Not Just A Sunday Thing - Week 10

Did you miss me last Sunday?  I was traveling home from Indiana and I am not tech savvy enough to post from the road.  Maybe when I get a smart phone, right?

I sat on the remote this morning when I sat down in the dark with my first cup of coffee before church.

Totally scared myself.

Really.

Charles Stanley was on reading this scripture.  John 3:17-21,

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

I decided in my head that God really wanted me to hear that verse, if he helped me time my getting up, my kitchen busyness before I sat down...and then the actual sitting down upon the remote.  (Little secret:  I have so much padding, I didn't "feel" the remote.  I realized what I had done after it turned the t.v. on!)

I made a note of the Bible verse and went on with my morning getting ready and attending church.  The sermon today was based on Galatians 4:1-8,

What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces[a] of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c] Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

Here is what I took from both of the scriptures today:

God loves us.  He really, really loves us.

He truly does think of us like his children.

Then, I went to my Sunday School class where we are still talking through Jen Hatmaker's For The Love.   

We had kind of a sobering talk about the post modern world and raising children, especially Godly children, in a post modern world.  A world where there are really no rights and wrongs and things are all shades of gray, with no black or white.  Where is there room (or reason) in that kind of world for God?  The God.  My God.

Our discussion ended up boiling down to really just trying to love like Jesus loved.  In Jen's words:  The best we can do is to give them Jesus.  Not rules.  Not behaviors.  No entertainment.  Not shame.

It gave me something to think about today.  I came home and asked my kids if they felt like they were living in a post modern world.  Once I explained to them what I meant by that question, they said that they did.  That most of the world seemed to think that nothing is wrong.  No choice.  No behavior.  Anything goes.....unless it is something that they think is wrong.

We talked about how sad that was.  Not that we wanted to be all judgmental and tell people what is right and wrong, but that the concept of right and wrong was such a foreign concept to most people.  It made me scared for our world.  It made me afraid of who my kids are going to end up marrying.

Then, I had to stop myself and remember not to live out of fear, but of love.  

I am going to go try to be the light that Jesus was when he first came.  To love the way a parent loves their children.  I will really, really try to do it in a way where it makes it look attractive to be  a follower of Christ.  Where it doesn't look like something only hypocrites do.  Where it doesn't look like drudgery.  Where my face reflects joy and not a pinched face of condescension for people who aren't like me.  

What do you think?  Are we living in a post modern world where there is no room for actual "right" and "wrong"?  Will our kids all fall away from church and a relationship with Jesus?  Is there a better way to....(I hate to use this word, but)....."market" Christianity?

Not Just a Sunday Thing - Week 9

Do you ever wake up and "fix" your dreams?  Or is that just me?

I had a few back to back dreams this week.  Dreams that didn't end well, so, I had to fix them, as soon as I woke up.

The first one was sort of a Planet of the Apes-type one that had our family being split up on different sides of town and the gorilla ape people were picking and choosing the people that they were going to be taking home to be their servants...or something like that.  (I will be honest and say that I have never seen a complete version of Planet of the Apes because it creeped me out too much).  But, anyway, I was standing in line with my 3 youngest, wondering where Rainman and my 3 bigs were....meanwhile, we were moving closer and closer to the front of the line and it was becoming clearer and clearer that we would not be allowed to stay together as a family unit.  I started to panic.

Then, I woke up.

This dream was followed, in the same night, by a dream where the family was again somehow in two different places and I was only in possession of the littles....again.  This time around, there were aliens, in disguise as very large, military like people, rounding up humans and putting them on buses to be taken....I don't know where.  I somehow got separated from S-girl and A-man, but was still holding tight to V-girl.  I can remember in my dream bending over and whispering to her that mom was about to tell a lie, but this time it was okay, and that she needed to play along with me.  I spotted S-girl and A-man on a bus looking out a window at me.  Scared.  I went over to that bus, reached around people, grabbed them both, said something to the alien standing there with a clipboard that we had to go to the bathroom. I did a quick, whispered instruction to the other two that they needed to pretend they needed to go really bad.  I grabbed their hands and whisked the three of them off towards the bathrooms.  Telling any alien that we passed that we had permission and we would be right back. But, instead of going to the bathrooms, we went down to the basement of the building, to try and escape and find Rainman and my big kids.

Then, I woke up.

After both dreams, I woke up and immediately "fixed" the outcome.

I don't remember exactly what my new endings were, or how exactly we escaped capture and enslavement,  but it was something along the lines of...then we found Rainman and the other kids....snuck away to the country....and were safe and lived happily ever after.  Together.  At which, I promptly rolled over and fell back asleep.  (Well, I probably got up and peed and then got back into bed, rolled over and fell asleep.)

I actually remembered both of the dreams the next day and Rainman had a good laugh at both of my scenarios. We wondered what a psychologist or someone skilled in dream analysis would think of my dreams.

Then, I got to thinking that God had used dreams and dream interpretation in the Bible to actually get a message delivered.

So, of course, I started worrying a bit that someone or something was going to try to separate my family and not let us be together.  I wondered if God was trying to tell me something about our family sticking together and not getting separated, and definitely having the courage to stand up and do whatever it took to stay together. (Believe me, the apes and the aliens were large, scary and imposing - but I stood up to them - because....my babies....you know?)

I have no idea if my dreams were random or really meant something.  I just know it solidified in my head what is important to me.

I have a lot of good, and even great things in my life.

A nice house.  Two vehicles that are actually paid for.

I am making a little money working outside the home.  That is great.

Singing in the praise band and choir at my church is great.

Even living in a country where I am able to talk about God and worship Him openly and proudly is great.

All great things, but, what it really boils down to is that Rainman and my 6 little humans that get to be mine, are what is really, truly important to me.  That really is the most important thing.  Important enough for me to "fix" pretend situations in my dreams that stop that from being my reality.

It made me think of that trite saying  everything will be fine as long as we are together.  The older I get, the more I agree with it....sappy or not.

It reminded of back when Rainman had told me we were going to have to move to Georgia.  I cried.  A lot.  Mostly in secret.  I proceeded with all the stuff that went along with relocating our family.  Packing.  Making all the arrangements, talking to the moving company, disconnecting services.  All that "stuff" that goes with a big movet.  But, my stoic demeanor had Rainman convinced that I was actually angry.  Angry at him for making me move away from my family.

Everything came to a head one Sunday afternoon.  I can't remember exactly how it started, but it turned into an actual yelling argument...he accused me of being angry that we had to move.  I yelled back, "I am not angry!  I am sad.!"  I continued yelling at him  that I was holding it together the best I could and how dare he tell me how I could or couldn't feel.

It was at this point that I dramatically threw myself down on our bed and sobbed into my pillow. Now, remember, I was like 6 or 7 months pregnant when this all happened too...so cut me a little slack in your minds.  Okay?

Rainman, who was rightfully shocked by this very out of character outburst from me, stood awkwardly for a few moments before finally sitting down next to me.  He proceeded to sort of pat my back while he quietly told me that the kids and I didn't have to move, that he could commute.  Lots of other people were planning to fly back to Minnesota on weekends and he figured he could do that too....then I could stay close to my family.

I remember letting his words sink in.  I remember them being sweet, but really kind of ticking me off a bit too (remember....pregnant).  I sat up and said to him, "You and the kids are my family now...so, where you are....we are.  You are going to Georgia, so we are going to Georgia."

I have said it before and I will say it again, God made it clear almost from the beginning that He had plans for us in Georgia.  Things just kept falling into place that made it clear that we were supposed to end up in Georgia, whether we liked it or not. (believe me when I say we tried just about everything to be able to stay in Minnesota)

Here we are.  In Georgia.  Together.  D-man will be leaving our home next fall to go to college.  I wonder if that thought isn't bouncing around in the back of my subconscious mind causing these dreams.....wondering how I will cope when my family unit of 8, starts dwindling to smaller numbers....

I just have to calm my psyche with the thoughts and belief that we are where we are supposed to be, with the people we are supposed to be with and not let ourselves get too distracted by other things, or even other people who might be trying to "Planet of the Apes" our family.

What I learned from my dreams is....Don't mess with mama.  She will fix it, if she can!  God gave me a gift in these people.  I am going to be with them as much as I can.  We are at our best and strongest when we are together.  Maybe we should all start holding  hands whenever we go places so we don't get separated....LOL!

Not Just A Sunday Thing - Week 8

Words of wisdom from the sermon today:

If you have joy in your heart....let your face know.

Ha!

Doesn't that make you think?

What does your face show?

I am pretty sure most of you have heard that phrase referring to someone's "resting" face. Do you know which one I am talking about?

The "resting b*t*h face". (Sorry about the use of asterisks on this family friendly blog, but that is the only word I have ever heard used in that phrase.)

The kids and I talk about this sometimes...how you will look at someone and think they are going to be the crankiest, meanest person in the world, based on how they look when they are just sitting there....but then, you get to know them and they are the sweetest, kindest, nicest person ever.  You really just never know.  But, shouldn't you sort of be able to tell?

Do people know how they look to the world?

It has made me wonder, more than once, what my resting face says to the world.  So, I made D-man take a picture of mine and send it to me.  (See what you get for hanging out in the living room with your mom, D-man?!?)

Does it say I am tired?

Does it say I am annoyed?

Does it say I really need to get some eyebrows?

Does it say I am happy and joyful?

I can remember my dad pushing his thumb into the center of my forehead between my eyebrows whenever I would furrow up my brow.  He told me not to do it too much or my face would stay that way and I would have permanent wrinkles that would make me always look angry.

I thought of that again this morning, when my pastor talked about letting our joy show on our face for all to see.

Which things on my face am I allowing to become permanent wrinkles?  The cranky furrowed brow or the joyous eye crinkles?

It also made me think back on something I once heard on Oprah....about whether or not your face lights up when your child enters the room.  (I just looked it up...and it was Toni Morrison who said it on Oprah).

I am pretty sure my face does usually light up when I see my kids.  People have told me sometimes they can tell when I am singing and I am looking at my kids because I look happy (that can go the other way too, if they are acting up and I am in the middle of a song and am trying to communicate my displeasure to them, while keeping the congregation in the dark, but with my face I am conveying the message that they had better stop whatever they are doing right this second!)

Overall though, my heart does a little leap of joy when I see my kids, so, I guess, my face also says "Woo Hoo" when I see my little sweethearts.  Don't all parents feel that way?  Or do they feel that way and then just not show it? We watched a Christmas movie this last week with Amber Riley who had a rough childhood and was putting herself through school, working a bunch of jobs, singing in her church choir, but was looking for a family to spend Christmas with.  Her dad was still alive, but basically wanted nothing to do with her.  There was a heartbreaking scene where she decided to try one more time to connect with him and have a real family.  He still rejected her, even though she was a success and wasn't there to ask him for anything.  She went on a mission to find and create her own new family.

It reminded me again that all families aren't like ours.  You have heard me mention the book For The Love, by Jen Hatmaker.  I still totally recommend you go and get your own copy. (I will tell you in a later post how sweet my friends are.)

 (this image will take you to my affiliate link at Amazon).

In our class today, we talked about her chapter on Sweet and Spicy families.

It sparked an interesting conversation about what we all thought the other families were.  I think all of us thought our own families were Spicy, despite the fact that others may have thought we were the Sweet families spending our free time knitting and singing hymns.

We all seem to dwell on the stuff we are sure we are screwing up and judging ourselves against what others are doing great.

The whole point of this specific chapter on sweet and spicy families was that we are all probably doing a better job than we think at this whole parenting thing.  Condemnation and shame are just tricky tools the Devil tries to use to sideline us and make us feel like crap.

Don't let him do it.

If you have Jesus...and Joy in your heart....let your resting face....and  your permanent wrinkles look more like this....

(Was I just looking for an excuse to post a picture where I look good?  Maybe.)

....and not so much like this...

(Although, I have to say, I don't completely hate my "resting" face....at least I am pretty sure I don't look like an asterisk filled "b" word!  Right?!? LOL)

Not Just a Sunday Thing - Week 7

We are reading a great book in my Sunday School class.  For the Love, by Jen Hatmaker.

Moment of full disclosure here....I haven't bought the book.  I was going to...it has been sitting in my Amazon cart for over a month now.  But, it is hard for me to spend money sometimes.  So, I let it sit there, thinking I would order it later.  Then, I got busy and forgot......then, I didn't get it because I was going to be in Minnesota.....then I decided that we were already half way through the book, so what was the point..... you know?  Even though the book is completely  awesome, and Jen and I should become best buddies and hang out all the time....I decided I would
just see if I could borrow it from someone else once we finish the study.



It is so good.  A mix of deep and funny/light stuff.

Today, we talked mostly about chapter 7 which is entitled Tell The Truth.

In it, Jen (yes, I called her Jen, like I actually know her or something....) talked about living your authentic life and not caring what people think or say about you.  I  liked her caution that didn't mean you blurt out all your "stuff" to the lady you pass in the parking lot of Kroger, but surround yourself with your "people" that make it okay to be your true/authentic self. I am totally paraphrasing here, but it was a good chapter.

Our pastor made a point about honesty and being truthful in his sermon today too.  But...... here is another moment of full disclosure here.....where I will tell the truth.....I don't remember what his point even was.  He used the phrase that went something like, "Can you imagine if you told the truth...". and my brain was off and running...I let my mind get distracted by what had happened  before church today.

You see, I had logged onto Facebook while I drank my coffee this morning and perused what my friends had been up to.  One of my old friends from high school had posted a Buzz Feed video entitled "If Sex Was Honest!".  Apparently, she thought it was really funny, and even used capital letters in her description.... so....... I clicked play.  About 30 seconds in, I had to stop...it didn't seem like it was something that I should be watching as I got ready to lead worship, you know?   (You will be happy to know I was able to wrangle my mind back to for the rest of the sermon) Who knew that God was going to be able to use that piece of a video and tie it into both the sermon and my Sunday School class today?

God really is funny in the most awesome way.

Anyway, back to telling the truth.  Even without knowing all the details from the video, my brain went to the point of...what would things be like if you actually told the truth?   One of the ladies in my Sunday School class said it makes her think of that Jack Nicholson movie..you know...this one...

I didn't quite go that far in my mind....I went more towards this....

Cracked myself up with that one.  But, it is true.  That is more my truth.  I don't have any big skeletons in my closet.  I don't have a secret second family.  I am not having an affair....nor does the idea interest me in the least!   I don't have any secret obsessions or addictions.

I am just me. Trying to live my truth.  I want to sit home, bra-less and do something relaxing that isn't educational.  You know?  I really do try to present myself pretty much as I really am....but, I am hoping for the cutest picture of myself to post alongside it.  LOL  

In class, we talked about the fact that the older we get, we realize that everybody has a story...everyone has a struggle....so even if they are only showing you the happy smiling pictures of their "perfect" life....or "perfect" marriage  or "perfect" children..... we know....we know it isn't really all that perfect.

One of my friends said that every "perfect" marriage she has seen has ended up in divorce.

I don't want to be perfect.  I don't want a perfect marriage or perfect children.   I just want Rainman and my 6 little people (who aren't quite so little anymore).   I want to be the best me I can be.  But, to do that....to be that....I need to be real.  I need to be authentic.  Sometimes that is scary.  In a way, it feels like giving some of your power away to let people see all the real, truthful stuff about you....but in a way, it is freeing too.  So, I am trying.  I am trying to be real.  I am trying to Tell The Truth.


How about you?  Is it hard for you to be authentic?  Is it hard for you to trust people with your real and true self?  Any words of wisdom or advice on how to be courageous enough to let people see and know the real you?

Not Just a Sunday Thing - Week 6

I have a friend, from Minnesota, named Edith.  I am going to use her real name, instead of calling her E-woman or something.....since, you don't hear that name very often these days.  Although I could just call her E, because she signs her letters and messages like this:

LovE

Edith and I met years ago....I am going to say it was something like 18 or 19 years ago at a women's retreat in Northern Minnesota.  She was an attendee and I was a worker bee.  I used to work this women's retreat every year as a Massage Therapist.  I would give anywhere between 12 to 15 massages in a weekend (plus, I usually had a baby at home, so I had to schedule in time to pump breast milk - I know TMI, right!).  It was exhausting.  I could barely walk by the end of the weekend....but it was REALLY good money...so I didn't slow down.

One year, I was also asked to teach a breakout session on massage.  That is where I met Edith.  She signed up for my class and even raised her hand and asked questions.  I don't remember much about the class, but I remember I was teaching how to give a good foot massage and had them partner up with each other.  Edith raised her hand and asked what you do if you don't have a partner at home. (basically saying, what was the point in learning partner massage if, in real life, you didn't have a "partner"?)  So, I shifted the class tone to being able to work some of your own kinks and aches and pains out....if you were limber enough.  I got the first glimpse of the no nonsense, common sense kind of gal that Edith is.

After the class, Edith took my card and that was that.  I am pretty sure that she didn't book a massage with me that weekend.  I can't quite remember.  But, she did call me and schedule one when she got home.  The rest is history.  She was one of my regular clients up until we moved to  Georgia.

I have almost always ended up as actual, real life, friends with my massage clients.  Edith was no exception.  She and I ended up as true friends.  Edith is a spectacular person.  I used to joke around and tell people that I wanted to be Edith when I grew up.  (Although it wasn't really a joke)  She is a woman of faith.  She raised 8 kids.  She is well read.  She is smart.  She is funny and clever.  She has a zip in her step and a ready smile for anyone who will give her a chance.  She is kind.  She has a real zest for life and is always looking for her new adventure.  Always.  Like, she really doesn't seem to be afraid of much of anything.

Edith is also one of my most faithful blog readers. Even though her kids are all grown (and even most of her grandchildren too).  She reads every post....even my homeschool review posts.  She will send me a quick e-mail or even an old fashioned letter if she enjoyed something particular or had something to share with me after reading my blog.  Most of the time though, she just sends me words of encouragement or shares a funny story.

I love Edith.


She sent me a letter last week that included this completely awesome prayer.  She said she had come across it right around the time I shared about trying to start everyday with the quiet Jesus time.  It gave the instruction to try sitting in a quiet and peaceful area, then read the following prayer and imagine the Jesus is speaking just to you.



You do not have to be clever to please Me; all you have to do is want to love Me.
Just speak to Me as you would to anyone to whom you are very fond.

Are there any people you want to pray for?  Say their names to Me, and ask of Me as much as you like.  I know all their needs, but I want you to show your love for them and Me by trusting Me to do what I know is best.

Tell me about the poor, the sick, and the sinners, and if you have lost the friendship or affection of anyone tell Me about that too.

Is there anything you want for your soul?  If you like, you can write out a long list of all your needs and come and read it to Me.  Tell Me of the things you feel guilty about.  I will forgive you, if you will accept my forgiveness.

Just tell Me about your pride, your touchiness, your self-centeredness.  I still love you in spite of these.  Do not be ashamed.  There are many saints in heaven who had the same faults as you.  They prayed to Me and little by little, their faults were corrected.

Do not hesitate to ask Me for blessings for the body and mind; for health, memory, success.  I can give everything needed to make souls holier for those who truly want it.

What is it you want today?  Tell Me, for I long to do you good.  

What are your plans?  Tell Me about them.

Is there anyone you want to please?  What do you want to do for them?

Are you afraid of anything?  Have you any tormenting, unreasonable fears?  Trust yourself to Me.  I am here.  I see everything.  I will not leave you.

Have you no joys to tell Me about?  Why don't you share your happiness with Me?  Tell Me what has happened since yesterday to cheer and comfort you.  Whatever it was, however big or small, I prepared it.  Show Me your gratitude and thank Me.

Are temptations bearing heavily on you?  Yielding to temptations always disturbs the peace of your soul.  Ask Me and I will help you overcome them.

Well, go along now.  Get on with your work or play or other interests.

Try to be quieter, humbler, kinder. Come back soon and bring me a more loving heart.  Tomorrow I shall have more blessings for you.

I hope you were able to read that whole prayer.  I loved the simplicity of it and the simple, yet profound idea behind really and truly chatting with Jesus....about the good and the bad stuff.

I LOVED the part about Jesus loving me despite my pride, touchiness and self centeredness. Oh, and that there were saints in heaven who had those same faults!  Ha!

There is hope for me yet!

Be Still My Soul

This is sort of a Not Just a Sunday thing...on a Friday.  The other day, I was just scrolling along in Facebook, minding my own business (well, I guess when you are on Facebook the point is really sort of minding everyone else's business - but you know what I mean). I came upon a post by a fellow homeschool mom that made me start thinking and remembering. ( She is actually one of my friends that I have never actually met in real life.  She has also written reviews for the TOS Crew.)

Anyway, she had this sweet post about her daughter's bedtime prayer one night.  It was about fear and abortion.  Her daughter had just calmly stated that God was a big God and would take care of everything.  My friend talked about what a wake up call it was for her.  The faith of children can sometimes stop you in your tracks.  My friend went on to talk about the old hymn Be Still Be Soul.  I know that hymn, but, whenever I hear the words Be Still My Soul...

I think of the Imperials.

Do you remember them?

They were around....hmmm....I guess in the late 70's early 80's.  They were my first experience with contemporary Christian music.  I loved them.  My youth group went to a concert of theirs and it was just magical.  It was then that I realized that Jesus music didn't always have to have a pipe organ associated with it.  Ha!

I honestly haven't heard a song of theirs in years, but my friends post about her daughter, just brought it back, so I went to You Tube and lo and behold...there it was.

It actually is an awesome song.....still.

Be Still My Soul (Lyrics - I am not sure who actually wrote this song)

Surrounded by the cares of Life
Situations rise, they press against my soul

Desperate thoughts have blocked me in
Feels like I may lose control

A voice from somewhere inside of me
Brings comfort and fills my heart with courage
And lets me know that everything will be alright

Be still, my soul, and know that He is God
(He is God)
Stand quietly - He is the Lord
If God is for me who can be against me?
(He is God)
Be still, my soul, He is the Lord

Teach me, Lord, to stay with You
When my emotions try to rule me

Remind me, Lord, of who I am
Show me what You want me to be

In His great strength and confidence
Knowing that You are with me
I'm not afraid of tomorrow
What waits ahead

Be still, my soul, and know that He is God
(He is God)
Stand quietly - He is the Lord
If God is for me who can be against me?
(He is God)
Be still, my soul, He is the Lord

Be still, my soul, He is the Lord
He is the Lord

Seriously?  Isn't that just the reminder that we need with everything going on in the world?

I am surrounded by the cares of life...pressing against my soul.

I really need to stand on the chorus:

Be still, my soul, and know that He is God
Stand quietly.  He is the Lord.
If God is for me, who can be against me?
Be still, my soul.  He is the Lord.  He is the Lord.


If you want a perky, happy Imperials song....here is Trumpet of Jesus.

In case you want the words for this one too...

Trumpet of Jesus

I listen to the Trumpet of Jesus
While the world hears a different sound
I march to the drumbeat of God Almighty
While the others just wander around
I'm a member of the Holy Ghost traveling band
We're moving on up to a better land
I hear the voice of the Supernatural singing
Like only those who know Him can

One sweet sound makes
A whole world of difference
When the world seems indifferent to you
His Melody of love calls you to be great
When marking time was all you thought you could do
So if you've been playing all your days by ear
Never knowing what your song was to be
Then pull up a chair, let down your hair
And take a few lessons from me

A spiritual fanfare has a sound all it's own
At the birth of a lasting song
It's been two thousand years since Jesus was born
And still the celebration goes on
If you feel the need to get your life in tune
'Cause you're tired of the derdge every day
Then turn yourself around,
Put your feet on the ground
And just hear what I have to say

A spiritual fanfare has a sound all it's own
At the birth of a lasting song
It's been two thousand years since Jesus was born
And still the celebration goes on
If you feel the need to get your life in tune
'Cause you're tired of the derdge every day
Then turn yourself around,
Put your feet on the ground
And just hear what I have to say

Have an awesome Friday.  What was your favorite Christian music back in the day? 

Not Just a Sunday Thing - Week 5

In today's post, I am going to go a slightly different direction with my thoughts.

This weekend, I have had a mixture of joy and fun.....and sadness and feeling sick to my stomach when I found out about the attacks in Paris.  I am just  sick to my stomach because the people that are doing these horrible things are doing it for their "god" or because of their religious beliefs.

The joy/fun part is that I am having a girls weekend with my mom and my sisters.  (Oh, I love them.)

We laugh and laugh.  We share some of those deep, secret feelings that we don't have anyone else to really talk with about some of these things.  It has been a great weekend.  We went to the taping of this local daytime talk show on Friday afternoon.  One of my sisters taped the show so we could see if we made it on t.v. afterwards and saw that the show was interrupted with the news of the Paris attacks.  They didn't tell us anything in the studio.  We were clueless.  Mom and I found out when we got home that night and opened up Facebook and saw all the Pray for Paris things floating around.

Why?

Why do people do these things in the name of their god or religion.  I really and truly don't understand how they can value life so little.   How they can think it is perfectly okay....and honorable....to kill random people out doing fun things?  How can they think they will be rewarded when they get to heaven?

I don't get it.

If I let myself, I can just think all Muslims are horrible people, but I know that isn't true.  Just like I know all Christians aren't judgmental jerks.  Just like I know all homeschoolers aren't anti-social weirdos.

But, what do we do now?

This can't keep happening.  How can the people responsible be punished?  How can this kind of thing be stopped?

And most of all, how can we go on living our lives....with this kind of crap popping up all over?

My answer is....I don't know.

Here is what I will try:

I will try to pray for the people that are doing these kinds of things.  I will try to remember that they are someone's little boy or little girl.  They have loved their grandparents.  They have gotten excited when their mom brought home a new baby.  They were excited when they learned how to tie their shoes or ride a bike.  You know?  They can't have always been this way and had this crazy hatred for people, can they?

I will try not to live my life in constant fear.  I don't want to put a stop to the joy and fun...just in case.  That one is hard, especially when you are a parent.  But, I will try.

I will try not to bad mouth the people/religion that is behind these attacks.  This will be hard too, because I am angry.  I am disgusted.

But, I am determined not to let evil win.  Not to let these sneaky, underhanded things of the devil gain ground in my world.  I will keep my faith.  I will keep God close.  I will try to have compassion for people.  I will love.

I am trying really hard to remind myself of Luke 6:27,28: "But, I tell you who hear me:  Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

That is what I am trying to do.  Not sure if I will be successful or not.  I am human.  I am flawed.  I am swayed by anger and a sense of.... don't mess with me or my family.  But, I am trying.  And, now, more than ever.....my faith needs to be Not Just A Sunday Thing.

Not Just a Sunday Thing - Week 4

How is your daily time with Jesus going?  Like I said last week, I am definitely doing much better setting aside time to begin my day in peaceful quiet, prayer time.  It really does make a difference. But, like I also said last week, I am struggling to make it an organic part of my day and not just one more thing to successfully check off my "To Do" list.  The struggle is real.  Ha!

My Sunday School class just started the Jen Hatmaker book, For The Love.   My copy of the book hasn't gotten here yet, so I hadn't read the parts we discussed.  I just  joined in on the discussion from the other ladies in class that had already read it.  So, forgive me here for not being able to actually quote from the book.  But, my favorite part of our discussion today was when she talked about - unicorns.  Yes, I said, unicorns.

We were talking about balance.  Specifically balancing all the stuff in our lives.  She painted a picture of your life being a balance beam.  The more stuff you have piled on the beam, the harder it is to do your stuff......your gymnastic tricks.

Hey!  I found some Jen Hatmaker quotes on the GoodReads site!

"Balance. It’s like a unicorn; we’ve heard about it, everyone talks about it and makes airbrushed T-shirts celebrating it, it seems super rad, but we haven’t actually seen one."  

Hahahahahaha!

I totally got that.  I have talked before about the fact that so many people say things to me like, "I don't know how you do it all." Or...."You must have more patience that I do."  And, how it makes me laugh.

Balancing it all is just a magical figment of our imaginations.  A fictional being.

I can't do it all. (Neither can you.)

I certainly can't do it all at the same time.

I feel like today I can be a great wife and give myself heart, soul, and body to Rainman.

But, if I do that, I can't get a meal on the table.

If I get a good meal on the table, then, my house will be a mess.

If I have a clean house, then I am sure if I am not being a kind, loving mother.

I am starting to sound like If You Give A Mouse a Cookie.  Aren't I?

But, that is totally how it is in real life, for me.

Yes, I can multi-task, like a beast.

But, I cannot balance all the pieces of my life....well, I guess, more accurately, I can't balance the roles I play in life at the same time.

There have got to be seasons in your life where you have permission to focus more on certain areas. Where you allowed the luxury to focus on specific areas of your life.  Sort of like how we use winter for.....



You know what I mean, right?  The actual literal season of winter is used to take the focus off of our outward appearance and focus more on....say...making yummy food for our family.

I am not saying that if I have to shave my legs, my family doesn't eat.  But, I am saying when I can let go of some of those things (push them off my balance beam), I have time for other things.

Above all, we need to remember that the illusion of people really having it together and balancing it all are really just magical creatures we can call unicorns.  A nice fantasy, but NOT real.

My class this morning, talked about how bad social media can sometimes be.  People taking pictures of their kids after school snacks that are all Pinterest worthy.  People posting pictures of their happy, smiling family with no sullen teenagers in sight, or showing no signs of mom and dad snapping at each other right before the camera went - click.

Again, lots and lots of this stuff is just a magical, fictional creature.  Not real.

I love those memes that poke fun at the Pinterest snacks.  The "you nailed it" ones where they show the Pinterest inspiration photo and then the real life picture of someone recreating it.






It shows us a literal picture of "expectation" versus "reality".

We need to live in reality.

Not that we need to lower our expectations for our lives and be a pessimist.  But, we need to embrace the reality and not beat ourselves up over those things not living up to our expectations.  Because those things are just unicorns too.

And, I bet that funky looking train cake and the little evil, squashed face bunnies both tasted pretty good - despite how they looked.

This week I am challenging you to figure out what things in your life are really just  - unicorns.  What magical, fictional creature are you trying to make a reality.  Can you let go of it?  Does it make you feel like a failure because you can't achieve it?

Anybody want to share with the class what their personal unicorn looks like?

Not Just a Sunday Thing - Week 3

I am getting better and better at including God into my days.  How about you?

I do still feel like I am walking that fine line between just making it part of my routine....my thing to check off of my To Do list each day....and really just including Him in all of it.  But, anything is better than how I was doing it.  I am considering it "imperfect progress".

My Sunday School class is just getting into the new Jen Hatmaker book, For The Love.  Anybody else reading it?  Studying it?  Opinions?

My pastor got with with a phrase again this morning during his sermon.

He was talking about Jesus and prevenient grace.  won't try to summarize his whole sermon here.  But, he said something like, "In a world (or situation) where "No" isn't an option, a "yes" means nothing."

I will let you think on that one for a bit.

For me, it struck a chord and made me think of things like my kids saying I love you.

When they just repeat it back to me after I have said it to them....it is nice, but not as nice as when they just come up to you, out of the blue, and declare their love for me.  That means more.  Not like the first kind of declaration means "nothing"....but that is where my mind went.

Or even with my singing, if I get a compliment from a friend.  It could just mean that they are being nice.  That they know how insecure I am sometimes and they are helping build me up.  But, if a complete stranger takes the time to cross the room, seek me out, grab my hand and tell me that I sounded good or that the song I sang touched their soul.  That does mean...more.

I want to look for opportunities for my words to mean....something.  Mean more than nothing.  Be more than just filling time and space on this earth.

Pastor Kevin also talked about families who skip church on Sunday mornings for sporting activities for the kids.  I agreed with him on this point, already, but I LOVED the way he put it in his sermon.  He said that when parents skip church on Sunday for soccer, or baseball or....put your particular sport in the blank.....the parents are picking something that only matters or even exists on this planet...over someone and something who is the universe.

Something that only exists on this planet!

I just loved where that took my thoughts this morning.

D-man is hovering and pacing and wanting to get the computer out from under my hot little hands (my laptop is still being completely stupid, so I have been writing from the family desktop computer later).

So, I will cut short my Not Just a Sunday Post today with this final thought...

Are there ways that we can choose God first in our normal every day lives....through our words.....through our actions....that we aren't already doing?

Are there ways to say yes, when no is an actual option?  Or, are we just saying yes, because that is the only choice we have.  (Which makes me think of one of the other studies our class did recently The Best Yes - which talked about actually saying no to some things so when you do say "yes"....it is the best one for you and you can give your best...not just the obligatory enough).

Okay - D-man is back pacing and eating Halloween candy over my shoulder.  So, goodbye for now....

Not Just a Sunday Thing - Week 2

How did your week go? Were you able to take your first 5 minutes and spend them with God?  Were you able to make your faith and Christianity Not Just a Sunday Thing?

Want to know how I did?

Well, day 1....was a total bomb.

Yes, that is right.  Monday - the day after I made my big pronouncement about the importance of spending the first 5 minutes of my day with God - I totally forgot.

Totally.

I just got wound up with my life and my people and my To Do list and...I just forgot.


Until a friend of mine, texted me and thanked me for my post and shared with me that she had started her day with Jesus and how awesome it was.

Uggg.....can you even believe it?

Don't answer that.

Tuesday was much better.  I actually, successfully got up before everyone in my house and was able to sit down with my coffee and spend some quiet time...just praying and talking to God.

I may or may not have starting my morning prayer time with the words, "Are you there, God?  It's me...Kayla...."

Out of 6 days, probably 4 of them were pretty much just what I had pictured in my head in my first post.

Really and  truly, just sitting in my Archie Bunker chair in the living room, in the still dark outside, wee small hours of the morning, with my mug of hot coffee, praying and spending time with God.

The other 2 or so,  didn't happen like I had pictured - either little people got up at the same time as me, which threw me off and got my mind running around or I just let myself get busy right away and didn't start with God.

I definitely noticed a difference in my days.

Care to hazard a guess as to which ones just went better?

The days that I started with God were just as busy as usual, but I found myself having little moments throughout my day that I had to mentally pause and notice.

Little moments of joy or laughter.  Moments where I had to just stop and laugh at something the kids said or did.  I couldn't stop the joy from bubbling over and out into the world.

(that just reminded me of this canvas L-girl did with an Audrey Hepburn quote)

Not that I wouldn't have noticed those funny things on a non-prayer day, but I had moments where I actually threw my head back and laughed (then thought in my head - wow, I am really enjoying this moment).  I am not sure if I am making any sense to you, but, to me, it makes sense.  Ha!

I feel like on the days that I started with God, my focus and perspective was where it was supposed to be...yes, I still had to do all the crap that was waiting for me...but, I had the underlying sense that the people and those..moments....were really the important things.

Not sure if I am explaining myself well or not.  It was just a subtle, internal focus change that seemed to make all the difference in the world.

So, I am going to take the hint and continue with my first 5 with/for God thingie this week.  Anyone else want to join me?  I wouldn't mind having someone else to nudge me back to where I am supposed to be when I let everything else crowd in and take over....you know?