Tag Archives: Relationships

November 25, 2009 · 6:00 am

Oh These Blessings.

Dear Mom,

I am glad that your haveing a baby. I love you with all my hart. Your the best mom ever. You are my favrit mom.

Love

John Henry

Sorry, but the “best mom ever” title is taken. John Henry said so.

I’m so thankful for a son who is thoughtful.

I’m thankful for a daughter who makes me laugh.

I’m thankful for a baby boy who kicks my ribs in the middle of the night.

I’m thankful for a husband who always strives to do what is right.

And, most of all, I’m thankful for a King who knows me by name.

Enjoy the people God has placed in your life this Thanksgiving holiday.

I’m going to enjoy mine.

Happy Thanksgiving!

5 Comments

Filed under gratitude, Kid Stuff, Motherhood, Relationships

Tagged as gratitude, letters from children, Relationships, thankfulness, Thanksgiving

September 16, 2009 · 6:00 am

There are times I have to ask one of my children to forgive me. It’s one of the most important things I can do as their mother. Like the other day when Anna cut open a bag of dish candy. In the middle of the bag. Where there is no hope for closing it without candy spilling out everywhere. I was upset. My response was unnecessarily harsh. And, my usually tough little girl ran to her room in tears.

I was wrong.

I entered her bedroom and held her. I asked her to forgive me and told her she was the best daughter in the whole wide world.

Then, I told her I was wrong to respond the way I did.

She needed to hear me acknowledge my behavior was wrong as much as she needed to hear me say I’m sorry.

Honestly, I don’t find it difficult admitting my weakness to my children. I don’t want them to struggle doing the same. I want them to find it easy to go their heavenly Father and lay down their weaknesses at His feet, so He can show Himself strong in their lives.

Motherhood is not foolproof. Neither is life. When we mess up, it’s essential to acknowledge it and make a mends with the person we hurt. Even if it is your four year old little girl.

It’s not the first time I’ve had to say I was wrong. And, it’s certain it won’t be my last.

I’m a believer in telling our children we are wrong when we are, indeed, wrong. As a matter of fact, I think it’s essential in raising children with a healthy understanding of humility and forgiveness.

Do you struggle saying “I was wrong” to your children?

8 Comments

Filed under Motherhood, parenting, Relationships, Virtue

Tagged as apology, forgiveness, hurt, Motherhood, offenses, parenting, Relationships, weakness, wrongs

September 14, 2009 · 6:00 am

The Best Investment.

Some would argue that now is the time to invest in the stock market while price tags are low. Others would say otherwise. Kris says it’s a perfect time to purchase an airplane. I’ll look into my wallet and get right on that. Real estate has always been a sure bet. Then, this thing called a bubble deflated.

Investments in these things can be risky. Sometimes, they pay largely. Other times, they drive men to bankruptcy or depression.

But, I know of an investment where you will reap rewards over and over and over again. It’s investment into people.

Friendships, to be specific.

Growing up, I invested into friends in Georgia. I poured into them. They poured into me. Even living hundreds of miles away, I still call them, e-mail them, visit them….invest in them.

They still invest in me.

Because, these friendships matter.

I found it difficult settling into life in Oklahoma for a very long time, because I missed the daily interaction of true, covenant friends. Then last year, Cindy Beall found my blog (after I had been stalking hers), and said, “Hey, I’m gonna start a little bible study, and I’ve been praying about who to ask to be a part. Well, you came to mind. You game?” Okay, that’s not verbatim, but pretty darn close. I never laid eyes on Cindy until the day I walked up to her doorstep for that first bible study. I could have easily declined, and continued on wishing I had friends surrounding me in Oklahoma.

Could have.

But, I got off my Junior Mint eatin’ booty and went. Walking through Cindy’s door opened up a whole new world of friendships to me. I met Deleise, Janna, Jennifer, Christi, Robin M, Robin S, Nicole, Kim, Natalie, and Elizabeth. We all share a love for following Christ, motherhood, and pure FUN. Oh, and we all blog except for Elizabeth. That girl does well to check her e-mail, but you just gotta love her cute, healthy livin’ lovin’ self.

My Georgia and Oklahoma friends pray for me. They encourage me. And, they will be at my front door at a moment’s notice. Even if they have to hop on an airplane to make it happen.

Because, they’ve been my best investment.

I love them. They love me. And, I can’t fathom doing life without any of them.

God created us with a need. A need for people.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 17:27

13 Comments

Filed under Friendship, Relationships

Tagged as bible study, blogging, friendships, investments, life, Relationships

September 1, 2009 · 6:00 am

Gifts We Can Give.

I realized something kind of huge last week.

There are areas I don’t serve my husband where I should.

It’s true. I recognized this in myself after I sighed at his request for me to go to his office and check the mail. Check.The.Mail. Sounds miniscule, I know. It just seems that with two kids in school, one on the way, and compounding lists to complete, driving twenty minutes one way is not something I want to do. So, I sigh. And, I run these office errands with great disdain.

God convicted me of my attitude in running these little office errands. He made me painfully aware that I’m not serving my husband in this way.

There are things I’m not going to want to do in my marriage. But, if I look at those things as a gift I can give my husband, it changes my attitude. As a matter of fact, I become excited, because I GET to give Kris this gift.

So, the next time your spouse needs something from you, and you are resistant in obliging, remember this: it’s a gift you can give him. Or her.

And, that my friends, keeps the home fire a burnin’.

Is there a gift you can give your spouse?

3 Comments

Filed under giving, Marriage

Tagged as gifts, Marriage, Relationships, service

June 4, 2009 · 6:00 am

Praying This One.

Both of my kids love the Mathew West song, “The Motions.” I’m pretty sure they can sing every word. The chorus says:

“I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me.
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking,
“What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?”

I cannot tell you how much I pray this very thing over my children. How much I don’t just want them to go through the motions of life. But to go through them intentionally.

Intentionally.

With purpose.

With resolve to do life in a way that makes a difference.

Where they live beyond themselves.

And, quite possibly, change the world.

My Dad begins a new series this Sunday called “Intentional.” Intentional in our pursuit after Christ. Intentional in our marriage. Intentional in how we parent our children. Intentional with one another.

I’m pretty excited about it. As a matter of fact, I’m building my life on it.

Are you doing life intentionally?

2 Comments

Filed under making an impact, parenting, Relationships, Spiritual Journey

Tagged as intentional, Matthew West, Relationships, The Motions

February 20, 2009 · 6:00 am

Six years and one more little person later…

kris-dusty-2003-wp

Six years ago tomorrow, Kris Takle entered my life. No, it’s not our anniversary. But, it is a special day that we have acknowledged every year since. Because, since that day, my life has never been the same. Our commitment is based first and foremost on our commitment to Christ. To live a life fully devoted to Him. So, we can then be fully committed to one another. Believe me. We are well aware that when our “connective-ness” is out of whack, our relationship with Christ usually is, too.

Our journey together isn’t without challenges. We’ve faced difficulties and disappointments. But, we keep on pursuing Him. We keep on pursuing one another. Because, we know that in every situation, the goodness of God can always be found.

I can honestly say that I love him more today than I did the day I married him. Cliché, I know. But, it’s true. So very true. I hope fifty years from now we are still bringing glory to the One who saved us by His completely amazing, breath-taking grace.

And, I hope we’re watching our children and grandchildren do the same.

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3

9 Comments

Filed under Love, Marriage, Relationships

Tagged as Love, Marriage, Relationships

December 10, 2008 · 6:00 am

Love and Marriage.

kris-dusty-wp

Kris and I recently had one of those sit down, let’s talk about our relationship talks. No need to go tellin’ tales out of school. We are doing just fine. We’ve just let a few of those important marital-like things fall to the bottom of the list. And, no. I’m not talking ‘bout sex. I am talking about those moments where you shut down computers, cell phones, and children and just enjoy each other. You know. Connect.

It’s so easy to let life go by and time pass in a marriage and not have conversations with your spouse that make you pull in the reins, breathe deep, and take care of the things that really matter. Each other.

Monday night, we had a little date night. We ate sushi and didn’t even talk about airplanes or children or if my jeans made my hiney look big. ‘Cause y’all know he is going to mess that one up, albeit unintentional. Then, we laughed together through Four Christmases.

It’s funny. That little conversation gave our marriage a lift. We immediately returned to taking the time to connect. Kris is good with those conversations. He is just as comfortable sharing his heart with me as he is in a cockpit. I love that about him. He takes good care of us.

Hmmm. What’s a good scripture to put here? Oh, I know. “He who finds a wife, finds what is good,” (Proverbs 18:22.) Tee-hee. I’m just funnin’. Okay, not really. But, let’s make this fair.

Oh, never mind, I can’t find a scripture I like. Wait. That didn’t come out right.

I’ll just end the way my daddy has concluded every wedding ceremony for the past thirty plus years.

“Let not your voices lose the tender tones of affection, nor your eyes forget the tender ray with which they shown in courtship’s day. And, greatest of all, let God be enthroned above all else at all times.”

What do you and your spouse do to connect?

* Keep it clean. This is a family blog. Most days.

11 Comments

Filed under Love, Marriage

Tagged as conversations, Love, Marriage, Relationships, time

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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Filed under Relationships

Tagged as forgiveness, peace, Relationships

August 20, 2008 · 6:00 am

Stand by your man (or woman).

On Monday, my friend, Cindy Beall, wrote a great post on “Sweet Talk”. It was a mighty nice reminder to say sweet things about my husband when his name comes up around others – and certainly around him. Probably nothing emasculates him more than when I take cheap shots . And, sometimes we do it as a joke at their expense. You know what I’m talkin’ about.

However, repeating “Taklisms” are allowed and even embraced. I’ll fill you in on Taklisms on another day. And, if I forget, remind me.

I’ve been around girls who rip their husbands up and down and to and fro. They make me feel like either I’m married to a saint or their husband is Darth’s cousin twice-removed. I’m sure neither is true. But boy do our words pierce hearts.

I don’t get this right all of the time. I sometimes slip.

But, I try to represent. (That’s Puff Daddy or P Diddy or Mac Daddy or whatever talk for bringing the best out, giving respect to, or standing up for.)

Do you represent?

7 Comments

Filed under Marriage, Relationships

Tagged as affirmation, Relationships, sweet talk

August 18, 2008 · 6:00 am

Loving the hard to love.

I like surrounding myself with fun people. I often avoid those who carry a lot of emotional baggage such as bitterness, addictions, or depression. I avoid people who aren’t nice. Let’s face it. Life is short. Why waste a perfectly great night out with people who don’t seem to “fit in”? After all, those babysitters aren’t cheap. Why invite them into my home only to watch the clock and wonder when they are going to go back to their house? Why return their calls? Respond to their e-mails? They never seem to listen to my advice anyway. They are still going to hold onto their stuff like it’s a sack full She Takes the Cake’s “Chocolate Therapy”. And, my condolences to you poor souls who’ve never tasted that little bit of heaven.

I like fun people.

But, Jesus said love your enemies. Now, I don’t consider the people described above as enemies. But, if God wants us to love our enemies, I’d bet he means them, too.

This kind of love isn’t easy, is it? The Apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding” (Philippians 1:9, NLT). This means that as we get to know Jesus – and understand who He is more and more, that this kind of love will grow. Not overnight. It’s a lifelong process.

I think the first thing to remember is that we ourselves are in desperate need of a Savior. That we, too, fall short and fall short often. Pride sets in when we don’t realize how God loves us in spite of our failures and short-comings. And, we all know that pride and love mix about as well as oil and water. But, when we see that we all need His grace, then we become less judgmental. And, loving the not so fun people becomes easier.

Who did Jesus chill out with when He walked the earth? Well, not the self-righteous Pharisees. Nope. Not a one. He kicked it back with prostitutes, stinking fishermen and even the I.R.S. of the day. And, we are called to love just as He loved.

It doesn’t mean it’s an easy endeavor. But, we have the Holy Spirit within us. And, that empowers us to love with the love that lives within us. As a child of God, that kind of love is our inheritance.

One day, I might even share my “Chocolate Therapy” with the not so fun people.