Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

In my small group Bible study, we were discussing fairy tales and how they related to our own lives (thanks to John Eldredge ). We spent an entire week talking about our favorite movies and how we related to the main character and why. I was struggling with finding a female heroine that I really admired. I enjoy a good chic flick, but I can’t say I really admire the women characters in such films. I wanted to think of women who were truly heroic – who saved others by their selfless acts. As I recollected favorite stories, fiction and nonfiction, my thoughts turned to Corrie Ten Boom whose powerfully moving story can be found in The Hiding Place . This true story of a woman’s faith surpassing the most tragic of circumstances stood out above any other tale of female heroism and so Corrie Ten Boom became my role model. Corrie’s family sheltered Jews during the German Nazi occupation of Holland, her homeland. The Ten Boom home was a hiding place and a refuge for many people suffering great...

Welcome 2008, we open the door on this new year with gladness and anticipation. What do you bring for us? What trials? What blessings? You are full of unanswered questions. I love the fresh feeling of a new calendar - empty, with no scribbles, no engagements, no appointments. Just open space - it is full of hope and wonder. But I am reminded that every day is new and fresh just like this one. For His mercies are new each morning and when I wake, my soul is cleansed from the sin of yesterday and the day ahead lies in my Master's hands. I am eternally grateful for His mercies which rest upon me each night and greet me each morning. So, instead of greeting the new year with lists of things I ought to do, or dreams I want to accomplish, I will greet it with open arms. I do not know what God has planned, so I will simply take this year one mercy filled day at a time . Yes, I'd like to be a "better" person at the end of 2008 and I'd like to see personal growth,...

"Don't blame suffering in the world on the anger of God. He's not mad; he didn't mess up. Follow our troubles to their headwaters, and you won't find any angry or befuddled God. But you will find a sovereign God. Your pain has a purpose. Your problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end -- the glory of God." ~Max Lucado, It's Not About Me~ This week has been filled with my own personal problems, struggles and hassles of the minute kind. If I were the narrator of my life story, I would describe myself as irritable and petulant in the midst of microscopic problems. It's easy for me to think about the big disappointments of life (from the outside looking in) and comment on the need to glorify God through troubles. But, now, from the inside looking out of a teeny tiny problem, I can't practice what I preach. I've gotten so caught up in the minutia of my problems that I have forgotten about the purpose of it all. Max Luca...

I’m rushing about the house, throwing toys in a box, vacuuming up cheerios that litter the floor, checking on the roast in the oven, wiping smudges off of tables and counters, and then quickly looking in the mirror to wipe the sweat off my brow and freshen up a bit. Daddy just called and he’s coming home early. I haven’t been paying attention to my jobs around the home so I’m rushing to get them done before he comes in the door – not out of duty, mind you, but out of love. I’m sewing that button on his pants quickly because I want him to know that I care about what concerns him, but why didn’t I do it earlier in the day? He could be here any minute now… Look into the distance far enough and you will see it – dark thundering clouds, laden with promise – the promise that the end is near. Imminence is the knowledge that our Heavenly Daddy could walk through the door at any minute. Would we be ready? Are we procrastinating some things He’s asked us to do? Are our lives a little mes...