Lessons from Babes

This past week, I learned a lesson while hearing two of my granchildren argue. One said to the other,"Well,I am not your cousin any more!" This remark,like the sharp barb of an arrow hit its mark: the other cousin was hurt by those words.

Seeing this, I explained to them that family (cousins,siblings and parents) was something that one could not stop being. I told them through genetics they were stuck with each other. I explained we might refuse to speak to each other,refuse to see each other and claim that we have disowned each other; but in all reality, we could not change the fact that we are kin. The unshakable fact that we belonged to each other in ways that we could not ever belong to others.

Where else can one test their theories on independence and life, but in the safety of your family? Who else will tell you all of the creepy, crazy stuff about yourself and your personality,if not your siblings who waste no words using terms of "endearments" that no one else would dare say?

Where will you find a group of people who may make fun of you; but will not allow others to do the same? Or find your best cheerleaders and comforters when you need help?

My mother used to tell us when we were kids,"Your family is something that is a part of who you are." I have come to realize this is true. No matter where you go or who you go with, your family is a big part of who your are. You often make choices in life from the things you have learned within the confines of family. For some, there is bitterness that binds their life like chains while others, there is great peace and joy by forgiving and letting go . For some, they allow themselves to be held back and defeated while others walk in victory and move forward in life.

Those who travel in bitterness do not know the renewing love of God. They have not learned to allow Jesus to come into those places of bitterness and pull in up by the root. Yes, it is a painful process! Oh, but when it is done...there is a feeling over renewal and an open door to forgive others and even recieve forgiveness.

So no matter how crazy your family might be: they are the ones that God uses to shape you into a vessel that He can use for His Kingdom. I may be a vessel that has been smashed and worn;but I hold in me the true reason for life...JESUS

This Time of Year

This time of year brings many feels to me. It is a time to be thankful for the greatest Gift given to all mankind and on a very personal level to me.: That Gift is Jesus!

In Him, we are given HOPE and a LOVE that is so overwhelming and unconditional. Yes, unconditional, for even in our foolishness and rebellion, God loves us. Like an awesome Father, He extends MERCY and FORGIVENESS when we repent and turn away from our sins.

I also think of friends that have died this time of the year. Anne O'Leary, who taught me how to see God's hand in everything and to be thankful for your trials for they will pass. But during those trial you are in excellent company: Father,Son and Holy Spirit. i cherish the days we had in prayer for the pregnant women or for the women who wanted to have a child. It is something, I still pray about often. She had a heart for not only women but for people. Though confined to her bed by MS, she was a mighty warrior and took "the land" for the KIngdom of God. In her, I saw how great God's Love is and how deep HIs mercies are.

I think of my parents: they married on this day 54 years ago. Together they have raised eight children: all with strong wills and determined spirits. They some how managed to bind these eight into a family that truly loves each other and into people who would do anything and everything possible to help each other. We may not see each other for long periods of time; but when we do we pick up in our conversations like we just saw each other the day before and we delight when one does well or is blessed.

Gifts to me do not necessarily come under the tree or wrapped in bright paper and pretty ribbons. I have been blessed with the gifts of years and the fellowship of family and friends. I have been given five wonderful children and their spouses who in turn gave me "little possiblities" who will grow up to be might men and women of God.

These "gifts of possiblities" are the owners of Big Plans authored by a Big God who loves them so much. I cannot wait to see how they will influence their sphere and the world beyond for the KIngdom of God.

Prayer and David

Today at lunch, David began to sing a prayer song that he,Will and Dylan have learned at Mothers'Day Out.

With great joy in his heart, David began singing: "God, Our Father, God, Our Father, once 'a genny', once 'a genny", we bow I heads and thank you..."

I thought how sweet that he would sing with such happiness to the Lord for his lunch. For those who do not speak four year old: "a genny" is again.

He reminded me that we should seek the kingdom of God as a child filled with expectations that it was going to be good and have a heart that is grateful for all that we have been given from the hand of God.

I will praise You more and more

Psalm 71:14: "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more"

Often I need to remind myself not to allow the events of the day or situations to overcome me. One of the things that I have been blessed with is a great imagination. I have learned that this gift can be used for good to entertain my grandchildren or for bad when I give in to fears and imagine the worse cases in a situation.

Thankfully, I have been blessed with a husband who reminds me that God is not the author of fear. I then begin to ask myself if the situation is hopeless. Of course, the answer to this question is no. I may not be able do anything about it;but I know One who can. The next question is who or what needs to change: answer is usually me and my attitude.

As a parent, I often thought what do I need to do to help one of my children. So I jumped right in trying to make them conform to what I think should happen or just fix their problem for them because I could not bear to see them suffer. I repeated this action over and over through out the years at various times with different children. And when they continued to repeat behaviors that created the situations, I would cry and ask God what do I need to do.

Because I was too busy handling the situation instead of hearing the answer to the prayer: I missed what He was trying to say to me. When I finally reached my end, I heard clearly: "You need to have hope and trust that I will do what is needed. You need to believe that I can meet your children on whatever road they have chosen to walk."

Again, I was in the way trying to fix what I had no business trying to fix. We repeated the same situations over and over because I thought I had to change things. I did have to change something;but it was me and my attitude. I had to trust that if that child suffered,God would bring healing to them and He would keep them .

Well, that child did suffer and it was painful to watch. But in the midst of that suffering God was there and He did bring healing and new life to them. Today that child has a growing relationship with Jesus and is stronger everyday. I confess too, that I always have hope and I do get to praise God more and more because of the lesson He taught me....when to let go and step out of His way.

For a parent this is one of the hardest things to do...This God understands because He let go of His Only Son so that we might have HOPE