Wow...it's been a long time....life....this crazy pace....does it ever slow down? The answer is NO. Time will go at the same speed no matter what we do. The only thing we can do is learn to enjoy the time we have. Each minute has 60 seconds, each hour has 60 minutes, each day has 24 hours, each week has 7 days, each month has 28-31 days, and each year has 12 months. It's the same for every single person on this Earth.
So, these are my thoughts for today...
I had the PRIVILEGE, not task, but PRIVILEGE, of tucking my boys in tonight. One on each side of my king size bed. Each of them holding one of my hands. As I lay there waiting for them to fall asleep, I was thanking Jesus for the opportunity to be their Mama. Not just to be their Mama....but to BE there, in the moment, enjoying the wonderful children God has graced me with.
It's not always like this. No....there are times when I say jokingly to people, "Do you want two boys???" There are times they drive me crazy, CRAZY, hair-raising, screaming, mad, stomping around, flat-out CRAZY. Did I say CRAZY????? :)
However, I have tucked them in like this since they were babies. Always laying there until they fall asleep. I want the last thing they remember before they drift off to dream land to be that I am always there for them.
Okay, so back to the original thought...There are nights when this process drives me crazy (can you say crazy too many times in a blog??? Probably...but I just want you to know I am human and not think I am some kind of super-duper, oh my kids are so amazing, mom). There are nights when I lay there thinking of all the stuff I have to do, frustrated because they are either giggling with each other, talking, or flopping around like a fish out of water. But not tonight. Tonight was different. God gave me a glimpse of time.
I lay there thinking of children growing. My nephew...He is now 16...a growing young man. His voice is changing, his priorities changing (girls, trucks....etc). I remember him being born. We were absolutely ga-ga over him. And now look, a young man, a junior in high school already. My niece Lauren - soon to be a teenager (YIKES). A cheerleader...interested in clothes and make-up...once a chubby baby with rolls on her fatty little legs. And then my thoughts turn to my Nicholas. Remembering his reddish fuzzy hair, and now admiring his strawberry blond hair. Realizing that he will be going to first grade this year....turning 7. Then Lucas...my stubborn child...the one set to give me gray hair much faster than I want. The baby who cried for over 2 1/2 hours while I tried so hard to sleep train him, and now the 3 year old child who falls asleep easily. Time...There it goes again....marching on. And then the final thoughts came to me.....
DON'T, just don't.
1- If you are the type of parent who listens to the world tell you that you must sleep train your child, that you must not put them in your bed, they will have all sorts of sleep problems.......Don't....just don't listen to the world. You sleep with your child if you want to, you hold them tight....you watch them breathe....you giggle and listen to them lightly snore....you stroke their hair....you LIVE in that very moment....Don't let the world tell you it's wrong....just don't....because before you know it, they will be like my nephew...age 16...not needing me to tuck them in. Not wanting to sleep in my bed. Don't...just don't let the world tell you what feels SO right is wrong, and is going to ruin your kid...it's not....
2- If you are the type of parent that gives your kid doritos for breakfast...worried that quite possibly you are the worst parent in the world because you are setting your kids up for failure in the eating department. You are giving them childhood obesity. Shoot, they will possibly wind up with diabetes in a couple years due to letting them have sno-cones for supper. Don't...just don't be so hard on yourself. You do the best you can in the given situation. Sometimes sharing a sno-cone is more important that getting home and having a battle over dinner.
3- Meltdowns....don't you just want to have one yourself sometimes? I mean really...wouldn't it be so relieving to lie down on the floor, kick and scream, maybe throw some stuff. Do this until you feel better...and then just get up and go about your day like nothing happened. Don't give in...just don't. Stand your ground. They happen. They will outgrown them (for the most part :)) This is teaching them self-control. It is teaching them the world doesn't revolve around them...and that's a pretty important one. Don't give in to shut them up....just don't...
4- Last but not least....If you are the parent who judges me or any other mother for doing any of the things listed above, or a huge list of other parenting concerns...DON'T, JUST DON'T. This job is hard enough without a MILLION critics. The millions of internet articles that suggest, "the top ten things you should teach your child," "seven ways to raise a gracious child," "Ten ways to discipline your child..." Blah blah blah.... YOU SEE WHY WE ARE STRESSED???? SO, in the future...if you see my child melting down in the grocery store...don't judge...smile...say you've been there...say Good job Mama, say keep it up girl....Don't be the person who tempts me to give in so I don't disturb you at dinner, while shopping, or while in church. And when we talk about nighttime follies, don't be the person who quickly pipes up that your child has NEVER slept with you and has slept in his own bed since he was 1 month old. And I will try as well not to be the person who judges back and says, "oh, how sad that you have missed out on that snuggle time every night." It's hard. It goes both ways. I am human, you are human....but we are ALL in this world together. We all have 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, 24 hours in a day, 7 days in a week, 28-31 days in a month, and 12 months in a year. SO let's use this time productively...
caring...loving...supporting...helping...listening...sharing....
Don't, just don't....let this time slip away from you without enjoying it,and thanking God for all your blessings...
"Judge not, that you be not judged." Matthew 7:1 ESV
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 NIV
And finally,
"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you." John 15:12 NLT
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
I Hope You Are Watching...
Have you ever heard the saying in regards to kids, “more is caught than taught.” This is so true. And basically what it means is you can sit there and talk until you are blue in the face, but they watch more what you do, than listen to what you say. I have seen a poem titled something like, “When you thought I wasn’t looking.” It is a good poem (I am sure I could google it and find it if I had the energy). I am going to type this blog along those same lines…
“I hope you are watching little boys…”
I hope you are watching when I kneel to pray because I just heard devastating news about a friend’s husband. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18
I hope you are watching when I stop in the hall to hug and kiss Daddy. “ I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine…” Song of Solomon 6:3
I hope you are watching when I stop my day to go take coffee to my best friend, or drop off supplies at the church, or hold the door for someone. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10
I hope you are watching when I lose my temper. It shows I too am human, and need forgiveness. And God willing, I hope you see me ask for it ;) “ This is a trustworthy saying and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1: 15-16.
I hope that you are watching as we eat healthy and exercise hard. There are few things better in this life than taking care of the body God gave us. “ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
I hope you are watching when I struggle to get through my day, when I struggle to finish a workout, when I struggle to hold back my emotions. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27
I hope you are watching when I pay tribute to our country, our flag, our service men and women both past and present. Your mother is a downright cry baby when it comes to patriotism of our great country. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13
I hope you are watching when I attend church regularly, go to bible study with my girls, and help in Sunday school/nursery. “The master said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together.” Matthew 25:23
I hope that when the time comes (because you were not here when I lost my dear Grandma Lucy), that you can watch me get through the grief of losing a family member or friend… that I might show you that the real joy comes from Jesus and the new life to come. “So with you: Now is your time of grief but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22
I hope that you are watching all the little things that are done every day…the boring, the mundane, the life chores, ie. the laundry, the dishes, the packed lunches, the late night projects, the birthday videos. “ I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him.” 1 Timothy 1:12 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
I hope you are watching when I hear a story about a child's death, and even though I don't know them or the family, I cry. I hurt for that family. But most of all, I worry. I put myself in their shoes. I think of losing you. "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
I hope you are watching us lead you to Christ and someday you will understand what an important task that is. “ Train a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I hope you are watching me, when I talk about my worries, my anxiety. I surely hope you don’t get it, but I hope you will learn to trust Jesus with all your heart. “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
I hope that you are watching how hard we work. I hope you know that we give all glory to God for how we got to where we are. HOWEVER, I hope that you know God has a specific plan for you. It is not OUR plan, it is not YOUR plan. You just have to stop and listen and he will lead you. (one of all time favorite verses) “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 hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20
I hope you are watching me forgive others, when I don’t want to, when I don’t feel like it, when I don’t feel like they deserve it. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14
Above all, I hope you are watching me show love. That through my actions, others might come to see and know Jesus….because believe it or not, some people don’t know Him and don’t accept him as their Savior, and for that I will always be thankful for my parents leading me to Him. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16
Dear Jesus:
In this crazy world, this world of sad stories every day on the news; shootings, murders, car wrecks, suicides….please help me to always see you. To the see the good in people…to be more like you would have me to be. Because it’s hard. Because sometimes I just don't feel like it. Because today I am tired. Because the easy thing to do is what I WANT. My inner soul longs for peace and understanding, help me to find it in you, so that I may ease my worries and anxiety. And that when little eyes are watching, I will do the right thing, say the right thing, show your love…because Lord only knows what an important task you have given me to raise these little creatures. And they try my patience, and I yell and I cry and I get mad…and Lord you know how much I love them…help me to be a good mother…on the days when I all I want to do is be alone, to sleep in, to do what I want to do….Thank you for loving me always. Thank you for giving me another day to get it right. In your name I pray….Amen... Signed, Mother to two krazy boys….
“I hope you are watching little boys…”
I hope you are watching when I kneel to pray because I just heard devastating news about a friend’s husband. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18
I hope you are watching when I stop in the hall to hug and kiss Daddy. “ I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine…” Song of Solomon 6:3
I hope you are watching when I stop my day to go take coffee to my best friend, or drop off supplies at the church, or hold the door for someone. “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10
I hope you are watching when I lose my temper. It shows I too am human, and need forgiveness. And God willing, I hope you see me ask for it ;) “ This is a trustworthy saying and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1: 15-16.
I hope that you are watching as we eat healthy and exercise hard. There are few things better in this life than taking care of the body God gave us. “ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10
I hope you are watching when I struggle to get through my day, when I struggle to finish a workout, when I struggle to hold back my emotions. “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27
I hope you are watching when I pay tribute to our country, our flag, our service men and women both past and present. Your mother is a downright cry baby when it comes to patriotism of our great country. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13
I hope you are watching when I attend church regularly, go to bible study with my girls, and help in Sunday school/nursery. “The master said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together.” Matthew 25:23
I hope that when the time comes (because you were not here when I lost my dear Grandma Lucy), that you can watch me get through the grief of losing a family member or friend… that I might show you that the real joy comes from Jesus and the new life to come. “So with you: Now is your time of grief but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:22
I hope that you are watching all the little things that are done every day…the boring, the mundane, the life chores, ie. the laundry, the dishes, the packed lunches, the late night projects, the birthday videos. “ I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him.” 1 Timothy 1:12 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
I hope you are watching when I hear a story about a child's death, and even though I don't know them or the family, I cry. I hurt for that family. But most of all, I worry. I put myself in their shoes. I think of losing you. "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13
I hope you are watching us lead you to Christ and someday you will understand what an important task that is. “ Train a child in the way he should go. When he is old, he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:6
I hope you are watching me, when I talk about my worries, my anxiety. I surely hope you don’t get it, but I hope you will learn to trust Jesus with all your heart. “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
I hope that you are watching how hard we work. I hope you know that we give all glory to God for how we got to where we are. HOWEVER, I hope that you know God has a specific plan for you. It is not OUR plan, it is not YOUR plan. You just have to stop and listen and he will lead you. (one of all time favorite verses) “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 hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Ephesians 3:20
I hope you are watching me forgive others, when I don’t want to, when I don’t feel like it, when I don’t feel like they deserve it. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14
Above all, I hope you are watching me show love. That through my actions, others might come to see and know Jesus….because believe it or not, some people don’t know Him and don’t accept him as their Savior, and for that I will always be thankful for my parents leading me to Him. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16
Dear Jesus:
In this crazy world, this world of sad stories every day on the news; shootings, murders, car wrecks, suicides….please help me to always see you. To the see the good in people…to be more like you would have me to be. Because it’s hard. Because sometimes I just don't feel like it. Because today I am tired. Because the easy thing to do is what I WANT. My inner soul longs for peace and understanding, help me to find it in you, so that I may ease my worries and anxiety. And that when little eyes are watching, I will do the right thing, say the right thing, show your love…because Lord only knows what an important task you have given me to raise these little creatures. And they try my patience, and I yell and I cry and I get mad…and Lord you know how much I love them…help me to be a good mother…on the days when I all I want to do is be alone, to sleep in, to do what I want to do….Thank you for loving me always. Thank you for giving me another day to get it right. In your name I pray….Amen... Signed, Mother to two krazy boys….
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