Don't Be Such a Cynic

Dictionary.com defines a cynic as:
a person who shows or expresses a bitterly or sneeringly cynical attitude.

As of late, I have realized I was a cynic. Oh yes I would mentally judge and question those moms who had to have organic, had to have gluten-free, and those who disliked processed food. Thinking and wondering how food choices could really alter all that much. 

Now I am a believer. Yep. A few months ago, we were assigned a nutritionalist to help guide us through Aspergers and the effects of healthy eating. It has been life changing for my son...and the rest of us too! All this happened after his blood test, where we were given a list of food intolerances. We began weaning off those foods and it has been AAAMAZING! 

I now have foodie conversations with many moms and share my experience of the change we have seen. Something as simple as food. A few different choices here, cutting back on this, beginning to eat that, and our life has been on a new path. One where my son's behavior looks drastically different and my heart realizes how judgmental and cynical I was until in their shoes. 

God reminded me that just because I am not following in their foodie footsteps, it doesn't make them wrong. Just different. As a mom, there are so many choices to make. Food is just one of them. Don't judge other moms if they feed their kiddos different. Just love God and love others. Accept people where they are, and how their convictions may differ from yours. It's ok. 

Are you a cynic? Do you look at other moms and judge how they do things just a bit different than you? 

Ask the Lord to refresh your mind today :)

A Dog Blog

        

        Our dog Cody…is a mutt.  Well, kind of.  He’s a rescue dog. No pedigree to flash or papers to prove anything.  But he is mine (yes, he should belong to our daughter, but I care for him more than the rest.  And yes, that is a parenting lesson on the “Care of Pets” I ‘ll one day figure out.) He is always happy and even with all the extra work for me, I really do love him!

         As I ran out of the house this week to get our youngest from dance, I thought Cody could ride with me.  He loves to ride in the car.  It doesn’t matter which seat or the heat, he just wants to go!

         No sooner had I opened the front passenger car door and thrown my keys on the seat, Cody proceeded to jump in.  As he jumped to the seat, he slipped on the keys and fell to the floorboard.  Although he wasn’t hurt, my keys caught on his dew claw.  (This is the upper “thumb” of a dog.) 

         Cody began to whimper with his left paw raised with the keys attached.  Of course I was tickled with the way he looked.  My white fluffy dog “holding” the car keys in the car as if to say, “Can I drive?”

         Because Cody didn’t “drop’ the keys, it took a short time to get the keys off.   I had to gently take them off while keeping his mouth from snipping at me.

         I thought of our parenting.  So often our children pick up what they think they are capable of. They stand in front of us, holding or telling us what they want or what they think they are capable of doing.

         Our children look silly, even paradoxical, “holding on to keys” that they aren’t capable of.  As cute as they are, we have to take away the keys and pray for wisdom to guide them to what they are capable of.

         Cody will not ever be able to drive the car but our children will.  It is our duty and delight to prepare them.  Let’s pray God will make it clear when our children are holding the keys prematurely and when they are ready, we will teach and guide them well!

"By His Grace" By Fran Maynard

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart.  You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.  phillipians 1:7

My family right now is having the blessing and opportunity to be a host home to 3 camp counselors for Camp In The City at our church.  This past weekend as they were all recognized and prayed over I watched with tears in my eyes at the young men and women who choose to spend their summer traveling from city to city to serve our children and the Lord with their time and talents.  The beauty of a child's love for the Lord always amazes me.  

You see I did not grow up like this, maybe you can relate?  I did not have the innocence these young adults have.  Nor did I grow up knowing and loving the Lord.  However, by God’s Grace, our God made himself known to me and to my husband and because of this our children get to experience a life knowing His great love.  How wonderful to know that our family story has been forever changed.    

My prayer is that we do not take this Gospel gift lightly.  Lord GOD please give us a heart for the lost and opportunities to share Your Great Love with them.  Let our lives and actions reflect a BOLDNESS in Your name and our love be so evident it draws people to You.  In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.   

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.  1 Corinthians 9:19

Challenge:  Read Philippians 1 and meditate as you experience Paul’s heart to his fellow believers.  

Trend Setter

     Today has been marked on our family's calendar for weeks.   Our precious family friend would be having surgery to replace a pulmonary artery.  This would be her second open heart surgery in her short 20 years. 

      This mornings prayer request has been preceded by prayer and fasting.  However, today was the day we would press in all the more close to our Healer and Comforter. 

     Upon picking up my phone this morning I found this on Instagram....

      Our oldest chose to place Annie's name on her hand to remind her to pray!  She invited all who follow her on Instagram to do likewise, to write Annie's name on their hand and join in prayer for Annie's surgery.

      Annie's surgery is successful.  However, the next 24 hours are quite dangerous.  Will you join us as we pray for Annie?  You are welcomed to write her name on your hand as a reminder.  Regardless, we know, what Jesus said to us as His children, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" Isaiah 49:16.

Spinning in the Spirit!

"Hey Mom, where is my tooth brush?"  The sound of my daughters query reminded me our family is once again on the move.  Moving can upset even the most basic of daily duties.  How are things this summer in your house?  My family and I are going through a HUGE transition.  My husband's position changed at work, freeing him up to work anywhere.  After much prayer, we decided it was best to move closer to family...across the country! We made the journey from the West just 3 short years ago answering a specific call from our Lord here in Florida.  And here we are again...  anyone of you who has every moved knows what I am saying. In addition to moving our home, we are also transitioning the ministry we serve. 

 On top of those platefuls, we are  planning a thrilling 45 day car tour of the USA sharing our ministry with other churches!  This GRAND ADVENTURE is actually our "once in a lifetime" trip to combine ministry and great family bonding!

All of these things in and of them self are good things...fun things... the right things... but when you stack them all together and forget to take your Focus Formula with your vitamins... it's a lot! (cue the violins).

As I shared with someone the other day there are moments it feels like every possible thing in my life is in the air and spinning around my head... the Lord gave me the vision of a beautiful ballerina spinning around and around effortlessly and elegantly.  The trick is that she keeps her eyes fixed on a point.  This keeps her from wobbling and falling.  

I, too, need to moment by moment keep my eyes fixed on my Savior!  By praying over every decision and leaving the outcome to Him, I too, can move effortlessly and elegantly through this transition.  So can you!  Let's try your best, together, in each our respective seasons to keep our eyes FIXED ON JESUS!

Hebrews 12:2 says:
 "...fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. "

Celebrate "Anything!"

     It goes without saying, but bears repeating, I don’t have this parenting thing figured out.  I write a post most weeks on this beautiful blog called, “Parakaleo” but I’m really just walking out parenting with you.  Some I’m leading simply because I’ve done it longer than you. Others I’m holding your hand, leaning on your shoulder as we navigate the next hurdle. However, I am also running to catch those who have are further down the lane.

     We are in this Mommy thing together.

     I want to celebrate a victory of our youngest (a rising high school junior) with you.  As I have shared in the past our daughter is a ballerina.  She has been dancing at a studio for about six years.  She loves ballet and pointe.  She is dedicated and loyal to the art of dancing as well as her fellow dancers, instructors and even studio.

(Google Image)

     When her studio was asked unexpectedly to leave their rented space due to a fire marshals’ request, God was weaving a perfect match with a nearby studio.  Within a week the dance studios had merged.

     With the abrupt and unexpected move there have been many emotions and questions from the students and their parents.  I applaud our daughter for being a champion of change!  When fellow students have complained about the new location, the “other” dance students, the “other” dance teachers, our ballerina has been positive and supportive on every level.

     She has been filled with grace and maturity.  Our ballerina expressed the positives of the new studio’s location.  Our ballerina recognized the students from the new studio could be new friends.  Our ballerina thinks the new instructors will give her new opportunities for different and maybe even better techniques.

     I’ve watched our ballerina live out, Philippians 4:8 “…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”  Our ballerina was looking for whatever was true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.  She was looking for ANYTHING that was excellent or praiseworthy.

(Google Image)

     Moms, I encourage you to find “anything” that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable in your children this week.  Find the “anything” in your child.  Think about that!  Share “that!”  And celebrate “that” in their lives! 

      And now without further ado, it is my humble honor to give Our Ballerina the “Champion of Change” award!  Celebrate the “Anything” in your child this week!

From the mouth of babes, the Lord speaks.

Recently, my almost four year old and I were shopping at a local grocery store.  We'd previously had an unplanned return trip back to the YMCA and I was in a bit of a hurry to get him home to allow time for a nap before our afternoon activity.  I expected we'd be in and out, as we only needed a few items.  When I got to the cashier, she informed me that the bag of grapes I picked up had less than the 2lbs she had to charge me for.  Someone must have taken some of the grapes out, she explained.  So, I would have to get another bag because she had no way to charge me for less. 


The thought of walking all the way back to the produce section (in the very back of the store!) and getting back in line with my tired four year old in tow was, sadly, enough, to unnerve this tired mama just enough, and my response to the cashier expressed that sentiment.  I was noticeably bothered to which the cashier replied that I could either leave the grapes, pay double for them or get another bag, but, not to worry, she would allow me to keep the cart so my son could stay in the cart and not have to walk.  Did  she really think I was going to leave the cart there and take him out for the return journey?! Finally, I convinced her to let me pay for the 2lbs of grapes and just go and exchange the bag, without having to wait in line again.  The elderly gentleman behind me, explained to me, as the cashier had, that she was only doing me a favor.  I looked him square in the eye and curtly replied, "I know what she was trying to do." Nice!  As my little guy and I started off on our journey back to the produce department, he said, "Oh mommy, the person who took the grapes out of the bag must not know Jesus!"


The immediate conviction and corresponding embarrassment was not lost on this girl!  The person who took the grapes must not know Jesus, but this sweet boy's cranky pants mama does?!  That was a laugh and a half!  My sweet boy!  It won't be long before he'll point out how my words and/or actions don't point to Jesus - I can see it coming already!  While my family and I had a good laugh over the humor in my son's innocent comment, it was the Lord's way of reminding me, my little one is watching, studying and interpreting behavior into his understanding of who the Lord is!  And that is so very important!


In Matthew 21, the religious leaders were bothered to hear the children saying, "Hosanna to the Son of David", regarding Jesus.  "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, 'From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise'?" Matthew 21:16, NIV


Sometimes it seems easy for our young children's words to bring praise to our Lord, "for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." - Matthew 12:34


My son's heart was on Jesus; mine was on myself.  I didn't want to be inconvenienced.  We're not always going to get it right, moms.  Sometimes, we don't even know what's in our hearts until the words come out!  Let's guard our hearts and our children's hearts and fill them with the word of God, so that when we speak, He is glorified.  Let's pray.


Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of doing this life with you!  Thank you for your correction and the opportunities you give us to repent and start anew.  Please forgive us for the times when our words and/or actions don't reflect how well we know you, Lord.  Protect our hearts and those of our children. Pour into us, Lord, so that what flows out honors and glorifies you.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.