Underfoot

I saw a sight today that prompted this blog. As I walked through the kitchen I noticed the refrigerator magnets had been moved down to "Josie Height" by her biggest sister. What a sweet sight and recognition that we will soon be entering an independent new phase for our "baby girl".
But it made me think. When we say our children are under our feet it can often have a negative connotation to it. So much of the world today sees children as a problem, inconvenience, or a status symbol or trophy. But I love having my children underfoot...that means they are close. Yes I am often tripping over a walker as Josie chases me from the stove to the sink (or tipping over the trash can). And yes there is ALWAYS a stool pulled up beside me or two with extra spoons in whatever I am stirring. Yes there is a young lady who wants to try a new recipe by herself and we have had to start over on numerous occassions because we measured a Tablespoon when it required a teaspoon. Yes there is our little chef who is always the first to volunteer to use the knife to cut something and litte blondie who is the best peeler at 3 as I've ever seen.
But if I am to make disciples, they must be near me, around me and yes under my feet. So Lord as I walk today and there are little ones watching every move and listening to every word...let them see love that comes from you, kindness toward others, joy that comes not from situation or circumstance but from a relationship with my Father. Let them see you!

And yes...I will post more pics soon.

Wanting More

Sometimes in life we just want more. More time. More joy. More love. More sleep. And definitely more of the simple things..chocolate and Dr. Pepper.

In this world of quick texts, status updates and tweets...we can be left wanting more in terms of our relationships. In being 100% totally honest, I am thankful at this season in my life for text messaging and status updates. It allows me to stay somewhat connected while still retaining the majority of my time on my family and those commitments. But I will admit..I miss face time with my friends and family. Seeing a reaction, hearing a laugh, feeling a touch...

"He is a God who can be found. He is a God who can be known." Sometimes I think we relegate our spiritual life to that much like our social life. Quick snippits. Popcorn prayers. Short or no time in the word. But if we want to truly have an intimate, know you deep down relationship with our Lord, it takes time and effort. And there is good news...HE WANTS THAT. He created us for relationship. In total honesty and transparency here..sometimes I can grasp only that which I can see and feel. Or at least those are the things which demand and seem to require my attention. God is so big, so powerful and awesome that I cannot wrap my tiny mind around that and like many of us...it is easier (not more beneficial, but easier) to have relationships with those like us. But I want to know Him more. I want to know His heart, His thoughts. I want to have His wisdom. To love as He loves. His word promises that if we seek Him, we will find Him. What we ask ... like a deeper, closer, more personal relationship with him...He will give us. So Lord I am not content with a mile wide and inch deep relationship. I want to go deeper. Just me and you. I want to sit in awe at your majesty. I want to fall on my face as I experience your holiness. I want to weep at your mercy and forgiveness and how ugly my sin is before you. I love you. Thank you for loving me.

Teaching and Learning

One of the things I like most about being a teacher is that I also get to be a student. Always learning and discovering new things.
Things I am learning...how to be humble. I LOVE the New Year and all the opportunities that presents. With my go-get-em attitude in check I hit 2011 head on...and well it felt like a head on. Josie didn't sleep well for several nights -- therefore mom's grouchy meter was higher than normal and mom got to deal with a very fussy, need to be held constantly baby. That is okay when you have one baby--but not so well with 3. The kids also had a hard time "settling" back into school. Made me thankful I had 3 pupils (2 and our "join when she likes the subject matter") instead of a classroom of 20 with the same attitudes.

In the new year I want to work on a new spiritual discipline. (Yes this is all leading back to my original topic). So one of the things I want to work on in 2011 is praying. Because really I just stink at it. Yeah, yeah I do the typical pray for my husband, our children, their future spouses, etc. But have not experienced a powerful prayer life in some time. So I am devoting 2011 to studying and practicing prayer. Let's face it...the disciples saw the power Jesus had through His prayer life so much so that they asked Him how to pray. So why don't we?

Oh that is another goal for 2011...I do not nor do I pretend to have it all figured out. So in 2011 I am gleaning resources, people, events, podcasts to enlighten me with the knowledge/experience I lack.

So as I've gone down this path a phrase in learning to pray caught my eye...ask God what is on His heart. What? What is on His heart? Hmm...hadn't thought of that. Yes I pray for the lost, the sick, the fatherless...these are all on His heart, but what does He want me to petition Him for? Then I realized how self-centered my prayer life was. I let God know the things I wanted (and yes some were good and Godly things) but had I asked Him what was on His heart? Hadn't before..but I am now.

So today on my prayer deal it said to pray that God would teach you new things about Himself. Hmm..another "I never really thought about that" moment. I know what the bible says of God...but have I really studied that out. So I think in an "in your face" way (which is what it usually takes) God is showing me that He wants me to know Him more in 2011. So here we go...as Isaiah said "Here am I". Teach me, train me, show me Lord.

I Want to Be That Friend

I have come to realize that through different seasons in our lives--our friendships look different, have different rules and are just..well...different. As children, our friendships have such an innocence about them. Then as we get older we are friendships become deeper and sometimes more complicated. Then as we move from home, friendships take on a new meaning. As you become an adult and then move into parenthood, again the definition and expectation of friendship is different.
If we are lucky...as I have been...we have some friends that have been there through all of these stages. As the old saying goes, they know us and still love us. They don't set expectations and are then disappointed when we don't meet those. They truly care about us....about our well being..and desire to be a part of the good and bad in our life.
This morning as the kids read from Mark 2 concerning the friends who had a friend sick with the palsy. They knew Jesus was in town and they brought their friend to see and meet the one who could heal the blind, the lame and their hope and belief...their friend. When they could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, they cut a hole in the roof and lowered their friend on his mat. Talk about tenacity, persistence and determination. THEY believed Christ was who He said He was...for their friend. They had faith. They went out of their way, stopped what they were doing to see that their friend was healed. They went to the extreme to make sure their mission did not fail. They were true friends.
I want to be that kind of friend...