It's unusual if I get to use the restroom alone. I've come to resent it actually. Until this morning.
In my bathroom a little shelf sits across from the abode. It seems my children like to corner me during these times to just sit, ask questions, and bug. So, this morning when I woke up, Caleb and I went into the bathroom. Our usual routine occurred. He has to go sooooooooo badly, so he goes first. Then I go and he sits and talks with me. I think, "I wish I could just pee in peace."
But, today was different. He left the bathroom. Geez, prayers answered. Then, he comes back and looks around the doorway.
"Ah, mom, can I go downstairs?"
"Sure, Daddy's down there with Conrad."
"Are you sure?"
"Um, yes, I'm very sure."
"You're not going to feel alone?"
"No, I'll be ok."
All this time, I thought they saw my private time as an opportunity to get my attention, but it's because he thinks I'll be lonely. Sweetheart.
Today's prayer: "Thank you for those around me that care about me and forgive me for thinking they just bug."
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Saturday, October 15, 2011
PURE GOLD
So, I'm painting my nails for the first time since high school. I grab a book to use as my table. I figure as I let them dry, I could maybe open it up.
We and our children were born as raw pieces of gold. One way He refines us is by using people and events experienced with them, a parent or stranger alike.
We, at any age, are tumbled, ruffled, knocked down; we are given difficult choices to make and forced to face things we'd rather not. Gold, to be taken from a raw state to one of refined beauty, must be burned with fire.
Tiegreen, although speaking of our faith in particular, and I of our characters, offers this thought: "Once circumstances, trials, the enemy's lies, and our own doubts are through assaulting it, whatever remains is precious and pure."
We and our kids are raw gold, the trials our hot plate, and our perseverence the priceless commodity of a new, more mature and treasured person.
Today's prayer: "Lord, I ask we remain malleable and warm, so when it is time for each's molding to continue, we are ready. To grow in character is often through harsh treatment. We feel sore. Hold us in Your hands. We desire to be steadfast in knowing that after we have been stripped of impurities, we will be cooled and redeveloped into a lovely new being...the one You uniquely intend us to be."
Mr. Tiegreen in his The One Year Wonder of the Cross Devotional explains using James 1:2-8 that "perseverence brings us into maturity and causes us to lack nothing (v.4). We don't just endure the trials of faith for the sake of enduring; we keep going because we are in a process of refinement. The trials we face are producing IN us a precious quality."
We and our children were born as raw pieces of gold. One way He refines us is by using people and events experienced with them, a parent or stranger alike.We, at any age, are tumbled, ruffled, knocked down; we are given difficult choices to make and forced to face things we'd rather not. Gold, to be taken from a raw state to one of refined beauty, must be burned with fire.
Tiegreen, although speaking of our faith in particular, and I of our characters, offers this thought: "Once circumstances, trials, the enemy's lies, and our own doubts are through assaulting it, whatever remains is precious and pure."
We and our kids are raw gold, the trials our hot plate, and our perseverence the priceless commodity of a new, more mature and treasured person.
 |
| I took this photo while walking through the gold souk in Dubai, UAE. |
Today's prayer: "Lord, I ask we remain malleable and warm, so when it is time for each's molding to continue, we are ready. To grow in character is often through harsh treatment. We feel sore. Hold us in Your hands. We desire to be steadfast in knowing that after we have been stripped of impurities, we will be cooled and redeveloped into a lovely new being...the one You uniquely intend us to be."
Friday, October 7, 2011
SECRET TOOTER CONFESSIONAL
There's a tap on my shoulder as I peruse toddler costumes in the Halloween store.
"This is going to be one of the wierdest things in a really long time," says the cashier who has snuck up on me from his post in front of the store.
"Um, ok," I say, thinking I may be the 100th customer and am going to win a bloodied, multi-headed zombie baby with red blinking eyes.
"Well, when I was in 8th grade and you were in 7th grade, I had a locker on top of yours and I used to fart on your head."
Ok, I just received the information, yet I myself have been transformed into a head cocked, wrinkly foreheaded, cross eyed zombie. Someone has actually stalled my ability to respond with some quick-witted comment.
"Uh, I don't remember smelling it," was the best I could come up with.
"Well, I just wanted to say sorry for doing that. I was just a dumb kid and I've always felt bad about it. Each time I see you around town, I think that's the girl who's head I used to fart on and have always wanted to apologize."
"Yes," I say, then look to his name tag, as I have no clue who this person is, "Well, um, Tyler, like you said, this certainly is the weirdest thing that has happened to me in a long time. I guess I should thank you? Ok, thank you?"
Awkward silence. And why are you just staring at me with a bazaar grin? Talk about spooky. Dude, get out of here. Like really, stop staring at me.
I attempt a deflect, "Do you have Ewok costumes for toddlers?"
"No, we have tons of Star Wars, but no Ewoks."
"Hmpf," not really winning at this store am I? "Again, thank you."
"Take care, now," as he pats my shoulder like a puppy dog, "Let me know if I can help you with anything else."
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| Chloe's 1st Halloween, 10 years ago. When I was a sIngle mom. |
There's a tap on my shoulder as I peruse toddler costumes in the Halloween store.
"This is going to be one of the wierdest things in a really long time," says the cashier who has snuck up on me from his post in front of the store.
"Um, ok," I say, thinking I may be the 100th customer and am going to win a bloodied, multi-headed zombie baby with red blinking eyes.
"Well, when I was in 8th grade and you were in 7th grade, I had a locker on top of yours and I used to fart on your head."
Ok, I just received the information, yet I myself have been transformed into a head cocked, wrinkly foreheaded, cross eyed zombie. Someone has actually stalled my ability to respond with some quick-witted comment.
"Uh, I don't remember smelling it," was the best I could come up with.
"Well, I just wanted to say sorry for doing that. I was just a dumb kid and I've always felt bad about it. Each time I see you around town, I think that's the girl who's head I used to fart on and have always wanted to apologize."
"Yes," I say, then look to his name tag, as I have no clue who this person is, "Well, um, Tyler, like you said, this certainly is the weirdest thing that has happened to me in a long time. I guess I should thank you? Ok, thank you?"
Awkward silence. And why are you just staring at me with a bazaar grin? Talk about spooky. Dude, get out of here. Like really, stop staring at me.
I attempt a deflect, "Do you have Ewok costumes for toddlers?"
"No, we have tons of Star Wars, but no Ewoks."
"Hmpf," not really winning at this store am I? "Again, thank you."
"Take care, now," as he pats my shoulder like a puppy dog, "Let me know if I can help you with anything else."
 |
| Caleb's 1st Halloween |
Today's prayer: "At our last bible study, we discussed, 'What you think about me is none of my business,' as some character attacks occurred this past week. Hopefully, Tyler concludes this lesson's topic. Although I'm not perfect, You know my heart and that I try to say & do things with You in mind. Thanks for the laugh while teaching the lesson that I am better off not knowing everything. What a relief!
And, it just has to be said: please, please do not let my kids become secret noggin tooter confessors 20 years too late."
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
FAMOUS
"For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God" (John 12:43).
So, Chloe's on this dreadful "I wanna be famous" kick. "How do I go about this one?" I ask in prayer.
The answer comes to me in 2 days.
I jumped on Caleb while he was lying on the bed, squeezed him, gave him a kiss and told him to go nigh-night. Chloe asks, "Mom, why don't you do that to me?" Mother of the year has no answers. Just run me down a razor blade and have me land in lemon juice.
The next day she's reading a magazine. "Hey, mom, look at this...The magazine asked kids if they would like to spend more time with their parents. 67% said they do!!!!!! Uh, huh!!!! See, I told you!" Spear through the heart! Ugh.
It's then I realize that she wants to be famous to her parents, not the paparazzi! Each is a call for attention & by golly, I can do the latter!
I've got to institute one-on-one time with each kid. Has to be done. It fulfills them, makes them feel loved, wanted, safe, and secure.
Today's prayer: "Same goes for us adults. We need one-on-one time with You. It makes us feel loved, wanted, safe, and secure. After all, we are Your children and we are all famous in Your eyes."
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