My Mom and Mercy

I love my Mom! For those of you that know her, I think we can all agree that she is one of the sweetest ladies on Earth. I especially love one thing about my Mom - the gift of MERCY that God has given her. There are so many times I can be so logical in life, so judgemental and I leave out this important gift that should out way the others. Well, my Mom was so gently reminding me of this word and it's meaning the other day, and I so appreciate her and her wisdom in my life as to help me on something that does not come naturally to me.

My Mom shared one scripture on this topic that truly stood out to me...

James 2:13 - because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!


Wow! I know there are days I need mercy. I stumble. I fall. I fail. I need it! In fact, when I researched the word "mercy" in His Word, most instances are found where men of God are crying out for mercy. The prideful may hold out, but the more you know God and the closer you get to Him, the more you realize just how much mercy you really need. Dare I be the one to hold back mercy on another? Not when I am in need of so much myself.

I wish this came as naturally to me as it does for my Mom. Jesus (such a powerful name) is not known for His success here on Earth, or how He got a good deal, He is not known for His beautiful house or fancy car - He is known for His GREAT MERCY that He showed to the sinner, each one of us, by dying in our place - for our sin. I need His mercy - in me and flowing out of me.

My Sweet Mama

Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Matthew 9:13 - But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

Matthew 18:33 - Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?'

Romans 9:15 - For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."


Romans 9:16 - It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

James 2:13 - because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Jude 1:2 - Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

All the Single Ladies... (Oh, and Men)

I must say that I do not envy the single. I am so happily married and enjoy keeping the flame alive in the marriage the Lord has blessed me with instead of trying to start a flame or find an old flame. I do remember those days though and the battle of "who" and "when." I specifically remember dating a guy who I thought may have been the one, but I wasn't sure. I sat down with my dear friend (and godly example) Theresa and asking her how she knew her husband Tony was "The One." She said when it's him and it's time - you will know. That right there should have told me this guy wasn't "the one," but that break up didn't come until a few months later. Theresa could not have been more right. When I met Mark, it didn't take long to know, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was "The One."

This past weekend I enjoyed the company of another dear friend, and I was able to put into words what I pray will offer a snippet of wisdom for all the single ladies (and men) out there. I remember dating guys and my heart would say "yes" and my head would say "no way!" ...and then there were other guys where my head said, "perfect" but my heart just was not in it. There were battles with my spirit, and other days where my emotional side kicked in. But here it is.... when I met Mark, the man God ordained for me - my heart, my head, my emotions, and my spirit all lined up and said, "Yes, he is The One!"

So, if there is a battle within you over the one you love, step back and pray, seek some godly counsel, and be patient until all of you is in agreement. Trust me, it is totally worth the wait!!

The First to be Invited

Tonight's dinner conversation was led by Caleb. At a mere 7 years old, he clearly had the mic... jumping from topic to topic he finally settled on one which was started by part of his day's events. He was swimming in Meme and Pappy's community pool with some friends of ours who happen to have a little girl around Caleb's age. Caleb said, "I think [girl] "l-i-k-e-s" me," as he spelled out the word "like." (Too funny - the spelling thing. He just cracks me up.) He told us how he came to this conclusion, and I am pretty sure he is accurate.

I didn't think this topic would approach till the teens years, but it's never to young to teach - right? So I shared with Caleb that if he is aware a young girl like him he must be extra careful to protect her heart. That her heart belongs to Jesus until He specifically tell her who she should give it to when He wants her to marry. Mark chimed in and together we explained how NOT to lead a girl on or foster feelings. I wonder how many hearts would not be broken if guys (and girls) learned this at an early age.

Caleb understood what he could of it and then said, "Well, if we are still neighbors when I grow up, I will invite her to my wedding." Mark and I chuckled. Off this topic, he then started sharing how he would be sending out his wedding invitations and said that the first wedding invitation he wanted to send out would go to God, then to Mark and me, and then to his dear friends Anthony and Alaina.

WOW - How profound - the first to be invited to his wedding will be God. That sounds like a great start to an incredible marriage if you ask me.

At some point most of us have or will step foot into a church and stand before God and recite vows to another, but do we really INVITE Him? Is He invited to our wedding on that first day and then into our marriage for every day to come? To reign over it as Lord? I wonder how marriages would change if God truly was the first one invited to the wedding.

Learning New Dance Moves - from the 3-Step to the 2-Step

Over the past two or three weeks my husband and I have experienced two moments of my what pastor calls "intense fellowship" - a.k.a. a fight. It's good to have a fight once in a while and these two were extra special to me, looking back on them of course. It has taken me a long time, but I have gotten much better at my fighting. I have some general rules that I attempt to go by as I use much self-control as possible: The "No's" - no yelling, no name calling, no negating the other's feelings, absolutely no threat of divorce; The "Needs" - praying, holding hands, saying I love you, reminding each other that we are on the same team, remind my mate that we WILL work it out and our marriage will be stronger for it, reminding my mate that I accept him with all imperfections and will be his helpmate through it all no matter what. I feel those rules have really helped me through our fights. Now if only I could stop rolling my eyes. Hee hee
In the first moments of each time of "intense fellowship," I started off with my usual dance steps: defend, justify, and blame. The walls go up and I attempt to stand in my perfection - how ridiculous! Why is it so hard to just admit that we are human, that we mess up, and that we need a Savior? Why is it so hard to be unselfish and get the focus off of our "rightness" and put it on the feelings of another? I haven't figured out the "why," but I am so happy I have recognized these few things.
Well, in looking back, I was able to change my "dance steps," and I hope to stick with the new ones I have learned: ask for forgiveness and change my ways.
The first fight I can't even remember... isn't that usually the case. However, what I do remember is the moment I recognized that my action was not the real problem. The real problem was how I was making my husband feel - hurt. When I reflected on it, I believed that it was actually rooted in disrespect - the biggest command I am given by God to do for my husband. With tears I sought Marks forgiveness and God's as I truly recognize the importance of respecting my husband.
The second time of intense fellowship involved our finances. (Insert fact: did you know that the top three issues in a marriage are finances, communication, and sex? If you have any "intense fellowship" in these areas, you are normal. lol) My husband gently pointed out that I have spent a bit too much on Daniel's clothing this month. After completing my first 3 dance steps (Defend: It really wasn't that much; Justify: He really did need a few more bibs and now we save money on laundry since I can last longer between loads; Blame: Daniel just looked so cute in them), I decided to switch my rhythm and went to my 2-Step, "Mark, you are right. I am so sorry. Do you forgive me? And can you help me as I do struggle with having a new baby to buy stuff for? Can you give me an envelope with a set amount so I do go overboard?"
Wow - such freedom! Yes, FREEDOM! Freedom: noun, the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint. Ahhhhhh! So I guess the other why I have is - why has it taken me so long to form a habit of the 2-Step. I wish I applied it to all of our intense fellowship in the past. It's so good to be forgiven!

Romans 4:7
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."

1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

Colossians 3:13
"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

How to Get Oil and Water to Mix

With Caleb's 7th birthday party less than 24 hours away, it was time to start on my traditional Checkerboard Cake. It takes a bit of work, but is always a hit at the party. I was in a rush as we had dinner plans with some friends, so I was doing my best to multitask the baking process. I measured out the water and oil in two separate measuring cups, but poured them into the bowl together. Despite the mixing flow, they quickly divided back to their individual substances. As we all know, oil and water don't mix. However, when I added a third substance, the cake mix, all items blended perfectly to form a ideal mixture that would soon become a delicious birthday cake.

As I was creating this masterpiece I heard that still small voice. Our marriages are often like this oil and water. You know what they say - opposites attract. Shortly after the honeymoon, the differences between us and our spouses suddenly seem to pop up.

When we try to mix together, we quickly divide again - unless we add a third entity that can perfectly blend us - GOD.

HE can take us, the ingredients, mix us together to make something exquisite. So the next time you and your spouse are mixing as well as oil and water, be sure to mix in that essential "ingredient" to make your marriage a masterpiece.

Things to do this Summer

Two phrases I refuse to tolerate from my son (or students when I am teaching) is "I'm bored" or "It's not fair!" I could go on and on about the later phrase and how "fair" does not mean "equal" or "the same" but rather what is best for each child. However, I will save that for another day and address the "bored" issue.

When giving a "rule," which I now expect my son to obey, I try to also keep him from temptation and do my best to help him be an obeyer. So, since I told him he will get a consequence if he says "I'm bored" this summer, I thought I better help equip him not to say that. Caleb can be very creative himself, but to assist even further, we sat down today and together came up with a list of summer activities.

One list is stuff we can do together. Some of it is free and other things cost money. I have listed those seperately. Then, there is a list of things that he can do alone (appropriate for a 7 year old). The best part about this list is that when he is feeling bored he can go right to the list and pick something to do. I think children often say they are bored when they can't think of something to do, so hopefully this will help. We have sat down and discussed this thoroughly so he is aware of my expectations.

The last list is things that he can do to be a helper for me. This is in addition to his regular chores that he does as a member of our family, so with these he can earn some summer money. I have specified that is he does the things thoroughly and with a good attitude he will get paid.

Below I have included the list to help any other Moms that need some ideas for summer.

**In addition, please ADD your own ideas to this list in the comment section. I would love to expand my list even further.***

Hope you all have a happy, safe, and FUN summer!



THINGS TO DO THIS SUMMER

TOGETHER
(Free Stuff)
Pool
Water Park (Passes)
Free Movies
Free Bowling
Picnic
Beach – ride the waves
Bake
Have a playdate
Play a board game
Play cards
Library – Summer Reading Program


TOGETHER
(Costs Money)
Pottery
Mini Golf
Be a Tourist
Go to the Zoo
Go a Museum
Go to Aquarium
House of Bounce
Go to a sporting event
Make a garden


ALONE (or Together)
Work on Scripture Memory
Practice a Sport
Work on Summer Scapbook
Take some pictures
Make a picture
Draw with chalk
Make a card for someone
Write a letter
Write a poem
Write a song
Send an email to a relative or friend
Read a book or a chapter
Read to a sibling
Clean your room
Call a relative
Play a computer game
Play on Swing Set
Play on Trampoline
Give the dog a bath
Play Fetch with the dog
Wash the car
Build an indoor fort
Make something out of Recycle Bin
Playdough – make it & play with it
Ride your bike
Ride your scooter
Watch a TV show
Watch a DVD
Go on a treasure hunt in the backyard
Make a movie
Make a collage from old magazines
Play with your toys


HELP MOMMY
(You can earn $.25 for each chore you complete thoroughly and with a good attitude)
Load dishwasher
Empty dishwasher
Vacuum
Swiffer
Do laundry
Fold laundry
Dust
Wash windows and mirror
Put away groceries

Resources:
http://www.homeschool.com/articles/101thingstodothissummer/default.asp
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IBX/is_6_9/ai_102658366/

Just Because I Love You

Tonight was Caleb's Birthday Eve. As bedtime approached, you could sense the excitement for the big day tomorrow - his 7th birthday. In addition to sensing it, we all knew it from the silliness emanating from my boy. Long story short, the sillies came out a bit too much and a consequence had to be given - off to bed he went. After a long day of diapers, baking cupcakes, baseballs games, cleaning, cooking, and more, I was relieved to relax on my couch and put my feet up. However, I could hear a quiet whimper travelling from the direction of his room. My Mommy break was over; I headed his way.
When I got to his room, I sat on his bed and leaned over my "big boy" who was laying tummy down. I was suddenly sharing his tears as I pressed my cheek to his. He peered up and said, "I don't deserve any birthday presents!" It was late; I was tired; however, I dare not miss this opportunity for a teachable moment. I could have gone down the road of pride with the little pity party; I could have agreed in a frustration and anger; I could have stayed silent... but I didn't. I said, "Buddy, I am not giving you presents because of what you do, but because I love you... and I don't love you based on what you do... I love you because you are my son. I am giving you presents to show you my love."
As those words rang back in my own ears, I could hear my Heavenly Father repeat those same words. God doesn't love us because of what we do - nope, can't earn His love. And He doesn't stop loving us when we mess up. He loves us because we are His children. And to show us that love, He gave us the ultimate present - eternity in Heaven with Him when you accept his gift of grace. It's offered through the death of Jesus on the cross when He paid the penalty for our sin.
As Caleb accepts all his birthday presents tomorrow, I hope he truly feels my love for him.