A Godly Man's Life

I was reading a magazine article by a man named Michael Pearl the other day. A distraught mother had written him concerning her sons' obsession with video games. I steeled myself for what I thought was going to be a tirade against games and parents who allow them, etc. I almost moved on to the next article, thinking I knew what he was going to say. Instead, I read his reply and gleaned a nugget of wisdom that I so need to possess. His answer was to gradually wean them from the games, but always by replacing the time they would spend on games with something that was so much more fun they wouldn't feel deprived. No knee jerk reaction. No tirade. Just simply help them find such abundant life elsewhere they wouldn't miss the games. This speaks to me in so many ways right now. 8yo and I were having a conversation today about his video game system, which has been put away for a while, only to be brought out occasionally. This is, naturally, unacceptable to him. And so, with nugget of wisdom in hand, I ventured into the realm of faith with my son. I shared with him my hopes for him that go far beyond the "entertainment now" lifestyle. That God has huge plans for His life, even for today, but that he has to be seeking what they are. That God wants his life to be fun and exciting in ways that video games can't even compare. There were tears and we prayed. So, I'm believing that God will be opening doors. Instilling creativity. Shedding light. Helping us to find that abundant life I know is ours for the taking. Revealing to us the things we cling to, fearfully thinking it's all we have. I can't come up with anything better than what we have on my own. I need the mind of Christ and the heart of God and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. And as I learn to lean on the strength found there, my children will follow suit. 6yo does copy work for school each day. One of the sentences she had to write was "The life of a Godly man is exciting." In faith I claim that to be truth for my children.

tagged....

I've been tagged by Keila, so here goes.....

Seven unknown or weird facts about me:

1. When I sit still I have a habit of rubbing my feet together. It seems to be genetic, as my brothers and father do it, too. My family finds it strange, and a bit annoying. My husband calls it "Stinson Stuff".

2. One of my very favorite places to visit is White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. It's nothing but acres and acres of sand...and it's one of the most peaceful places I've encountered thus far. The kids and I jump off the tops of the huge dunes and land up to our knees in soft, luscious white sand. Very undignified, but oh, so much fun!

3. In high school I was the co-MVP of the league in Softball. I played catcher, and loved every sweaty, dusty minute of it! I also played soccer and my coach called me "Rhino".

4. I once helped my husband skin and gut two roosters in our backyard. I did cook them, but could not bring myself to eat them. It wasn't that I felt sentimental about them. I had just seen too much. I prefer my meat already cut and wrapped for me, thank you.

5. I was told by doctors I would not be able to have children without fertility drugs. 5 children later......

6. I enter the Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes every time they send me an entry form! Yes, I read through the whole bulletin and find all the stamps and paste them in the right places....hey, you never know!

7. I would love to be on the Amazing Race! Ken, however, thinks I'm crazy!

That's my story. Let's hear yours. Here's the rules:

*Link to the person that tagged you.
*Post the rules on your blog.
*Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
*Tag 7 people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
*Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I tag Jenn, Jacqui, Andrew, Debbie, Paige and Hannah. That's all the bloggers I can think of...I'm one short!

a peek behind as I move ahead

I was reminded today that there are women that are right now walking on a portion of road I walked yesterday. Somehow, in my self-centered thoughts, I had pictured myself walking behind everyone, and had forgotten that there are many who follow in my footsteps, so to speak. Women who will face the same potholes and forks in the road. Women having trouble reading the road signs, or who are just too weary to keep walking. Women who need a hand to pull them out of the ditch, or need a voice to follow through the fog. Women who just need to know they're on the right road and they're doing a good job. Just like I did, when I was on that stretch of road. I'm convinced that one of the ways God makes all things work for good is to allow those who have experienced pain to share words of hope with those who are experiencing pain. Your pain in my heart = compassion. ( Pastor Charlie Sweet.) As I continue to walk, I'm going to be peeking over my shoulder, more aware of those who could benefit from a word of encouragement, or a helping hand, or a light to see by. And, if you happen to be up ahead of me, I'll be grateful for a bit of the same.

Humbled, and thankful...

A completely unexpected and thrilling surprise appeared at our doorstep last night...bags and bags of groceries delivered by some gleeful and fast fleeing dear friends. A precious gift of food our brothers and sisters had sacrificially shared. We thankfully and excitedly commenced to rummage through the bags and put things away. But then came the doubts. We immediately began to feel guilty. Why us, when there are certainly so many other people in more dire need? Maybe they made a mistake. It's just too much, I can't even fit it all on my shelves! And then there was Truth...I was reminded of the verse in Malachi 3:10:

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it."

Well, I do believe God opened His floodgates on us last night. We are so blessed to be part of such a generous and loving body of believers. And just to confirm to me that no mistake was made, God made sure that included in the groceries were two items I had purposely not bought the last time I shopped. I was determined to try to be frugal, and had said no to my children when they asked for these treats. But God chose to make us rich....with roasted peanuts and Life cereal.

Thank you, God. And thank you, dear friends.