A New Project

I've started a new project. I'm putting myself on notice with the blog "The Home Life Improvement Project" that in the next year I and my family will become more responsible in the areas of finances, environmental issues, health, our relationship with God and with others. If you are curious, if you would like to join the project or if you just want to make fun of me, feel free to check it out!

Click on "A New Project" to find out more.

This Crazy Life of Mine

"When are you going to blog again?" a friend asks.

Oh, yes.. blogging. Right after I get the laundry caught up, do a load of dishes, change diapers, feed everyone... then I'll blog. Wait - first I need to get on the elliptical for awhile and shower, then I better vacuum because the dog hair is piling up - oh, and then we have a doctor's appointment to evaluate that cyst growing on the back of Hannah's knee... Maybe tonight after I make dinner, clean up after dinner, give baths, put clothes away - then I'll have a chance. As it turns out - storms roll in, and Talia wakes up screaming. That sets John off. John doesn't return to sleep for another hour or so - well after my own bedtime. And by that time in the middle of the night I am doing well to read my Bible and pray for a few minutes... eyes close... it all starts again!

That wasn't my answer. "I've been researching for my next novel."

"And you have four children?" she reminded me with a smile.

"If I made that an excuse, I'd never write!"

It's true. While writing the above lines, I have been interrupted four times, I am a half-hour overdue to feed my baby, my hair is wet from my shower and needing to be blow-dried. Supper needs to be started, and I just remembered today I promised to help out on my writer's group site with articles, AND I need to make cookies for Bible school next week. And Noah and Talia can't do their summer reading chart on their own. Oh, and groceries. We're out of milk!

It's crazy. My personality generally means I am someone who can be depended on to get things done - and fast! But this crazy life of mine sometimes gets the best of me. I will admit if I didn't write or read, I'd have a hard time picking up the same shoes ten times a day. The sometimes tedious life of a mom of four is definitely a blessing - but there's no question about it's difficulty.

As you can probably guess - I wouldn't trade it for the world.

And I just got interrupted again.

And I think Talia is pouring water all over the bathroom floor.

Ah, this crazy life of mine! Thank you Lord for making my most precious dreams come true.

Say Amen

"Say Amen, Tal!" I say as we finish the prayer for the food at lunch. My two year old lifts her big blue eyes to mine and stubbornly yells "No!"

"No nummies till you say Amen." I sigh. It's become a daily struggle. Every meal. She'll say "Thank you Jesus" and "Amen" all day long, but if she's sitting at the table and it's time to eat, she simply refuses to comply.

I thought my first two children were strong-willed. I didn't yet know the meaning of the term. When Talia joined our family and became my daughter, it didn't take long to figure out that Talia wants Talia's way and will fight to the end to get it.

I'm not very strong willed. I'm a firstborn who likes to take care of people and seeks peace and harmony. If someone asks me to do something, and I can't find any reason to believe it's wrong to do it, I'll do just about anything. I can't understand why a barely two-year-old girl would put her meal on great hold just because she doesn't want to obey.

And it bothers me as her mom to withhold her food until she is finally broken down enough to mumble something through her tears that sounds remotely like "Amen." I want her to have her nourishment. I want her to grow into a strong, healthy young woman.

But I want her to love God more.

And so I fight, knowing that this struggle now while she is so young and tender will give her an easier life, and a better relationship not only with the people around her but most importantly with her Savior.

It makes me see Jesus so much more clearly. He doesn't want us to suffer. He hates it when we cry, when we struggle, when we lose. He created us to be eternally happy and carefree. But he knows that a little struggle now is what causes us to trust. To be put to the test where we are forced to stand up and choose whether we will follow God or follow ourself is His gift to us - the gift of choice.

I can choose to love Him, to serve Him, and to trust Him no matter what. And in return - I receive the benefit of joy and peace, no matter what. Or I'm free to refuse.

But that means no lunch. And who wouldn't want to eat a feast when it's set before you?

God has set before you life everlasting and happy or eternity without Him. All you have to do is be humble enough to admit you need Him. You need what He sacrificed for you on the cross. You need the power that raised Him from the dead. You believe His Word and you want to belong to Him.

You'll never regret "saying Amen" to your Creator.

You will most certainly regret the alternative.

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life." - Deuteronomy 30:19-20