Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

During the Christmas season, we use more lights (or representations of light) as decorations than any other time of year. Candles, fireplaces, stars, little lanterns, and strings of lights adorn our trees and home in festive colors to celebrate the coming of The Morning Star. Jesus called Himself the Light of the world and then He told us to shine our lights brightly for Him and this time of year provides many opportunities to do that. You can read, the rest of my devotion at Laced with Grace today:

December can be the busiest month of the year, but somehow it still surprises me to look back at my calendar and recount all of the craziness that has led up to these last days of celebration. The month begins with my husband's birthday and also includes my little man's birthday, so we have to squeeze in time for those celebrations on top of all the Christmas madness. We found space in our tummies for an ice cream cake one week and a Spiderman cake another week and gifts were bought and opened with excitement. That weekend, I coordinated and spoke at our women's Christmas tea focusing on having a "Mary" Christmas. The women's ministry director had a brain aneurysm and asked me if I could take over for her. She was so sad that she couldn't figure out a way to plan this event, but God knew that within days she would be hospitalized and paralyzed on one whole side of her body. A Christmas shopping trip a few weeks later turned into an opportunity to visit ...

She lays in a hospital bed, not moving her hand, her leg or even her mouth without great difficulty. Her hair has been shaved around the spot where the surgeon entered to remove the dangerous blot clot and to stop the bleeding that threatened her life. Her home is being remodeled to accommodate her new needs though she spends hours each day in physical therapy re-training her brain to accomplish ordinary, everyday tasks that I take for granted. Just a few weeks ago, she was busy teaching the children at AWANA about God's love for the world, teaching the women about God's Word, planning a Christmas tea and dinner and now, her life has been turned upside down. How would I respond if I were to face such a challenge? If my husband were to be in this place? Would I start each day with praise, would I find reasons for thanksgiving in everything from oatmeal, silly speech or wiggling toes? Would I? ( I'm rather inclined to think that I might be resentful, frustrated and depresse...

No matter if you're a glass half empty or half full kind of person, we all need to remember to be thankful. You can read my devotion at Laced with Grace today.

When I was younger, I often allowed my imagination to create stories filled with daring heroines and dashing heroes ...I wasn't exactly an author-in-waiting, but I had fun coming up with stories that put me as the center of attention with a handsome man pursuing me. There was the story where the famous movie star noticed me and fell for me (that one took some creativity...how would I meet him in my small town in the middle of nowhere?) and then the tale of the millionaire who whisked me away in his limo to shop for stunning gowns (and then he showered me with jewelry and other expensive gifts, of course) or perhaps my favorite tale of all, the one about how a timid and insecure girl found a guy who believed she could be anything she wanted to be in this world. As an avid reader, I've realized that romantic novels seem to share some very similar traits. The story centers around a woman who needs love to overcome her situation in life...maybe she feels unworthy of love and find...

A light blanket of snow covers the yard and though it certainly isn't enough to make a snowman, my children have found enough snow to entertain themselves for hours, even after dark. For their mother, this is happiness! Rosy cheeks, mittens laying on the heater to dry and little drops of wetness tracked in by careless feet are topped off by hot chocolate with marshmallows as we greet winter this year. Reasons for thanksgiving abound: *Time with friends this past weekend, chatting and catching up *A family date to the movies (a rare occurrence for us) *"The Christmas County Spelling Bee" has our house a buzz with songs of Jesus' name and excitement for an upcoming Christmas program. *Prayer: as my aunt undergoes quadruple bi pass surgery, I'm so grateful that we can come to God in prayer at any time. As I think about items that bring me joy, I remember that God created this world for our enjoyment and He gives us good gifts every day, but He told us that there w...

When I was in the seventh grade, I decided I might make a good student council member since I was a quick thinker and enjoyed working with others. So, I made up colorful posters on construction paper (nothing too fancy...it was junior high, after all) and placed them around the Junior High School building in hopes that someone might vote for me. When the voting confirmed the fact that no one even knew who I was (except for a few classmates who recognized me as a the mousy girl in the corner who always knew the answer), I tumbled quickly into a pit of adolescent angst. "I'm such a loser," I moaned. Come read the rest of the story in my devotion at Laced with Grace today: