Friends

Our 8 year old kitty is becoming quite finicky and particular in her old age.

She likes to be with people on her own terms. She runs and hides whenever anyone new is around. She knows what she wants and when she wants it.

We figured that she would be hiding for days when we brought our new little guy home. She considers herself queen of the house.

In fact, I often say, "She thinks that this is her home and she just lets us live here." We just weren't sure how happy she was going to be with it all.

We have been amazed. From the start she has appeared to love our little guy. She does not run and hide. She has even been seen approaching him to interact.She is gentle with him. She lets him touch and pet her, even when she is sleeping. She plays with him. They are getting along better than we ever imagined in our wildest dreams.
Friends...??

What do you think?

Granola Bar Prayers

The Plan

Last week I was grocery shopping with my two youngest children. I had my list. My mission and goal were clear. I was to get what I needed and complete this task before either one of the children became tired of the outing.

Granola Bars

Our list took us to the granola bar aisle. There were two men re-stocking the shelves. I overheard their conversation. I did not mean to listen in. I was not intentionally eavesdropping. I was not in search of a diversion. I had no intentions of entering the discussion.Perhaps it was the words "verse" and "Bible" that snapped my attention from my list and my mission to their discussion. I heard the one say to the other, "That quote is a verse from the Bible." My thoughts and heart were immediately alert and engaged.

The Conversation

I heard that same man ask, "Do you know what that verse is implying?" The second man simply replied "No". The response from the first man came, "To follow the way of the world is easy, but to follow the way of God is hard."

I couldn't help it! My heart was stirred. I assessed the situation and realized that one co-worker was sharing his faith with the other as they were stocking shelves. I wanted to give encouragement and affirmation of the words I had just heard.

Becoming Involved

I looked at the men as I put the granola bars into my cart, smiled and said, "Hey, I appreciate the conversation you are having. I'm right there with you." They returned the smiles and I walked away.

A few moments later I realized I didn't get the number of granola bars that were on my list. I returned to pick up my one more box and only one of the men remained.
He recognized me from our previous encounter. He looked at me and said, "If you think of it, would you pray for me? My name is Mark."

"Is there something specific I can pray about for you Mark?" I asked. He replied, "My marriage."

That was it. That was all I needed. I did not require details. God knew. I did not ask for additional information. It was not mine to have.

I assured him I would pray. I immediately wrote his name and his request on my list so I wouldn't forget. He saw me write it. He thanked me. We left.

Blessings Gained

Will I ever see him again here on earth? I doubt it. Does that mean our encounter was for nothing? No.

I already recognize blessings that have happened from this experience.

* I was able affirm the man boldly sharing his faith.

* I was able to encourage the man seeking by agreeing to pray for him.

* I was able to use it as a teaching moment with my daughter. We talked about caring for others. We talked about not being ashamed or afraid to say that we believe in God. We talked about the power of prayer. We talked about a God that sees, knows and hears all things.

As we drove away from the store, we talked to our God about a man named Mark. We prayed for him as a family that night in our family devotions.

He has come to mind often since that encounter. When he does, I say a prayer for him. I say a prayer for his wife. I say a prayer for their marriage. I say a prayer for his co-worker that is sharing personally with him.I am quite sure that every time I eat a granola bar for some time to come, I will be reminded to pray for a man named Mark.

I Wonder

How often have I missed opportunities such as this? When I do, is it because I am in a hurry? Am I embarrassed? Am I concerned about what others might think?

Have you ever found common ground in your faith with complete strangers? What did you do?

Today, It Happened

Today
I saw the sun shining. I saw green grass. I saw a robin hopping in a tree. I saw buds emerging on branches.


Today
I recognized the smell of moist soil. I noticed it intermingled with the sweet, aromatic scent of flowers preparing to sprout and bloom.

Today
I felt the warm sunshine on my face. I enjoyed the refreshing cool breeze. I heard the rippling of our seasonal stream.

Today, It happened.

Today
I experienced the first convincing glimpses of spring.


What signs of spring are you experiencing?

Memories in Baby Food

The baby food I am serving our little guy this week brings back so many memories. There is nothing different or out of the ordinary in the food itself. Sweet potatoes, pears, carrots, peaches.... the food remains the same and the containers remain the same. Yet, this week there are so many memories, thoughts and love intertwined within them.

Memories
Good memories. Warm memories. Fun memories. Loving memories.

You may remember me sharing about the friend we lost so quickly to cancer. I had forgotten, until just this last week, how quickly and drastically life had really changed for her.

At church this last Sunday we were given a gift. A gift that means so very much. A gift that I am treasuring and enjoying this week so very personally.

The Gift

We were given an assortment of baby food.

In the process of some of her last days, our friend was only able to eat baby food. The husband of our friend brought what was left to church and gave it to us for our new little guy.

My heart was touched that he thought of us. My heart was blessed that he would take the time to gather it, bag it and bring it.

She would have loved our new little guy. Serving him the food from this bag seems to knit them together in my heart somehow. This gift of baby food was a precious gift indeed!

Memories In Baby Food

The baby food I am serving our little guy this week brings back so many memories. There is nothing different or out of the ordinary in the food itself. Sweet potatoes, pears, carrots, peaches.... the food remains the same and the containers remain the same. Yet, this week there are so many memories, thoughts and love intertwined within them.

They belonged to a friend and carry with them memories... of a friend.

Even More News

Granted, the news I am about to share does not compare to the news I shared a few weeks ago. However, it is news. It is exciting news as far as I'm concerned.

I have been invited to be a contributing writer at The Homeschool Post. I am humbled and honored to have been asked. Considering we are in our first full year of homeschooling, I don't feel that I have expert advice or information to give.

What I can offer is all I am learning in the process. I can share the things that work and don't work as we learn to navigate this world of homeschooling. Today was my introduction post.

Whether you are a homeschooler, interested in homeschooling, or just plain curious about homeschoolers... head on over and check it out.

Faith Defined

"Faith is not believing in my own unshakable belief. Faith is believing an unshakable God when everything in me trembles and quakes."

--Beth Moore in "Praying God's Word"

Statement and Reports

Statement of the week, maybe the month, and perhaps even the year. Said by my daughter:

"Mom, now I have two brothers just like you. We should adopt two girls and then I would also have two sisters and really be just like you."

Needless to say I didn't have much of a response except for a nervous giggle and a muttered, "Now that would be something!"

For the record:

I received my first baby initiated kiss this weekend... open mouthed slobber and all. It was worth every wet piece of it.

My morning report for today:

Three children and myself up, fed, dressed and out the door by 8 this morning with my hubby already gone for work. Two kids to school, groceries and a load of laundry already done. Signs of hope that the new schedule with a baby in the house is finally coming together!

Permission Granted

Perhaps you will know exactly what I am talking about. Maybe you even experience it yourself.

Expectations

I tend to have certain expectations placed on me... by me. I have noticed that I seem to hold myself to quite a high standard. It's probably the first born perfectionist coming out in me.

I have assessed my situation and don't seem to hold or expect others to deliver the same that I expect from myself.

Expectations

Yesterday, I allowed myself to relax a bit. I gave myself some grace.

* I did nothing with my hair. I just put it up and let it fall as it may throughout the day.

* I did not wear any makeup, of any kind... all day.

* I called a friend and asked for help. My son was at their house. When it was time to go pick him up the baby was napping. I called and asked to come late as to allow the baby some sleep. She, instead, offered to bring my son home while their family was running errands. I let them.

* While waiting I quickly made some brownies. When they arrived I invited the family of 5 into my home to enjoy warm brownies as a small token of my appreciation.

* My home was not clean. The floors needed to be swept. The furniture was under a layer of dust. The bathroom remained an untidy mess from quick morning preparations. Dishes were in the sink. Still, we enjoyed warm brownies together...

* I accepted another offer of help. I told my MIL I would consider her offer to watch the three children later this week for a couple of hours so I could get some work done for my job instead of needing to take more vacation time.

* I apologized to my family as I once again offered leftovers and frozen entrees as dinner in my efforts to find a new schedule and way to work out the details of life.

In all of these instances, I inwardly cringed knowing this would not meet the normal expectations I had for myself.

I find my plate of life is full and overflowing right now. I could have accomplished each one of these tasks to meet my expectations, but then that would have added piles of stress to my already overflowing plate. Was it worth it?

I considered my options. I sought to be real, to extend mercy, to alter my expectations...to myself.

Permission Granted

What about your day? Is there an expectation you are holding for yourself today that will only add stress and chaos? Maybe it's time to do as I did and extend a bit of grace... to yourself!

Tomorrow will be a new day to once again tackle what is before you. If you discover what I have... then somehow... tomorrow will be filled with an extra bit of peace and energy all because you granted permission today.