Monthly Archives: November 2010

Be Still And Know

And so it begins. This season of busyness.

There are many days when I feel overwhelmed. As a wife, mom, full-time worker, minister and friend, there are many things competing for my time and attention. And especially during the holidays, my life tends to get more hectic and overwhelming. In a season when I am called to give thanks, to reflect on the beauty of the Lord and be reminded of the most precious gift that has been given to me, I am distracted. As if I weren’t busy enough. Now there is decorating, shopping, wrapping, baking, parties and the list goes on.

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Mary and Martha Throw a Christmas Party

Martha, what do you think of the idea that we throw a nice Christmas party instead of giving each other gifts?” Mary asked her college roommate.

That’s a great idea!” responded Martha. “I love having a special occasion to try new dishes, and it will be fun to invite a few good friends over and have an excuse to dress up.

Mary and Martha chose a date, looked through cookbooks and planned the menu. Mary decided on a couple of family-favorite cookie recipes and Martha chose a couple of hot appetizers and a chocolate mint ice cream cake (with a from-scratch brownie base and homemade hot fudge) she wanted to try.

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My Thankfulness Runs Deeply

As I sit in my cluttered office, my mind is beginning to release some of its own clutter…

My heart is always full this time of year with thoughts of family and friends. Much of my past seems to rear its ugly head this time of year too, and I generally struggle with a sort of seasonal depression. (I am putting my Vitamin D lamp on as I type.)

This year, a lot of healing has taken place in my life in the form of being able to help others through hard times. It always amazes me what the Lord can do in my own heart when I fight the good fight along with my sisters and brothers in Christ.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what He has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name.

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Why?

If you have children, you are probably familiar with the stage they go through where everything has “why?” attached to it.

“Why is the sky blue?” “Why do dogs bark?” “Why do I have to go to bed?” It’s been some time since my children have been through this stage, but they still ask why quite often. Usually it’s when I tell them they can’t do something.

Last night I was at Redbox renting a movie. There was a father with two boys who looked to be about ages 6 and 12. They kept suggesting movies to rent to which the father would reply no, and then they would argue, “But why can’t we watch that movie, Daddy?”

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Pefecting Parenting

I was never a nervous or controlling person growing up. I always thought of myself as pretty relaxed and down to earth. Then I got married and had children.

When my children were small, I remember how every little thing concerning their young lives was such a huge deal. My life became rigorous and scheduled, as opposed to care free and spontaneous. As my children grew older, I became a very anxious and controlling person. It was not something I ever expected to be, it just was. I remember standing in the doorway of the bathroom as my daughter brushed her hair and got ready for school to “make sure she did it right”.

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Easy, breezy…Motherhood {NOT}

“Making the decision to have a child – it’s momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” -Elizabeth Stone

There was a time when I thought this road called Motherhood would one day become breezy.

One day when ear infections and the middle-of-the-night stomach flu were a thing of the past. One day when homework no longer required my assistance and lunches no longer needed packing. One day when they’d shop for their own clothes and purchase the extras with – could it be – their own money.

Now I know differently.

There are no breezy sections on this Motherhood Road.

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Awakened

She stirs and dark lashes flutter against rosy cheeks. Not quite ready to wake, she turns over nestling her favorite pink blanket and sighs. Eyes shut. But the light beckons her to life, and she rolls onto her back.

Stretching.

Blinking.

She takes in her surroundings, making sweets babbles as she recognizes the familiar. Seconds pass before she realizes she is awake and remembers.

Remembers to look for me.

She flips and immediately pulls upright on her crib rail, waiting.

She calls for me in a singsong babble. And waits –

-until she sees my face appear around the doorway. For a split second she freezes, not knowing whether to laugh or cry that I am there.

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