Well, most of us are enjoying watching the Olympics in our house. The kids and I have stayed up late watching the exciting conclusions of gymnastics and swimming. Mike has found it a good week to go to bed early. I grew up in the Mary Lou Retton era and we watched the tape of the Olympics until I had the commentators comments memorized. So it's fun to watch with my kids, even if it means letting them stay up until midnight.
So last night, we saw one of the American girls fall of the balance beam. She was heartbroken of course. The commentators were saying that she has probably done that trick thousands of times and her nerves played a role in her fall. Well, sorry to say Tim and Elfie but I disagree. I think she fell off because it's 4 inches wide! The stuff they do on that thing is crazy and sometimes you are going to fall. It's inevitable. It stinks when you do it at the Olympics, but come on these girls are humans - not machines. They are prepped and trained for this big moment and failing is not an option.
I like to push my kids to do their best. They have to study and do homework, practice piano, go to baseball practice and I want them to succeed. The problem is that they are human and will have bad days. They'll fail tests, lose games, and have fall outs with friends. They are going to make bad choices and sin at times. And I feel like I am doing them a disservice by not preparing them for inevitable failure. I want them to know that they are not perfect and that's ok. It seems that if you know what's coming you won't feel shell shocked that it happened.
There will be failures and falls, but the important thing is to do your best and keep going. And most importantly to fix our eyes on Jesus - the author and perfecter of our faith. That's the kind of success that is important. Those failures and hard times are the times that we grow closer to Christ and that's probably why God allows them in our lives and the lives of our kids.
What good is it to be a Rhodes scholar or All-Star Baseball player or a piano virtuoso if you don't have Christ?
I feel like this young gymnast was not prepared for failure. Maybe someone should have told her, you know the balance beam is only 4 inches wide, chances are you are going to fall off now and then. That's ok! Just hop back up there and do your best.
I want to encourage and help my kids grow in Christ and rely on Him in those hard times. They need to know that all this stuff they deal with pales in comparison to what they have in Christ.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the hoy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
One Small Step . . .
I've never had small feet and one of the many blessings of my children have given me are even bigger feet. But I am making a smaller footprint on the earth these days. We do recycle, not really because we're green, but because it's free. We get our milk from a farm in reusable containers. Mike takes his bike to work. So I was feeling pretty proud of myself yesterday while I was buying a few of the reusable shopping bags at the store. That is until we got out to the parking lot and as we were climbing into our full-size gas guzzling Ford van, I noticed one of my daughters had a styrofoam packing block. She was breaking it into tiny little pieces and throwing them over the side of the cart. The wind was blowing them all over the place by the time I saw what was happening.
Isn't that just the way it goes? You feel like you are making progress and you turn around to find it hemoraging out a different way! Just when I finish the laundry, the piles are being strewn about by a 1 year old or someone desperate for something to wear. When I finally get to mopping the floor every six months or so, someone is already spilling milk on it. Progress seems like it is finally being made with a behavior issue only to have something worse come up. There are days when joy exudes and there are days that are just drudgery.
So goes the ebb and flow of life. How do we find the energy to keep going? I know I need breaks and times of rest but for the most part I'm in it up to my eyeballs for the next 17 years at least. I know God called us to perseverance and I guess that's because He knew we would need it. I know I have to keep on going and working because this is the most important job God's called me to do. And if I falter or give up who's going to take over? So I have to keep at it every day, every minute and look to God to give me the strength.
It's for His glory that we faithfully serve. I was just reading a little article that John McArthur wrote about success in ministry. And if anyone could claim success, he'd be near the top of the list. He wrote that it is not success in the world's view that is important. It's not money or buildings or books, but it's faithfulness: continually submitting to and doing the work that God has called us to do. Sometimes I get the feeling from people that they feel a little bad for us serving a small church, like maybe we're wasting our time. Or it's too bad such a nice couple like us can't find a better (read bigger) place to serve. Some of our friends in Village Missions serve the most difficult, remote fields we have in the U.S. They will never make a lot or have huge attendance in their church, but they serve faithfully. The people in rural churches need a pastor just as much as a suburban mega church. I think there is something very exciting about doing something for the Lord that no one else wants to do or even cares about. Is there a better way for these talented young couples to use their gifts? And I know it's a struggle to persevere in those situations too.
I get the same attitude from a lot of people about being a mom. They look at me like, couldn't you do better? Don't you want to make something of yourself? They are usually surprised to find out I have a college degree. It's hard to make people understand that I choose this and I can't think of a better way to use the gifts that God has given me than pouring them into my kids. So, I'll try to take McArthur's words and apply them to parenting. It's not success as the world sees it, it's not having all the right stuff, or a brilliant career- it's faithfulness: continually doing what God has called us to do, even when its hard.
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brother, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Isn't that just the way it goes? You feel like you are making progress and you turn around to find it hemoraging out a different way! Just when I finish the laundry, the piles are being strewn about by a 1 year old or someone desperate for something to wear. When I finally get to mopping the floor every six months or so, someone is already spilling milk on it. Progress seems like it is finally being made with a behavior issue only to have something worse come up. There are days when joy exudes and there are days that are just drudgery.
So goes the ebb and flow of life. How do we find the energy to keep going? I know I need breaks and times of rest but for the most part I'm in it up to my eyeballs for the next 17 years at least. I know God called us to perseverance and I guess that's because He knew we would need it. I know I have to keep on going and working because this is the most important job God's called me to do. And if I falter or give up who's going to take over? So I have to keep at it every day, every minute and look to God to give me the strength.
It's for His glory that we faithfully serve. I was just reading a little article that John McArthur wrote about success in ministry. And if anyone could claim success, he'd be near the top of the list. He wrote that it is not success in the world's view that is important. It's not money or buildings or books, but it's faithfulness: continually submitting to and doing the work that God has called us to do. Sometimes I get the feeling from people that they feel a little bad for us serving a small church, like maybe we're wasting our time. Or it's too bad such a nice couple like us can't find a better (read bigger) place to serve. Some of our friends in Village Missions serve the most difficult, remote fields we have in the U.S. They will never make a lot or have huge attendance in their church, but they serve faithfully. The people in rural churches need a pastor just as much as a suburban mega church. I think there is something very exciting about doing something for the Lord that no one else wants to do or even cares about. Is there a better way for these talented young couples to use their gifts? And I know it's a struggle to persevere in those situations too.
I get the same attitude from a lot of people about being a mom. They look at me like, couldn't you do better? Don't you want to make something of yourself? They are usually surprised to find out I have a college degree. It's hard to make people understand that I choose this and I can't think of a better way to use the gifts that God has given me than pouring them into my kids. So, I'll try to take McArthur's words and apply them to parenting. It's not success as the world sees it, it's not having all the right stuff, or a brilliant career- it's faithfulness: continually doing what God has called us to do, even when its hard.
Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brother, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 6:9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Different Strokes for Different Folks
We went to an outdoor Folk Festival to hear a band we like. And they were great! But I realized while we were sitting there that I do not really fit in with this crowd. There were all sorts of people wearing their tye died outfits, women with no undergarments, dancing around. (For the record, there were a lot of regular people there too) It all seems kind of staged to me. They drive home and stop off at Target just like the rest of us. It's not really a place I feel super comfortable being. I realized that I probably have very different views than almost everyone there. So what on earth were we doing there?
It seems obvious we have to be willing to go to places that are out of our comfort zone in order to reach out to people. Post-modern people don't seem to just pop in to church or even feel the need to go. How comfortable would any of them feel in my church world? They probably feel that my "religion" is a put-on or show too. The problem is we don't go. We are more comfortable staying in our circles of church, family , Bible studies. And we wonder why our outreaches don't work. Why wouldn't one of the tye-die, no bra women want to come to our church's ladies tea? That seems like a no brainer!
Mike goes to the bar in our town. He doesn't drink, but he's right - that's where the people are that need to hear about Jesus. And really, isn't that what Jesus did? He went out to the places no good religious person would go and sought out people that needed Him.
So, I guess I should go to more music festivals and other things that are out of the norm for me. I'm not sure, but I might even get some tye died clothes.
It seems obvious we have to be willing to go to places that are out of our comfort zone in order to reach out to people. Post-modern people don't seem to just pop in to church or even feel the need to go. How comfortable would any of them feel in my church world? They probably feel that my "religion" is a put-on or show too. The problem is we don't go. We are more comfortable staying in our circles of church, family , Bible studies. And we wonder why our outreaches don't work. Why wouldn't one of the tye-die, no bra women want to come to our church's ladies tea? That seems like a no brainer!
Mike goes to the bar in our town. He doesn't drink, but he's right - that's where the people are that need to hear about Jesus. And really, isn't that what Jesus did? He went out to the places no good religious person would go and sought out people that needed Him.
So, I guess I should go to more music festivals and other things that are out of the norm for me. I'm not sure, but I might even get some tye died clothes.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Fast Food Fury!
We road tripped to Nebraska and Colorado a few weeks ago for our annual Village Missions conference. We stopped of at our favorite spot in Nebraska and stayed at the Shaw Hunting Lodge! That's always a treat. So in all we were on the road for 10 days. We slept in 4 different places and well, you know how the routine goes when you travel!
As a lovely birthday gift, we got to drive all day through Nebraska on I-80. I've always wanted to do that for my birthday! The kids were all tired and ready to get home and so were we. We stopped at good ol' Mickey D's for breakfast and Grant had some issues. He told us what he wanted to eat, then changed his mind 50 times. When we sat down he refused to eat what he got. We offered him some other choices and he just freaked out. It always takes us by surprise when this happens with him because he is normally very laid back and even keeled. Since I didn't want to hear him cry for the next 5 hours, I gave in and ordered him what he wanted and he was happy. (Mike, however, was not!)
Last night, he had a "sleep" over with his friends. The problem was that he didn't "sleep" all night. I had to run a few errands and he was tired and cranky and hungry. So we went to Wendy's and he did the exact same thing! He couldn't decide then he wasn't happy with what he got and demanded a double cheeseburger. I think his exact words were "Get me a double cheeseburger NOW!" That didn't go over very well. So he went to the van without lunch and has been sleeping ever since we got home.
I hate dealing with that stuff. Part of me wants to give in, I mean it's not like we didn't have that $2 for the cheeseburger. But that really wasn't the issue. This time I could see a pattern in his behavior and I knew we needed to stop it ASAP. No matter how tired he is, it doesn't mean he can act like that. And looking back I probably should have put my foot down on the way home from Colorado too. But I guess each situation has to be dealt with in its own way. Soon enough, he is going to be too big for me or Mike to physically force him to leave a restaurant or go to the van. When he gets older, we could just leave him there, but I'd feel too sorry for the workers.
I think it is hard to calmly hold the line and follow through. I want the easy way out but that isn't usually for the best. It's hard to make a split second decision and know you are doing the right thing. I always seem to be second guessing myself. Now, we have to work on connecting his behavior to his heart. He needs to see his actions as selfish and unpleasing to God. I guess I'll have to talk to him about it when he wakes up!
Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to his death.
As a lovely birthday gift, we got to drive all day through Nebraska on I-80. I've always wanted to do that for my birthday! The kids were all tired and ready to get home and so were we. We stopped at good ol' Mickey D's for breakfast and Grant had some issues. He told us what he wanted to eat, then changed his mind 50 times. When we sat down he refused to eat what he got. We offered him some other choices and he just freaked out. It always takes us by surprise when this happens with him because he is normally very laid back and even keeled. Since I didn't want to hear him cry for the next 5 hours, I gave in and ordered him what he wanted and he was happy. (Mike, however, was not!)
Last night, he had a "sleep" over with his friends. The problem was that he didn't "sleep" all night. I had to run a few errands and he was tired and cranky and hungry. So we went to Wendy's and he did the exact same thing! He couldn't decide then he wasn't happy with what he got and demanded a double cheeseburger. I think his exact words were "Get me a double cheeseburger NOW!" That didn't go over very well. So he went to the van without lunch and has been sleeping ever since we got home.
I hate dealing with that stuff. Part of me wants to give in, I mean it's not like we didn't have that $2 for the cheeseburger. But that really wasn't the issue. This time I could see a pattern in his behavior and I knew we needed to stop it ASAP. No matter how tired he is, it doesn't mean he can act like that. And looking back I probably should have put my foot down on the way home from Colorado too. But I guess each situation has to be dealt with in its own way. Soon enough, he is going to be too big for me or Mike to physically force him to leave a restaurant or go to the van. When he gets older, we could just leave him there, but I'd feel too sorry for the workers.
I think it is hard to calmly hold the line and follow through. I want the easy way out but that isn't usually for the best. It's hard to make a split second decision and know you are doing the right thing. I always seem to be second guessing myself. Now, we have to work on connecting his behavior to his heart. He needs to see his actions as selfish and unpleasing to God. I guess I'll have to talk to him about it when he wakes up!
Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;
do not be a willing party to his death.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Turnaround
The last blog I wrote was kind of whiny about the neediness of my family and how exhausting and quite frankly annoying that can be. It's been a few weeks now, but one night shortly after I wrote that one phone call made my attitude do a 180. We heard the ambulance go by which is always an unsettling feeling, especially in a small town since the chances are pretty great that you'll know the people involved. 15 minutes later we got a phone call that a 3 year old boy drowned in his backyard pool. We know the grandparents and Mike spent several grueling hours at the hospital with the family and did the funeral.
I was sick to my stomach all night. I really try to avoid dealing with things like this because I don't know how to handle it. We really don't know these people but I am totally devastated for them. But it really made me realize how ridiculous my last entry was because life is so precious! Why does it bother me to have to meet my kids' needs? It should be a privilege. I'm sure that the parents of this boy would love to have another chance to help him get dressed or get him a snack or play his favorite game with him.
It also reminded me of the seriousness of my job. I can easily get lazy about responding to a cry (because there are so many) or not being as attentive as I should be because I am trying to get stuff done or read my magazine in peace. Those moments spent walking behind Maren as she climbs the stairs, watching the kids outside or checking to make sure they are ok occasionally are way more important than anything else I could be doing. But I'm not God or Superman so I can't be in all places at all times and that worries me. In reality, no one is immune from serious accidents or sickness. I've got to continually pray my kids over to Jesus each day, knowing He loves them more than I do and has a perfect plan for their lives.
I really wanted to shield the kids from what was going on, but there was no way around it. When we were talking about the accident that night I had the chance to share with them and remind myself that we trust in a gracious, merciful and loving God. Although I struggle to understand hard things, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is always there. I believe that God welcomes little children to heaven that weren't old enough to understand or who had never heard of His salvation. I have no theological statement to back that up, but I think scripture points to that. The kids need to grapple with these issues in order for their faith to mature beyond Jesus Loves Me This I Know. In a way, I wish it could stay that simple, but I'm glad that the doors were opened for teaching.
Psalm 145:8
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore, you did not desert them.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is now slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
P.S. As I'm rewriting this a few weeks later, the other son in that family came to Vacation Bible School and his whole family came to our program and picnic. We hope we can be a light and encouragement to them in the difficult days ahead.
I was sick to my stomach all night. I really try to avoid dealing with things like this because I don't know how to handle it. We really don't know these people but I am totally devastated for them. But it really made me realize how ridiculous my last entry was because life is so precious! Why does it bother me to have to meet my kids' needs? It should be a privilege. I'm sure that the parents of this boy would love to have another chance to help him get dressed or get him a snack or play his favorite game with him.
It also reminded me of the seriousness of my job. I can easily get lazy about responding to a cry (because there are so many) or not being as attentive as I should be because I am trying to get stuff done or read my magazine in peace. Those moments spent walking behind Maren as she climbs the stairs, watching the kids outside or checking to make sure they are ok occasionally are way more important than anything else I could be doing. But I'm not God or Superman so I can't be in all places at all times and that worries me. In reality, no one is immune from serious accidents or sickness. I've got to continually pray my kids over to Jesus each day, knowing He loves them more than I do and has a perfect plan for their lives.
I really wanted to shield the kids from what was going on, but there was no way around it. When we were talking about the accident that night I had the chance to share with them and remind myself that we trust in a gracious, merciful and loving God. Although I struggle to understand hard things, I know without a shadow of a doubt that God is always there. I believe that God welcomes little children to heaven that weren't old enough to understand or who had never heard of His salvation. I have no theological statement to back that up, but I think scripture points to that. The kids need to grapple with these issues in order for their faith to mature beyond Jesus Loves Me This I Know. In a way, I wish it could stay that simple, but I'm glad that the doors were opened for teaching.
Psalm 145:8
The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love.
Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore, you did not desert them.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is now slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
P.S. As I'm rewriting this a few weeks later, the other son in that family came to Vacation Bible School and his whole family came to our program and picnic. We hope we can be a light and encouragement to them in the difficult days ahead.
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