It is a very unusual thing for our family to be on time for any appointment. To be early is a statistical anomaly. It isn't that we don't try to be early... we really do. But the inevitable always happens. There is one child who is forgotten, and the are not even dressed for the day. Usually one of the youngers who cannot get themselves entirely ready. It is getting better, but we still need improvement.
Guess who normally comes in last place for getting ready? That's right, me. Because I am busy getting everyone else ready. I am always the last-ish one ready for church. Usually, I bring my makeup and do it in the car. But it is truly because I have four children to get ready in some capacity.
From time to time I will do the following: I get all the children ready. Dressed, jacketed, and strapped in the car. I turn on a DVD in our van and run inside for a few minutes to either get myself ready or do a quick pick-up of the house. Judge me if you want, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Today I had 15 minutes. The kids were strapped in the van, watching "What's in the Bible with Buck Denver," and contented. I was still in my pajamas. So here's what I did with my 15 minutes before we had to be gone:
Run upstairs. Put my contacts in. Get jeans on, and a shirt off the floor. Has a little something on it, so I get a scarf to cover it. Shoes. Grab cell phone and run downstairs. (Picking up odds and ends as I go) Brush teeth. Deodorant. Wipe face down and get sleepies out of eyes. Eyeliner, mascara and powder. Curl hair. Joush (Is that how you spell it?). Lip balm. Purse and bag 'o errands. Jacket. Out the door.
"Wow, Mom, that only took you 14 minutes."
I felt and looked like a completely different person. As I drove down the street, I giggled at the thought that we moms often jump through many hoops and neglect many things (like showers) to make it to places on time. We feel completely rushed and falling apart. We often stare at each other and think, "Wow, that mom has it together." That mom is probably thinking the same thing of us, and little do we all know that each of us is rushed to get out the door, unable to properly get ready due to time constraints.
In the end, though, we should not feel silly or inadequate. We do important things. Today, I had only 15 minutes because I had to get my little girl in to the dentist to get a tooth fix that was in a lot of pain. We do what little we do to get ourselves ready for the day, we make do with what we have in a pinch, and do things in public that may look ridiculous to strangers around us because we have a high calling: motherhood.
So what is an absolute necessity when you are strapped for time to get ready? What do you do when you only have 15 minutes?
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I Dreamed of Plymouth....
Yesterday was rough.
I mean, crawl in bed, pull the covers over yourself, and declare the day over at noon kind-of-day.
But my knight in gray cotton armor came home at 8 last night and took over...
And I went to bed.
I didn't even stay up to watch a movie with him, or anything.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzz....
And I dreamed. I dreamed of my hometown.
I think that the Lord gives us pleasant dreams right at the times we need them most.
I remembered that I had a great childhood.
My hometown was small. The centerpiece was a giant cow located on the lawn of the local utility company. Everybody knew everybody. Or almost...
Every summer there was a street festival, every fourth of July there were fireworks, every fall there was the county fair. The homecoming parade and game were always crowded. No one missed out on these things.
My mom's family lived close by and I would play with my cousins. We would visit Grandma and Grandpa and eat candy from the dish and play all over their yard. She always had a trace and color book for me to work on too.
I walked to school when I was in elementary. Across town. Warm or cold. Sometimes, we even walked the old railroad tracks to school. I would never let my kids do that in this day, but as much as I complained about it then, I love it now.
We lived by a river and went fishing often. We also lived by a huge park with a forest and went hiking a lot. In winter, we would ice skate at the Mill Pond every weekend and sled at Cardboard Hill.
I had a little neighborhood gang. Kinda like the little rascals, except a little older. Maybe more like Saved By the Bell.... We would play kick the can, british bulldog, capture the flag (at night), and even (only once) ding-dong ditch. We were sometimes little rebels: putting pennies on the train tracks to flatten them, swimming in the fountain, rollerblading down the giant hill in town. Apparently we weren't supposed to do that, but we didn't know.
I rollerbladed all over the place and rode my bike to the gas station to get candy. Giant pixie sticks, razzles, sixlets....
We had a Rexall pharmacy with a lunch counter. The old bank was turned into a really cool coffee shop, where I developed a love for lattes and spent many an afternoon as a teenager. We used to live next to a hippy named Dino, who made the best pizza and subs. But the ultimate place was Richard's A&W drive-in that served local brands. The carhops were mostly pretty and popular high school girls. They had the thick glass mugs filled with frothy root beer. It was always a treat to eat there.
And most of my dream took place at the Craft Barn. Now, I know that sounds really cheesy, but it isn't. The barn is from the 1800's. And little old lady named Becky owned it, and she turned it into a craft shop and lunch place. The food was great. I loved their homemade butterscotch sundaes and dilly beef sandwiches. I would sit on the porch and enjoy a summer cooler with friends or family. As a matter of fact, some of my friends and family worked there.
Life was really carefree. I miss that.
My childhood seems like a dream. And when I woke up happy, I remembered the old saying, "You can never go back..."
I can never go back to the way things were as a child. Sadly, because of the way times have indeed changed, I cannot recreate that life for my children. I must move forward. But I praise the Lord for the wonderful memories I have of that Mayberry-esque place that I had the privilege of growing up in. Plymouth.
I mean, crawl in bed, pull the covers over yourself, and declare the day over at noon kind-of-day.
But my knight in gray cotton armor came home at 8 last night and took over...
And I went to bed.
I didn't even stay up to watch a movie with him, or anything.
ZZZZZZzzzzzzz....
And I dreamed. I dreamed of my hometown.
I think that the Lord gives us pleasant dreams right at the times we need them most.
I remembered that I had a great childhood.
My hometown was small. The centerpiece was a giant cow located on the lawn of the local utility company. Everybody knew everybody. Or almost...
Every summer there was a street festival, every fourth of July there were fireworks, every fall there was the county fair. The homecoming parade and game were always crowded. No one missed out on these things.
My mom's family lived close by and I would play with my cousins. We would visit Grandma and Grandpa and eat candy from the dish and play all over their yard. She always had a trace and color book for me to work on too.
I walked to school when I was in elementary. Across town. Warm or cold. Sometimes, we even walked the old railroad tracks to school. I would never let my kids do that in this day, but as much as I complained about it then, I love it now.
We lived by a river and went fishing often. We also lived by a huge park with a forest and went hiking a lot. In winter, we would ice skate at the Mill Pond every weekend and sled at Cardboard Hill.
I had a little neighborhood gang. Kinda like the little rascals, except a little older. Maybe more like Saved By the Bell.... We would play kick the can, british bulldog, capture the flag (at night), and even (only once) ding-dong ditch. We were sometimes little rebels: putting pennies on the train tracks to flatten them, swimming in the fountain, rollerblading down the giant hill in town. Apparently we weren't supposed to do that, but we didn't know.
I rollerbladed all over the place and rode my bike to the gas station to get candy. Giant pixie sticks, razzles, sixlets....
We had a Rexall pharmacy with a lunch counter. The old bank was turned into a really cool coffee shop, where I developed a love for lattes and spent many an afternoon as a teenager. We used to live next to a hippy named Dino, who made the best pizza and subs. But the ultimate place was Richard's A&W drive-in that served local brands. The carhops were mostly pretty and popular high school girls. They had the thick glass mugs filled with frothy root beer. It was always a treat to eat there.
And most of my dream took place at the Craft Barn. Now, I know that sounds really cheesy, but it isn't. The barn is from the 1800's. And little old lady named Becky owned it, and she turned it into a craft shop and lunch place. The food was great. I loved their homemade butterscotch sundaes and dilly beef sandwiches. I would sit on the porch and enjoy a summer cooler with friends or family. As a matter of fact, some of my friends and family worked there.
Life was really carefree. I miss that.
My childhood seems like a dream. And when I woke up happy, I remembered the old saying, "You can never go back..."
I can never go back to the way things were as a child. Sadly, because of the way times have indeed changed, I cannot recreate that life for my children. I must move forward. But I praise the Lord for the wonderful memories I have of that Mayberry-esque place that I had the privilege of growing up in. Plymouth.
Friday, January 13, 2012
John Deere Dream Come True
Sometime this summer, my son developed a love - nay- an infatuation with John Deere tractors. He loves them and everything about them. This delighted us for many reasons, but one being that Stephen drives a John Deere tractor in the winter to plow snow for a family friend of ours.
Well.
Today we were able to watch my Ethan gaze in unbelief as his daddy pulls up and starts plowing our driveway with a John. Deere. Tractor.
And then came the question that I knew the answer to immediately:
"Do you want to go look at it with Daddy?"
"Yeah!"
I couldn't get him dressed fast enough. He was out the door with Stephen and in the tractor lickety split!
I think these pictures tell the rest of the story...
(I will apologize for the quality of the pictures. Photography is not a strong suit of mine.)
Well.
Today we were able to watch my Ethan gaze in unbelief as his daddy pulls up and starts plowing our driveway with a John. Deere. Tractor.
And then came the question that I knew the answer to immediately:
"Do you want to go look at it with Daddy?"
"Yeah!"
I couldn't get him dressed fast enough. He was out the door with Stephen and in the tractor lickety split!
I think these pictures tell the rest of the story...
(I will apologize for the quality of the pictures. Photography is not a strong suit of mine.)
Stephen patiently showing him the ropes.
Do you see the look of sheer joy on his face? He's raising the plow.
Whoa!
And, of course, all good things must come to an end. I am the cruel parent that captures those moments too.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Lost Art of Grace and Love
A dear Christian lady that I have known for half my life has a birthday this week. She will be 90. That is quite a milestone, to say the least, and as I have thought about her amazing life, I am reminded of a story...
You see, she was my first Pastor's wife. We didn't start going to church regularly until I was a teenager. I was set in my habits and life and was very resistant to change. My parents took the transformation in stages, which I believe was a wise thing to do.
They opened their home to us, and they loved us like we were their grandchildren. I remember Pastor having my sister and me sit on his knee, even though we were really too old for it. But at his age, we were still children in his eyes. We laughed with them both more times than I can count. We cried with them too when the time called for it.
But one Sunday I came to church wearing a dress. The dress. It was made for me. My mom and I picked it out for a dance I had gone to two days before. The dress had a cute black cardigan and the skirt was checkered. It ran a little above my knees, but I didn't really think that was a problem. I was proud of my appearance as I walked into church that morning.
As I walked out and greeted this dear lady, she whispered to me, "Honey, you need to put a brick in that skirt." I didn't really understand at the time, but it finally struck me - my dress was too short in her opinion.
I was offended. I was mad. How dare she tell me what to wear to church? I could do what I wanted!
But.
But as I thought, too, about her, and about how she lived, how she dressed, and how she cared about me, my anger subsided. She was protecting me in her own way. She wasn't nagging, lecturing or calling names. She made one little statement in love. It changed me.
We cling too often to our rights to do things. I wasn't concerned that Sunday about what that dress was doing to the other men in that church. I was immature and naive. But she knew, and she had the bravery to point it out to me.
People like her are needed more often these days. We fall into two extremes - either we say something to another believer with "fervor" and "righteous indignation", when really it is sinful pride, and arrogance of knowledge. Or else, we say nothing. We keep younger Christians from growing in both extremes.
The Bible tells us "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6)
We have lost the art of graciousness.
The Bible also says, "Let all that you do be done in love." (I Corinthians 16:14)
We do not do things in love as often as we should.
People respond to grace and love. May we (including me!) take up these qualities a new, live them out in our lives, and use them fully in helping others be all they can be for Christ. Just like my dear friend...
You see, she was my first Pastor's wife. We didn't start going to church regularly until I was a teenager. I was set in my habits and life and was very resistant to change. My parents took the transformation in stages, which I believe was a wise thing to do.
They opened their home to us, and they loved us like we were their grandchildren. I remember Pastor having my sister and me sit on his knee, even though we were really too old for it. But at his age, we were still children in his eyes. We laughed with them both more times than I can count. We cried with them too when the time called for it.
But one Sunday I came to church wearing a dress. The dress. It was made for me. My mom and I picked it out for a dance I had gone to two days before. The dress had a cute black cardigan and the skirt was checkered. It ran a little above my knees, but I didn't really think that was a problem. I was proud of my appearance as I walked into church that morning.
As I walked out and greeted this dear lady, she whispered to me, "Honey, you need to put a brick in that skirt." I didn't really understand at the time, but it finally struck me - my dress was too short in her opinion.
I was offended. I was mad. How dare she tell me what to wear to church? I could do what I wanted!
But.
But as I thought, too, about her, and about how she lived, how she dressed, and how she cared about me, my anger subsided. She was protecting me in her own way. She wasn't nagging, lecturing or calling names. She made one little statement in love. It changed me.
We cling too often to our rights to do things. I wasn't concerned that Sunday about what that dress was doing to the other men in that church. I was immature and naive. But she knew, and she had the bravery to point it out to me.
People like her are needed more often these days. We fall into two extremes - either we say something to another believer with "fervor" and "righteous indignation", when really it is sinful pride, and arrogance of knowledge. Or else, we say nothing. We keep younger Christians from growing in both extremes.
The Bible tells us "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6)
We have lost the art of graciousness.
The Bible also says, "Let all that you do be done in love." (I Corinthians 16:14)
We do not do things in love as often as we should.
People respond to grace and love. May we (including me!) take up these qualities a new, live them out in our lives, and use them fully in helping others be all they can be for Christ. Just like my dear friend...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Cozi Up
I have a little secret that I really haven't shared with anyone. I am not the most organized person, but I long to be. And I even have a program to use to get me organized that I don't use as often as I should. I have every intention to. There is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with the software. I just get lazy is all...
But I rediscovered it today and want to share it with you!
Cozi.com is fantastic. It's free. It is an online based personal/family organizer with tons of features.
~Journal to enter daily activities in (Not a blog, if you are not into that kind of thing)
~Lists that you can customize (I have one specifically for Costco)
~Texts your lists, daily or weekly schedule and more (No charge by cozi - just your provider charges)
~Color coded calendar to keep your entire family's schedules in one place
~Allows you to text or e-mail reminders to other family members
~A meal planner
~App available for your phone or tablet (I use their chrome app myself)
~Articles and features to help your family (For instance, what fruits are in season right now)
DID I MENTION IT IS FREE?
Just go check it out.... you have nothing to lose!
But I rediscovered it today and want to share it with you!
Cozi.com is fantastic. It's free. It is an online based personal/family organizer with tons of features.
~Journal to enter daily activities in (Not a blog, if you are not into that kind of thing)
~Lists that you can customize (I have one specifically for Costco)
~Texts your lists, daily or weekly schedule and more (No charge by cozi - just your provider charges)
~Color coded calendar to keep your entire family's schedules in one place
~Allows you to text or e-mail reminders to other family members
~A meal planner
~App available for your phone or tablet (I use their chrome app myself)
~Articles and features to help your family (For instance, what fruits are in season right now)
DID I MENTION IT IS FREE?
Just go check it out.... you have nothing to lose!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Joyful Meditations
I am pleased to share with you a new resource! A new online radio station has been started by Berean Baptist Church in Lilburn, GA as of January 1st.
www.joyfulmeditations.org
Joyful Meditations is not simply a radio station, though. They offer Bible study tools, devotionals, and even Bible activity worksheets for the kids. Multiple stations are available, including a kids channel, a Spanish channel and a sermon channel.
If you have been looking for something new, try this out. I do not think that you will be disappointed.
www.joyfulmeditations.org
Joyful Meditations is not simply a radio station, though. They offer Bible study tools, devotionals, and even Bible activity worksheets for the kids. Multiple stations are available, including a kids channel, a Spanish channel and a sermon channel.
If you have been looking for something new, try this out. I do not think that you will be disappointed.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Confident He Will
Oftentimes, when one of my children has had a rough day or has been on a "naughty streak", I will remind them as they go to bed that tomorrow is another day. A fresh start. A do-over. It helps them to realize that I am not going to bring the issues from today into tomorrow.
I don't know about you, but there are many, many times in my life where I feel like I need a do-over. I mess up. A lot. And I will admit, the end of this year had me thinking, "I need a do over." 2011 has been a little rough, to say the least. It seemed like every area of my like needed a serious reset.
And then I came across this verse:
I don't know about you, but there are many, many times in my life where I feel like I need a do-over. I mess up. A lot. And I will admit, the end of this year had me thinking, "I need a do over." 2011 has been a little rough, to say the least. It seemed like every area of my like needed a serious reset.
And then I came across this verse:
Being confident of this very thing,
that He which hath begun a good work in you
will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
~Philippians 1:6
God is not done with me yet! I am a work in progress. He's not surprised by my failures. He knows they are going to happen. He even has a purpose in those failures.... God is doing a good work in me. And there is more to do.
Yet, I want to be perfect NOW. I want to be right ALL the time. What I want is instant sanctification. I demand more from myself sometimes than even God requires of me. He is making me holy in stages... not all at once. If instant sanctification is not His process, then why do I insist on it in my own life?
My confidence, and yours too, should be that God is doing the work in my life. Not me. It is very stressful when we are using our own efforts, our own strength to become more Christlike. And it never will bring lasting change or eternal success. It is His work, not mine, and not yours.
So I am taking this verse and claiming it this year. Every time I fail in anything, I will bring this verse to mind. It gives hope... I don't need a re-do. I am in the middle of one! And I am going to be confident in 2012 that He will continue His work in me.
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