Operator Error

My Dearest took our boys to the bathroom in a restaurant to wash hands before dinner this evening. They discovered the automatic hand-dryer, which required them to put their hands under in order to turn the unit on. After experimenting and quickly mastering it, one boy noticed there was a paper towel dispenser next to it. This was the type where each sheet was folded into the next, kind of like inverted pop-up tissue or moist towelette dispensers. Our son tugged gently on the paper towel and asked my Dearest, "How do you operate this?" He's such a precious boy.

Reverse Teaching

As I reflected on the chaos of last week, God brought this thought to my mind this morning. "Your children are sinful creatures, as are you. However, they aren't Christians yet."

I was immediately humbled and ashamed of my behavior last week. Where are they going to learn about God, His love, mercy, wisdom, and grace if not at home? Yes, I need to teach them to pick up their rooms. It is necessary to teach them about strangers, shoe-tying, and table etiquette. But, it is more necessary that they learn about God. Within the framework of God's commands, everything else should fall into place.

I am learning that I need to deal with my children graciously, gracefully and mercifully while accepting who they are, not what I want them to become or who I think they are. God is working in me as He works in my children.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6, ESV

Smelly Fingers and Three Things

It has been quite an emotionally charged week. It's been a week (a week, people!) of power struggles, messy children's rooms, and lots of tears (shed by my children and me).

Yesterday, everything fell from the spinning plates that were so delicately balanced in the air. I wanted to send my children to the moon and even still, I wanted to hold them close and love them even more. Motherhood (Parenthood, for those male readers) is a juxtaposition of emotions.

At the end of the day, after I had shed more tears than I can remember in a very long time, my Dearest came to me and said that it was time for prayer. After we prayed with the boys and got them into bed, about 10 minutes later, one of my boys (his identity shall remain protected, but you have a a 50/50 chance to suspect correctly, lol!) came to me and said, "Mom, we need to clean my ears! When I take my fingers out of my ears, they smell!"

After the difficulties of the week, I couldn't help but stifle my laughter and lovingly tell him we would clean his ears, although my Dearest and I were sorely tempted to tell him to not take his fingers out of his ears.

###

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person -
1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness (or resentment)

Three things in life that you should never lose -
1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -
1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness

Three things in life that are never certain -
1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

Three things that make a person -
1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work

Three things that are truly constant -
Father - Son - Holy Spirit

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30, ESV

A Giveaway!

Ya'll know I love a good giveaway, as well as host my own -- run over to Preacher's Wife and enter her giveaway; her giveaway ends tonight at 10 CST!

She is giving away an Effective Parenting DVD kit from Walk Thru the Bible.


By the way, I'm not really southern, but the "ya'll" just jumps out of me sometimes. :-)

And to think I only have two...

I've been MIA for quite a while and thank you to those who've emailed to check in on me and make sure we're okay. We're okay! We're trying to squeeze in the last of summer and I'm trying not to send my children to the moon! This is now my phrase of choice - "to the moon." It used to be "drop-kick" with a number of football fields.

After reading this, I'm not nearly as frustrated and I've had quite a good laugh.

Sunday Morning Fun

As we were driving to church this morning, my Dearest saw a sign on a hotel marquee:

Special $79
Internet
Breakfast

What does this sign tell you? To my Dearest, who has the ability to make me laugh over just about anything, it means that you call the hotel and request of them information regarding this breakfast. What size is it? How much space do you need to download it? Is it Windows compatible? Does it come with cookies or java? "I've had cookies through the internet, but not breakfast," he says. The fee seems high; is this an annual fee for Internet Breakfast? If I use dial-up, should I download it the night before?

May you be able to find fun in simple things as well. Have a silly day! We all need one now and again. May today be your day.

Follow the Links!

I have been on a quest for an ESV Bible for awhile now. I tried the local stores, but was not able to find any. Perhaps I didn't know where to look or they were out of stock or perhaps shopping with two young boys when you don't know what you're exactly looking for and don't know if they will have any does not work very well.

A couple of nights ago, I was reading My Life on the Gerbil Wheel over at Musing of a Housewife. Very good read, very fun blog - go check it out if you haven't and tell her you came from here.

At the bottom of the post, there was a link to Do the Next Thing, which was also just a phenomenal read, very inspiring during this slump of I-don't-want-to-do-what-I'm-supposed-to-do, otherwise known as laziness or our sinful nature running amok. That keeps popping up again, doesn't it?

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

There was a link on the side to the ESV blog and on that page, lo and behold, a "Buy an ESV" link. I took a look. Guess what I found?! I found Quality Seconds, Bibles that have are slightly used or damaged that are still in good shape. I bought two, perhaps my Dearest would like one, and they arrived today. Absolutely fabulous condition! Of course, I didn't realize they weren't study Bibles, but I think it'll be okay. I have an ESV Bible! Rejoice with me!