My honeymoon with sleep is over. I must remember my blessings. I had a really good week of sleep. Can I be grateful about that? Or will I only focus on the fact that my last night of good sleep was about four days ago. I can't even remember when, because my mind is so cloudy. I had been able to get up with the Hubs at 5:30am and happily iron his work clothes and start my day. I wouldn't even think about coffee. Now, it's 6:55am, if I don't get up NOW, my kids are going to be late to school. I can't stop thinking about how I just wish my Hubs would come back from work with something venti from Starbucks for me, then watch the kids while I got about three more hours of sleep, which is about the time is seems to take for the caffeine to kick in. Yes, my friends, this is another Rest in Christ day. It's very difficult to rest in Christ when all you can think of is resting in BED. Did I mention my fibromyalgia and arthritic hips flare up when I don't sleep? God give me strength.
When I don't sleep...
I need to fight my negativity: Christ died for my ungratefulness.
I need to fight my irritability: Christ died for my self righteousness.
I need to fight the urge to yell at my kids: Christ died for my anger/fits of rage.
I need to fight the urge to crawl back into bed and pretend the world doesn't exist: Christ died for my self centeredness.
How do I fight these? Let me count the ways...Christ. Yep, ONE way. Christ fought for me: I rest in Him. Christ obeyed for me: I rest in Him. Christ suffered for my sake: I rest in him. Christ, Christ, Christ.
And until I find God's strength kicking in, I'll keep my big mouth shut, and get up and do the next thing necessary to get my kids to school.
R.I.C.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
That's So Annoying!
Just a quick note on what I've been thinking about lately before I put on my teacher hat.
It seems to me, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, that self-righteousness is the father of annoyance.
Someone's behavior might annoy you because you think so much of yourself that you can't tolerate being treated in such a way.
Someone's weaknesses, or sins, may irritate you because you have "grown past" those common sense issues.
A car cutting in front of you ticks you off because where you are going and your comfort level in getting there are more important than whoever is driving the other car.
Another parent's whining, bratty child upsets you because you would never let your child behave like that.
Am I wrong? I think not. But I am open to discussion.
Without Christ, we are all wretched. We are all blackhearted, ugly people. In Christ, we are humbled. We know we are the "chief of sinners". Why would a condemned, then pardoned criminal be annoyed with a criminal who has not yet been showed mercy and pardon? We were both condemned with the same crime. Murdering the Christ. Or, another thought, why would a condemned, then pardoned criminal be annoyed with a fellow pardoned criminal? Are we not both rightly condemned? Are we not both at the mercy of the Judge? Are we not both pardoned by the works of another most righteous Sacrificial Lamb? The self-righteousness that leads us to annoyance, is the same that led the Lamb to the Alter.
R.I.C.
It seems to me, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, that self-righteousness is the father of annoyance.
Someone's behavior might annoy you because you think so much of yourself that you can't tolerate being treated in such a way.
Someone's weaknesses, or sins, may irritate you because you have "grown past" those common sense issues.
A car cutting in front of you ticks you off because where you are going and your comfort level in getting there are more important than whoever is driving the other car.
Another parent's whining, bratty child upsets you because you would never let your child behave like that.
Am I wrong? I think not. But I am open to discussion.
Without Christ, we are all wretched. We are all blackhearted, ugly people. In Christ, we are humbled. We know we are the "chief of sinners". Why would a condemned, then pardoned criminal be annoyed with a criminal who has not yet been showed mercy and pardon? We were both condemned with the same crime. Murdering the Christ. Or, another thought, why would a condemned, then pardoned criminal be annoyed with a fellow pardoned criminal? Are we not both rightly condemned? Are we not both at the mercy of the Judge? Are we not both pardoned by the works of another most righteous Sacrificial Lamb? The self-righteousness that leads us to annoyance, is the same that led the Lamb to the Alter.
R.I.C.
Monday, October 10, 2011
"Feeling Good"
Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
blossom in the trees you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
So, this is the song that's been in my head this morning. The Muse cover is best ;)
Yesterday was a good day. Went to bed with a migraine though. Hubs put the kids to bed and let me sack out. Some of you who know me well, know that I am an insomniac who tends towards nightmares. Since I was a teenager I've had trouble consistently sleeping well, and peacefully. The last week though, has been good. It's been a good month since I've had what I'd classify as a nightmare. And the last six nights of sleep have been really good. Praise to God! It's amazing what a few days of good sleep can do to one's outlook on life. This morning I actually feel like being up early and reading God's Word. I can't remember that last time that's happened. I rarely feel like reading God's Word. I know that to many people that makes me a lesser Christian, but it is what it is and I'm not going to pretend. I've *had* to read the Bible since I've been homeschooling Mr. White Chocolate (my 8 yr old), because we're going verse by verse through John chapter 1. And I'm always glad I've read, when I have done it. But this morning I am feeling blessed. When God gives you the desire for His Word, do you know it's a God given desire? God's gift to you as His Child. In our flesh, we will never desire for His Words of life and truth. Reading the Bible is often seen as a litmus test for spirituality. It's wrong-headed to see it like that. That can breed self-righteousness in one who reads and despair in one who's is too broken to read. Real people are broken. And something like lack of sleep for prolonged periods of time, or living with chronic pain, can break someone. Obviously, the closer you are to God, the more you will yearn for His message to you, given in the Bible. But I think instead, we should simply look at God's Word as our daily bread, thank Him for giving it to us, and enjoy it as He allows us, and thank Him for giving us the gift of desiring it.
Thank you Lord, for peaceful sleep, for your Word, and for showing your love for me by giving me a desire for the Words of truth. Amen.
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin' on by you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
blossom in the trees you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know
Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me
Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And you know how I feel
It's a new dawn
It's a new day
It's a new life
For me
And I'm feeling good
So, this is the song that's been in my head this morning. The Muse cover is best ;)
Yesterday was a good day. Went to bed with a migraine though. Hubs put the kids to bed and let me sack out. Some of you who know me well, know that I am an insomniac who tends towards nightmares. Since I was a teenager I've had trouble consistently sleeping well, and peacefully. The last week though, has been good. It's been a good month since I've had what I'd classify as a nightmare. And the last six nights of sleep have been really good. Praise to God! It's amazing what a few days of good sleep can do to one's outlook on life. This morning I actually feel like being up early and reading God's Word. I can't remember that last time that's happened. I rarely feel like reading God's Word. I know that to many people that makes me a lesser Christian, but it is what it is and I'm not going to pretend. I've *had* to read the Bible since I've been homeschooling Mr. White Chocolate (my 8 yr old), because we're going verse by verse through John chapter 1. And I'm always glad I've read, when I have done it. But this morning I am feeling blessed. When God gives you the desire for His Word, do you know it's a God given desire? God's gift to you as His Child. In our flesh, we will never desire for His Words of life and truth. Reading the Bible is often seen as a litmus test for spirituality. It's wrong-headed to see it like that. That can breed self-righteousness in one who reads and despair in one who's is too broken to read. Real people are broken. And something like lack of sleep for prolonged periods of time, or living with chronic pain, can break someone. Obviously, the closer you are to God, the more you will yearn for His message to you, given in the Bible. But I think instead, we should simply look at God's Word as our daily bread, thank Him for giving it to us, and enjoy it as He allows us, and thank Him for giving us the gift of desiring it.
Thank you Lord, for peaceful sleep, for your Word, and for showing your love for me by giving me a desire for the Words of truth. Amen.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
My Coffee is Cold
This morning is one of those, Rest in Christ, types of mornings. Started out well, then misunderstanding and frustration ensued. Followed by whining and tattling. A well timed apology interrupted the tattling and eased my frustration, but tattling continued. Disobedience, distractions, and lost jackets came next.
Does anyone else have these mornings? Don't you just *love* how it colors the rest of the day black. I tend to be a negative person and need to remember to stop...and start my day all over again. I think I'll start by quarantining my kids from each other so they stop spreading around their bad attitudes (which they learned from me), whining, (which I do when I can't get their obedience), disobedience (which I do every moment of every day with my Heavenly Father).
I'll separate them from each other to bring peace in the house just long enough for me to fix my hypocritical attitude. I can reheat my coffee, but I can't take back hurtful words. Time to rest. Breathe. Trust God to do the parenting of my kids when I'm too weak.
R.I.C.
Does anyone else have these mornings? Don't you just *love* how it colors the rest of the day black. I tend to be a negative person and need to remember to stop...and start my day all over again. I think I'll start by quarantining my kids from each other so they stop spreading around their bad attitudes (which they learned from me), whining, (which I do when I can't get their obedience), disobedience (which I do every moment of every day with my Heavenly Father).
I'll separate them from each other to bring peace in the house just long enough for me to fix my hypocritical attitude. I can reheat my coffee, but I can't take back hurtful words. Time to rest. Breathe. Trust God to do the parenting of my kids when I'm too weak.
R.I.C.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sheee's Baaaack!
Hi Friends,
It's been awhile. A word of disclosure before we begin...again. There will be no facades here. I am a real person, with real kids, a real husband, a real house, a real life. I do not make my kids' clothes, I'm happy if the dirty ones they're wearing don't look visibly stained. I do not make my own bread, I defrost store bought bread in the microwave, throw some peanut butter on it and toss it in my kids' backpacks two minutes before we have to rush out the door. I do not plan elaborate at home date nights with my hubs, I just try not to ruin his evening with complaining out loud when he gets home. I do not usually have a clean house, but I invite people over now and then to give myself the kick in the butt I need to get up and clean. I fight with the husband I adore with my whole heart...I yell at the kids I would sacrifice anything for...I think negative thoughts about the laundry piling up that proves God has provided for us.
A few years ago, I had my life together. If you had followed my blog then, you would have seen a very different woman. I was likeable, self confident. Self sufficient. Self reliant...self righteous. Today, I am broken by my sinfulness, and healing by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So, this blog is somewhere I hope broken people feel welcome. Feel welcome to subscribe. Feel welcome to comment. I like a friendly debate, so feel welcome to differ with me on anything.
So, for now, God bless-I mean this sincerely, it's not a tagline for me-and rest in the Gospel of Christ.
It's been awhile. A word of disclosure before we begin...again. There will be no facades here. I am a real person, with real kids, a real husband, a real house, a real life. I do not make my kids' clothes, I'm happy if the dirty ones they're wearing don't look visibly stained. I do not make my own bread, I defrost store bought bread in the microwave, throw some peanut butter on it and toss it in my kids' backpacks two minutes before we have to rush out the door. I do not plan elaborate at home date nights with my hubs, I just try not to ruin his evening with complaining out loud when he gets home. I do not usually have a clean house, but I invite people over now and then to give myself the kick in the butt I need to get up and clean. I fight with the husband I adore with my whole heart...I yell at the kids I would sacrifice anything for...I think negative thoughts about the laundry piling up that proves God has provided for us.
A few years ago, I had my life together. If you had followed my blog then, you would have seen a very different woman. I was likeable, self confident. Self sufficient. Self reliant...self righteous. Today, I am broken by my sinfulness, and healing by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So, this blog is somewhere I hope broken people feel welcome. Feel welcome to subscribe. Feel welcome to comment. I like a friendly debate, so feel welcome to differ with me on anything.
So, for now, God bless-I mean this sincerely, it's not a tagline for me-and rest in the Gospel of Christ.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Sweet Praise from a Two Year Old
I have been at my wits end with a certain precious little princess. I had Emmie (3yrs in Jan) 90% potty trained and suddenly she just decided not to be the toilet's friend anymore. She started relieving herself all over the house. Literally. This went on for about two weeks and finally, back into diapers she went. I was so discouraged. All that hard work of getting her to that 90%, and now, we're back at square one.
If that wasn't enough, for about two more weeks, she started taking her diaper off and putting her pants back on. I continued stepping in wet, peed-on carpet, and smelling those oh-so-distinct smells,wherever I went, not knowing Emmie wasn't wearing the diapers I had been putting on her.
Yesterday I talked with a well-trusted friend about it. She told me that I should try cold showers. So, yesterday evening, I had a talk with my little princess. I told her in no uncertain terms that she was a big girl now and that when she peed in diapers, or anywhere other than the toilet that the pee would dry on her butt and she would stink. So she would need a shower to wash all that smelly pee off. Also, now that she is so big, it takes too many wipes to clean her up after she poops in her diaper. She would need to clean up in the shower.
She took a shower last night =) And another first thing this morning. She has been clean and dry ever since! I know this may not be the end of it, BUT, she has been taking herself to the potty all day long, even pooping on the potty! Usually she would have had 5 or so "accidents" by now.
So, she just got done pooping on the toilet before I sat down to write this. She said "Do I get 5 skittles now?" This was her previous reward. I said, "Sweetie, we don't have any Skittles, but I'll tell Daddy what a great job you did and maybe he'll get you something special."
She said, "OH! Good job Mom! You're perfeck (perfect=), you're so, so, so, so, smart!"
If that wasn't enough, for about two more weeks, she started taking her diaper off and putting her pants back on. I continued stepping in wet, peed-on carpet, and smelling those oh-so-distinct smells,wherever I went, not knowing Emmie wasn't wearing the diapers I had been putting on her.
Yesterday I talked with a well-trusted friend about it. She told me that I should try cold showers. So, yesterday evening, I had a talk with my little princess. I told her in no uncertain terms that she was a big girl now and that when she peed in diapers, or anywhere other than the toilet that the pee would dry on her butt and she would stink. So she would need a shower to wash all that smelly pee off. Also, now that she is so big, it takes too many wipes to clean her up after she poops in her diaper. She would need to clean up in the shower.
She took a shower last night =) And another first thing this morning. She has been clean and dry ever since! I know this may not be the end of it, BUT, she has been taking herself to the potty all day long, even pooping on the potty! Usually she would have had 5 or so "accidents" by now.
So, she just got done pooping on the toilet before I sat down to write this. She said "Do I get 5 skittles now?" This was her previous reward. I said, "Sweetie, we don't have any Skittles, but I'll tell Daddy what a great job you did and maybe he'll get you something special."
She said, "OH! Good job Mom! You're perfeck (perfect=), you're so, so, so, so, smart!"
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