After reading the title to this post, some of you are singing! For those of you who are singing, let me ask you this, "How do you measure a year in the life?" Here's how I measure in year in my life:
In becoming a family of 4.
In experiencing childbirth with my husband once again and realizing that as long as I have his hand to hold, his encouraging words and his emotional and spiritual support I don't need anything else- not even an epidural. We're a great team.
In realizing that finding my 3 year old and 5 month old sound asleep in my baby's crib isn't a problem, it is wonderful.
In truly enjoying the 3am feeding and even prolonging the feeding with cuddle time because I know this season will pass far too quickly and he won't be a baby for much longer.
In letting go. Isn't allowing the big brother to "take care" of his baby brother more important than the baby's socks matching his outfit?
In enjoying this moment and not looking too much to the next one.
In learning how much my "big boy" truly cares about people.
In hearing my son recite scripture after scripture with great joy and start to ask deep spiritual questions.
In knowing that God did give me true sisters; not a biological ones, but sisters who share my very heart.
In God showing me that He is always at work- ALWAYS. (And, He doesn't need my help.)
What a wonderful year this has been. Thankful doesn't adequately describe my heart. He is truly the giver of all good and perfect things.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good!" Psalm 34:8
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Tragedy
Joe Paterno died earlier today. By all accounts he was a fantastic football coach, a faithful father and husband and a philanthropist. He served Penn State for 60+ years and, according to many, accomplished everything he wanted to accomplish and more. He was 85 at the time of his death. With that in mind, his death is not a tragedy. The man had the luxury of accomplishing all he wanted to accomplish in his professional life and he was apparently loved deeply by his wife, children and grandchildren. Although his death is sad, as is the death of most, his death is, well, his death is part of life and death.
We are extremely lazy with our use of the English language. We use words easily and loosely without thinking through the gravity of the words we use. I certainly do not want to be cold or uncaring, but the use of the word "tragedy" seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. A tragic death is my friend Eric who died almost a year ago. He died in his early thirties, leaving behind a young wife and 4 month old son. That is a tragedy. A tragedy is an infant dying shortly after birth. A tragedy is a mother burying her son who died of heart complications shortly after his 4th birthday. Those things are tragic. But a man who lived well beyond the average life expectancy, who lived a life he was proud of is very sad, but is not a tragedy.
I am becoming more and more aware of how we use words. Perhaps it is because I have a young son who continually asks, "What does that mean?" Let us be careful with how we use words. Let us measure our words carefully and make them count. Let us concern ourselves with teaching our children to choose and use words carefully.
More to come...
We are extremely lazy with our use of the English language. We use words easily and loosely without thinking through the gravity of the words we use. I certainly do not want to be cold or uncaring, but the use of the word "tragedy" seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. A tragic death is my friend Eric who died almost a year ago. He died in his early thirties, leaving behind a young wife and 4 month old son. That is a tragedy. A tragedy is an infant dying shortly after birth. A tragedy is a mother burying her son who died of heart complications shortly after his 4th birthday. Those things are tragic. But a man who lived well beyond the average life expectancy, who lived a life he was proud of is very sad, but is not a tragedy.
I am becoming more and more aware of how we use words. Perhaps it is because I have a young son who continually asks, "What does that mean?" Let us be careful with how we use words. Let us measure our words carefully and make them count. Let us concern ourselves with teaching our children to choose and use words carefully.
More to come...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Ten More Things I'll Never Understand
Lest you all think all my blog entries are serious...
10 More Things I'll Never Understand
1. Tattoos. Especially when grown-ups get tattoos of cartoon characters. Tattoos are forever people. Is that barbed wire around your bulging bicep going to look great when you are 70+ and your bicep isn't so bulging? Those barbs are going to be sagging!
2. Why I can give birth (twice) without pain meds and yet stubbing my toe makes me want to scream bloody murder.
3. Overgrown/long toenails. Gross.
4. Not brushing your teeth. More gross.
5. Why it seems that every celebrity has a perfume/cologne. Seriously, I don't care if Justin Beiber's perfume is the best scent in the whole world, there's no way I'd wear it! (FYI- I have no idea what his perfume smells like, but now that I've brought it up, I'm curious to smell it. Somehow I think it might be sickeningly sweet.)
6. Stirrup Pants. Also gross.
7. Lack of proper undergarments. Or, as Clinton Kelly says, "Don't force clothing to do the work of an undergarment." Genius.
8. Wearing undergarments as clothing. Again, gross.
9. The fact that I graduated from a well respected university with a very high GPA and yet I cannot figure out how to work most copiers. It once took me 20 minutes to make 5 copies. Ridiculous.
10. Unkempt mustaches. How absolutely disgusting is it when these unruly things get stuff caught in them? Very gross.
10 More Things I'll Never Understand
1. Tattoos. Especially when grown-ups get tattoos of cartoon characters. Tattoos are forever people. Is that barbed wire around your bulging bicep going to look great when you are 70+ and your bicep isn't so bulging? Those barbs are going to be sagging!
2. Why I can give birth (twice) without pain meds and yet stubbing my toe makes me want to scream bloody murder.
3. Overgrown/long toenails. Gross.
4. Not brushing your teeth. More gross.
5. Why it seems that every celebrity has a perfume/cologne. Seriously, I don't care if Justin Beiber's perfume is the best scent in the whole world, there's no way I'd wear it! (FYI- I have no idea what his perfume smells like, but now that I've brought it up, I'm curious to smell it. Somehow I think it might be sickeningly sweet.)
6. Stirrup Pants. Also gross.
7. Lack of proper undergarments. Or, as Clinton Kelly says, "Don't force clothing to do the work of an undergarment." Genius.
8. Wearing undergarments as clothing. Again, gross.
9. The fact that I graduated from a well respected university with a very high GPA and yet I cannot figure out how to work most copiers. It once took me 20 minutes to make 5 copies. Ridiculous.
10. Unkempt mustaches. How absolutely disgusting is it when these unruly things get stuff caught in them? Very gross.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Take It or Leave It
Today I had someone tell me, "We're bad influences. We're bad influences on everyone and we'll be a bad influence on you too!" This was said with a mixture of confidence and sarcasm. It crossed my mind to not respond at all, but my child was watching. I simply responded, "No. You won't be able to influence me." It was a strange exchange for sure, one that my husband and I chatted about for quite a while this evening.
I think the two ladies who made their very assertive remarks were a bit taken aback at my response. Certainly my response was not made out of a poor attitude or arrogance. My response was really made more for the benefit of my son than for those who made the original comment. You see, I want my son to know that it is not only okay to be completely sure of your beliefs and standards, it is good and right to live them out with assurance and confidence. Could this be misinterpreted as arrogance? In our politically correct, let's-not-stand-for-anything society, assertion of beliefs can sometimes be misinterpreted. Heaven forbid we actually draw a line in the sand. But is it not somewhat arrogant to assert that you have the power to be a bad influence on any and everyone?
If you know me, you know my heart and intention is not arrogance at all. Yet you also know that I believe what I believe and that won't change regardless of whose company surrounds me. My beliefs and standards are the same whether I am at church, work, social/family gatherings or any other setting. Years ago a verse in Galatians jumped out at me and had a huge impact on my life. Galatians 1:10 "Am I trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Am I trying to please people? If I am trying to please people, I am not a servant of Christ." In other words, trying to keep everyone pleased with you at the expense of pleasing God is just flat wrong. Because I believe the Bible to be completely true and accurate, I must live by the truth of The Gospel. If you do not choose to believe in God's Word, I certainly do not hold you to this standard. On the other hand, if you do claim the name of Christ, you are held to this standard not by me but by God.
My precious friend Jen and I have been talking quite a lot about living authentic lives, lives that truly reflect our belief in God's Word. As a Christian, there are certain standards God holds all Christians to. I believe Galatians 1:10 tells us that we are not to be "chameleons." In other words, if we have one set of speech and actions for one group of people and a different set of speech for another set of people we are not living authentic lives. If a person can easily transition from speaking "God-speak" to then speaking of their favorite method for attaining drunkenness, using foul language or pursuing a lifestyle that is clearly not within the perimeters of Biblical freedom (sex outside of marriage, dishonest business practices, racist attitudes, abusive actions, etc) I would dare say this is not an authentic lifestyle. Let me be abundantly clear that I do not hold those who do not claim the name of Christian to these beliefs anymore than my Jewish friends hold me to a standard of a Kosher diet. But what I do expect out of people is authenticity and consistency.
I have several friends who are not Christians. The reason we can maintain a friendship is because they do not try to change my beliefs and I do not try to force mine upon them. I simply live my life unapologetically and as consistently as God graciously allows me. Should any of my friends have questions about my beliefs I think they know the line of communication is always open.
Back to the 2 ladies I met yesterday...I think they were a little surprised at my response. To be completely honest, I was quite surprised at their eagerness to proclaim how bad of an influence they could be. However, we all ended up having a very nice meal together and had some wonderful conversation. I doubt our paths will cross again, but should the opportunity arise I would gladly welcome conversation with them. And because I love Jesus so much and am so thankful for all He has done in my life, if either of these ladies should want to ask questions I would be more than happy to answer.
"If you do not stand for something, you'll fall for anything."
I think the two ladies who made their very assertive remarks were a bit taken aback at my response. Certainly my response was not made out of a poor attitude or arrogance. My response was really made more for the benefit of my son than for those who made the original comment. You see, I want my son to know that it is not only okay to be completely sure of your beliefs and standards, it is good and right to live them out with assurance and confidence. Could this be misinterpreted as arrogance? In our politically correct, let's-not-stand-for-anything society, assertion of beliefs can sometimes be misinterpreted. Heaven forbid we actually draw a line in the sand. But is it not somewhat arrogant to assert that you have the power to be a bad influence on any and everyone?
If you know me, you know my heart and intention is not arrogance at all. Yet you also know that I believe what I believe and that won't change regardless of whose company surrounds me. My beliefs and standards are the same whether I am at church, work, social/family gatherings or any other setting. Years ago a verse in Galatians jumped out at me and had a huge impact on my life. Galatians 1:10 "Am I trying to win the approval of human beings or of God? Am I trying to please people? If I am trying to please people, I am not a servant of Christ." In other words, trying to keep everyone pleased with you at the expense of pleasing God is just flat wrong. Because I believe the Bible to be completely true and accurate, I must live by the truth of The Gospel. If you do not choose to believe in God's Word, I certainly do not hold you to this standard. On the other hand, if you do claim the name of Christ, you are held to this standard not by me but by God.
My precious friend Jen and I have been talking quite a lot about living authentic lives, lives that truly reflect our belief in God's Word. As a Christian, there are certain standards God holds all Christians to. I believe Galatians 1:10 tells us that we are not to be "chameleons." In other words, if we have one set of speech and actions for one group of people and a different set of speech for another set of people we are not living authentic lives. If a person can easily transition from speaking "God-speak" to then speaking of their favorite method for attaining drunkenness, using foul language or pursuing a lifestyle that is clearly not within the perimeters of Biblical freedom (sex outside of marriage, dishonest business practices, racist attitudes, abusive actions, etc) I would dare say this is not an authentic lifestyle. Let me be abundantly clear that I do not hold those who do not claim the name of Christian to these beliefs anymore than my Jewish friends hold me to a standard of a Kosher diet. But what I do expect out of people is authenticity and consistency.
I have several friends who are not Christians. The reason we can maintain a friendship is because they do not try to change my beliefs and I do not try to force mine upon them. I simply live my life unapologetically and as consistently as God graciously allows me. Should any of my friends have questions about my beliefs I think they know the line of communication is always open.
Back to the 2 ladies I met yesterday...I think they were a little surprised at my response. To be completely honest, I was quite surprised at their eagerness to proclaim how bad of an influence they could be. However, we all ended up having a very nice meal together and had some wonderful conversation. I doubt our paths will cross again, but should the opportunity arise I would gladly welcome conversation with them. And because I love Jesus so much and am so thankful for all He has done in my life, if either of these ladies should want to ask questions I would be more than happy to answer.
"If you do not stand for something, you'll fall for anything."
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Charlie Brown
I've noticed a disturbing trend in the last few days...a lack of Christmas Spirit. It seems that conditions are less than perfect for encouraging the Christmas Spirit. For some, this means all of the correct people are not in place, for others this means the weather is not cooperating with dreams of snowy white Christmases and for others it seems like just a general spirit of ennui. It's all very Charlie Brown-esque.
I will freely admit the Christmas spirit has almost illuded me this season too. On this first day of winter, my car registered 75 degrees and the day was overcast and muggy. I don't know as though we've had any 'cold, crisp' days this year. I love singing and, due to a nasty cold, have not been able to sing since Thanksgiving. There has been no caroling for me, no singing along with Bing and The Andrews Sisters and no duets with Ella Fitzgerald. Our tree has been a bit of a disappointment as well. It looked gorgeous when we first brought it home, but with 3 days until Christmas the bottom branches are drooping and nearly bare of all needles. What a Charlie Brown Christmas, indeed!
But then I look at my own little Linus (aka Jackson) and see the light in his eyes as he looks at our tree with joy and wonder, as he explains Christmas to his baby brother and as he daily dictates his "what I know about Jesus" entries for his Advent calendar. I am reminded of what Linus tells Charlie Brown, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
Indeed, that is what, and WHO, Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas!
I will freely admit the Christmas spirit has almost illuded me this season too. On this first day of winter, my car registered 75 degrees and the day was overcast and muggy. I don't know as though we've had any 'cold, crisp' days this year. I love singing and, due to a nasty cold, have not been able to sing since Thanksgiving. There has been no caroling for me, no singing along with Bing and The Andrews Sisters and no duets with Ella Fitzgerald. Our tree has been a bit of a disappointment as well. It looked gorgeous when we first brought it home, but with 3 days until Christmas the bottom branches are drooping and nearly bare of all needles. What a Charlie Brown Christmas, indeed!
But then I look at my own little Linus (aka Jackson) and see the light in his eyes as he looks at our tree with joy and wonder, as he explains Christmas to his baby brother and as he daily dictates his "what I know about Jesus" entries for his Advent calendar. I am reminded of what Linus tells Charlie Brown, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' That's what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown."
Indeed, that is what, and WHO, Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thirty One
I celebrated my 31st birthday earlier this week. Birthdays do not usually make me very reflective and I wouldn't say that this birthday has brought lots of deep reflection, but it has brought more than the usual. In thinking of the number 31, my first thought is of the very famous 31st chapter of Proverbs. In this passage, King Lemuel's mother describes the type of woman her son should pursue. Most Christian women use this passage as a measuring stick of sorts for their own lives. But what really got me thinking is that this advice is from a mother to her son. I have sons. Certainly I would desire a Proverbs 31 woman for my sons. What is the best way to teach a child? By reciting words over and over? No. The best way to teach a child is to show him. I must show my sons what a Proverbs 31 acts like and looks like in the way I live my life each day. Do I bring good to my husband in every way? (v. 12) Do I extend my hands to the needy? (v. 20) Do I speak wisdom? (v. 26) This is a short glimpse into the questions I am challenging myself with this week and for the weeks to come.
I look forward to my 31st year with excitement, joy and much gratitude. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
I look forward to my 31st year with excitement, joy and much gratitude. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Empty Ambulances
This week has been a week of reflection for me as I'm sure it has been for most Americans. The ten years that have passed since the horrible events of 9/11 have been, at times, painfully slow and at other times, far too fast. Like most, I don't know as though I have fully digested the impact of that day. Most of the details of the day are seared into my mind as if it were just yesterday.
Ironically enough, by dear friend Sarah and I were planning our upcoming trip to NYC when we saw the news coverage of the first plane. We sat in absolute shock as we watched the rest of the horrible morning unfold; events and images that none of us will ever forget. One of the most powerfully sad images was that of the many paramedics and ambulances waiting to take survivors to the hospital and yet the vast majority of those ambulances remained empty. Those empty ambulances became a physical depiction of the helplessness we all felt. So many lives lost.
But let us remember those days after 9/11. The unity we felt, the sense of patriotism, the kindness shown to strangers. We were a grieving family and we were determined to hold each other up through our grief. May we never forget that we are a strong and powerful country when we are united with each other. May we also never forget that, in our despair, confusion, grief and helplessness, we turned to God. Churches were full and we sought His help, His love and His comfort. Let us never forget Him.
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Ironically enough, by dear friend Sarah and I were planning our upcoming trip to NYC when we saw the news coverage of the first plane. We sat in absolute shock as we watched the rest of the horrible morning unfold; events and images that none of us will ever forget. One of the most powerfully sad images was that of the many paramedics and ambulances waiting to take survivors to the hospital and yet the vast majority of those ambulances remained empty. Those empty ambulances became a physical depiction of the helplessness we all felt. So many lives lost.
But let us remember those days after 9/11. The unity we felt, the sense of patriotism, the kindness shown to strangers. We were a grieving family and we were determined to hold each other up through our grief. May we never forget that we are a strong and powerful country when we are united with each other. May we also never forget that, in our despair, confusion, grief and helplessness, we turned to God. Churches were full and we sought His help, His love and His comfort. Let us never forget Him.
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
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