I walked downstairs, following the sounds of my screaming and crying five year old, and saw her laying on the floor, my husband sitting cross legged in front of her, her feet in his lap, and tweezers in my husband's hand. Jocelyn had gotten a splinter in her foot and Daddy was vainly attempting to pull it out. Every time he would grab her toe to brace her foot, she would yell out in pain, jerk her foot away, and roll around screaming about how bad it was going to hurt if he touched it. After a while, my husband had had enough, scooted away from her and said, "Joci, you have to relax. Do you trust me? I will not be able to get this out of your foot unless you trust me but I am not going to force you to allow me to do it either. The choice is yours. If you want to get rid of this splinter that is causing you pain, trust me and push through, than I will be glad to remove it, but if you aren't ready, if you won't stop fighting me then the splinter will just have to stay where it is."
I have seen this scenario happen all too often in my own life between me and the Lord. I'll come to Him, asking Him to help me get rid of the splinter in my foot, be it un-forgiveness, pride, bitterness, hurt, etc... only to fight like a mad dog in a muzzle when I see the surgical tools He plans on using to rid me of my affliction. In my human eyes, the tools appear very sharp and hold the possibility of feeling more painful than the splinter stuck in my flesh Then, just like my husband with our daughter, He looks at me with gentle eyes, puts down the utensils and waits patiently until I am ready, really ready. He does not force His hand; He assures me that I can trust Him; and makes very known that it is my choice, but once I choose Him, that I will have the ability to walk pain free.
The truth is, God's refinement does hurt our flesh more than our affliction does at times but the end result is complete healing. Once we surrender to His "surgical procedures" we don't have to walk around with a limp, open wound, or blurred eye sight any longer. We are given freedom in all things; to receive blessings and pour them out; to receive love and give it unconditionally; and to share our story of healing, giving opportunity to others to trust in our Abba and His ability to heal. Even better, He gives our affliction purpose. He works it out for His good. He gives us a testimony and recollection so that we can gain thankfulness and appreciate His love for us.
Our Daddy is a good and patient one.
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Romans 5:3
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Camping
I volunteered to drive my grandfather's Winnabago so that he could ride with my parents and get some rest. After they packed up their car, they went on ahead of us to the camp site's rental office to return some borrowed gear and settle up on our debt. All strapped in, except for Seth, who sat between me and my grandmother, leaned forward; elbows propped up on the head rests, I turned to back out of our camping spot. My two little girls, Jocelyn, age 5, and Lila, age 2, were passed out asleep before we could even get their seat belts buckled. It had been a busy weekend of white water rafting, tubing and camping on the Oconee River with my parents and grand parents but it had come to an end and time to head home.
Within moments of being in reverse, I realized the massive vehicle did not have enough room to get turned around before it would head into a guard rail. I checked out my options. I could pull forward and vere to the right and head into a round about and it seemed like the best and only option but there was down side. A sign nearby read, "Cars and small trucks only". Apparently, there was a steep down grade of the road at the bottom of the round about and unsafe for large, heavy vehicles. Throwing caution to the wind, trusting my driving abilities, and feeling like I had no other choice, I headed down into the turn around. How bad could it be?
"SETH!!!! WHAT DO I DO? WHAT DO I DO?" I was screaming at the top of my lungs in sheer panic. My hands tightly gripped the stiring wheel turning my knuckles white. My foot pumped the brakes so hard my calf was cramping, but the winnabago only picked up speed regardless of my efforts to stop it. The sign of warning had proven itself right and I was in deep regret for testing it. "SEEEEEEEETH!" I continued, but my husband sat in silence, not moving, not even a worried look on his face; in fact, all my passangers seemed to be completely unscathed by what was going on and I grew angry and confused. We were heading straight into the raging waters of the river and no one seemed to be bothered in the least bit. Our fate was the river, there was no way around it, all I could do was brace myself and pray.
Within moments of being in the river, water poured it's way in through every crack it could find. We were quickly becoming a sinking ship. Franticly, I searched for my seat belt latch (suddenly forgetting where it was). When I finally found it and freed myself from the chair and sprang into action. My grandmother, in shock I suppose, sat lifeless, looking straight ahead, not moving a muscle. I unbuckled her, pushed open her door with super human strength and lead her through the opening. She woke from her haze and began to swim. However the open door only made the water pour in faster and I had to get my girls. The river was cold and threatening. It, too, searched for a way to my children but I was determined to find them first. Oddly, when I did, they still remained in their deep sleep. My hands shook with fear, adrinaline and chill as I grabbed them up and found my way to the side door. Seth was gone, obviously escaping a long while ago. I spotted him as I looked through the windshield of the sinking vehicle right before freeing my grandmother. He was swimming down river, never even looking back. He left me...alone... to do this all by myself. Why? None of that mattered right now. I had to swim to safety for me and the girls.
I reached the shore just in time to see the Winabago go end over head as it crashed into some jutting rocks. Shaken up pretty badly, I proceeded to walk down stream along the smooth river bank toward the camp site's reservations office in hopes that my parents and grandfather would still be there. "My grandfather..." my thoughts trailed, "oh, what am I going to tell my grandfather?" My stupid mistake almost got us all killed and on top of that destroyed his Winnabago. "He will be so upset." and with that thought and all of the other thoughts of the very recent events, my emotions finally took over and I began to weep. I put down my girls and crumpled onto the ground in a big heeving mess.
After some time, I was able to grab up some composure, I finally found my destination and spotted the faces of my loving family, Seth included. Thank goodness they had not left yet. My grandfather sat in a lawn chair enjoying the shade while my parents busily checked us out of the camp site. He spotted me walking towards him and said, "Well hey Joy! Come on and join me" patting the chair beside him. I sat, head down, knot in throat and opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted by, "Why girl, you are soaking wet! What on earth?" "Paw-Paw..." I stammered and got through my story very slowly, stopping every now and then to wipe my face and blow my nose. When my story came to a close, a warm hand stroked my back and the soothing voice of my grandfather spoke, "Well Joy, these things happen sometimes. I didn't like that old Winnabago anyway."
.................
My eyes flug open, trying to adjust to the darkness. My grandfather's words still ringing in my ears, and a smile forming on my lips. It was all a dream! A dream...thank the good Lord, it was only a dream. It was kind of bittersweet to wake up though. I got to see my Paw-Paw and it made the horrible nightmare turn into a sweet dream and all worth while.
Within moments of being in reverse, I realized the massive vehicle did not have enough room to get turned around before it would head into a guard rail. I checked out my options. I could pull forward and vere to the right and head into a round about and it seemed like the best and only option but there was down side. A sign nearby read, "Cars and small trucks only". Apparently, there was a steep down grade of the road at the bottom of the round about and unsafe for large, heavy vehicles. Throwing caution to the wind, trusting my driving abilities, and feeling like I had no other choice, I headed down into the turn around. How bad could it be?
"SETH!!!! WHAT DO I DO? WHAT DO I DO?" I was screaming at the top of my lungs in sheer panic. My hands tightly gripped the stiring wheel turning my knuckles white. My foot pumped the brakes so hard my calf was cramping, but the winnabago only picked up speed regardless of my efforts to stop it. The sign of warning had proven itself right and I was in deep regret for testing it. "SEEEEEEEETH!" I continued, but my husband sat in silence, not moving, not even a worried look on his face; in fact, all my passangers seemed to be completely unscathed by what was going on and I grew angry and confused. We were heading straight into the raging waters of the river and no one seemed to be bothered in the least bit. Our fate was the river, there was no way around it, all I could do was brace myself and pray.
Within moments of being in the river, water poured it's way in through every crack it could find. We were quickly becoming a sinking ship. Franticly, I searched for my seat belt latch (suddenly forgetting where it was). When I finally found it and freed myself from the chair and sprang into action. My grandmother, in shock I suppose, sat lifeless, looking straight ahead, not moving a muscle. I unbuckled her, pushed open her door with super human strength and lead her through the opening. She woke from her haze and began to swim. However the open door only made the water pour in faster and I had to get my girls. The river was cold and threatening. It, too, searched for a way to my children but I was determined to find them first. Oddly, when I did, they still remained in their deep sleep. My hands shook with fear, adrinaline and chill as I grabbed them up and found my way to the side door. Seth was gone, obviously escaping a long while ago. I spotted him as I looked through the windshield of the sinking vehicle right before freeing my grandmother. He was swimming down river, never even looking back. He left me...alone... to do this all by myself. Why? None of that mattered right now. I had to swim to safety for me and the girls.
I reached the shore just in time to see the Winabago go end over head as it crashed into some jutting rocks. Shaken up pretty badly, I proceeded to walk down stream along the smooth river bank toward the camp site's reservations office in hopes that my parents and grandfather would still be there. "My grandfather..." my thoughts trailed, "oh, what am I going to tell my grandfather?" My stupid mistake almost got us all killed and on top of that destroyed his Winnabago. "He will be so upset." and with that thought and all of the other thoughts of the very recent events, my emotions finally took over and I began to weep. I put down my girls and crumpled onto the ground in a big heeving mess.
After some time, I was able to grab up some composure, I finally found my destination and spotted the faces of my loving family, Seth included. Thank goodness they had not left yet. My grandfather sat in a lawn chair enjoying the shade while my parents busily checked us out of the camp site. He spotted me walking towards him and said, "Well hey Joy! Come on and join me" patting the chair beside him. I sat, head down, knot in throat and opened my mouth to speak but was interrupted by, "Why girl, you are soaking wet! What on earth?" "Paw-Paw..." I stammered and got through my story very slowly, stopping every now and then to wipe my face and blow my nose. When my story came to a close, a warm hand stroked my back and the soothing voice of my grandfather spoke, "Well Joy, these things happen sometimes. I didn't like that old Winnabago anyway."
.................
My eyes flug open, trying to adjust to the darkness. My grandfather's words still ringing in my ears, and a smile forming on my lips. It was all a dream! A dream...thank the good Lord, it was only a dream. It was kind of bittersweet to wake up though. I got to see my Paw-Paw and it made the horrible nightmare turn into a sweet dream and all worth while.
Friday, July 13, 2012
A House United
Mark 3:25 says, "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."
My husband and I are reading through the book of Mark at the moment and he happen to read this very passage one evening while we were in the middle of an argument. Jesus shook his finger at me as these words were read and all I could do was bow my head in acknowledgement. I knew my pride needed to wither and I needed to become reunited with my husband.
It is Satan's desire to cause discord in the house of unity and he will use any thing to cause disruption. Ever find yourself unable to remember how an argument started or unsure why exactly you are angry? Satan's little mind tricks have worked on us and we took the bull by the horns; setting him free in a china shop with our actions. Blow after blow we strike one another down and why? For what? For selfish gain and out of fear...all attitudes of our enemy.
A marriage, a family unit is a stronge force to be reckoned with against the enemy, should they all be standing together and our enemy certainly knows it. It's a stealthy tactic he uses to turn us against one another. If we can't recognize our pride and selfishness, our fear and hurt and hand them over to the Lord, our houses will certainly crumble.
Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another, just as I love you, so you must love one another..." Paul describes love like this..."Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." No, none of us will be perfect at this technique without a few slips of the flesh from time to time but with this as our families game plan, our house will not be divided against itself. It will stand strong in the face of our adversary. It will be a light to the world for our Abba whose love for us is perfect.
Help us Lord, to be a house united for you!
My husband and I are reading through the book of Mark at the moment and he happen to read this very passage one evening while we were in the middle of an argument. Jesus shook his finger at me as these words were read and all I could do was bow my head in acknowledgement. I knew my pride needed to wither and I needed to become reunited with my husband.
It is Satan's desire to cause discord in the house of unity and he will use any thing to cause disruption. Ever find yourself unable to remember how an argument started or unsure why exactly you are angry? Satan's little mind tricks have worked on us and we took the bull by the horns; setting him free in a china shop with our actions. Blow after blow we strike one another down and why? For what? For selfish gain and out of fear...all attitudes of our enemy.
A marriage, a family unit is a stronge force to be reckoned with against the enemy, should they all be standing together and our enemy certainly knows it. It's a stealthy tactic he uses to turn us against one another. If we can't recognize our pride and selfishness, our fear and hurt and hand them over to the Lord, our houses will certainly crumble.
Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another, just as I love you, so you must love one another..." Paul describes love like this..."Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." No, none of us will be perfect at this technique without a few slips of the flesh from time to time but with this as our families game plan, our house will not be divided against itself. It will stand strong in the face of our adversary. It will be a light to the world for our Abba whose love for us is perfect.
Help us Lord, to be a house united for you!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Day 2 of our Beach Trip
My eyes shot open this morning at 6:46 am at the sound of my husband's loud snores. "I could go for a run." I thought for a brief moment but quickly talked myself out of. After all, it is vacation and sleeping in should be on the agenda. So instead I drifted back off into peaceful sleep. An hour and a half past before I woke again...this time for good. Leaving my snoring prince to continue his slumber, I got to work on his Father's Day breakfast. I was soon greeted with the droopy eyes and smiling faces of my girls. They were hungry and ready to head to the beach. Breakfast almost ready. Bacon, eggs, toast and strawberries were on the menu but they turned up their noses and voted Fruit Loops for themselves. The smells of food brought our guy out of the bed and into the kitchen. "Happy Father's Day!" us girls greeted. With a grin and a thank you, he sat down to eat.
Soaked in sun screen and drapped in bathing suits, we headed outside to gather our things for the beach. Like the first settlers to America, we staked our claim on a plot of sand and called it ours. The Reds quickly got to work on sand mounds and hole digging while I cracked open my book and Seth headed for the waves. Soon after Joci was ready to venture out with Dad, boogie board in hand. Lila, on the other hand, has decided she is much like her mother with no desire to ride the waves. Several times I asked if she wanted to go out but was always answered with a quick "No"...just like the Capital One baby, that one.
Joci is a quick study and learned to boogie board like a champ on this first real day in the ocean. Lila, we discovered, loves the art of sand throwing and not just up in the air...at her sister's head. (She sat in "time out" quite a few times today for that.)
A little girl, bright red hair and able to claim my family if she wanted, came across my path crying and looking for her mommy. I waited a few moments to see if a woman would come to comfort before I approached this pitiful one but no one did and so, gently I asked if I could help her find her mommy and with big puppy dog eyes she agreed with a head nod. Her name was Sidney and after ten feet of walking in the direction she came, dad showed up with a smile and shouted her name. All was right again as she rushed into his arms, back to safty. Thank you Jesus!
I have found myself trying to pray a lot but the Spirit constantly is telling me, I'm covered so I sit in peace. No thoughts, no worries, no longings...very out of character for me to be quite honest but I will admit, I am loving the peace.
The girls have gone to bed without a fight and Seth is out to a movie for some down time on his day. I think I'll take advantage and read a bit more. So far, so perfect!
Soaked in sun screen and drapped in bathing suits, we headed outside to gather our things for the beach. Like the first settlers to America, we staked our claim on a plot of sand and called it ours. The Reds quickly got to work on sand mounds and hole digging while I cracked open my book and Seth headed for the waves. Soon after Joci was ready to venture out with Dad, boogie board in hand. Lila, on the other hand, has decided she is much like her mother with no desire to ride the waves. Several times I asked if she wanted to go out but was always answered with a quick "No"...just like the Capital One baby, that one.
Joci is a quick study and learned to boogie board like a champ on this first real day in the ocean. Lila, we discovered, loves the art of sand throwing and not just up in the air...at her sister's head. (She sat in "time out" quite a few times today for that.)
A little girl, bright red hair and able to claim my family if she wanted, came across my path crying and looking for her mommy. I waited a few moments to see if a woman would come to comfort before I approached this pitiful one but no one did and so, gently I asked if I could help her find her mommy and with big puppy dog eyes she agreed with a head nod. Her name was Sidney and after ten feet of walking in the direction she came, dad showed up with a smile and shouted her name. All was right again as she rushed into his arms, back to safty. Thank you Jesus!
I have found myself trying to pray a lot but the Spirit constantly is telling me, I'm covered so I sit in peace. No thoughts, no worries, no longings...very out of character for me to be quite honest but I will admit, I am loving the peace.
The girls have gone to bed without a fight and Seth is out to a movie for some down time on his day. I think I'll take advantage and read a bit more. So far, so perfect!
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Day 1 of our Beach Vacation
With only three bathroom/food/gas fillup stops, we made it to our cozy beach house in seven and a half hours. It was mostly uneventful if you don't include the 15 minutes of bumper to bumper traffic on old faithful (I-20) due to a minor fender bender, oh and the constant job of breaking up a fight about who touched who first between a five and two year old.
As the ocean appeared on the horizon, us girls became giddy in love while Seth breathed a sigh of relief. "WE MADE IT!" There is nothing like seeing the smiles on young girls faces and watching firey red hair blow in the wind as the roar of the ocean breeze rolls in with every wave.
It took about an hour to unpack and get into our bathing suits before our feet were able to soak themselves in salt water. Perfect. The first touch always is, washing away the cares of this world like some powerful potion. Daddy took the oldest red out a little deep for mommy's comfort, but that's what Dad's do...promote courage in the midst of danger. Little Red and I stayed ashore and covered ourselves in sand. Already, close occupants are asking where they got their ginger tops from, confused as they take in the sights of my or my husband's blonde hair.
Hours pass and tummy's grumble. Dinner needs to be had and no grocery's have been bought so back into the car we go after cleaning the grinds of sand from our bottoms. Shopping at Wal-Mart, at the beach, is like shopping on Black Friday. People pushing and shoving, trying to get the last jar of pickles and bottle of wine. "Why don't they stock sufficiently", I wonder as I mozy through the aisles with my train of a cart. You know the one. It has a huge bench seat that attaches to the buggy that my girls INSIST we get but never ride in after five minutes into the shopping trip. Oh well. Stress, interestingly enough, does not find me in this chaos...toes in the ocean already took care of that a while ago.
So back at our home away from home I now sit. Cupboards full, belly full, feet up, relaxing and writing, gazing at the ocean from my back porch seat, missing Mack, who is on a wonderful cruise with his beautiful Mom. Time to hunt for some sea shells. Joci hasn't forgotten that I told her we would tonight and she keeps reminding me every five minutes. Back onto the plush white sand I go!
As the ocean appeared on the horizon, us girls became giddy in love while Seth breathed a sigh of relief. "WE MADE IT!" There is nothing like seeing the smiles on young girls faces and watching firey red hair blow in the wind as the roar of the ocean breeze rolls in with every wave.
It took about an hour to unpack and get into our bathing suits before our feet were able to soak themselves in salt water. Perfect. The first touch always is, washing away the cares of this world like some powerful potion. Daddy took the oldest red out a little deep for mommy's comfort, but that's what Dad's do...promote courage in the midst of danger. Little Red and I stayed ashore and covered ourselves in sand. Already, close occupants are asking where they got their ginger tops from, confused as they take in the sights of my or my husband's blonde hair.
Hours pass and tummy's grumble. Dinner needs to be had and no grocery's have been bought so back into the car we go after cleaning the grinds of sand from our bottoms. Shopping at Wal-Mart, at the beach, is like shopping on Black Friday. People pushing and shoving, trying to get the last jar of pickles and bottle of wine. "Why don't they stock sufficiently", I wonder as I mozy through the aisles with my train of a cart. You know the one. It has a huge bench seat that attaches to the buggy that my girls INSIST we get but never ride in after five minutes into the shopping trip. Oh well. Stress, interestingly enough, does not find me in this chaos...toes in the ocean already took care of that a while ago.
So back at our home away from home I now sit. Cupboards full, belly full, feet up, relaxing and writing, gazing at the ocean from my back porch seat, missing Mack, who is on a wonderful cruise with his beautiful Mom. Time to hunt for some sea shells. Joci hasn't forgotten that I told her we would tonight and she keeps reminding me every five minutes. Back onto the plush white sand I go!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
A piece of heaven
The clock struck three p.m. and out the door, I went; bag over my shoulder full of all things needed to cut hair. Two days ago, a dear friend of mine asked if I would come and cut her parents' hair. Up in age, they are unable to get out of their home, and happily I accepted the opportunity to make a house call. I have met Mr. and Mrs. Evans on one other occasion under the same circumstance; however, since then they have had to move into their other daughter's home (my friend's sister) due to the decline of their health.
As I walked into this unfamiliar place, I was greeted with open arms full of hugs. They all knew me by name. How? I assume my friend had already told them of me but I couldn't be sure. The way they said it, was as if it had been on their lips forever and within seconds, it felt like home. The walls busted at the seams with family members, all there to visit with the couple of sixty six years and to learn from the eyes that had seen much of this life. Did Mr. and Mrs. Evans know they were teaching as they sat in their seperate chairs there in the living room?; teaching of Christ's love over each generation represented that gathered around them (three in all); teaching of commitment and loyalty. I doubt they did but I am certain that as laughter filled the air with stories and jokes floating through, the family learned. I cut hair with slow gentle hands and soaked the moments in...listening, smiling, witnessing. Jesus stroking the hearts of all. Love pouring out of every syllable spoken.
When my work was finished, fresh peaches and strawberries served over warm cream cheese bunt cake was brought to everyone in the room. I sat and ate, the sweet taste on my tongue, cacooned in the romance of my Abba through this wonderful family, listening to the rain. Such peace.
Departing was just as sweet, hugging the necks of all; each whispering words of thanks in my ear. Little did they know, the pleasure was all mine. I received such a blessing being in their midst, an outsider welcomed into this piece of heaven on earth. It will be a moment in time that will remain with me always.
As I walked into this unfamiliar place, I was greeted with open arms full of hugs. They all knew me by name. How? I assume my friend had already told them of me but I couldn't be sure. The way they said it, was as if it had been on their lips forever and within seconds, it felt like home. The walls busted at the seams with family members, all there to visit with the couple of sixty six years and to learn from the eyes that had seen much of this life. Did Mr. and Mrs. Evans know they were teaching as they sat in their seperate chairs there in the living room?; teaching of Christ's love over each generation represented that gathered around them (three in all); teaching of commitment and loyalty. I doubt they did but I am certain that as laughter filled the air with stories and jokes floating through, the family learned. I cut hair with slow gentle hands and soaked the moments in...listening, smiling, witnessing. Jesus stroking the hearts of all. Love pouring out of every syllable spoken.
When my work was finished, fresh peaches and strawberries served over warm cream cheese bunt cake was brought to everyone in the room. I sat and ate, the sweet taste on my tongue, cacooned in the romance of my Abba through this wonderful family, listening to the rain. Such peace.
Departing was just as sweet, hugging the necks of all; each whispering words of thanks in my ear. Little did they know, the pleasure was all mine. I received such a blessing being in their midst, an outsider welcomed into this piece of heaven on earth. It will be a moment in time that will remain with me always.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Cute things my kids did today
This Morning:
There is a running course near my house that ventures around Lake Peachtree. I run it often with my baby girl. She has the pleasure of making my workout a little tougher by riding in her personal carriage that I must push. She is potty training, so before we start our journey, I take her into City Hall (the closest building open at that hour with a public restroom) to use their facilities to try and avoid accidents. While in there this morning, I spotted a rolly polly crawling on the very clean, not yet dirty from lots of traffic, floor. I got excited because Lila Grace has yet to see one of these creatures. "Lila, look!" I said pointing at the insect. At that moment, I poked it until it curled up into it's shell forming a ball and then I proceeded to show my sweet, beautiful little girl how uniquely the rolly polly becomes a ball when feeling threatened. "Ball?" Lila asked. "That's right, Lila. Isn't that neat?" I asked. She looked at me, then looked at the bug then yelled, "NO! SPIDER." Without warning, down her foot came with a splat, squashing the poor rolly polly. Never batting an eye, she strolled out of the bathroom with confidence, having done the public a great service. I could only laugh and shake my head. Her daddy would be proud.
This Evening:
Every Wednesday night, my family and I head to church for bible study and my children are always itching to go with excitement. This week's bible study was a very heavy lesson about the Anti-Christ. After the study, we gathered up our things and headed out into the parking lot, our spirits were a bit somber but the moon light captured all of our attention with it's bright beauty. The solom spirit left quickly and fellowship with other participants of the bible study began. Though usually desolate at this hour, it is still a parking lot and as a mother, one eye is always on my girls as they find adventure in the open space, chasing one another and giggling. Moments go by and I spot my oldest, Jocelyn, swaying as if to music, looking up to the sky. A smile begins to form on my lips as I wonder what she must be hearing. Soon after she begins to blow kisses to the sky, one after another after another. My eyebrows come down on my forehead as more curiosity forms and she catches my gaze. "What?" she asks. "Nothing, just wondering what you are doing." With a giggle and a big smile, she ever so confidently answers with, "Just loving on God, Mommy." My heart became a puddle on the ground and tears welled up in my eyes. Precious, just precious.
There is a running course near my house that ventures around Lake Peachtree. I run it often with my baby girl. She has the pleasure of making my workout a little tougher by riding in her personal carriage that I must push. She is potty training, so before we start our journey, I take her into City Hall (the closest building open at that hour with a public restroom) to use their facilities to try and avoid accidents. While in there this morning, I spotted a rolly polly crawling on the very clean, not yet dirty from lots of traffic, floor. I got excited because Lila Grace has yet to see one of these creatures. "Lila, look!" I said pointing at the insect. At that moment, I poked it until it curled up into it's shell forming a ball and then I proceeded to show my sweet, beautiful little girl how uniquely the rolly polly becomes a ball when feeling threatened. "Ball?" Lila asked. "That's right, Lila. Isn't that neat?" I asked. She looked at me, then looked at the bug then yelled, "NO! SPIDER." Without warning, down her foot came with a splat, squashing the poor rolly polly. Never batting an eye, she strolled out of the bathroom with confidence, having done the public a great service. I could only laugh and shake my head. Her daddy would be proud.
This Evening:
Every Wednesday night, my family and I head to church for bible study and my children are always itching to go with excitement. This week's bible study was a very heavy lesson about the Anti-Christ. After the study, we gathered up our things and headed out into the parking lot, our spirits were a bit somber but the moon light captured all of our attention with it's bright beauty. The solom spirit left quickly and fellowship with other participants of the bible study began. Though usually desolate at this hour, it is still a parking lot and as a mother, one eye is always on my girls as they find adventure in the open space, chasing one another and giggling. Moments go by and I spot my oldest, Jocelyn, swaying as if to music, looking up to the sky. A smile begins to form on my lips as I wonder what she must be hearing. Soon after she begins to blow kisses to the sky, one after another after another. My eyebrows come down on my forehead as more curiosity forms and she catches my gaze. "What?" she asks. "Nothing, just wondering what you are doing." With a giggle and a big smile, she ever so confidently answers with, "Just loving on God, Mommy." My heart became a puddle on the ground and tears welled up in my eyes. Precious, just precious.
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