurts."  "Do I need to get you the barf bucket?"  "Yes."  Falls back asleep before I get back.
5:30 a.m.: 4 year old: "Mom, can I play on your phone?"  "Sure, as long as you let me sleep for another hour!!"

Now this is just one example.  Other nights it's a wet bed.  Or two children sleeping on our floor.  Or their room is too dark.  Or there are scary things in their room.  Or they are hungry or have to go potty and need to let us know!   It is very rare when I get a complete night of sleep from the time my head hits the pillow to when my alarm goes off in the morning.  I keep thinking this is going to be a stage.  It's the longest stage of my life.  And I've got the bags under my eyes to prove it!

So what's my point in all this?  Is there anything significant coming out of this story?  Probably, but I'm too tired to remember...

Actually, it's a good reminder of our parent, our heavenly Father, who is always awake, doesn't need sleep and is always ready to hear our needs and prayers. Read this one:

"I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from ?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
Psalm 121:1-4,7,8

That is so comforting to me.  I don't know about you, but when I wake up in the middle of the night, it's nice to know that I am not alone. No matter what my fears, ills, or thoughts; I am not dealing with them by myself.

Now, if there is anything else significant about this blog, please feel free to let me know.  I am too tired to figure out anymore!  (That example that I wrote about earlier, that happened to me just last night.  Zzzzzz)

Monday, May 20, 2013

i don't understand...

Many years ago, we had a spokesperson.  A person who would make the single most important decision of our lives.  A person who would make the exact decision we would have made if we had been there.  He had free will.  With that free will, he desired to know all and understand all.  He opened a door.  But it was not a good door to open.  You see, we were not created to understand all:

Natural Disasters
Devastation
Disease
Loss
Disorders
Crimes against the innocent
Mental Illness
Violence
Destruction
Starvation
Suffering

Death

I was not created to understand death.  I walked through the death of a loved one.  Many of my friends have walked that same path.  It is too much for our hearts to handle.  But when we opened that door, we allowed sin, sadness, and death to come into our lives. 

I was made for love.  I was made to be loved by God and to love Him.

It is because of His love that I can survive death.  His amazing gift of grace, comfort, and peace are all that have ever gotten me through the things in life that my human heart cannot handle.  And the knowledge of what awaits my saved loved ones on the other side of death.  It is a million times more glorious than the most amazing gloriousness that this earth can offer (and maybe even more than a million times... and I'm not even sure that gloriousness is a word, but I don't care because I know you get it).

I can't explain the horrible things that happen on this earth.  But I can hug you.  Because I was made to love.

KC

Sunday, May 19, 2013

take a chance

A couple years ago I met a couple of brothers (early 20's) who had so many adventures to tell. They had met so many interesting people and had done so many crazy things in their life.  As I sat and listened to them tell stories, I was getting kind of bummed out. Here they were in their early 20's with a bunch of adventures already in their lives. Here I was, a 30+ year old housewife (not that there is a single thing wrong with that - I love my job of housewife) and a mother of two. I was somewhat quiet/shy and hadn't done a whole lot of exciting things. What adventures could I possibly have in my life?!

As I got to talking with the brothers, I asked how they had managed to do so many neat things in their life. Turns out that these boys rarely said "no" when an adventure came knocking on their door. How many things had I said "no" to because I was unsure or insecure?  When your life has been plagued by anxiety (see this blog)  you say "no" to, well, almost everything.

When I got home, my mindset has changed.  I was ready for adventures! Granted, I could not take a spontaneous road trip across the country. I had a family depending on me.  But I didn't find that dependence  limiting. I just decided to go with the life I had and make it more exciting (to me, anyway!)

I started out with a "40 before 40" list. It's a list of all the things I'd like to do before I turn 40.  I've got some major goals on that list! But some little ones too: shoot a gun for the first time, run a 5k (done plus some!), learn to skateboard, eat Thai food. Those kinds of things. Things that just make life more interesting!

My perspective on many things have changed. I like meeting new people. Everyone's got a story to tell. Everyone is interesting for some reason or another. When people ask me to try something new, I'm not scared (unless it has to do with very high places or small enclosed spaces because, shucks, those things are just plain frightening and anxiety-inducing!)

These days I take more chances, I take more risks. (For Pete's sake: I've started a blog with many of my innermost thoughts and let all my friends on facebook know about it: risky!) I've learned a lot from other people.  I have stuff to talk about in conversations.  I've made some neat memories.  And you know what? I'm starting to think that maybe I'm an interesting person, too! 

One of the neatest outcomes of all this is I don't shy away from my faith as much as I use to. It's a huge part of my life (actually, my life is run by my faith so I guess it is my life).  (Not to say that my faith is always evident, but I'm trying). (Should I put something else in parenthesis since I've already overused them in this paragraph?) (Nah).

Getting back to my point: it's now easier to talk about God. He's asked us to trust Him, talk about Him (plant the seed) and He'll do the rest!  I know I've got a long way to go before I'll be witnessing like He wants me to, but I've decided not to be afraid but to be more bold

What about you? What risks are you going to take this week? Have you made your 40 before 40 list?  Who have you been afraid to talk to?

KC
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Saturday, May 18, 2013

in the details

A while back I was stressing about something I really didn't have much control over. I was involved but not in charge. I really had high hopes for how I wished things would turn out but they weren't going that way.

This issue went on this way for a couple months. I was looking at all the worst case scenarios just knowing that the whole thing was going to be difficult and add a whole bucketful of stress to my life when I was trying to delete the amount of stress in my life.

So I fretted. I complained to my husband. I worried.  I tried to handle things on my own. What I completely forgot to do was pray.  Not even a passing thought of prayer in regards to this situation. It's not that I don't pray regularly. I do. About my family and friends. I pray for myself (because I need it, let me tell you!) I pray for boo boos and upset stomachs. I pray for blessings on our food and out of gratefulness for our many other blessings. I just didn't pray about this thing, this situation that was (in my mind) insignificant to God.

Well the thing is, nothing is insignificant to God.  He deals in details all the time! All those crazy coincidences that happen? They are not coincidences.  All the things that go right in your day? That's not because of you.  The answers to the prayers you forgot to pray? Yep: God.

So when this fleeting thought of praying about this situation came through my mind, I put my palm to my forehead and said to myself, "Duh!". I immediately went to prayer on my big brown chair and gave it over to God.  I told Him that I couldn't handle it, didn't know how, and quite frankly, didn't feel like it. Could He help me out a bit here?

A week later, the situation had resolved itself better than I could have thought. I am not insignificant. My life is not insignificant. You are not insignificant. Your life is not insignificant. God deals in the details.

Now if I could just remember that next time...

KC

Friday, May 17, 2013

loving the same... but different

I have two kids.  They are very different in personality.  They have different strengths and weaknesses.  They process things differently.  They like different foods.  I can't even tell you which one is more like me and which is more like my husband because they are such a mix of our personalities, strengths, and weaknesses (although I'm pretty sure everything negative about my children comes from my husband... wink, wink!)

My daughter is very bright.  She catches on to concepts quickly: academically, spiritually, emotionally.  She's a "take charge" kind of gal. She likes to do things her way.  She has an amazing imagination and is very creative.  She is very messy.  She is very thoughtful...when she wants to be.  She has a will of iron (which is going to be awesome someday... just not yet).  She likes to be entertained constantly and loves to hang out with her friends.

My son's physical skills come naturally to him.  He can groove with a beat.  He applies himself to sports with success (as much success as a 4 year old can have).  He usually goes with the flow (probably because he's used to his sister telling him what to do).  He pays attention to details. He's a snuggler.  He still likes to hold my hand.  Sometimes he gets frustrated and growls at me.  He is usually content to hang out at home and can often find something to do to occupy himself for an hour at a time.

I often wondered if I would end up playing favorites with my kids.  Would I feel a strong pull towards one of them?  I mean I'm pretty sure that I was my parents' favorite kid...

But I've realized that I love them the same... but different.  Not one more than the other.  There is a deep love that exists in a mother that will always be there for each of her children.  It drives us to do the things we never imagined we would have to do (most of which involve bodily fluids).  But I do love my children differently.   My daughter is intense.  My love for her is very passionate.  My son is a cuddler (which will change, I'm sure).  My love for him is warm and fuzzy.  I anticipate that as my children grow and change, my love will change as well.  But not one more than the other.  Just different.

A few years back I read a book called The Shed.  (You can call me out if I am remembering this incorrectly - my memory is not what it used to be before I had kids). Without getting into the story too much, I remember one of the characters who portrayed Jesus or God was always telling each person that they were His favorite.  You know, I kind of get that.  My daughter is my favorite.  She's my favorite Jayne.  My son is my favorite. He's my favorite Lincoln.  There's no comparison.  The fact is that they are both my favorite.  My favorite foods are bacon, cheese, and chocolate.  My favorite colors are green and blue.  My favorite restaurants are In and Out, Chipotle, Del Taco, and WaHoo's Fish Tacos.  My favorite kids are Jayne and Lincoln. You don't need to have just one favorite.

KC

Thursday, May 16, 2013

non-neighborly neighbors (because I used a version of "neighbor" at least 25 times in this blog)

When I was growing up, my neighbors were my friends.  I'd play basketball in the front yard with the boys next door.  We'd play frisbee back and forth across the street with our other neighbors.  The older couple on our left always gave me candy when we stopped by.  My parents kept an eye on the neighbor's home if they went on vacation, collected their newspapers and their mail.  They did the same for us. We kiddos respected the adults and their property.  We borrowed sugar, butter, and eggs from each other.  We'd go over for BBQs and play cards together.  That's just what neighbors do!

Nowadays, that's a hard thing to come by.  I will say that a few of the neighbors in our current neighborhood are absolutely wonderful.  The kids play out in the court together with one of the adults keeping an eye on them.  We get together to have dinner together.  We borrow sugar from each other.  We loan out tables and chairs for events at each other's houses. We let the neighbor know when their sprinkler isn't working, or we just fix it for him. We meet in the street to have a conversation for a bit.  We tell our kids to mind the adults and to be nice to the other kids in the neighborhood, their friends.

But then there's the neighbor whose dog constantly barks.  The other neighbor who never comes out of his house.  The one who won't look you in the eye when you drive by, trying to wave.  The one who spies and listens to your conversations. The neighbors who blare their outdoor stereo for a party that lasts all night that they never warned you about.  The one who trims his tree so all the branches land in your yard and never offers to pick them up.  And then there's the one who lived next to my mom and stole important items from her storage shop in the backyard.  And the pit bull (this particular one was vicious) running around her yard, trying to attack her through her sliding glass door.

I'm sure you can think of many other annoying things that your neighbors have done.  I'm sure I've done a few annoying things as a neighbor.  But what stinks is that respectfulness and friendliness seem to be missing from many neighborhoods.  The attitude of  "this is my house and I'm going to do what I want" seems to reign these days.  I can deal with the pettiness and the minimal annoyances in my neighborhood (like I said before, we've got some excellent neighbors!)  But what do you do when your neighbors are not neighborly but more of a nuisance?

I don't have a great answer.  Obviously the big stuff has to be handled.  You have rights and the right to communicate them.  My father-in-law has written notes to neighbors about their dogs incessant barking.  He's chatted with other neighbors who have not turned down their music into the night, just reminding them politely that the noise travels directly into his bedroom windows.  My mom has had to call the police about the items stolen from her shop.  Other friends have called the city to make sure that the intrusive additions to their neighbor's home are being built according to code.  (I was taught that you should be polite and respectful, but not a doormat).

But I'm wondering: just because someone isn't neighborly to us, does that mean we shouldn't be neighborly to them?  There's a verse that I have had my kids memorize (and if you haven't heard of this one, well... that's just crazy) and it hangs above my staircase in my house so my kids see it every day.  Not that they read it every day, but at least it's there in hopes that they will!

"Do to others as you would have them do to you."  (Luke 6:31)  You know, the golden rule.  

You can't change your neighbors, but you can change yourself.  And who knows, maybe your good attitude, your smiles and waves, the kind deeds you do might just rub off on the rest of the neighborhood.

KC


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

apologies and humility

One thing I really dislike doing is saying, "I'm sorry."  That's probably because I'm never wrong, I'm perfect, and there's no reason for me to apologize for anything!  Okay, so we all know that's not true.  Honestly, though, it is one tough thing for me to do.  My pride gets in the way.  My desire to be right and not admit fault gets in the way.  And the humility!  *sigh*  I just don't like it.

Unfortunately, it's a part of life for me.  I've gotten better at it, probably because I've had to say it so often. I've made financial mistakes when I should have withdrawn from one account and accidentally withdrew from the account that didn't have enough in it (it's been a long time since I've done that - I hate the $18 overdraft fee).  I sold my daughter's favorite stuffed animal at a garage sale (she had colored all over it with marker and never slept with it or played with it and to this day, between her and her dad, I still can't live it down).  I forgot to pack tennis shoes for my daughter on our camping trip to Calvaras Big Trees (you know, where you hike all over through all the trees and on the trails - yeah, flip flops don't work so well for hiking).  I've yelled at my kids for something they didn't do.  I've taken my emotions from the day out on my husband.  And I've even kicked the cat, multiple times (on accident - I'm not an abusive pet owner)!

Early in our marriage, my husband pulled a very frustrated me down on his lap and gently told me that I don't apologize very easily.  I was crying because I knew he was right and the words were so difficult to get out of my throat.  (It's amazing how something that should be mental/emotional can also become a physical feeling).  I swallowed, trying to clear my throat, and through the mess that I was, I apologized.  He hugged me and held me because he knew how difficult that was for me.  Although that is not typically how apologies go these days, it opened the door for humility to step in and my pride to step aside.  Each apology after that has been a little easier.

It's tough to apologize to kids.  I want my kids to respect me and think that I am the almighty parent who does no wrong.  But how will they learn to apologize with their heart if they never see it done?  Since they were little but still old enough to understand, we have tried to apologize to them when we have been in the wrong in a manner that we hope they will follow.  Between the two of them, they have had numerous times to practice saying, "I'm sorry," and there are many times when I think, "Boy, we've got a long way to go till we reach heartfelt!"  But we keep trying and we keep teaching.

A heartfelt apology opens doors between 2 people.  It helps to soothe wounds. It sets an example. It tears down pride. It creates humility, a trait that God desires for each of us.

'Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."' James 4:6

"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." Romans 12:3

Do you have any apologies to make?  I know the first one is tough, but keep trying!  Start small - it'll get easier.

KC

Monday, May 13, 2013

dirt, exhaustion, and 20 loads of laundry

When we go on vacation with our kids, we go camping.  We make an effort to go at least once a year, sometimes 3 or 4 times, if we can.  Our kids have never been to Disneyland (and they remind us of this often).  They have never flown anywhere in a plane (another thing they remind us of often).  They've never been to any 6 Flags Park or Knott's Berry Farm, or any amusement park, for that matter.  (I know, we are such neglectful parents.)  But I'll be honest: I don't think my kids are missing out on a thing!

Vacation, for my husband and me, has always been about spending time with our kids, creating memories with them that will last forever.  And you know what?  We've already accomplished that.  On the way to the campground our kids, full of excitement, started remembering the times when we went camping on the beach and when we went to visit Uncle Mike while camping in our trailer.  They remembered the campground we were headed to because they have been there many times with their cousins.

The week before we head out to camp, we open up the trailer and start packing everything in.  Now the nice thing about a trailer is that pretty much everything is already in it.  We
just add clothing and food. I start my many trips between the house and the trailer and the kids just sit out in it and play with the toys they haven't seen for a year because they've been stored in the trailer.  They want to eat snacks out there.  They get excited because they see me packing the mini cereal boxes containing cereal WITH sugar in it!  Oh joy!! 

We head out the campground and the ride there is pretty good.  We rock out to the kids music.  They talk about who's going to be there and what the campground is like. We break into a few of the "camping" snacks. We check out stuff on the road: the numerous cows and horses, interesting restaurants, and neat little cabins that we'd like to stay in some day.  Then we arrive!

Fruit Loops - yum!
Whose kid is this?!


















This trip we met a bunch of friends at the campground. Everyone had kids who were similar in age.  Nobody seemed left out at any time.  The kids played in the dirt, walked down the hill to the games and playground, played catch, rode their scooters, and played some more in the dirt.  The adults sat around eating, playing dominoes and dice, chatted, getting to know each other better, and ate some more.  (I have to give kudos here: since it was Mother's Day weekend, the men created the most amazing breakfast for us on Sunday morning.  I don't know about the rest of the moms, but I was SUPER impressed!)  By the time we were ready to leave, we were all a bit sad.  Although most of us were from our small town and would see each again in the next week, it's just not the same as living one campsite over from each other where you could yell, "Hey gal, come have a cup of coffee with me!"

As we head back home, the kids usually take a nap while my husband and I chat about the enjoyable weekend.  We come home dirty and tired with an entire truck and trailer to unload.  But the memories; the memories are what make it all worth it.  We're ready to go again!  (Well, after I do a few loads of laundry... okay, more like 20 loads!)

So here's my point: I used to feel bad about not taking my kids to some great amusement park or on an amazingly expensive vacation.  (And believe me, if we could afford it, we probably would do those things.)  But looking at our years of camping and the great big huge fun we have all had together, I don't feel bad anymore.  I decided a few years back that I wanted to create lasting memories with my kids.  I try to be very purposeful about this in our family's life.  And when we camp, we create memories, we create relationships, we build up our family with the time we spend together.  That, to me, is worth the dirt, the exhaustion, and the 20 loads of laundry.

KC



Thursday, May 9, 2013

i like old people

When I was a kid, our elementary school classes used to walk to the local "home for the elderly" (otherwise known as Bethany Home) and spend time visiting and singing for the old folks.  We had to walk through the convalescent part first which always scared me.  The people reaching out to me and mumbling to me as I walked by and tried to smile just kind of freaked me out.

Then I grew up.  I now find the older generation to be so interesting!  The stories they have to tell.  The trials they have been through and what they have learned.  The vast amounts of knowledge and wisdom from years of experience.  Wow!

I, myself, am not yet what I consider elderly (although sometimes I feel like it).  However, in my 30+ years I have learned a lot about life and feel like I have some wisdom to pass down to my teenage nieces and nephews (and if they ask for advice, they get it!)  Now add 30+ more years of experience... double, triple the amount of experience and wisdom!

I like old people.  They don't scare me any more.  I respect them.  I admire them.  I think they are great!  (Mom, although I feel all these ways about you, I don't consider you old... yet.)

So how sad is it that our country is in the process of shoving the elderly out the door?  I don't know much about the Medicare system, but I know it stinks!  Where is our respect?  Where is our admiration?  Gone, shoved away by a younger generation who think they know better.  Extremely sad, if you ask me.

Job 12:12: "Wisdom is with aged men, and with the length of days, understanding."

Proverbs 16:31: "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness."

Next time you spend any amount of time with an "older" person, make sure you show them their value.  They have earned every wrinkle on their beautiful faces and every grey or white hair on their heads.

KC

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

just like ironman

I was running errands with my nearly 5 year old son today.  We were listening to a Southern Gospel song by one of our favorite groups, Liberty Quartet called, "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, Hallelujah, We Shall Rise."  The refrain repeats that phrase over and over again.  My son pipes up from the backseat, "What does that mean: we shall rise?"

As I started to explain to him in 4 year old language, I realized just how cool it was that we belonged to God.  Without getting too complicated, I told him that some day Jesus was going to come down out of heaven and meet us up in the sky.  We are going to "rise" up; we are going to fly!!

My son thought that was so cool!  "Like airplanes fly?!"
"Yeah, kinda but we won't need an airplane - we'll just fly up!"
"Just like Ironman?!"
"Yep, but we won't need a costume because Jesus is going to make us go up in the air."
"Wow!"

At that point I also said, "Wow!" but not out loud, I just thought it.  Because honestly, it is pretty cool to belong to Jesus.  We are in His entourage.  We get to do the cool stuff with Him.

I can't wait to do the cool stuff with Him...

KC

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

scripture and home decor

I can't remember if I wrote about this topic yet or not and as I looked back to last year it didn't seem to be in any of my blogs.  I guess I probably just thought about it a lot and never actually wrote about it (that happens a lot with me. I respond to texts and emails in my head and then forget to physically text or email!)  However, if I did write about it... oh well!

In nearly every room of my house (that is decorated, anyway) there is some form of scripture.  Originally I thought it would be a great thing for my kids: little reminders throughout the house of who they are in Christ and how they should be towards each other.  It turned out to be more than that.

The decor in my house is a reflection of me and my family.  We are Christians (which, by the way, means that we stink at being good people all by ourselves and so we rely on God to help us be better reflections of who He is).  So in one way, the scriptures around our house serve as a witness to others.

But, more importantly, these verses serve as reminders to me.  They are very purposefully picked:

"Be still, and know that I am God."  (I constantly need to be reminded to quit stressing out, especially when it comes to being a mom!)

"Blessed by the grace of God."  (All I have to do is keep my eyes open to see all the ways that God has blessed me, especially by His grace - I am saved!)

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." (This one has upheld me incredibly during some very difficult times in life.)

"Christ is the center of our home." (Not me, not the kids, not my hubby, but Christ - our goal is to look to Him for all things regarding our home.  Notice I said "goal" because I'll be the first to admit that I look to myself an awful lot.)

"Great is Your faithfulness."  (This one appears on a clock and is part of a favorite hymn.  What a great reminder of how He is with us - always and at all times!)

There is more, but I think this is a good sampling.  Okay... one more: "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet." This one is a framed cross stitch that my Mom created for me.  This is probably the best reason for why these verses decorate my home.  Because God's word is a guide for me, a light, words that continue to point me in the right direction when my mind and heart often want to go there own way.

What scripture would have a prominent place in your home?



KC


Monday, May 6, 2013

perspective from the toilet

This one of those stories you have to write down so that  you can see  and always be reminded of the perspective that God gives children.  This is a story about my daughter who is seven.  When I was seven, I did not understand as she understands.  This makes me think that she is going to be amazing for God because she already gets Him better than I do.

Last week she had started to feel sick and, without too many details, ended up on the toilet.  She was pretty miserable.  I don't blame her one bit.  As she sat there, frustrated with tears running down her face, I had a teachable moment and simply reminded her that this sickness was a result of the devil in this world.  (This is something we have talked about numerous times, lest she think that God is somehow responsible for all the bad things that happen to us).  Throughout the evening (because there were a few times we sat in the bathroom together), she had conversations both with God and with the devil.  (If you've met her, you'll be able to hear the passion.)

"Why did the devil have to leave heaven?!  I wish he had never fallen from heaven with God, then we wouldn't have any sickness and I hate being sick!"

"I hate the devil and I hate being sick!"

"God, I want to be healed!  Please heal me!"

"Augh!  I hate that the devil makes me sick!"

You know, when things go south, I often want to have a conversation with God but I'm usually pretty grumpy at Him.  My perspective needs some reminding.  This seven year old was miserable and still maintained that her God loved her, would not wish this upon her and that all of this yuckiness was the devil's fault!  That's pretty big wisdom.  See what I mean?  She gets it.

KC

Sunday, May 5, 2013

time to say no

The itch to write has been strong lately... perhaps I've been ignoring it for far too long.  It has been about 11 months since I wrote my last entry.  So many things have prompted me to write and the time has just not been there to do so.  And that leads in to my topic for today: time.

My energetic daughter is asleep on the couch right now (it's 4:30 in the afternoon).  She is fighting a stomach bug.  This stomach bug has been plaguing our kids off and on for over 2 weeks now.  (Apparently we are not the lucky family who gets the 24 hour flu.  We get the 24 hour on, 12 hour off, 2 hour on, 24 hours off, 1 hour on, 6 hours off flu.)  I'm kind of getting the hint from God that during this time, practically everything else in my life has to stop and I have to be just mom right now.  I don't do that well.  I do "busy, running around all hours of the day, trying to be everything to everyone."  (I didn't say I did that well.  That's just what I try to do).

And that brings me back to this past year.  My calendar has been unbelievably packed.  (Sheesh, my individual hours are packed - just in trying to write this blog I have had 2 conversations through facebook and one by phone and am in the process of switching my laundry load.)  Last week I finally sat down and wrote out a list of all the things I am involved in and all the activities that fill my days.  I am in the process of whittling that list down so that I can bring my focus back home.

But you know what that means?  I have to tell people "no!"  I don't like to tell people "no!"  A long time ago I realized that I was a people-pleaser. I often felt guilty if I couldn't say yes to helping with something. A wise person (can't remember who) taught me a valuable lesson about saying yes to everything. Just because someone asks me to do something good and wonderful and for the Lord, does not mean that is what the Lord wants me to do.  My responsibility is to pray on it and wait for the Lord to lead me where His plans have me going.  Besides, if I say yes to everything, then no one else will have anything else to do!!

God knows what He wants to do with my life.  Most of the time, honestly, I don't know!  But I do know that I often get in His way.  I have come a long way (when someone comes to my door to sell me apple flavored cleaner, I now say no), but looking back on the crazyness of this past year I realize that I still have a long way to go.

I like being busy.  I don't like to sit still.  But I have to be careful that my busy-ness is in accordance with God's will for my life and my family.  What about you?  Is there something you should be saying "no" to?  How do you decide what to say yes to and what to say no to?

KC