November 11, 2009 · 6:00 am

Do You Trust Your Heart?

Anna has been talking a lot about God lately.  And, asking a whole mess of questions.  Kris somehow diverted her attention the other day by teaching her the names of the bones in our legs and arms. 

“Okay.  I don’t want to talk about bones anymore,” she told him.

Kris’ interruption of a bone discussion has nothing to do with this post or the fact that Anna has been talking Jesus.  I just found it kind of funny.

I’ve noticed Anna saying repetitively, “God trusts our heart.”

I haven’t the, well, heart, to tell her that’s not really the case. 

The old adage, “follow your heart” isn’t really good advice.  If I’m honest.

Our heart can make us do CRAZY things.  We can follow our hearts right into adultery.  Right into questionable situations.  Right into a MESS.  Can I get an amen?

Cindy Beall wrote a great post on this very topic.  She referenced this Proverbs 4:23 scripture:

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Not only should we guard our heart, we need to LEAD our heart.  My heart can tell me that I have inappropriate feelings for another man.  Do I follow that?  Or do I lead my heart based on what God says about those feelings? 

So, I try to first guard my heart against things that aren’t of God.  Then, I lead it accordingly.

I’m not exactly explaining this to Anna just yet.  For now, I’ll just nod and say, “Uh huh.”  But, I’ll certainly teach her this principle before she enters her teen years and some dingleberry guy attempts to capture her attention.

Then, I’ll remind her, “Lead your heart, Miss Takle.” 

And, it’s highly doubtful that her daddy will change the subject to bones then.

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November 10, 2009 · 6:00 am

Dancing With the Sister.

JH - Anna Lake Hefner

Anna:  Johnry, will you please dance with me?

John Henry:  No, Anna.

Me:  Come on, John Henry.  That’s a sweet big brother thing to do.

John Henry:  No video, okay?

Me:  No video. 

John Henry:  Okay.  Only for a little bit.

So, they commenced to dancing. 

And, it’s a memory that can only live in my heart. 

I mean, as if I would have videoed my children for the sole purpose of blog material. 

Right.

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November 9, 2009 · 6:00 am

Double The Fun.

What up party people?  Oh, perhaps, that’s just us.  We celebrated Anna’s 5th birthday and Kris’ 36th birthday this weekend.  I was actually scheduled to be induced with Anna on Kris’ birthday, November 8th, but my little girl had a mind of her own and came one day early. 

That mind of hers, it has not changed.  And, I’m sure she is thrilled she has a day all to herself.  She was quick to inform us that birthdays mean you “can do whatever you want.” 

I tend to agree.

Her day only went uphill after waking up to this.

Anna - bday pony

Kris moved the beauty to the living room, and I’ve kindly asked it be replaced back in Anna’s room.  I cannot continue to nearly pee my pants every time I walk by the animal.  I have enough trouble with that when I sneeze for crying (or sneezing) out loud.

Kris had a lovely day yesterday.  However, I do feel a tad sorry for him.  It’s rather difficult to enter the spotlight once Anna’s show has concluded.  But, he doesn’t seem to mind.  He’s pretty fond of his 8 pound 5 ounce birthday gift. 

He’s also pretty fond of John Henry.   And, I do have to share a picture he drew for Kris yesterday. 

JH - pic to Kris wp

This made me laugh out loud.  I did ask Kris’ permission to share his sweet gift.  He said, “It’s okay since my confidence level is pretty high that my feet clearly do not stink.”

Funnnny. 

I appreciate the Shrek-like feet even more than his appropriate, possessive use of “Dad’s.” 

Annnnd, that’s all I got.  Or have.  Or whatev’.

Just so completely happy Kris and Anna Takle were born.

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November 6, 2009 · 8:28 am

What Will Five Look Like?

Anna - Supergirl

Dear Anna,

Tonight, when I gently tuck the covers around your small frame, it will be the last time I kiss my four-year old daughter goodnight. 

Because, when you awaken tomorrow morning, you will be five years old.

Five.

Will you still refuse to wear tennis shoes if they are dirty?

Will you insist on being Super Girl for Halloween for a third year in a row?

Will you continue to sing the majority of the thoughts that run through your mind?

What will five look like on you?

I do know that no matter what, you will continue to make me laugh.  You will continue to be one of my greatest sources of fun.  You will continue to know exactly what you like and what you don’t.  You will continue to ask questions. 

You will continue to grow in the knowledge of your King.

Anna Takle, I love the way you love your big brother.  I love your boldness.  I love your determination.  I love watching you learn to love God.  I love how you melt in your daddy’s arms.  I love the way you rub my growing belly and talk to a little brother you’ve yet to meet.

I love every single day with you. 

And, I can’t imagine one second without you.

You are joy illuminated.

I love you birthday girl.

Love,
Mom

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November 5, 2009 · 6:00 am

No Matter.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.  Ephesians 3:20 (The Message)

I love this scripture.  I especially love The Message translation. 

Yet still I sometimes overlook it.

Then, I discover it again.  And, I pray that this time, it will remain written on my heart.

Because, it is foundational to my faith.

To my life.

It is hope.

It is truth.

And, we need not forget.

That no matter what place we are in.

No matter how fiercely our battles wage.

No matter what the report reads.

No matter how high the mountain is.

No matter how long the walk through the valley takes.

No matter.

God can do anything, you know.

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November 4, 2009 · 6:00 am

And, We Also Know Noah Built An Ark.

Nan - Anna Grand Day

Anna (to Nan):  So, there was this man who did not like Jesus.  He put people in jail if they talked about Jesus.  Then, a bright light made him not see.  Then, he loved Jesus. 

Nan:  Are you talking about the Apostle Paul?

Anna:  You KNOW that story?

It’s kind of like that song re-make that your kids are surprised you know.  ‘Cause, it’s like a re-make. 

But, I do love hearing stories from the Bible told by my children.  So, one day, they will not only know that story, it will be written on their hearts.

To always be reminded of His faithfulness.

His provision.

His sovereignty.

His presence.

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.  Joel 1:3

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November 3, 2009 · 6:00 am

She Gave All She Had.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t always work in us the way we think He might.  When I decided to surrender this pride thing, I was surprised how God chose to deal with it.  One very large way He has operated, if you will, is by breaking my heart for others in need.  Giving in the past has always been easy.  Even a no-brainer.  It was easy to write a check and make things better for someone in need.  And, it wasn’t that I was without compassion.  I just didn’t truly have an understanding of what it means to be broken for people less fortunate. 

I was reminded of the story where Jesus is teaching at the temple in Jerusalem where He witnessed the rich men’s donations.  But, it was one widow who gave two mites that caught His attention.

The others gave out of their abundance.  This widow gave everything she had.

And, not just financially.  She surrendered her whole self and everything she possessed. 

This especially went to straight to the heart of Christ.  Because, in a few short days, He would give everything He had on a cross.

I don’t want to just give out of my abundance.  I want to give out of my want.  Out of my hurt.  I want to give no matter what place I’m in.

That’s what Christ modeled for us.

I’m still learning to live a life fully surrendered. 

Are you?

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November 2, 2009 · 6:00 am

For Those Who Haven’t Heard…

Our little Takle baby is a

BOY. 

We are excited.

All of us.

Even Anna who wanted the “girl kind.” 

And, for those who have wondered where I vanished to last week.  Well, I tore a muscle in my right arm from strenuous housework.  And, yes, I call the WetJet strenuous activity.  It left me in too much agony to type, you see. 

It has become apparent I need a housekeeper and a personal assistant.  However, my budget says otherwise.  Budget Schmudget. 

I’ll be back with a little more substance tomorrow.  I’ll pick up from this post, and how God has been dealing with my stuff. 

He’s good y’all.

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October 27, 2009 · 6:00 am

Heart Surgery.

Pride.

That’s my ugly issue.

Pride can come in different forms.  But, at the end of the day, it’s all self-centeredness. 

My stuff reveals itself when I stress over finding the perfect outfit to wear for an event.  Or, when I stress over the idea that people expect me to perform at a certain level.  Or, when I want to make sure I give the perfect gift.  Or, when I want more stuff than I already have – which is, I’m certain, more than I need.

It’s all pride. 

And, there is nothing holy about it.

I wish my issue was a bit more noble.  Of course, I suppose any unholy stuff we got goin’ on isn’t exactly noble.

But still.

This is my stuff.

And, I’ve let God open up my heart and operate.

Because, more than anything else on this earth, I want to be more like Him. 

I want to live beyond myself.

Beyond my pride.

Beyond me.

Less of me.  More of Him.

Is there anything more important than that?

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October 26, 2009 · 6:00 am

Refining.

I had been frustrated with God for few days.  He wasn’t answering my prayers.  He didn’t appear to be moving on my behalf.  And, I reminded Him a time or three of my faithfulness – my investments into the Kingdom and into others.  ‘Cause, clearly, it’s all about me. 

I.Got. Nothin’.   

I probably should’ve gotten a “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth” speech.  I deserved it.

Hello, God.  Are you there?  Is this thing on?  Testing one, two, three. 

I did all of those things I know to do.  I even read and re-read “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)  I just added my own “Hmph” to the end of it.

Then, a light came on.  I was sitting at my kitchen table watching John Henry complete a few make-up assignments, and I repeated my “Hmph.”  And, the silence ended. 

He spoke. 

So, I asked….

“What are You wanting to teach me through this?”

Kind of changed my perspective a wee bit. 

Sometimes, we go through difficult situations brought on by ourselves, others, or just life circumstances.  This, we know.  What we, or I, seem to forget is that God can and will use these times to refine us.

You see, friends, we may be created in His image, but we aren’t Him.  And, He wants us to be more like Him.  So, He’ll refine us. 

Because, He love us.

And, that’s a good thing.

As the days passed, God began to make me painfully aware of some areas in my life that weren’t completely surrendered to Him – one particular area that didn’t resemble Christ in any way. 

So, I let Him begin doing some heart surgery on me.

Refining, if you will.

Tomorrow, I’ll share what that one thing is.

Do you feel God refining an area in your life?

For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.  Psalm 66:10

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