Britt!

With a horrible headache, I dragged myself to Ellie's dance class. Knowing we had run out of milk, bread and fruit -- lunch packing essentials -- I drove my sluggish self over to Walmart to pick them up while she danced. Without a headache, I avoid Walmart. With a headache, it's on my list of things NOT to do! Since I wasn't near a grocery store, I ignored that list and opted for Walmart location convenience.

Of course, I ended up with the cart with a bum wheel. Thunka. Thunka. Thunka. I pushed that cart through the aisles, picking up the lunchtime necessities. Somehow, peppermint bark jumped into the basket. Really. I have no idea how it happened. *wink*

(Peppermint bark is my FAVORITE Christmas treat. Certainly, that little package just wanted to make me feel better. Right?)

I headed to the checkout, the Walmart experience I dread most. Grumpiness abounds in the Walmart checkout lines. Customers are rude. Some are down-right angry. Most of the time, store clerks are absent-minded, not interested in me, my groceries, or their job. Not that I blame them.... what a boring job. Swipe. Bag. Swipe. Bag. Cash or credit? Over and over. They stand on their feet for hours. AND they have to deal with each and every grumpy, angry customer who goes through the line.

Approaching the checkout area, I noticed that one lane was empty -- and open. The young lady working that register leaning on her counter talking to three teenagers beyond the next set of registers. I hesitated. Will she do her job? Or, will she keep yammering with the kids? That happens sometimes.

I decided to chance it.

As I placed the milk on the counter, she instantly turned her focus to me. "How are you?" Not thinking about social expectations, I replied, "I'm tired." Exhausted, really, but I didn't go that far.

Chipper, she asked, "Have you been Christmas shopping?"

"Yes."

She exclaimed, "I've met a lot of people who are tired today. It seems that Christmas shopping does that, but at least you're getting it done before Christmas Eve!"

My foggy, throbbing brain started firing. This isn't the typical Walmart experience. I honestly thought, "Pay attention, Karen. This is a special person." I pushed my focus to her instead of my headache.

She swiped the peppermint bark and placed it in a bag as she shared, "Oooooh, I love peppermint bark! Do you know you can make it yourself? It's so much better than this, and cheaper too." I looked directly into her face, and she animatedly explained how to make peppermint bark. She added that if I buy canisters from the dollar store, it makes a great gift. Cheap!

Everything bagged, I ran my credit card through the machine. It didn't read. GROAN! This frustrates me too. Usually, the churlish clerk barks at me to do it again. Not this girl. "Oh no. It didn't take your card the first time. Please swipe it again." As she smiled warmly.

I am in the presence of a human angel!

I swiped. Bubbly, she declared, "Oh good. It worked."

She handed me the receipt, looking directly at me with a warm smile spread across her face. "You have a great night."

Britt, I just did! Thanks.

Friendship!

After an incredible Thanksgiving weekend, my heart bubbles with things to say... but, it's all bubbling up together. You would not enjoy reading my thoughts! Well, maybe you'd laugh hard at my jabbering and marvel that I've managed to raise three kids without losing one along the way....

So, for now, I'll simply say, "Thank you, God, for the blessing of friendship!"

Who's your friendship blessing?

Detours by God

My senior year in college, the dean called me to his office. That was not typical and I was really nervous. He got straight to the point, "Karen, you need to go to law school." What??? I can honestly say becoming a lawyer NEVER had entered my mind before that moment. Inside, I laughed hysterically. To the dean, I said, "I don't know a thing about law school." He explained that I would have to take the LSAT and then apply to schools.

I had no money for gas to get to college. How would I pay for the LSAT? The dean had an answer for that too. Ohio State's Law School had a fund for financially needy students. He sent me to the law school.

That happened to be the last day to register. The receptionist handed me a form to complete. She disappeared into another room for a few moments, then returned to tell me I was registered. She handed me a tri-fold brochure that included a brief explanation of the test and question types. She told me where and when to report for the test. Easy!

And then... test day.

A mob of hopeful attorneys-to-be waited outside the test room. Some were taking the test for the third time, hoping for scores that would finally get them into law school. I remember thinking I had no business being there if they had taken study courses and still couldn't score well.

The proctor let us into the room and I sat down with pencils, pop tart and pepsi. Closing my eyes, I offered this prayer, "God, I have no idea what I'm doing here. If You want me to go to law school, You better show up big time." Like the Israelites who were cornered with the Egyptians in pursuit in Exodus 14, I had no place to turn. Either God showed up or I didn't go. That day, I lived out Moses' instruction in Exodus 14:14, "The Lord will fight for you. You need only be still." When we get to the end of ourselves, God shows up. We just need to be still and trust Him.

The test results came.

God showed up. With HIS help, I scored in the top 5% in the country. I was offered a full tuition scholarship to law school. God had a plan for my life -- something I never would have chosen for myself. Something I had never considered. How cool is that?

Maybe God has a plan for you that you don't even know about. Will you trust Him with your life?

Or maybe you know God has a better plan -- peace for your family, or contentment in your circumstances, or joy in living -- but you just don't "feel" it.

Trust me, I didn't "feel it" for law school, but God did. Won't you trust Him today? Just BE STILL. TRUST His plan. One day, you'll yourself like the Israelites, victorious. Then you can shout praises too.

And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD 

and put their trust in him...

Exodus 14:31

Treasured Time

Last year's tree. No tree yet this year!

Rob and I took a rare opportunity to sneak away yesterday and get some Christmas shopping done. We finished all our shopping for the extended family, including both grandmas' December birthdays.

Rather than hit the local mall, we opted to shop at the local shops in Chapel Hill, NC. What a treat it was to explore shops without having to remind a certain child to keep her hands to herself. Or to pause and feed two teen boys every fifteen minutes. We got to take our time! And think, without distraction!

When we got hungry, we stopped for a bite to eat.

On the way home, we decided to make a detour -- this time to the mall to find the elusive last gift. If we'd had the kids with us, we wouldn't have done that either... something about bedtimes and school day mornings.

I'm thankful today for the sweet break with Rob. I'm thankful for two responsible sons who got dinner on the table for the kids, read books with Ellie before bed, made sure she brushed her teeth and tucked her in. Treasured time away with Rob, even for an afternoon of shopping, might be the best gift anyone could ever give me!

Love,

Whose in charge here anyway?

I've been a Christian quite a long time, but I'm finally beginning to understand some things. For the longest time, I got frustrated that I attended church every week but my life never seemed to work right. I kept battling the same problems: fears of financial insecurity, angry outbursts, pessimism, and laziness. (Please don't ask my husband if that's all... I'm sure he could add to the list.)

Somewhere along the line, it finally hit me. Psalm 16:11 says, "You will show me the path of life; Your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore." God will show me the path of life. In God's presence is the fullness of joy. At God's right hand are pleasures forevermore. Without God by my side, that joy I crave just isn't coming.

I had thought accept Jesus and be happy. The end. Christian living, though, is Christian relationship with Jesus. Time spent reading the Bible (and discovering truths like Psalm 16:11), praying, and praising God leads to joy. It took a while for me to figure out how to do that. Here's what my faith looks like now... It's a lot more than going to church on Sunday.

Time reading the Bible:

• When I read, I go passage by passage so I can think about the words. 
• I use a study Bible. I have several, but I started with the Life Application Study Bible which explains the ancient text as it applies today. 
• I read cross-references. The side margin includes links from one verse to other verses in the Bible. Reading those links helps me understand the broader meaning of the verse.
• I keep a journal and write my thoughts and prayers as they are inspired by the scripture. I ask God to show me how to apply the scripture in my life.

Prayer:

• My prayer time is casual. I talk to Jesus just like I'd talk with you. No fancy words. He knows what I'm thinking about, my stresses, worries, ideas and joys. 
• I tell him about prayer concerns my friends share with me and I trust him to handle their problems. (I used to try to figure out the solution for them, but I realize, that's HIS job!)
• I pray throughout the day, too. When I walk the dog, I pray for neighbors, especially my kids' friends. I pray for our family as I cook dinner. I throw up a quick prayer, "Jesus hold my tongue." when I want to scream at the kids.... OR "Jesus, I'm sorry." after I scream at them!
• I pray with my husband and kids. It keeps us close.
• Perhaps the thing I've learned to do best is LISTEN!!! Prayer is a conversation with Jesus. Listening is essential to a good conversation. He speaks, though it's hard to explain. Just try it. You'll see!

Praise!

• Praising God for all the good He does is exhilarating. Truly!
• Traffic jam? Praise God that you have a car to get stuck in.
• Kids driving you crazy? Praise God that you have been blessed with children. So many people long for the arguments you must endure... they don't have kids.
• Sick of macaroni and cheese again? Praise God for the meal on your table. Much of the world is going hungry.
• Keeping the temperature set at 67 to keep utility costs down? Praise God for your sweater -- or sweatshirt.
• Sunny skies out your window? Rejoice that He has given you another day! (You can praise for rain too :D)
• Basically, God blesses us with so much. We get so caught up in our wants and desires that we miss out. Choose not to miss the little things He does for you each day. You'll be amazed at your blessings once you start looking for them!

Most of my life, I've been "in charge." Or I thought I was. Really, though, I was captive to my emotions, fears and worries. They dictated how I lived. It was not fun! Now, God is in charge. He is the center and He's doing a great job! The more I trust Him the easier it is to trust Him more. (Yes, you can reread that sentence. It DOES make sense!!!) 

Who's in charge of your life? Is it you? Your feelings? Fears? Emotions? Finances? Or is it God? 

If you happened to read yesterday's post, Paint your world happy, I hope this post helps you understand how this new relationship with Jesus works. It's also important that you do get involved in a church. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Accountability and encouragement from other Christians makes this all so much easier to understand. 

Paint your world happy

It's cloudy today, but it is very yellow! 

My husband is a saint! He painted our family room about two years ago and he is repainting it. WITHOUT grumping! Our front room is a soft yellow, absolutely beautiful, so we decided to paint the family room the same warm color. We did not consider the effect of sun! The family room gets a lot of sun, and our soft yellow glows brightly. It just doesn't work. So he's painting again, a gorgeous color called "Beach House Blue." Yep! I'm living at the "beach" year-round.

Our new beach house blue... not done yet.

This change to the house is no big deal. For the cost of a few gallons of paint and some muscle power by my dear husband, "we" can easily modify our home's appearance. Except for those forearm cramps, the process is painless and permanent... until I change my mind again. *wink*

How many of us try to do the same thing in our own lives? We update the wardrobe. We spend hundreds at the salon on hair, makeup, hands and toes. We give up on the hard work of exercise and invest instead in spanx (call it what you want, it's a girdle!).

How many times have you participated in the plastic smile conversation? Someone asks, "How are you?" The instant reply forced between clenched teeth, "Oh, fine. Just peachy." Plastic smile frozen on your face until you turn away and that broken heart trickles down your cheek in a silent tear.

We pretend that we can buy happiness with new clothes, a fresh face, and fake words. Pretenders.

The truth is, we can't make our lives look good with a simple update to our outward appearance. All the money in the world can't buy peace, joy or contentment. The harder we try to paint our world happy, the more we hurt. Proverbs 15:13 says, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."

We can't fix our lives with a fresh coat of paint. We can find joy, peace, love, contentment, patience and more when God fills our heart. If you don't know the God of these great gifts, He is already with you, waiting on you to invite Him in. He wants to fill you with his love. When you let Him in, you won't feel the same need to keep redoing yourself. This is the last paint job you'll ever need!

If you'd like to ask Jesus to fill your heart and become your personal Lord and Savior, it's as simple as ABC:
A. Admit you are a sinner who needs God.
B. Believe that Jesus lived, died and rose again for your sins.
C. Confess Jesus as Lord of your life.

You can pray right now and invite Him into your heart:
Dear God, I admit I am a sinner who needs you. Please forgive me of my sins and give me a life with you here on earth and eternal life with you in heaven. I do believe that Jesus died and rose again for my sins. I confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus' name, Amen

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations! And welcome to the family. Please visit a church and get plugged in with the people there. God doesn't want you to do this alone! Also, check out gotandem.com for more resources as you take this journey with Jesus. And please let me know too! I'd be honored to pray with you and for you as you get the best makeover ever!

Enjoy your new heart!

Love,

1237 Miles, 58 Hours

A goofy moment during his senior photo session 

Last Thursday, Nathan and I left on a whirlwind road trip to Samford University for his piano audition. He's already been accepted to the university, and we'll find out soon if he's accepted into the School of the Arts. Then, we wait some more to learn if he is accepted into the honors college. AND a little longer to learn about scholarships. Applying to music school is NOT for the faint of heart!

This particular road trip, traveling 1237 miles in 58 hours, meant we spent most of our time in the car. We talked about so many different things: Did you and dad have a "song" when you were dating? (No.) Do you think Joe Pa should have been fired? (Yes, No, Maybe? I need more info.)

Being a mom, I noticed some other things... and reminisced a bit as well.

Shortly after we left, Nathan fell asleep in the seat beside me. Some copilot! I remembered the four month old baby he once was. For some reason, one short ride home from the grandparents' house, he decided he'd had enough of carseats! He screamed and screamed. Puzzled, and worried, we pulled off the road trying to figure out what was wrong. I remember crying the rest of the trip home, so worried for my baby.

Fast forward two years to our move two hours south to Delaware, Ohio. Rob had to stay behind and finish his medical residency, but Nathan and I moved when our house became available. We left late in the evening, figuring he'd sleep on the drive. No way! Even though we set out about 10:00 p.m., Nathan jabbered away in his carseat, waved to every trucker and sang at the top of his lungs. Arriving at the new house, I unpacked his pack-n-play and my air mattress and set us up for the night. Wearily, I tucked him in and collapsed into my bed. He jabbered more. And more and more. Finally, I told him he could talk all night if he wanted, but I was going to sleep!

Moving to North Carolina a few years later, we made many trips between Ohio and NC while we waited for the house to sell. Nathan knew how to entertain us on those drives. He read books to his little brother and helped me keep him fed. We played hilarious games like "roller coaster," where he'd pretend the West Virginia mountain highway was a roller coaster and would lean left or right as we "flew" down the hills. He'd even say clackety-clack as we chugged uphill. Ben followed his lead and then they'd crack up.

How funny to see my man-boy all these years later, closing his eyes in slumber on a drive. I won't soon forget, perhaps never, our "skittles challenge," guessing the flavor of each skittle before eating it in the dark. I know every time I look at the moon hanging low and heavy on the horizon that I'll watch for it to float high and shrink away in the sky and remember a silly conversation (I'd share it here, but I'm sure it will be lost in translation). I'm confident that I'll spend the rest of my life avoiding the reflectors that separate the lanes on long drives.

We got home late Saturday night. Before Nathan headed off to bed, he wrapped me in a big man-boy hug and said, "Thanks for a fun trip, Mom." All I could think was, "No. Thank you." 

Joe Pa

http://www.getfootballhelmets.com/college-football.html?psps_search=Penn+State+Nittany+Lions+Helmet

Last Saturday the Ohio State football game was not televised in our area. My sons, eternal optimists, declared that if Penn State loses to us and one other team, we make it to the Big Ten Championship game. Yippee! All the talk about Penn State's season led to an interesting conversation about Joe Pa. One son asked why the Penn State fans like him so much. Both sons predicted that when he finally retires, they will undoubtedly name the stadium after him... what a legacy.

And then...

The scandal broke. You can read about it here if you want more information. And Joe Pa was fired. In the midst of his 46th season as head football coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions. The stadium will not be named after him. There will be no final game played with tearful emotion. The players, school and students don't get to send their coach off to retirement with flair.

In one moment, Joe Pa's long tenure ends. Sadly.

James 4:17 says, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." I doubt that the university trustees cited the Bible when they fired Joe Paterno, but this verse does summarize his downfall. He could have spoken up. He didn't. He's gone.

Yet, his legacy lives on. This tragedy teaches us all how fragile our lives, careers, plans really are. How we choose to live matters. Taking our position -- in the family, at work, in the community -- for granted, can land us in a tough situation.

Let's learn from Joe Pa. Choose today to love your family more. Listen to God's nudging -- and make moral decisions, even if they are difficult. Think of others before yourself -- put yourself in their shoes and make the right choice.

Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put devious lips far from you. Let your eyes look directly ahead, And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet, And all your ways will be established. Do not turn to the right nor to the left; 

Turn your foot from evil.

Proverbs 4:23-27

Joe Pa, my prayers are with you as you adjust to your new life. My prayers are with each player, student and child affected by this horrible situation. May God bring healing in the midst of this pain. And may we all grow wiser as we learn from your mistakes. Please God, fill our hearts with integrity.

Color my world

http://www.falboart.com/Originals/originals.htm

When Ben was little, he COULD NOT learn his colors. No matter what. He understood blue, as in the color of denim. But he didn't think our navy blue couch was blue. He'd argue the point until he cried.

That. Is. Not. Blue.

The same held true for green, red, yellow. You name it. He couldn't do it.

He is not color-blind. If anything, he's the opposite of color-blind. Ben sees colors brilliantly. Each subtle hue stands out in a way I can't even begin to imagine.

Driving home today, we crested a hill. Before us, autumn glimmered. Off to the right, a hill of trees, dressed in red, green, orange, brown and yellow stood proud and glorious. Ben noticed, "Oh my gosh. Look at that." He babbled on, confidently exclaiming that the hill of trees was definitely the best view in the whole state of North Carolina. He declared, "Just think if you built a house right in the middle of that field. Every day, you could wake up to that view. That would be awesome!"

I was driving, paying attention to the twisty-turny back roads of Johnston County, NC. Maybe that's why I didn't see what he did. Sure the hill was pretty. But, it looked like fall trees to me. Some red. Some green. A little yellow, brown and orange. Not the glorious display he saw.

He's like that, though.

Yesterday, he asked the eye doctor why one of his glasses lenses is green and the other is red. When she shared that after his exam, I wasn't surprised. I'm getting used to Ben's vision, but I had no idea that the lenses were anything but clear! The eye doctor WAS surprised! She stated that he is correct and the different lens color is simply the scratch resistant coating done by two different companies. Wow! He can see it. She said she has never had a patient notice that before.

To Ben, the colors of this world are vibrant and rich. I wish I could see it the way he does, even for a day. He sees something I'll never experience "this side of heaven." Really, can you imagine how glorious heaven must be?

Just read this, from Revelation 21:15-21.
The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

Simply glorious!

Eloquent Ellie

No surprise that our little diva likes sparkle words!

Ellie's teacher is helping the kids grasp the concept of "sparkle" words, mostly adjectives that occur before the word they describe. Eloquent Ellie loves sparkle words! She joyously interrupts a quiet conversation when she recognizes these dazzling darlings! As we read her books, she frequently interrupts herself when she discovers a hidden gem in the story.

Sometimes, though, her quiet soul quivers when she can't think of a wonderful word to interject in her school sentences.... as you can see, I have no such ignominious issue!

To help my effervescent Ellie perfect her new skill, we are memorizing Psalm 145 together. Just read this precious words...

I will exalt you, my God the King; 

   I will praise your name for ever and ever. 

² Every day I will praise you 

   and extol your name for ever and ever.

 ³ Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; 

   his greatness no one can fathom. 

⁴ One generation commends your works to another; 

   they tell of your mighty acts. 

⁵ They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— 

   and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

⁶ They tell of the power of your awesome works— 

   and I will proclaim your great deeds. 

⁷ They celebrate your abundant goodness 

   and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

I doubt that King David's first grade teacher taught sparkle words, but I'm confident that with all his soul, he understood the glorious richness these words add. And he used them to praise the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, God, his Savior and Redeemer!

How about us? Does God hear us sing his deserved praises? Or does he just hear our pitiful moans?

Something to think about!

May your day be richly blessed with the love of your Heavenly Father who adores you!

Thursdays are satan's playground

My sweet friends,
Thursdays are NOT my favorite day of the week. If I were to rank the days, Thursday would probably get last place. Monday would follow close behind. It's not that I have anything against Thursday. No hangups about Nordic gods (We get Thursday from the Nordic god Thor, god of thunder. Did you think it was Greek or Latin?).

Thursday evenings we have connect group. At our church, in-home Bible study or small groups, are called connect groups. They provide an opportunity to connect with other church members -- and of course, with God -- on a deeper level as we fellowship and study together. I love connect group! I adore the people in our group...

But satan... that old devil...

He doesn't! He hates connect group night. He hates the idea of us growing stronger in our faith. He despises the relationships developing as we meet, relationships God clearly values in Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." We pray. We encourage. We laugh. And sometimes, we cry. Satan hates it!

Every Thursday, he tries to knock us down. Seriously! Last week, I was super-grumpy... If they gave out super-hero capes for grumps, I would have gotten one. A couple weeks ago, I was sick. Before that, my husband was home sick. No joke! Today, you wonder? What could possibly go wrong today? The sun is shining (of course, you're not looking out the windows with me this fine, sunny day... trust me. It's gorgeous out there!!!)

One of my children, who shall remain nameless, woke up grumpy. Oh how I want to snap back, "Don't yell at me." Yep! "Go to your room." "Scrub the walls, ceiling to floor!" (Not for any other reason to create misery in this child's life).

But I won't.

I know satan "comes only to steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10) I'm wise to his ways. He wants to mess with my family and throw us into chaos. Anything to keep us from growing wiser and stronger! He wants me unfocused tonight.

He doesn't think I'll remember the second half of John 10:10, that glorious BUT. (Perhaps my favorite BUT in the entire Bible!) BUT Jesus has come "that we may have life and have it to the full!"

Satan can try to bully my Thursdays, but he's not going to win. Jesus has my back! He'll stand up to the enemy anytime, anywhere.

You know what? If the enemy is bullying you today, Jesus has your back too. In Jesus' name, tell that old bully to hit the road. And then, go enjoy a pumpkin spice latte with your best friend, Jesus!

Blessings,

Rescued... Not exactly.

Ellie's been with us 6.5+ years now, and God is still teaching me lessons I never knew I needed to know. For some reason, the topic of her "rescue" has come up frequently in recent conversations. Going through the adoption process, we heard that all the time, "How sweet that you are going to rescue that precious baby." Or, "She is going to be so thankful that you rescued her from that horrible orphanage." You know, stuff like that. The questions of late have been more along the lines of "What made you decide to rescue a little one anyway?"

First of all, we never decided to rescue her. We were called to bring her home into our family, the missing fifth link. I had trouble wrapping my head around that -- it took me a long time to agree with God to expand our family. But, it wasn't a rescue. It was a blessing. We always saw it that way.

What's the difference, you might ask. Either way, she's here. You brought her out of the orphanage and into your family... yada yada yada.

I disagree. The difference is the key.

Perceiving Ellie's adoption as a rescue suggests some great heroics on our part. It puts the focus on us. We. Are. Not. Heroes. Rescue, the verb, is defined as "to free or deliver from confinement, violence, danger or evil." Granted, growing up in an orphanage is probably not ideal, and to be free from that environment is probably (hopefully) something Ellie will one day appreciate, but we didn't rescue her.

Ellie's rescuer is God. He orchestrated her adoption into our family. He provided the resources and funding. He sustained us all through the crazy preschool/therapy years. He has a remarkable and amazing plan for her life that somehow includes us. We obeyed.

And were blessed.

Abundantly.

To be called her parents. 

To see this smile every day.

To make pig tails.

To dance.

To play.

Blessing, the verb, means to bestow good upon. Most definitely, God has blessed us with our daughter's love. The joy she brings is immeasurable.

We are definitely not rescuers. God rescued us all. And He blesses, abundantly.

Don't you agree?

Doubt

We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us;

we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.

C. S. Lewis

I want obedient kids, without the effort of discipline. I want to fit in my "skinny jeans" without giving up chocolate. Or how about this one: letting go of past hurts to walk in freedom. 

I justify. I rationalize. I twist God's word to fit my circumstances. We can't imagine how forgiving someone who deserves to be hated could possibly be the best for us. Do you know what I mean?

C. S. Lewis possessed the incredible ability to clearly say what we all think.

We know that God has a "good, pleasing and perfect will" for our lives. (Romans 12:2) We want it. God, give me all that good and pleasing stuff your word promises. And give it to me now!

Yet, we seem unwilling to grab the first part of the verse so firmly, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. THEN you will be able to test and approve what God's will is..." (same verse, emphasis mine)

We want everything good now. We don't want to work for it. We certainly don't take time to ask God if the things we want are good, pleasing and perfect. We decide, in our own minds, what that might be and expect God to bless it.

When they don't turn out, we get mad. We blame God. We wonder how He could possibly have forgotten us. Poor God. We ignore him and listen to our feelings to determine what's good. Then, when it doesn't work out, he gets blamed. Unfair! And unbiblical!

You know what I mean?

God doesn't want us to cram him into our lives. He wants us to follow HIS plan for our lives: His good, pleasing and perfect plan. Our fears hold us back. We can't imagine that doing things God's way could possibly be better. We see pain, honesty, vulnerability and run.

Let's look at forgiveness God's way. He says let go of the past. (2 Corinthians 5:17) He says to forgive others, no matter how much they wrong us. (Matt. 18:21-23) But, we can't imagine anything filling the hole that leaves behind. We can't fathom that God could replace the hurt with anything. So we wallow in the pain. We hold on tight, clutching to hurt like a friend. 

Yet, there is no hurt in letting go. God replaces it with peace, hope, fullness, and freedom. Yes, freedom. Jesus wants to carry that pain and get it off our backs. (Galatians 5:1)

C. S. Lewis understood. Our minds fill with doubts. We convince ourselves that God will allow new pain to come in and we hold on to the familiar. 

The holiday season is quickly approaching. Let's transform our minds in Christ and give ourselves (and our family members) a most precious gift: forgiveness.