Everything

Have you ever had that thought that won't leave you?  You know that moment when you read something or a friend makes a statement that just goes deep and it wasn't suppose to.  It stops you for a small moment and then as you move on you continually return to it ......... I was searching google and I came across this quote

It took me back to situation I watched  play out one day with our Aly.  See she has the outgoing older sister.  The one who paves the way for her and for a long time made every decision for her.  And as typical older sisters do even spoke for her!!  What's easy for Isabella to give is hard for Aly to sacrifice.  It's just a difference in personality.  Isa will bare her soul anytime and place so you better be ready where Aly needs to feel very safe to share ......well anything.  

It was the end of a school day in the office and with everyone rushing around in attempts to get the last student out of the building finish the last call and move on to the next thing I watched bravery rise up in a little 6 year old who barely talks to anyone.  Our principal walked by at a very quick pace and Aly spoke out her name.  My heart sunk for a second because I thought she wasn't heard but she then followed our principal saying her name one more time followed by a compliment......... "I really like your dress." Observing this valiant effort unfold from a small distance I was ready to scoop down and save her because, not being heard or being heard and dismissed would crush all the bravery that little heart had mustered up.  This Momma knew the sacrifice that it took to give that compliment! It took everything she had.  But I didn't have to scoop because her principal did.  She stopped in her tracks to receive a gift from a child, a compliment, and at the moment her "everything".  Aly's face beamed after that. I was so proud of her and extremely grateful for her principal all at the same time. 

I believe one the reasons we struggle to value a "something" that is another's "everything" is because our pace is too fast and our goal too important.  When our minds aren't full of what needs to get done and there's room left to see the people around us.  That's when we win.  

Will we stop today?  Will we be brave today?  Both take time, heart and a realization of what is truly important.  

Mrs. Black Aly and Mrs. Nix

⁴¹ Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.⁴² But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

⁴³ Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. ⁴⁴ They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:41-44New International Version

Thank you God that you stop for our brave moments.  Thank you that you are not too busy to recognize and place value on us by giving us time.  

SEA

The Rules

Are you a "missed the trees for the forest" type person or "missed the forest for the trees" type?  I tend to be bent toward the latter statement.  I will admit I often have to step back and realize that I'm consumed with rules instead of the big picture?

Last spring Isa and Aly decided to play soccer!  I almost fell out of my seat when Isa responded "yes" to the question.  A few years ago she didn't want to cheer because she would get "too sweaty".  As she was a seven- year old never watching sports in her life, I found this process intriguing and frustrating.  Because her team had all played before,  they knew the point of soccer which is  to put the ball in the other team's goal and to stop it from scoring in your own.  So their practices were about the rules,: off sides, corner kicks, positioning and such.  Isa was learning a lot, but was missing the big picture.  This was evident in her very first game.

Isabella at her first game - Spring 2013 

Isabella was on defense; the opposing team was coming down the field.  The girl with the ball dribbled through the mid-fielder, and she had two defensemen and a goalie left.  As Isa came up to meet her (what she should have done), she looked back and realized she was out of position.  At that moment she turned from the girl on the opposing team and ran back to her spot.  Happy!  She was obeying "the rules", she missed the point!  Yes, as Isa turned her back and ran to her proper position, the other team scored.

After the game it came to me.  I've done that very thing.  I've missed the big picture; the point of "the game" just because I was worried I was out of position.  As a christian, I've become so obsessed with what is right and wrong that I lose sight of the big picture.  The point, what's most important: I believe in life we are to love and be loved.  We have no greater example of this than Christ.

Instead of being overcome with details of right and wrong, can we remember that we are surrounded by a world which is desperately searching for love and acceptance.  The love and acceptance that is only found through Jesus.

For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. - Galatians 5:14 The Message 

Loved

Are you afraid to stop?  Does the thought of slowing down stress you out?  When your to-do list is near an end, do you quickly come up with 10 more things that just have to be done by tomorrow?  What about noise?  Do you treat quietness like a disease?  Is your tv always on or your phone never out of reach?  When you see emptiness in your schedule is the urge to fill it unbearable?  I have to say of myself "guilty"!

There's something in that quiet lonely time that reveals emptiness;  I become aware that I'm not fulfilled.  Because I tend to value myself more by what I do than who I am, I don't like the discontentment I feel. My ultimate goal is to be fixed.  A few short months ago I was challenged by this statement from one of  my hero's, Sheila Walsh: "All my life I've tried to be fixed but I realized I'm not fixed, I'm loved." Those words replay in my head often.  

I have learned that if I pause long enough, through the emptiness, I become fulfilled.  When we admit we are empty, something powerful, something life-changing happens; a quiet still small voice brings all our fears to rest.  There's a voice that calls us to peace.  A voice that says you are not alone.  It doesn't matter what you do, you are loved.

The realization of that love changes everything.   If you never stop and listen, it's hard to hear the reassuring voice of Our Creator.  
 

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Romans 3:20 NIV

A Stolen Moment

Have you been in that place where you know something has to give?  When you're being hit on every side, and you want to clone yourself?  So you just try harder and go faster.  This is where I have given myself, and you, permission to steal.  I'm learning that if we don't steal a few moments away, life can easily pass by.  It's time to welcome what I like to call "Stolen Moments".

When we choose not to stop and take time to look and listen, we conveniently miss out - miss out on the most important parts of life.  It's time to be intentional with our time.   I believe that success in any relationship is built on little moments we choose to steal.  Moments that seem so minute yet mean so much.  

As a mom who feels time torn, I admit that one thing I struggle with is bedtime.  My babies used to go to sleep so easily: we rocked; cuddled; laid them down without a peep; then off to whatever we needed to do.   Then,  we went from crib to bed.  Need I say more ........ bedtime began to drag on FOREVER!  This drives me crazy because I "need" to get so much more done!  So we've been trying something different.  You know besides screaming "get back in bed or else....." It doesn't always work but we've been giving our girls time at night.  Time dedicated to talk, share and cuddle.  This means starting a little earlier but there's something so beautiful about a restful at-peace child.  This past week as I lay with Alexandrea, I began to reflect on my love her.  In that moment I was reminded of how much my heavenly Father loves me.  And out of that came this poem - This is my first one and maybe my last....don't judge too harshly.  


Words were not just thrown in air
We had said our goodnight prayer
In perfect rhythm our two hearts beat
We agree this moment could be lived on repeat
Like a satisfied purrr
Is me and her
Connected by much more than hands
We're encompassed by unfathomable bands
Life for her with out me does not exist
I feel the same this love I can't resist 
And in that moment I become so aware
His LOVE for me does not compare

It's important to steal a moment because in that pause His love is as loud as a roaring applause.  We search and search for love running in all directions and yet He says, "Be still and know" ........ know what?  "Know that He is God" ..... and God is Love.   This week will you stop? Will you listen? Will you look?  

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth 



Psalm 46:10

A Child

You know those  "ahha" moments?  The ones where the light bulb comes on.  I had one yesterday and it's all thanks to my four-year old.  I was listening to music and journalling when my little monkey bounced in.  She opened my night stand drawer and grabbed "the journal".  I learned that if I wanted to journal without having to wake up at 5am before my children began to pull on me, I needed a little trick.  So, I set aside one of my journals for the girls. They draw/write/scribble in it to their little hearts' content.  They both have their own journals, but there's something special about mommy's.

As I wrote, Alexandrea sat down beside me on the floor and began to draw.  "This is a picture of you mom," she said with a smile.  Wanting a little more quiet time, I asked her where she was in the picture.  A few moments later she stood up holding the journal. "This is you and me mom! We're wearing our swimsuits!"  I looked at it and told her how much I liked it, and then it happened.  As I looked down to continue writing, the conversation began: "Mom, is it true that none stand beside Him?" It took me a second to realize she was referring to the song that was playing.  I could see her mind beginning to swim.  She was filtering through the thought that if Mom says He's always with us how can none stand beside Him. "It is true. None can stand beside Him because no one can compare to how great He is, but He reaches down and stands us up." I tried but these are the questions that I love to hear Joey respond to; I have a gift of making things a little more confusing. And then the questioning in her mind stopped and her response was so care free, "Besides, (she shrugged her shoulders) He stands beside us." And she danced off.  She was done, and I was left sitting there asking, "Is it really that simple?"

My "ahha" moment, YES...... it is that simple.  An Incredible God, All Powerful, All Knowing, Full of Righteousness and Glory, One of Whom I am completely unworthy, stepped off His Throne to stand beside us.  His LOVE for us is so great that He humbled himself to become a human so we would never have to be alone.  Does that make His Greatness any less?  Quite the contrary, would you not agree?  And when we truly get this don't you think we should walk with a little dance in our step?

She later danced in and drew God beside us ;)

People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”

Luke 18: 15-17 The Msg

  

Skating Lessons or Life Lessons

Don't you just love those moments when you think you have the best idea and it's just going to be so much fun? You can just picture the smiles and laughter, and know a pat on the back is coming!!  This is how I felt three years ago when I was going to take Isa and Andy skating for the first time.  If you don't know much about my childhood I grew up on the ice.  Well, not literally, but I will tell you at 3yrs. of age my first winter sport was hockey.  I don't even remember learning to skate.  What daughter of mine wouldn't love to skate, and I could teach her.  I had taught my friend's son to skate and it was so special. I wanted that same memory with Isabella and Alexandrea.

The dream began to unravel when I was asked to stop holding Alexandrea while I was skating to ensure her safety after 10 strides.  Then I began to question my parenting when I realized my perfectionist, Isabella,  went from being just a perfectionist to a frustrated perfectionist.  She could not skate perfectly and did not even want to  try.  I mean not at all.  It was horrible.  Needless to say I let the skating dream go.  I never took the girls back to the ice rink.  Until tonight.

Our church was having a family skate night, and I thought it's been three years- why not try again.  On the way I began to prep them, reminding them, "you fall a lot in skating.  That's just part of it.  You won't be perfect right away." As those words were coming out, my mind was thinking this could be a quick night.  I was anxious getting on the ice with the girls.  Isa stayed true to her independent self, and wanted to hold boards and not my hand.  After half a trip around she decided to get brave and let go.  She was doing pretty well-- wobbling here and there but catching her balance.  And then it happened! She lost her balance and hit the ice.  I thought well this is it.  But I was wrong.  She got up and fell again, and laughed.  The rest of the night she wanted nothing to do with me; she was going to conquer this thing on her own.  She spent most of the night on the ice getting back up again.

It was in one of those moments I, again, was challenged by my daughter.  She was making friends as she encircled the ice.  Some would pass her and others she'd skate around.  She would fall and they would ask if she was ok and so on.  As I watched her fall and get back up and fall again, she grabbed the boards and pulled herself up, looking back to see a new friend fall.  Not quite up herself,  she let go of the boards with one of her hands and with a smile, she reached back to help her up.  And I thought "Isn't that life.  Isn't that the point.  We're going to hit bottom sometimes.  We're not perfect, but while we're struggling to get back up why not hold onto what we know is solid with one hand and reach back to help another.  Because it wasn't so long ago we were there, and who knows how long it'll be before we're back down.

Life is a lot like the ice-skating rink.  There are those consumed with getting up and going on only concerned about themselves,  and there are those who take a moment to pause in their struggle and help someone out.  Let's face it we're not going to be perfect before we help someone. But there is a key to helping: if Isa wasn't holding the boards she would have landed right on top of that girl.  I'm thankful that I have a God stable enough to hold me up while I reach out a hand to help another.  He knows I couldn't do it in my own strength.

So if we find ourselves "down" this week,  let's take a moment to pause, to first make sure we're holding tight to Him, and with a gracious heart reach out, smile and remind someone he or she is
 not alone.

Galatians 6:1-3

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

More

I have to say that the last few months have been a little "much" on the busy scale.  I started this blog to keep myself accountable from filling my life with too much "stuff" so  that I miss out on the really important great happenings.  You know like hearing the sweet prayers of your daughters, that challenge you to have a child-like heart, instead of making a to-do list in my head while they are falling asleep. Or having that much-needed time with your husband instead of swapping calendars and car seats.  Or what about actually knowing something about your neighbor other than whether they wave with their left hand or right.  Life easily fills up and still we want more.
I believe that the  need for more ruins a lot of wonderful moments.  At least it has in my life.  Why is it that we are never satisfied?  We need more money, more friends, more time and more accolades.  This is a wonderful season full of family, friends and traditions.  And if we're not careful, it's also a season of wanting more.  Sometimes that desire for more easily defeats the family, friends and traditions.
I often go back to a conversation I had with a close friend and her husband, who is very successful in his field.  It was one of those conversations where the light bulb turned on for me.  We were talking about  his latest success.  He said it's like anything in life, you have to get to that point where you can enjoy where you are.  Once you reach a "goal" there's always "something else",  and if you're not careful you'll spend your whole life striving for "something else".  It was eye-opening for me to realize that all of us have a battle with a craving for more.  Here was someone I thought had it all confessing his struggle of wanting more.
This past week while reading my bible this scripture brought that conversation back to life for me.  Proverbs 15:17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.  There is a lot...... a lot of love in my life.  I can honestly say I will take that love over any admired gift.  So as this wonderful season approaches may we remember the love in our own lives and reach out to those who are searching for it instead of just fulfilling our wants.  And may we never forget this season started because of love

  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 

John 3 :16