Powerful

Yesterday was one of those days where you realize that life is fragile and God is in control. Yesterday was one of those days that makes you realize how much love runs through family. Yesterday was one of those days that makes you realize how powerful prayer can be.
Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me of how GOOD people can be.

Let me go back a few days actually...because its not just about yesterday...

About a week ago P-Daddy and I packed up the family truckster to brave the grocery store on a weekend morning. We had been playing with JD outside for most of the morning and our arms were really tired from swinging him so we decided this would be a good idea. I had laid my cell phone on my back bumper for play time and noticed it before we packed up, making a mental note I needed to grab it before we left. But I forgot. And we went on our merry way to the store and back home again. The store by the way is about 10 miles away. So we get home and I remember that I had left my cell on the bumper and forgot and we had driven off with it there. CRAP!!! But my optimistic self got back in the car with P-Daddy's cell phone and thought I would slowly drive down our street and down the main road of our hood on the off chance it was still out there and still in one piece. I did have a pretty sinking feeling in my gut that I was wrong though. Well...I drove down our street calling my phone and get to the stop sign at the end of our road and there I hear it. In the MIDDLE of the main road in our neighborhood, ringing. I get out of my car, walk over to my untouched phone, laugh, shake my head and say (out loud)"God I have NO idea why you are so good to me because I don't deserve it."

To you this may be silly because it is just a cell phone, and believe me when I say I completely realize this. It was just one of those rare moments where it was kind of a miracle that it was still in one piece based on where it was laying and it was going to be a real pain to have to get a new phone (and expensive) and I really felt God was saying "see I am in your life, even for the small things." (insert chills)

Flip back to the present...

It has truly been a powerful couple of days. We have been battling (made up) monsters in JD's room, lots of allergies turned into sickness (for me, JD, and Granbeck), lots of family in town, some days off of work for both me and P-Daddy, a dear loved ones surgery, lots of worrying, lots of praying, lots of laughter to break through the fear, and a huge blessing.

The surgery went well, better than well actually. And we are blessed. May we all see God's blessings through the good and tough times in our lives...the small and the big ways he shows us he is there.

Bible Beater

Mamalouise's definition of a BB: a "Christian" who knows more about the Bible than anyone else (so they claim) and beats that said Bible in anyone and everyone's face that they can. Very Christian like eh?

I have some family that I would categorize as BB's (nothing like the pot calling the kettle black though...you know this being such a "christian" like and un-judgemental statement and all!)...one member of the good old fam even sent out Christmas cards to everyone that said that all of us were going to go to hell because we didn't follow God's ways. Now isn't that a way to encourage people to go to church?! Laughable.

So our fam went to church with GranBeck and Fwank this weekend. They are of the Lutheran type and we wanted to check out their churchy digs. There was a band (if your understanding of a band is a synthesizer a guitar and a few middle aged woman on the mics rocking it out) which had great music but the clapping thing is a bit too much for P-Daddy. Its the Catholic in him, so he just stands there as we tease him. JD on the other hand dances his little heart out just like he dances to the rap music I allow him to listen to...apparently he is a non bias' music lover just like his mommy. Can I get an AMEN! :)

The gospel verse this week was Luke 10:25-37 which is the parable of the "Good Samaritan." This jist of this story is that a man is talking to Jesus and tells him that he thinks being a good christian means to "love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus is all like-duh-yes but asks him what that means? Then tells the story of a man getting robbed and left for dead. Three men pass him...a priest, a levite (don't ask me what this kind of man is, I am assuming a rich man?), and, you guessed it-the good samaritan...who is the only one that stops and then helps this poor man who was just robbed. The moral is that the man who stopped was truly living out God's love...not that the other's weren't Christians but that they didn't show God's love to the robbed man.

Lots of good modern day parallels were drawn, including personal stories that the pastor told of walking away from people who he now looks back and realizes he could have helped...but at the time it seemed too much to deal with. I love it when pastors are honest about being real people and not holier than thou types.

One of the best things that I think were said out of the whole thing was this:
"It is far easier to be GOOD than it is to be COMPASSIONATE."

First of all, I think there are a lot of good people who don't love themselves enough to be able to love and be compassionate towards their neighbors...

Second...I think being good is easier to pull off as we were taught good/bad, right/wrong from birth. Compassion is so much harder to come by because if you weren't shown compassion by any growing up then how are you to know how to be compassionate towards others? Also I think a lot of us were raised (including children today) with expectations set higher than can be achieved with little compassion or leeway if those expectations are not met. Insert here why a lot of people have trouble loving themselves...vicious circle I tell ya!

Third...I realized (especially after looking at point #4 below) that I am pretty darn compassionate. My therapist may beg to differ as she would say I am more of a "rescuer" because it makes me feel good to help everyone else with their problems and not focus on my own (see point one about loving yourself first-ha-you following me...Bueller?)

Finally...the definition of Compassion is: Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Anyway its always a good reminder...to pray for those around you...to open your eyes to the way you can affect people. To realize that everyone suffers a bit in their own way. To understand little old me or you can have an impact on those around us just by reaching out. Even if it is rescuing. :)

I was always taught in Baptist like church digs to lead by example. To radiate God's love in your life so that others will want to learn more about God just by the way you live. Not by beating the bible over their heads. I am not always good at leading by example. Oh lets be serious, I pretty much suck at it. Which is why I seriously pray every day to be a good influence on those around me. As much as I know God knows my heart and yours, I am still a believer in the Good Samaritan and the impact that being compassionate can have on someones life. It may not lead them to have a relationship with God, but it will allow them to believe that there is good in this world.

And the Bible Beater thing...well I probably just beat down the Bible a bit too much for some right here...I will pray that everyone can read this with an open heart. I have said it before and I sure will say it again...I am by NO means a perfect Christian and my relatives are very correct in saying I would be going straight to hell on a turbo jet rocket if God wasn't a forgiving God. Thank God! :)

Inspiring {10}

Approximately 40 days ago P-Daddy and I started a nightly routine of reading this...

We have been reading this after our evening prayer (before dinner) while enjoying our meal. Each day has two different versus from the book of Psalms and then a short story that talks about different things in marriage. Titles range from "Front Burner Marriage" to "Stronger Together," to "Always Marrying." Each day is only one page, so its an easy read (note, it isn't marked as a day by day thing...you and yours could read it all at once if you want...we are just using this as our daily devotional). So far, everything we have read has been very interesting and relevant. It really does have a lot of great perspective on marriage in a very light hearted way. I would highly recommend!

I have thought several times about blogging about this because I thought it could be enlightening to others...but I haven't gotten around to it until today! One of our favorites is below...I hope you enjoy!

"Invitation List"

He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep

Psalm 121:3 The Message

All over the country black-and-white billboards popped up containing various messages from God. One message said "Loved the wedding. Invite me to the marriage."

When you invite God to your marriage, he comes. He comes to help you do more with your marriage than you can do with it by yourselves. By yourselves, you have only human abilities to call on. When you are partners with God in your marriage, there is a greater deposit from which you can withdraw assistance. Resources abound. Intermittent springs from which to drink are everywhere. God's presence keeps you company on a daily basis. God's purpose gives you meaningful work to do together. God's power sends you forth into a life as a courageous and confident couple. And God is in it all.

Invite God into your lives, and he will walk up and down the aisle of your marriage each and every day.

My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Pslam 121:2 GNT

The above is from the book "Inspiring Words From The PSALMS For Couples, Gods Gift of Endless Love, Joy and Encouragement," by Phillip H. Barnhart.

If you want to have one of these for you and your hubby, click here.

My Belated Mother's Day Post...

Happy Belated Mother's Day to all you hot, amazing, and oh so talented momma's out there in blogger world! I have no good excuses at all why I didn't post this yesterday other than I was enjoying my own Mother's Day! It was finally nice here in good old Indiana so we were able to enjoy some outside time! I am crossing my fingers that we will be able to do this on a regular basis now and that the RAIN is OVER! :)

Some pics of Mother's Day 2009 (a rare occasion that Mommy and JD get a photo shoot...a perk of the day!) :)

I first off want to thank my own mother, we call her Granbecks :) (she too has a blog and posted a lovely mother's day post which includes some very embarrassing photos of yours truly...if you get a chance, click on her name and give her some blogger love) for being such a wonderful momma to me! My mother, if you don't know her, is one of the most caring, thoughtful and amazing individuals you will ever meet. She is also very kind. I am so glad and proud to call her my MOM and hope to instill in my children the kindness and love for others as she has done for me! I LOVE YOU mom, and Happy Mother's Day.

Second...some of you may have figured out that a lot of my REAL LIFE friends also have children around JD's age. Aimee, Brooke, Laura, Ashley, Brooke, Talia, Jessica, Jaimie, and Tara to be exact. Aimee is my closest of all of those real/blogger friends and between our really close group of friendies 3 of us were prego together (not planned because lets be honest folks...that would be creepy). Through the blogger world I have had the opportunity to "reconnect" with some of the ladies above and see their grown up mommy selves. I have to say that I am so proud of the women that are in my life! You are ALL phenomenal women and wonderful mommies! I think it is so fun that we all have children around the same age...we need to get together for some playdates so these children know each other! :)

Last but not least...yesterday in church our pastor had an interesting spin on a Mother's Day sermon. He read out of Mark Chapter 10:1-16. That chapter actually talks about divorce...so when I looked it up and saw that I was confused. But as usual he did a wonderful job of bringing God's grace into the message. A couple of things that stuck with me dealt with the priority order of family. Meaning most of us put our children FIRST, and ourselves last. But God teaches us:

GOD
FAMILY

CHILDREN

...and that really got to me. Mostly because JD has been the "center" of our world since he was born. And that sometimes (as you even know as I have blogged about it) I have lost myself, and admittingly P-Daddy and I have had to find each other (through the poop and bath time and spit up). I always knew God should be first and we strive to make him that way, but I thought it was more like...

GOD

CHILDREN

HUSBAND

ME

...or maybe that is how I LIVE most of the time?! Well anyway, its nice to regain God's intention on our lives. The second and last thing that he said that I loved is: " HOME is where God is at center stage...when God is there we can all find our proper place."-Pastor Greg McGarvey

I am certainly not trying to preach to you, at you, NOTHING like that dear readers! This blog has always been about me sharing my thoughts on life...and I found this refreshing and powerful. :)

Before he went into his sermon, Pastor Greg read the below. Something many of the mothers out there have received as a forward I am sure...but I couldn't resist posting this because I think it is perfectly said and very witty! :)

POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION:Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills! and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities.Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair,mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls,maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute,an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

I hope each and every Mom out there had a wonderful Mother's Day!

Faith

Last night, as I was stalking blogs I went to one that I have been frequenting lately. Its one I stumbled across from blog hopping one night and have been hooked ever since. See the "Praying for Stellan" on the left there...its his mama's blog I am referring to. Yesterday baby Stellan had heart surgery and by the grace of God he is back in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and recovering.

I have ALWAYS believed in the power of prayer, and by always I mean since high school when I feel I really started to comprehend my own faith. P-Daddy and I make it a daily practice to lift up our day to the Lord (usually at dinner) and JD and I make have a nightly routine of praying too. Recently I noticed that there were things around me that were going a lot better, some of it was almost shocking because these certain things hadn't been going that well. I literally stood over a load of laundry pondering how in the world an SUCH a change was possible overnight with no "sparking" it to do so (by that I mean confrontation or a "hint hint"). And then I realized...I wasn't noticing the obvious. P-Daddy and I had been praying about these "things" for quite some time and God had officially answered our prayers! For those of you non believers out there...I am telling you that believing is better! God is so good and the ONLY explanation for these things was due to God. :)

So back to my "moment" last night. I was reading Stellan's mama (or rather mckmama) tell us about Stellan's condition...she was talking about server overload and then said to click here. So I clicked and couldn't believe my eyes. It's worth clicking I promise. So there I was scrolling and looking and scrolling and looking (I know, cryptic writing...meaning I REALLY want you to click on the link...so just do it already!) and really there are no words at how I felt...other than the power of blogging is unbelievable and people are so good. God is so unbelievable. He works his ways in so many ways and I feel so thankful to know him. I hope that you know him too...

MckMama wrote today about the power of prayer and I think she summed everything up so wonderfully! I never knew that blogging would/could be this powerful...in my life, to the lives of others, for the lives of others...its amazing! I am so thankful!