Giving what you've got....

Sometimes it just seems like life is a rat-race. I hate to use that cliche, but it just IS what it IS! I am one of those ALL-IN kind of girls!  If I am IN on something, I like to go all the way with it. Sometimes, I like to take on a little more than I should and I am working on that.  Learning to say "no" hasn't been easy for me.....How about you? Maybe it's teaching a class at church, organizing an event or fundraiser, possibly planning parties, or maybe its just trying to squeeze in all the ballgames, dentist appointments, haircuts, and family dinners that you can possibly juggle into your weeks worth of family responsibilities. NO matter how big or small the task, they all stack up. Each one pulling me, and my family, in a million directions. They all matter in some way, right? I hope so, or else why would we even bother?  Whether you are a multi-tasking single mom, a stay-at-home-mother of four, or a working mom of two, we all desire to be the BEST mom we can be EVERYDAY. Sometimes that is complicated, because life is hard, but I think SIMPLIFICATION would help!

Just this week I was reminded how important the small things really can be for our families. Instead of going out for Valentine's Day, for several reasons, I thought it would be fun to make a big meal for my family and dine in! We used our used our wedding China, had candles, and homemade desserts. My children were so sweet when they said, "Dad, come in the dining room and see what Mom did for us!" My heart swelled with joy. That was my goal, to show them an out pour of my love for them. I have decided that they have to KNOW without a doubt that they are SPECIAL to me. In order to ensure that I do that, they have to SEE my love displayed in ways that touch their minds and hearts. Sounds simple enough, right? Even Lydia, who has been struggling to learn to eat solid foods, enjoyed TWO servings of my lasagna and peas! Little tears snuck out of the corner of my eyes to watch her enjoying her dinner in our dining room!  My four year finished the dinner with a plea of "Mom, can we do this again next year?"

I believe sometimes I am so busy that I am missing God's best for my life. Scaling back is getting easier but it is a daily surrender of my time. I have so many friends with similar scheduling dilemmas, and we can all say LIFE IS BUSY. It doesn't have to be chaotic, though. It seems as if just getting the laundry clean and put away is enough some weeks to push me right over the edge of motherly sanity! As if that were even something to stress out about. Ha! I don't believe that is God's plan for us. If we will give Him all the we have, HE will make it enough. If all we have is 20 minutes to spend in His word, or in prayer, maybe that is where we should start. I have been praying for His continued presence in my daily time with Him.  Yesterday as I was rushing around He reminded me that He wants me to be faithful to His word and to commit myself to Him in prayer. The story in Matthew 14 about Christ feeding the 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish came to mind. As I read about that miracle again today, I am amazed at how the disciples just wanted to send the people away...Hurriedly....They didn't even think to ask our Lord to meet their needs. What a word for me. I just needed a good reminder of how simple it can be when we keep our eyes on Him. I pray He gives you peace this weekend and simplicity in your day today. I encourage you, and myself, to give Him what YOU HAVE and let Him do the rest!

Remembering Dad....

As the snow is silently stacking up outside my window, I can't help but think how perfect it is for me to spend this sad day indoors. All the while, I sit watching the bluebird play as if it were Spring. Such contrasting viewpoints of this life.....

Three years ago today my dad went to Heaven. That day has changed everything for me. It has changed my perspective on life, changed the way I parent, and has changed the way I LOVE the Lord.

No longer do I care for Friday 13's. I no longer feel complacent about funerals; I loath them. No longer can I say: "I can't wait to ask Dad about that." I must say I truly understand the hole that penetrates your soul when you loose someone that is irreplaceable.

I can also say that GOD is MERCIFUL and PRAISE HIM for HE is GOOD.

My dad was my best friend. My biggest fan. My true hero. Sigh. He made a lot of mistakes and was nowhere near perfect. In fact, I can remember begging my mother to divorce him on more than one occasion. Boy, I am so glad she didn't listen to me. I only share my pain of his loss with you to share HOPE with you. As my family and I grieve each year on this day, I also feel comfort knowing that I will see him again. He is resting in peace. My dad died at the young age of 59. He was not healthy, but his death was sudden and we were totally shocked that it was time to say goodbye.

A lot of people knew my dad as an outgoing, fun-loving, family man who served his country in Vietnam. Others knew him as a raging alcoholic that loved to curse and smoke. (Two completely different men, I do realize.) One of the most amazing blessings I have ever been able to receive occurred the day when the Lord allowed me to show my earthly father how to find peace with HIM (My Heavenly Father). After his many shortcomings, which we all have, I watched first-hand how the Lord spoke to my dad at the age of 56....We were on the phone talking the night before his open heart surgery and we begun to talk about the "what-ifs" surrounding his procedure. I asked him if was worried about where he would spend eternity and he said yes. My entire life he had always said that God could never forgive him for killing innocent people in war, that he couldn't even begin to ask the Creator of all things to save a place for him in his house.....That is a terrible burden to carry and I believe my dad carried it too long. I can't help but wonder how much of his alcoholism was attributed to the guilt he had from killing people in war. Don't misunderstand me, he was such a patriot that he would've gone back to hunt for Bin Laden if they would have let him. He never had any regret serving our country. My father was a brave man and provided for our family by making the military his career. However, I know it was hard for him to accept forgiveness for his sins. Nonetheless, our God patiently continued to pursue my father. His salvation came many years after he had quit drinking and God had begun to really "soften" his heart. Thank you, Lord, for redemption. I watched my father recover from his surgery and begin attending church. His foul language diminished and his countenance changed. He was CHANGED. Only God can do that.

I say all this to say, don't give up on the people God has put in your lives. If my mother had given up on him when I thought she should have, I shudder to think where he would be spending eternity. I am so thankful for a GOD that saves. I hope I have honored him and OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, by telling you about my father on this day that I remember his earthly departure.

If you don't know Christ as your savior I'd love to tell you more about His love and forgiveness in my own life. His BLOOD covers a multitude of sin. If you'd like to ask Jesus to forgive you below is an example of the prayer I prayed with my father:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I know I am a sinner. I know Jesus was your one and only son, and he died on the cross after living a perfect and sinless life. After three days I know Christ arose from the dead and I know He is coming back. You allowed your Son to die so that I could have forgiveness and a place in Your kingdom. Please forgive me and send your Holy Spirit to help me live a life that gives You glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.