Jeri Stuckard
It was the day before Valentine’s Day. I stood there in the bathroom reading the pregnancy test strip. It was screaming the unmistakable word: PREGNANT! My husband and I had planned on having two children, possibly three. And, here it was…baby number two on the way. Shaking, I walked into the kitchen where my husband was standing. He had just finished talking to his sister on the phone. Ironically, her daughter gave birth to her second child that very day! I don’t remember exactly what I said but I believe it went something like this: “Honey, we got an early Valentine’s gift…I am pregnant.”
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Did you play the kids’ game “Blind Man’s Bluff?” One person would be blindfolded or close their eyes while another called out instructions to go through an obstacle course of sorts. It could be a simple journey around the front yard, or it could be a maze of the kids’ creation. It took trust to be the blindfolded one; kids don’t always play fair. The good-hearted ones would give sincere instructions, but there was always that kid who’d rather get a laugh by leading the one who trusted them right into the obstacles. Seeing it happen—even to someone else, made it harder to trust the one leading.
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Last week I endured one of the most embarrassing experiences of my life. My second grader threw what could best be described as a full scale hissy fit during her first soccer practice. She flung up her arms, wailed and insisted she couldn’t do it, ignored the coaches’ gentle prodding and begged me to come onto the field to practice with her.
It was a mess and my insides were screaming from humiliation. I felt like I tried every parenting tip I remembered. Deep breaths, encouragement, briefly removing her from the situation, and attempting to get her to discuss her feelings–the whole bag.
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As I am sitting here writing this afternoon, God has graciously allowed our children and grandson to head for home. Surgery went very well, and the first step of this multi-step process is complete. Abundant thanks to the many of you who took time to stop and pray for him.
He did very well through the hospital stay, yet as expected the first night following surgery was a difficult one for our little guy. The only way he was comfortable was lying flat in the crib, but he wanted the security of having his mommy or daddy right next to him.
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I’m guilty of looking to the future more than living in the present.
When my babies are older, then I’ll get some sleep. When my preschoolers can be more self sufficient, then I won’t have to work so hard. When my kids graduate, then I’ll be able to do things for myself.
While I’ve learned that sometimes looking to the future helps to get me through the tough times in the present, I still have to learn to find more joy in the moment. I’m at a wonderful stage in my children’s lives. My youngest is seven, and my oldest just turned 15.
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My husband is an attorney. From time to time, I tag along with him when he has to be in court. This week he was appointed to represent a mother who was trying to regain custody of her teenage son. After some poor decisions by this mom, her son was now in the care of foster parents. His name was Maverick.
When Maverick sat down outside of the court room, dressed all in black, it was clear to me, his body language screamed, “Leave me alone and stay away.” Yet, his whole demeanor saddened me.
I couldn’t help but overhear as his social worker sat down beside him, and began talking with him.
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“Yemulade.”
“L-l-lemonade.”
“Lemonade! Lemonade! Lemonade!”
My three year old recently graduated from saying “yemulade” to being able to say “lemonade.” It was really cute to see him bouncing up and down saying it over and over, so proud of himself for getting it right.
At about the same time, his six year old brother took off on his bike without training wheels and crossed the monkey bars without help–both in the same week. In a way, those are really small deals. But to my kids, those accomplishments matter. And that makes them important. Paying attention and celebrating those moments is where a relationship is built.
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Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
NIV
“Red Rover, Red Rover, send Jennifer right over” we chanted even as we grasped small sweaty hands even tighter. I could feel my knuckles crushing together but I wasn’t going to let her through. Determined not to be the weak link, I planted my feet just a little wider than shoulder’s width apart. I would not be moved.
Her eyes caught mine, and I knew she was running right towards me.
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