Molding and Shaping: A time to be Opportunistic

Originally Posted: September 21, 2006

Things in this world look so much more mysterious, interesting, and well,they look brighter, more sparkily, more brilliant, when you have a child's eyes to look at them through.
Seriously! Sounds cliche'I know, but with Dylan around, I see how much there is to soak in, how much we take for granted and don't even notice daily, but everything is new to a child.
I just love to sit and watch her soak things in. I can just see new little crevasses in her brain filling up. That is where I come in as a parent, how will I aid her in the soaking? Will I fill any crevasses with negativity and nonsense? I do have a great opportunity to help fill her mind with wonder, excitement, knowledge of great things, things that really matter, like art, creativity, fun, and most importantly faith. I must show her a real life lived out in faith. Not something I "do" on Sundays but it must be my life. Isn't that what the Lord has required of us? Yes! Faith is something real, something worth fighting for, something that is a gift from God, no one can have "enough" faith to get them through without God. A life lived out in faith is something that the Lord has required but also He has given me a heart to want to do that for Him, to live in obedience, oh but how quickly I fail in that manner when tried on my own, but when I lean fully on the Spirit of God, all things are possible!
The Lord gives us children to teach and I think, mostly to learn from. There are priceless gifts that you learn from a child: patience, unconditional love, understanding, and well, I am still learning, just for instance, I don't believe that you can have "too much" of any of the forementioned qualities.
It is a great thing to know that God hasn't promised us the things of this world, but we are still promised a life abundant, a rich life in Him.

Gratitude and Thanksgiving: Easter 2006

Original Date Written: April 12, 2008 Easter Week

As I write this, I my heart is full of love. What blessings I have all around me. As I look into my daughter's eyes and see her spririt sparkle, what a blessing I have to see her grow up here with me at work, not having to sacrifice our time together for a few extra bucks. To my employers(my parents) I am eternally grateful. As I lean back in my chair I get a view of my handsome and loving husband, busily grinding away to make a living, no- a life, for his family and at the same time help our family business be a sucessful one. Now that is a blessing too. But as I bow my head in a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord Almightly and I look forward to Sunday morning--Easter, I STAND in awe of Him, His sacrifice, His obiedience to His father, His selflessness, His amazing love He defines, and the life He laid down for me, My King shead his precious blood so that I may have hope, that blessed assurance that the Hymn echoes in my mind, no greater love. Thank you Lord for what you have done for me, for those you have chosen, not because of who I am or what I have done, but actually in spite of it! Praise Him for He is worthy to be praised!