I am thinking about how easily we miss the little signs we are given. How easily we say, "Oh, yeah, I should do something about that" and then we just move along to the next thing.
I am living the outcome of this right now. Heather is laying face-down on the floor (3rd day of this fun position) trying to keep her hip out and her back straight. It isn't a pretty sight for a mom. I would give almost anything to not have her in this position - figuratively as well as physically. I really feel so sad, and so proud all at the same time. Sad, because I remember her telling me that the chairs at school were really hurting her back and legs. So I commented that she should let the school know. I should call and let someone know to buy new chairs with all the tuition I am paying. Opportunity missed. Proud, because she is taking all this pain in the most remarkable stride. Now, remembering that she is a very stubborn girl, this shouldn't surprise me. Yet I know from experiencing other's pain with a bulging disc, she is in incredible pain. Pain that rips my heart apart. Proud, because I watch her seeking the Lord, face down. She has nowhere else to go, and nothing else to do. She isn't a TV addict. She isn't a whiner. She isn't a napper. She's a Berean. She seeks God...daily. And He is so pleased to have her run to Him. Don't get me wrong...she's human. I'm sure she would rather be anywhere but here on the floor.
Opportunities taken. I have the privilege of viewing the most incredible friendships. Ones I never had as a child. Friends have come...just to sit. Just to lay down and nap with her. Just to BE here. It is sooo precious to my heart. They come to talk. To get HER to talk. To drive her down the block for ice cream - 'cause that's as far as her body will allow her to go. To do her exercises with her. To encourage. I am so blessed and awed by real friendship. Don't get me wrong - I have beautiful friendships now. Ones I wouldn't trade for anything in this world. But to watch them as young adults come alongside with godly love and compassion, bringing healing. They don't miss a moment with her. They don't choose to stay home just 'cause they're tired. Heavens No! They sleep here, on the floor, keeping company. I see Jesus in them. I hear the Holy Spirit in their voices. What joy.
I don't want to miss opportunities. I want to take every chance to come alongside. To be an encourager. To know how to really pray and reach the heart of God. To make that a constant, not fleeting, goal. I want to know how to be a good friend. To be a much better mom and wife. To take captive every opportunity to glorify God.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
When adversity knocks
Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.
She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.
She was tired of fighting and struggling.
It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen.
She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.
Soon the pots came to boil.
In the first placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.
She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.
She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.
She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.
Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.
She did and noted that they were soft.
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.
After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity.. boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.
However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile.
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however.
After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
Which are you?" she asked her daughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?
Did I have a fluid spirit, ... but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?
Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean?
The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.
When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?
How do you handle adversity?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
I want to be COFFEE!
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.
She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.
She was tired of fighting and struggling.
It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen.
She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.
Soon the pots came to boil.
In the first placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.
She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.
She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.
She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.
Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.
Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see."
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.
She did and noted that they were soft.
The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it.
After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.
Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma.
The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"
Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity.. boiling water. Each reacted differently.
The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.
However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile.
Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however.
After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
Which are you?" she asked her daughter.
"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"
Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?
Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat?
Did I have a fluid spirit, ... but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?
Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?
Or am I like the coffee bean?
The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.
When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.
When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?
How do you handle adversity?
Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
I want to be COFFEE!
Monday, May 7, 2007
extraordinary gifts
Marmee March:
Oh, Jo. Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts; how can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You're ready to go out and find a good use for your talent.
Tho' I don't know what I shall do without my Jo.
Go, and embrace your liberty.
And see what wonderful things come of it.
I heartily agree with Marmee March about my own daughter.
I hope I have the grace and strength to say such words to Heather if she ever feels the need of hearing it.
Oh, Jo. Jo, you have so many extraordinary gifts; how can you expect to lead an ordinary life? You're ready to go out and find a good use for your talent.
Tho' I don't know what I shall do without my Jo.
Go, and embrace your liberty.
And see what wonderful things come of it.
I heartily agree with Marmee March about my own daughter.
I hope I have the grace and strength to say such words to Heather if she ever feels the need of hearing it.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Planted
Heather's last day in college at SDCC.
She's a junior now. WOW. How did that happen?
She's a junior now. WOW. How did that happen?
Seems like a couple of weeks ago we were going for orientation weekend with a nervous, uncertain freshman.
So, now we have entered the busy, on-hold-but-not stage.
The decision-stage. I am not sure how to direct the next steps.
I do know that I need to pray more.
Here's the sweet part: the "mum's" have teamed up to pray. What better thing could we do for our kids than gather together to lift them, the trip, and our selves up? Nothing. Prayer is a needful thing. A critical component to being in God's will, and being in obedience. The only way to raise up godly kids is to plant yourself at the throne of grace and stay awhile.
I am happy to have company there. It isn't exactly a place that can become crowded, but I am so excited to be joined in purpose and heart with the women who shepherd my daughter's closest companions. What joy I expect to find there! What a sense of purpose and honor to hold up these precious gifts before the Lord and seek His face for them!
I am excited to see how the Lord will speak.
May He find in us ears that hear and hearts ready to listen and obey.
So, now we have entered the busy, on-hold-but-not stage.
The decision-stage. I am not sure how to direct the next steps.
I do know that I need to pray more.
Here's the sweet part: the "mum's" have teamed up to pray. What better thing could we do for our kids than gather together to lift them, the trip, and our selves up? Nothing. Prayer is a needful thing. A critical component to being in God's will, and being in obedience. The only way to raise up godly kids is to plant yourself at the throne of grace and stay awhile.
I am happy to have company there. It isn't exactly a place that can become crowded, but I am so excited to be joined in purpose and heart with the women who shepherd my daughter's closest companions. What joy I expect to find there! What a sense of purpose and honor to hold up these precious gifts before the Lord and seek His face for them!
I am excited to see how the Lord will speak.
May He find in us ears that hear and hearts ready to listen and obey.
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