Life with Sweet Pea

It's very good having a new little Blossom in the house.  I'm forced to slow down and "smell the Blossoms," so to speak.  When you can only do things one-handed or with lots of foresight, it really makes you a lot pickier about what you choose to do.  And, I tend to notice little things when I slow down... I take time to kiss velvety cheeks, to squeeze Blossom shoulders and bend down to catch the ending of a newly-imagined Blossom story.  It's a tenderly sweet time, mixed in with lots of tiredness.  It's in that tired state that I find myself on auto-pilot.  And, I realize something, I better keep doing what I do from deep within my heart, or auto-pilot could be a really ugly thing.  If it's deep in my heart, I can keep doing what I do regardless of how I feel. I don't have to FEEL inspired about motherhood or serving my husband as I live the everyday life; the Word is deep in my heart driving me to love and serve another day, when I'd rather sleep in and eat chocolate.  So, yes I don't always FEEL the inspirations, but I KNOW obedience from a cheerful, willing heart will be blessed.

Stillness

"Tremble and do not sin.  Meditate on your bed and be still.  Selah."
Psalm 4:4

I was pondering this passage of scripture.  Surprisingly, it reminded me of naptime.  Our naptime rules are "Lay still and be quiet."  I've often thought that a regular naptime led to rest time and then served as the time frame in which to foster a child's devotional time with God.  However, the command to BE STILL was loud and clear as I read this passage of Scripture.  By teaching the Blossoms to "Lay still and be quiet," I'm teaching them a life lesson- a lesson that will serve them well.  Who would have thought that a regular nap and rest time would help children learn the discipline of being still, so they can better hear God's voice later on.  I still use this skill, as I love naptime for the "being still" part... the time for me to quiet down and listen too.

Flexibility

Tips for Surviving (and Enjoying!) A Family Road Trip ~

#7 - Teach them the lessons of Flexibility.
Their future spouse will thank you for this.  Lots of people are really nice to little children and give them their own way.  As my husband says, "A steady diet of getting your own way does not profit a child."  This trip was one giant lesson in flexibility for our Blossoms.  Whether it was not getting to drink the last orange Gatorade and drinking red Gatorade instead... or eating a granola bar like Mommy told you to because you said you were hungry and we are waiting til we get outside a big city to eat lunch a little later than usual... or sleeping on the cot, when you'd rather sleep elsewhere... or playing with the little animals because Sissy already has the toy you want... it is all a part of life! Our children must learn to be content in what they have or are given.  It's learning to be thankful for Gatorade, no matter the color.  And, as a Mommy, I'm starting to speak out.  "No thank-you.  Please, I'd rather her learn the lesson of flexibility." 

A Bad Attitude Can Make Boredom

Tips for Surviving (and Enjoying!) A Family Road Trip ~

#6 - Deal with Boredom at the Root - the Attitude!
At first, I rapidly handed out cool toys on our cross-country trip.  And, that satisfied the Blossoms, for a few seconds!  I noticed that little girlies were handing those back to me within 30 seconds, wanting a different toy or game to play.  This happened repeatedly.  It was like my miracle travel bag was being emptied rapid-fire.  (GAH!  Picture wide fear-filled Mommy eyes!)  I realized that they were choosing to be bored, even choosing to be discontent with the situation.  Now, I agree, I don't like being strapped in for 13 hours either, but we can make the best of it.  So, I actually had to deal with my children.  "You are choosing to be bored.  You need to slow down and enjoy the toy or game you have.  You must learn to make the best of your current situation."  We worked at it.  We didn't allow whining and they eventually got it.  They figured out the entertaining themselves thing.  By the straight-through trip home, I did WAY LESS entertaining.  They were making up games and playing contentedly so much more than on the way.  Hmmmm, another instance of attitude determining action.

A Tribute of Sorts

I recently found out that an old friend has died.  Her name was Kathleen.  Let me give you a painfully honest account of my friendship with Kathleen.  It began when I was only 15 years old and my family visited a new church.  It was the church that was to become our church family.  When we walked into the service that day, Kathleen was the very first person to introduce herself to me.  She was friendly - albeit a tad odd.  That was my first impression.  It was confirmed time and again.  I later learned that through some unforeseen circumstances, Kathleen had part of her brain removed.  So, while we all understood her oddities, we did sometimes shudder when she'd greet the visitors before the "normal" folk got to them.  Amazingly, despite her "handicap" Kathleen still found ways to be used by God in small, sometimes child-like ways.  Once, she found out that I was working hard and believing God to provide money for me to go to a very expensive gymnastics camp.  That was the first big thing I'd believed for in my young teenager life.  She shook my hand one Sunday and gave me some cash toward my goal.  In my mind's eye, I can still see the crayon-shaped piggy bank I dropped that money into as I marveled at how God answered.  I'm pretty sure it came from her meager Social Security living, since she was unable to work, but God used her.  Gymnastics camp wasn't the point or what made an impression on me; it was seeing faith work and seeing God use someone.  Later on, she'd bless me with other things - timely, encouraging words or little gifts of Swedish Fish candy and a note that said, "You're the 'Swedish fish' I know!"  She was always there with a hug and a smile, even though I'm certain life and dreams looked bleak to her almost every day.  At one point in my teenage years, my friends and I were hanging out with another teenager whom I'll call "the Instigator."  He found great pleasure in "egging" Kathleen on, getting her mad and mocking her cat.  So what if she had a cat named, "Joyful" with a middle name of, "Always."  He even made fun of her dreams to have a greeting card line and write a children's book.  I remember laughing along with him.  Looking back, I don't really know what is so strange about a children's book about a pig princess, but it was "raised-in-church-teenager-post-church-service-kind-of-fun."  It all changed one day when I read "Whatever you've done to the least of these, you've done unto me." I knew God was talking to me about Kathleen.  She was the least of these, or at least in my life she was.  I never laughed at her again.  My friendship with Kathleen was good and pleasant until a few years later when our lives parted ways and I no longer got to see her on a regular basis.  I'd think of her sometimes and smile.  Somewhere along the way, I guess I'd grown up and I could call her my friend.  Then one day, I was at a regional women's conference with my sister-in-law and mother-in-law and I saw Kathleen through the crowds.  I knew I had to track her down. For some reason it was really important to me.  I left my group and wandered around the foyer til I found her again.  I said, "Hey Kathleen, do you remember me?"  She smiled that old Kathleen smile, gave me a good hug and we reminisced a little while. It was so good to see her again.  All the little blessings she'd brought to my life came flooding back.  And that one lesson I'd learned about "the least of these" became like a jewel to me.  Now, three and a half years later, I've discovered that Kathleen has crossed into Glory land.  She's happier there.  She doesn't have a handicap slowing her down.  And, all her best and most real dreams have come true now.  You know, I've never liked when people take a heathen and make a saint out of them after they die.  What I say of her is true.  Kathleen really was a saint who lived for Jesus in the best ways she could.  That's what had an impression on me.  If Kathleen can touch people's lives for our Lord, He will use you and me too.  To live truly is Christ, but to die is gain - oh, so much gain. 

By the way, she did publish a children's book before she died.  Not bad for a "handicapped" person just trying to use their gifts for the Lord.