SELFLESS

Kids can be so self-focused. I can be so self-focused.

 

But, when those moments shine through, the ones where they really "get it"

and their hearts go out with compassion unprompted...WOW, is it touching!

 

It's peculiar to be "the mom" and then receive ministry from "the kids" at times. It's inspiring to see glimpses into ALL they will become as the Holy Spirit infuses their hearts with time. Last night, that's just how I felt...inspired by my kids.

 

They saw my heart. They looked upon me for me. They knew I needed comfort and they were compelled to GIVE.

The generosity so outweighed the average bath time routine mentality that I almost thought they were pulling my leg.

 

What did they want? Were they trying to finagle something? Was there a hidden agenda? Why such overt kindness?

 

I regret my underestimation and look forward to what's in store. As they cared for me in my weakness, I saw that indeed SOMETHING we've been striving to teach, to live, to model is sinking in. How victorious to realize that they can "get it"!

 

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:2

 

They can see a hurting heart and swell with God's merciful love. They can be controlled by the love of Christ to even a grown up hurting heart. They can rally together and offer themselves with genuine, sincere, selfless consideration. They can. They will.

 

"For the love of Christ controls us."

2 Corinthians 5:14

 

Last night my kids offered me the gift of giving self. And, it makes me want to be more like that, more often,

because it felt so warm and real. I want to offer myself the way my children ministered to their mom. 

To the hurting heart, whoever, whenever, I want to offer more of me...selfless.

 

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

 

"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech,

conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."
1 Timothy 4:12

2 MILKS

Every morning...for well over 2 years now...my trusty sidekick, Boden, has joined me for (very) early morning devotions

and prayer over coffee. He sits by my side or lays on my lap and in general is just happy to be with Mommy.

 

Over the course of the years, he's had varying wishes from nursing in the earlier days to yogurt with honey for a while.
There was an apple phase, banana stint, and orange juice was the request of choice last. But, lately, only "2 milks" will suffice.

 

 

When eggnog was readily in our fridge this past month, I once poured him half whole milk/half eggnog and warmed it in a coffee mug like mine. The eggnog is gone now and Christmas has past, but Boden's still satisfied with rice milk, almond milk, whatever the 2nd milk I choose...just so long as there are 2 milks warm in his mug he's content. Though it took me a while to figure out what he meant by "2 milks" (that he was remembering his eggnog/milk-in-a-glass-mug morning), once I did, he was set!

 

A variety of choices available in plentiful supply year round, along with his whole milk, of course, my little companion joins me
each dawn. He pokes his 2 doughy fingers toward me (focusing hard to make 2) and he asks for his "glasses with 2 milks".
He snuggles up next to me in sheer comfort, milk mustache aglow...my heart too.

I'll forever savor the memory of my little buddy with our mugs and the Lord in the morning...
mine with my coffee and his with his favorite 2 milks.

 

 "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark,
[Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."
Mark 1:35

MERRY CHRISTMAS - 2013

 

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11



LINDY'S SURGERY

12 smoothies. 24 sandwich halves. 100+ pancakes for breakfast...it's been such a FUN day!

 

 

I LOVE 12 kids around my table...the only thing missing was Lindy.

 

 

Our precious niece has been in surgery today. She's in the Lord's hands.

Her spinal cord needs protection and what a blessing that she has a family to take such good care of their girl.

 

Lindy is so loved. She is a cherished daughter.

Her story is beautiful just like her and we are honored to be a part of her life.

What a gift...the blessing of family.

 

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Mark 12:31

 

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

"Jesus replied, 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?' He said, 'The one who showed him mercy.' And Jesus said to him, 'You go, and do likewise.'"

Luke 10:30-37

THERE'S A TEENAGER IN THE HOUSE

 

There's a teenager in the house...but it doesn't feel so strange.

 

She looks the same and acts the same, though the world tells her she's changed.

 

There's a teenager in the house...but she's still my little girl.

 

And status quo and going with the flow have never been for her.

 

There's a teenager in the house...which doesn't make her lazy.

 

She wears a baby on her hip and dances around like crazy.

 

There's a teenager in the house...she's growing like a weed.

 

We till the soil of her heart for harvest yet to be.

 

There's a teenager in the house...I couldn't love her more.

 

It's clear the Lord is grooming her with brilliant plans in store.

 

There's a teenager in the house...I'm excited for what's next!

 

A future bright, a shining light, this child is so blessed.

 

There's a teenager in the house...and I love her more each day.

 

I thank the Lord for giving her to me and now I pray:

 

Lord, please use my daughter's life to glorify your name.

 

Please fill her to the brim and more and guide her in your ways.

 

Lord, please use my teenager's life to stand against the grain.

 

To sing of you with her life song's tune and LOVE you all her days!

 

Amen.

 

HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY AIDA!

YOU ARE A DEAR BLESSING IN OUR LIVES!!

It's a privilege to know you!

 

(I especially love our Clam Chowder in a bread bowl tradition...here's to many more!!)

 

 

YOU ARE SO VERY LOVED!!!

 

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
  and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
 and he will make straight your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6

SECRET REWARD

I had an exceptionally exciting reward in mind...something I KNEW would knock their socks off!

 

What they didn't know was what I had up my sleeve. And that was the fun of it.

 

I gave clear expectations. I allowed room for grace. I asked that they wait. And I had a plan in mind.
I knew exactly what I was up to. I saw the big picture. I hoped that they would make the right choices and I did my best to set them up for success. I employed words of affirmation, a scattering of second chances, patience...but also I held to my expectations.

As their mom, I really wanted them to earn my secret reward...and my heart rejoiced when they did!

 

A parent's pride, the satisfaction of a job well done, oh the elation of honoring those deserving accolade!
And I can only imagine how my Father in heaven must feel as He looks upon me.

 

Rewards up His sleeve, a perfect and wonderful plan in store, the BIG picture as only He can see,
He holds mysteries and joys, the kinds of gifts that parents love to bestow upon their children.
Yet, how often do we trek through days unaware of all He longs to give?

"Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Isaiah 30:18

 "Blessed are those who keep my ways."
Proverbs 8:32

We parents want our children to succeed and God's heart is for us too. He longs for us to choose right over wrong, to renounce sin, to pick the better way of listening to His commands. His desire is that we would fear Him, obey Him, not because we have to or we just want a reward, but because we love Him.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments."
John 14:15

 

I can only imagine how He must look upon me...when I fumble and flail and choose wrong, when my faith is weak and I worry. How His Father's heart must break when He owns it all and longs to give the secret rewards that are His to His children.
Every gift is in the palm of the Giver's hand and He rewards those who seek Him. He is trustworthy.

"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
Hebrews 11:6

 

How the Father must rejoice, and the angels with Him, when a child of His chooses right. With great, encompassing, and patient LOVE He honors those who draw near to Him, those who follow His commands. He honors with grace upon grace and I feel how He must feel tonight...as I honor my children for their hearts in this moment, as I reward them for choosing well.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."
James 1:17

 

How joyous the gift of giving! How much more exhilarating to give than receive! How miraculous the gift of eternal life that's waiting, full of secret rewards, for those who choose faith in Christ above all. How blessed to hear His whispers this evening as my heavenly Father gently reminds me through my children's eyes of how He feels for me.

"And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
Hebrews 5:9

CAREGIVERS

I heard myself say it, "We're a team," and in reflecting today I agree. This family is a TEAM.

 

As the older children get...older...they too become caregivers of sorts for the little ones in our home.

 

They love it.

 

 

So do I.

 

 

 It's not uncommon for people to be concerned for older siblings in large families.

Do they give too much? Sacrifice too often? Constantly lay their lives down for their brothers and sisters?

 

They do.

 

 

Willingly.

 

 

Joyfully.

 

 

Naturally.

 

 

Endearingly.

 

 

Lovingly.

 

 

And the little ones are watching...learning to follow suit.

 

 

 

For that I am so grateful.

To give children the opportunity to give, sacrifice, and lay their lives down is quite the advantage really.

In fact, it's just what Jesus said to do.

 

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

 

So, today as I consider our growing family and thank the Lord for all the caregivers who live here in our home, I see that we have more than enough LOVE to go around...more than enough room in our hearts to absorb new members on our team. 

We are living "therapy" all day every day over here. Our family dynamics simply make it so. 

 

As people who are constantly learning to get along with other people and lend a helping hand, we give and forgive, play and pray. We offer ourselves to one another in LOVE, remembering that this is what Jesus did. It's who He'd like for us to be...caregivers.

 

Who will He allow us {all} to care for next???

 

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."

Philippians 2:3

 

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

John 15:12