Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Gratitude

Psalm 50:22A "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me."

Is my thanksgiving a sacrifice or just something else to write about? Does God truly get glory by my voice of thanksgiving? God's Word again pierces my thoughts and challenges my motives. What words from Scripture have jumped off the pages to change or redirect you lately?

Here are a few things that I am thankful for today.

  • "toddler" ducks on the side of the road
  • Twirls, whirls, and giggles
  • Arms raised awaiting hugs
  • Security in the midst of uncertainty
  • Seats enough to travel all in one vehicle
  • Piles of books
  • Grilled burgers with fresh rolls
  • Encouragement in the midst of craziness
  • ESV app on my iTouch
  • Joy in watching my little man play offertory on Sunday
  • Bathed little ones sitting and reading before bedtime


 

 

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

The Beauty of Variety

Consider the colors of the rainbow, the symmetry of a starfish, the music of a spring thunderstorm. Then look at your children and stand in awe. God's creativity amazes me.

Angel's feet do not fit gracefully into any shoe with a heel. It pains me to watch her attempt a runway walk in the shoe store. Yet, put those same feet into a pair of cleats and watch out. Her footwork on the soccer field will frustrate any opponent and dazzle any spectator. She can't dance a lick, yet she can weave her way down the field like nobody's business. Her finesse has put her on all-star teams and may allow her to pursue a collegiate soccer experience. Her athleticism makes me smile.

Princess may not win any sports awards, but her artwork has made it to the front cover of a magazine. She continually looks for ways to express her art. Her feet may not wow you, but take in the beauty of her art on the canvas and you will be amazed. She strives to see the detail in God's world. Her hands are God's gift to us. She presents life in ways that no one else can in our home. Her artwork makes me smile.

My little man loves sports and enjoys art as well. Yet, when I hear him play his trumpet, I am blown away. Not because of the decibel level, but because of the beauty I hear in his music. My heart melts at his melody. I stand next to him in church and watch his body move and listen to his voice swell as his heart lays bare in worship. God has blessed him with a gift of music. His song makes me smile.

My little one digs into her dress up clothes weekly. Her imagination pours into her work, her play, her life. Ask her to tell you a story, and she will retell it in detail and with articulate expression. Our home is filled with drama – some good and some not so good. Her exuberance makes me smile.

Some say that variety is the spice of life. I tend to agree.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Curiosity Journal

I seem to have gotten out of the habit of writing. My princess on the other hand can do nothing but. Check out what she is writing now. She makes me smile. I enjoy the thought process, the cathartic moments of transferring winding thoughts to written words, and the running log of my life. This post, although seemingly not continued by the original author, makes me think. Do my moments matter? Is my time well spent? Am I making a difference? So, on that note . . .

I am reading:

My sweetie handed me a book to browse at the bookstore – an autobiography of Dick VanDyke. He makes me laugh, VanDyke that is. Well, my sweetie does too, but you know what I mean. Dick VanDyke's writing is as if he was sitting in the room reading his work. His beginnings were rough. He married his sweetheart and stayed married for 35 years until his wife died. You don't see that too often in the media. I didn't finish the book, but I enjoyed the first five chapters.

The American Girl book series ties history to literature so well. My little one is going to a book club this week after reading Kit Learns a Lesson. I enjoyed the privilege of cuddling next to her and reading a few chapters aloud. The story takes place during the Great Depression. That is a difficult concept for a first grader to grasp. She said it well when she decided to use a sad face to help her remember. It was a sad time in history.

My e-reader still is bookmarked for Uncle Tom's Cabin. I am about half way through and am enjoying it.

I am playing:

Chauffeur mainly. Seems like everyone else is playing. I do play a lot of tickle with the babies. I watch many of my kids' softball and baseball games. Does phone tag count as playing?

I am learning:

My sweetie just showed me another shortcut on Word that will help with my blog posts. Yeah for shortcuts!

I learned that I don't make a very good frappe at home. It is so much better when someone else makes it. I know they cost ten times the amount, but you know, sometimes it is just worth it.

Recently I learned the name of another barista at Barnes and Noble. Her name is Lis. My sweetie was able to talk with her specifically about how the science and the Bible go together. The conversation started with her questions regarding a book that he was looking at. Why does it continue to amaze me how God just drops opportunities in our laps to speak truth and lift Him up?

I learned more today about a young girl and her mother who visit family services weekly. Friends, there are a lot of hurting people all around us. I am thankful that I am there every week: I am learning to share an encouraging smile and to talk with others in the waiting room. This mom today needed someone to hold her up as a mom. I hope I remember to pray for this family.

I am reacting:

How did I become the mom of a seventeen year old? If you read my previous post, you will know that my angel went to the Jr./Sr. Banquet for the high school where she attends part-time. That in itself was a big deal. We have been working on her for months to be willing to go. Then she goes, wears a beautiful dress, allows someone to do her hair, and even carries a pocket book. Will wonders never cease?

Maybe I was just a sappy mom who was reminiscent of the past both hers and mine. My reaction: you are beautiful Angel, inside and out.

Gorgeous

At least that is my humble Mom opinion. Angel looked stunning in her floor length black dress. Jewelry does not appeal to her, but the bling on her gown was perfect. She spent the afternoon with her girlfriends getting ready, not that it takes all that long for her. She doesn't wear any make-up, but her friend talked her into a TINY bit of eye shadow. She started the day determined that she would do nothing to her hair but only leave it in her routine ponytail. Somehow, a miracle happened and another friend talked her into a few twists and curls to finish the look.

My sweetie and I arrived late afternoon and were wowed by our daughter. We knew she was beautiful, but we were blessed to see her all dressed up. If you know anything about our family you know that Angel is all tomboy and no girly girl. The only dress she owns is this one.


Her date arrived a little later. He brought her a wrist corsage of red sweetheart roses. The two of them have been friends since kindergarten. He is also a homeshooler who takes classes part-time with Laura. As this date thing was new to both of them, they were a little cautious and apprehensive. I am blessed that they enjoy each other's friendship.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Gratitude

I wish I had more time to write this week. It seems that life is flying even faster than it normally does. I think it is time to recalibrate a bit.

#271 - 285

I am thankful for:

  • Teachable moments at the dinner table that lead to a business model for my son's new yo-yo party endeavor
  • Creative friends
  • Time to scrapbook with my Princess (hopefully another post on that soon)
  • Sunshine at the scrapping retreat
  • Caffeine to get me through the day
  • Chairs at the bookstore that don't squeak
  • Glimpses of hope that my kids really do know how to write
  • Sideways glances and silly smiles from my little man on the mound in a clutch inning – he struck them out!
  • Bridges built with social workers that will hopefully lead to more questions and answers
  • God appointments at the bookstore that lead to conversations pointing back to the truth of God's Word
  • Blessings of remembering that bring hope
  • Unity in my church that allows for a peaceful, blessing filled annual meeting
  • Faithful nursery coverage during Sunday school even if my daughter is the only one in attendance
  • A strong, active, truth teaching, family supporting youth ministry in our church
  • A surprise Mothers Day gift bag from my baby's medical day care


 

If you were to sit for just a few minutes – right now – what would pour from your thankful heart? I challenge you to take the time to write it down. Life runs in crazy circles and zig-zags. Many days leave me wiped and wishing I did not have to face what was on the other side of my bedroom door. It is quite noisy in my home, making it difficult to process beyond the essentials sometimes. Finding time to think and write in relative quiet has become an essential part of my week. What about you? What have you been able to carve into your day that helps you keep some semblance of balance?