The Froot of the Speorit

My sweet little girl may not be much of a speller, but where she lacks literary skills she makes up for in goobness!  This was on our back door for over a month with no intention, on my part, to remove it.  Tragically during chores one afternoon, someone took it upon themselves to wash the back door.  Normally this kind of initiative would have thrilled me, the window is disgusting after all.  This time it was a little sad.  Thankfully I still have the picture!  

*And yes, I do know that gentleness is missing.  Each mistake makes me love it that much more!

Hot Topics (to the theme of Hot Pockets) {1}

It's been a long while since I have posted.  It hasn't been for lack of material, but lack of will.  I sat down at the computer a number of times with a quick anecdote, or silly kid story, but I just didn't feel like writing.  I'm not depressed, or even in a funk, but my mind just feels heavier than usual.  I've had a number of "bigger" topics on my mind, so I decided to share them, and to ask your advice.  Though I'm not really sure any one reads this except my family and a couple friends, I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

Hot Topic {1} - Identity

Reading The Prince's Poison Cup - R.C. Sproul

At the end of last month and the beginning of this month I was in Charlotte with my kindred cousins.  It was my first trip alone, since being married.  I have always taken at least a couple kids when I have traveled without Greg, and that has only happened twice.  It was a wonderful and relaxing trip!  Many nights staying up past our bedtime giggling like 12 year olds.  But even though the trip was a blast, I felt strangely out of place.  It wasn't my cousins.  I always feel comfortable with them, but it was the lack of small people about me.  I didn't know what to do with myself without the constant busyness of mom life.  I became awkwardly chatty and self conscious about silly things.  I didn't remember how to just be, or sit, or be still in my own skin.  I didn't realize how fully my identity is wrapped up, not only in my husband and children, but in all the busy work that *needs* to be done around the home.  And I don't know about you, but I don't want any part of my identity wrapped up in dirty dishes or poopy diapers!  

My identity should be found in Christ.   And if you had asked me before the trip I would have felt fairly confident that it was, but it's not.  So how does one do that?  How can I be just as much myself at home as somewhere else?  How can I be the same person I am at church as I am in Target?  Or how about when friends are over verses when I am alone?  

So my question for all of you...How do you maintain an identity in Christ while still fully operating in the season that He has placed you in?  He is my passion and my pursuit, and yet He is so easily forgotten when I have a stack of papers to grade, or children whining at my feet.  And I am wanting more...more of Him...less of me!

These Boots are Made for Walkin'

The kids have a lot of boots, probably more boots than necessary.  They have church boots, rubber boots,  snow boots, and boots they have grown out of, but we still have for some reason.  In the winter they are supposed to stay on a shelf in the garage and pulled out when needed.  However, they are usually just thrown helter skelter right inside the garage door.  This has caused many a near accident and is a source of great frustration for the parents of the children who own those boots.

A few days ago Greg and Micaiah were home alone, and Greg was trying to get some work done in the house.  Greg needed to put something into the garage and, as usual, tripped over the boots.  Out of frustration he kicked a couple of them across the garage.  Micaiah standing right behind him witnessed this release of frustration.  Greg then sheepishly turned toward Micaiah, but before he could say anything Micaiah, in a most serious tone, said "Daddy...God said not to be angry at the boots."  

My first reaction to this statement was to burst into laughter.  But the more I thought about it, the more these simple words struck me as pure child-like wisdom.  James 1:19-20 puts it this way -  This you know, my beloved brethren But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.  

How often do I get angry at an object or a circumstance out of my control?  Answer: All the time!  I get frustrated and bothered that I cannot make all things go exactly as I want them to, at all times.  Or I take out my anger out on these inanimate objects because I'm really angry at myself or the kids.   Either situation is wrong...and...dumb!

And now is the part of this post where I would love to wrap things up and say.  Because of this timely comment by my four year old I am now aware of my unnecessary anger, and because of that, it has been dealt with...but it's not.   I still have a temper, and I still lose it.  But in my times of failure I have been clinging to the words of this hymn by William T. Sleeper.

1. Jesus, I come
   Out of my bondage, sorrow and night,
   Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,
   Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of my sickness, into Thy health,
   Out of my want and into Thy wealth,
   Out of my sin and into Thyself,
   Jesus, I come to Thee.
2. Out of my shameful failure and loss,
   Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,
   Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of earth’s sorrows, into Thy balm,
   Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,
   Out of distress to jubilant psalm,
   Jesus, I come to Thee.
3. Out of unrest and arrogant pride,
   Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into Thy blessed will to abide,
   Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,
   Out of despair, into raptures above,
   Upward for aye on wings like a dove,
   Jesus, I come to Thee.
4. Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,
   Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;
   Into the joy and light of Thy home,
   Jesus, I come to Thee;
   Out of the depths of ruin untold,
   Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,
   Ever Thy glorious face to behold,
   Jesus, I come to Thee.

It is so wonderful to have a Savior that I can come to no matter how big a mess I have made of my life.  No matter how angry I get, no matter how many times I lose my patience or 'kick the boots' and He is there with open arms.