Tuesday, March 18, 2014

One By One

1181.  Birthday doughnuts for his classmates

1182.  My son's 14th birthday

1183.  His healing touch on my aunts

1184.  Rollerskating

1185.  Her sweet friends who spend the night

1186.  How they make a "nest" out of blankets and pillows

1187.  Resolution to a stressful situation

1188.  Receiving my passport

1189.  That they think about what it means to be a true friend...

1190.  ...and are choosing friends wisely

1191.  Vacation countdowns

1192.  His encouraging words when I am unsure of myself

1193.  The wonderful ministry going on at Sole Hope

1194.  Her growing understanding of how the Word of God applies to her life

1195.  The vibrant colors of spring

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Serving Lemonade

At the beginning of the school year, my daughter was given a large poster to fill out information about herself as a fun way to introduce herself to her classmates.  There were blank spots for favorite food, favorite book, favorite animal, etc.  One section asked her to tell about a fun memory.  She chose to write about the time that she and my husband worked together to make a costume that looked like a mailbox.  Tucked right in the middle of her story was the following line:

“…while my Mom served us lemonade.”

What a surprise to read that!  It didn’t have anything to do with the costume-making process, but it was clearly an important detail that she felt needed to be included as part of that memorable time.

I sometimes struggle with wondering if I’m doing enough as a parent.  It seems like there is always something more that could have been done, or done better, whenever I pause to reflect on the past.  I want to do the very best I can to raise Godly, well-adjusted children who will advance the Kingdom when they are released from our nest.  Sometimes I fall into the trap of thinking that I have to do big, notable, or even extravagant things that will have an impact on my children.  Her comment about the lemonade was encouraging.  It reminded me that while I need to take my job as a parent seriously and do my best, I don’t need to strive as hard as I sometimes convince myself is necessary.  Having an impact on your children isn’t about supplying a never-ending string of “big events” or dollars invested, as the world would have you believe.  It’s about time…time spent reading books, being in the Word together, talking over dinner, listening to them, playing board games…

…and serving lemonade.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

One By One

1166.  The unique, rhythmic call of guinea hens

1167.  Feathery roosters

1168.  Celery and peanut butter

1169.  Friends who stay for the weekend

1170.  Getting my ticket for Allume 2014

1171.  Perusing travel booklets

1172.  Discovering Journibles

1173.  Journaling through Psalm 119

1174.  Grandparents' Day at their school

1175.  That she remembered making applesauce with them

1176.  Their love and guiding presence in the lives of my children

1177.  Working as a team to win the group project in his classroom

1178.  Planning with them for an upcoming event

1179.  Planning a special retreat for my daughter

1180.  Deep cleaning the house