So much to be thankful for....

Yesterday, in my Bible study, the book I'm reading suggested that I start listing the things for which I'm thankful. So, I decided to blog them here, so that I would never forget what I wrote!!! a godly husband who loves me unconditionally; a son who is the energy of my days and light of my life; my Savior who gave His life for me; parents who raised me in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord"; a brother who, even though miles apart, cares for me deeply; a sister in law who serves as a wonderful example of motherhood - i love her!; my best friend and her family - a joy to be around and such wonderful support when days are hard; my church family - I have the best!!; my UACCH girls! I love them and miss them more than they know; for my inlaws, Bob, Nancy, Menea, Jose, Robert, and Fabie; a wonderful job that challenges me; Christian bosses - Ron, Maggie, and Dr. C a secure home; for my ability to think; a counselor/friend who turned the lights on for me in several areas 2 years ago; for my senses - eyes to see (even though I am extremely nearsighted), ears to hear, taste, touch, and smell; contact lenses!; for reliable transportation; coffee - i LOVE my morning cup of java!; food and a love for cooking; heat when it is cold and cool air when the days are hot; the ability to walk and run; nature - i love the outdoors; modern appliances - they make my days so much easier; social media - how would I stay in touch with those I seldom see face to face; my grandparents who await me in heaven; the Bible - light for each step I'm on; leadership of the Holy Spirit for every move I make; Sidney - my sweet baby in heaven - thank you for giving me the gift of childbirth; unspeakable joy; sunrises and sunsets; clothes to cover this imperfect body; Will's school - love Lake Hamilton; technology - keeps me organized; peace - even when life gets crazy; wonderful local physicians; the ability to read; education and the opportunity to learn; fun - life is FUN! I could go on and on....

My 2013 theme passage

I was reading today's devotional in the book, "Jesus Calling," and this passage really spoke to me.

Luke 10:38-42 - "As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The first thing that I noticed was that Martha "welcomed" Jesus into her home. I am sure I would confidently say that Jesus is welcome in my home, but is He? Welcome means to greet with pleasure to one whose arrival gives pleasure. Hmmmm... If I truly welcome Him, would I neglect time with Him? If I truly receive pleasure from Him, would I not want to spend as much time with Him as possible? (very humbling for me)

Then, there is the familiar conversation between Jesus and Martha about what Mary is doing and NOT doing. She is sitting as Jesus' feet listening to His Word. She is NOT serving. She is NOT busy. She is rather still and quiet. She is not distracted and worried. She is rather choosing the "one thing worth being concerned about." WOW! While Martha whines, Mary worships. While Martha looks for fault in her sister, Mary listens to the Savior.

I want THAT this year! I want to focus on the "one thing" worth being concerned about. I don't want to be so busy serving Jesus that I fail to "know" Him and listen to Him. I want to relish in His welcome presence in my home - sitting at His feet.

Every morning, I read several things during my quiet time. One of my favorites is from my Bible app on my phone. It is a reading plan on parenting. Each day, I learn something from God's Word that truly imparts wisdom on the subject of parenting. Today's, however, hit me square between the eyes.

Here is the verse that went with the devotional.
"Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut." (Proverbs 10:19 NLT)

The gist of the devotional was choosing your words wisely as you speak to your children and as you discipline them. How many times have I asked Will to choose his words? LOTS! Have many times have I asked myself the same question? Not as many.

The writer was in no way implying that a parent not talk to their children during discipline, but rather being careful not to talk so much that you begin to sound like the unseen parent/teacher on episodes of Charlie Brown. Yeah...you know what I'm talking about!

I want to do better! I can get high on my parental soapbox waxing eloquently on the crimes my sweet child as committed, but is he getting it? Does he really understand what Mom is trying to say? Maybe...maybe not. I imagine many times he tunes me out and only hears "wha, wha, wha, wha..." (I guess that's how you spell it.)

Maybe I need to consider the psalmist when he said, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14 NLT). Yeah...I think that verse applies to everything...even when I am getting onto Will.

Is it going to be easy? I think not. Talking is much easier than truly applying consequences to his actions. It's over in just a minute...yep, and it's forgotten as quickly.

Lord, help me to be creative with disciplining Will. Help me to talk less and teach more through discipline that is applicable to the action. Help my words be acceptable to You all of the time.

"I Will Carry You" - Selah

The last 8 years

God is so good, and He has blessed Charlie and I more than enough...certainly more than we deserve.  We have a beautiful son, Will, who is the joy and delight of our days!  He is full of energy and life.  My 43 year old body has trouble keeping up with him at times.  He always knows just the right thing to say to make me laugh and smile.  Those of you who know the path God used to bring Will to our lives is a story for another day!  It is another example of how God blesses us more than enough!!

I would be remiss if I let February pass by without remembering and thanking God for our other son, Sidney, born February 25, 2004.  Even though he did not live to bring the same joy and energy Will brings, Sidney brought his own.  After years of desiring a pregnancy, God gave me a gift through Sidney.  What life and energy he brought to our home during my time of carrying him.

My heart aches for women who do not conceive or do not carry children to full term.  My heart empathizes with their emptiness.  I truly know how they hurt.

My very dear friend sent me a link today of a song that ministered to my heart years ago when it was first released.  (She also bought me the book the musical artist wrote.)  I share this song and lyrics with you.  I encourage you to pass it along and allow it to minister to other aching hearts.

I Will Carry You  -  Selah

There were photographs I wanted to take
Things I wanted to show you
Sing sweet lullabies wipe your teary eyes
Who could love you like this?
People say that I am brave but I'm not
Truth is I'm barely hanging on
But there's a greater story
Written long before me
Because He loves you like this

So I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All my life
And I will praise the One who's chosen me
To carry you

Such a short time
Such a long road
All this madness
But I know
That the silence
Has brought me to His voice
And He says

I've shown her photographs of time beginning
Walked her through the parted seas
Angel lullabies no more teary eyes
Who could love her like this?

I will carry you
While your heart beats here
Long beyond the empty cradle
Through the coming years
I will carry you
All your life
And I will praise the one Who's chosen me
To carry you   

A new adventure

It's interesting.  I have never wanted to blog before. 

Until now.

God has been speaking to my heart to write about what is going on in my life.  It is certain He is doing a work in my heart, and why shouldn't I share that with others?  It's a work of cleansing, refocusing, and reprioritizing. 

As I write, I laugh and wonder if anyone will ever read this, but even if it is just me and the Lord, we will travel along this road together.

Until the next time....