An Announcement

Through God's grace, I come from a long line of wonderful mothers and it is my heart's desire to continue that legacy with the children God has given to me. There are many common threads linking my mother, my grandmother, my great-grandmother and great-great grandmother. All of these women love(d) Jesus and taught their children to love God's Word. All of these women love(d) their husbands well. All of these mothers supported their children's God-given personalities and interests and did not force their children to become something or someone they were not intended to become.

While pregnant with Jackson, the weight of motherhood struck me in a palpable way. I felt overwhelmed and under prepared. But this is right where God wanted me. Not discouraged, mind you, but in a mental and spiritual place where I clearly recognized my need for God's wisdom. Kathy, Marge, Ruth and Carolina didn't mother their children out of a desire to outdo the previous generation. Those women all mothered out of a love for the Lord and the desire for their children to know and love the Lord. That God has so graciously given me such a rich heritage is beyond humbling.

So many things in society, technology and culture have changed since my Great-Great Grandma Carolina raised her little girl, Ruth. Parenting trends have come and gone. I highly doubt she even had a 'parenting' book. Dr. Spock was the trend as my Grandma Marge was raising my mom. Fortunately, she didn't buy into that trend! My point? Dr. Spock and the like are outdated and little used. Yet from generation to generation God's Word is timeless. "For the moth will eat them like a garment, and the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation to all generations." Isaiah 51:8

It is my prayer that my love for the Lord will be obvious to my children and that I will lean evermore on God's wisdom and knowledge as I raise these two little boys God has given to Kyle and to me. Yes, 2 boys! I am daunted and honored at the same time. I have caught myself giggling all week long as I imagine life with two boys running around our yard. Two little boys coming home with muddy hands, muddy faces and huge smiles as they recount the lizards that were caught and released. Two boys with baseball uniforms that need washing and tummies that need filling. Two boys with ideas and goals. Two boys! It excites me to watch the 'brother' dynamic play out between Jackson and his little brother. Each time Jackson pats my growing tummy and says, "That's my brozzer" my heart leaps.

Thankful doesn't begin to describe the feelings brimming out of my heart. These are, indeed, special times.

The fair is in August!

When my brother and I were young and complaining about the perceived unfairness of a situation, my mom would state, 'the fair is in August.' This usually frustrated me, but only because she had made her point and it didn't serve my purposes.

I don't know as though the preoccupation with fairness is a new concept. It's human nature to look out for our own interests and desires. But can I be so bold to say that this mentality is not scriptural? Philippians 2:4-5 tells us that we are not to merely look to our own interests, but for the interests of others for such is the mind of Christ. The fact that Paul wrote these words so many centuries ago only confirms my aforementioned thought.

It might have been a book I read shortly before getting married or perhaps it was one of our pre-marital counselors, but I distinctly remember learning the concept that being consumed with fairness is a symptom of selfishness. The need and desire for fairness in marriage is really odd to me. How can you truly and sacrificially love your spouse and yet be so concerned about fairness? I'm not exactly sure where to attribute this paraphrased quote, but it's worth noting, "If you are concerned about fairness in marriage you can be assured that your divorce settlement will be quite fair as well."

I think it is of the utmost importance to concern ourselves with treating others with fairness and justice. The Bible is saturated with truths regarding how we are to treat others in kindness, love and humility. Yet, we are never told to demand this for ourselves. In fact, Leviticus 19:15 tells us quite clearly that we are to be fair and honest with all persons.

As my mother used to say, "Life just isn't fair." She's right. However, I am now of the belief that the sooner we accept this and the sooner we quit concerning ourselves with how fairly or unfairly we've been treated, our lives can be far more pleasant.