In Need of Sick Days

 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, 

for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Our family had been going 20 different directions: work, games, practices, lessons, homework, and taking care of our house/animals in quick trips home. I really don't like living like that. Some seasons of the year are busier. But, there is a tool capable of stopping everything and even receives a compassionate nod from school and work to take it easy for a while. We all try to avoid this tool, but at times, it's inevitable. In this hectic season of our lives, sickness came and stopped our world.

I didn't get the flu so that made everything better. But everybody else had at least a touch of it. Our normally out-of-the-house family was a wanna-be-home group. There's something about home and momma that make being sick easier. I don't wish for my kids to get sick, but when they are, I treasure the time with them. As they get older, sick days bring a closeness with my kids - a chance to talk, to sit a little while and watch a tv show, to brush their hair or rub their backs.

My normally run and gun lifestyle came to a halt, too. During my days at home, I remembered that I like this place. I cleaned and organized, even made some burlap curtains with one of my kids, and cooked a lot.

After our week of passing germs around, one trip to the emergency room, hours of extra sleep, watching lots of TV and catching up on missed homework,  we finally ventured back to school and work. But, I almost didn't want to go. I liked being together, and so did my family. God used that week of sickness to tighten us up and remind us of the gift we have in each other.

Sometimes things look like a drag...I mean who really gets excited about being sick?! But, I was amazed to see God bring us closer to Him and to each other. He promised to bring good out of everything we face each day - even the flu. Only God could be so good.

Sock It To Me...Fun Monday

This morning, my daughter (almost 13) zipped through the kitchen toward the laundry saying, "I need socks." I directed her to our always overflowing sock basket. But, my son, sitting at the bar eating his breakfast, dryly commented, "You've got socks on." To which my daughter, in a 180 spin, headed back to her room shaking her head at herself. 

I get into that frantic, "am I coming or going" mindset, too. I'm afraid the apple doesn't fall far from the tree! If you have a funny from your family happenings, we'd love to hear. 

A Fun Monday to you...Sharon

Chaos...Not What I Expected

Chaos is a big part of a mom's life. Laurie and Sharon share about realizing chaos is what should have been expected all along. Without the chaos, there would be no family. Thanks for watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGZIkwSvIuU

NEW Video Blog!!

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Sub-Mom

A few weeks ago, the referees for the NFL decided to strike. The team owners felt the refs were replaceable, so they did just that. After bringing in the secondaries who had several missed calls, the sub-refs were removed and the owners decided they better negotiate with the professional officials.

I sometimes want to call in the sub-mom...I want to go on strike and wouldn't mind if somebody locked me out!! I've felt like that several times lately. But, a sub-mom wouldn't be mom. In my frustration, I can look at my friends and name several who would be better than me. But, even though I think somebody else would be more capable, they aren't the professional in my home. I am. I know the rules; not just the disciplinary ones, but the talk rules - when everyone listens and talks best, the love rules - how each one feels loved, the logistical things like "what time to get up," which uniform needs to be clean on which day, and who likes apple, grape or strawberry jelly!

On one particularly "down day," while struggling with where to set the boundaries and what was okay to allow, this verse came to mind, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." Ps. 42:11(NIV) Another version says: "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God - soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He is my God."
 

Hearing those words, I was able to look at my situation differently. It doesn't say there will be no trouble, but that "in" the trouble we put our hope in Him. I moved on from being down in the dumps to looking at what God was wanting me to do, not only with this one child, but with my life as well. I had been so consumed by the issues we were facing, that I just wanted a break from it. How sweet of God to give me a break in the middle of the troubles by reminding me my hope was in Him and that He has a plan for my life.

Maybe you're feeling like you need a sub-mom today. Instead of subbing a mom, borrow this attitude from Psalm 42.  When you are crying the blues, put your hope in Him, not your kids, spouse, home, job, money...The Head Official made you the mom in your family and He never makes a bad call.

Lord, we get tired. Our kids can wear us out. So, I pray that you will help us fix our eyes on your so that we find our hope, strength and comfort in You. We praise You, our Savior and our God.

Just thinking:

When I was a kid, my parents read the bible to me. I read on my own when I was older and still do. Memorizing has never been easy for me, but I still work at it. When I was struggling in the story above and needed His word to comfort me and get me back on track, it was in there in my head ready to be used. Take some time to read God's word to your kids. You will be equipping them and yourself with what lasts. You never know when a scripture you've read or memorized may come back at just the right time to send you or your children down the best road.keep you or your children on course.

Tough Times Can Be Good Times Too...

As hard as my kids have tried to ignore it, school has started again. I really should have videoed them walking into Walmart in July, both girls guarding their eyes to avoid the school supplies. They despised the Target commercials starring a dancing teacher. How dare someone try to make school look appealing by making a  guitar out of pencils! (Pretty cute if you ask me!)

But, here we go again. It doesn't seem so long since we did this last year. Time is flying...I must be having fun. Actually I am...for the most part. The warp speed of time has made me realize I have to freeze frame some of this and enjoy or make the best of all the rest. My choice. No parent can avoid the struggles of a teen trying to become their own, or worrying about the one that's struggling socially; dealing with the awkwardness of a middleschooler who just says the odd thing; trying to keep them clothed in something you can both like. I'm realizing that the freezeframes don't all have to be the "kodak" moments. If I wait for those, I'm likely to be so whiny of a mom that I miss them when they come!
 

Sounds great...but how do you enjoy the trials? Here are some thoughts:
 

1. Start your day as you wake up acknowledging that you need help from God. "This is the day the Lord has made..." so ask for help in this day that He's made.

2. Spend some time reading His word...Psalms, Philippians, Matt, Mark Luke or John are some of my favorites.

3. If a deep breath can clear the thoughts of a professional baseball pitcher, it can also help me when I'm dealing with a cranky two, 10 or 15 yr. old. A long inhale of oxygen helps prevent crazy things from slipping out of my mouth. 

4. In the moment, if I ever stop to think, "Does this really matter? or Am I taking this too seriously" sometimes the answer can alter my attitude and my response is calmer just from realizing the temporary nature of the situation. 

 
As the school year begins, 

• if you're kids aren't old enough for school yet, enjoy the calmer pace (I know it can feel almost boring at times, but this time goes away).  
• do what you can to make it fun for them (write them a silly note in their spirals that they'll find throughout the year) and in the process you'll have fun, too.  
• at the end of the day, as you fall asleep, think back over the day so you can remember it instead of just getting through it. 

My kids and your kids are great gifts. Deciding to take all that comes your way instead of just the good stuff will give us opportunities to see the tough times as good times, too. 

Where Are You Living?

"Therefore anyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had it's foundation on the rock. But. everyone who hears...and doesn't put into...practice is like a foolish man who build his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against aht house, and it fell with a great crash." Matt. 7:24-27

What a simple picture, but how easy to miss in the busyness of our days. We would never build our houses on sand. How foolish. But, in everyday decisions, it's easy to put our hopes on things that are sandy...shifty. When my kids and I talked about this, it was one of those "light-bulb" moments when we all realized that the stupidity of building a house on sand is the same stupidity that makes us build our lives on what people think of us or that money could really buy us what we want or that our families will really offer all we need.

All of those situations are shaky. Let a few friends decide you are lame, buy everything you can trying to fill your needs and put all your dreams in your spouse or how your children will "turn out" and watch as the walls of your life begin to come down like sand castles in the rising tide.

Everything changes. Look around you. Everything you are looking at will change. The trees drop their leaves and eventually fall down, your computer will become obsolete, food will ruin, businesses will close, your house will eventually crumble, your hands will get wrinkly, one day you'll die. It all changes. Except for one thing. And it turns out, that one thing is what the foundation of our life can and should be built upon to last. The one who created the ocean, streams, rain, wind, rock and even sand...He is the only one worthy of our lives. And when we build our lives, our homes, our work on the foundation of Jesus Christ, our changing, uncertain lives will count for more than just us. They will be a part of the big picture that has been going on since the beginning of time.

In our world where everything around us changes, it's comforting to know we can build our lives on the one who never changes. "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)Ahhh, what a nice place to live.

IDEA: Share this passage with your kids, family or even your kids friends...it can spark a great discussion. I first asked my kids, "What are the storms, rivers, and winds that blow against us." But, then I realized, that's the wrong question. What is important is our foundation. "Who do you want to please? Where do you find hope? Who are you trusting?" Those are the better questions to answer, because when the foundation is right, it won't matter what the storms and winds throw at us: we will not be shaken.

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." Ps. 62:1-2

 

 

*If you have questions about how to begin your foundation with Christ, please feel free to email us. We would love to share the Hope we have found in Him. mail@momandlovingit.org