Time...

In attempts to do a better job at keeping up with this blog, I've decided to look for a weekly (at least) lesson that my kids are teaching me. This week I've learned a lot about time. I read recently (can't remember where) that God created time and He created enough of it. I seem to forget that small fact! I wrote in a recent blog about investing our time wisely, and this week, I realized how important it is to invest our time in our kids!

This morning, Kieran woke up hungry and so we were downstairs at 6:45 am to make breakfast. Kieran decided he wanted Mickey Mouse pancakes. As I was carefully pouring the mouse-shaped cake, I had a flashback to my childhood. I loved pancakes as a child as long as they weren't too brown! My mom was the queen of shaped pancakes. She would write our names and make shapes depending on the holiday. Now that I look back, I realize that she spoiled us (thanks, mama). However, she didn't spoil us with expensive toys or by getting us anything we wanted in the store. She spoiled us with her time. I'm pretty sure a day was still 24 hours (even 30 years ago), and I'm sure my mom had a lot of housework that needed to be done, but I don't ever remember her putting us off.

As we enter this week of Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for my children and the time that God has given me to spend with them. I have to remind myself that these days of Mickey Mouse pancakes will not last long.

Children are a gift from the Lord. ~Psalm 127:3

Life's Little Lessons: Rain, Stop!

Yesterday was a very rainy day! Don't get me wrong. I was glad to see the rain, but I don't like going out in it with the kids. On our way to church for my mom's group, Elyse looked out the window, held up her hand and yelled, "Rain, stop!" Guess what happened? Nothing! Surprisingly, the rain did not listen to her! At first I thought, how typical of a 2 year old to think she has control over everything, including the weather. Then I realized that I'm not so different. I often fool myself into thinking I have control over situations in my life. In reality, I know that only God can control the wind and the rain (and sicknesses and job security and politics...). Even though I try to take control (on a daily basis), I am actually really thankful that I have a God who is bigger than me and bigger than the storms that rage through my life sometimes. I know that if I put my trust in Him, He will either calm the storm or calm me in the midst of it.

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

He replied, "You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and waves obey him. ~Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)