How many times as a mom (and to be really honest...as a teacher) have I wanted to just say "Sit down and shut-up!" Of course I don't say that, but I have thought it. You know when..after I have been asked for the bigillionth time..."Are we almost there", "When do we get to go to.....", "When can I have......" "How can we possibly" and on and on and on.
After the kids have asked me and asked me and asked me and I have answered... "Soon", "Almost", "I've got it all planned out"... and they keep asking! I want to shout, "Sit Down and Shut UP I am working it out. I know the plan. I know just WHEN we will be there, just when it will all take place, how the whole thing will go down." They just don't SEE the whole picture yet.
How often is it like that with the Lord? We ask and ask and ask for things and we try to trust Him, but we struggle. We can't see the whole picture. We don't see how HE can possibly work it out for us.
The Israelites, as they fled Egypt, struggled with the same thing. Even after the Lord had inflicted the 10 plagues on Egypt ~ the locusts, the water turning into blood, the frogs (that one would have really gotten to me, I am not a fan of frogs) and even killing the first born sons of the Egyptians, the Israelites still began to fear again. Grumbling, whining, begging, pleading...Here was the big huge Red Sea in front of them, and the Egyptians were rapidly on their heels. How were they going to get out of this mess? Didn't matter that they had just witnessed their release from slavery. They couldn't figure out how to get out of THIS mess.
In Exodus 14:14 it says: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still". The Israelites had forgotten that THEY hadn't done anything to get there in the first place, but it was the Lord fighting for them that had saved them. They just had to be still. STILL!!! I looked up what the word STILL means in this passage and in its most literal form it means to "Sit down and shut-up" or in a bit nicer way.."be mute and silent".
I know I struggle with asking and asking AND ASKING for things to happen, for the Lord to move on our behalf or fretting and stressing about the same things over and over again. I don't trust God and I don't trust His plan. Even when He has proven Himself faithful to me over and over again, I still grumble, complain and whine when I don't see how He is going to work on my behalf THIS TIME. I see that HUGE body of water before me, and can't imagine how I am going to get to the other side. I am sure God is saying. "I will fight for you, Kim. You need only to be still!"
How incredible and awesome that we have such a loving God who wants to fight for us and IS fighting for us. We just need to sit down and shut-up and LET HIM!!!!!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
The unbelievable life-changing POWER of words
I haven't posted on my blog in such a long time....but have been feeling a stirring to pick it back up again. I am happiest when I write, so writing I will do.
I have been thinking a lot about words lately. How our words can bring life or death. Life or death to relationships. As children we were told. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." What a lie!!!! Words can destroy a person and destroy a relationship! Think about it, many relationships and friendships that die, die due to words...gossip, unkindness, anger, half-truths and lies. All words...all destructive.
Confession time: We have been really struggling with Jack and his behavior at school and home. He has been getting in trouble, angry, not paying attention, not doing his school work. It has been upmost on my mind and has been the source of many many tears of late. It has consumed almost all of my waking thoughts and it never far from me. As a mother, I want my son to be loved and cherished as much as I love him, and it pains me so when he isn't. My reaction, in the times when he gets in trouble, has been with many harsh words, criticism, and, ashamedly at times, belittling. I have let me emotions totally get the best of me and in those times when I haven't controlled my emotions OR my tongue have said things that I am so ashamed of. And as I continued to criticize, his behavior continued to go more and more down hill.
It got so bad that very recently we were considering whether or not to take him to the doctor to be put on ADHD medicine. (he still has an appointment next week with the doctor, just to let you know how RECENT this all really is). In the last month we have put him on sorts of diet restrictions, pumping him full of caffeine, and a myriad of other things to see if it had any effect on his behavior at school and home.
As I began to pray and seek wise counsel from some who opinions I really value, the Lord began to convict me about the part I was playing in all of this. Somewhere, somehow the Lord spoke to me through the many words by those I hold most dear, and I was convicted by my words and actions. So prayerfully, I began to only speak positive, kind words to Jack. I chose to ignore those times when he wasn't doing EXACTLY as I told him to do. Praised him for even the smallest of good choices he made. When he "moved his clip" at school for talking out, I chose to ignore it (not my normal M.O.) and encourage him to keep trying hard and praised him for the other parts of the day when he didn't talk out of turn (even if that was just one teeny small part of the day). And most of all, I began to speak life to him. Telling him and praying over him the goodness and promises of the Lord. I began to call forth the qualities in him that I see that aren't often at the surface, just beneath it. Those that I want him to know he has that will bring such glory to the Kingdom of God. For the last week and a half we have called forth the heart of David that Jack has that truly seeks after the Lord and loves the Lord with all he has. We have called forth and praised the truly kind and generous spirit that is so a part of who Jack is.
Over the last week and a half we have seen many changes in Jack (that to this mother's heart seems miraculous). He was so incredibly angry, having outbursts of anger and tantrums with me, defiant and mean-spirited. Complete lack of focus and lack of desire to do his best. Jack is now smiling constantly, his angry outbursts have completely gone, he is listening and obeying quickly when asked to do things and is being kind and loving to his sister. He is singing praise songs constantly and instigates talking about the Bible and the things he is learning there. Oh, and his teachers have noted that in he is has been having a "Great Day" every day for the last week and has been focused on his work and doing his best. I shouldn't be amazed, the Bible is very clear on the power our words hold, but I just wasn't paying any attention.
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 15:1-2
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
Is it hard to control my tongue? You betcha. When I tell Jack to do something and he doesn't do it immediately, I really have to control myself. I have to take that extra minute and CALMLY ask Jack to come to me and then CALMLY tell him what I want him to do...and amazingly he does it for the most part.
What I am finding is that it is cyclical. Someone speaks unkindly to me or about me or my class frustrates me during the day, or the money is tight or something in the house breaks and without regard or thought, I take that out on my children (and James). I am having to take control my emotions, frustrations and hurt and not allow that to carry over to my family. It is only through much prayer and the Lord's help that I can do that at all.
Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 10:24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man (woman) down, but a kind word cheers him up.
I am really working on speaking life and not death through my words. I have such a long way to go.
Jack will continue to be Jack, full of energy and imagination and joy. Everything that GOD put in him and prayerfully, I will be a source of encouragement for him and speak LIFE to him not anger or frustration.
I have been thinking a lot about words lately. How our words can bring life or death. Life or death to relationships. As children we were told. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." What a lie!!!! Words can destroy a person and destroy a relationship! Think about it, many relationships and friendships that die, die due to words...gossip, unkindness, anger, half-truths and lies. All words...all destructive.
Confession time: We have been really struggling with Jack and his behavior at school and home. He has been getting in trouble, angry, not paying attention, not doing his school work. It has been upmost on my mind and has been the source of many many tears of late. It has consumed almost all of my waking thoughts and it never far from me. As a mother, I want my son to be loved and cherished as much as I love him, and it pains me so when he isn't. My reaction, in the times when he gets in trouble, has been with many harsh words, criticism, and, ashamedly at times, belittling. I have let me emotions totally get the best of me and in those times when I haven't controlled my emotions OR my tongue have said things that I am so ashamed of. And as I continued to criticize, his behavior continued to go more and more down hill.
It got so bad that very recently we were considering whether or not to take him to the doctor to be put on ADHD medicine. (he still has an appointment next week with the doctor, just to let you know how RECENT this all really is). In the last month we have put him on sorts of diet restrictions, pumping him full of caffeine, and a myriad of other things to see if it had any effect on his behavior at school and home.
As I began to pray and seek wise counsel from some who opinions I really value, the Lord began to convict me about the part I was playing in all of this. Somewhere, somehow the Lord spoke to me through the many words by those I hold most dear, and I was convicted by my words and actions. So prayerfully, I began to only speak positive, kind words to Jack. I chose to ignore those times when he wasn't doing EXACTLY as I told him to do. Praised him for even the smallest of good choices he made. When he "moved his clip" at school for talking out, I chose to ignore it (not my normal M.O.) and encourage him to keep trying hard and praised him for the other parts of the day when he didn't talk out of turn (even if that was just one teeny small part of the day). And most of all, I began to speak life to him. Telling him and praying over him the goodness and promises of the Lord. I began to call forth the qualities in him that I see that aren't often at the surface, just beneath it. Those that I want him to know he has that will bring such glory to the Kingdom of God. For the last week and a half we have called forth the heart of David that Jack has that truly seeks after the Lord and loves the Lord with all he has. We have called forth and praised the truly kind and generous spirit that is so a part of who Jack is.
Over the last week and a half we have seen many changes in Jack (that to this mother's heart seems miraculous). He was so incredibly angry, having outbursts of anger and tantrums with me, defiant and mean-spirited. Complete lack of focus and lack of desire to do his best. Jack is now smiling constantly, his angry outbursts have completely gone, he is listening and obeying quickly when asked to do things and is being kind and loving to his sister. He is singing praise songs constantly and instigates talking about the Bible and the things he is learning there. Oh, and his teachers have noted that in he is has been having a "Great Day" every day for the last week and has been focused on his work and doing his best. I shouldn't be amazed, the Bible is very clear on the power our words hold, but I just wasn't paying any attention.
Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 15:1-2
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
Is it hard to control my tongue? You betcha. When I tell Jack to do something and he doesn't do it immediately, I really have to control myself. I have to take that extra minute and CALMLY ask Jack to come to me and then CALMLY tell him what I want him to do...and amazingly he does it for the most part.
What I am finding is that it is cyclical. Someone speaks unkindly to me or about me or my class frustrates me during the day, or the money is tight or something in the house breaks and without regard or thought, I take that out on my children (and James). I am having to take control my emotions, frustrations and hurt and not allow that to carry over to my family. It is only through much prayer and the Lord's help that I can do that at all.
Proverbs 12:18
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 10:24
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man (woman) down, but a kind word cheers him up.
I am really working on speaking life and not death through my words. I have such a long way to go.
Jack will continue to be Jack, full of energy and imagination and joy. Everything that GOD put in him and prayerfully, I will be a source of encouragement for him and speak LIFE to him not anger or frustration.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Taste Test Treats
We took the challenge. Scientifically, without bias, ensuring accurate results...the results are in.
But alas, we have a tie.
Yes...we rose to the occasion and tested which roasted marshmallow tasted the best.
We placed a vanilla marshmallow, chocolate marshmallow and a green-sugared peep on roasting sticks.
Slowly fired them up.
Roasted them to a nice golden brown.
And tasted them.
Caroline and Jack preferred the chocolate roasted marshmallows. James and I liked the regular vanilla flavored ones best. Peeps - not a vote in sight.
So there you have it! We're sending the results to Stay Puff Marshmallow Man this week! Try it for yourself and see what you think!
But alas, we have a tie.
Chocolate - 2 ~ Vanilla - 2 ~ Peeps - 0
Yes...we rose to the occasion and tested which roasted marshmallow tasted the best.
We placed a vanilla marshmallow, chocolate marshmallow and a green-sugared peep on roasting sticks.
Slowly fired them up.
Roasted them to a nice golden brown.
And tasted them.
Caroline and Jack preferred the chocolate roasted marshmallows. James and I liked the regular vanilla flavored ones best. Peeps - not a vote in sight.
So there you have it! We're sending the results to Stay Puff Marshmallow Man this week! Try it for yourself and see what you think!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Stone Mountain Photo Shoot
Being Spring Break it is always a wonderful time to get away with my kids. Although my home is in deperate need of a good scrub down, I wanted to enjoy the glorious weather we had today more. So what is a girl to do? Head outside of course. We were blessed to be able to get season passes to Stone Mountain Park for a fraction of the annual cost, so the kids and I decided to head there today to enjoy a few hours of fun. We had a great time. Not being one to have my camera far behind me, I loved getting some great pictures of my beautiful children. Here is the outcome of the photo shoot! (I think a couple of these will have to be printed and framed!)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Snow Day!!!!!
We very rarely get snow living here in the deep south, but oh the joy and excitement it brings when we do! We got about 2 1/2 - 3 inches yesterday and we had such fun! The snowflakes were the size of small feathers. Huge, wet flakes! Made for a great Sunday (and then we got Monday off from school as a snow day! Extra fun!!!!)
Fun catching snow flakes on your tongue! 
Making Snow Angels 
Making and throwing snowballs 
Making snowmen 
or snow cousins as Jack calls them. 
Fun Memories!!!! And the best part is that it only will last for a couple of days. Headed towards the upper 70s in a couple of days. Such is life in March in the South!
Fun Memories!!!! And the best part is that it only will last for a couple of days. Headed towards the upper 70s in a couple of days. Such is life in March in the South!Sunday, February 15, 2009
Dates! - Biggest Blessing 4
James and I each had a date this weekend with the kids. James and Caroline went out, and Jack and I also enjoyed a date. I love dates with the kids! It is so much fun and they seem to really enjoy it too. 
Caroline and I before we are taken out by two really awesome guys!
James and Caroline enjoyed a fun lunch at Moe's and then enjoyed shopping at five stores (although all they bought was the Fireproof movie DVD). They had fun hanging out and talking.
As this is my blog, I can really only talk about my date with Jack. We went to his favorite restaurant, Steak and Shake. Before we left, Jack said, "Mommy, can you please wear something pink on our date. You look so pretty when you wear pink." Where does he get this stuff? After I got dressed, he also had to pick out my jewelry, a bracelet with hearts on it (because it was a Valentine's Day date) and pink earrings. When we got to the restaurant he insisted on opening the doors and asking for a table for 2. He also had to order us a chocolate milkshake with a cherry on top and two straws. Someday he'll make an awesome date for some lucky lady!
We talked about the dinosaurs we had seen yesterday and then the conversation turned to the future. Interesting conversation with a five-year old to have. Jack told me he was going to marry Sarah Crouse when he became big. After they were married, he was going to pray and ask Jesus for babies in Sarah's tummy (his knowledge of how babies are made) and they were going to have three - one boy, named John and two girls, one named Sally, the other one named Maddie. (hope Sarah likes those names). He was going to be a vet when he grew up so he can have money in a wallet and pay for things. After Sarah has children, she will stay home with the babies for about 6 months. He said, she will probably hold the babies on her lap, while she gets online and puts pictures of the children on the blog. (no joke, he said this ~ guess he watches me a bit too much). He also said he will drive a blue mustang and Sarah will have a green Honda. Neither one will have lids they will be convertibles). All their children will have to sit in carseats and be buckled up each time they get in the car. Maddie's birthday is going to be October 6th. And for her 2nd birthday she is going to have a ballerina birthday cake. I'm not sure if I'm impressed he thought this all out in such detail or scared to death that he thought it out in such detail. It definitely lets me know he is watching everything we do. He said, his job at night will be to fix the glasses for the kids to drink and to do the dishes after dinner and pray with the kids and put them to bed. (just like what his daddy does each night). So I know he is taking it all in.
What a joy it was to spend time with my sweet boy, who gave me a glimpse that he is growing up far too fast. After lunch, we went to the Dollar Store and Jack bought a kite we enjoyed flying after lunch. Such fun! Even if it was a cheap kite that we had to throw away when we were through.
Love dates with our kids. Memories very much worth it! I look forward to the next one!
Everyone do the Dinosaur.....
Yesterday we spent the day at Fernbank National History Museum. Yesterday was the Grand Opening of their new exhibit on dinosaurs. We watched the new IMAX movie on Dinosaurs that was super cool and educational too! Here are some of our fun pictures!
Looking at dinosaur teeth and claws!
Jack comparing his hand to the dinosaur footprint!
Whose nose is bigger?
Caroline and Jack looking at some really neat dinosaur models
Next to the large Triceratops head
Looking at dinosaur teeth and claws! Watching how the T-Rex actually runs
Jack comparing his hand to the dinosaur footprint!Whose nose is bigger?Caroline and Jack looking at some really neat dinosaur models Caroline next to an amethyst Geode
Jack comparing the claw of a dinosaur to wear it goes on the T-Rex model.
Caroline, James and Jack after a fun day - pretty tired out! 
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