Talking Smack

This morning in one of the devotions I read, the key verse was as follows:

"The king of Israel answered, 'Tell him: "One who puts on his armor should not boast like the one who takes it off.'"      1 Kings 20:11

These words were spoken by Ahab to Beh-Hadad's messenger.  I have to tell you, I have read this passage many times before and have never really stopped to think about what Ahab was actially saying.  (I really love that the Bible is like that.  You can read it 1000 times, but always learn something new.)  What Ahab is implying here is that sometimes we need to keep our mouths shut until we have reached the accomplishment.

Here, the devotion author was referring to New Year's resolutions.  Some people really need to keep their resolution to themselves and let their actions speak louder than their words.  So often when people make the resolutions, they end up failing.  In my opinion, that is what is expected in today's society concerning resolutions.  They don't seem to really mean an entire year- just the effort.  Sad.

Even more sad?   My first thought when I read the verse was talking smack.  Yep, I love football season (or sports in general), but I hate the rival smack talk.  I even avoid Facebook when there are certain teams playing.  Around here there is a HUGE rivalry between South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers.  I loath this game every year.  I have seen so many relationships torn apart because of the nasty words spoken all because of a passion over a football team.  In all honesty, there are only a few people that can ever get away with smack talk.  It's the ones that are just not THAT into whether their team wins or loses.  The ones that are truly ok with whatever outcome.

Just what if- those people that are so passionate about their sports team were equally as passionate about their faith?  Because, not only have I seen relationships hurt because of smack talk, I have also seen many so called Christians that all but ruined their witness for Christ due to their words and actions.

Just what if we all (quietly) made the resolution to deepen our walk and faith in Christ,  but was only accountable to the Lord?  Each day, leaning on Him to tell us what we need to do and if what we have done needs a little work to make it right?  Let's face it- we can't put on the mask of "I have it all together" for him.  

I just wonder what kind of impact it would have on our relationships, families, or communities. 

"ART CLASS"

  How do you keep bored, busy hands busy?

Tell them that daddy is coming home

and use the energy

to have an impromtu

homeschool style, give-mommy-a-break-already

ART CLASS!!

That's just the way I roll....



Christmas 2010

Now that I have had time to sit and breathe,  I was able to go through some of the pictures I snapped over Christmas.  I didn't get very many.  I am the one who loves to take pictures, but gets caught up in the action and forgets to pick up the camera.

Christmas Eve was at our house this year with my family-

   All of the grandkids (minus my too-cool-for-the-camera teenage nephew). 

                                 The kids were so excited!!

He thought is was funny at the time.  We'll see how he feels about it when he is older and it shows up at "just the right time."   hee hee

                          Watch out for this one- she is a live wire!

This cutie patootie got a wonderful gift from my mother.  This doll set was my mother's as a child!  My sweet mother made a new bassinet cover and canopy which included buttons from my great grandmother!  My grandmother made some new outfits for the doll as well.  Five generations of love all wrapped up for a cherished Christmas surprise!

We were blessed that my parents were able to spend the night and have Christmas morning with us!!

These kiddos were all ready to see what Santa left for them under the tree!!

Thankfully, we were able to get this picture of all of us.  It was a Christmas miracle indeed.  I didn't even get Christmas cards out this year.  Sad, I know.  But that's just how life happens sometimes.  See below.

This is the typical mayhem I have to put up with to get a picture out of my monkeys.   This was taken at my in-laws Christmas afternoon.

This little one was all too excited that her stack of gifts was bigger than she!!Luckily, the big one on the bottom was not as big as I thought it was going to be!

All in all, Christmas was just wonderful!  We were able to finish our Advent story "Jotham's Journey" on Christmas morning, which was a wonderful way to keep the kids focused on the real meaning of the season. 

Too bad we have to go back to reality tomorrow.  Here's hoping we get the best of our busyness and not the other way around!

A New Year

Well, here we are in another New Year!  From my family to yours, we wish you much joy, happiness, and peace for the days to come!!

Here in the real world of chaos (where I reside),  we rang in the New Year with another family sleep over with some dear friends!   Big Daddy is with my friend's hubby in Wisconson, so we all spent the night together and stayed up to ring in 2011!  We had so much fun- ate too much and laughed. ALOT.

While I don't usually make a true "resolution" for each new year, I do look at the new beginning as a chance to make improvements.  Not all at once of course, as there are way too many for that.  I will pray and let the Lord guide me to what needs to be done and when.

Although my first goal, if you will, for 1-1-11 is too get my children back to a schedule- starting with bed times and wake times.  We have been going to bed 11pm or later and sleeping until 10am or later.  Monday is really going to bite- hard.  Today we are laying low, playing outside until we are exhausted, and hopefully going to bed at a decent time. 

If you have set a resolution for 2011-  I wish you all the strength and best wishes that you will succeed!!!

Isaiah 9:6   "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

I hope your Christmas is filled with the joy that only comes from knowing the One who is the true meaning of this season- Jesus.

From my family to yours- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Bah Humbug

*Consider yourself warned: This post is not full of the Christmas Spirit*

Okay, with that out of the way,  I am most certainly not in the mood for anything Christmas!  While I did manage to get decorations done (as many as I am going to do),  I have no desire to shop for gifts.  For some reason,  it is this time of the year that people seem to lose all sense of common sense and courtesy.  This is not only for the general public.  This also applies to our home.  I have been really battling the "its all about me attitude"  from everyone of our children, and needless to say, its contagious.  I have found that in my desire and labor to battle this, I have bitten by the same attitude.  (Contrary to what you may think- I am not Supermom)  I have been asking myself questions like these:

"Why should I keep doing this when nobody even cares or is thankful?"
"Why should I even buy anyone a Christmas gift?  They don't deserve it!"
"Why do I even speak when I am in this house if nobody listens?"

Do you hear the problem with each of those questions?  They contain a whole lot of "I".   Just this morning I was talking to my mother on the phone (complaning- sorry mom), when I realized what I had allowed happen in this family.  Instead of leading by example, I allowed myself to be consumed in sinful attitudes.  The big kicker came when I heard the Lord wisper, "you didn't deserve what I did for you, ya know".  Ouch.  So, I am currently under renovations in my heart, attitude, and daily commitment to the Lord.  Here is the prayer that I offered up in laying it all at his feet:

Dear Lord,
     I am about to lose my senses.  You know this already, of course, but I am bringing this to you as a plea for your help.  I am truly losing it!

• My sense of sight-  I am losing the ability to keep my eyes on you in the midst of worldly attitudes and self-centeredness.  Instead of keeping my focus on you, I find myself allowing the contagious sinful attitudes to seep in.
• My sense of hearing-  I have allowed the worldly noise prevent me from hearing your voice telling which way to go and what to believe.    (Isaiah 30:21)
• My sense of touch-  Lord, I haven't felt your presence and love surrounding, comforting, and protecting me and my family.  I know its our own fault, but I miss the warmth of your unconditional love, unending joy, and unspeakable grace that only you can provide.
• My sense of smell-  I have lost the aroma of your Holy Spirit filling my heart so that it overflows with you.  Please allow me to clean up, clean out and make room for my heart to overflow with goodness and mercy.
• My sense of taste-  I want to taste the sweetness of your love and words roll off my tongue, instead of the bitterness that has been present lately.
• My sense of balance-  The biggest of them all, my life is out of balance.  If it weren't, I wouldn't be here losing all other senses.  I have allowed myself to put my time with you each day to the side and let busyness take over. 

I am ashamed that I have let things get this far.  I am blessed beyond all measure of human understanding, yet I have taken it all for granted.  I just ask that whatever each day holds, that you will uphold me with your mighty  hand and protect me from caving to the ways of the world.  Allow my children to be influenced not by my failures, but my ability to trust in you, Lord, to overcome.  Please forgive me.  Your humble daughter,

the view from where I sit

My favorite part of these cold nights??

Ahhhhh.  A crackling warm fire, the glow of lights on the mantle, and snuggled up with Big Daddy (or at least somewhat close).