Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

Next Tuesday I will be hosting "In Other Words." I have enjoyed participating in this weekly writing prompt for quite a while now. It was exciting to choose a quote and I look forward to hearing all that you have to say. "The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision." ~ Hellen Keller ~ Join us on Tuesday in this provoking discussion about vision.

I'm sure you've heard of BarlowGirl and Zoegirl. And you've probably heard the rumors about Obama girl. But, do you know "PimpleGirl"? Able to ward off handsome men with just a look... ( Except the one that really counts) Able to draw the attention of a crowd in only minutes.... Leaping past the cat food aisle to reach cosmetics... She's pimple girl! Be on the lookout for her because she seems to be appearing more frequently these days. Yes, I know, you thought she would be a young teenager, but it turns out, she actually a mom! Shocking, isn't it? She is seen more regularly at certain times of the month, but don't be fooled. She can pop up at any time, unannounced. And then she works her magic. All I have to say is, Beware!

I received a note in my in-box with this story. I don't know who the author is, but I sure do appreciate her! It brought me to tears. Invisible Mother..... It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this ? Can you tie this? Can you open this?? Some days I'm not a pair of hands ; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer,'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.' I was cert...

One Sunday morning we heard a heartbreaking story of a little boy whose body would no longer support his soul. As a group, we went to the Lord in prayer for this young soul. Some prayed for his parents to have strength for this trial while others prayed for the little boy to be relieved of pain. Suddenly, a pastor began to add his prayers: prayers for deliverance, for complete healing, for a miracle . I don't know why we were shocked by his prayer. But, for some reason, we had all accepted the inevitable and had abandoned hope of complete recovery for this child. Did we no longer believe that God performs miracles? Yes, of course, He DID many miracles in the past, but miracles seem so rare these days that I'm afraid we've stopped believing in His power. God has made it clear in His word and by His actions that miracles are not always the way He answers prayers. How He decides when to suspend the course of nature is beyond our comprehension. I'd rather pray for somethin...

Patty, a true girlfriend in God , has been recounting the ways God has paused in the midst of all creation ( Lysa's words) to touch her life each week. She calls these moments GodSTOP moments: where we Savor The Observable Presence of God in our lives (taken from Beth Moore). Last week at Bible study, we all went around and shared moments where God's presence was undeniable. This time of sharing filled with reminders of God's love for us was so powerful. Again and again this week I have heard stories of lives ended too soon. It has become clear to me that God is trying to tell me something. Our lives are short - like a vapor. I need to take advantage of the time I have with my kids, my husband, my parents, and others. I keep hearing Him tell me to savor and treasure these moments. Moments like these: Gluing together vegetable cans, toilet paper tubes and a 2 liter bottle to make a "robot." Painting said robot in green, black, yellow wild colors (I noticed a l...

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. What a joy, what a privilege to come to God with our every concern! Father, today I thank You for Your open arms, reaching out to embrace me through my time in prayer. Thank You for the free access I have to Your throne room. Through Christ I have a key to enter the holy of holies. Thank You for providing an Intercessor for me and for Speaking Your words into my mumbled confusion. Thank You for asking me (me?) to partner with You in changing the world, one prayer at a time . Thank You for having open ears and an open heart to my every plea. Thank You for the community praye...

Littered along the Calvary road will lie the skeletons of our egos, the corpses of our fantasies of control, and the shards of self-righteousness, self-indignant spirituality, and unfreedom. (Brennan Manning, The Signature of Jesus ) Are you ready to take the next step? The step of faith bridging the chasm between knowledge and experience (as Manning calls it)? Are you ready to take up the cross and let the things of this world die away that only Christ may remain? The teaching of the sermon on the mount is not - Do your duty, but - Do what is not your duty. It is not your duty to go the second mile, to turn the other cheek, but Jesus says if we are His disciples we shall always do these things. (Oswald Chambers) I wonder how many of us know what it means to go the second mile. I'm not sure I do. Isobel Kuhn, who was a missionary in China, knew the second mile well. Giving up her comforts to live in truly remote villages --- sounds radical to me. Walking miles upon miles ...