My Bible Journal #1: Matthew 19:14

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

To such as these. I have a few "these." My children are such a tremendous blessing. Each of them has so many wonderful gifts and talents. Their unique abilities are truly crafted by the hand of a loving Heavenly Father.

These, however, also have the world at work in them. Like all of us, flesh meets spirit, good versus evil. My summer days have been filled with quite a bit of the not so good. I cannot help but think of how I too like the disciples have hindered my children from coming to the King. In my desire to bring correction and discipline, I have become angered and honestly annoyed with my own kids. I have complained of the difficulties of summer and its boredom with 3 varying ages hanging on my sweaty body.

Yet, I have neglected the most important thing. I have read my bible, mostly like a summer novel. I have prayed, mostly out of desperation like, "Lord save me from this insanity." But I haven't pressed in. I haven't truly "COME TO HIM" with my whole being. And in doing so, I have been responsible for the fleshly tone in my home.

I am not saying that I am responsible for my children's every mistake but I feel like I surely haven't been a great example. I have hindered. I have not had a heart full of thankfulness for the special call that is on my kids' lives. My daughter says now she wants to be a children's pastor or a missionary. My son wants to be a pastor. My daughter is filled with zeal and has a tender heart for the lost. My son has an incredible heart of compassion. My youngest is filled with joy for life; a joy that is so contagious it could only be the aroma of Christ. And yet, I spend more time tearing down and pointing out faults than encouraging, building and edifying.

Draw me Lord. Help me to come to you as my own children run to their daddy after work. Help me model a heart after Yours. Help me to point my kids to You. To show them YOU in what I say and what I do. For "your kingdom belongs to such as these."

Shimmy

We will get to the shimmy in a moment, but first I have to say that I am proud of myself. I finished a book. I took my 9 year old to Starbucks with me last night and she sat and read her books and I read mine. We both had iced-lattes. Yep. We start young around here. Anyway, my daughter razzed me a little because she can read like 3 novels to my 1 book. She can read a novel from the time it takes me to get her at school to when we roll into the driveway. I asked her how she does it...she just looked at me from behind her glasses and smiled. She couldn't say or wouldn't say...not sure which. But last night, it didn't matter that I didn't read quick, because honestly I had a lot to soak in.

Okay, so once again, Susanna Aughtmon made me both laugh right out loud and cry. Her latest book, My Bangs Look Good and Other Lies I Tell Myself was so fantastic that it is one of the few books that I can say with all honesty that I finished and because of the conversational style that Susanna writes in, it wasn't difficult to finish. (Sometimes my flesh wanted to put it down because there were some tinges of conviction that arose while reading :) ) Susanna writes in such a way that I just felt like she had pulled up a chair at my table at Starbucks and chatted with me. She both encouraged me and challenged me. She made me want to grow...a sort of iron sharpening iron.

One of the things I love most about this book is Susanna's transparency. See, I am all about keepin' it real and Susanna does just that. It is precisely this raw and candid honesty that makes reading her book so easy. Yet, the funny thing is that Susanna wasn't talking fluff. Her personal stories and struggles so moved me. She challenged me to examine my own heart and ask God to help me exchange any of the enemy's lies that I have been believing with HIS TRUTH. And guess what, I am fixin' to get a bit of freedom here!

So back to the post title "Shimmy." Last week I drove my 3 kids to the D.C. area to visit my sister, a drive that takes 12 hours give or take an extra potty break. More on the trip at a later time. Anyway, when I arrived safely in Virginia, my car began to shimmy at 45 and again at 65. Okay, so I grew up with a dad who fixed most of our car problems so I knew enough to decide this girl needed to take her car to the shop. Long story short, the problem was a broken joint on an axle. My car couldn't run smooth because there was a broken part attached to my wheel.

So where is the connection between the shimmy and Susanna's book? You see, I have a few shimmies in my life, some places where my wheels just won't run smooth. I realized as I was reading that these shimmies are caused by believing the enemy's lies over the freeing power of God's truth. For example, after a long winter of sickness around here and a sick start to spring I began to believe the enemy's lie that God doesn't really hear my prayers...shimmy. Because I began to believe this lie, I found myself getting angry at God and even becoming bitter. But in Susanna's gentle way she reminded me of how attentive and truly poised for hearing our God really is. Here's where the freedom comes. Karate chop the lie and put the truth in its place and guess what? No shimmy.

As a result of reading this book, I have been made aware of some of the causes of my lack of peace. God's word says that knowing truth will make us free. (John 8:32) I am thankful for a friend like Susanna. (Believe me, after reading this book you will feel the same way). She pointed me to the truth that indeed is making us both free little by little! I wish I could just high-five Susanna right now or do cartwheels together or eat a celebratory Dove chocolate bar.

This book is a must have and a must-give-to-every-girlfriend-I have. It is available now at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Check out her blog at http://www.tiredsupergirl.blogspot.com/. You can purchase her book by clicking here: www.tinyurl.com/goodbangs

Book Review

Hello my family and friends. I just wanted you to please check my blog this week for a special review of the newly released book by Susanna Foth Aughtmon called My Bangs Look Good and Other Lies I Tell Myself.

Once you have read my review, please pass it on! Her first book, All I Need is Jesus and a New Pair of Jeans was fantastic. If you haven't already read it, it is a must read.

Please stay tuned for more information!

All Things New

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "...anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"



I just bought my daughter a new sweatshirt for her birthday. It was so much fun to wash it for her and see her wear it. She looks so very cute in purple. I could tell that she felt good wearing that new sweatshirt. You know that feeling...something fresh just does something to you.



This morning...okay, so really it was about 4:00 this afternoon when I took my shower, I used a new facial wash. I truly was excited to use it as it was new. I wanted to see how it made my skin feel and look. Something about trying something new that just excites me. Ditto for haircuts. A new haircut just makes you feel like a brand new person.



As I looked at that scripture again, that word "new" comes from the Greek word Kainos meaning, recently made or fresh. There is nothing worse than day old bread. Nothing exciting about my old Nike t-shirt I have had since high school. But something that is new and fresh gives us energy. Now when I recognize that He has made me new and I am new everyday I have got something to be excited about. I don't have to rely on facial soap and sweatshirts!



What do I have to do though to keep "feeling" new? Well...nothing really. Because He did the work and made me new, I just have to take that gift and live in it. I get to put it on everyday just like my daughter in her newly washed sweatshirt. The mercy and newness of life is purchased and ready for wear the second my tired eyes open.



This girl is going to start living like she is brand new everyday. Old crusty is out. New is in and it is in to stay. I have got some excitement to let out so pardon me while I go give God a little praise! If you aren't feeling like you need to go give God a little praise...ask Him to "re-new" you! He'll do it and you'll be slapping high fives around the block. I promise!

Random Morning

So far this brilliant Wednesday morning has brought much variety. I woke up earlier than I wanted to but later than I should have. I went out in the Chicago snow to shovel just to wake up. Not much to shovel, but more is coming so I thought I would get a head start.

I made oatmeal for myself. I got a great deal with all my coupons so I have 4 boxes of oatmeal. Unfortunately, no one else in my house enjoys it. So...more oats for me.

The kids got out the door on time. We even sat down and did a devotional. Okay, so I bribed them by saying that they couldn't play the computer of Wii unless they could answer all the questions in the devotional first. Hopefully any amount of the word that I give them will sink in.

I did a 40 minute workout that frustrated the daylights out of me. Some moves that were suppose to be hard were way too easy for me which could only mean one thing: I was doing it wrong. My youngest cried for probably the last 20 minutes while either trying to climb on top of me or pulling my hair. I bribed him with marshmallows.

I tried to get my youngest down for a nap. I ended up taking a shower instead and then finally got him down for a nap.

Oh yeah, before the nap I snacked on pretzels dipped in homemade butter. You know the kind where you shake the jar of whipping cream. I added a bit of salt and shook away. (A carry-over idea from my daughter's Little House on the Prairie party). I ate too much butter but enjoyed every bite. Re consumed every calorie that I burned doing my workout.

I am determined to get a revelation from my bible reading today. I am in Deuteronomy. There is a lot of great stuff in this book and then a lot of stuff that makes me so very glad I live in the here and now.

Well, other things have fought for my attention before my devotions. So, I am going to go and get it done. I am desperate for Jesus today.

Fatigue

I am so thankful that my husband suggested early morning coffee this morning. I think I was the only mom on the planet who did all of my grocery shopping between 10 and midnight last night.

Okay, so there are benefits and trials to be had about going so late to the grocery store. I started at Starbucks 15 minutes before they closed to get my free coffee with an empty Starbucks pound bag. It was just the way I liked it.

Off to the first (yes, I do 3 grocery stores) store. I parked by the door because of the time of day and gathered my list, circulars and coffee. I probably look ridiculous juggling all that I do...but no one else was in the store to see me. So as I got to the door it was locked. Again, because of the time of day only one set of doors was open. I then went on my juggling way to the other door and once inside had to backtrack all the way back to the produce department. I grabbed a cart, which for some reason these days has been a full body endeavor. I have to pull part up with my hands, lean my body into it and get my leg tangled up underneath it and push and pull all at the same time to get the carts separated from each other. Now that I have splashed my coffee and dropped my circulars, I have a cart!

After 45 minutes and 52% savings with lots of coupons I headed to the car. As I drove to my second destination I could hear the melons rolling around in the back. I prayed that the wouldn't be bruised. Especially since I got such a great deal...buy 1 get one FREE! Yipee. I got to the second store which had no doors locked praise God. However, the night time stocking clerks had clogged all of the aisles with their big boxes and palates. I had to park my cart at the end of an aisle, grab my purse, get the items I needed and juggle them (I am getting good at this) back to my cart.


After about an hour in this store, I made it to the only checkout line open at this ridiculous shopping hour and there were 2 people in front of me. Of course the clerk was a night-time stocking clerk and not really a cashier so you can imagine the efficiency and speed at which she scanned groceries. In order to maintain my oh so patient spirit I perused a magazine. Nothing but gossip and air brushed pictures filled the pages. I put the magazine back and tried my best to smile.

After all of my items were properly scanned and bagged (that took an eternity and I had to resist the urge to reach over and help speed up the process) I handed over my pile of coupons. Of course one was not "recognized" so we had to call for backup. No problem. There wasn't anyone waiting behind me as it was going on midnight.

Okay. Finally done. I just couldn't do another store tonight. It will have to wait until tomorrow. However, tomorrow I would have 3 children in tow which presents problems of its own. I got home and put the cold stuff away and was just heading upstairs near 12:30 when my infant decided he didn't want to sleep. Somewhere between the ear infection, molars and a severe diaper rash he found something to cry about.

After rocking, tylenol and lots of tired time he slept again. I pleaded with the Lord to give me until 7 a.m. 6:20 a.m. and the day began all over again.

Daddy was gone until noon and was home long enough for me to have a nap. He left again and arrived home near 7 p.m. I am just plain tired. I have been easily irritated and agitated today. I am ready for bed. I think I need to move up my bedtime to 8:30 p.m. Because as every mom of young kids knows, you never know what tonight may hold.

I am learning endurance. I thought about Paul as I was awake with my infant. He sang songs at midnight in worship before the Lord. I mostly cry and complain about how tired I am. I don't know how Paul did it. But I know why he did it and HE deserves praise even in frustrating, sleep deprived nights.

The Feats of Daily Life

This morning I met my husband at Starbucks for a little mid-morning date. He has a busy day and weekend ahead so we snuck away, with 2 little ones in tow as one is home sick from school, and headed to our favorite spot. Of course, once we got inside there was nowhere to sit. Scratch that. There was one table couched between a couple of businessmen and 2 women engrossed in a serious conversation. I can picture it now, "Excuse me, I know this table here is meant for 2 but my husband and I would like to sit down with our 18 month old and our sick 6 year old to enjoy (not) a quiet (not hardly) cup of coffee (smile). Not going there.

So, we opted for picking out our coffees and heading back to the car. Of course as I asked about what type of drip they had available the employee mumbled, "Something, something, Guatemala." I declined and just asked for Pike Blend. My husband then jokingly said, "My wife doesn't like Guatemala...the country." Of course the employee looked at me and I said, "That's not true." Funny. Ha. Ha. I love my husband's sense of humor. I don't know if the employee was quite as indulgent.

Anyway, I got my coffee fixed up with raw sugar and lots of cream (By the way, nonfat milk ruins a good cup of coffee. Anything but cream should be outlawed). We looked around one last time and headed to the car. Of course my 18 month old wanted to walk so he tries to jump out of my husband's hands while he is balancing his coffee. In the process my son dropped his cookie on the floor and cried when we whisked it away to the trash (Can't quite wrap my mind around the 5 second rule). I grabbed my husband's coffee from him and he wrestled our youngest out the door to the car.

Ahh. Here we go. Now we can enjoy quiet conversation while we sip our way too expensive coffee. Moments into the conversation my youngest alternated between cries for more cookies and grunts that told me I would be getting out of the car shortly with a fresh diaper. (My son is on antibiotics so that means messier diapers for us. Yippee). Okay. Out of the car I went in the balmy 22 degree weather to grab a diaper out of the back. I took my son out of his seat and laid him in the chair next to his. Of course the sun was in his eyes so I had to shut the door and crouch down in the 2 foot square space left when the door was closed. I managed to get the job done and get my son back in his car seat. Hopped back out of the car and threw away the diaper in the outside trash bin and headed back to the front seat.

Once inside I grabbed the purell and then my coffee. My coffee was now lukewarm. Now where were we. We had a few spare minutes to try to chat before my husband had to go. We saw some friends walk by and waved hello from the inside of the van. Of course we explained why we were sitting in the van out site Starbucks. After the goodbye to the friends it was time for my husband to go. What a date.

As I drove away towards Target, my second favorite store, I glanced in the rear view mirror to find my 18 month old fast asleep. Ugh...........How did this happen! I had to change my plans and head back home all while devising a plan in my head of how to get him out of his parka and car seat and how to pry the bag of cheerios out of his hand while keeping him asleep.

Anyone who has attempted to keep a sleeping baby asleep from car to crib knows my pain. It isn't any easy feat. This was going to be my Olympic event today. I got home and motioned to my 6 year old to be quiet. I then opened the door where my youngest was sitting. A large number of Cheerios heralded my arrival. I was able to pry the baggie loose. I got both buckles open. Now the tough part. Getting baby out. Check. We have success. I headed upstairs while trying to devise the plan on the removal of the parka. I quietly unzipped. Waited as he started to stir. Shew. Close call. I then pulled one arm loose. Again I waited. Almost there. I laid him in his crib and cringed. Okay. We are okay. I took a deep breath and pulled his other arm out of his parka. Ta Da! I did it. I tiptoed out.

So far today I enjoyed a date in my mini-van, changed a diaper in tight spaces and kept a sleeping baby asleep. Tomorrow I might climb Mt. Everest.