I put out a request on facebook for help with my blog. I know I haven't changed it since this summer when Colin M. helped me put this flower on and then Micah rearranged some things.
To be honest, I am clueless when it comes to blogging. I feel so dumb.
I love writing and communicating with people and would very much like to have a blog people visit regularly but my ineptness holds me back.
Well, enter Sydney Nichols. As a self-professed geek, she has graciously agreed to sit down with me and show me how to manage, change, post pictures and otherwise make my blog more interesting.
Thank God for her!!!
So, on Friday I will go to "Sydney School" hopefully something fun is in the works!
Walking the Tight Rope in Clown Shoes with Angie B...
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
As the Dryer Turns
As we begin the next decade of the twenty-first century I wonder what is in store. As I sit at the desk in my office, which roughly translates, my laptop on my kitchen table, it is almost like I can hear the future calling to me. Actually, what I hear is the clothes dryer in the laundry room making a horrific noise. It has been squeaking for weeks, I suppose it is a machine's way of telling me an appliance purchase is in my near future. I have to face the facts. I have done many a load of laundry in that washer and dryer.
I had the first set, a gift from my parents when we had the first baby, for twenty years. They don't make them like they used to. I have barely gotten seven years out of this set, but with the addition of six more kids the shear volume of clothing going through the pair is astronomical. I have used them almost daily. If I go for more than two days I can't wade my way to them to load. I have heard women refer to the "mountain" of laundry they have to do. I wonder, are they kidding? I certainly am not.
We have a window in our small laundry room. If you can see out of it, I have been home to wash clothes lately. If it is dark and creepy it is because the children in this household have changed clothes at a normal rate but Mama has been busy, or preoccupied, or busy being preoccupied with something fun or terribly taxing. Either way, the laundry suffers when I can't get to it.
I have tried several different methods to tame this madness. I have put names on laundry baskets for each member of the family in hopes he or she would take the initiative to put away the contents when I filled it. I think the last of those baskets left in the back of the old suburban recently on it's way to the thrift store filled with odds and ends left from a yard sale. I have tried various charts and job lists, shelves and cubbies, at one point I took to hanging everything up but the underwear kept falling off the hangers and to be honest was kind of ridiculous looking.
I feel like I have tried everything, nothing has worked. The laundry still piles up and I am left with it. We have a whole basket of mismatched socks! These are not waiting to be sorted and folded...they are waiting for their mates to return from outer space! My theory is, once a pair of socks has been successfully worn a time or two one of them somehow ends up in circling Saturn, it is the great mystery solved....those rings around the planet are not some kind of gas, they are mismatched socks! Thousands of which have come directly from my house.
I have raised or am in the process of raising seven children in this house. That is fourteen feet at a time, factor in mine and hubby's and you have eighteen socks a day. I'm not a mathematician but multiply the number of socks by the days in a year and...I rest my case.
What can I say, I am tired, so is the dryer. We sound frighteningly similar on cold mornings. I bet right after I get my last kid off to college someone will come up with disposable clothing or socks that stick together when the going gets tough. I hope my old dryer and I hold up that long.
I had the first set, a gift from my parents when we had the first baby, for twenty years. They don't make them like they used to. I have barely gotten seven years out of this set, but with the addition of six more kids the shear volume of clothing going through the pair is astronomical. I have used them almost daily. If I go for more than two days I can't wade my way to them to load. I have heard women refer to the "mountain" of laundry they have to do. I wonder, are they kidding? I certainly am not.
We have a window in our small laundry room. If you can see out of it, I have been home to wash clothes lately. If it is dark and creepy it is because the children in this household have changed clothes at a normal rate but Mama has been busy, or preoccupied, or busy being preoccupied with something fun or terribly taxing. Either way, the laundry suffers when I can't get to it.
I have tried several different methods to tame this madness. I have put names on laundry baskets for each member of the family in hopes he or she would take the initiative to put away the contents when I filled it. I think the last of those baskets left in the back of the old suburban recently on it's way to the thrift store filled with odds and ends left from a yard sale. I have tried various charts and job lists, shelves and cubbies, at one point I took to hanging everything up but the underwear kept falling off the hangers and to be honest was kind of ridiculous looking.
I feel like I have tried everything, nothing has worked. The laundry still piles up and I am left with it. We have a whole basket of mismatched socks! These are not waiting to be sorted and folded...they are waiting for their mates to return from outer space! My theory is, once a pair of socks has been successfully worn a time or two one of them somehow ends up in circling Saturn, it is the great mystery solved....those rings around the planet are not some kind of gas, they are mismatched socks! Thousands of which have come directly from my house.
I have raised or am in the process of raising seven children in this house. That is fourteen feet at a time, factor in mine and hubby's and you have eighteen socks a day. I'm not a mathematician but multiply the number of socks by the days in a year and...I rest my case.
What can I say, I am tired, so is the dryer. We sound frighteningly similar on cold mornings. I bet right after I get my last kid off to college someone will come up with disposable clothing or socks that stick together when the going gets tough. I hope my old dryer and I hold up that long.
I am ending this year on an up note. A few weeks ago I wrote about watching the death of a marriage. I was helpless, I knew it, but...I was certain of someone who was not.
Just as certain despair was setting in, a light cut through the clouds. The story is not mine to share but I can give you my perspective. I prayed day and night for the young husband and his wife, even though I didn't know her very well. Some other people were praying too. We prayed the Lord would intervene and give us a miracle.
I am devout romantic. I happen to believe God is too. I asked for whatever it took to get the two talking again, He provided the particulars. I am so happy for them. As I click through pictures of Christmas on Facebook I see their smiling faces and thank God for not giving up on people.
Happy New Year Everybody!
Just as certain despair was setting in, a light cut through the clouds. The story is not mine to share but I can give you my perspective. I prayed day and night for the young husband and his wife, even though I didn't know her very well. Some other people were praying too. We prayed the Lord would intervene and give us a miracle.
I am devout romantic. I happen to believe God is too. I asked for whatever it took to get the two talking again, He provided the particulars. I am so happy for them. As I click through pictures of Christmas on Facebook I see their smiling faces and thank God for not giving up on people.
Happy New Year Everybody!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
My favorite Christmas movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life”. My family does not “get it”, they have even resorted to hiding my copy from time to time so I won’t give them the poor puppy dog face when they refuse to watch it with me….yet again. They have actually all sat silently letting me fume about not being able to find it. It is sad. I wish they shared my love for George and Mary and Zuzu and Tommy, but they do not.
I understand the movie was a flop at the box office. It was a difficult time in history, maybe it hit too close to home. I imagine many men gave up the opportunity to go to college or see the world to allow their families better lives. George Bailey represents a generation of givers. I guess that is what makes the movie so dear to me. George is not in the world’s standard a wealthy man. Mr. Potter is the successful businessperson. George has to deal with the messiness of a family business, employees who bumble bank deposits (also family), investments that are not exactly solid, but more the shifty ground humanity stands on.
George sees worth in lives. His idea of value is a sound home where a mama, daddy, and children live. His proof of respect is keeping a secret that could ruin a man. His loyalty to his family is his willingness to jump off a bridge to keep them from financial ruin.
What George lacks in business sense he makes up for in brotherly love. The Bible tell us the greatest commandment is “Love God with all your heart’….and Jesus says…”love your neighbor as yourself”. I believe this is the heart of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. You hear in the very beginning all the friends and family praying for George, he is missing now and people are worried. He has no clue they all care enough to pray fervently for him. It is not because George is an important man; it is more because he is a man who loves people. This makes his life so much richer than the wealth Mr. Potter holds.
I think what I really love about the movie is more what George learns about himself. He has not wanted to gain anything by his sacrifices and at times he really wants to just give up and leave it all behind him but he cannot because it is his nature to give, to protect, to shoulder the responsibility. He learns that his life means something to others because he has chosen to love by doing the right thing.
How often do we get the opportunity to choose to do something because it is the right thing?
This past weekend I lost my cell phone. I had not noticed. I came out of a store and a young man and woman were sitting near my parking space in a truck. The man asked if I had lost a cell phone. He explained he nearly ran over it but noticed it just in time. The two of them saw a picture of my grandson on my phone and when we came out recognized me because he was with me! I was so touched. The woman even scrolled through to see if she knew anyone on my contact list…, which she did! She actually tried to call a mutual friend to ask her whose phone she had so she could possibly find me that way.
They could have left the phone in the parking lot. They could have brought it in and let it be someone else’s responsibility. They chose to do the right thing. They waited for me until I came out of the store and handed me my phone. I hope they felt good about themselves as I praised them for their kind deed. There are still George Baileys in this world.
So, during this Christmas season remember to be a giver. It does not have to be wrapped with pretty paper and a bow, kindness and love are one size fits all. And, it really is a wonderful life.
I understand the movie was a flop at the box office. It was a difficult time in history, maybe it hit too close to home. I imagine many men gave up the opportunity to go to college or see the world to allow their families better lives. George Bailey represents a generation of givers. I guess that is what makes the movie so dear to me. George is not in the world’s standard a wealthy man. Mr. Potter is the successful businessperson. George has to deal with the messiness of a family business, employees who bumble bank deposits (also family), investments that are not exactly solid, but more the shifty ground humanity stands on.
George sees worth in lives. His idea of value is a sound home where a mama, daddy, and children live. His proof of respect is keeping a secret that could ruin a man. His loyalty to his family is his willingness to jump off a bridge to keep them from financial ruin.
What George lacks in business sense he makes up for in brotherly love. The Bible tell us the greatest commandment is “Love God with all your heart’….and Jesus says…”love your neighbor as yourself”. I believe this is the heart of “It’s a Wonderful Life”. You hear in the very beginning all the friends and family praying for George, he is missing now and people are worried. He has no clue they all care enough to pray fervently for him. It is not because George is an important man; it is more because he is a man who loves people. This makes his life so much richer than the wealth Mr. Potter holds.
I think what I really love about the movie is more what George learns about himself. He has not wanted to gain anything by his sacrifices and at times he really wants to just give up and leave it all behind him but he cannot because it is his nature to give, to protect, to shoulder the responsibility. He learns that his life means something to others because he has chosen to love by doing the right thing.
How often do we get the opportunity to choose to do something because it is the right thing?
This past weekend I lost my cell phone. I had not noticed. I came out of a store and a young man and woman were sitting near my parking space in a truck. The man asked if I had lost a cell phone. He explained he nearly ran over it but noticed it just in time. The two of them saw a picture of my grandson on my phone and when we came out recognized me because he was with me! I was so touched. The woman even scrolled through to see if she knew anyone on my contact list…, which she did! She actually tried to call a mutual friend to ask her whose phone she had so she could possibly find me that way.
They could have left the phone in the parking lot. They could have brought it in and let it be someone else’s responsibility. They chose to do the right thing. They waited for me until I came out of the store and handed me my phone. I hope they felt good about themselves as I praised them for their kind deed. There are still George Baileys in this world.
So, during this Christmas season remember to be a giver. It does not have to be wrapped with pretty paper and a bow, kindness and love are one size fits all. And, it really is a wonderful life.
Busy Times
I have been so busy....How many times a day do you hear that? Everybody seems to have way too much on their plates. I feel crazy EVERY DAY. I wake up before I want to, get a shower, try to pull myself together, get three little girls ready for school, yell up at two teenagers to get out of bed (way before they want to), remind people to get backpacks, coats, to brush teeth, drink their milk, I'm sure I sound like BLAH,BLAH,BLAH to them.
Now, it's Christmas...they only have two days of school left! TWO DAYS! Then the work really begins. I have to get some stuff done.
I'm going to post some stories I've had in the Opelika Observer the last month or so. I only get two a month now, not that I have much more time than that.
Now, it's Christmas...they only have two days of school left! TWO DAYS! Then the work really begins. I have to get some stuff done.
I'm going to post some stories I've had in the Opelika Observer the last month or so. I only get two a month now, not that I have much more time than that.
Monday, October 25, 2010
From where I stand~
I am witnessing something profoundly sad. The death of a very young marriage.
I am only seeing it from the point of view of the now ex-husband. I don’t know that I’ve ever been at this vantage point before. It is gut wrenching.
I don’t like to say a union is doomed from the start but I’m afraid this one may have been….which isn’t to say it couldn’t have been saved! I believe in communication! I believe anything is possible! I believe this one was dead in the water a while ago but the young husband didn’t want to give up.
Apparently, the young wife did.
I watch him pace, drink coffee, rub his eyes, try to laugh and get through it….it is not pretty.
He is where the road divides in many directions.
He doesn’t know which one to take.
He isn’t celebrating freedom, he is mourning the loss of yet another sure thing
He is not a quitter, it seems life keeps quitting on him.
He is embarrassed and ashamed.
I have no words.
I can’t tell him I know how it feels.
I can’t tell him it is for the best. I don’t know either of those things.
I want him to know he will love again, and be loved in return.
He says he doesn’t think he’ll ever try it again…this marriage thing.
Our conversation is interrupted.
Unfortunately for him, we have to talk to giggly young women planning weddings sometimes.
She turns her head and he mouths “don’t do it!”.
I have to smile but he knows I don’t agree. When she is out of earshot I tell him I can’t be negative about marriage. He reminds me that mine has remained intact for almost thirty years.
He is right about that.
I want to tell him he will find the right girl, I don’t know when or where but she is out there. It breaks my heart to see his face when he thinks no one is looking. There is such pain.
All I can do is pray.
I am only seeing it from the point of view of the now ex-husband. I don’t know that I’ve ever been at this vantage point before. It is gut wrenching.
I don’t like to say a union is doomed from the start but I’m afraid this one may have been….which isn’t to say it couldn’t have been saved! I believe in communication! I believe anything is possible! I believe this one was dead in the water a while ago but the young husband didn’t want to give up.
Apparently, the young wife did.
I watch him pace, drink coffee, rub his eyes, try to laugh and get through it….it is not pretty.
He is where the road divides in many directions.
He doesn’t know which one to take.
He isn’t celebrating freedom, he is mourning the loss of yet another sure thing
He is not a quitter, it seems life keeps quitting on him.
He is embarrassed and ashamed.
I have no words.
I can’t tell him I know how it feels.
I can’t tell him it is for the best. I don’t know either of those things.
I want him to know he will love again, and be loved in return.
He says he doesn’t think he’ll ever try it again…this marriage thing.
Our conversation is interrupted.
Unfortunately for him, we have to talk to giggly young women planning weddings sometimes.
She turns her head and he mouths “don’t do it!”.
I have to smile but he knows I don’t agree. When she is out of earshot I tell him I can’t be negative about marriage. He reminds me that mine has remained intact for almost thirty years.
He is right about that.
I want to tell him he will find the right girl, I don’t know when or where but she is out there. It breaks my heart to see his face when he thinks no one is looking. There is such pain.
All I can do is pray.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Wisdom, Love and Grace
For years I’ve prayed for wisdom and love. I have not asked for wealth, although I have asked to not drown in debt a few times. I have not even particularly begged for health, besides the few months I thought my back pain may have been from something that was going to kill me. I have prayed countless prayers for others; for my children, my friends, total strangers. I try not to have my own agenda where others are concerned other than whatever it is God is willing in their lives. I know better than trying to figure out what someone really needs and asking God to grant it like a fairy godmother might do. I mainly trust him with the details and just lift the people up in my mind and spirit. Sometimes I just don’t know what else to say.
I am so far from delivered from sin…it is my choice I know, but I sin everyday. If not with my MOUTH then with my mind. But, one prayer I believe God is continually answering for me is giving me love for others. I’m not saying I don’t get offended, or angry but he is helping me see people through more compassionate eyes. I think if he really did let me see people through his eyes my heart would break. There is so much pain. I know he wants to comfort us but we are like little children with splinter covered fingers who rather than let him gently lift them out, we turn away and yell “NO, this is my splinter!!! I will work it out or I will let it stay and get infected! I don’t trust you!” We see that the splinters need to come out but want them removed on our terms.
I believe sometimes we are reluctant to ask God to help us because we have strayed so far away from him. While it’s true he has not left US, we get the feeling he is up there in Heaven brooding over all our mess ups. I believe it’s more like this. Trouble comes to us all. God is there. Why not ask for help. It’s not like he’s making a deal with us. We can’t really say “Just help me out here Lord and I promise I’ll never ____again (you fill in the blank). I know many people have done this but I believe when we slip up and go back to the ___we mentioned it is US who pull away from God again.
I have finally learned the truth about my effort and his rewards.
I can’t do anything to deserve his love.
I can’t do anything to make him love me more.
I can’t do anything to make him love me less.
I am certain most people do not understand this concept.
You can say, “But, I was raised to believe God loves the people who go to church, give to missionaries and read their Bibles!” OK, let’s assume that is true. If God only pours his love out on the church going, missionary supporting, Bible thumpers we should all be striving to be JUST LIKE THEM!!! Because, hot dog they must be the most happy, blessed, healthy and wealthy people on the planet….and so few of them are! Instead, I often see church pew warmers who reluctantly write those tithe checks (and often want everyone to know how much they are for) and can quote all the scripture about the sins they don’t struggle with as the most unhappy, shallow people around. Seriously, show me one rule keeper and I’ll show you someone who probably does not understand what they are trying to get other people to participate in.
Here’s the real deal.
Jesus is the answer.
He is the epitome of God’s grace.
Let me give you an analogy (not original)
There was once a mother with two children. The first child was sweet and easy going and never gave her a minute of trouble. She did anything she could to please her mother out of the purest of hearts. She grew up kind and well liked by everyone. The second child was just the opposite! She was defiant and difficult from birth she bit and screamed and never shut up. There were time the mother wanted to just put her down and walk out of the house and sometimes she had to hand her over and do just that, but, the mother loved the hard to please child just as much as the easy to please one and one day, one very fine day, the second child came to herself. She started smiling. When she did everyone around her smiled too. She became pleasant and easy to please like her sister and the mother rejoiced…as did all the neighbors!
See, those two babies were both the mother’s children. She had to discipline them differently, she had to sometimes treat them differently but she loved them both the same amount.
I picture God looking at us with his infinite wisdom…he knows who is going to try every last thing before they come to him. He knows who is going to be compliant her whole life. He loves us all and really wants us all to love him too. He is surely disappointed with some of our choices but he is not surprised. I believe he holds out hope that sometimes he’ll be wrong about some of us and we will turn to him. I don’t say this out of any kind of disrespect of lack of faith, I know he is not going to be wrong but I have to believe he wants us all. The word does say…”For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Without getting into theology I can’t explain just let me say that to me “whosoever” means any of us who will.
We have to learn to accept grace. It is a gift. It’s kind of like accepting a compliment you know you don’t deserve. We can’t earn it and it’s hard to understand. It flies in the face of every human thought.
God understands us…he has not left us…he loves us and has big ideas for all our lives.
We are obligated to extend it to others.
Yes, we have an obligation to extend grace…to others.
I have never been so badly hurt by anyone I could not forgive. I sympathize with people who have lost children to tragedy or evil. I don’t know what that feels like and I pray God’s mercy to not let me know first hand. I understand those people feeling let down by God. But, if we could see from God’s vantage point it might be easier.
I have a friend whose young son died after years of health problems. She has grieved endlessly for over a year. She has not become angry at God because she knows she will see her son again someday. He was a wonderful example of God’s glory. He loved people and made no apologies as to who his savior was. My friend knows things could have been different if her son had been a rebellious teenager who argued with her and then went out and died in a car accident. The grief would be unbearable. As it is, she is still hurting but has the promise that her son’s short life was lived with purpose. Some of us get eighteen years, some of us get a hundred. How we use them is important. Accepting and giving out grace is a concept we have to learn. God gives us grace. We extend it to the next person.
This little story is an example-
This morning we left for school without Elle’s book bag. We looked for it for a few minutes but it's apparently hiding somewhere… again. Once, I found it in the laundry room, in a basket, under towels.
How does that happen? I have stated the fact I am not the mom with the perfect house or any real organization skills to speak of but one thing I have worked diligently to establish in this house is "The book bags go on a hook if you aren't doing your homework!" This way we ALWAYS know where they are! I have had the kids repeat this to me many times when I might have the occasion to run into a book bag in an inappropriate location...they don't get there by themselves....they don't walk or jump or decide for themselves where to "hang out". Somebody is responsible for them and nobody needs to bother anyone else's. We have the" take care of your own stuff" policy in our house....of course I am lax on socks and other articles of clothing that undoubtedly end up in front of the TV, but as a mom that kind of just comes with the territory.
But, today Elle is at school without her book bag.
In the car I was on my usual rant about taking responsibility for yourself and your stuff, how Mama can't think for 7 people, how I have enough to do without having to keep up with Elle’s book bag, blah, blah, blah....
I'm sure it was somewhere around then that Elle floated out the window. A beautiful thing about having ADD; you can just check out whenever you want (and unfortunately sometimes when you DON'T WANT) to a place where the "bluebirds fly" (gee, no wonder I identified with Dorothy as a child!) I could see her in the rear view mirror. She was sitting right behind me smiling. I was a taken off guard a little...."Young lady do you hear me talking to you?!" She continued to smile and replied, without even hearing my question (or anything else I had been saying)
"Mom, do I get ice cream money?"
It's Friday, ice cream day at school. I usually give the girls their two quarters on the way and try to muster up a positive comment of some sort to end their week. I replied "Yes Elle, you get your ice cream money...It was at that point I knew she would face the natural consequences for not having her book bag. I didn't need to keep on reminding her that she had messed up. The world is plenty good at telling us we don't measure up, aren't good enough, won't ever amount to anything...that is NOT my job! I asked her if she remembered what grace was all about...she did. She told me, "Grace is when you get something good even though you don't deserve it." I have to remember that myself. I am so much slower to dish it out than gather it in.
So, once again a teachable moment was shared, and I learned the lesson.
God doesn’t fuss at us when we forget where we put something. It is not his nature to condemn us at all. His grace is sufficient.
And his ice cream money is always there jingling in his pocket.
I am so far from delivered from sin…it is my choice I know, but I sin everyday. If not with my MOUTH then with my mind. But, one prayer I believe God is continually answering for me is giving me love for others. I’m not saying I don’t get offended, or angry but he is helping me see people through more compassionate eyes. I think if he really did let me see people through his eyes my heart would break. There is so much pain. I know he wants to comfort us but we are like little children with splinter covered fingers who rather than let him gently lift them out, we turn away and yell “NO, this is my splinter!!! I will work it out or I will let it stay and get infected! I don’t trust you!” We see that the splinters need to come out but want them removed on our terms.
I believe sometimes we are reluctant to ask God to help us because we have strayed so far away from him. While it’s true he has not left US, we get the feeling he is up there in Heaven brooding over all our mess ups. I believe it’s more like this. Trouble comes to us all. God is there. Why not ask for help. It’s not like he’s making a deal with us. We can’t really say “Just help me out here Lord and I promise I’ll never ____again (you fill in the blank). I know many people have done this but I believe when we slip up and go back to the ___we mentioned it is US who pull away from God again.
I have finally learned the truth about my effort and his rewards.
I can’t do anything to deserve his love.
I can’t do anything to make him love me more.
I can’t do anything to make him love me less.
I am certain most people do not understand this concept.
You can say, “But, I was raised to believe God loves the people who go to church, give to missionaries and read their Bibles!” OK, let’s assume that is true. If God only pours his love out on the church going, missionary supporting, Bible thumpers we should all be striving to be JUST LIKE THEM!!! Because, hot dog they must be the most happy, blessed, healthy and wealthy people on the planet….and so few of them are! Instead, I often see church pew warmers who reluctantly write those tithe checks (and often want everyone to know how much they are for) and can quote all the scripture about the sins they don’t struggle with as the most unhappy, shallow people around. Seriously, show me one rule keeper and I’ll show you someone who probably does not understand what they are trying to get other people to participate in.
Here’s the real deal.
Jesus is the answer.
He is the epitome of God’s grace.
Let me give you an analogy (not original)
There was once a mother with two children. The first child was sweet and easy going and never gave her a minute of trouble. She did anything she could to please her mother out of the purest of hearts. She grew up kind and well liked by everyone. The second child was just the opposite! She was defiant and difficult from birth she bit and screamed and never shut up. There were time the mother wanted to just put her down and walk out of the house and sometimes she had to hand her over and do just that, but, the mother loved the hard to please child just as much as the easy to please one and one day, one very fine day, the second child came to herself. She started smiling. When she did everyone around her smiled too. She became pleasant and easy to please like her sister and the mother rejoiced…as did all the neighbors!
See, those two babies were both the mother’s children. She had to discipline them differently, she had to sometimes treat them differently but she loved them both the same amount.
I picture God looking at us with his infinite wisdom…he knows who is going to try every last thing before they come to him. He knows who is going to be compliant her whole life. He loves us all and really wants us all to love him too. He is surely disappointed with some of our choices but he is not surprised. I believe he holds out hope that sometimes he’ll be wrong about some of us and we will turn to him. I don’t say this out of any kind of disrespect of lack of faith, I know he is not going to be wrong but I have to believe he wants us all. The word does say…”For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” Without getting into theology I can’t explain just let me say that to me “whosoever” means any of us who will.
We have to learn to accept grace. It is a gift. It’s kind of like accepting a compliment you know you don’t deserve. We can’t earn it and it’s hard to understand. It flies in the face of every human thought.
God understands us…he has not left us…he loves us and has big ideas for all our lives.
We are obligated to extend it to others.
Yes, we have an obligation to extend grace…to others.
I have never been so badly hurt by anyone I could not forgive. I sympathize with people who have lost children to tragedy or evil. I don’t know what that feels like and I pray God’s mercy to not let me know first hand. I understand those people feeling let down by God. But, if we could see from God’s vantage point it might be easier.
I have a friend whose young son died after years of health problems. She has grieved endlessly for over a year. She has not become angry at God because she knows she will see her son again someday. He was a wonderful example of God’s glory. He loved people and made no apologies as to who his savior was. My friend knows things could have been different if her son had been a rebellious teenager who argued with her and then went out and died in a car accident. The grief would be unbearable. As it is, she is still hurting but has the promise that her son’s short life was lived with purpose. Some of us get eighteen years, some of us get a hundred. How we use them is important. Accepting and giving out grace is a concept we have to learn. God gives us grace. We extend it to the next person.
This little story is an example-
This morning we left for school without Elle’s book bag. We looked for it for a few minutes but it's apparently hiding somewhere… again. Once, I found it in the laundry room, in a basket, under towels.
How does that happen? I have stated the fact I am not the mom with the perfect house or any real organization skills to speak of but one thing I have worked diligently to establish in this house is "The book bags go on a hook if you aren't doing your homework!" This way we ALWAYS know where they are! I have had the kids repeat this to me many times when I might have the occasion to run into a book bag in an inappropriate location...they don't get there by themselves....they don't walk or jump or decide for themselves where to "hang out". Somebody is responsible for them and nobody needs to bother anyone else's. We have the" take care of your own stuff" policy in our house....of course I am lax on socks and other articles of clothing that undoubtedly end up in front of the TV, but as a mom that kind of just comes with the territory.
But, today Elle is at school without her book bag.
In the car I was on my usual rant about taking responsibility for yourself and your stuff, how Mama can't think for 7 people, how I have enough to do without having to keep up with Elle’s book bag, blah, blah, blah....
I'm sure it was somewhere around then that Elle floated out the window. A beautiful thing about having ADD; you can just check out whenever you want (and unfortunately sometimes when you DON'T WANT) to a place where the "bluebirds fly" (gee, no wonder I identified with Dorothy as a child!) I could see her in the rear view mirror. She was sitting right behind me smiling. I was a taken off guard a little...."Young lady do you hear me talking to you?!" She continued to smile and replied, without even hearing my question (or anything else I had been saying)
"Mom, do I get ice cream money?"
It's Friday, ice cream day at school. I usually give the girls their two quarters on the way and try to muster up a positive comment of some sort to end their week. I replied "Yes Elle, you get your ice cream money...It was at that point I knew she would face the natural consequences for not having her book bag. I didn't need to keep on reminding her that she had messed up. The world is plenty good at telling us we don't measure up, aren't good enough, won't ever amount to anything...that is NOT my job! I asked her if she remembered what grace was all about...she did. She told me, "Grace is when you get something good even though you don't deserve it." I have to remember that myself. I am so much slower to dish it out than gather it in.
So, once again a teachable moment was shared, and I learned the lesson.
God doesn’t fuss at us when we forget where we put something. It is not his nature to condemn us at all. His grace is sufficient.
And his ice cream money is always there jingling in his pocket.
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