George Washington

Photo by Tamera

Today I received an answer to prayer. Thank you all who prayed for me. A blessing came my way and I couldn't be more thankful. Your encouragement was appreciated with all my heart!

Over the weekend, my family and I walked through our sweet little town and enjoyed looking at ice sculptures. The theme had to do with heroes. In front of several stores were a lot of Disney heroes but the one that stood out to my son was George Washington. Out of all the sculptures, he wanted his picture taken with ole' George. Today we walked through town again, the temperatures had risen and melted quite a few ice sculptures. My son said, "Poor old George Washington, he already had a receding hair line, look at him now!"

What do you do when it's zero degrees out?

Photo by Tamera
Can I just tell you how much I love my husband and son! The other night I pumped up two basketballs and then watched my boys play basketball in our basement. They ran drill after drill, practicing their gross motor skills with a dribble here, or a fake move there. We had to keep reminding our son not to shoot because he'd knock out a light!

There were only two basketballs and when I asked if I could give it a go they told me, "Mom, you have to see that you smell entirely too pretty for this male bonding game!" I took pictures instead and cheered them on.

My son finds such joy over the littlest things. He'd burst out laughing if the ball hit the dryer or if he passed gas as he passed the ball. He would stop his dad, talk, and talk, and talk smack, and try to intimidate him. He told his dad to be ready for any trick move he had up his sleeve (You have to understand my sweet darling son has not exactly been blessed with athletic coordination).

We laughed and laughed together as a family. It was a good memory for all of us.

A call to pray for me

Today, I received news that made me sit down. For about a week I had a feeling change was coming my way. My prayers have been heavy in accepting what ever it may be that was coming and that God would place His hand on the change and keep all safe and cared for.

This is NOT a life or death situation for me or my family, but is an important factor in my life. My apologies, I can not go into detail.

I do have a prayer request. Please, pray that Tammy can have 10 more days! It sounds silly but 10 more days will make the world of difference.

Thank you for praying this prayer, being understanding, and so thoughtful to keep me in prayer. You are a blessing to me and my family...

Forgiveness

Last night at our church Small Group we watched a video about forgiveness (Nooma Video). They spoke about trusting God to lead our lives, and truly putting Him in charge of every situation. How often do we fully do that? Completely put Him in charge? It is hard to let go of the reigns.

Forgiveness, true forgiveness, is not only just saying you forgive someone but also wishing them well. I don't believe we'll forget about what happened between you and another person, but letting that anger go is so we can heal. Too often we get stuck on wanting to see punishment happen upon the other person so we feel we were right, or we feel justified that they are suffering the way they deserve. We want justification...honestly spelled R.E.V.E.N.G.E.

Revenge is like telling God, "I know my way is better than your way!" God is full of love, grace, forgiveness... When I forgive, I am giving another the same gift God gave me. None of us have clean hands and that is why God gave His only son to die on the cross for you and I...and your neighbor.

Sometimes we hold onto our anger so long it festers and infects every pore of our being. We hold onto it like a crutch that we can't let go because we haven't felt justified yet. It is time to let go of the past, to grow in your present day. I ask my son all the time when he gets upset, "Can you change the fact of what just happened? No, we can't stay upset over something that has happened that we can not change. It is time to let it go and see if we can be a better person and learn from it. Let's see what the Lord is teaching us today?"

It is in our control of how hard or how easy it will be to forgive. Please, keep in mind that just because we are forgiving someone doesn't mean we are agreeing with what the other person chose to do. Do not let that stop you from moving on, living in joy.

I know this ending sounds like an old church revival meeting but...just go with it.
We are not promised our next breath, so let us use our time in doing what the Lord has asked us to do...His work.

"Less of Self More of Thee".



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God Made the Stars for Everyone

Photo by Tamera

My son has been sick with a high fever and bad cough for 3 days now. I have to admit that I love having him home. I soak up the extra time we get together.

In school he learned about the Underground Railroad. Last night we watched a show that touched on the subject of Hitler and the Jews. He had a ton of questions and thought so deeply about the history he had learned. After we said our nightly prayers he asked me, "If God made the sun, moon, stars, the heavens, and the Earth for everyone, why do people think they know better than God and decide one person is better than another? It's just not right and it isn't fair. I think on Judgement Day He will have a word or two to say to those people!"

Focus

Photo by Tamera So do not throw away your confidence: it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith." Hebrews 10:35 -38

Today from the time I woke up to the end of today I kept thinking about focus. This scripture seemed to fit because in Hebrews, the Jewish people who had converted to Christianity were loosing their focus. At 1st they were strong while being persecuted, but after a while instead of being recharged or energised from their challenges they became weary and began returning to their Jewish faith. The writer of Hebrews quotes a great deal from the Old Testament but eloquently tells them to get their focus back on Jesus.

Daily I need to refocus, even moment by moment. Every situation is an opportunity to either let "Him" shine through or let "self" try to make the best go of it. I see reason to rejoice when I choose His way. I find hope. Taking the focus off of self and doing what the Lord has asked me to do (even the general basics) helps my worries, aches, and pains step aside. Our time here is so little. Our troubles will be of short duration "just a very little while."

Today, remember to focus on the doughnut and not the hole!

Blessings

A friend of mine has a blog and I absolutely love it! She inspired me to do this.

I love being a mom more than anything I suppose. I can't thank God enough for the gift of becoming a mother. I tell my son everyday, several times a day, a million reasons why I love him. He is darling and lists off why he loves me too. He'll say, "Today mom, I love you because you put my socks on my feet before I had to get up for school. Your heart remembered my toes." He fills my heart so full of blessings it couldn't be any fuller. He loves words like "Ginormous" or "Enjoyfull." I think we'd all be happier adding such fun words to our vocabulary.

My husband is one of those people you'd say "I'd like to know him." "To laugh is to know love". I know I am a better person because of who he is to all he knows. I think God knew I needed a blessing that kept on giving.

I suppose I am the type of person who wants the whole world to smile. There is so much love and warmth in a grin. A day isn't nearly as long when you look for joy.

Today, look for the blessings of joy in the little moments....