When you have kids... Episode 2: the bathroom

If you missed Episode 1: the store - click HERE.

Before having kids, the bathroom was just an ordinary place to do your business, get clean, and get out.  There was no lingering going on back then, unless you were soaking in a hot bath (which you could take any time you pleased.)  You never had to announce to anyone you were going to go use the restroom, and you most certainly didn't announce that you had to "go potty." 




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For moms, bathrooms have changed from being a place of business, to a place of refuge and shelter. Moms have been known to escape to the bathroom to pray,  take a time-out for themselves to re-group, make a phone call, or read. 

The bathroom is the perfect sanctuary because the door locks, and you can kill two birds with one stone.   Plus, the only things that can fit underneath the door are little fingers grasping for their mother's toes, scrawled out notes, small toys, insects, and pet snakes.  Let's pray a pet snake has never been sent under the bathroom door to find you.  But I wouldn't put it past a child who is lost without his mother to try and squeeze ol' Slither under the door to assess the situation. 

I have seven children, three of whom are far past the age where they absolutely need mom during the two minutes I'm away.  But do they still?  You betcha.  (To borrow a term from a famous fellow Arctic mom.)  One day, I counted five separate knocks from five separate kids.  It started like this...

First knock:  "Yes?"

Second knock:  "What do you need?" 

Third knock:  "WHAT??!!"

Fourth knock:  "This had better be an emergency.  Is someone dead or bleeding?  If not, you have no reason to be knocking while I'm in the bathroom."

Fifth knock:  __________________________

That fifth knock is greeted with silence.  You know you've done it.   If you pretend you aren't in there, they will give up and go back to whatever they were doing before, right?  Well, sometimes.

 


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Usually I slip off quietly to the restroom unnoticed, though sometimes I announce my departure on a particularly trying day by calling everyone's attention and saying something like this:

"Mom's going to the bathroom.  Nobody follow me." 

You'd think I was a mobster heading down to the docks for a midnight meeting with a guy named Sonny.  Who talks to their kids like that?  Well,  sometimes I do.  And I'd imagine sometimes you do too. 

Taking a shower has new meaning too.  If your spouse is home, and has your back, you can take more leisurely showers.  And, boy, do those kind of showers feel luxurious.  Shaving your legs feels like a rare spa treatment.  But if you're home alone with the kids, most showers are quick and business-like.  Much like the freezing cold camp showers I'm sure most of us have been subjected to sometime in our lives.  It's in and out.



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I heard of a great solution for bathroom visitors that are grade school age and up, and I honestly can't remember where I heard it.  But I'd imagine that sliding some math fractions under the door for the interrupter to solve would be enough to teach the older "they should know better" crowd to not interrupt your short break. 

For the youngers?  Well, I haven't figured that one out just yet.  All these years, they still come a knockin'.  But I know they love me.  I know they need me.  And I can deal with that.  I treasure that. 

I just hope the stories my kids tell their spouses about me when they're older are accurate.  I've never met mobsters named Sonny down at the docks at midnight.  Ever.

11 months

Today is little Miss Emmalie Claire's 11 month birthday!

As you can see, she is quite the little ham.  And just two days ago, she pulled herself up to a stand for the first time! 

Oh, how we love having this little peanut in our lives.  She is a true blessing and a definite mark of redemption in our lives.  We praise God for you, Emmy. 

Being a beginning writer

I've loved to write since I was a girl.

I'm drawn to putting my thoughts into words, then stringing them together on a page.  In the last several years God has put a dream in my heart:  to someday be an author of a real book you can hold in your hands. 

Writing is something I'm thinking of constantly - it just won't go away.  So I figured instead of running away from it, or shooing it away because this season of life isn't conducive to it,  I'd invite it in and see what happens.  So lately, I've been reading books about writing and doing some research online about writing.  Well... and um, I've been writing too.  I'm a non-fiction girl - I like to write from the heart; so I can grow, and the reader can too.  It's a scary thing to say you've been writing, because it feels like I'm saying I think I have something worth publishing.  Time will tell if I actually do, but for now, I'm going to obey the voice that tells me to write and not worry about the rest. 

All of this reading and research has inspired me tremendously.  So instead of keeping all of my new-found knowledge to myself, I thought I'd share it here.  Who knows?  Maybe some of you are budding closet writers like myself, and could use some encouragement and some direction.  And if you aren't, maybe you could share this with people in your life who might be wanna-be writers as well. 

I love reading about the writing process of published authors.  My favorites are those who write the kind of books I see myself writing, and who are moms like me.  Knowing that other moms with children living at home can do it, helps me think it's not crazy for me to think about.  Even though it feels crazy most of the time. 

These two gals blog about things that are so helpful to me.

Emily Freeman
     On Writing (all of Emily's posts on writing in one spot)


Lysa TerKeurst
     Writing/Speaking (all of Lysa's posts on writing and speaking)

There are countless books and articles on the subject of writing - here are my current favorites:

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The Creative Call (An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit) by Janice Elsheimer
Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark

And then there's that much needed thesaurus.  Here's my personal favorite:

Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus

*I love how this thesaurus adds words and phrases such as "out to lunch" or "kick up a fuss."  Should you hug a thesaurus?  I don't know, but I might have.  I love it that much.   

These articles are great too:

When You Don't Have a Cabin or a Dog... But Are Still Called to Write by Sarah Mae

"A Message Growing Inside of Me" an interview with Emily Freeman

Every Book Starts With a Sentence by Lysa Terkeurst

How to Get Published by literary agent Rachel Gardner



There you go...  just a bit of the information that has has been building up inside me.  Carving out time to write and learn about writing with seven kids and a husband is slightly insane.  But one has to start somewhere if God is whispering "write" into their ear.  So I'm starting.  Staring to pray, seek, learn, write, and believe. 

I may be writing for an opportunity years down the road, or it may be just for this blog audience, but I don't care - I'm doing something I love.  And that is a reward in itself. 

So much GRACE

Have you ever been the recipient of so much grace, that it overwhelms?

That was me two days ago as I was flying across the country with baby Emmalie, back home to our family.  I had been praying hard (and I know others were too - thank you) for my return trip.  My neck was acting up and was locked up as a result of holding Emmy in my arms for hours on end on the flights down a few days before.  On the return trip, I'd be alone with the baby and my painful neck. 

I decided I'd chronicle my trip home here so I'd never forget - and to publicly praise God - who deserves so much more than my offering for all He has done. 

It started the night before the trek home, as my sister, nephews and I were getting ready to drive two hours back to Nashville so we could sleep for a few hours in a hotel before they dropped us off to fly out the next morning.  Before leaving town, their chiropractor (who had just arrived back in town) told us we could meet him at the country club where he was golfing.  Yes, we met him on the front steps of a country club, where I proceeded to lie down on the brick steps and have my neck and upper back adjusted.  It resulted in immediate relief for me, and thankfulness exuding out of my bones... GRACE #1

We drove off into the night, arrived in music city, and crashed for four hours in a hotel at the airport.  I had been dreading this moment even before I arrived in Tennessee.  The saying goodbye part.  I tear up just thinking about it.  My sister and I are close.  Really close.  We cried like babies clinging to each other, after I clung to my nephews - wishing I could know them, truly know them, and I headed in to check-in for the long haul home after turning around to wave just one more time.  With my reddened face, I took a deep breath and headed toward my gate.  At the front of the eternal line at security, a kind couple offered to do anything they could to make going through security easy for me... GRACE #2

When I reached my gate, I checked to see if there were any empty seats on the plane for baby's car seat.  There wasn't.  Upon entering the airplane, a friendly flight attendant took my boarding pass to see what seat I was assigned to, and stated that they put me in the wrong seat mentioning something about oxygen masks and babies.  After moving a person or two, I was assigned to a new seat at the very front of the small aircraft (it was one of those planes with just three seats in each row, one on one side of the aisle, two on the other.)  I was given the bulkhead spot with tons of legroom and no seat in front of me.  GRACE #3

Now the flight attendant had to work to shuffle folks around to fill the seat next to me.  The lady across the aisle from me kept to herself and her kindle, never looking my way.  When the attendant asked her to move into the seat next to me, she flat out said no.  She didn't want to move.  Tears were starting to pool and people were staring.  There were others that said they didn't want to move to sit by me as well.  I was feeling fragile, having just said goodbye to my sister.  This wouldn't have bothered me on a normal day, but my heart was raw this 6 a.m. morning.  Then up pops this man, about ten years younger than my dad... he didn't mind sitting by a mama and her little baby.  At first, I was honestly praying for a kindly older woman.  One who loved babies, and wouldn't mind if my baby was squirmy or squealing. 

He sat down with a friendly smile.  We began to chit chat about baby Em and about where we were traveling to and from.  You know, the normal airplane seatmate conversation.  I found him to be a man of God pretty quickly.  Turns out he is a ministry leader and pastor originally from South Africa now living in the states, and has started 113 churches in Kenya and Uganda.  We had great conversation talking about our families, orphans, and ministry.  He offered to hold Emmalie whenever I needed.  He spoke words to me that resonated deep within.  Like he knew me already.  He encouraged me in my dreams - saying that God would use me.  Then as we were making our final descent into our destination, he spoke a blessing over me and my family that caused more tears to fall freely - all I could do was smile, nod, and whisper a thank you.  What a gift this man was to me that morning.  It was a reminder of God's faithfulness to me.  I believe God sent this man to show me that He cares and He knows.  GRACE #4

I waved goodbye to my new friend, who waited in the jet way to see if I needed any help getting off the plane and unfolding my stroller that was waiting for me.  I waved goodbye and thanked him once again and rushed toward my new gate.  I literally ran through O'Hare (no small airport) passing a cute little tea and sandwich shop (Argo Tea) as I zoomed by, wishing I had time to stop.  A 6 hour flight was just in front of me, and I knew they were starting to board already as I searched for my new terminal.  So I continued on, deciding to settle for some junky fast food that would be closer to my gate.

I finally reached gate L1, and what should sit just before my gate?  Argo Tea.  GRACE #5

I grabbed my sandwich, drink, and cookie for the long flight home, as I eyed the line to board my flight which was quickly dwindling.  It was go time. 

I stepped up to the desk to get my gate check ticket for the stroller and car seat.  Then I asked if there was any chance there was an empty seat for Emmalie.  I prayed there was an empty seat for her.  I was desperate, my aching neck was desperate for an empty seat.    She shook her head no as she stared at the screen.  She then looked up at me, and said there were no two seats together - and that I'd have to gate check my car seat too.  Then she surprised me and said, "Wait a minute," while she tapped at the keyboard as gate agents do. 

She then picked up the intercom calling a woman's name.  There was a slim to none chance she would still be in the boarding area, since there were only ten folks left in line.  A woman second in line looks over, gets out of line and comes over.  I was breathing a huge sigh of relief and belief all at the same time.  This woman had no problem moving up one row so that I could have her seat for Emmalie.  Tears began to threaten again as I thanked God again for His obvious goodness to me.  GRACE #6

Then the gate agent took it a step further, and called out the name of a man who was also supposed to be in our row.  He would have to move from the window seat to the aisle, since car seats have to go by the window, and she wanted to run that by him.  He too "happened" to still be in the boarding area even though the other one hundred eighty or more people were already packed in the jet.  He took one look at us, and smiled saying that he, kids, and airplanes didn't get along, and asking to be moved from our row.  This time, I was beaming - so happy someone didn't want to sit by us.  I told him I didn't take any offense, that in fact I was thrilled.  We now were the proud owners of a whole row of seats to ourselves.  GRACE # 7

It was the best plane ride I've ever had hands down.  My baby girl slept 3 hours of it (GRACE #8), and I enjoyed some peace and quiet, and a couple movies.  I was absolutely overwhelmed by the grace God showed me that day.  It is impossible to deny the hand of God in the lives of those He calls His own.  He is REAL.  He is LOVING.  He is GOOD.  I'm sure you all have similar stories, and I pray He will continue to show Himself to us through the circumstances in our lives and as answers to our prayers. 

What April brought

 

 

Siting here at the end of the month of April finds me wondering where it went.  It came in with a huge snowfall and is going out with sun and the return of canadian geese, sandhill cranes, and ducks. 

 

April also brought celebrations! 

In a ten day span, we celebrated Gabrielle's adoption day, Levi's adoption day, and Gabrielle's 3rd birthday.  Three huge reasons to get our happy on.   

 

 

 

April also brought the realization that I'm an artist.  Not a paint a beautiful picture artist - I'm an artist of a different kind.  I learned that I need to fight to make art, not just wait until the opportunity grabs ahold of me.  So I've been making time by getting up earlier and working when the family dynamic allows, and am so content when I'm creating my art.  I don't have to hold all that creative down inside.  God gave me gifts that are different than your gifts...  and your gifts are different than mine. 

 

Do you make time for your art?

 

 

 

April also brought about a change in my mothering. 

I've been working to shower my kids (toddlers especially) with love of the unconditional variety.  They need love, hugs, sweet words, discipline, and my love; no matter what. 

 

I can't control them, but I can control me.  So I'll stick to that. 

 

The school year is winding down, and so is my resolve.  My brain checks out, as I dream of green grass, picnics, walks, and freckles.  I can do this - we can do this - just a few more weeks and it'll be on to the dreamy stuff. 

Good day to you all...  I'll be ushering in the month of May with my sister, niece, Emmalie, and a group of friends at a much-anticipated conference this week.  I hope to check in from there, but until then.... 

travels and jeans

I sat down to start a more serious post tonight, but it just wasn't in me.  So I saved it as a draft, and just felt like typing tonight.  It's truly therapeutic for me.  Feel free to discontinue reading!  But I do know, that some of you say these are your favorite posts, so I'll continue with the brain dump. 

I'm tired from the lack of sleep last night, and my brain is not functioning properly at this hour.  But, we're watching two of our friend's kids tonight, so that makes nine kids in the house - so I can't exactly just go to sleep.  Soon, very soon... 

My brain is racing with things to do before Emmalie and I leave on a trip in a couple days.  I'm going to a conference with a group from church who I work with in ministry, and I'm soooo jazzed about it.  Plus, I get to see my sister and her family - HUGE BONUS - and they've never met Em.  Cannot. Wait. 

But I can wait to leave my family.  I loathe it.  I cry every time.   We'll be gone 5ish days... but this time to recharge comes at the perfect time.  A fresh outlook beyond one's self is always a good thing.  Sometimes we get so stuck in our own little world (though important) and forget about the world out there.  We're a part of something bigger, and it's good to be reminded of that sometimes. 

Okay, total change of pace and theme here... but I know you'd appreciate this one.  I've been needing a good pair of jeans that fit.  I've been dreaming of finding said pair for months.  Finally yesterday I had my chance to actually look for a pair. 

My sweet Morgan and I had a little time to ourselves to shop, and she helped me do just that.  It was so fun!  Now, I need to preface this with the fact that I haven't tried on jeans that fit, truly fit in years.  Being post-partum doesn't exactly make for a joyous jean trying-on session in the depressing room.  Uh, I mean dressing room.  But yesterday - yesterday, guys - I found a pair.  It was the first pair I tried on in the first size.  Could.  Not.  Believe.  It.  They were perfect.  And I didn't feel like I was melted and poured into them.  Nor did I look like a sausage.  And that's a good thing. 

The dressing room attendant came by to check on me, and I opened the door to ask her if she thought I needed a shorter length.  She said that was up to me, depending on what kind of shoes I was planning on wearing with them.  But she did say seven blessed words to me, "You'll need to go a size down." 

"What?  Really?  I thought these looked like they fit perfectly!"

"They do, but they'll stretch out a lot." 

I love you, dressing room attendant lady.  You made me like dressing rooms again.  I headed to checkout, but I was cringing as I got to the counter to pay because I'm a cheapskate and it's hard to fork over the cash.   I was happy to have found a pair that fit, and they were on sale - so that made me feel better.  But the sale price was still more than I was comfortable with.  Imagine my surprise when the jeans ended up being an additional 40% off the already marked sale price.  When I met up with Jeremy, he said five blessed words to me, "Did you get two pairs?" 

I wish I would have been that smart.  But no, I didn't.  But I was just stalking their website to see if they had another color I could snag.  They do.  Choices, choices. 

Just a little girl-talk tonight... I knew you'd understand.  This post has taken me hours to actually complete... but all nine kids are in bed (whew!) and I'm running on empty - so I'm going to say goodnight. 

So, goodnight!

**If you want to know, the jeans are from Gap in the Perfect Boot Cut fit, dark wash. 

each day

Each day, may we commit again to be constant.

 

Constant in our emotions - not swayed by the coming tide of tantrums, squabbles, and exhaustion. 

 

 Not knocked off our feet by the wave, because they weren't planted firmly and decidedly on the shore.   We can be firmly stayed in a sea of calm in our hearts, even though the waters rage around us.  He says we are able, because He makes us able. 

 

Let's choose this day to be constant.  Our feelings will fail us, but our unconditional steadiness will not.  And in no time, you'll spy a rock, that Rock that is jutting forth in the foam - providing a safe haven from the storm. 

 

"And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock." 

Matthew 7:25

Five Minute Friday: JUMP

"So now on Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right gather to share what five minutes buys them. Just five minutes."



The 5 minutes starts NOW:

There once was a girl, who married a boy.

That boy was fun to be around, and had blue eyes and curly blond hair that melted me. 

Eighteen years ago we met - smitten with each other from the start. 

But what I didn't know then was that this man was willing to jump with me. 

Jump into marriage with the willingness to work through the hard stuff. 
Jump into parenting our firstborn son just after our first anniversary. 
Jump into homeschooling when the time came.
Jump into adoption and foster care after our fourth baby was born.
Jump into having another baby the old-fashioned way after adopting two babies.

And now we jump each day - living out our lives to point others to Jesus.  Jesus jumped to our rescue.  Us, who come up short time after time.  He's the One who doesn't jump to conclusions - He jumps in to save us. 

STOP.  Good, because jump was starting to not sound like a word any more. 

When you have kids... Episode 1: the store

When you have young kids, you have to think about life from a different perspective. 

Gone are the days of running into the grocery store without breaking a sweat, getting a mocha to keep you company, and snagging the items on your grocery list without visiting the free cookie lady at the bakery.  Nowadays it looks more like this: 

You pull your mom-friendly rig into a parking space after doing some laps around the parked cars so the baby can sleep just a few more minutes. The people sitting in their cars wonder what kind of looney tune does that.  After parking, you sit there a little while longer, because you can't bear to have everybody unbuckled just yet. Your kids ask why we're still sitting in the car, and you reply, "Because Mom just needs some time." As if you were getting ready to be wheeled back for major surgery.  Then you get up the courage to move, after considering calling your husband to pick up the items on your list instead of hauling everybody in. 

But you decide you need to be brave.  This is life, and you're very capable of taking children into the grocery store.  The kids get unbuckled, and like a commander of a large army, you direct who holds whose hand and that all are to walk behind Mom - without running. 

You make it into the store without anyone jumping on the coin-op ice cream truck that sits invitingly by the automatic sliding doors.  You grab yourself a cart or two, placing the baby's carseat in the large basket of the cart, where the food is supposed to go.  But it's okay, because you've gotten two carts and one of the older kids is pushing it.  The toddler sits in the front spot with the buckle (so the little cutie doesn't escape) or in the back basket (vowing not to stand up), if you don't have a carseat taking up residence.  But if you have two toddlers, you have to take more time thinking about the situation. 

And you decide that one toddler can go in the front spot with the buckle in one cart, and one can go in the front spot in the other.  You finally get moving, looking like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade - except you're not throwing candy and waving at onlookers.  But people are looking.  They try to figure out if you're a daycare or a field trip with a strange assortment of preschoolers (since your kids "should" be in school if you homeschool.)  You either receive knowing smiles or sideways glances.  You smile at the smilers, and pray that the sideways glancers know just how important children are.

Someone inevitably asks if we can go get a free cookie.  You agree, because cookies make children hyper yes, but often not until one has left the grocery store.  You sheepishly ask for just six cookies because the baby isn't old enough yet, and watch the cookie lady's eyes count the kids wondering if they all have the same father. 

You purposefully kept your list to the essentials only, but your list still takes you to the outer reaches of the store.  You move swiftly, not pausing long enough near the toys, chips, cookies, soda, or candy aisles for the kids to notice as your parade passes through.  But one of your two year olds notices.  He points emphatically toward the Oreos.

 "Cookie?"

You quietly whisper in his ear, so no one else will hear, "No cookies today, buddy.  You already had one." 

He wails, "COOKIE!!"  He kicks his feet and screams out of his free cookie crumb spattered face.  Doesn't he realize he just had one?  Nope.  You can't rationalize with a toddler near the cookie aisle. 

They've all heard now.  And then the asking begins.  As you try to calm down irrational cookie boy,  you maneuver the carts off to the side in a boring aisle like the one that displays the canned vegetables.  And you have a little chat. 

You firmly express, "We are not getting anything that is not on our list.  Cookies are not on our list, plus we make our own at home.  And no, we are not making any when we get home.  Do you guys understand?  No toy aisle, no cookies." 

As you are wrapping up the shopping trip, you walk past the health food section, and spy the organic chocolate bars with the yummy toffee in them.  You get one down from the shelf while the kids are distracted looking at the organic soda.  You carefully slide the guilty goodness in the cart.  It's not on the list, but Moms can decide to deviate.  And sometimes deviating is a good thing. 

You make it to the checkout lanes without another one of your dissatisfied customers having an outburst.  You take a deep breath and realize you did it.  The sense of accomplishment washes over you, causing you to beam with thankfulness and love for your kids. 

You make it out to the parking lot, two carts and all. 

Then a small voice peeps, "I have to go to the bathroom."

Then another.  "Me too."

Need some opinions please...

You usually don't have to ask a girl twice to give her opinion, so I thought I'd ask you, blog friends, to help me out with something...  Your opinions are desired, so please share with me in the comments if you'd be so kind. 

This blog has been a work in progress for quite some time.  It's not yet where I'd like it to be stylistically, but the time to work on it is minimal.  I know that my roles as a wife and mom are top priority!  I'm thankful God has given me such contentment in the life He has carved out for me. 

Blogging is a fun hobby for me, and when you're into a hobby, there's usually a few tools that come along with it.  Just like a seamstress desires a sewing machine, good scissors, and a place to keep her sewing supplies; I'm looking to get some more tools in place to make my hobby a little more enjoyable!    As I seek to mix things up a bit, I'm looking at changing from Blogger to Wordpress to host the blog (this may be more than you wanted to know...) and getting a custom domain.  A custom domain would enable folks to type in the blog address without the "blogspot" part.  You know, just a regular .com address.

Would you please share your opinions and answers to any or all of these questions? 

1. What things do you like about the layout of your favorite blogs? What invites you to stay and read?
2. Do you have any preference about blogs named something like The Scarlet Paisley or the person's real first and last name?  Does one or the other make you feel a certain way?
3. Do you know of any just normal moms (like me, not an author or anything) that has a blog address that is www.firstnamelastname.com?  (Um... I don't know how I feel about this either - it's really nice to protect one's last name from getting out there.)  Big deal or not?
4. How important is the ability to share blog posts on social media, and is it important that it's easy to do so?  (Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest)
5. Do you have any other constructive criticism you'd like to offer?  (Like, does my "subscribe by email" thingy even work?)

Thanks so much for your helpful words! 

choices hurt, choices heal

We hear of school shootings, hijackings, and other sorts of evil that is acted out upon innocent victims, and we gasp and wonder why.  Why?? Why would someone do this?  Don't they know that these people have families who love them?  Why don't they care?

Today we heard of a bombing; a calculated act of evil and violence in Boston at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.  And we wonder why.  Why?? In the aftermath of tragedies like this, the question often rises:  Why would a good God allow this to happen? 

I don't know the answer to that.  But I do know that God IS good.  And in His great goodness, we have been given the freedom of choice. We choose how to act, who to associate with, and what to believe.  We choose what to eat, what to read, and when to do both.  We relish the freedom to choose.  God gives us that, and we receive much mercy for our inevitable slip-ups. 

Generally, if we chose to lose our temper with one of our kids, a bolt of lightning will not fall from the heavens, splitting the skies and erase us from our life.  We might be hit with a jolt of guilt, remorse, or sadness, but usually, we won't be struck down because of our actions. 

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.  (2 Samuel 6:7)

When you think of a person or people group who has no choice, we often think of them as having no voice as well.  We think of victims of human trafficking and abortion.  Of those living in a land without freedom of religion, or the ability to vote.  Choice is a good thing - unless... it is abused. 

In the reality of this world, some choose evil and destruction.  They chose it,  and we are left to suffer from their choices.  It's around every corner.  On a smaller scale than bombings, we have drunk drivers, abusive spouses, and thieves.  We don't blame God for the things they do; we put blame on the ones making the bad choices.  And on the enemy who is out to annihilate us. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  (John 10:10)

 

 

Living with the poor choices of others can be a tragic.  We feel helpless - without a choice.  We feel mad.  Forgiveness seems like joke. 

 

Choices can hurt or they can heal.  

 

There is one choice that stands above the rest; the most important one you could make.  There is a true life-giver and pain-taker, named Jesus Christ, and He has paid for your life with His.  He is going to make all the sad things come untrue in the end - so I am choosing to align myself with Him no matter what life on earth shall bring.  What do you choose?

 

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..  (1Peter 1:3)

 



 

so good

Feeling overwhelmed today by God's goodness in the gift of this little girl.  To think we could have missed it.

When society says you have enough or too many children,  God whispers: "Keep your eyes on me."

When self seeks to trap you in the lie that it'll be too hard, God affirms:  "Keep you eyes on me."

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
Psalm 127:3
 

when your brain goes in a million directions

I think I broke my own all-time record today, for the most internet browser tabs open at once.   Our household is constantly bustling.  There isn't time for me to just sit for long periods perusing all I want to read and listen to online.  So I leave them there as tabs, with hope that sometime during this day or after the kids are in bed for the night, I will get to them.  Today there are several...  and just for fun, I'll let you peek into my mind.  You can learn a lot from a person's open browser tabs. 

Amazon - oh, just dreaming of buying the things in my cart
A Holy Experience - waiting to be read
Whits End - the kids listened to an episode at lunch, it's paused for later
How Not to Say the Wrong Thing - waiting to share it with Jeremy later
How to work from home without losing your mind - ah, yes...
Facebook - well, because it just is
Fast Pencil - always dreaming, always thinking
Redeemer Sermon Store - Tim Keller - ooh, listening to a good one today

So what's open in your browser today?