Like Iron

"Iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens another."

Proverbs 27:17

 

I've had the privilege to be sharpened and hopefully, sharpen others lately.  It's got me thinking.  I don't want to say this, but I feel compelled to be honest.  I like to sharpen.  I don't like needing to be sharpened.  I believe that I am strong.  I don't like anyone to know about any of my weaknesses, but I don't think that's really what God had in mind.  And, I can see that to always be the one sharpening can sometimes be rooted in pride.  Is it because I think I am "too spiritual" or "too mature" to need anyone to sharpen me?  Lately I've been reminded that it takes a measure of humility to allow yourself to be sharpened.  And, close your mouth.  Yep, I said it.  Sometimes we simply need to be quiet. 

 

You can not be sharpened by what you never make time to hear! 

 

You can not be sharpened by what you never bother to hear.  Sometimes we're so caught up in what we have to say, what we WANT to say, our agenda, our ideas, our thoughts, our beliefs and our convictions.  (I think you all know that I have lots of those.)  Sometimes there's even the idea that if we don't talk, there might be that "awkward silence."  Did we ever consider that some folks need more than a few seconds to gather the courage (or their thoughts) enough to speak up?  Many times those are the words most worth hearing. 

 

I've been challenged lately to be quiet and to be humble.  Won't you join me in this journey?

What kind of Normal???

Sometimes I think people try to embrace everybody else's normal.  They pursue it, they compare and they are disappointed.  Hey, we are a unique family here.  We're trying to serve God and raise four very unique little girls.  Our normal isn't your normal and I'm cool with that.  You should be too. 

For instance, today, there is a toothbrush suctioned smack dab in the middle of the bathroom mirror. (I have no idea why.)  Everybody was up by 6:15am (or earlier) because King Crow, our infamous award-winning rooster wasn't feeling well.  So, he has been relocated to a pen in the basement.  Every half hour or so, King belts out an announcement crow. 

"Hey y'all, I'm still down here.  Where are my hens?  Bring me some apples, will ya?"

I drop my hand from the keyboard a second and Rory, our 9 week old Bernese Mountain Puppy promptly nuzzles me and gnaws on my hand.  He also whines when everyone has congregated on Mommy's bed for devotions and he was not invited on to the bed.  Yes and King announces (again) that he is STILL in the basement.  Blossom4 pronounces, "ROOTER, ROOTER, ROOTER!!!!!!" and then flips out because she doesn't like the Bible story book that Blossom3 brought for her to browse while we read our Bibles. 

Eventually, Blossom1 updates me on the status of all the healthy animals, as well as the recovering King.  I try to call the Rugged Mountain Man to get his opinion on reintegrating King to coop life.  Blossom3 and Blossom4 are galloping through the house, King crows again and I'm standing at the back door keeping an eye on Rory as he "parks."  I hear distant strains of "ROOTER, ROOTER, ROOTER" and Blossom3's trademark giggles.  Jake just watches this whole thing with his best "sage" and "noble" imitation... until I say the word "treat" and then he's all about some yummy homemade Jake's Cakes.  Blossom2 sticks to her seat during the chaos, doing her schoolwork and tries to convince me to do a science experiment today, something about bouncing popcorn kernels.  I FEEL like the bouncing popcorn kernels - kinda happy, kinda zany and all over the place.

When I'm confident Blossom1 and Blossom2 are well on their way with schoolwork, I try to make some Toffee Bark for a friend.  The Blossoms keep sneaking in and eating all the chocolate chips, until I get out the mini Reese's Pieces and their are shouts of "M&Ms, MAMA!!!!!!!" to which I respond, "Hands off, there won't be enough!"  (cock a doodle dooooooooooo)

Blossom3 decides that today is a terrific day to play with blue water in the kitchen sink.  Blossom4 thinks that she isn't going to be included.  Oh man, does she let me know about it.  Thankfully, King is settling into his quiet time of day.  As we round up plastic people and animals for blue water time, I think that at least we've accomplished a lot thus far today.  Getting up early does that to you.  I mean, school is well under way.  There isn't TOO much blue water on the floor and now Rory and Jake are napping. 

You see, God's grace is for the normal He orchestrates in THIS house, not what I find in your home.  He graces you for that.  I just try to trust and obey here in the Hollow.  I'd say that King would crow to that!

What is today?

"If today is a God-directed day,
today will be a blessed day."

My friend shared this to all of us at church today.  As a mom, it really resonated.  I do have lots of things that need to be done.  I'm serving the Lord as I do all these insignificant looking things.  But, I love that verse that says that the mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.  It just goes to show you that I may plan my way - I may plan those little things that must be done - but I still always ought to be following His leading.  My day must be God-directed in all things.  Then, it will truly be a blessed day.

A Few Thoughts

This week was busy - dentist appointments, presentation practice, piano, 4-H presentation, gym class, first day of co-op, first day of a class at the library, plus a viewing, funeral, travel and a new puppy.  Now I know why I was so tired!  That doesn't even count all the school we did this week.  During weeks like this, I like to sort through my thoughts.

My husband's Uncle Ron passed away on Valentines Day.  We are sad, of course, but oh, how wonderful it is when a Godly man leaves a solid, holy legacy.  I know that we and his children and grandchildren grieve.  The memories!  They are sweet.  They are untainted.  This is the blessing of a holy life.  This is the beauty of that Godliness.  It is priceless.  And these thoughts I share now are only the part of the legacy that I can see on this side of Eternity.  I can only anticipate the beauty of the rewards of a Godly life on the Heavenly side of Eternity!

On another note, I've thought this week a bit about intimidation.  I feel like the Lord has helped me to grow up even more in recent years.  Standing on principle and not allowing myself to be cowed by louder voices and opinions is a good thing.  Long ago, our church suffered from a very manipulating woman who wreaked much havoc in people's lives.  I was a teenager at the time.  Aside from the pain it caused in my own broken friendships, I realized that intimidating and manipulating people is wrong.  However, the person allowing themselves to be intimidated or manipulated holds a responsibility as well.  This lesson comes to my mind when I find myself in intimidating situations.  I don't "buck," just to "buck."  I stand up for right. 

I also felt the Holy Spirit reminding me not to be a braggart.  Because I like to talk, it is easiest to share all that encompasses my life.  While some folks genuinely enjoy listening to "the details of me," I must make an effort to draw other folks out, whether they be old friends or new.  I may not mean to brag, but I have realized it is much easier to chatter on about the Blossoms, Rory and our week.  It takes extra effort to draw other folks out in conversation, to hear about them.  I think most folks who like to talk need to be extra careful about this.  I don't think the Holy Spirit wants me to walk away from a conversation thinking, "I wonder how they are doing?" simply because I was too caught up in the details of me to find out for myself. 

So, God is doing good things this week.  I am thankful that He continues to work in me.  After all, the Lord disciplines the child He loves!

Deep-Seated

Deep-Seated Scarf Revenge:

When one ties one's scarf perfectly the very first time and the scarf plots and executes revenge by proudly displaying its tag front and center despite all attempts to hide said tag.  At last, scarf scores when scarf must be re-tied numerous times in an effort to relegate tag to appropriate position - hidden.  If it's happened to you, you've been a victim of Deep-seated Scarf Revenge.