Perspective: Steal My Show

A few weeks ago my kids and I had VEVO playing in the background while we did school at the dining room table. The music was upbeat, and helped to keep us focused.  We smiled at each other as we sang along.   It was very Brady Bunch like.

Then a song came on that we didn’t know, but we all were nodding our heads and tapping our feet, pencils, and fingers to it.

It was called “Steal My Show” by tobyMac.  The oldest asked if we could listen to it again.  She never asks for a repeat, so I tried to figure out how to get it to play again, but apparently I messed it up (that’s what the short guy told me.  “You messed it up, mom!  Now you can’t get it back ever!”).

 I grabbed my phone and googled the lyrics we could remember (HA! momma did get it back).  A video came up where Toby McKeehan (tobyMac) talked about what the song meant and how he explained it to his 5 year old son, Judah. 

I knew right then and there why that song came on, and why my daughter asked for a repeat, even though she didn’t know why.  God knew I needed this explanation.

You see, I’ve been struggling deeply with originality.  I know it’s from Satan, I know it’s meaningless, but I’ve still had these struggles. 

I met with my pastor over the summer and talked about some issues I was having.  He said something that forever changed my thinking. 

I have trouble delegating and tend to take on way more than I can handle.  He told me that my role isn’t MINE.  Even if my name is on it right now.   It ultimately belongs to God.  I may be filling that role for a short time, but it IS NOT MINE.  Say WHAAAAAT, Pastor Rod??  Because for real, I didn’t see it this way.  I am so appreciative that I do now though.

So I’m at peace there.

I first joined a mom’s only group about 7 years ago.  I quickly took on what I could handle, and then some (as usual).  We had trouble getting volunteers to host MOMS NIGHTS.  So I hosted them, month after month, after month, for years.  Occasionally we would have one somewhere else, or someone would offer to host one, but I mostly did it alone. 

Then when other people started hosting them, they were using the same ideas that I had, or played a role in helping to orchestrate.  Ornament exchanges, soup swaps, craft nights, that sort of thing (not like I made these ideas up myself, Google was my best friend during this pre-pinterest stage). 

I took it as these women were taking over these events and doing it better than I was.  I was offended and hurt, but couldn’t tell them that, because I didn’t want to be catty.  I felt saddened every time someone would talk about how great an event was that a friend put on.  I felt like when I did it, it wasn’t good enough.   I put so much effort into it and it hurt to feel like a failure. 

Jesus opened my eyes to see that’s not what they were doing.  They were really lifting a burden from my shoulders, taking it and making it their own (for now.  Remember it’s never really ours). 

I’ve blogged before about my frustrations with copycat pictures.  I’m letting go, or perhaps I’ve really already let go.  Yeah, I’m pretty free from that.

I consciously choose to take on an attitude of: Go ahead, steal my show.  For God’s glory only, I’ll sit back and watch you go.  If you’ve got something to say go on and take it away.

I know that through this I will see God glorified, and hope to see happiness bloom in everyone whose life touches mine.  I only wish I had adapted to this years ago.  I’m sure my husband, who listens so dearly and offers sound advice, wishes I had resolved this years ago too.  Bless his heart.  He puts up with more than most men, and keeps on lovin' me anyway. 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday: September 24th, 2014

When a Do-over Isn't an Option

 

Yesterday evening was pure chaos here.  I was upset we weren't gong to a party we were invited to because a home project didn't go as planned, and attitudes across the whole family were poor. 

Dang it, I was dressed, my make-up was perfect and my clothes looked goooood.

Everything was falling in place, well except my attitude and a front door that wouldn't close right.  But we could deal with those tomorrow.  Right?  I wanted to go have fun!

 

The constant bickering I occasionally complain about typical American siblings having, happened to my own children. My own children, folks!  These three are the best of friends.  My heart broke not knowing how to force them to get along with each other, and with ME!
There was back talk, fits thrown, yelling, pouting, and whining (oh the whining, it was horrendous).

 

Then at the very end of the day I couldn't take anymore. I.Just.Could.Not. 

 

I wanted to leave.. I wanted to walk right out the door and drive to the nearest Dairy Queen for a Georgia Mud Fudge and escape my grumpy reality.  That wasn't an option though, I knew they were closed.

I had failed to find the joy all day long.  I just flat out failed.

 

I thought, "I never want a repeat of this day".  I wouldn't rewind it and do it over even if I was given the chance.  It was THAT bad. 

Just then I remembered a friend saying "Be Still".  I heard her words echo loud in my imagination, "stop where you are and pray".

I did.  Deep breath.  I was instantly centered back to where I needed to be.  I hoped it wouldn't take long to get everyone else there too.
 

We prayed as a family, we talked together, all 5 of us.  Mr. Awesome and I explained compassion to our little people.  We Googled it for back up.  They believe us better when they hear the phone define a word.. Stinkers. 

 

Parenting Tip:

I'm actually serious here, well as serious as I can be. 

Use the voice option on Google and say "define {insert a word}".  Any word you can think of it will read the definition to you as well as display it on the screen.

 

They understood.  The kids asked for forgiveness. On their own, and I knew it was genuine.

Tears poured down everyone's checks (except dad's, but there was emotion there, he's just stronger than I in this current stage of life, praise God).
 
 

Friends,
I am begging you to find JOY. When you're upset, stop and pray.  Pray to be filled up over the top with joy.  Pray for your anger/sadness/frustration to pack its bags and go far away.  When you're heartbroken over your the actions of your kids, give them grace.  Forgive.  Forgiveness may be free, but it isn't cheap.  It's a beautiful gift.  It's a gift first given by our Heavenly Father.  I'm all about re-gifting. ;)
 

I love you.  Yes, YOU are loved.

Bless The Lord My Soul

Emotions have ran high the past couple weeks. 
I've prayed for the Lord to break my heart for what breaks His, and he has.

Along with that there's been real true deep heartache, and tears.  I've been in mourning and feel like crawling under the covers and staying there... but then the little people want food, and well, I do too.  Life must go on.

My desires this week come from lyrics.

My goals are:
To be rich in LOVE and slow to anger. I'm blessed with women who gently instructed me on this tonight. And for God's grace when I fall short. 

To be singing when the evening comes. At the end of the day I want to be singing praises for all the good that has happened, not indulging negatively in 'what could have been'.

To be alive AND well. There is a difference in living and living well.

For my joys to honor God.  I want what pleases me to also please Him.

Amazing Love.  To get it I must give it. I also can't beg for it to come from a place where it doesn't exist in the form I so desperately need.

I am not worthy of anything, yet God tells my everything He has is for me. 

His grace is enough to cover all I need.

Graze Box Update

I'm still loving Graze!  We are on our 8th box.  Thanks to all of you, I haven't had to pay full price for all my boxes.  But even so, they are a good deal for snacks delivered right to your door! 

I love the flapjacks.  Especially the brownie flapjacks. Oh my lucky tastebuds!  Who came up with this idea of putting brownie pieces in a rolled oat bar?  It's genius!

Through these snacks we are learning to try new foods. Some are simple things you would find at the grocery store, like peppered pistachios.  I just hadn't ever bought them before, but now I sure do!
Local Friends: Mills Fleet Farm carries these and many other nuts in 1# bags.

If you want to give Graze a try use my link to get your first and fifth boxes completely Free.  If you aren't a fan you can cancel anytime (even if all you get is the first free box).  I'd give one box a try though, you may kinda like it!
8

https://www.graze.com/us/p/QUINCE5RU

I give more than one iota for unconditional LOVE

Hey Kids,
Tonight your dad and I played a game called iota.  it's labeled as "the great big game in the teeny-weeny tin". We just got it a few days ago and finally got a chance to sit down and play it mostly uninterrupted.
I won the first game by a long shot (296-199, if you're curious).  But the second game?  Daddy beat me by 1 point!  1 stinking point!  Haha.  We laughed, teased/smack talked & played until past 11.  Then he chased me around the living room being just goofy!  

I hope someday all 3 of you will also have days where your marriage feels so fulfilling like this.
Our marriage isn't perfect.  I will never lead you to believe that.  But it is pretty much great 95% of the time.  The other 5% is spent feeling frustrated as I'm telling your dad to put his clothes into the hamper, NOT next to it.  It's okay though, he's trying to teach me to load the dishwasher with dirty dishes, NOT load them into the sink!  Someday we will both get it.  At that point we will probably find something new to bug each other about.  Really. 
But that's life.
When one problem is solved you move on to the next one. 
I pray you will each find a spouse who encourages you, prays for you and loves you unconditionally.  I mean that last one.  I didn't just use it because it sounded good there (although it did, right?). 
Real true love is unconditional.  You don't have to do a thing to earn it.  I promise you.  Your daddy loves me unconditionally.  It came natural for him.  I had to learn how to love that way.  How ever you go about it doesn't matter, just do it and do it good!
Okay enough ramblings for tonight.  Momma loves you.
All of you.
Unconditionally.

Modern Conveniences

Today I am thankful for the wrinkle shield setting on my dryer. As I sit here cozy on the couch, in my big sweater and slippers, sipping my hot coffee and reading a book, I have no guilt whatsoever over not doing the laundry right now and no worry it will be wrinkled when I get to it. (Did you like that run-on sentence? I did) Every 5 minutes or so it takes another tumble around and keeps the clothing perfectly fresh & wrinkle free.  I passionately long for a simple life, but I'm so thankful for this life and the modern conveniences it offers.

Is there a seemingly silly modern convenience you are especially thankful for?

Weekend to Remember Buy One Get One

 

It's BUY ONE, GET ONE at FamilyLife Weekend to Remember now until Sept. 15th!  This is the marriage conference my husband and I went to when "we were totally fine and just going because some friends were".  Yeah, we WEREN'T fine!  Even if we were totally fine, "fine" isn't good enough for MY marriage, and it shouldn't be for YOURS either! Yes when you add up the hotel, gas, and conference it seems expensive, but I promise you that there is no greater gift to give yourself and your children than really investing in your marriage.  From newlyweds all the way to empty-nesters this conference is phenomenal! 



Steal my Show

TobyMac - Steal My Show (Lyrics): http://youtu.be/KA_HoEC9ixc

Positivity Challenge- Day 2

Thank you God for:

1. Coffee.  Sweetly flavored with a touch of pumpkin puree.  Sipping it slowly from my raspberry colored thermos mug makes me happy and warms my body on this chilly day.

2. The flexibility of homeschooling and being a stay at home momma.  Yesterday we were able to "drop and go" (as my two aunts call it) when I got the call my dad was in the hospital for his kidney stones. We did the same last week.  The kids are learning through these experiences how to adapt to quick change, patience, the importance of family, and a little medical jargon. :) They don't mind schooling away from home and I'm thankful we can!

3. 6 loads of laundry washed and dried in my beautiful Duet Steam Set.  Scattered across the couch and then <hours later> carefully folded and put away by the whole family, even the toddler.

4. Blankets. Cozy fleece blankets.  And a couple of cute kids cuddled up under them.

5. The crock pot full of soup on the counter, created from miscellaneous ingredients found in my messy kitchen.  Messy from coming and going and just doing life. 

6. The Magic School Bus on Netflix.  We are purposefully supplementing our Exploring Creation - Human Anatomy and Physiology with some of these fun episodes.

7. Days when the heat pump can be switched off.  The temperature is tolerable and we are saving money. 

One. Extraordinary ONE

What a beautiful Sunday.  I love my EXTRAORDINARY church family! Today was what we call Rally Sunday, where we had a combined service where the first and second services joined together to worship as ONE.  The 3rd & 8th graders received their bibles and the leaders of the church were presented. It was a full house!

  I'll admit as I first came in and sat down I looked around and saw just older people.  I worried if they would tolerate my children moving around in their seats.  Would I get weird stares that would leave me overthinking that I was a terrible mom and ill-equipped for raising well behaved children?  I had to leave the service with my squirmy toddler and felt defeated. Embarrassed.  You moms of littles understand, right?

As the morning went on I chatted with another woman in the nursery, I met a new mom, I said hello and was greeted and complimented by several people.  I went from feeling like "why did I get dressed for this?" to "I'm so glad I'm here. This is where I belong."

I'm looking forward to the ONE service on Sunday from here on out.  I'm looking forward to mentoring younger people in the church and being mentored by the more experienced followers of Christ.

I need this.  I want this.  It's good.  I'm not lost.  I'm right where God placed me.

Positivity Challenge- Day 1

I was nominated by my friend Autumn of Pretty & Mine to post 3 positives of each day for 7 days.  I'm a rule breaker, so I'm going to instead post 7 positives for 3 days.  I'm also going to be posting them HERE on my blog, rather than my Facebook where I was nominated, since I did the 7 day challenge there a few weeks ago.

 

Day 1...

These aren't all from today, but recently enough that I'm still thinking of them today.

 

My Blessings:
1. Neighbors who, on a whim, helped move a very LARGE {HEAVY} piece of furniture from our basement.

2. Our County Conservationist (I wonder if that's her official title? That's what we call her anyway) who put on a great presentation on monarch butterflies last night.

3. Erika of The Aurora Storealis for sending me a necklace to giveaway on my blog.

4. People like YOU who actually read my blog... I hope someone is reading this. :) I love my little corner of the WWW.

5. This one is a little silly, but I am blessed with a husband who can stuff a garbage bag to beyond FULL and still get it closed.  It's a thrifty talent folks, it really is!

6. Stargazing with my hubby. 

7. The gift and flexibility of homeschooling.  I love getting to see how eager my kids are to learn (I wasn't paid to say that... I'm serious!).  I greatly love spending the days with them and teaching them to be compassionate.  Oh friends, please teach your children compassion.  For some it comes natural, for others it doesn't, but we ALL need it. 

I nominate all of you bloggers to post your positives!  How ever many you'd like for as many days as you'd like. I'm easy to please.  Come back and let me know if you're joining me so I can read yours too!