June 20, 2011 · 5:00 am

The Music Makes Her Dance.

It was a special day yesterday.  We celebrated some pretty great fathers and also the baptism of John Henry and Anna.  Anna commented that there are different kinds of baptisms, but water baptism is her favorite.  We just respond with a “that’s awesome.” 

At ages 8 and 6, these two still do nearly everything together.  And, John Henry, like the rest of us, accepts the fact that Anna just can’t stop herself when the camera is rolling.  Or the music is playing.  She loves the spotlight. 

He was, however, unaware that she was stealing the spotlight in this video.  Here’s to hoping this little bit of entertainment makes for a better Monday. 

There are no dull moments.

Ever.

Happy Monday, y’all.

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June 17, 2011 · 6:40 am

Emptying the Tank.

Anna:  “Mom, can people live to be 160 years old?”
Me:  “I don’t think so.  It’s not the norm.”
Anna:  “Well, that’s okay.  Because, really only our bodies die.  We go to heaven and God gives us a new body.”
Me:  “You’re right.”
Anna:  “I used to be afraid to die, but I’m not afraid to die any more.”

Anna used to bring up death and cry so hard that it was nearly impossible to comfort her.  Her eyes would be swollen from weeping over the thought of losing me or her dad or the realization that she, too, will leave this earth one day.  These conversations were heart-wrenching for her in the past. 

Each day as I watch my little girl grow and gain a little more wisdom, I learn to let her tears flow at those things she doesn’t understand or skills she has a difficult time learning.  Whether its tears from struggling with her shoe laces or from not being included in a game with her brother and his friend, I’m letting those tears flow. 

 Before, I wanted to fix her immediately.  I wanted the tears to stop. 

 But, now I let the tears the flow.  Sometimes, without even asking why.  Now, I let the tough lessons in life pour out with every drop. 

 Because, it’s only when the tank is empty, that God can fill refill it with His understanding.  His truth.  His refreshing water. 

 I guess you can say, I am learning to be Anna’s mother and let God be God in her life.  I’m letting her pour out.

 So, He can pour in.

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June 16, 2011 · 5:00 am

Keep Getting Out of the Boat.

In small group last night, we were talking about getting out of the boat and the risks involved.  I retold that story in Matthew where the disciples were crossing the lake and a bad Mama Jama storm hit.  I’m sure they were shaking in their fishing sandals.  Then, Jesus showed up. 

27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”  28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”  29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.  30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.  31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”   Matthew 14:27-31

For Peter to walk on the water, God had to show up.  God will show up in your life and tell you to get out of the boat and trust Him.  But, often times, we don’t get out, because we are afraid.  Afraid we may make a fool of ourselves.  Afraid of what others will think.  Afraid there is too much financial risk.  Afraid we are really not seeing God in it.  Afraid we may fail.  Afraid we may sink. 

But, in order for our lives to affect eternity, we have to be willing to take risks.  When God shows up, we have to get out of the boat no matter how uncomfortable it might be.  There will be times we will take our eyes off of Christ and sink.  There will be times we may become too self-sufficient and no longer dependent on the One who showed up in the first place and sink. 

Even still, we never stop getting out of the boat. 

Sure.  Staying in the boat is comfortable.  It’s safe.  It provides security.  But, it’s really a false sense of security.  The real security comes in knowing that you are doing exactly what God has called you to do.  The real contentment comes in getting out of the boat and keeping your eyes on the One who will make it all possible. 

You might argue, “But, Peter sank!”  But, Peter freaking walked on water!  And, our small group consensus was the dude succeeded! 

Maybe, God is asking you right now to risk something and step out of the boat.  That means He has showed up.  So, trust Him.  Step out.  The conditions may not be ideal.  My good friend, Michael Thurston reminded us last night that it wasn’t calm, still waters Peter stepped out into.  Those were some pretty dang rough waters.  So, don’t wait for perfect conditions.  Instead, wait for God to show up.  For Him to whisper to you.  For Him to keep presenting you with the same opportunities over and over again as if to say, “Hey!  I’m not dropping this!  Get out!  Do it!” 

He loves you.  And, you already have everything you need to do all He has called you to do. 

Get out!  Do it!  And, if you sink, allow God to dry you off and grow you.  Then, get out of the boat again.

And, again. 

“A ship in harbor is safe – but that is not what ships are for.”  – John A. Shedd

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June 15, 2011 · 5:00 am

Loving Hurt.

I’ve always heard and maintained the philosophy that sometimes you’ve gotta play hurt.  In other words, sometimes, you’ve got to play and give and serve even when you don’t feel like playing and giving and serving.  But, quite frankly, we usually WANT to play even though we are hurt.  Most athletes will continue to play their game hurt, because they are passionate about that game.  So, it’s not really that much of a sacrifice.  I mean, I’m no athlete, but I do have some pretty awesome running apparel that I wear to carpool little people. 

The real sacrifice comes in loving hurt. 

Kris is my safe place.  He is the one who understands when I don’t feel like giving or serving.  He’s the one who loves me no matter what.  That being said, it’s pretty dang easy to bow out on serving him when I’m physically or mentally exhausted or hurting.  Besides, he understands.

And, with my recent back injury, I was little good to anyone, and Kris served me without a single complaint.  He’s good like that.  He’s compassionate and understanding.  He does, however, fail to understand how accessories really do make the wardrobe.  I know, right?

But, it hit me a few days ago.

Sometimes, you’ve got to love hurt. 

I’m not just talking about loving in spite of the proverbial headache.  Well, sort of, I am.  I am talking about stepping outside of yourself. 

Outside off your physical pain. 

Outside of your emotional pain. 

Outside of your exhaustion. 

Outside of your broken heart.  

Outside of your stuff.   

And, choosing to love hurt. 

I was really tired the other night.  (It’s okay.  You can keep reading.  This doesn’t get graphic.  This is a family blog.)  I had the worst headache of all the headaches in the world.  (And, I never exaggerate.)   I looked at my husband lying beside me and this little revelation hit me:  love hurt.  So, I rubbed his back….  And, we will just leave it at that, friends.   

At that moment, I sure would have loved to fall asleep watching House Hunters and nurse my headache.  But, I knew I needed to choose him this time.  I knew I needed to love hurt. 

You see, often, the person we love the most is the person we serve the least. 

For me, it was my physical pain keeping me from loving hurt.  For you, it might be a different kind of hurt.  Loving hurt for you may look like having to forgive while hurt.  It might be loving even though your feelings are hurt.  Loving even though you are disappointed.  Loving even though you are mentally exhausted and feel like you just can’t take any more. 

Loving even though….

Because, when we do love hurt, that love never returns void.  It is never without effect.

Because, love never, ever fails. 

And, that is one certainty I know with all of my heart.

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April 12, 2011 · 8:01 am

The Real Battle.

I spent the greater part of my morning explaining to my 8 year old why less is more when it comes to cologne.  He was concerned with the fact that I had rolled the windows down on the car ride to school, worried that his cologne would dissipate. 

Much to my chagrin (and the chagrin of his teacher, I am sure), it didn’t.

The other part of my morning was spent explaining to my 6 year old why dancing to “Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy” in the school talent show was not appropriate.  Perhaps, it’s the line, “brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack,” I don’t know.  And, if it takes a village to raise children, I need my village to tighten up the ship.  Or the village.  Or whatever.  In other words, I need my dad to pay more attention to the “prizes” Anna chooses when she is with him.

So, she doesn’t come home with a doll that looks like this.

Yes, those are vampire teeth and werewolf ears. 

For. The. Love.

And, to think I took a stance against Bratz dolls in our home in this post. 

We definitely choose our battles in this house.  Apparently, we don’t choose this battle:

And, the battles we fight now are not the battles we fought two years ago.  Nor, will they be the battles we fight two years from now.  But, we fight the ones that matter.  And, quite frankly, most of the battles I fight right now are my own.  The battle of choosing to make memories with my children over a clean house.  The battle of choosing the house of the Lord over a soccer game.  The battle of seeking God over my selfish desires.  Because, it’s these battles that win the hearts of my children and point them towards the One who loves them more. 

In the book of Ruth, Naomi didn’t set out to ruin her children.  But, she chose pleasure and temporary comfort over serving the King.  As a result, her children suffered. 

Choosing Him in every area of my life is really the most crucial battle in raising my children.  And, while I can rest in the fact that God redeemed Naomi’s life, I know that choosing Him today will make these child-rearing years better.  And, they will be better because of it.

It’s in fighting these battles that I enjoy moments like these. 

It’s in choosing Him that I am really choosing them.

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April 5, 2011 · 8:02 pm

The Truth About Resentment.

Truth is.

I’ve had one million things to write about.

Truth is.

I’ve taken zero time to write anything.

It’s easy to get out of a daily routine.  A routine of exercise.  A routine of going to church on Sundays.  A routine of weekly date nights.  A routine of family devotions. 

A routine of writing.  Okay, and so a routine of exercise. 

And, I almost didn’t write this post.  I just knew I needed to.  I knew I needed to write down how I had this moment tonight where I found myself beginning to feel resentful.  Resentful for having so little time to myself.  Resentful that I am the one who picks up behind little people.  And, ahem, big people.  Resentful that my day is usually consumed with doing things for other people.

Resentful.

So, I prayed.

And, as quickly as that resentment came pulsing through my veins, it left.  Really.  It did.  I realized that usually when resentment begins creeping into my life, it is the direct result of me failing to spend time alone with my Father.  My Friend.  I can spend a large portion of my day studying scriptures and researching words like “faith.”  It’s all head knowledge.  Granted a lot of it goes directly to my heart, and that’s all good.  But it’s not relational.  Not in the way He wants and not in the way I need.  And, it’s that relational part that keeps me in check.  Well, it keeps my attitude in check.  If you don’t believe me, ask Kris Takle. 

Or not.

And, the truth is.

My life is not my own anyway. 

So, what could I possibly be resentful about?

Now, my resentment has turned into gratitude.  Gratitude for a Father who doesn’t let me stay in a crappy state of mind.  Gratitude for a Friend who will let me vent, but then speak truth into my life seconds later. 

Because, He loves me.  And, the only appropriate response is to love Him right back. 

With time spent with Him.

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March 2, 2011 · 5:00 am

I Was Out of Her Hair.

Anna had requested that I remain in the hospital an extra day or three, so she could tell everyone her mom is in the hospital.  And, I am aware that she eagerly ran to many of you boasting of her momma’s awesome accommodations.  Of course, I will admit…the hospital can be quite entertaining.  At least, my neighbors were.  I don’t think it’s appropriate to uncover on the world wide web those experiences; but, I will tell you I did have a nurse’s assistant who was very proud of her tattoos.  And, her evening wouldn’t have been complete without making sure I saw “cream de la cream” on her back side. 

The Lord liveth.  I do not lie.

Fortunately, Anna wasn’t around to witness that little occurrence, but she did attempt to record a little documentary of part of her hospital visit experience.  Watch out.  This ride may get a little bumpy.

And I wasn’t having a baby.  “That’s what’s clear,” Anna documented.

The day after I came home, Kris took the big kids on our already scheduled trip for Winter Break.  And, when Anna learned that I would not be joining them, Kris said she immediately broke out into song, “She’s out of our hair!” from Monster’s Inc. 

She is a clever one.  That is for sure.

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March 1, 2011 · 5:00 am

He Had Me At Colon Spasm.

So sorry I’ve been MIA from the blog.  And, sorry for the ridiculous title of this post.  I thought I might be dying from the colon spasms a few days ago, but it all worked out okay.  I spent much of last week resting and trying to think of creative ways to drink my food.   That creativity ran out by day one. 

But, seriously, y’all.  Thank you for praying for me the way you did.  I am humbled and thankful!

Now, I’m not one to start yellin’ things like “God caused my pain.”  Because, He didn’t. 

But, He did use it.

To get me still.

I’ve been so focused on accomplishing goals, checking items off of my list, and trying to make this and that happen that I have failed to just be still and listen.

One morning, I woke up earlier than necessary, and I was feeling pretty rotten.  I decided to take a hot bath.  And, I became very still. 

“Okay.  I am still,” I told Him. 

So, I listened.  To Him.  His voice.  Not my friend’s.  Not my mom’s.  Not my sweet pilot’s. 

His. 

And, He brought such wonderful reproach in my life.  Yes, wonderful.  Because, it is His goodness that brings reproach.  That corrects.  That tells me I’m not always right.  I didn’t feel condemnation.  That’s not His style.  But, I did feel a holy conviction in a specific issue in my life.  And, listening to Him set me free from it. 

So, my recovery has been more than physical.

And, I’m so thankful.  Thankful that He loves me enough to correct me, so I can live a much more contented life. 

Maybe you are chasing after things so hard right now, and you are not taking time to be still before Him.  To linger with a keen awareness that you are in His presence.  Well?  I’m gonna go out on a limb here and tell y’all to take a moment this week to be still.  He might want to tell you something.  And, that something just might make a big difference.

He is just so good.

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February 15, 2011 · 5:00 am

She Is Still Anna Takle.

“I love the way I look,” she declared staring at her new clothes in the mirror before church on Sunday morning.

She insisted the scarf and purse were necessary “accessories” to complete her look.  I had obliged and made the shopping trip about her. 

“I want you to like the way you look.  I want you to feel good about how you look.  But, always be careful not to tell everyone how fabulous you think you look.  It’s not a good character trait,” I told her.

“Oh, right.  It’s kind of like being proud,” she agreed.

“Proud?”

“Yes.  It says in Corinthians that love is not proud.  It is patient, kind, it isn’t jealous, it isn’t proud, and a bunch of other stuff,” she told me.

She gets it!  She is learning to apply scripture to everyday life!  I couldn’t be more thrilled! 

After church was over, her teacher, Mrs. Layna, took a picture of a note Anna wrote to her that day and sent it to me.

So, she may not apply every scripture to her life.  Of course, neither does her momma.

She is still the determined, creative, and fun girl God created her to be.  She is still Anna Takle. 

And, I’m so glad she is.

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February 14, 2011 · 5:00 am

My Funny Valentine.

Me:  Kris, you never complain about anything.

Kris:  It’s because I have a closer walk with God.

Not only is my sweet husband a contented non-complainer, he’s also very funny.  He knew he would make me laugh with his explanation of why he doesn’t complain.  Kris has an incredible ability to not let things really get to him.  He also has quite the propensity to make me laugh every day we are together. 

But, it’s his capacity to let things go….

To let hurts go.  To overlook people’s faults.  To forgive without hesitation….

It’s one of the things I love about him most. 

How often we think we cannot get over a hurt or an offense.  We internalize and dwell on them.  We want vengeance.  We want that person to know exactly how we feel.  Exactly how they’ve hurt us.  We want to hold them accountable for their words and actions. 

But, that’s just not God’s way. 

God’s way is to think of others as better than ourselves – Philippians 2:3.

God’s way is to be kind to one another and tenderhearted, forgiving them as quickly and fully as God forgave us – Ephesians 4:32.

God’s way is to never avenge ourselves – Romans 12:19.

God’s way is to love our enemies – Matthew 5:44.

God’s way is unconventional.  His way was to go to a cross and never open His mouth even to defend Himself.  His way was to take communion on the same night he was betrayed. 

The. Same. Night.

Now, Kris Takle is no saint, I tell ya.  And, he might confuse a scripture or ten, albeit, sometimes purposefully, because he knows it’ll make me laugh.  But, he gets that God’s way stuff on letting things go pretty dadgum good. 

Kris, thank you for being such an incredible example of God’s love.  You continue to inspire and push me to do things God’s way while still giving me room to grow.  I might be able to quote 1 Corinthians 13 in my sleep, but, you walk it out with such greater ease. 

You’re a good man.  And, a really fun Valentine. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all.  Now, go love on somebody.

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