Thank You. Thank You Very Much.

Dad and I were talking on the phone last night just like we do most evenings.  I told him about a little anxiety I’ve been feeling.  He responded with how excited he is to get to do what he does at Eagles Way Church.  We were totally on the same page. 

You know.  I kid.

EWC hosted their children’s Christmas program Sunday night, which according to many was a comedy show.  Dad decided to give all of those families with children involved in the play a free DVD of the program.  Dad expressed how much it meant to him for my brother-in-law, Leiv, to walk up to him and say, “Thank you.”

Now, let me clarify, dad wasn’t at all disappointed or distressed that others didn’t follow suit.  He was more so acknowledging and appreciating Leiv for the way he intentionally lives his life.  So, simmer down now.

And, I know Dad would give and give and give without ever a thought of needing a thank you.

But, I was reminded of the story of the ten lepers that Jesus healed in Luke 17.  One of them came back to say thank you.  I want to remember to be that person who always says thank you.  I’d bet I’ve totally overlooked a lot of little blessings in my life.  I want to be more intentional about saying thank you.  I want to be the leper who comes back.

But, I don’t want to be leper. 

Just thought I should make that clear.  Not that you would think I want to be a leper, because, that would just be insane.  But, of course, I am with child, and with child women can say insane things.

Just ask my husband.

Or don’t.

On that note, thank you all for still following this very random, sometimes silly, record of my journey as a…….

mother trying to raise children with hearts after Christ,

a wife trying to be the partner God has called me to be, and

a woman trying to love God above all else.

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Things I Didn’t Do At Five and Seven.

My kids were invited to tour our city’s Christmas lights in style this weekend.

When asked her favorite part of the experience, Anna said, “I loved every single thing about it!”  Then, she added, “Dad, I had Dr. Pepper, and I loved it!” 

John Henry enjoyed the ride, too.  But, he seemed to talk about the gingerbread cookies most.  We were definitely cut from the same cloth, as they say.  Whoever “they” are. 

Kris and I enjoyed a night out alone together.  He was gracious enough to take me to the mall, along with the rest of metro area, to shop for a pair of jeans.  A very fun experience in my condition, indeed.

I asked Kris, “Are you ready for me to be skinny again?”

He responsibly answered, “I’m not touching that with a ten foot pole.”

Then, he did what every good husband does for his wife.  He fed me.

Date nights with your spouse are so essential to a healthy marriage.  And, I mean date nights sans children.  Set aside time to be alone together.  You’ll be glad you did!

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Filed under Kid Stuff, Marriage

I Like The Hustle & Bustle, But I Need This More.

Hustle.

Bustle.

This Christmas party.

That Christmas party.

Christmas lists.

Christmas shopping.

Christmas travel.

So easy to get lost in it all.

So easy to lose its meaning.

Yesterday, I had one thought in my hustle and bustle:

I just want to put it all aside and throw myself down at the altar of Jesus Christ.
Experience His peace.
Delight in His joy.
Bathe in His love.

Just for a moment.

Maybe longer.

You?

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.”  – Author Unknown

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Filed under God Stuff, life

A Girl Has To Keep Her Status Updated.

These days when I look at my mobile and notice the school calling, I immediately think, “Anna.”  Yesterday was no different.  And, my thinking was correct.

Anna’s teacher first wanted to let me know that she had “told a story” the day before.  According to her teacher, Anna had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger.  I let her teacher know we would address the importance of telling truthful stories.

She wasn’t really in trouble for this next little incident.  Her teacher just wanted to “make (me) aware” of Anna’s computer skills.

Anna’s Teacher:  “Anna was at the school computer, and I heard her saying, ‘Ugh!  I can’t log into my account!’”

When she went to view Anna’s computer screen, this is what she saw:

Anna’s Teacher:  “I was surprised she could find the Twitter web site!”

Me:  “Er, yes.  Me, too.”

Seriously.  Where did she acquire Twitter knowledge and those skills?  Probably her Dad.  I’m sure of it.

When I picked her up from school, I asked why she had told her friends she had surgery on her pinky finger.

Anna:  “What?  I didn’t tell them I had surgery on my pinky finger!  I told them I had surgery on this finger!”  She said, pointing to her index finger.

Being the mother of Anna Takle, friends, is why I should never be short on blog material.

Ever.

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They Can’t Always Get What They Want.

It’s easy to become preoccupied with what other people think about us.  It’s also the quickest way to forget what God thinks about us.  We become performance-minded.  We seek to please others.  And, in the meantime, we ignore what God is calling us to do.  We mean well.  We really do.  We don’t want to disappoint those around us.  We don’t want to let them down.

If there is one lesson we learn quickly in life, it’s that we can’t make everyone happy. 

I’ve always struggled with being a people pleaser.  I struggle saying “no.”  I become obsessed with making sure I perform and live up to others’ expectations. 

But, I’m getting better at this.

While respecting and loving other people is important, it’s more important to do what GOD wants us to do. 

I have to serve Him first.  I have to become obsessed with doing what HE wants me to do.

Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.  Galatians 1:10

How do you fair in the people-pleaser category?

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Good Thing I Didn’t Attempt the Backbend at Gymnastics.

Me:  I am so tired, and I haven’t even written my post yet.

Kris:  Well, you better get busy.

Me:  I just don’t know where to begin right this minute.  I should’ve spent more time with Jesus today.

And, that’s the honest conversation that occurred right before my fingers got to tappin’ on this here keyboard. 

Truth is, I haven’t read the first scripture today.  The only prayers I’ve prayed are the ones I pray every day over my children.  But, to say, I “should’ve spent more time with Jesus today” is probably an unfair statement. 

Because, He is always right here.  Beside me.  Probably wanting to snatch that Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake right out of my hands.  He doesn’t, because even He knows you don’t take food from a woman. 

I did listen to some praise and worship music while I peeled potatoes this afternoon.  You read that right.  I COOKED DINNER.  And, I did think about His goodness while using that incredible invention called the peeler.  Is that what it’s called? 

So, my previous unfair statement I made to my husband reminded me of the little book I read this summer called, “The Practice of the Presence of God.”  It’s the acknowledging of Christ in the everyday routine.  In the peeling of the potatoes.  In the Parents’ Day at Anna’s gymnastics class where she insisted I jump into the foam pit, too.

I did.

I acknowledged the Lord Jesus Christ when I finally made it out of that thing knowing I could not have gotten out of there without Him. 

But, I still love those intentional moments where I open His book of treasures – or my nifty YouVersion application on my iPhone.  Moments where I pray, “Lord, reveal something new about YOU to me today.”

Then, there are moments where I don’t even have to pray that prayer.  He just reveals Himself without me even asking Him to.

Because, we are in a relationship.  And, He NEVER leaves my side.

He doesn’t leave yours either, ya know?

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Filed under God Stuff, Spiritual Journey

Deeper Still.

What do you get when you have Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, and Priscilla Shirer all in one room together?  Well, certainly not a lack of knowledge of the Bible. 

Lord. Have. Mercy.

I enjoyed a great weekend with a few my BS’ers, er, Bible Study gals, at the Deeper Still conference in OKC.  We had intended on eating a nice dinner in Bricktown prior to the event on Friday, but by the time we parked, time was a tickin’.  Call me spoiled, but concession nachos and cheese are not my idea of a satisfying meal.  A Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake maybe.  But, not nachos.  When we were crossing the street downtown, my friend, Deleise, said, “I smell steak, and it makes me sad.”  I suddenly had a strange feeling come over me that we must be sisters. 

Deleise and I have a lot in common.  She is a reallllly good cook, and I reallllly love good food.   

Anyhoo, back to Deeper Still. 

Kay Arthur taught the book of Hebrews Friday night.  The WHOLE book of Hebrews.  So, if y’all have any questions on Hebrews, feel free to call me.  I’ll tell you to call Kay Arthur. 

I was most excited to hear Beth Moore until Mrs. Priscilla took the stage.  I triple heart her.  She said a whole lotta goodness, but I especially loved this statement:

“Whether God chooses to do something is a question of His sovereignty, not His ability.”

I always think of Job when I think of the sovereignty of God.  You know, the whole “where were you” speech.  But key in it all is to never stop praying.

Let’s say that again.

Never stop praying.

Don’t grow weary in praying for that thing you keep praying for.  Even when it seems God is not answering.  Or even hearing ya.  Heavens, how long did Elijah pray for rain?  I can’t remember for sure, you’ll have to ask my daddy or Kay Arthur, but I know it was a long time.

Just remember, He can do anything.

And, what concerns you concerns Him.  You can put God in a box.  But your box will not limit Him.  It will just limit your awareness of Him.

He’s bigger than your problem.

And, He is able.

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Filed under God Stuff, prayer, Spiritual Journey

Fathers Be Good To Your Daughters.

Anna:  “Dad, your hair is running out.”

Yet, he adores her and even serves her still.

What compares to a father’s love for his daughter?

I’m quite certain…..

 nothing.

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Filed under Kid Stuff, parenting, Relationships

‘Tis the Season.

I experience different seasons of life just like you.  Some are easier than others.  Some do not end quickly enough.  Then there are seasons where I hardly stop to notice the season.  Know what I mean? 

I’m noticing this one.  But, not the things one would expect for me to notice. 

It’s not hard.  It’s not easy.  Financially?  I’ve seen more.  I’ve seen less.  I don’t notice a real difference in myself as a mother (unless I look at my protruding abdomen.)    I’m sure my children have grown a tenth of an inch this past month.  I can’t really tell until their jeans hit above their ankles.  Kris still makes me laugh out loud just like he does in every other season. 

What I am noticing this season is a greater intimacy in my relationship with my heavenly Father.  I know He’s always tender.  He’s always gentle.  But, I’m especially noticing a sweet calm – a peace – that can only come from Him.  I think about Him when I take my kids to school and on my drive back home.  I think about how good He is when I serve my husband.  I think about how a perfect son of God was born in the most humblest of circumstances. 

I think about Him.

All the time.

And, my heart overflows.

I am in love.

Totally.

And.

Completely.

With Jesus.

I love this season.

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Filed under God Stuff, life, Love, Relationships

Redemption.

So, I must admit.  I was sad for Redeeming Love to end.  But, it left my heart so very full.  Full because of the splendor of redemption. 

Oh, how beautiful redemption truly is.  And how we fall in love with Christ in the process. 

I was a little late to the party on Francine Rivers’ Redeeming Love.  This is nothing unusual for me.  None the less, it’s a retelling of the biblical story of Hosea set in the mid-nineteenth century.  It’s a beautiful narrative and a sweet reminder of God’s unconditional love.

Sure, the Twilight series is great.  It can even leave you lovesick for a fictional character named Edward.  Redeeming Love, however, will leave you yearning for a more intimate relationship with a very loving – and very real King.

Many don’t experience God’s redemption due to a grossly distorted picture of who God is.  They see a wrathful God.  An unforgiving God.  Or, they see themselves unworthy of His redemption. 

Sometimes, this misperception is the church’s fault.  Sometimes, we fail to see others the way Christ does.  We judge.  We condemn.

God doesn’t.

He loves.

He IS love.

A.W. Tozer said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

I tend to agree.

How do you view God?

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Filed under God Stuff, Love