Encouraging Words

Some pictures from a very talented friend and
some encouragement from a very wise man:

God is glorified not only by His glory's being seen, but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and by the heart. God made the world that He might communicate, and the creature receive, His glory; and that it might [be] recieved both by the mind and heart. He that testifies his idea of God's glory [doesn't] glorify God so much as he that testifies also his approbation of it and his delight in it. - Jonathan Edwards (Miscellanies)

Mom on the hot seat!!

Yesterday during our devotions, I asked Noah what he would thank God for, and he said "his family." I agreed whole-heartedly with him and then emphasized that children are a gift from God.

Instead of stopping there at a nice safe spot, I then encouraged him and the other boys that we could pray that God would bless some friends of ours with a baby. I said "They would like to have a new baby and have been trying for a while." (insert scary music here) Samuel then turned and looked me straight in the face and asked, "What do mommys and daddys do to 'try' and have a baby?" As my heart thumped in my chest and my hands grew clammy, I began to run through all the possible answers that I could give that would be honest and yet vague.

Thankfully, Josh and Noah began to answer the question. Noah said "Be nice to their other kids." While Josh even more accurately answered, "Daddys have to be kind to the mommys." After that, I suggested we talk about it later and finish our devotions. Whew!

I'm like a broken shopping cart

We had caregroup last night and one of the wise comments (about how our natural tendency is to drift away from godliness) left me thinking about shopping carts. Really!

Have you ever had a shopping cart with a broken or stuck wheel? You have to literally fight with that cart the whole way through the store. If it's constantly drifting to the right, you must pull/push your cart to the left just to stay straight. Don't dare get distracted and forget to wrestle with your cart or you'll slam right into the shelves and canned goods will fall on your head.

Well, I believe I am like that broken shopping cart. My natural tendency is to drift away from God and godliness. To stay close in any relationship is work, but especially in my relationship to God. I have a sinful nature that constantly wants to vere away from the straight path. I have to fight that tendency - my shopping cart, so to speak. The tricky thing about my "life" cart is that it will vere off in either direction, left or right. I have to be watchful. Am I going straight or heading into the ice cream on the left or the cereal on the right? Licentiousness or legalism? Condemnation or self-righteousness? (You get the picture.)

Thankfully, there is another difference in my "life" cart - the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. The cart at Wal-Mart doesn't improve as I shop, but by God's grace and work in my life I will. I want to be watchful; I don't want to float down the aisle, banging into shelves on either side. So, If you see me holding ice on my head from a collision with the canned good section, remind me of God's available grace to keep my cart straight!

Gabe the babe

As most of you know, Gabe is in a cast after breaking his femur. We went to the doctor today and got an update. The doctor said that the x-ray looked good and that his cast would come off in two more weeks. That is God's grace to us. Originally, we were told that the cast would be on for 6-8 weeks, but if all continues to heal properly it will only be 5! He's been very patient through it all and has learned to adjust extremely well. In fact, he has a new favorite position for watching t.v.

Thanks so much for the prayers and food and childcare and advice and ironing and toys and videos . . . Everything! This has been much easier than it should have been because of your care for us.

New Link

Hey, I just added a new link to the "Suggested Blogs" category. It's called "Ordinary Mother" and it's the kind of blog I would like to write. It's full of wisdom, encouragement, humility, and humor. (I think I've got the humor part, but will definitely have to work on the other three.) I hope you enjoy it.

A long, lost. . . candy bar

We are heading to the American Museum of Science and Energy today. To prepare, we looked at their website to decide what exhibits we would be sure to see. On their site, they have a link to a "Name that Candy Bar" game which I highly recommend (if you are a candy bar connoisseur.) Beware, however, that it may bring up painful memories. I had a favorite candy bar in college - I know I'm dating myself here - which has been discontinued! I try not to think about it when I open up a Reese Cup or a Nestle' Crunch, but the pain is still there. Well, enjoy the game and if anyone has on old BarNone in their freezer, you can name your price.

Look out Archimedes . . .

It's the Cormanedes!! Archimedes supposedly set fire to the Roman fleet who was coming to invade his native Sicily before they even reached land. He did this by using mirrors to focus the light energy from the sun at points on the ships causing them to catch fire. Cool, huh? We're just trying to catch these invading leaves on fire, but there's potential here, don't you think? Hopefully, they don't try it on other parts of the house!

Sleep

Wow! That word is loaded with meaning for me right now. Normally, it isn't. Normally, I take sleep for granted and don't think much of it. Every now and then, however, God uses my circumstances to teach me about His gift of sleep. A new baby, a sick child, a barking dog, a deadline - all these things (and many more) can be used as a reminder that sleep is a gift not a right. I have thought many times that I had a right to 8 hours of sleep, and regretfully made everyone around me suffer when I didn't get it. You know how it is, using the excuse of lack of sleep for a grumpy disposition.

When I remember that sleep (and my need of it) is God's design and that He is sovereign over how much I get, I'm a little more grateful. I'm grateful that I get any sleep. I'm grateful that He knows my weaknesses and supplies my every need. I'm grateful that I can call out to Him for help. I'm grateful (and my kids are, too) that I don't have to be a sourpuss.

I don't deny that a lack of sleep has a profound impact on my day, but I do deny that it's an excuse for a rotten attitude. In fact, I'm glad I've not been getting much sleep lately. It drives me to my knees and reminds me of my fraility and God's power.

Now, I'm going back to sleep.
Oops! My bed is full!

My son, the president!

While visiting the Hermitage, we got into a lengthy discussion on Tennessee Presidents and which numbers they were. (7,11, & 17 I think.) After considering this for a while, Noah (5) asked me which number he was going to be when he became president. I could be the First Mom! I should keep his schoolwork and sell it on ebay someday, don't you think?

Here's a picture of my handsome guys in front of the Hermitage in Nashville.  

We've Arrived

Yes, we've arrived. We are now in 2005, blogging with the rest of the current generation. I'm a 90's girl married to an 80's boy, but we're trying to keep up. Actually, since the 80's are back, I guess Matt's in style. (If only he could still fit in his parachute pants!)