What's on Our List?

Photo Credit:  jdurham at morgueFile.com

I just love it when people share inspirational stories with me (especially those inspiring moments found amidst our everyday lives).  My Aunt Jeanne shared something with me.  Here goes:

“I have to relate to you a story about Uncle Michael…when we went fishing with his kids last year.  As we were fishing on the pier, he pulled out a note from his front pocket.  I asked him if he had forgotten something on his list.  He said, ‘No,’ and continued to read the note.  I asked him if I could see the fishing list since I never take a fishing list with me.  I had to chuckle.  The first thing on his list was ‘Patience Today,’ along with the rest of his fishing checklist.”

“He said that he always keeps a note in his front pocket to remind him to be patient with his children.  I guess it worked, because about that time his daughter accidentally threw her brand-new rod and reel over the pier during a cast.  Uncle Michael just laughed as we tried to retrieve the fishing pole.  We eventually did and the day was a fun memory.  However, I could definitely tell that he was calling on a higher power for patience that day.” 

How awesome is that?  I don’t carry a list in my pocket, but I love the idea.  And, since we’re talking about my Uncle Michael…I can’t think of a better person to teach a musical instrument than one who has “Patience Today” written at the top of his list.  So, rosin up that bow and head on over to Cuero Fiddle Lessons to sign-up!  OR, if you just want to check out his handy little book called, “10 Fiddle Tips,” that’s great, too!

What can we never have enough of?  Patience.  As parents, what do we pray for each and everyday?  Patience.  And, ironically, what don’t we have enough of while we wait for God to bless us with patience?  Yes…patience.

Of course, patience isn’t just generously handed to us in a golden goblet.  Poo!  It seems that the more we ask for it, the more opportunities we are given to practice it.  (Ugh!  I prefer the golden goblet/silver platter approach, don’t you?)

Where can we go (if just for a short while) to get away from the busyness that surrounds, and many times, overwhelms us?  My Aunt Jeanne goes to the Garden of Gethsemane.  She shared her story with me:

“Almost daily, I go to the Garden of Gethsemane to be with Jesus.  I just ask Him to scoot over.  I say, ‘It’s me again, Lord.’  I find such peace and love there with Him…just the two of us.  It takes me to an indescribable level of closeness with Him.  I can’t explain it.”

“Sometimes, I just kneel with him and wait and wait.  I wait for His message for me.  At times, He tells me things and other times, not.  I just wait and pray and wait and wait some more.  Sometimes, I think, ‘Wait for WHAT, Lord?  For WHAT?!’”

“But, things usually start merging together for me.  I love my time in the Garden.  It is sometimes the only place I can go and know that whatever the issue, He always extends His graces to make it through whatever I am concerned about.  I almost always cry when I leave that rock, for His presence is so strong there.”

Hmmm…that rock is sounding pretty inviting, isn’t it?  After this blog post, there might be so many people wanting to join Jesus that He’ll have to get a bigger rock, huh?  However, I’m sure He’ll be thinking, “What a wonderful problem to have!”

My Aunt Edie also had some inspirational words for me last week.  She said, “We can handle anything and everything that God gives us as long as we use the graces that He always provides.  Sometimes, I picture God tapping His foot, wondering…when will she EVER learn that ALL things are possible with Me.”

“My prayer is then, ‘Please be patient with me…I am still learning.’  I do have my ‘aha’ moments and they come to me when my mind is quiet – while making the bed, washing the dishes, you know, the everyday, seemingly mundane activities.  Could that have been the day that I made a morning offering to do ALL for the glory of God?  Yep…probably!”

I find it amazing what God can and will do if we let Him in…if we sit by Him in the Garden…or if we offer up our entire day for His glory (yes, even housework!).  Of course, we can think that we would never be the ones chosen by Him to do His work.  How could we, with all of our imperfections?  Or could it be that God is attracted to us BECAUSE of our weakness and woundedness?  In that case, there is more room for HIS strength, instead of our own.  Hmmmm…

What if God chooses us BECAUSE of what we’ve been through instead of IN SPITE of it?  I never thought about it that way until Beth Moore introduced the idea in her Esther Bible study.  It’s certainly easier to ponder the “woulda, shoulda, coulda” path instead of just heading down the “what it actually is” path with His graces to lead the way.  I’m sure God will be patient with us, if we will just be patient with Him.  We can be builders, but HE is the Architect.  (Note to self…)  ALL things are possible with God – not just “some” or “a few” or “the easy ones”…He said ALL.  Wow.

So, before I jot down “Patience Today” on my list and head on over to the Garden, I’d love to make you smile.  It takes two seconds – just do it – no one is watching you.  While sitting down, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.  Now, while doing this, draw the number six in the air with your right hand.  Your foot will change direction.  You cannot stop it.  It is out of your control.  Just let it go.  Let.  It.  Go.  (You can try it all day long like my Uncle Erol, but you still can’t make that silly foot work right!)

Before we go, let’s ponder on one last question:  “What’s on OUR list?”  Would it be patience…or making a difference in someone’s life or letting someone catch a glimpse of Christ’s love through us?  For new moms, it might just be to get a shower that day and brush a tooth or two!  Every list is different.  But, the important thing is what we have listed at the top.  Have a great week!

Silence Down the Hallway

Photo Credit:  ensignmedia at morgueFile.com

“Is this my life?” a young mom said,

She tucked her children into bed.

Wiping noses, tears, and hineys,

“WHY do kiddos get the whineys?”

“How dare they say, ‘Nuthin’ to do!’”

“So not true – it’s a toy zoo!”

“He took my book – she hid my Lego!”  Someone starts to weep,

Sometimes it takes all she has to get them all asleep.

It’s cold outside – they climb the walls,

They scream like crazies down the halls.

A time-out here, a time-out there,

Mom’s a grumpy grizzly bear.

She takes a breath, she takes it in, there’s silence down the hallway,

“Lord, please be up.  I hope You’re there.  I need a talk with Yahweh.”

“Moms need more patience, Lord, we do.”

“How can we start each day anew?”

“We don’t wish to yell and scream and even lose our cool,”

“We want to be your vessel – shouting makes us look a fool.”

“But, they push our buttons, Lord, each and every day,”

“We pull our hairs out one by one and that is not okay.”

As she continues talking to her dear, sweet precious Lord,

She feels a sense of comfort, as His love, straight down He poured.

And down the blessings came, flowing gently one by one,

She could not count them all, as there were just a ton.

A million reasons to give thanks – the list, about a mile,

She sat in prayer, with her eyes closed, she sat there for awhile.

She stopped talking, so she’d hear His oh most Holy Voice,

She could gripe and moan and groan, OR be thankful – it’s her choice.

She’d rather count her blessings, than the things that went awry,

The day’s events unfolded and the mom began to cry.

I’m sorry, Lord, for rushing through…neglecting just to see,

The countless gifts and blessings that You have given me.

The eager eyes and ears that greet me every morn,

The child that sees the rose, instead of just the thorn.

The chance to have a tiny taste of Your love for me,

Through my precious children, I think they are a key.

A key to widen hearts, to a love that is so great,

A key to understanding how to open Heaven’s gate.

We pray for patience and You give us all a chance to practice,

When a child sets on our chair, a prickly little cactus.

For boo-boos that allow us, to hold our children close,

For each all-nighter, Lord, gives US a healthy dose,

Of hugging and squeezing the gifts You gave to us,

We truly love them, Jesus, even though we like to fuss.

Lord, we WILL try harder, all us moms on earth down here,

We will seek you out, Lord, when we don’t feel You’re near.

It isn’t You that moved, we know, it’s US who moved away,

Guide us gently back to You, for this we truly pray.

They’ll come a time, much too soon, our children will be grown,

And we’ll pause to wonder, just where the time has flown.

We’ll watch them pack their stuff, loading up their car that day,

And we won’t like, not one bit, that silence down the hallway.

And as today marks 40 years of Roe versus Wade,

We pray for all the babies, in their mommy’s womb, God made.

We pray for lives forever changed, the mother’s and her baby’s,

For all the should haves and would haves – could have beens and maybes.

Roe V. Wade invited in a culture of death,

When it allows a child no chance to take a first breath.

When “thou shall not kill”…we suddenly think is a choice,

For us to make for those…who just don’t have a voice.

Motherhood can be tough – sometimes we lose our way,

Not a single day is perfect – to be patient, we do pray.

But, we cannot stop a tiny heart that beats inside his mother,

The consequence of that act affects us like NO other.

To be a mother is a gift not sent to everyone,

If taken lightly, we won’t hear the call of His Son.

The call to love another with our heart outside our chest,

To stand for life, forgetting self – could this be a test?

We pray that the safest place again will one day be,

The womb of a mother…we get down on our knee.

Lord, please guide the mom on that life-changing day,

So, she won’t regret a choice of

Silence.

Down.

The.

Hallway.

There's Love in the Giving

Photo Credit:  jdurham at morgueFile.com

At one of our Christmas gatherings recently (yes, we actually still have one more to go…), I marveled at one of the conversations that took place in my Aunt Edie's kitchen:

My mom:  (as my dad reaches for the last two deviled eggs) “Would you mind saving those for Russell?  He really likes them.”

Me (interrupting):  “Really?  Hmmm…we’ve been married for almost thirteen years now and I’m just not remembering that he loves deviled eggs for some reason.”

My mom:  “Yea, yea – I make them for him every Christmas.”

Me:  “Hmmm…really?  I dunno.”

My mom:  “Well, the plate is always empty.  I’m pretty sure.  Yea, for sure.”

A few minutes later, the mysterious deviled-egg-lover in question (aka Russell) walks into the kitchen to get some grub.  Then, this conversation takes place:

Me:  “Hey babe, how 'bout a couple of deviled eggs to add to your plate of goodies?”

Russell:  “Um, well, um…so what exactly is in the mixture in the middle?”

Me:  “Oh, you know, egg yolks, mustard, mayo…yummy stuff like that.”

Russell:  “Um, sure…I guess I’ll, um, try one.”

Me:  “You’ll TRY one?!”

Russell:  (so polite, that guy) “Yea, I’ve never actually had a deviled egg before, but I’ll try one.”

Me:  (busting out laughing) “Oh mercy!  Mom’s been making these deviled eggs especially for you all these years and you’ve never even had one!  I love it!”

All the family members who were in on this little interaction basically fell on the floor with laughter.  It was a wonderful family memory!  (If you’re wondering, Russell DOES like deviled eggs…NOW, after trying them for the first time.  AND, the mystery is solved – my DAD has enjoyed his plate-full of deviled eggs each and every Christmas – ha ha!).

BUT, (as I got back up off the floor), I realized that what I enjoyed most of all was witnessing the love found in the giving.  Year after year, my mom lovingly made the eggs just for Russell because she truly thought he enjoyed them.  She wanted to bring him joy.  The love was in the GIVING, because she obviously never really knew if he ate them or not!  hee hee

On another completely different (yet similar) note, I’m sure that most of us have been approached in a parking lot by someone asking for money?  This can be a complicated situation.  First of all, it can be kinda scary if it’s just you and the kiddos.  We all know that our MPM (Mama Protection Mode) kicks in and we just want to get the heck out of that parking lot and drive to our “safe place.”  But, secondly, we might start the skeptical thought-process of, “What in the world is he/she gonna use this money for?”

It’s easy to go down that path of, “Well, I just bet they’ll use it for drugs, alcohol, or some other nasty habit.  I bet they do this for a living...begging for money.  They just need to get a J-O-B!”  The inner dialogue can go on and on really.  Then, we might hand over a couple bucks (or not) and feel disgusted for the rest of the day thinking about how they used that money.

The above scenario might certainly be true.  They might buy all of the stuff we told ourselves they would.  OR, we might hand over a few dollars and tell them to pay it forward or even that God loves them or something along those lines.  WHAT IF our kind gesture was a turning point in their life?  WHAT IF they never forget that moment?  WHAT IF that man or woman was the face of Jesus?  “Whatever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.”  Matthew 25:40

Hmmm…we may never know how our gift will be used.  But, it does feel better to leave a situation feeling love in our giving, rather than complete and utter cynical disgust at our giving.

A few more thoughts - Have you ever purchased a gift for someone through the Giving Tree at church?  Have you ever sent someone a present in the mail, but didn’t get to see them open it?  Have you ever had something delivered to someone anonymously?  Prime examples of love in the giving.  And, when we give and expect absolutely NOTHING in return…even sweeter.  Gifts with strings attached aren’t technically…gifts.

Oh, this is a fun one - have you ever rang a bell on purpose just so an angel would get its wings?  (Yes, George Bailey, I’m proud to say that we did this many times over the last month!)  How can we know that what they told us in the 1946 classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” is really true?  We won’t know…just yet.  But, honestly, our family found much love in the giving.

The other day, I was talking to our priest and he made a very good point.  Father Bentil said that priests plant seeds during their homilies.  They don’t always see immediate results or response like in other fields of work, and sometimes that’s difficult.  But, they nevertheless continue planting seeds and in time, those seeds of faith will grow.  There is love in the giving.  And, for this, I thank and pray for priests, and all who minister to others in their parishes and communities.

What is the greatest example of “love in the giving?”  “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Love was born at Christmas and I couldn’t be more grateful for that gift.

How can we have more “love in the giving” this week?