These are Tim's self-portraits taken shortly after his 6th. birthday.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Tim turned six on September 28, 2007
These are Tim's self-portraits taken shortly after his 6th. birthday.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Reflections on Psalm 26
I read Psalm 26 this morning and thought of people I’ve talked to who sometimes feel that they don’t deserve the grace of God. God’s grace is available to all of us, praise God!
Sometimes it’s hard for someone like me to see God’s grace and appreciate it. It’s something I have always had. I have never been to a high school party or college party. No one has EVER offered me drinks or cigarettes or drugs. People just knew better. I got called Sister Christian a few times, but people knew. I always walked in integrity. (Yeah, I messed up, but for the most part, I was fine.) My friends were after me if I skipped chapel in college! I led a pretty protected life. I still do.
So I read in this psalm this morning how David says, “I am walking in integrity, vindicate me.” And later he says, “I am walking in integrity, redeem me and be gracious to me.” Even though he was walking in integrity, he acknowledged his NEED for redemption and grace. The “walk” was not the point. The walk is never the point, it’s the grace.
This struck a chord with me this morning. My hardest struggle in life was when we dealt with infertility. I know some of you have been down that road, where you just desire a child and nothing is happening. We got angry at God. We had always done the right thing…shouldn’t he bless us? This attitude was dead wrong and we learned so much about trust, and grace. (We were the older brother in the prodigal son story). We may be “walking in integrity” but we still have to humble ourselves and acknowledge the NEED for redemption and grace. What a difference that acknowledgement makes.
I think some people have a greater appreciation for God’s grace than me just because of all they’ve experienced. (like the younger son in the prodigal son story) I see God at work in other people, in their love for their kids, in their prayer requests for family and co-workers, in their sensitive spirits, in their humility and I am blessed for it!
As followers of Christ, we each have a story, a story whose focal point is our response to the grace and redemption of Christ’s sacrifice for us. It’s encouraging to be encouraged by other people’s experiences walking with God. So, keep walking and keep sharing your stories and thanks again for all of you who provide encouragement for me. Keep it coming!
Sometimes it’s hard for someone like me to see God’s grace and appreciate it. It’s something I have always had. I have never been to a high school party or college party. No one has EVER offered me drinks or cigarettes or drugs. People just knew better. I got called Sister Christian a few times, but people knew. I always walked in integrity. (Yeah, I messed up, but for the most part, I was fine.) My friends were after me if I skipped chapel in college! I led a pretty protected life. I still do.
So I read in this psalm this morning how David says, “I am walking in integrity, vindicate me.” And later he says, “I am walking in integrity, redeem me and be gracious to me.” Even though he was walking in integrity, he acknowledged his NEED for redemption and grace. The “walk” was not the point. The walk is never the point, it’s the grace.
This struck a chord with me this morning. My hardest struggle in life was when we dealt with infertility. I know some of you have been down that road, where you just desire a child and nothing is happening. We got angry at God. We had always done the right thing…shouldn’t he bless us? This attitude was dead wrong and we learned so much about trust, and grace. (We were the older brother in the prodigal son story). We may be “walking in integrity” but we still have to humble ourselves and acknowledge the NEED for redemption and grace. What a difference that acknowledgement makes.
I think some people have a greater appreciation for God’s grace than me just because of all they’ve experienced. (like the younger son in the prodigal son story) I see God at work in other people, in their love for their kids, in their prayer requests for family and co-workers, in their sensitive spirits, in their humility and I am blessed for it!
As followers of Christ, we each have a story, a story whose focal point is our response to the grace and redemption of Christ’s sacrifice for us. It’s encouraging to be encouraged by other people’s experiences walking with God. So, keep walking and keep sharing your stories and thanks again for all of you who provide encouragement for me. Keep it coming!
Monday, October 8, 2007
Things Kids Say 2
Mark's response to being outside in the dark, "It's dark ON ME!" "Yes, I suppose it is." "It's dark on you, too, Mama."
After bathtime, I wrap Lucas in a towel and hug him close and tell him he's my little caterpillar. I have always done this with all my kids. Last time, I hugged him close and he said, "helicopter, mama, helicopter." I started listening intently, marveling that he could hear it in the bathroom before me. He began to become distraught, "mama, I your liddle helicopter!" Ohhh... So I scooped him up again and called him my little "helicopter".
Timothy this morning, "I declare my breakfast is over!" he stated as he stood up to take care of his things. Then he tilted his head and looked at me, "Mama, what does declare mean?"
Sarah, "Mama, can you be my big sister?"
After bathtime, I wrap Lucas in a towel and hug him close and tell him he's my little caterpillar. I have always done this with all my kids. Last time, I hugged him close and he said, "helicopter, mama, helicopter." I started listening intently, marveling that he could hear it in the bathroom before me. He began to become distraught, "mama, I your liddle helicopter!" Ohhh... So I scooped him up again and called him my little "helicopter".
Timothy this morning, "I declare my breakfast is over!" he stated as he stood up to take care of his things. Then he tilted his head and looked at me, "Mama, what does declare mean?"
Sarah, "Mama, can you be my big sister?"
Just Another Manic Monday
It’s Monday morning and I need to put the trash out by the road for pick-up. Oh, but first, a cup of coffee. Get coffee made. Mark is up, crying for mom. Hug and cuddle him, read a book, read two, read three. “Want o’s!” “say please”. “PLEASE want o’s!” Get o’s for mark. Find coffee cup on counter. A little cold. I put it in microwave. I see the trash can, oh, I have to get that out. Luke is awake, asking for mama. I cuddle him, and give him o’s.
Where’s my coffee? Uh-oh, mark spills, go to the pantry for papertowel, put towels in dryer, why am I in here? “I pill Mama! Towel please!” Grab papertowel. Luke has gotten into the grapes (Did I wash those yet? I hope so.) Mark “helps” and dumps rest of o’s and milk on floor. “oops mama!” I got it. Sweep up the grapes. Dump in trash, oh, I have to get trash to the road. I hear “no no no, mama!” Where is mark? Wasn’t he eating grapes? Oh, that’s luke, he’s still eating grapes. Mark is upstairs, waking up Tim. It doesn’t sound good, so I race upstairs, and remove Mark. “Help cars, mom.” We start to pick up the matchbox cars in the hallway. Something doesn’t smell right. I investigate. Someone used the little potty in the night, so I bring that downstairs to empty it. Get that done. I get out the crock pot for dinner and start that. Oh, the trash.. “Mama, I go potty, please come.” O.k., help Lukey go potty. Start to put away bath toys from last night. “mama! I stuck!” I race upstairs. Mark has his pajama shirt on like a backpack. I help him, and turn off fans and quick make Sarah’s bed for her. Wait, where is Sarah? She must be sleeping in my bed. I go to the hallway and trip on the matchbox cars. Ouch, didn’t we pick those up?
Where is my coffee? Back downstairs. Dishwasher is open and I start unloading. I vaguely wonder who opened it and where is the silverware? What time is it? Oh, yikes. We gotta get busy. Don’t forget the trash. Start to clean up boys’ breakfast stuff. Find grapes in the cookie jar, mashed against the inside…how do they do that? Mark is crying. “brother won’t share,” I take the time to point out the mutual benefits and fun involved in taking turns and sharing. I explain the negative consequences of their failure to share. I will OWN the toy. Ok. Tim is awake and eating. Where is Sarah? Oh, that’s right. I send Luke to wake her up.
Where is my coffee? Tim is calling me from upstairs. “coming” Up I go. Sarah is awake, a little bleary, but awake. Tim wants to play marbles in my room, without Luke. Luke is not happy. I carefully explain that given his age and level of responsibility, marbles is not the best option for him. I remove him from the situation and decide to get him dressed. Mark is in the bedroom. He has dumped out the blocks and is carefully attempting to throw them into the trash can, which is on the dresser, out of reach. I politely ask him to stop and state he is going to get dressed now. I notice many of the blocks are missing. As I open the dresser drawer to get clothing, I hear about 243 blocks fall behind the dresser. Hmm… guess we won’t be playing with those for awhile. I get Mark dressed but I have lost Lucas. I take his clothes with me downstairs. I find the silverware in a nice pile at the bottom of the steps. Nice. I pick that up. I vow to at least rinse them off…later.
I vaguely remember my coffee. Lucas, no longer sad about the marbles, has found new interests. The kitchen floor is covered with o’s. (I thought I put those away). I broom those up, realizing I am now using ‘broom’ as a verb due to the twosome’s influence. I let Lucas have a turn to “broom”. Sarah has wandered down and is insisting on her breakfast and her bathrobe. She starts crying because o’s are stuck to the bottom of her feet. The day continues…
Mark is looking out the window…”Truck, mama, big truck”. Yes, truck, I vaguely reply..as I try to read some important insurance papers..”Trash truck..” Yes, trash-TRASH? I bolt out the door barefoot and drag the trash down as fast as I can, waving like a mad woman. Oh, good, he’s waving back. He saw me. Whew! Made it.
I go inside and realize I am still in my bathrobe. I have not brushed my hair. Where are my insurance papers? I begin to search, but not for the papers, I want the coffee.
Where’s my coffee? Uh-oh, mark spills, go to the pantry for papertowel, put towels in dryer, why am I in here? “I pill Mama! Towel please!” Grab papertowel. Luke has gotten into the grapes (Did I wash those yet? I hope so.) Mark “helps” and dumps rest of o’s and milk on floor. “oops mama!” I got it. Sweep up the grapes. Dump in trash, oh, I have to get trash to the road. I hear “no no no, mama!” Where is mark? Wasn’t he eating grapes? Oh, that’s luke, he’s still eating grapes. Mark is upstairs, waking up Tim. It doesn’t sound good, so I race upstairs, and remove Mark. “Help cars, mom.” We start to pick up the matchbox cars in the hallway. Something doesn’t smell right. I investigate. Someone used the little potty in the night, so I bring that downstairs to empty it. Get that done. I get out the crock pot for dinner and start that. Oh, the trash.. “Mama, I go potty, please come.” O.k., help Lukey go potty. Start to put away bath toys from last night. “mama! I stuck!” I race upstairs. Mark has his pajama shirt on like a backpack. I help him, and turn off fans and quick make Sarah’s bed for her. Wait, where is Sarah? She must be sleeping in my bed. I go to the hallway and trip on the matchbox cars. Ouch, didn’t we pick those up?
Where is my coffee? Back downstairs. Dishwasher is open and I start unloading. I vaguely wonder who opened it and where is the silverware? What time is it? Oh, yikes. We gotta get busy. Don’t forget the trash. Start to clean up boys’ breakfast stuff. Find grapes in the cookie jar, mashed against the inside…how do they do that? Mark is crying. “brother won’t share,” I take the time to point out the mutual benefits and fun involved in taking turns and sharing. I explain the negative consequences of their failure to share. I will OWN the toy. Ok. Tim is awake and eating. Where is Sarah? Oh, that’s right. I send Luke to wake her up.
Where is my coffee? Tim is calling me from upstairs. “coming” Up I go. Sarah is awake, a little bleary, but awake. Tim wants to play marbles in my room, without Luke. Luke is not happy. I carefully explain that given his age and level of responsibility, marbles is not the best option for him. I remove him from the situation and decide to get him dressed. Mark is in the bedroom. He has dumped out the blocks and is carefully attempting to throw them into the trash can, which is on the dresser, out of reach. I politely ask him to stop and state he is going to get dressed now. I notice many of the blocks are missing. As I open the dresser drawer to get clothing, I hear about 243 blocks fall behind the dresser. Hmm… guess we won’t be playing with those for awhile. I get Mark dressed but I have lost Lucas. I take his clothes with me downstairs. I find the silverware in a nice pile at the bottom of the steps. Nice. I pick that up. I vow to at least rinse them off…later.
I vaguely remember my coffee. Lucas, no longer sad about the marbles, has found new interests. The kitchen floor is covered with o’s. (I thought I put those away). I broom those up, realizing I am now using ‘broom’ as a verb due to the twosome’s influence. I let Lucas have a turn to “broom”. Sarah has wandered down and is insisting on her breakfast and her bathrobe. She starts crying because o’s are stuck to the bottom of her feet. The day continues…
Mark is looking out the window…”Truck, mama, big truck”. Yes, truck, I vaguely reply..as I try to read some important insurance papers..”Trash truck..” Yes, trash-TRASH? I bolt out the door barefoot and drag the trash down as fast as I can, waving like a mad woman. Oh, good, he’s waving back. He saw me. Whew! Made it.
I go inside and realize I am still in my bathrobe. I have not brushed my hair. Where are my insurance papers? I begin to search, but not for the papers, I want the coffee.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Things Kids Say
Mark says “I have belly ache, Pray it, Mama, pray it!”
Sarah woke up with a stuffy nose, “Mama, I have the blessyous.” “The blessyous?” “Yeah, I keep sneezing.” Oh, the Bless You’s!
Tim wants to know why I am on the left side of the car on the way to the library AND on the way home. Since we are traveling West instead of East, shouldn’t I be on the left ONLY on the way to the library? I tried explaining why compass directions are constants, and right/left stay with you, but I ended up with turning left with my west hand, and instructed him to talk to his Dad about it.
Luke wanted to help cut up the apples as he watched from a chair. “This is a black-handled knife. It’s only for grown-ups.” I said this in my best this-is-serious voice and he seemed to be listening intently. However, as I set the knife down, he reached for it. Our eyes met over the counter, and he stated very sincerely, “I a grown-up.” I don't think so.
Sarah woke up with a stuffy nose, “Mama, I have the blessyous.” “The blessyous?” “Yeah, I keep sneezing.” Oh, the Bless You’s!
Tim wants to know why I am on the left side of the car on the way to the library AND on the way home. Since we are traveling West instead of East, shouldn’t I be on the left ONLY on the way to the library? I tried explaining why compass directions are constants, and right/left stay with you, but I ended up with turning left with my west hand, and instructed him to talk to his Dad about it.
Luke wanted to help cut up the apples as he watched from a chair. “This is a black-handled knife. It’s only for grown-ups.” I said this in my best this-is-serious voice and he seemed to be listening intently. However, as I set the knife down, he reached for it. Our eyes met over the counter, and he stated very sincerely, “I a grown-up.” I don't think so.
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