God’s Smile September 29, 2008

As I cleaned the kitchen yesterday, doing mundane tasks I do every day, I suddenly heard my kids calling me from the back yard.  I went out to join them and Kacey points to the sky and says, “Look Mom, a rainbow!”
Sure enough, there was a rainbow directly above our house.  Funny thing is, it wasn’t shaped like a typical rainbow – it was upside down and looked like a smile in the sky.
A sweet reminder that God is watching what I am doing and smiling down on me, even in the mundane, day-to-day stuff I do!
~kp

“Sssh! She’s coming!” September 27, 2008

I have 3 very playful little ones. Lately, they love to hide then jump out to “scare me.” Rarely is it ever a real scare, because they just aren’t too good at hiding! They giggle… Body parts can always be seen sticking out from whatever they are hiding behind… And inevitably they talk to each other loudly while waiting for their unsuspecting victim (me!) to come strolling down the hallway.

This morning as I was finishing my shower and about to exit the bathroom, I could hear much laughing from the other side of the door. “Sssh, she’s coming! Hide! Hide!” And they hid. When I opened the door, my two boys jumped out and yelled “surprise!” and I feigned extreme surprise and laughed along with them.

“Are we good hiders Mommie?” My Bennie asked.

I smiled and assured him that yes, he was a good hider.

It made me think – they really do think they are “hiding” from me, even though they are completely exposed most of the time. I know there are times I don’t want to admit the truth of a matter and actually try and “hide” a feeling, a thought, a bad attitude from God. I forget that just as I can so easily spot my little ones trying to hide out in the open; my heart, mind and soul are exposed to Him. He sees through the denial, the lies, the hurt and wants me to come out and run to Him.

Have a great day!
~kp

Dodge Ball September 20, 2008

This week is Taelyn’s first week in Karate.  He is very excited and cannot wait to go back.  On the first day of karate class, the kids played a new game, well, new to Taelyn anyway.  They played Dodge ball.  The idea; One person stands in the middle of the room and throws the ball at all the little ones running wildly around the room. Should one get hit with the ball, they are automatically out of the game.

Lately, I’ve found myself playing a game of spiritual dodge ball with the enemy.  Between start-ups, school, sports, ministry and just getting back into a routine again, I have had little time to sit still long enough to read my bible or pray.  My spiritual tank is running on empty.  While I am running wildly around the room, the enemy knows exactly where to throw the ball at me, so he can take me out of the game.

I wonder; Is anyone else going through a dodge ball season?

~dl

20 Years Later…. September 12, 2008

My 20 year High School reunion is this weekend.  I am sad to say that I won’t be able to make it… expensive flights, lots to do and three little ones to look after…  but as I think about 20 years ago and laugh hysterically at the pictures that old friends are posting on Facebook here are my thoughts…

10.  The o-zone was probably done-in single-handedly in the 80’s by the hundreds of cans of aerosol hairspray used to keep up our bangs.

9. Pictures of people stuffed into a phone booth are still funny, 20 years later.

8. Even though fashion styles circulate back through every so often…acid wash jeans should never make a re-appearance!

7. Leg warmers SHOULD!

6. Secretly I still like to bop around to the Bangles, Depeche Mode and, dare I say it, Janet Jackson.

5. I still don’t know all the words to “We Didn’t Start the Fire” even though I think I do.

4. 20 years later, even people that you didn’t hang out with can still become your “friends” thanks to facebook!  And they all look GREAT!

3. Things that break up the friendships of 16 year old girls can be easily forgotten.

2. When a whole school rallies for a cause, memories are made.

and the # 1 thing I have realized in reflecting on my 20 year H.S. reunion…

1. God was right there – even though I didn’t notice him at the time.

Peace.

~kp

Blessed To Be A Blessing September 1, 2008

Our sermon at church this week was all about paying our God given blessings forward.  If you become a hoarder of the blessings then there can not be a ripple effect.  I found myself nodding in agreement several times but also knowing that I myself have often been selfish with my blessings. Arriving home shortly afterwards I received the sad news we have been expecting for days now. Our dear friend and precious father figure, Ernie, has gone home to see Jesus.

I thought about Ernie in relation to the message I had just heard.  Here was a man who lived a modest life.  Financially not a rich man, but he gave out of the abundance of what “he” had.  Spiritually, he has been a rich blessing to my family.  He has displayed remarkable Godly character.  His wisdom served me in so many ways which ultimately served my family, my friends and my church.  He shared the grace (undeserved merit or favor)  God had given him with those who most of us would not be prepared to do so with.

Even before I knew Ernie he had already impacted my life.  I saw a husband who loved his wife, a father who loved his daughters, a grandfather who prayed for his grandchildren.  He was a role model for those of us who now need to step up and fill his place in serving our church.  In his humility he would likely say he had little to give, but when I think of those who preceded him in heaven I wonder if they would say; “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t shared what God had given him ~ the Good News.”

My thoughts concluded as I heard the song by Mercy Me “I Can Only Imagine.”  How timely and appropriate. Ernie is no longer wondering how he will behave when he sees Jesus.  He knows exactly what he’ll do.  Yesterday our Ernie received the ultimate reward and one that he can claim all to himself ~ Jesus.

Ernie, you will be greatly missed, but we are praising God today.  You were blessed to be a blessing. Thank-you God, for sharing Ernie with us.

We love you Ernie!

~dl