Three Small Rings, Ponies, Clowns, Elephants, and Thongs???

Last night we took Caleb to the Circus. Three small rings, ponies, clowns, elephants, and thongs??? So we were sitting at the far side... right under the trapeze. The three girls climbed the ladder to take their place in preparation for flying feats, but they revealed a whole new side - literally! Their bottoms! So Caleb turns to me and says something along the lines of...

"Mommy! Can you see that? Their butts are hanging out! I feel like I need to put gum over my eyes."

At that point, I thought is best to explain that it was a costume and just like we wear bathing suits for swimming, acrobats wear costumes to do their flips. He settled a little bit, but I could see how uncomfortable he was. He kept turning, and he knew in his spirit that something was wrong. I turned to my friend and said, "Who would have thought that my son ould be defiled at the Circus!?!" But then I thought more - was it me? I then continued to say with humor and a touch of seriousness, "I guess the bubble I have put him in has popped!" 

So is this it for my 6, almost 7, year old boy? Will he become immune to it? Sensitive to it? Every day men are faced with this challenge as modesty is definitely not a standard in many women. Some have been so exposed to it, they think nothing of it. Others give in and take it to new levels in their mind. Many know my past and how sexual addictions have personally affected me... and I pray that stronghold is broken over my son. So what is best?

Mark and I chatted a bit in bed this morning. I think this may be a good opportunity to teach our son respect for women and how to bounce his eyes. (http://lifestrategies.thingseternal.com/relationships/men/everymansbattle.html) As Mama, I would prefer the bubble, but I know it's best to arm my son with tools to maintain a high standard. I want the best for him! I want him to have a respect for women, and clean mind, and a pure heart!

There's Just Something About That Name

Today was a day I recognized as a challenge. I did my best to lean on my Savior's all sufficient grace and rest peacefully that the sun would come out tomorrow. After a trip to the doctor for both boys and a diagnosis of Strep Throat in Caleb, we headed to the pharmacy where we were faced with insurance mix-ups. I had a hungry infant on one side of the back seat and a 6 year old crying in pain from him inflamed throat on the other side of the back seat. This was no time to be delayed at the pharmacy.

In the midst of all of this I was listening to "His Radio" and the DJ started praying for some prayer requests submitted to the station. Every other line he would say a name of our God - Lord, Father God, etc. I started to think about that and wonder why we do that in our prayers. I know I do the same when I pray and consistently insert the names of my Lord. Then I thought about when I talk to Mark I don't say his name a bunch of times in the same thought - maybe once at the beginning to get his attention... and maybe once more to keep his attention (hee hee), but that's about it. As these thoughts were running through my head, God spoke in His still small voice...

"Because there is POWER in MY NAME."

I think each time I pray and say HIS NAME I will think of it in a new way - I get to say the Name above all names, the Name with power. As the day continued, I found myself humming a familiar tune...

Something About That Name 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus
Like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Let all heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away
But there's just something about that name