Testify!

Thanks Matt!

Family resemblance

My Little Prince gets very excited when he puts on his shoes.  Lots of times he puts them on backwards.  Most of the time.  He is very happy about mealtime and feeding himself.  Until recently there was always food everywhere afterwards.  He is so glad to be playing with his big sister whom he adores.  But sometimes he hits, bites, pushes, yells or acts like a general whooligan.  He draws a scribble on the paper and tells me it is a car.  He sings the ABC's in no particular order and lately has been in habit of leaving out TUV altogether (I'm not sure what riff he has had with them, but for now they are out!  or i guess o_ _!)  He lays in bed for 5 minutes before commotion begins and then when I open his door to find out what the ruckus is about he exclaims, "I take good nap!" 
I'm a lot like my son when it comes to following Christ.  I am very passionate, enthusiastic and truly give it a good try, but more times than not I get it wrong.  I miss the mark when it comes to imitating Christ.  I know this is not an earth-shattering revelation to anyone who has known me for any amount of time.  I "draw scribbles" with my everyday actions and attitudes and then tell the world, "This is my 'drawing' of Christ.  Doesn't it look just like Him?"  And much like we do with our son, you turn my "artwork" every which way, but can't find much of the Master in it anywhere.  I put my "convictions" on the wrong feet and announce, "I'm ready to go!"  But I have failed to "put on love" so that I can walk without stumbling.  I tend to hit, bite, push, yell or act like a general whooligan to the very people I love and am called to love.  I leave out some of the most important aspects of being a new creation and think that I will be able to spell out Christ to the world without them.  And I often rebel against the rest God offers me and then exclaim, "I'm good.  All ready to go!" when really I'm so depleted that I am of no good to anyone.
I guess what I am saying is two-fold.  First, an apology.  For standing up and declaring that I am portraying Jesus in truth, when clearly I am not.  And second, thanks.  Thanks to God that He looks at me and knows me, so much better than I even know LP (and how stinkin' much to I love that rascal?!!)  And imperfect as I am, God loves me despite my "doodles" and is patient knowing that I want to keep at it until I learn to sketch out His portrait with my life.  
I want the world to know that knowing Christ leads to the most abundant, amazing life ever, but I'm like a potty-training preschooler when it comes to expressing it.  So I pray you will look past the scribbles, the spilled cheerios and my predisposition to bite if you can and see something of my Father in me. 

My "old man"

Wow!  Today was a great day for so many reasons.  The battle of "Tribe" Hill, a week-long standoff between Mr. Wonderful and I is over.  Pastor L brought some clarity to some of my issues in his AM sermon--love the Expectation Psychology example!!!--and I just wanted to bear hug the precious people in small group this morning for their "amazingness" and transparency.   We had lunch with great friends and even though I didn't get my mandatory Sunday nap, I was in a pretty good mood.

Mr. W and I go to Pastor L's sunday night service where he expounds, in a more intimate setting, on the mornings thoughts.  During tonight's message he was talking about maturity as being comfortable with who you are.  I turned to my husband and said, "That makes me two."   PT went on to talk about loving the company of senior adults because they know who they are and aren't concerned with impressing you.  He went on to talk about how they would flat out tell you what they think, to which Mr. W replied, "That makes me 80."  My question, how did we ever get together?  God is funny.  You've got to know that!

Cue Celine Dion

Today is Dad's birthday.  I don't know why, but on days like today I'm just really happy.  For the 29+ years I got to spend with him we made some really great memories.  He taught me kingdom principles and how to fish.  (Ironic huh?)  He wasn't perfect and didn't do everything right.  He is one of my heros though because he knew how to listen and how to speak.  He opened my eyes to the lessons of God in everyday objects and relationships.  Not a day goes by that something about him doesn't creep into my life.  

I wish desperately he could spend a day with us and see the kids, see the mother that I've become (on my good days) and eat and laugh like we used to, but those days are yet to come.  I look forward with great anticipation to seeing him again and coming face-to-face with my True Father. 

I am thankful for the memories and for who I am now (cue his favorite cheesy performer) "because you loved me."  (That was almost to bad to type!)

Dear Sir,

Apparently this morning you were in a terrible hurry.  An engagement awaited you so monumentally important that you felt it necessary to pull behind me and sit on my bumper as I waited in the turn lane of a busy highway for an opportunity to merge safely into traffic.  

I can understand how you might not have noticed the speed and velocity of the cars barreling down the highway.  I mean after all, it is difficult to see when you are busy shooting daggers out of your eyes.  I am sure that you had every right to yell at me for not moving, because after all having my range of vision completely blocked by your vehicle (I have no idea what make and model because it was too far up..., never mind) is no excuse for impeding your progress.  

It was certainly necessary for you to continue to creep up on me as I tried to give you space to pull out and then that friendly blare of your horn as you jetted off was just the cheery salute I needed to start my day.  So thank you mister.  Thanks for attempting to impress on me how very important you and your world is.  But if it's all the same to you, I think I'll go on putting the safety of two toddlers above your impatience and impertinence.  Have a great day.