The Boys

Tonight we had a baby shower at our house. I had an extensive amount of cleaning to do for the house to be somewhat presentable. E.X.Tensive! Mike had to leave for music practice. Jenna was at a friends and the three younger girls were here. It's difficult to host a shower with Maren and Annie fighting over the crystal plates and pulling the punch bowl off the counter. I do wish that Mike would have swept them all away, but there was something more important for him to do.

You see, Mike and I do not have the same taste in movies. A few years ago when all the Lord of the Rings movies were coming out I had no interest in seeing them. I remember him saying that he couldn't wait until Grant was old enough to do that stuff with.

Well, he is now old enough. And there are nights when I can tell the boys need to get out on the town alone. Tonight was one of those nights.

While I was struggling under the girls' tyranny at the shower, Denise told me the story of what happened at worship practice. There was another man from church there. He also has many daughters and one son. His son is almost 5. He was saying the exact same thing Mike had said a few years ago. He can't wait to be able to do all the guy stuff with his boy.

Mike chimed in agreement sharing that he loves being able to see movies and eat out with Grant and that they were going on guy's night out right after music. The piano player noticed Grant sitting on the couch "beaming."

I don't think I need to tell you that it was totally worth enduring Maren and Annie's "help" with the shower for my boys. May there be many more!

SuperMom

Sometimes people tell me I'm a good mom. They think that because they don't live with me. They aren't here when I'm cranky and snap back for no reason. Or when I don't feel like cooking dinner and would rather do my own thing than attend to their needs. Or when I'm more interested in finding out who's on FaceBook than playing with my kids. Really I'm not a good mom.

Some days I wake up and think I can do it all. I'll exercise and have quiet time before everyone wakes up. We can have extra kids here, I can wash all the bedding and line dry it. I can make cookies and go to the beach. I can potty train and run errands and go to four baseball games a week. But it doesn't work.

The weeks get so busy and go so fast. Last week, my friend and I wanted to bring a meal to someone that just had twins. I had to call and admit that I just couldn't make it work.

I can't do it all.

And I don't like it one bit. I want to be supermom. But I'm just me, a sinner saved by grace.

When I have to admit that I can't do it all and slow down, I might just be at my best. By slowing down and getting my heart where it needs to be most I become a better Mom. I change things to put my family first. I ask for help. I make supper and do laundry. I visit with my husband at night. I know other people can bring meals and throw showers, but no one else can mother my children. I start to find joy in doing the most important things, not everything.

I become supermom.

Psalm 90:17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us -
yes, establish the work of our hands.

Back to Father's Day!

I deleted my original post about Father's Day because I was going to re-do it. That was before I realized that I was totally wiped from Girl Scout Camp. Kayaking, canoeing, polar bear plunging, swimming, cooking over the open fire and keeping up with 12 girls can do that to you.

So, back to Father's Day. Last year I got Mike a Jeff Foxworthy "Red Neck" Card. It said:

If you think the first four words to the National Anthem are "Gentlemen Start Your Engines", you might be a redneck.

This year, I got another one because I couldn't find any good ones. Although I have a frequent buyers card for Hallmark, I'm not into gushy cards. So this year's said:

You might be a redneck, if you have a cup holder on your riding lawnmower.

Guess what! He does have one and even better, it's homemade! I had no idea what that thing was being that I mow the lawn ALL THE TIME.




All kidding aside, I'm blessed beyond reason! My kids wake up to find their Dad reading his Bible, praying and drinking coffee. He makes them very delicious breakfasts too! They try to wake up really early so they can have hot cocoa and be with him. All this while I snooze away!

I also have a Dad that's a Godly influence. Just a few years ago at Christmas he gave me a Bible he had read and made notes in. I affectionately call it the "Wayne Pederson Study Bible". It's one of the most meaningful gifts I've ever received. (I cannot get this to stop underlining!!!!)

















So for me, it was natural to trust in the Heavenly Father. For a lot of people it isn't that easy. Relating to God as their Father is a big problem. Some earthly father's leave, drink too much, don't care, work too much or abuse.

I didn't understand this until just recently. There was a situation where a single mother was trying to protect her son from his father. I couldn't understand why they didn't just get the father to sign his rights away. It seemed so easy to me.

But a friend who's Dad walked out on her family when she was young clued me in. She told me how devestating it was to know your Dad didn't want you. Even if he was a worthless guy. I'm starting to see the big hole it left in her heart.

But God holds his arms open to the fatherless.

Psalm 146:9
The LORD protects the strangers; He supports the fatherless and the widow, But He thwarts the way of the wicked.

Psalm 68:5-6
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land.

And that brings me back to the story of The Prodigal Son in Luke 15. When the rebellious son returns, the father is waiting for him with open arms. In that parable, we are the prodigals. God is the father. He is waiting for us, watching the horizon for our return. He's ready to clothe us in the finest robes and throw a feast for us. He desires for us to come home.

So whether your earthly father is a great inspiration, a wonderful memory, or something you'd rather forget; God the Father will never leave you, never makes mistakes and always loves you. He is waiting for you even now. Please don't miss that message this Father's Day.