gentle reminders

This evening as I prepared dinner for the kids (Noel was teaching class) a song came on the radio that has significance to me. The words of the songwriter mirrored my heart the year our second child was born. There was so much that I didn't understand - like why God allows babies and children (like my son) to suffer for no apparent reason for one - and I was really having a hard time dealing with it. Sometimes I still have a hard time dealing with it. Thankfully, it didn't break my faith, though I was angry with God more than I had ever felt anger before or since. One particularly rough night this song came on the radio and it was the cry of my soul and I was able to break down and cry. I did tonight as well....amidst the spaghetti noodles and tomato sauce, the forks and the cups of milk. Truthfully, I still don't understand. I will never claim to understand - and like Job, I wasn't there when the Lord created the universe or breathed life into Adam. I don't know how the stars are made. I don't know how things exist outside of our "box". But I know God has it all under control - even while I do not always agree with how things are and what He allows. He alone knows it all. And He knew I needed a good cry and a gentle reminder.
Thank you, Father.

Jesse Tree devotion
Scripture: Genesis 1:26-31
God is the creator of all things. God made the world and everything in it: the air and the water, the plants and the fish, the animals and the people. When God finished creating the world, it was perfect. When God first created people, even they were perfect. They did not sin or do anything to make God unhappy.

Even though there is now sin and and sadness in the world, God still cares for us. We have been given a beautiful world in which to live, and God has asked us to take care of it. We can care for the world by showing kindness to all living things.

The world is God's gift to us. God wants us to enjoy this gift, but God also wants us to treat it with care.

Thank you for your redeeming plan. I pray for steady, gentle surgeon hands, compassionate nurses and staff that are attentive and accomodating to our son. Please give our son your peaceful, assured presence to calm his fears. Please allow Noel to be with him as he drifts off to sleep.....keep him safe and bring everyone safely home. And also, Lord, if there is opportunity to share you let it be known.
Amen. amen....

tip toes and pre-op stress

I have one little Prima ballerina twirling around the school room. One of her brothers watches her proudly and clapps to encourage her. It is good to see them getting along after arguing this morning over those silly pop-ons. (or is it pop-onz? *shurg*) It's a good moment for reflecting on the joy my children bring and the smiles they so freely give.
It is also a moment where I realize that my snappiness is really due to pre-op stress. I don't know why I didn't think about it....I guess having such a "break" between surgeries let me "forget"? Anyway, I see it for what it is and there we have it.
If you pray, please pray for ease of procedure, comfort, peace for my child and speedy recovery.

strings of lighted hearts

Please look.
Pray,
&
Remember.

We are all one flesh
in the body of Christ.

and then again...

We went as a family to see the Nutcracker Ballet last night. It was a beautiful performance - even the boys enjoyed themselves and all three children danced to the car afterward. The Russian and the dance of the Rose are my favourites, and of course I love the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. On a not so good note, I had an allergic reaction to someone's perfume and today I am in a full blown state of head congestion with a severe sore throat. *sigh* I vaguely remember this mornings messege at church - something about entering God's rest...I was more focused on not clearing my throat every two minutes or worse, having a coughing fit. When we got home I made it long enough to get the kids lunch and then went to bed with Boo watching cartoons next to me while the boys played video games happily in the living room. When I got back up a couple hours later, I was very grumpy - achy still and generally *UG* feeling. The kids ended up with corndogs for dinner - again. *sigh* I griped at the kids, snapped at the kids, and was basically not a very nice mommy. *frown*

Then at dinner I remembered that this is the first night of Advent and that we were going to be getting our "ornaments" colored for our Jesse tree (which I did not explain very well to my oldest who thought we were not doing Christmas presents this year because, well...I was not clear and there was much confusion about having two trees), and then having our first family devotion tonight. What kind of attitude was I having? Was this conducive to anyone enjoying the preparation for the birth of Chirst? -NO- Would it make a lasting memory? -YES, but not a good one-

All achiness aside, I needed to step off my "poor me, I'm icky feeling" martyr box and realize the JOY. I apologized to the kids who were ever so gracious. I was forgiven and we all exchanged encouragements and then....a little bit later I was being snappy again. *frown* Lord help me, please.

I am determined and have purposed in my heart for this to be a wonderful experience for our children and to create warm, joyful memories this year to be thought upon with loving reflection in years to come. I want to impart to my children that this is not just a time for "getting" and "giving" but foremost "receiving"(Christ).

Our devotion tonight is:

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-2
Reading: God has a plan for everything. Long before Jesus was born lived a man named Jesse. Jesse had seven sons; the youngest was named David. When David grew up, he became a great king of Israel. God had a plan for Jesse and for his son David, even before they were born.
Jesus was also a part of Jesse and David's family tree, born many, many years after David. People waited a long time for the birth of the Savior. The season of Advent is a season of waiting for us, too. We wait for Christmas, the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It is hard to be patient, especially when we are waiting for something wonderful like Christmas! But it is important to learn to be patient, and to trust that God has a plan for us, too.

Patient?! Exactly the characteristic I lacked today. Lord have mercy and thank you for your grace! Let this be a season of great anticipation and joy! Amen.