Saturday, May 19, 2012

They are weak but He is strong...

Happy Saturday!!
I find myself home alone....Yep alone on a Saturday.  Unheard of around here.  So I did what any respectful mother would do when she finds herself alone...I plopped down in the recliner (which I never get to sit in) and watched a movie.  Or I tried to watch it.  Half way through I stopped and decided to try a new recipe but it went too fast so then I had to clean the kitchen....and still no one home.  In the midst of all this silence I wanted to share my morning with you.  Lately, Terry and I have been described as "transparent".  We have laughed, not really knowing if this was a complement or what.  Is it good to share your weaknesses?  Is it good to share with the world your many faults?  Well good or bad, here I go again.  
This morning, as I stood in the kitchen making my family waffles...one.at.a.time...Terry and I had a moment of...um..intense disagreement...To say the least I was a little angry.  We did this,spat, in front of the kids.  Now, we do not argue much, really hardly ever, honestly.  So that made the whole scene rather comical to the children, which Terry seemed to enjoy WHICH only added heat to my anger.  In the midst of the battle I get a phone call from a dear out-of-town friend.  I did not answer it at first but then realize I can escape the kitchen if I announce I needed to call her back.  So I did.  Only to find out her and her precious family are in my driveway!!  Now I don't know how you live but as for me I was still in pajamas and my house needed more than a quick pick me up...but we all hurried outside to greet them.  As we talked, they revealed needing to meet with our Pastor and "would it be alright if he stopped by??"  Now?  Here? Now?  Sure!  Why not?  I mean we are transparent right!  A few minutes later in walks the Reverend, himself, I think tripping over a pair of shoes and a toy snake!  The Lord dearly loves keeping me humble.  After they left, the argument was forgotten and we went on with normal stuff.  Mowing, scrubbing, etc.  As I moved about my house I couldn't help but laugh at how God orchestrates events in our lives.  How very imperfect I am and yet He still involves Himself in my family's lives.  These thoughts led me to praying for God to give me wisdom as I parent a child about to turn 13.  YIKES!  Strength to keep up with a son who is in constant motion.  And more love for a little girl developing into a young lady.  Can I do it Lord?  What am I thinking, adopting??  Am I even raising these 3 right?  Then the mail ran....Grace-Ann leaps through the front door announcing we had an envelope from Show Hope.  We had been waiting on this letter for a really really long time.  (Show Hope is a organization started by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife to aid families in the adoption process)  We had applied for a grant several months ago.  Today of all days, the letter came.  I collapsed in a chair and the family gathered round.  Nervously I fumbled to open it and read the words "We are pleased to inform you that you have been awarded an adoption assistance grant..."  I cried.  I am still.  Just like that God intervened in my life again.  Why?  I don't know.  As I cried and kept crying Terry asked me what was making me cry so much.  My reply was this "We have no idea what we are doing and yet He gives us more"  How humbling.  How amazing.  We live in a world where the best get rewarded.  The prettiest get showcased.  The strongest, quickest, smartest get spotlighted.  And yet God says let me find the most inept people possible and bless them.  Love them.  Sing over them.  So that I may get all the glory.  Our weaknesses reveal our need for Him.  O how I need Him.  If it suits Him for His pleasure to continually remind me and those around me (including wonderful friends and my Pastor) that I am incompetent...then so be it.  For I have seen things never thought imaginable.  I have smelled Him in my home over the dirty dishes and the stained carpet.  I have felt His overwhelming, sweet presence be thick and real on a Saturday afternoon when I was home all alone.  So I will chase Him all the more.  As I type and cry at the same time I beckon you to chase Him too.  If you are discouraged, keep going.  If you are tired, collapse in His arms.  May you see your limits, weaknesses, setbacks as Christ setting the stage for His presence in your life.
Press on
Carrie

Friday, May 11, 2012

A quote for you superheroes..a.k.a THE MOM!

Zippa-Dee-Do-Dah  It's Friday and I have absolutely NO plans tomorrow!  Isn't that great?  I hope you have an equally exciting weekend as I do!

Our week was crammed full and I am so very pumped about having some downtime with my brood.  Also, with the anticipation of Mother's day this weekend I can feel myself already getting teary eyed.  Sunday night Terry and I get to share about our adoption journey and I can't help but find God's timing perfect...Mother's day.  Along with that thought here is a great quote I found from one of my heroes, Elisabeth Elliot

“Mothers are always on call, expected to have all the answers and limitless energies. They’re supposed to do everything; it’s taken for granted. How can you be and do everything expected of you? What you need is a habitual sense of the presence of God. Think that Almighty God, who created the stars and keeps the seasons revolving in perfect rhythm, is there in your kitchen, in your bathroom, in the laundry room, in the grocery store. Mothers, be prepared for an arduous struggle. Your calling is impossible without prayer, the comfort and instruction of the Scriptures and fellowship in your church.”

And this is a truth that carries over into any season of life, any job, any role that is required of us.  We can not expect success or blessing or greater power or more influence without His words and His people.  God bless you my sisters. I pray you would feel His presence about your most tedious task today.  May you have a wonderful weekend full of rest and refreshment, family and fun.  And some really good food too!
Press on
Carrie