In the Quiet

There is such peacefulness to the house in the early morning. In those moments where the girls are still asleep, my mind can function in ways I had almost lost hope for. I experience a calm that almost seems unfathomable in mothering young children. I never know whether I should be utilizing this time to exercise, rest, read or write. All I know is that it is in the quiet that my soul is refreshed and renewed.

The quiet today has allowed me to spend time in communication with God, have some conversation with my husband and remember the significance of September 11th. Quiet is difficult to find in today’s world. It almost requires intentional scheduling to experience it in my day.

It is in this quiet, however, that I grow. It is often in the quiet that God grabs a hold of my heart. When there is quiet, I can organize my thoughts, identify my fears, realize my dreams and acknowledge my hope. Morning is my time for quiet; my time to meet God; my time to remember; my time to dream; my time for me. I love the early morning.

Chris Rice has the song “Smellin’ Coffee” that identifies so much with my heart in the morning as well.

Last thing I remember sayin’ bye to yesterday
Glad to see it over, pullin’ covers over my head
But what were You doin’ while I dreamt the night away
‘Cause I can tell that somethin’s different and
My eyes ain’t even open yet

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

I remember readin’ You’re the God who never sleeps
And while I’ve been dreamin’ You’ve been singin’ over me, yeah
Singin’ about my freedom, wakin’ me up to hear Your song
Now I can’t dance hard enough
‘Cause yesterday is gone, gone, gone!

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

Every little breath, every heartbeat
Is a gift of love that You give to me
You keep givin’ even when I’m asleep
‘Cause I know You never stop watchin’ over me
I wake up, my past is gone
‘Cause Your mercy’s new with the mornin’ sun
I’m forgiven, I’m free, it’s a brand new day
‘Cause Your faithfulness is the greatest, hey!

I’m smellin’ coffee, birds are singin’ just outside
Here comes Your mercy streamin’ in with the morning light
My heart is racin’, wakin’ up to Your smile
It’s a good mornin’, good mornin’

Have you taken some time to find quiet lately?

Are there ways that you intentionally schedule some quiet into your day?

Bulk Up?

This qoute was in the Weight Watchers Magazine I read the other day:

"Japanese sumo wrestlers maintain their bulk with late-night eating sessions."

That is certainly a picture to keep in mind when I grab for food mindlessly after the kids are in bed.

Help!

My 2-year-old does a great job of asking for help. While playing with a baby doll, rather than screaming in frustration, she walks over to me and asks, “Help Please Hat?” While I put the hat on her baby doll, I commended her on what a great job she does using her words to ask for help.

A friend of mine sent out an e-mail recently asking for help. Helping her two little boys welcome a new baby sister and brother (twins) into the family has left her feeling a little out of her comfort zone. It is commendable that she was willing to reach out and ask for help from her friends. I, for one, am grateful that she let me know how I could help specifically. Without her request, I probably would not make the time in my schedule to just stop by and know exactly what I could do to help. I’d almost feel as though I were intruding.

This morning I was finding myself irritated as both little girls wanted to help make breakfast. I could feel the tension rising in my body and knew I was about to respond in a not-so-positive fashion. I prayed a prayer asking God to help me keep some perspective.

Sometimes we need to ask for help because we simply don’t know what else to do. While we ask for help, it allows us to grow in our relationships. We are able to interact, give and take, and bond in ways we haven’t before.

I wonder what it would do for my relationship with God if I would simply stop to ask for help a little more often. In those moments where I feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, how would I benefit if I turned to God for some assistance? What give and take would I experience that would help me to grow closer in this relationship?

“Is anyone crying for help? GOD is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find GOD right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.” – Psalm 34:17-18 (The Message)

Tomorrow

I'm learning that I like to procrastinate. I think it may be because I pile on too many commitments and I become overwhelmed. Once I am overwhelmed, I don't even really know where to begin... so I don't.

We hosted a birthday party to celebrate my mother-in-law's 70th this Sunday. On Friday, I sat and did nothing. Nothing that related to this bash with about 50 people we were having over, that is. I played around on the computer and washed some laundry and organized some toys - all things that had no bearing on the party. No grocery shopping. No food preparation. No decorating. Nada. Zilch.

Saturday I surprisingly got through the day without yelling at everybody. (My mom was gracious enough to take the kids for a bit so we could get things done.) My goal was to be in bed by midnight. When the clock started ticking away, I could feel the stress level rising. It was my own fault. I had put off to tomorrow what I should have done today. The stress was created because I thought I was going to have to stay home from church to prepare for the party. I didn't want to do that.

I am so glad that I didn't miss church on Sunday. There is something about that community that can revive my soul. I often find myself nodding in agreement with the message presented. This week I was on the brink of tears as my heart connected with what my pastor was saying. We had friends in church who are moving to Texas and I would have kicked myself if I missed that moment to say "goodbye". Church does the body good. I feel my heart, soul and mind refreshed simply because I took about an hour out of my morning to set aside.

It's good to remember that when we set aside time for God, we don't regret it. Not to mention it is usually time for me. I am the one who benefits. I'm the one in need of the relationship with God and the relationships with others. Everything was ready by the time the party started and we had a rewarding day of rest yesterday.

God is reminding me in many different ways that life is good. I need to learn to choose my attitude. I need to learn that tomorrow will be there tomorrow. The past cannot be changed - so don't wallow in it. This moment is where the focus needs to be. For now, that means making some oatmeal for my daughter.

Life is good. The hope of eternal life makes this life so much better.

Andelise is 2!

Two years ago today, Andelise entered our world. These days, you will find her climbing on the sofas (or anything else she can get a foothold on), jumping all over anything with a little bounce (or she makes her own bounce) and even doing somersaults throughout the house. The other day, she even decided to stand in our sandtable (which prompted my mom and sister to gift her with a sandbox for her birthday). Thankfully, she does not climb out of her crib, and I am still able to count on its confines.

I love to watch Ande carry her blanket around in her mouth like a puppy dog. She is still quite attached to her sippy cup which she often requests “more juice” from and laughs an anticipatory nervous “Do I really get to have it?” laugh as I fill it up with 98% water and 2% juice. Still, if I only give her the water, she knows the difference and asks to have her cup opened for juice.

While she was willing to use the potty chair at 18-months, I’m certain I am going to have a battle on my hands when I decide to really buckle down with potty training in the near future. Currently, when I ask if she wants to use the potty chair, she responds with “NO potty chair!” and I explain how she is going to have to use the potty chair and be a big girl like her sisters. Her request then is “candy too?” Maybe there is some hope with bribery involved.

Andelise is our naturalist. She loves to wear as little as possible, enjoys being outside, and seems to appreciate God’s creation as she points out every bird and bug in the yard. The bugs are not appreciated quite as much as she has learned from her sisters to squeal about them but often she simply tells them to “shoo”.

Our little girl is not a shy one and seems attracted to danger. While I am exhausted with the energy this little one has, she brings great joy to our household with all of her antics. She is nonstop from the time she wakes up until the time she lays down again but she usually welcomes sleep which is a relief for me.

Ande likes to get her sisters and her cousins to play ring-around-the-rosy as well as dance around to any music that she hears. We can often catch her singing the tune of Jesus Loves Me which melts our hearts. It amazes me how music can almost always calm her down when she is upset, too.

She has changed Nikelle’s name to “Nell” and likes to boss everyone around. Jaycie’s name is often yelled as Andelise makes her demands. Although, there are moments you can capture them interacting nicely and actually enjoying one another’s company. Our youngest is excited to see anyone walk in the door and greets them with a huge Andelise smile that brightens up the room.

Andelise knows what she wants and doesn’t hesitate to declare it. Rod tells the story in his birthday letter to her about our trip back from Minnesota around Easter where she saw we had chips in the van. She cried, “Chip. Chip. Chiiiip!!” as though she was crawling through a desert looking for water. That is a great description of the moment and often the way she makes demands. It makes one feel guilty for not giving in to her.

We are learning to cherish these toddler moments as they are almost behind us. As she is in a hurry to grow up, we are content just watching her grow, remembering that we only have these moments for a season.

Andelise, you may have been born during a dark moment in our lives, but we are grateful for the ways you have forever brightened them. We thank God for lending you to us and pray you grow up to know Him personally and intimately. We love you!