Valentine Glitter Love

Today is Shelby's last Valentine party at school. Well, I am assuming it is. Something tells me her middle school won't have Valentine, er, Friendship parties.
She went all out with the stickers and the washi tape and the foam hearts, glitter, pink font....all of it. She made the Valentine box to end all Valentine boxes.
I'm always amazed at her heart and the hugeness of it. The same girl who spewed wrath at me this morning when I suggested she wear a red dress to school ("I'm not fancy like you! I don't have to be fancy all the time!") is the same girl who made this because she "wants her friends to feel her love through the glitter." She's also the same girl who was very concerned about the boy in her class with diabetes and that maybe "Valentines Day is not sensitive to those with diabetes."
She loves so deeply and cares for others. She prays for kids at school with few friends and often leaves the crowd to comfort the lonely.
I wish I could say she gets it from me but really, we all know I'm not that nice. No, this is one of those attributes I have to give total credit to God for. She knows she is loved by her Savior and she can't even help herself sometimes. That love just oozes out, glittery and foam heart covered, to all the people around her. Okay, maybe not all the people. Apparently her brother and I are really hard to love but fortunately, I get that. Even though I didn't have a brother, I was 11 once. It was a long time ago but I remember how I felt about my mom then and it certainly wasn't glittery.
This is one of those blessings of parenting - seeing the good and the bad and the glittery and the not-so-glittery in your kids - and loving them all the while. I suppose this is one more way God shows me his goodness and reminds me that even though I am not always glittery, I'm still his Valentine.

Baking and Prayer

I did some praying this morning. Actually, I did a lot of praying. I sometimes do my best praying when I am baking. It's such an easy analogy that every time I pull out ingredients to make a delectable treat I am compelled to talk it through with God.
I made a chocolate buttermilk pound cake. It's not done or I would show you a picture. I love making pound cakes and I'm always looking for new versions to try. There is something so predictable and comforting about a pound cake. Even though the flavors and ingredients may vary, the pound cake is a sturdy, firm, delicious cake. It's not fancy or frilly. It's just sweet enough without being too sweet. It's right.
I don't make pound cakes for myself any more because, well, diabetes. But I do make them for special occasions when I know I will have opportunity to share. It's kind of becoming a thing.
The funny thing about baking is that any one of the ingredients on it's own is nothing special. A few cups of flour, some eggs, a dash of vanilla...they're all lovely and serve a purpose but no one sits down to enjoy flour. The potential of the cake comes from the combination of all the ingredients.
This morning when I pulled all of the supplies out on the counter and lined them up (you can't see the butter but I promise you there were sticks) I couldn't help but think of all the things on my mind that I wanted to talk to God about. Not one of the things alone was anything dramatic or earth shaking, yet they were all a piece of my week, month, year, life that make up who He is creating me to be.
"Thank you, God, for my husband and kids."
"I need you help in the mothering department, God."
"I could use some strength in the wife area, Lord."
"Jesus, could you take away my craving for carbs?"
All of the pieces of who God is making me to be. Not frilly or dramatic but totally worth sharing with the world. I want to be sturdy and firm in my faith and a sweet reminder of my creator. And a good baker. I'd like that as well.

Women's Life Seminar

I've been asked to be a part of a very special day at our church. It's a day designed for women who need to breathe. It's for women who need to slow down. It's for women who need to slow down and hear a fresh word from God. So, you know, all women.
I'm really excited that God spoke to the leaders/organizers of this event and urged them to reach out to all women in this way. There will be sessions on nutrition, fitness, essential oils, fashion, and so much more. I'm going to be speaking on simplifying family life. You can choose three sessions to sit it on and have a nice lunch. It's totally for you...You the Mom, You the Wife, You the Grandma, You the Daughter, You the Teacher, You the Pharmacist, You the Baker... You in all the hats you wear.
It's a Saturday, so it may mean shuffling your schedule a bit. It might mean that someone else takes over carpool for soccer that day or that the laundry doesn't get folded until the evening. You are worth it though. God loves you and would love for you to take a few hours to slow down and possibly hear a word from him.
Want to sign up? You can do it here.
I'm praying for you already. I am trusting that the day will be a blessing for all of us.

Because He Lives

I don't remember the first time I heard the Bill Gaither song "Because He Lives" but it's always been in the soundtrack of my spiritual life. We sang it frequently in my church growing up and, if I close my eyes and take a breath, I can still see our Director of Music, Earl, swaying his arms this way and that to the rhythm.

I remember my mom playing it on the piano at home. Her piano playing was rough and she read very little music. She pounded out chords by ear and hymns from our Baptist Hymnal were her favorites. She struggled to sing and play at the same time so sometimes she would stop and just belt out, "I know-oh-oh He holds my future. Life is worth the living just because He lives!"

My memories of my mom's funeral are hit or miss. I remember only flashes of moments and I guess that's okay. I remember a few of the people that spoke and the funny stories they told. I remember Chuck holding my hand ever so tightly through the entire service. We'd only dated a few months and it was a lot to ask of a nineteen-year-old but he held me up that day emotionally and physically. I remember my pastor reminding us all that suicide does not equal eternal damnation (even though there were many in the crowd who had already told me they believed that to be true). And I remember Iretta Stephens bellowing the words to "Because He Lives" through her tears; her voice declaring the power of the cross amidst the greatest grief most of us had ever faced.

I left that church (and that town) so many years ago but every time I hear "Because He Lives" I am transported back to some of the most beautiful and horrific memories of my life.
A few days ago I was driving home from work in my truck and had the radio on. My thoughts were racing through the schedule of the week - the lists, the to-do's, and the what's nexts. I was really only halfway paying attention to the songs that were playing, let alone the lyrics. Apparently my subconscious was though because as I turned onto the side road that leads to my house tears started streaming. They were streaming in a way that demanded I pull over. Matt Maher was singing, "Because He Lives" in a new and magnificent format. Have you heard it? (Hear it here.)

"I'm alive! I'm alive! Because He lives!"

I've gone through a lot in my life. Many times I've brushed it off as if it's no big deal because I know I'm not the only one to know suffering. I've also had amazing greatness. I've swept a lot of that under the rug as well. But to say it's all nothing - either the good or the bad - is to negate the power of Christ that has brought me to the other side.

"Let my song join the one that never ends!"

I have been a victim and I have victimized. I have been sinned against and I have sinned. I have been sick and I have celebrated health. But because He lives I can face tomorrow. He holds my life and my future in His hands.Everything good in my life is because of what Christ has done for me. His death and resurrection make all the good possible. He has allowed me to walk through darkness so that I can rejoice in His light. I cry out so often because the rain lasts so long but it's because I have tasted the Son and my heart yearns to revel in His warmth.

"I'm alive! I'm alive! Because He lives!"

Eleven Year Old Girls Are Fun

Yesterday was the last day of break and my kids were tired of looking at my face. Don't say it isn't so. I could see it in their eyes. Luckily for them, they both were invited to go somewhere besides our house with someone who wasn't me. It all worked out.
The hilarity that is an eleven year old girl though...I don't even know what to do with her. It was a cold morning. Cold for Houston. And extra cold for my Texas babies who don't understand Northern Cold. It was cold.
My son came downstairs dressed as if he was ready for a blizzard. I sent him up to take a few layers off. My daughter came down in cute little sweatpants and a short sleeved tee.
Me - "Sweetie it's cold out. You may want to consider a different outfit."
Her - Blank face
Me - "Do you hear me? You may want to think about some other clothing."
Her - Blank face
Me - "I'm just saying that while what you have on is cute, it might not be warm enough."
Her - (On the verge of tears) "I don't even know what you mean!"
Me - (Sighing) "Okay, calm down. I'm suggesting that what you have on might not keep you warm enough today, especially if you go outside. You should change."
She stormed up the stairs and into her room.
Me - (15 minutes later) "Are you ready? It's time to leave."
She walks out in same shirt but has changed sweats to capri leggings.
Me - "When I suggested that it was cold outside and that you should change clothes, I meant into something that would keep you warm. Not something that would protect you less. Please go to your room and put on long pants, long sleeve shirt, socks, shoes, and a coat. Be back down here in five minutes."
Her - (Running back to her room) "I don't know why you love Seth more than me!!!"

Right.
Parenting.
This was one of those moments that caused a flashback of my mom saying, "I hope you one day have a daughter who is even half the trouble you are!"

Mission accomplished, Mom.

Technology Goal

Our Christmas vacation has been marred a bit by technology. On Monday, Chuck bought a wifi extender. It was supposed to be no big deal they said. It was supposed to be an easy installation they said. It would allow every room of our house receive strong, fast signals they said. Hmmm. Technology is not always everything it's cracked up to be.
Santa brought the kids Disney's Infinity 2.0 with all the Marvel Avengers. It would've been awesome had our Play Station 3 not needed an update and Play Station hadn't been hacked. The update took hours. Hours are more manageable for an adult than for 9 and 11 year old kids.
This morning, over breakfast, my daughter said, "I wonder what Bible times would've been like if everyone had laptops and smart phones. Do you think people like Paul would've been able to talk to more people about Jesus? Like maybe he could have just texted his friends to come over to grill some burgers and talk about Jesus."
Hmmm. As I cleaned up the kitchen I couldn't help but think about that possibility. The Nativity? Selfies of Mary and Baby Jesus? Joseph taking Instagram photos with soft vignettes and hashtags #blessedbabymomma #sonofgod ?
I shook that one off.
Sermon on the Mount live streaming? Fishes and loaves miracle on YouTube? Pentecost via Skype?
Technology has changed our lives for the better in so many areas but we rely so heavily on it that the slightest glitch seem to render us practically useless. Shelby's question made me think about Paul, and all the others on mission in the bible, and how good they were at being present. They loved the ones they could while they could where they could.
One of my goals for 2015 is to be more present. To put my phone down, close the laptop cover, and look into the eyes of those around me. I want to show love where it's needed and receive love when it's given. To make the best of technology when I can but not be ruled by it. What are some of your goals for next year?

The Time Came

It's been one of those mornings. The kind where there's too many tasks and not enough minutes. Everyone needed to be somewhere, doing something, and everyone needed my full attention. It's Christmas Break and everyone is full of cheer and ready to go.
I'm still working though. Christmas Eve is kind of a big deal when you work for the church so there's still planning to do and tasks to tackle.
I'm also working my Wildtree business. It's a business but also a ministry. I want to help people find peace in their kitchen and be better prepared for healthy family meals. I fully realize the irony here, folks. I'm stressed over helping people de-stress.
There's laundry to fold and dogs to be walked and groceries to be shopped. I've got lists all over the counter and my phone is chiming reminders every five minutes.
Stop!
That's the word I heard in the middle of a pity party I was planning in my head.
Stop!
Okay, God. What do I do?
I went into my bedroom to sit in my rocker. I opened my Celebrate Recovery Bible because, frankly, I needed the Word of God to come packaged with recovery. I shut my eyes and held it for a minute, just trying to find my center.
God? I can't find my center.
Stop!
I opened to Luke 2. It was the only passage I could think of in the moment...I'm sure because of all the Christmas planning as of late. I read. Slowly. I read.
Suddenly a phrase practically jumped off the page. I phrase I've read a thousand times before...
the time came.
Mary and Joseph had traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in the census. Mary was with child. The Child. And while they were there...
the time came.
The time. The time that all creation had been waiting for. The time that the eternal clock had been ticking towards. The time. Jesus.
He was God's promise fulfilled in a tiny baby. He was the All-in-All. He was The Everlasting. He was Time. It was His Time.
Suddenly my time seemed insignificant. My tasks and my lists and my alarms could all be on hold for a bit. Jesus has come. I could sit in that peace for a minute. That's where I'd find my center.
My time had come. The time for me to get over myself. The time for me to remember that Christmas is about the amazing gift of Jesus and the salvation that he gives. The time had come to be still and know His Peace.
My lists and tasks were still waiting on me when I came out of the room. I still had family waiting on me. Nothing about my day had changed. I had changed. I didn't need to be frazzled and chaotic. I didn't need to huff and stomp. I found my center and it is Jesus.