All is Grace

I realize I cite Voskamp's blog frequently, but it's just so rich with thanks, meaning, and the words God is speaking to my heart in this life-phase. Please read today's blog, but even if you don't have time, watch the little Vimeo clip with Shaun Groves, one of my all-time favorite songwriters.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

How I See Myself

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

This is how I often see myself--a broken, useless mess. But thankfully, God sees me differently. Because of God's all-encompassing grace, his love covers over me and he restores my soul to wholeness. And even though I'm still a broken mess, I'm covered by Jesus' nail-scarred hands.

And regardless of my circumstances, rotten attitude, or poor choices, God still loves me and treats me like a treasure--fine china.
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor. 4:7

Peace comes through Thanks

Unless we make it a habit to give thanks, we habitually give our family grief.

Unless we consistently speak praise, we consistently speak poison.

Unless we are intentional about giving God glory throughout the day, our days unintentionally give way to grumbling. ~Ann Voskamp

Check out Ann's blog. It's five minutes well spent.

I start teaching again today, and I'm reminded about how choice brings peace.

I can chose to gripe and focus on the negative and rob myself of joy... still completing the task but with a lack-luster attitude. Or... I can chose to rejoice that I have a job--any job--and a job that keeps me home with my children--who are sanctifying me--and a job that helps pay our bills, and a job that I LOVE.

I'm not especially enthused about spinning another plate, but all my plates are intentional and good. And I'm not saying yes just because. I'm saying yes to my good. I'm saying yes to blessing from His hand.

And so, as I reach for peace, I open my hands and reach up in thanks. Thanks for this time, this moment, this life of training, this hope for the future (eternity forever with the Lover of my soul), and a chance and chance to glorify him at every turn.

Mellow Monday

Confession: I don't enjoy routine. Mondays always get me down. And although I love our home, I'm not a big homebody. Perhaps if I worked outside the house, I would be more so. My two-year-old doesn't like to be home either. It doesn't matter if she's been gone all day running errands with me, she never wants to come home. Perhaps it's because home is where discipline occurs more steadily, and sleeping takes place, and well, let's face it, where Mom is just preoccupied with tasks.

Yesterday I had to tell Maddie that life is not one big party and the sooner she learns and accepts that, the happier she'll be. And then I thought, "Have I accepted that?" Have I come to love and appreciate the mundane, the monotonous tasks that must be completed over and over again, the routine? Sadly, no. Despite my love for checking tasks off the list, I don't enjoy being home with my kids every day. I realize my attitude is all about perspective and gratefulness, but the honest truth is that, sometimes, I just get tired of being a mom.

So Mondays are days of catching up, cleaning up, and assessing my attitude for the week. Am I going to resign myself to the mellow Monday blues or am I going to choose joy? Despite the circumstances, attitude is always in my control.

Thankful Thursday

*To live in America... and have the religious freedoms we do http://www.kidsofcourage.com/?p=1027 Not everyone does.

*To have clean water to drink everyday. http://www2.worldvision.org/?&r=t Not everyone does.

*To be able to be at home with my children. http://dinahsmanymusings.blogspot.com/ Please keep praying for Dinah and baby Wyatt.

*To know the deep grace and love of Jesus Christ my Savior. Not everyone does.

Creative Bounty

Take a trip to a local produce market and reveal in the beauty that is God's creation--the variety of color, smells, tastes, and nourishment that He created for us. The vast assortment testifies to His intricate involvement in our lives. He doesn't just want us to live; He wants us to enjoy.

Not Lacking Anything

This morning, I watched Soul Surfer at Mom and Dad's house. Always a sap for an inspirational movie, I loved it. But more than the movie, I loved Bethany's heart--her perseverance, determination, strength, and faith. When it was over, I commented to Mom, "I hope my kids have that kind of attitude when they grow up." My mom replied with, "I hope I can be that way when I grow up." Her response struck me, because I too felt convicted about how my attitude often reflects anything but the fruit of perseverance. In many ways I'm far from mature. Frequently, my attitude is one of fear and self-absorbed pity. And I'd just as soon give up than push harder.

When the shark chomped off Bethany's arm, the surfer was only 13-years-old. She lost nearly 60% of her blood, and her life was touch and go for awhile. But her and her mother had been praying that God would use her life for great things, and He certainly has. Her experience has brought her name and story into so many homes, testifying to the powerful and loving name of Jesus Christ.

Looking back at a few of my childhood experiences (ruptured appendix at 14), benign breast tumor as a teenager, and various normal ups and downs, I shamefully acknowledge that I did not "let perseverance finish its work so that I would be mature and complete" (James 1:4). I would whine, complain, ask the inevitable "why me?" and demand that God "deliver me." How pitiful. How sad. How arrogant.

To waste an opportunity to allow pain to bring about glory. And my "tests" where so minuscule compared to what many children endure. I've never lost a close loved one, dealt with chronic illness, or any other such tragedy. And still, despite all the blessings, my maturity has come about a little slower, and I've put up more of a fight. In fact, I'm still much, much further from where I'd someday like to be.

But what encourages is me is that God understands we are dust (Ps. 103:14) and He patiently challenges us and refines us with the level of heat we can handle. My goal is to keep growing closer to Him so that heat's intensity means little and little. And someday, as my gaze is fixed on him, my life will speak of His love, strength, and faithfulness.

When you are waiting for a message from God...

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Prayers of Peace

So my last post was about a page long, but something happened to the Internet connection and it wasn't saved... alas, it is gone. :)

But I just wanted to ask that you pray for peace for some people that are on my heart.

*Dinah is a friend in the hospital right now, pregnant with their third child and only 26 weeks along. She's had some complications and has been sequestered to a hospital bed for 10 weeks. Aside from the mental and emotional strain of that situation, she also has two other children that need attending to. Thankfully, family and friends have been around to help, but it's still a trial. I applaud her faith and her attempts to continue to surrender, but please pray for her, the health of her baby, and a peace for her spirit. You can read her blog at http://dinahsmanymusings.blogspot.com/

*I have another dear and close friend whose husband just left for four months to prep. for a Custom's job. As he's already served terms overseas, Abbie is not unfamiliar with solo parenting or responsibility. However, their second child is due in September and she's going to have to do everything on her own. Please pray for God's surrounding peace and strength as she packs up a house, raises her daughter by herself, and transitions to two children.

*Another friend is going through a sad and messy situation that has left her heart more than a little bruised. Please pray that God would restore true identity to her thoughts, peace to her heart, and wisdom for the future.

Thanks, friends.