The last kiss of the day

As I put each of my children to bed we have a routine - story, song & prayer.   JP knows when the prayer is almost over and he does the cutest thing as I'm just about to say "Amen".  He grabs my face and pulls me close and gives me a kiss.  I usually giggle, kiss him, and then try to continue on in our prayer.  However, he continues this little routine as long as he thinks I'll let him.  As I was reading my Bible this week, I read a verse that reminded me of JP's new expression of love.

Psalm 17:6-7(a)

I am praying to You because I know You will answer , O God.

Bend down and listen as I pray.  Show me Your unfailing love in wonderful ways.

I'm curious about who you go to when you need an answer to a particular situation.  Well, actually who do you go to first?  It probably depends on the situation.  

When I have a question about my kids' health, I typically call my Mom.  I have asked her on many occasions - "did you ever experience this as a Mom?"  and then "what do I do?"  

When I have a question about directions to a place I've never been before, I typically go to mapquest.com on the internet.  The places we go to for answers will vary.  But there are times when we go to the wrong place or we completely avoid the right place.  I love this verse because I see an incredible promise here.  

Let's look at it again - "I am praying to You because I know You will answer."  I wonder how often we either discount the answers that God could give us or just simple forget to pray all together.  God will answer us if we just give Him the opportunity.  If we just get quiet for long enough to hear His plan for our life He will show us amazing things!

My favorite part of this passage is found in verse 7 - "bend down and listen as I pray."  As I read this I was reminded how JP bends me down every night to give me his last kisses for the day.  It's like his way of saying - "don't leave just yet".  And you know what - it works!  As I'm bending down to him, physically I am closer to him than when I'm reading him a story or tucking him into his bed.  It's like I'm hearing his very heart concerning his desires.  And do you know what I do?  I show him love in wonderful ways - I kiss his head - his nose, and maybe even tickle him a bit.  We have a wonderful little Mommy/Son moment.  

If I can do this for my little boy - don't you think God wants to do this for us even more?!  God wants to bend down and listen to our heart.  He wants not only to give you the answers for your deepest questions - but He wants to show you His unfailing love in wonderful ways.  

Today - think about the questions that are storming your mind and your heart.  And instead of worrying about them or asking all the wrong people - take them to God.  Ask Him to bend down and listen as you pray.  Then, look for how He begins to show you His unfailing love.  Look for the wonderful ways He will answer you, love you, and most importantly lead you to victory!

JP doesn't want me to leave the room once he bends me down.  I think because he enjoys the special attention he's getting in the moment.  But I believe that after we've gone through our little nightly routine he is more prepared to handle the night.  He has been comforted enough to truly find peace and is confident to sleep throughout the night.  

I promise you, if you would but ask God to bend down toward you like JP bends me down toward him - you will experience an unfailing love like no other - you will not want the time with Him to end!  But most importantly you will be equipped to take on anything that comes your way!  You will experience comfort so you can truly find peace throughout your night.

His Words Sunday (August 8)

I love Sundays!  I love getting to worship with my brothers & sisters in the faith.  I love hearing voices raised in praise to the Lord!  I love watching everyone build one another up in prayer.

But I think the moment I wait for with anxious expectation is when the Pastor (my husband) has us open our Bibles in the sermon.  

I absolutely LOVE my Bible!  Do you?

I can think of no better verse this morning than one from Ezra that I read today.  I hope you too have a love for God's Word like Ezra!

Ezra 7:10 (ESV)

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach His statutes and rules in Israel.

Set your heart today to study God's Word.  Then teach it to those around you, not only just the words, but by the way you live!

I love you all dearly!

Enjoy this day in the Lord!

What's was your favorite thing about school?

Yesterday my husband & I, along with our new 1st Grade daughter met with her new teacher.  I love how her school does "home visits" before school starts.  It's a great time just to visit on a personal level with the teacher and allows Jordan to interact with her before "the first day of school!"

During our meeting, she asked Jordan several questions...
her favorite food, her favorite color, and then ended with what was her favorite thing about school.

Jordan's answer was "Craft Time." 

(don't you just love how kids answer questions when put on the spot?)

As we're all gearing up for another year of school - I thought it might be fun to ask the same question...

What was your favorite thing about school?  And... do you still like that particular thing?

Okay - I'll go first... I loved science!  I know, it seems strange!  And for many years, I worked as a Chemist.  But I also loved drill team!  And to this day, I LOVE dancing with my husband!  We love dancing a country two-step together any day of the week!

So....

What was your favorite thing about school?

and

Do you still like that same thing?

Oh!  And check out this blog - it's great too!

Is this on your school supply list?

Well, it's that time of year again... BACK TO SCHOOL!

I just finished reviewing my daughter's Back-to-School Supply List.  While I'm relieved that the 1st Grade list is shorter than last year's Kindergarten List, I'm still perplexed at a few of the required items.  Like, I've never heard of a book sock!  Do they not hand out premade book covers anymore (for free I might add)!!!

All jokes and kidding aside, I love this time of year!  Even before my husband & I had our first child, I loved walking through the School Supply displays.  I love the smell of new crayons, I love all those fun folders and I so very much wished that I had a reason to buy glue and rulers!  So now, I have a real reason to go to that section in Target!!!

Jordan (our 6 year old) and I were talking the other day about the new adventures she would soon encounter in First Grade.  We both got a light in our eyes as we discussed the new supplies that we would be purchasing this week.  We went down the list... everything from "pointed crayons" (her words) to a possible new backpack, to hoping we could find markers that had pink & gray.  It really was a fun conversation!

THEN IT HAPPENED....

She asked me a question that nearly brought tears to my eyes.  When she was 4 years old and starting Pre-K, we were all a little bit nervous.  So I gave her a kiss on the cheek and told her to put it in her pocket.  I shared with her that if during the day she got sad and missed me, she could just pull out that kiss and it would make her feel like I was right there with her.


Well, that was 2 years ago!  Fast forward to our current conversation...  As we got to the end of the list, Jordan asked me this...

"Mommy, can I still take a kiss in my pocket 
to First Grade?"

It truly melted my heart!  No matter how big she gets - she's still my little girl - with a kiss in her pocket!

What "extra little thing" do you add 

to your School Supply List 

that makes your kid feel special?

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Can I give this? It's all I have.

Every Sunday my Pastor Husband has a special time in the service where he invites the kids up to the front.  He talks with them about their week, shares with them what they will be learning in Journeytown (the kids time of worship) and then before he prays with them he collects their offering.

I have a great vantage point to see their bright eyes and big smiles, as I stand at the keyboard on stage.  A couple of Sundays ago, I watched something that truly touched my heart and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind every since.

It came time for the offering (which the kids never let my husband forget I might add!) and the basket passed from kid to kid.  It finally came to a sweet 3 year-old little girl.  She didn't have her little envelope like she usually does and at first is made her a little sad.  Not knowing what to do, and not wanting it to pass by her without giving, she did the most precious thing....

she peels off her name tag and asks, 

"Can I give this, it's all I have?"

Oh!  I'm telling you the front few rows who got to really witness this, were truly blessed that morning!

She so very much wanted to GIVE... and the only thing she had to give was HERSELF!  What a visual!  Yes, it was just a nametag - but if we could grasp the concept of putting our whole self in the offering plate of Christ I think we would truly be living out Mark 12:41-44

"And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the multitude were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.  And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.  And calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."

It is my prayer today, that we would all be willing to put our whole self in God's offering plate - just as willingly and cheerfully as this sweet little girl!

Did you even hear what I just said?!

Do you ever tell your children something and wonder, "Did they even hear me?"  Perhaps I need to say it louder?  Perhaps I need to turn the TV off in order to get their attention?!  I know as mothers we have all been here.

I read a story this morning in my One Year Bible about a king who acted in a similar way.

2 Chronicles 33:10 (ESV)

The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to His people, but they paid no attention.

Just a little background... Manasseh was the son of Hezekiah, king of Judah.  Hezekiah was not a perfect king but he did do what was "right in the sight of the Lord."  However, Manasseh did NOT follow in his father's footsteps.

What got my attention this morning was this...

1.  What a privilege it is for God to speak to us!  He is the Maker of the heavens and the earth and He takes time to speak to us!  I do not need to think of this lightly.

2.  Manasseh wasn't even paying attention when the God of the Universe spoke to him!!  The audacity!  Right?  This morning, as I went before the Lord in prayer I spent time confessing times that I too have been distracted by other noises.  I don't what my God to think or to say, "Did you even hear what I just said?"

Today, I'm going to be paying attention and counting it all joy that my God wants to talk with me!  

Won't you join me in turning down the volumes of distracting noises & really listen to what God wants to say to us?

I'm game.... are you?

His Words Sunday (August 1)

Have you ever considered your Bible to be your Prayer Book?  So often, I have looked at my Bible as my Instruction Manual or my Life Map - but what using it for your prayers?!

If ever you don't know what to pray... open your Bible.  There are so many prayers of old found here that are still very prevalent in 2010.  I've listed one below that I prayed this morning... and believe me it's a GOOD ONE!

Psalm 25: 4-5 (ESV)

Make me to know Your ways, O Lord;

teach me Your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for You I wait all the day long.

The Bible is filled with many incredible prayers.  

Today begin to see it, read it, as a Prayer Book!  

I know your prayer time will be enriched if you do!

If you're already doing this, what are some of your favorite Bible Prayers?