October 28, 2009
Wild Wednesday Wanderings
Wednesdays are busy days for us. We have school, lunch, a bit more school and then we are all off to town. Wednesdays are the days “B” has guitar practice. Because we are already in town, we make a library run, get allergy shots (also for “B”), and usually run by Wal-Mart or Kroger for a grocery run. “B’s” guitar practices are 30 minutes. It’s too long to hang out in the van and not long enough to do more than run a short errand or two.
Today we took that time and went to the park. My intention was to get some new pictures of the curtain climbers that I had with me. We ran into a friend of my dad’s who was there with her grandson. Her daughter also home schools. It was so nice to see and visit with her. I was shocked to find out that she lost her husband this summer. We do not get the newspaper and I hadn’t heard about his passing. I felt horrible. She didn’t have any of our phone numbers to get in touch with any us.
I am so glad we took that trip to the park today! It was good to watch the kids run and play! It’s so wet and muddy here! Our yard doesn’t look bad, but try to walk in it and it’s a giant mud pit! I caught the weather earlier and it’s supposed to rain again tomorrow and Friday! Yuckety yuck! We did enjoy the sunshine while we were out today though!
We are obsessed with the World Series and all things Yankees! Don’t throw peanuts at me! The boys love the Yankees! I’m not sure why. We aren’t from the North! We don’t have any ties to family who live in New York. When Ben first showed an interest in baseball we encouraged him. We read books about the history of baseball, he read books about the history and he latched onto greats like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Lou Gherig. So who am I to cause a divided house? LOL I will admit to cheering for the Red Sox on occasion, just to tease him. And really we like the Sox. But we’ve been told you can’t love the Yankee’s and like the Sox. It is what it is. We love a good ball game! And we are in for several over the next couple of weeks! So I’m off to watch the game with the boys! Go Yankees! I still think Phillies pitcher Brad Lidge is a cutie! 😉
October 27, 2009
Asking Why?
It’s the question that parents have a love/hate relationship with. I know I certainly do. I love to see the kids seeking the answer to questions. That desire to obtain knowledge about what interests them most. I’m not so happy when they are questioning the rules. Our oldest loves to ask questions. This is the child who used to carry around encyclopedia’s to read, for fun. He has in insatiable thirst for knowledge. He can read for hours about almost anything. He is our “B”. (How he got that nickname is a post for another day) He does drive me a little crazy with what I don’t he does know.
“B” loves to ask me questions…for instance “Mom, does the trapdoor spider really use a trapdoor to catch it’s prey?” I don’t know the answer to that question and I have to admit I don’t know. If I try to fake it, that’s the time he really does know the answer and I’m caught. So I’ve learned with him it’s best to just say. “B” I don’t know why. And if he knows he tells me, and I say “Well if you already knew, why did you ask me?” And if he doesn’t then we try to find the answer.
Miah is almost 4 and at the prime of the “Why” stage. Why are we going there? Why do we have to wear shoes? Why do I need to be quiet? Why isn’t it time? Why do ladybugs have spots? Why can’t I sleep in the boys room? Some days I ask her “Miah…Why do you need to know why?” Of course I’m met with that mymomisanut look.
Recently I had to answer their “Why?” question with an I don’t know. A little girl they had been praying for, for a very long time, got very sick and died. It happened so very quickly. They didn’t know this little girl personally, but a friend had asked me to pray and so I shared that prayer request with my prayer warriors. (And they really are. They don’t forget to pray for someone when asked. Sometimes they pray for that person long after the prayer has been answered. It encourages me.) I know the “adult” answers for this question. I know that God is so good, I know that He has a plan, I know that there is a time, I know, I know, I know. But it doesn’t stop the aching “why” in their hearts. So I just remind them of all that they know to be true. God loves them and He cares for them. He has a reason for all things, a wisdom in all things that sometimes we can’t see or understand. It doesn’t change who He is.
As a mom, I ache for this little girl’s mom. This was not her first loss. And I can not imagine how she must feel. So, now our prayer is for her heart. For all the “why’s” she won’t hear.
October 22, 2009
Murmurings and Disputings
Philippians 2:14-15 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
When I pray, often I will ask God, “Just give me some red flags, a brick wall, or neon flashing sign. Any or all of the above would be a great help!” And then when He does, I look behind me or all around me for the person whom those “signs” are for. Only to realize, Yes, He is talking to me! Well, duh! (Don’t tell my children I said that.) And then there are days when He sends all these things and I didn’t even ask Him. (Personally I think God has a terrific sense of humor.) I read the first verse in a devotion this morning (my brick wall). When I went to look it up the second verse spoke to me, too (neon lights, anyone?). All of this after a post from a friend about service. (the initial flashing red light.)
My attitude, my heart, my soul has not been in a good place lately. I have been short with my husband and children, certainly not serving them without “murmurings and disputings”. My heart has certainly not been blameless or harmless as I go about my day frustrated with the smallest of things. And my light has not been shining as it should. I’m disappointed in myself. I know better and I let myself get distracted with the day to day routine. I’m so busy accomplishing what is on my list, I get carried away and forget to serve. Serve God, serve my family, serve my friends. It happens so slowly. Depending on the situation, I had an excuse. I blamed not serving on everything.
I feel the need to clarify. My first area of service for God is my family. That is my first mission field. All other things come second. I’m not talking about being so busy outside of my family that I don’t have time to serve. I simply wasn’t serving anyone but myself. And if I had to do something for someone else, there was plenty of murmuring. Maybe under my breath or just in my heart, but the Lord heard it. My family knew it by my attitude. Even my children recognized it. As a result, they didn’t want to do what was required or what was asked of them, either. Whining and complaining ensued. Fusses and fighting because we didn’t have servants hearts and our attitudes just plain stunk.
The repercussions of this are long lasting, such is the nature of sin. Unfortunately my attitude isn’t the only one who needs adjusting, now. When one of us stop serving or has a sour attitude, we are all affected. It’s a domino effect. And not a fun one.
It seems everyone wants me at the same time, that’s overwhelming sometimes. But no excuse. Never enough time in the day to take care of house and home, plus do the things I want to do. What about the things I have planned, Lord? I was going to clean out the boys room today and catch up on the laundry. Those are murmurings and disputings. If I’m honest with you and myself, I have to acknowledge that most days I accomplish what I truly want. The things that really need to be done are taken care of. There are the days of sick kids or days we are just really busy. But generally if I’m not getting things done, it’s because I’m not doing.
So we begin again. Serving, showing tenderness of heart for each other, purposefully. Without complaining. Daughters and sons of God trying to live in a way so that God can shine through us. Even at home. Especially at home.
October 16, 2009
Blogging is hard
At least I think it is. I’m trying to learn the in’s and out’s because I really would love to have a blog. I love reading the blog’s of people I know and of those I don’t. I have lots of ideas that I want to write about, but when I sit down to the keyboard, I go blank. I guess all those times I’m laying in bed and thinking, I would love to blog about that…I should get up and write it down. My biggest problem is my need for it to be just so. Perfectionism is a nasty thing. It isn’t perfect so I just won’t post it, say it or do it. But I’ve decided I’m going to try to let it go. That should be real easy. Not.
Learningandlivingbyfaith 