Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

This past weekend, my family took a short trip, over the river (or lake) and through the woods to Grandmother's house... On the drive, my husband and I talked about important decisions in our near future and our dreams while the kids chatted in the back seat. I wasn't paying much attention to their conversation over the music and my own deep thoughts. But, I suddenly realized they were talking about heaven . So, I leaned my head back and pretended not to listen but my ears were wide open. Pretty soon hubby turned down the radio so he could hear too. The seven year old said, "Don't you want to go to heaven?" The three year old wasn't sure about it. I guess he didn't really know what to expect. So, the four year old piped up, "When you fall down there, your knees don't get scraped up." "Yeah, and there's no more owies at all" added her big sister. "You get a whole new body and it's not even like the one we have here"...

Last week, I encountered a situation that challenged my faith. I wasn't sure if I would be able to get my teaching license in the state of Wisconsin. Yesterday, it came in the mail. So, can you imagine how silly I feel? All that worrying and fretting - for nothing! Why, oh why, can't I just trust God to work out the details? When I realized that God had a plan, I was disappointed in myself. Where was my faith? Just in my head and not in my heart? Why can't I respond to challenges of faith better? And in this self-degrading moment, a song came and then a book and scriptures to flood my mind with truth. His love is not changed by my mistakes. His love for me is more amazing than I could ever imagine. I might be disappointed in myself, but God's primary emotion remains love. Nothing can separate me from this love that is beyond comprehension. How has God reached down from on high to touch your life this week?

On Wednesday I was wondering how anyone feels truly motivated to clean their house. I was thinking it seemed so pointless to clean something that would only get dirty again in minutes. But my dear friend Miss Sandy gave me some great perspective . Heather, I guess what works for me is to remember that any work I do for my family is holy work. One day I was grumbling to my grandmother about having to repeatedly clean up muddy boot prints off the floors I had just cleaned. She was quiet for a moment and she said, "Sandy, I'll tell you this, I'd give anything to be in your shoes. I'd gladly clean up any muddy boot prints that were left on my floor with a smile and a prayer because that would mean that Charlie (my uncle, her only son) would be alive and well and I would not live in this house alone." I was quiet for a while and I told her she was right. Her words made an impact on me and my attitude about repeat jobs. I asked myself what would it be l...

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...