Tom's Job

Tom made sure that no schoolwork happened this week.

And definitely no wash either.  

As an aside, I'm certain that the term "barn cat" is laughable.

This is a Sign!

 

Doesn't this sum up my parenting philosophy perfectly?

I was so thrilled to snag it on my annual thrifting/shopping trip with my sister this past weekend!

It's Not Over If...

At Ladies Bible Study last night, we were talking about stepping out in faith.  We turned to Matthew 14:25-32, where Jesus walked on the water.  Peter called to Jesus and then, stepped out on the water and started walking toward Him.  Until he saw the wind and waves...

I always feel like Peter gets a bad rap.  

When he walked on the water, he sunk.  And everybody stops right there.  

Never mind that he's the only one audacious enough to call out and clamber over the side of the boat in the midst of a wild storm...

and then, to walk on dangerous water.  He did walk on the water; don't forget that!

Sure, he started looking at the raging wind.  

I can relate to that.  Starting out with wildly audacious faith and then, faltering along the way.  When that happens, I feel like I've failed and there's no more chance for victory.

However, something happens between verse 31 and verse 32.  

v. 31 ~ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” 

v. 32 ~ When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.

How did Jesus and Peter get back to the boat?  Did Jesus carry him?  Did they walk back together?  I don't really think it matters.  

Peter sank.  Jesus reached out immediately.

And then, they made it back to the boat.

It's not over if you sink.  

It isn't.  

God loves it when we step out, practically exercising out faith, boldly listening to His voice, but He never leaves our side through the whole storm.  

Even when we sink.  

Even when we falter.

Even when we doubt.

To you today:

It's not over if you sink.  Jesus will get you back to the boat.  

"It's not over if you sink." I wrote it in my journal and vehemently underlined it.  The ladies around me laughed and I did too.

Getting overwhelmed by the wind, the storm, the chaos, doesn't have to be the end.  

When Jesus calls to you as you're drowning, remember that He never left.  He'll get you back to the boat.  

It's not over if you sink.

I Always Need Another Zipper Pouch

Mamas, 

Sometimes our disorganization just needs a simple solution, a little thought toward fixing the problem.

Currently I'm spearheading two separate t-shirt and sweatshirt orders, a ticketed four course formal etiquette dinner for my co-op students, and a 4-H fundraiser.  

There are lots of people handing me money.  

You think you'll remember who handed you what... until you don't.  

I picked up a cute zipper pouch at the thrift store, threw in sticky notes, and a pen.  I even included a sign-up sheet so I can check off people's names as they pay.

Voila!

When someone hands me money or a check, it goes in there and gets labeled immediately.  

I can be a good and faithful steward of what is entrusted to me, without fear of losing someone's payment (or my mind.)  

That's big, y'all.