October 21, 2008 · 6:00 am

Today is kind of a big deal.


Today is my birthday.  And, well.  That’s kind of a big deal.  I’m not like all into myself or anything.  It’s just my favorite day of the year. 

Oh, Dusty.  You mean you enjoy it more than your own child’s birthday?  Of course, I do.  It’s MY birthday.  It’s apparently not that big of a deal to some other people.  I won’t go to namin’ names.  But, Kris has just been a little preoccupied lately.  And, to think his preoccupation has been around my entry into this world would lead me to one big letdown.  I’m not bitter or anything.  I just keep reminding him that my birthday is kind of a big deal.

Last night, I asked him if he wanted to do a guest blog and describe 34 things he loves about me.  (I’ve seen it done by some other bloggy husbands.)  Anyhoo, he was like, “I’ll do it after my meeting tomorrow morning.” 

As if my OCD would EVER let me post a blog that late in the day. 

N.E.V.E.R.M.I.N.D.  I said in the most understanding wifey voice. 

Later in the evening, he decided he needed to make a run to pick up some ink cartridges.  Uh huh.  I bet you are. 

You can bet he did.  Pick up ink cartridges, that is.

Not to worry.  I have no problemo going to buy my own birthday present. 

Truth be told.  Here are a few of my favorite gifts.

Getting aluminum up to two-five-o is kind of a big deal.  I have my own private pilot.  And an even better husband and dad.

Seriously.  Be still my heart.  And to think.  He lives down the hall from me. 

 

To never be short on pure joy?  Well, that’s a really big deal.

There you have it.  My three favorite gifts (and a few of my vacation pictures.) 

Happy Birthday to me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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October 20, 2008 · 6:00 am

Back to life. Back to reality.


Family vacation was oh so nice.  I usually leave the beach with aspirations to one day live there.  But then, I question.  Would I value that wonderment of God’s creation if I soaked it in every single day?  Or would it, like so many blessings in my life, be taken for granted?  Probably the latter.  Unfortunately. 

The comings and goings of vacations are similar to life.  In life, we experience good times and bad.  Scripture tells us that in this life, you will have trouble.  But, it’s in our trouble, in our pain, that God reveals a little more of Who He is.  And, as a result, we are better for it.  If not better for going through the trial in itself, but who we learn that God is in that trial.  When we choose to endure hard times God’s way, He makes Himself known in ways that we could not imagine.  It could be seeing God’s provision during a financially difficult time.  A friend calling you when you are feeling indescribably lonely.  Losing a child and waking up the next morning wondering how you are even breathing. 

I will never, ever forget sitting in my house on Sweetbriar Lane with my eight week old baby boy.  John Henry was asleep.  I was sitting in my living room chair sobbing.  I was lonely.  The despair I was feeling hurt so deeply.  I heard a knock at the door.  It was my friend, Stacey.  I yelled for her to come in.  She did.  And, she saw a young, single mother cradled up in a chair with tears soaking her shirt.  What does Jesus look like?  He looked a lot like Stacey Beheler that night.  She dropped in to give me some things for John Henry.  But, God used her to give me much more that night. 

The Bible says that His grace is sufficient.  A mother who has lost a child has a greater measure of grace than one who has not.  God gives his grace as we need it.  And, He measures it exactly right.

I don’t invite tough times.  But, I also know that without them, we take for granted the good.  During those times, we see and feel the love of God like no other time.  And, it forever changes who we are. 

I would like to be back in a beach chair with my toes in the sand.  I’m not.  But, when I am again, it will be oh so nice. 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

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October 14, 2008 · 6:00 am

Family Vacation


As I was putting John Henry to bed, I asked him what he was most excited about for vacation at the beach. 

“I’m just gonna lay on my towel, practice my reading, and reeee-lax,” he said. 

I’ll be sure he gets a good foot rub, too.  You know, it’s hard out there for a Kindergartener. 

I’ll be taking a bloggy break for the rest of the week as we head south for some much needed relaxation.    A big shout out to Papa Joe and Linda (Mimi to my children) for the family invite. 

I’ll be back next Monday. 

With stories.  I’m sure of it. 

I’m taking “The Shack” and “In the Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day” with me. 

What are you reading?  Any book recommendations?

Love ya.  Mean it.

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October 13, 2008 · 6:00 am

Gossip Girl


I was watching Oprah the other afternoon, wishing I had a wonderful glass of wine iced tea to enjoy it with.  It was about how to handle various social situations.  Perhaps, you saw it?

Well, one situation was where a gal found herself in a “real e-mail pickle,” to quote Oprah.  She sent an e-mail gossiping about someone…..to the someone she was gossiping about! 

Yikes!  How to recover from that one?

She was given the advice to never, ever gossip via e-mail again.  As a matter of fact, don’t write anything in an e-mail you wouldn’t want to see on the front pages of the NY Times.  You know what happens.  You send an e-mail.  It gets forwarded.  Forwarded again. 

Even text messaging can produce the same “oops.”  In today’s world of mass communication, these blunders are all too common.  I can’t tell you how many times my husband has texted our pilot, Blue (yes, that’s his real name), telling him/me how much he misses me, wants to kiss me, wants to……

You get the picture. 

As a result, Blue’s job is secure for the rest of his life. 

I’ve written e-mails that were forwarded but meant for private eyes.  (Just typing “private eyes” makes me suddenly break out into the Hall & Oates song.  I’m so not kidding.)  Anyway, I’ve also texted the right message to the wrong people. 

Another issue that e-mail and text messaging presents is how we interpret the tone of the sender’s voice.  That’s why we put the little smiley faces at the end of nearly every sentence these days.  As if to say, “Hey!  Don’t take me seriously!” 

The art of communication can be lost so easily these days.  And, the risk of Susie finding out how ugly you thought her dress was last night has never been greater.

 Best thing to do?  Don’t type it. 

Has this ever happened to you?

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October 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

A Lunch Date.


There are days that going out to eat in public places with my three year old are as enjoyable as sitting through a presidential debate. Can I get an Amen?  Or if you’re Sarah Palin, a wink?

Bad joke.  Sorry.

The other day, I had the most enjoyable lunch date with Anna.  And Jenny. 

First of all, we dined at On the Border.  And, you know how much I love my chips and queso.  We talked about girlie things.  Anna commented on how “lovely” the day was and fed Jenny a few of her chips.  But not the queso upon my strong urging. 

There are just those days where the stars are aligned just right.  And, God’s grace seems a bit more abundant.  And, you walk out of a restaurant to the tune of a princess saying, “That was a nice lunch, Mom.”

I think Jenny even enjoyed it.  And, I’m sure she appreciated our respect for safe travel.

 

 

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October 9, 2008 · 6:00 am

I’m coming out of the closet.


You didn’t ask for it. 

Here are some things you never wanted to know about me:

I’ve gone an entire day without showering.  More than once.

I can eat the biggest bowl of cereal you’ve ever seen.  Then, go for seconds.

I’m the mom who forgets Show-and-Tell days at school.

Sometimes I pray and my mind wonders off – and I forget that I was praying.

I’m insecure in the kitchen.

I want my kids to think I’m cool.  Karate moves don’t help.

I laugh uncontrollably when someone falls down or bumps their head.

I’m easily startled.

Sometimes, I yell at my children.

I often work out then come home and eat more calories than I burned.

Sometimes, I speak without thinking and regret it later.

I have hurt people.

I’m not the best driver.

I have a lot to learn.

God loves me still.

Your turn.  Anything hiding in your closet?

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October 8, 2008 · 6:00 am

As far as I’m concerned.


Did you love B Shaw Brittany Thoms or what?  I’m telling you folks.  She is a gem.  I can’t wait to meet her sweet baby Carson next month.  No doubt that baby’s first word will be “Go”, and his second word will be “Dawgs”. 

I told you on Monday one of the two statements that stayed with me since my Willow Creek experience.  I thought it only appropriate to share the other.

By Nancy Beach, of course.  Sure.  You love Bill.  I love Nancy. 

Nancy said that we should strive to always be able to say, “As far as I’m concerned, I am at peace with everyone.”

This means we’ve done all we can do to make a situation right.  To forgive and be forgiven.  What if the other person is resistant to walking out forgiveness with you?  What if he or she is allowing bitterness and resentment to take root?

If you have humbled yourself and tried to make peace with that person, then all you can do is rest in your effort to make it right. 

It’s hard to be the best you or the best me when we have unforgiveness in our hearts.  Or when there is just uncomfortable tension between you and a friend.  I’ve been there before.  I’ve hurt and, I’ve been hurt.  And, trying to do life with those hurts robs us of perfect peace.  Nothing was so freeing as making those relationships right. 

You can’t make someone forgive you.  You can’t make another individual nail their bitterness to the cross.  But, as far as YOU are concerned, you can be at peace with everyone.  It doesn’t mean the other person’s unforgiveness doesn’t hurt.  I’m afraid it often does.  But, it doesn’t have to rob you of peace.  My mom always tells me that “peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.”  She is so right.

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18

Is there a relationship you need to make right?
Have you ever experienced the hurt of unforgiveness?

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October 7, 2008 · 6:00 am

Guest Blog – Brittany Thoms: “Free Throw Shot”


I’ve known Brittany (B Shaw) Thoms since she was a tot.  Throughout Britt’s adolescent years, she considered me a mentor.  Now, we mentor each other.  You’d be hard pressed to find another girl with greater passion for Jesus.  And, I couldn’t be more blessed to call her my friend.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Brittany Thoms.

“Free Throw Shot” by Brittany Thoms

It’s hard to imagine thinking the way God thinks.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts [higher] than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:9

But I feel like every now and then, God gives us glimpses of what it really means to be made in His likeness. Parents know this very well and as a soon-to-be mom (November), I’m crazy excited about learning more about God through my son. J

In his book, “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day,” Mark Batterson writes:

One of my most memorable moments as a parent happened during my son Parker’s rookie season in little league basketball. His team hadn’t won a single game all season … [and Parker] had a 98 percent air-ball percentage from the free-throw line.

So Parker got fouled and went to the free throw line. And to be perfectly honest, I felt bad at first because I knew my son had a 98 percent chance of being embarrassed. But I prayed like it was the day of Pentecost! I wish I could say that I prayed that Parker would make the free throw, but I didn’t have that much faith. I just prayed that he would hit the rim. But Parker stepped up to the free throw line and renewed my faith in the power of prayer. Parker defied the odds and made the first free throw of his career.

                And I cried.

There is tremendous joy in watching someone achieve greatness.  Why do parents rejoice when their children do something right?  Why do moms carry around “brag books?”  Because, our Heavenly Father is no exception.  Don’t you think God rejoices all the time when His children operate in the gifts He placed inside of them?

The other side of this coin is sorrow.  I think of God more and more every time I consciously forgive someone.  Forgiveness isn’t second nature.  It hurts.  And what’s worse?  We are constantly reminded of our wounds and have to forgive the same person for the same thing multiple times – whether it was 20 years or 20 days ago.

And I think, “Wow. God, you REALLY love us … because we do stupid things that hurt you all the time.”

Consider this:

                My sins nailed Jesus to a cross.

                I bet that hurt REAL bad.

                Yet, He still loves me.

                Wow.

So, when I’m reminded of wounds where others have scarred me, I think of the scars on Jesus and how it drives His love for us to an even deeper level:  unconditional.  And when I catch someone being great, I’m equally reminded how much God gets excited over us.

But most of all … I want to love like Jesus loves.

 

 

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October 6, 2008 · 6:00 am

Transcendent Moments


I’ll never forget attending the Arts Conference at Willow Creek in 2002.  I was pregnant with John Henry at the time.  But, the flutters I felt in my expanding belly were more than just the little guy growing.  The entire experience was amazing.  However, two statements made by the great Nancy Beach have stayed with me.  One was “Never underestimate the power of transcendent moments.”

The Willow Creek website reads,

“Today’s spiritually searching culture is less inclined than ever to attend church.  Yet no time of the week is filled with more life-changing potential than Sunday morning.”

It is so easy to get caught up in life’s daily responsibilities and use Sunday as a day to recover by sleeping in – and missing church in the process.  Why is it that we are more likely to give up the Sunday experience than a soccer game?  Believe me.  I’m writing this post to myself as well.  But, I know the power of experiencing that transcendent moment.   Being with the body of Christ can provide that opportunity.

Yesterday was no different.  It would have been easy to scrap the whole going to church thing.  Anna decided to hide from me.  For.A.Long.Time.  I searched outside.  I searched inside.  I did the “I’m gonna count to three, and if you don’t come out…..”  Well, you know what I said.  Still, no Anna.  Finally, I set her up. 

“Okay, John Henry, let’s leave Anna here.”

“Rrrraaaggghhh!!!!”  Anna yelled.  From behind the couch.  Covered in blankets and pillows. 

She immediately prayed the Lord would be with her when I followed through with my warning. 

In spite of our hectic start to the LORD’S day, we made it.  And, I experienced that transcendent moment.  The transcendent moment is where a message connects to your heart.  Or a song moves your soul.  Or something happens that leaves you awestruck.  TRANSFORMED. 

It might be a moment of peace.  Or in my case, an hour of peace.  My children were under the care of someone else.  Now, that’s transcendence. 

You might experience a transcendent moment at a Broadway show or a Celine Dion concert.  Well, at least a few chicks will.  But no transcendent moment will transform your life like the one you experience in the house of God. 

It’s those moments that bring about life change.

When is the last time you experienced a transcendent moment?

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October 3, 2008 · 6:00 am

Help!


“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2

It’s hard to carry another’s burden when you don’t know what that burden is.  Asking for help is not one of my strong suits.  I’m not sure if it’s pride or just not wanting to bother a friend.  But, I have a really hard time asking someone to give up his or her time. 

When we help one another, we fulfill the law of Christ?  Really? 

Sounds to me like we need to start leaning on each other a little more.

What do you think?
Do you have a hard time asking for help?

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