Bubble Bursting

My new desire is to be intentional as a parent.
I must admit, I can be a bit scatter brained at times.  I am a fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl.  I don't plan well, because I forget what I've planned most of the time.  I usually make my goals for that day in the morning or the night before and complete them one day at a time.  I am terribly forgetful about deadlines and never ask me to get stamps at the grocery store because I will never return with them, even if they are on my list in bold letters and highlighted. 

Sometimes I let this spontaneous living seep over into my parenting style.  It's easier to have fun with my children than to take the time to teach them character traits.  But, the easy road is not the best road.  I have become somewhat lazy in my parenting this summer, finding distractions in entertaining my children rather than discipling them.  We find our time filled with swimming pool days and popsicle time, picnics and park play.  While this is great fun and wonderful bonding time for our family, we neglect the task of teaching. 

So, our parenting journey is taking a new turn, beginning our day in prayer and Bible study and living the Gospel through service projects the kids can take part in.  We are starting slow (because I often get excited about something and jump in too strong only to get overwhwhelmed and forget the project altogether).  We were able to make cards and bake cookies for a lady in the nursing home this week.  She was grateful for our visit and the children learned about caring for those who are lonely or hurting.  My sweet Isaac loves to hug and was hugging people all up and down the hallways, as the elderly ladies commented on his curly hair and asked for more hugs.  He was happy to give them and all three children left feeling glad to be able to bring a little cheer to others' lives in the name of Jesus.

Tomorrow, thanks to an idea from a friend, we are planning to drive around the city passing out water bottles to anyone who may be outside in the heat.  We are bursting out of the bubble we have made for ourselves and hoping to share the Good News of Christ while bringing a little joy to the lives of others.

Seed Planting

I love to read of the lives of great people of faith throughout history, because in a way their story is mine. 

It is through the conviction and passion for our Lord seen in the lives of his saints that the message has been passed through twenty centuries.  And the love and life that I live for Him will affect my children and theirs and those around me who see this great love of the Gospel.  We are all connected through our Maker, we find our center in Him. 

As Abraham's walk of faith seemed small in the beginning but spread to thousands of people in hundreds of generations, so our simple walks of faith now will inspire untold numbers for the glory of the Lord.

Be encouraged today. 
Plant small seeds. 
Water and tend them with intentional care. 
Wait. 
Then see the amazing bounty your faithfulness to Him will produce.
He will bring the harvest!
The reward of knowing and serving Him is never lost!


(Come back tomorrow as we learn of Susannah Wesley and the mission of love she planted in the souls of her children.)

Serving Savior

"So He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him."                                                 John 13:4-5


My Savior, stooped and sopping. . . taking the towel to wipe away the grime, the dirt, the ugliness.

Holy One. . . helping heal the hurt of tired, travelling feet.

Wisdom with us. . . washing worn, calloused toes.

Serving humility. . . serving necessity. . . serving example.



"I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you."
                                                                            John 13:15


'You should do'. . . I should follow His perfect example.

Even if the job is messy, even if dirty toes and dirty faces and dirty laundry aren't very fun to clean. 

Even if it means bending low to build others up.  Even if those people aren't appreciative. 


'You should do as I have done for you'. . .

And what amazing works He has done for me!  He only forsook heaven's throne, humbled Himself in complete obedience to the Father, gave His love and His blood and His very life for mine. 

What He has done for me, I must do for others.  He washed the feet, talked over meals, touched the hurting ones, cried with the mourners, prayed for His friends.  I must do as He did.



"I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."                                      John 13:16-17

His blessing is waiting.

All I must do is live it out, beginning with the little ones who lay upstairs sleeping just now, starting with the man I pledged my love to ten years ago, beginning with the neighbors who live in lostness right beside me, starting today. 



"Day after day we must take up the basin and the towel."      -Michael Card