What is that ONE SONG that you've listened to lately that completely broke you down?
Not just the "breaking down" that brings a tear or two, or even those watered eyes you fight to keep sealed behind your eyeballs? I'm talking about that ONE SONG that grabs your heart and the insides of your soul, and has a ridiculous way of making your joints and muscles turn to jello!
What Happens When I Get On The Treadmill In Tears...
Yesterday was one of those mornings...
The day before was a rough one, too. And despite my consistent attempts to start my mornings with Jesus, my Bible and a colorful pen, I don't always succeed in listening to His "good morning" voice. On the contrary, my week had been a silent culmination of moody days that led to the massive emotional (and hormonal) exchange I had with my children and my husband.
I am humbled that the God of the Universe would choose me to be your mommy.
You're a strong girl. Strong-willed, I meant. You make me laugh. You make me cry. But most of all, you make my heart full.
Your right-cheek dimple. Your fine, brown hair. Those big eyes that can hypnotize your Daddy and I. I still can't believe I get to be your mommy!
Elsie, Elsie...
The one who smiles at the sight of anything pink! And... actually, lately... anything purple, too!
The one who sniffs her blanket when she's tired, upset, or... just because.
The one who loves Jamie Grace's Beautiful Day, sings and dances without a care.
The ones who loves to color with pretty crayons, then decides to make some change by "selling" them on Facebook! You make me proud, girly!
The one who talks, asks questions, wonders and thinks a million thoughts, then talks and asks questions again!
The one who says the darnest things!
Elsie, Elsie...
Jesus loves you. A lot! "Two THOUSAND" a lot! Can you even understand that "big number", yet?
I pray that you'll continue to have a soft heart for Jesus. And that at an early age, you'll choose to make Him your only Valentine. He will forever live in your heart, even when you'll choose to neglect Him. He'll be right there. Always. His arms of unconditional love and warmth will pour out so much grace, mercy, and love, like mommy pours that bucket of water on your face at bathtime!
Be a good listener.
Try new things!
Enjoy every bite of food! (You're such a fast eater! Slow down!)
Love your brothers and be kind to them.
Hug your Daddy.
And always remember... You.Are.Loved!
And when the world shuts a door on you, remember that God's arms are wide open for you.
When a tear falls from your eye because of someone's attempt to hurt you, remember that you are God's. If they hurt you, they're messing with your Creator, God!
Lift up your head at every fall.
Extend a helping hand to anyone in need.
See the colors of the sky, even when it's dark and grey outside.
Work on your rhymes.
Dance until you get dizzy!
Smile, smile, smile!
And remember, you ARE a princess! Your Father in Heaven is the King... and that makes you His princess, forever!
I love you, my daughter Elsie.
Mommy
Last year's Valentine's Day Letter to Elsie isHERE.
I can honestly go on and on about this Winter... how it's been one of the coldest, snowest (is that a word... it is now!), windiest, and freezing Winter I've experienced in my lifetime.
Several feet of snow rest outside my doors.
We literally walk through the "opened Red Sea" of white snow on our way to the church next door.
There's been close to 10 snow days (and 2-hr delays) at Joshua's school since the New Year's.
Cancelled church services twice in January.
Cabin Fever is an official state at our household... for ALL of us!
... and on and on and on....
But the weather means more than just the temperature on the thermometer gauge, or the appearance of rain, sunshine, snow, or wind in the atmosphere. It's more than what separates the south, the coasts, or the plains of the midwest. When I think of the weather, I'm reminded of how fleeting, passing, and transitory the moments in my life can be. One day can be bright and sunny, others can be overcast and rainy. Stormy days. Warm days. Stuffy days. Wet days. Dry days. Dark days. Breezy days. And even crazy days... when its an "all of the above" type of days.
The beauty of the created Seasons can reflect the natural order of my life and yours. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says that God "has made everything beautiful in its time." Beautiful. Everything. Beautiful. In their own time, EVERYTHING created can own the beauty of their Creator. Eccleasiastes 3 also states that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Life, death, planting, harvesting, mourning, laughter, silence, speech, war and peace. The Lord is in control. Through it all. In all.
I'm also reminded that Winter prepares us for Spring. Did you know that a good Winter frost is exactly what farmers want for a good crop and harvest? The snow prepares our fields for living fruit. A good crop NEEDS a good frost. I remember a couple of years ago when I learned about how farming is truly dependent on the perfect weather. If it's too dry, too wet, too windy, or too of anything, "something" in the crop suffers. But in all of this, God is in control. He owns the land, does He not?
And the same goes for our spiritual state. We all sin. We live. We die. And on this side of heaven, that's all we really deserve. We would be condemned to die if it's not for God's grace and Christ's unconditional love and sacrifice on the cross for you and me. The only way to truly LIVE is through accepting this gift of salvation in Christ, and turning away from darkness. And that's what Winter does to Spring! One of my FAVORITE SONGS OF ALL TIME (yes... I'm NOT exaggerating here!) is "Every Season" by Nichole Nordeman. I heard Nichole perform this song LIVE in Seattle... and I will never forget the lyrics of this beautiful song. It goes like this:
Every evening sky, an invitation To trace the patterned stars And early in July, a celebration For freedom that is ours And I notice You In children’s games In those who watch them from the shade Every drop of sun is full of fun and wonder You are summer
And even when the trees have just surrendered To the harvest time Forfeiting their leaves in late September And sending us inside Still I notice You when change begins And I am braced for colder winds I will offer thanks for what has been and was to come You are autumn
And everything in time and under heaven Finally falls asleep Wrapped in blankets white, all creation Shivers underneath And still I notice you When branches crack And in my breath on frosted glass Even now in death, You open doors for life to enter You are winter
And everything that’s new has bravely surfaced Teaching us to breathe What was frozen through is newly purposed Turning all things green So it is with You And how You make me new With every season’s change And so it will be As You are re-creating me Summer, autumn, winter, spring
I absolutely LOVE the idea that in EVERY SEASON, God is at work, even if undercover. Every season has a purpose. And "even in death", God opens doors for life to enter! Through Christ's death on the cross, He opened doors for me (and YOU) to experience life and life abundant! THAT is beautiful! Winter opens doors for life to enter in the Spring! THAT is beautiful! I can never see Winter the same way again. I look forward to Spring. And Spring... Summer. And Summer... Autumn.
So, talk about the Weather? Sure! I can go on and on and on. But finding meaning in the Seasons of my life is much more beautiful. Seeing His hand at work during every moment... THAT is beautiful!
Can YOU find beauty in everything that surrounds you? Can YOU find meaning for each season in your life? There IS a time for every activity under the heavens. And that includes this year's harsh Winter. If that's what it takes for LIFE to enter in a few weeks... I'll take it!
Monday Melodies (and a winner) :)
Those of you who know me well, know that I'm a huge Meredith Andrews fan. She's one of the sweetest person I've crossed paths with. God has truly gifted her with the ability to lead a crowd into His presence through music. And I'm not gonna lie... her newest CD has been on rotation for the last 3 weeks!
Sarah, email me with your contact info. Congratulations!
Uninterrupted time with the Lord
I got to spend some uninterrupted time with the Lord this morning.
My loving husband took the kids out, to run some errands.
So I sat on our couch with my Bible open, and He spoke to me.
After reading and "resting" in His presence,
After 2 Timothy 4 and Hebrews 12,
I landed on Psalm 48, which says, "
Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
in the city of our God, his holy mountain."
So, I closed my eyes, and this song came out of my mouth... I couldn't remember the last time I sang this song, and in Portuguese.
Tears flowed...
I was in the presence of my Holy and Loving God.
Thank you, Lord, for meeting with me this morning.
Evaluation
I have to confess...
My attitude has not been the greatest lately.
I've been inpatient and short with my children...
I find myself having no tolerance for the smallest things, and no patient to deal with yelling, whining, crying, or plain defiance.
Sometimes parenting can feel like a chore, when I KNOW in my heart and mind that parenting is so much more than feeding, cleaning, disciplining, and wiping bottoms.
But it's been tough to REMEMBER the good and the blessings that come with bearing children.
It's been also difficult to emphasize the joy when stress and anxiety blind me from truly seeing the divine moments, the miracles.
I don't want to forget.
But once again, I have to confess that it's been quite a challenge to create time and energy to rest.
Isn't that ironic?
It takes energy to rest... huh?
But today I got this card...
and my dear husband quoted Darius Rucker (see video below)
and reminded me that "It won't be like this for long..."
Today is my 34th birthday, and I AM BLESSED! I really am.
Blue Orchids from the hubby
Thank you, babe!
Thank you, Joshua and Elsie!
I love you all!
Darius Rucker's "It Won't Be Like This For Long"
Encouragement in Song
I have SERIOUSLY been playing this song in my head throughout the day...
It's kept me going for the past 2 weeks, and I hope it's an ENCOURAGEMENT for you as well.
Do Everything - by Steven Curtis Chapman
You’re picking up toys on the living room floor for the 15th time today Matching up socks and sweeping up lost Cheerios that got away You put a baby on your hip and color on your lips and head out the door And while I may not know you I bet I know you Wonder sometimes does it matter at all We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you
Do everything you do to the glory of the One who made you Cause He made you to do Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face And tell the story of grace With every move that you make And every little thing you do
OOoh ooooh oooooh
Maybe you’re that guy with the suit and tie Maybe your shirt says your name You may be hooking up mergers, cooking up burgers But at the end of the day
Little stuff big stuff in between stuff God sees it all the same And while I may not know you I bet I know you Wonder sometimes does it matter at all We’ll let me remind you it all matters just as long as you do
Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you Cause He made you To do every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face And tell the story of grace with every move that you make And every little thing that you do
Well maybe you’re sitting in math class Maybe on a mission in the Congo Maybe you’re working at the office Singing along with the radio Maybe you’re dining at a five star Or feeding orphans in Myanmar Anywhere and everywhere you are Whatever you do it all matters So do what you do and don’t ever forget to do
Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you Cause He made you to do Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face And tell the story of grace as you do Everything you do to the glory of the One who made you Cause He made you to do Every little thing that you do to bring a smile to His face And tell the story of grace with every move that you make And every little thing that you do
