Obviously I really stink at this whole blogging thing. Whatever, I'm ok with that. Taking this in a new direction though (no, not the UK boy-band.)
The hubs and I recently finished foster care training classes. We have a few more paperwork items to turn in, one more home visit with the social worker that taught us, then we'll be all official-like! So I may be posting some stuff about our upcoming adventures- but it'll be limited. Kids in the foster system have been through enough and deserve to have their privacy protected. In the meantime, please be praying for our discernment in future decisions/situations.
Let's get this roller coaster started!
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Straight Paths
Easter morning is here and maybe I should be writing about Christ Jesus' resurrection, but on our way to church this rainy morning I noticed an impromptu stream coursing through the overgrown grass just beyond the road. Though the ground appeared flat, the twists and turns of that got me to thinking.
Water takes the path of least resistance. Truth be known, I prefer to take the path of least resistance, too. The Bible tells us that our paths will be made straight. I believe this to be true, but I don't feel that God is going to make the path an easy one. Unlike that little stream of water zig-zagging through the earth, He will keep our direction straight- like a compass guiding us to true north. Sometimes we will traverse through level fields of soft grasses and gentle sunshine. At other times, we'll be ascending mountains, getting soaked while forging through streams, or being slapped in the face by branches during a fierce storm.
Following God is neither easy nor for the weak. It will grow us stronger, weaken and humble us, trek us past temptations, toughen our skin, soften our hearts, and reveal to us our weaknesses. When we are too tired to move on, we will lean not on our own understanding- but rather He will let us lean upon Him. We will find shelter under His wings. And when we are rested, He will urge us back along the straight path He has laid before us.
Water takes the path of least resistance. Truth be known, I prefer to take the path of least resistance, too. The Bible tells us that our paths will be made straight. I believe this to be true, but I don't feel that God is going to make the path an easy one. Unlike that little stream of water zig-zagging through the earth, He will keep our direction straight- like a compass guiding us to true north. Sometimes we will traverse through level fields of soft grasses and gentle sunshine. At other times, we'll be ascending mountains, getting soaked while forging through streams, or being slapped in the face by branches during a fierce storm.
Following God is neither easy nor for the weak. It will grow us stronger, weaken and humble us, trek us past temptations, toughen our skin, soften our hearts, and reveal to us our weaknesses. When we are too tired to move on, we will lean not on our own understanding- but rather He will let us lean upon Him. We will find shelter under His wings. And when we are rested, He will urge us back along the straight path He has laid before us.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Asking God, "Why?"
Lately, I've noticed a lot of stories about children going through rough things. A lot of that is my increasing sensitivity towards caring for foster children, but that's another story. So many people want to know why God allows bad stuff to happen. I certainly don't have that answer. But one thing I -in my small, insignificant way- can glean from it is that God IS using it for good. "What good can come from a child going through those things?" I don't know. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts," says God. God, the very One who created each of us, who wants the heavenly-best for us, who loves us. The best I can get my earthly head around this in an example is with my son.
Once I was using a hot glue gun and gave my son several warnings to stay far from it. He, being an I know-everything 4 year old boy, didn't listen. Repeatedly. He eventually ended up touching it. (It was on the low setting, there was only a small red spot, not even a blister, and I had the aloe plant near at hand!) He learned that day. Though not in the way I wanted him to learn, he did gain from that bad experience. Any time after that we neared a bonfire or other, much hotter surfaces, I had only to mention the glue gun and he stayed far away. On several occassions, that kept him safe- from rogue sparks, from tripping into a fire (my growth-spurting kid kept his distance, so he tripped several yards away instead of right beside the fire), from grabbing a cookie off the baking sheet fresh out of the oven. He needs only that reminder. As much as it clenched my insides to see him hurt from the glue gun, it was a much better situation than had the others happened. And through all the struggles and pain we see people go through, we do not know the worse things He may be saving them from.
Perhaps being a christian means having enough joy to be able to see the good that comes from the bad, and not getting hung up on just the bad. Maybe being a parent means having a tiny smidgeon of understanding of how it pains God to see His children go through these things. For we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him . Never forget that God is close to the brokenhearted. Let Him comfort you.
Once I was using a hot glue gun and gave my son several warnings to stay far from it. He, being an I know-everything 4 year old boy, didn't listen. Repeatedly. He eventually ended up touching it. (It was on the low setting, there was only a small red spot, not even a blister, and I had the aloe plant near at hand!) He learned that day. Though not in the way I wanted him to learn, he did gain from that bad experience. Any time after that we neared a bonfire or other, much hotter surfaces, I had only to mention the glue gun and he stayed far away. On several occassions, that kept him safe- from rogue sparks, from tripping into a fire (my growth-spurting kid kept his distance, so he tripped several yards away instead of right beside the fire), from grabbing a cookie off the baking sheet fresh out of the oven. He needs only that reminder. As much as it clenched my insides to see him hurt from the glue gun, it was a much better situation than had the others happened. And through all the struggles and pain we see people go through, we do not know the worse things He may be saving them from.
Perhaps being a christian means having enough joy to be able to see the good that comes from the bad, and not getting hung up on just the bad. Maybe being a parent means having a tiny smidgeon of understanding of how it pains God to see His children go through these things. For we know in all things God works for the good of those who love him . Never forget that God is close to the brokenhearted. Let Him comfort you.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Is it getting hot in here?
I am a mom to a now 7 year old son. He is wonderful in my eyes, but certainly not without fault. Yet I must admit- I have no intention of ever home schooling him. (If God should put it on my heart to do so in the future, I will do my best to obey fully, but He has not done so at this point.) I have nothing against homeschooling. I think it a very wise decision for some kids. I think it a wise choice for some moms (or dads.) I see many benefits of it. A Christian home-schooling parent can make teaching Jesus' love to a child a great priority. This is not a bad thing! I'm not one that is going to say homeschooled children are not socialized enough. Some are. Some are not. Isn't this true in all facets of life?
I have several friends (ok, more like close aquaintances -since I don't run in the homeschooling-friends circle, we simply haven't had opportunity to truly become good friends) that homeschool their children and they feel it is the right choice. Wonderful. If they feel they are following God's call for their lives, then who am I to judge or disparage that? I am glad they are following God's plan for them. However, I am so sick and tired of seeing so many posts, hearing comments, observing insinuations- that children in public schools are horrible. Evil. Bad influences. Only of this world. You know what? Much of that is true! This is indeed a broken world! Jesus said the gate is narrow and few will pass through it. He also said to go forth and make disciples of all men. He didn't command that we keep to our own little bubble, our science control group. If we are living with no resistance from the enemy, then we can know that we are not doing all that God is calling us to. We can expect to be persecuted for our faith. Does that sound like fun? Absolutely not. But if I keep my son home for schooling, he is not out in the world sharing about Jesus.
My son has been called names on the bus, and he doesn't like it- but he handles it extremely well and it affords us an opportunity to talk about forgiveness and loving others that don't deserve our love. (Sounds familiar, doesn't it?) Don't get me wrong- the mama bear in me wants to thoroughly shake sense into those that tease my son. But through this, I am growing in my faith to trust God to take care of my son. More importantly, my son has grown. He's shared what he's learned of Jesus with those on his bus- some of which are the very ones that tease him. He has told them that Christmas is not about getting presents, but celebrating the birth of Jesus. Before Easter, he waited to exit the bus so he could finish telling some kids about how Easter wasn't about a bunny but that it is about Jesus' resurrection- His coming back to life. And when, another time, some kids on the bus stood up for my son telling the kid picking on him that no one likes a bully, my then 6 year old son told them all that he loved even the bully because Jesus wants him to love everyone. He continuously invited a classmate to church despite her parents telling her that church was bad. He spoke of it in a way that made her want to go with him.
I don't know what affect, if any, these comments will have on those around my son. God may turn these moments of tiny-seed truth into mighty oaks of righeousness. Or these same kids may ultimately deny Him. I don't know, and it's probably not for me to know in this lifetime. What I do know is that my son is trying to share what he knows of Jesus' love with other kids at those dreaded public schools. He has opportunities to help bring in the harvest that those in a homeschooled environment don't currently have. So please, as a 'public school mom', stop saying how horribly awful and terribly evil kids like my son are simply because they go to school in a public capacity. Please try to focus a bit more on gracing them with christian compassion instead of casting generalized judgements on them.
I have several friends (ok, more like close aquaintances -since I don't run in the homeschooling-friends circle, we simply haven't had opportunity to truly become good friends) that homeschool their children and they feel it is the right choice. Wonderful. If they feel they are following God's call for their lives, then who am I to judge or disparage that? I am glad they are following God's plan for them. However, I am so sick and tired of seeing so many posts, hearing comments, observing insinuations- that children in public schools are horrible. Evil. Bad influences. Only of this world. You know what? Much of that is true! This is indeed a broken world! Jesus said the gate is narrow and few will pass through it. He also said to go forth and make disciples of all men. He didn't command that we keep to our own little bubble, our science control group. If we are living with no resistance from the enemy, then we can know that we are not doing all that God is calling us to. We can expect to be persecuted for our faith. Does that sound like fun? Absolutely not. But if I keep my son home for schooling, he is not out in the world sharing about Jesus.
My son has been called names on the bus, and he doesn't like it- but he handles it extremely well and it affords us an opportunity to talk about forgiveness and loving others that don't deserve our love. (Sounds familiar, doesn't it?) Don't get me wrong- the mama bear in me wants to thoroughly shake sense into those that tease my son. But through this, I am growing in my faith to trust God to take care of my son. More importantly, my son has grown. He's shared what he's learned of Jesus with those on his bus- some of which are the very ones that tease him. He has told them that Christmas is not about getting presents, but celebrating the birth of Jesus. Before Easter, he waited to exit the bus so he could finish telling some kids about how Easter wasn't about a bunny but that it is about Jesus' resurrection- His coming back to life. And when, another time, some kids on the bus stood up for my son telling the kid picking on him that no one likes a bully, my then 6 year old son told them all that he loved even the bully because Jesus wants him to love everyone. He continuously invited a classmate to church despite her parents telling her that church was bad. He spoke of it in a way that made her want to go with him.
I don't know what affect, if any, these comments will have on those around my son. God may turn these moments of tiny-seed truth into mighty oaks of righeousness. Or these same kids may ultimately deny Him. I don't know, and it's probably not for me to know in this lifetime. What I do know is that my son is trying to share what he knows of Jesus' love with other kids at those dreaded public schools. He has opportunities to help bring in the harvest that those in a homeschooled environment don't currently have. So please, as a 'public school mom', stop saying how horribly awful and terribly evil kids like my son are simply because they go to school in a public capacity. Please try to focus a bit more on gracing them with christian compassion instead of casting generalized judgements on them.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Winds of Rain
Pulling weeds on a warm April day, I am aware of many things. The temperature of the dirt. The feel of it crumbling through my fingers as I lift another root out of the ground. The stillness taking over the sky. Birds have quieted their songs and a low, gentle rumble can be heard from somewhere distant. A breeze drifts by, its coolness flowing over my hands and face. The recognizable dampness that comes only just before the rain- with the scent of something strong, fresh, revitalizing- has arrived. In a few minutes, perhaps even an hour, there will be rain. A storm. With power to nurture; destroy; beautify; reveal. Whatever God commands.
In His kindness and wisdom, He has gifted that moment of peace and comfort preceding the storm to envelop, to calm. Perhaps not so much a warning of what is to come, but a reassurance that He is in control. That in Him, we can breathe in His refreshment. To feel again the invigoration of life that He has created and made new. He graciously allows us to have that moment of tranquility to get us through the storminess that is about to pass by. The storm may not halt us, but it can redirect us. Fully embrace the cool breeze ahead of it so that it may lead you- harbor you- for whatever may come.
Psalm 68: 7-9
When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.
In His kindness and wisdom, He has gifted that moment of peace and comfort preceding the storm to envelop, to calm. Perhaps not so much a warning of what is to come, but a reassurance that He is in control. That in Him, we can breathe in His refreshment. To feel again the invigoration of life that He has created and made new. He graciously allows us to have that moment of tranquility to get us through the storminess that is about to pass by. The storm may not halt us, but it can redirect us. Fully embrace the cool breeze ahead of it so that it may lead you- harbor you- for whatever may come.
Psalm 68: 7-9
When you, God, went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness, the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain, before God, the One of Sinai, before God, the God of Israel. You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Misunderstood
Lately, I have been misunderstood. Misunderstood in my motives and actions. A lot. This is nothing new to me, and I still get in trouble for it. Chastised. Turned away from. Put down. Blamed.
The first time I remember being misunderstood was in first grade. My next door neighbor sat in the seat behind me. She had just gotten permission from the teacher for a bathroom break. Before my friend returned, the teacher said to pass all papers forward. I turned around to collect papers from those behind me and noticed she had not written her name, so I grabbed a pencil and started to write in her name. The next thing I recall was two hands slamming down hard on my desk, asking me, "Just what are you doing?" I then got a lecture about not damaging other kids' papers, not messing up their work. And didn't I have any respect for my classmates, that I would intentionally try to ruin their hard work? Um...
Being the shy kid that I was- and still am in many ways- I couldn't have said anything even if I had been allowed the chance. Since that day ~27 years ago, I have gained *just* enough courage to speak up for myself if I need to defend my actions. However, I still can't get the words out clearly or fast enough to explain. I trip over my own tongue. The other person doesn't have time to hear me out- or chooses not to listen. The worst of my frustration comes from not having a chance to be heard. To be listened to. So please read this now as a courtesy to me- most of my actions do not have an undercurrent of destruction and mayhem for all those around me. I am trying to help. If it offends you, doesn't help, is out of line or anything else, let me know- but also give me a chance to defend myself.
I think at this point in my life, I am going to try very hard not to help others. To stop doing things or reminding people of their duties so that they don't get into trouble for dropping the ball. I can get myself into trouble just fine all on my own, thank you very much. I don't need to receive the blame that should have fallen on others. So if you see me no longer trying to help others, no longer asking what I can do to be of service, know that I am trying to protect myself for a change. It's selfish, sure. And I imagine it'll be misunderstood as being lazy and not caring for others. I'm going to try not to care. I'm going to try to save some of my time and energy for my family. And I am going to do my level-best to make sure that, though he makes mistakes, my son knows I will hear him out. I will listen. Listen until he is done explaining himself. And I will try to teach him that the only one that can ever truly, fully and unfailingly listen to him is God. "...God, who knows the heart..." -Acts 15:8 And HE is the only one that truly matters.
The first time I remember being misunderstood was in first grade. My next door neighbor sat in the seat behind me. She had just gotten permission from the teacher for a bathroom break. Before my friend returned, the teacher said to pass all papers forward. I turned around to collect papers from those behind me and noticed she had not written her name, so I grabbed a pencil and started to write in her name. The next thing I recall was two hands slamming down hard on my desk, asking me, "Just what are you doing?" I then got a lecture about not damaging other kids' papers, not messing up their work. And didn't I have any respect for my classmates, that I would intentionally try to ruin their hard work? Um...
Being the shy kid that I was- and still am in many ways- I couldn't have said anything even if I had been allowed the chance. Since that day ~27 years ago, I have gained *just* enough courage to speak up for myself if I need to defend my actions. However, I still can't get the words out clearly or fast enough to explain. I trip over my own tongue. The other person doesn't have time to hear me out- or chooses not to listen. The worst of my frustration comes from not having a chance to be heard. To be listened to. So please read this now as a courtesy to me- most of my actions do not have an undercurrent of destruction and mayhem for all those around me. I am trying to help. If it offends you, doesn't help, is out of line or anything else, let me know- but also give me a chance to defend myself.
I think at this point in my life, I am going to try very hard not to help others. To stop doing things or reminding people of their duties so that they don't get into trouble for dropping the ball. I can get myself into trouble just fine all on my own, thank you very much. I don't need to receive the blame that should have fallen on others. So if you see me no longer trying to help others, no longer asking what I can do to be of service, know that I am trying to protect myself for a change. It's selfish, sure. And I imagine it'll be misunderstood as being lazy and not caring for others. I'm going to try not to care. I'm going to try to save some of my time and energy for my family. And I am going to do my level-best to make sure that, though he makes mistakes, my son knows I will hear him out. I will listen. Listen until he is done explaining himself. And I will try to teach him that the only one that can ever truly, fully and unfailingly listen to him is God. "...God, who knows the heart..." -Acts 15:8 And HE is the only one that truly matters.
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