The Expectations Of Faith

"True faith is never found alone; it is always accompanied by expectation. The man who believes the promises of God expects to see them fulfilled. Where there is no expectation there is no faith."  -Tozer

I'm a coffee drinker... a serious coffee drinker. I wake up in faith expecting to get my coffee brewing.The other morning my coffee maker died- a sad ordeal for me.  All of us wake up with expectations. My little Evan and Aaron expect some snuggle time while the older children expect breakfast. We get up and dressed to start our day expecting to accomplish a slew of projects we've jotted down in our day planner. We jump into our vehicle turning the key expecting the motor to turn over and the engine to start purring...and off we go!  Basic 'life' stuff here!

There are expectations in relationships- honesty, unconditional love, respect and understanding to name a few. These hold true for our marriages, friendships and with our children. The expectations of parenting are so deeply rooted in faith. 'Wherein doth thou faith lie?' you ask. It lies in believing that what we have set out to do in love will reap something positive... we believe in faith that all the efforts we have put into raising these children will not be in vain. This is what motivates us to keep pressing on even when it seems like... like it's just going nowhere. We have faith that someday they will mature to the point of understanding parents are humans with limitations... we make mistakes... say things we regret... but despite all of this...we love them with every ounce of our being...

 Are my expectations realistic?  Do they fit in with the purpose that the Lord has for my life and my children's? Do I have the faith in Him to trust that He will care for me and them no matter what the storms of life deal us?

I hardly felt I had anything to add to this quote, yet my heart was flooded with this feeling that I knew it had to be shared here...  May you expect your faith to be fulfilled through your expectations of a faithful Father....

...my faith looks up to Thee,
Until next time,
Jean

   

Tomorrow...

The other night when I was tucking Evan into bed he asked another one of his so sweet & innocent questions... "Mommy, is it tomorrow?"... I smile and put my hand on his cheek and tell him, "No Ev an, it's today, but when you wake up in the morning it will be tomorrow."  "Oh! Good, I can't wait then!"  And that was that and he snuggled in close and fell asleep. I just had to think, "I wonder if he'll ask me in the morning if it's tomorrow!"  At the ripe ole age of five, Evan has no concept that tomorrow will be today tomorrow and today will be yesterday tomorrow.

Isn't that the way it is though? Time ticks on day after day and where are we going? Evan had big plans for 'tomorrow' as he drifted off to sleep... dreams of setting up his play farm in his make believe pasture... dreams of building a snowman with big brother Kyle... dreams of spaghetti for lunch... We all have dreams and hopes... not only for ourselves but for our children. What are we doing to make those dreams come to fruition... hopes, dreams, inspirations... they are the well spring of our lives... they keep us looking into tomorrow with that continual 'hope'. That's what it really boils down to... hope which in turn needs faith...

"Life is a highway on which the years go by, sometimes the road is level, sometimes the hills are high. But as we travel onward to a future that's unkonw, we can make each mile we travel a heavenly stepping stone!"  Helen Steiner Rice

Until next time,
Jean

The Love of a Mother...

Their smiles... their tears... watching them while they're sleeping...
I love to watch them when they have no idea... their care free spirits... their realness...

I wonder if they could ever imagine the love that overflows in my heart for each of them...
I wonder if they realize that their souls are intertwined with mine...
When they hurt I hurt...
When they laugh I laugh...
When they long I long...

Sometimes the frustrations we feel as mothers can be overwhelming... sometimes we just feel like giving up... then you look into their eyes and the heart pull is so strong.

Sometimes it seems useless and they just will never learn or understand...

I watched him this afternoon outside... he didn't know I was watching... his strong hands playing with the dog... his smile and jolly demeanor... his sensitive nature for all creatures...

I watched him today walking through the yard... looking around for his brothers... he is growing so fast and becoming a man...  in between little boy and big boy...

I watched him today as he strode up the stairs... manly and strong... so handsome... quiet natured and deep... I have always said that deep waters run silent... that is his soul...

I watched her today as she drove away... a young woman she is becoming... working her way in the world... trying to find herself and know herself... she is so tender hearted and warm, yet with a wild streak...

When I look at them and watch... my heart wants nothing more than to protect them from every harm in the world...  to just make them listen to me and trust what I tell them...
Then I remember myself when I was that age... experience

Prayer is a mothers weapon... it is our ever trust worthy weapon in this war fare for their souls...  We can never give up praying, trusting the Father... praying that hedge about them...

"Love is unselfish, understanding, and kind, for it sees with its heart and not with its mind.  Love gives and forgives; there is nothing too much for love to heal with its magic touch.  Love is the language that every heart speaks, for love is the one thing that every heart seeks.  And where there is love God, too,will abide and bless the family residing inside."  Helen Steiner Rice

Until next time,
Jean

Distractions

"Distractions may hinder, but once the heart is committed to Him, the attention will return again and rest upon Him like a wandering bird coming back to its window." Tozer

We are wanderers... we get side tracked with the everyday things in life and begin to wander... suddenly we find ourselves in a dark valley and wonder how we got there... we feel alone.  We begin looking around for some familiar thing, some comfortable thing that feels like home... but it just doesn't seem right....

When I was a child I was a wanderer.  When we went on school field trips none of the parent chaperones ever wanted me in their group because I was always the one that got lost. I remember getting lost at The Detroit Zoo, at The Henry Ford Museum and several other places.  It was a sickening feeling as a child... to suddenly look up and there be a sea of faces around and none that you know.  I would start to cry and of course someone that worked there would find me and bring me back to my group.  Now as a parent I have taken my children to these places and I am always so cautious of where they are.  I've told them all my horror stories of getting lost, so I think I have instilled a sacred fear in them.  As a parent it is a different kind of sickening feeling... the thought of losing a child...

When I say lose a child I don't only mean in the physical sense but also in the spiritual sense... they both give me that empty feeling... a feeling I hope and pray I will never know.  There are so many people lost out there today... lost and hopeless.  But they don't have to be... Jesus is there ever waiting with open arms to gather them into His fold... to protect and give meaning to one's life. 

Only He can fill the void that leaves one feeling empty and without meaning...
If you have wandered away... if you are lost and don't know where to turn... if you're struggling with the cares of life... Jesus has all the answers... He is your hope... call unto Him and He will answer... like the wandering bird coming back...

Until next time,
Jean


     

Little Boys and Puddles...

"Hey! Now there's a puddle!"
 

What is it about little boys and puddles?  No offense to little girls out there, I'm sure they are somewhat attracted to them, but I believe puddles call out to little boys!  As most of you know, we live on a farm with five boys, and with this farm comes a lot of mud ~ and I mean a lot!  I remember when Kyle was just about Evan's age (5) and we were at a friends house.  It was raining and then cleared up... they lived on a farm too ~ with mud. We were washing dishes and there were our two little boys holding hands playing ring around the rosie... in a puddle. Yes it was absolutely adorable and I grabbed my camera and took several black and white photos that now adorn a very cute scrapbook page in Kyles album. It was too cute... even after we hosed em' off and gave warm baths.  Little boys...

Yes Ethan & Ryan have had their mud puddle events as well and many happy memories have been made in puddles... Evan and Aaron are in the making of these memories now too. I don't really mind, after all they are boys and they like mud and dirt... and puddles.  What amazes me though is how they can stand to be so wet and dirty... I haven't figured that one out yet... not even after five boys!  What are memories that you have with your children? What are the memories they are making right now?  I often talk about memory making... I think it because I like to journal and scrap book... all memory things.  I love the idea that they can go back into their scrapbooks and 'see' the memories. 

I love my children so much and I realize they will have many memories... I wish I could say just happy ones, but we are only human.  The good come with the sad... As a mom I wish I could protect them from every hurt that could ever happen to them... keep them under my wings and shelter them from the storms that will come in life.  I wish I never had to try and explain why something isn't good for them... that they would just trust and obey...

Trust and obey... I need to set the example of trusting and obeying my Father... showing that in everything I have put my desires before the Lord and sought His guidance in every decision that needs to be made... Oh to be able to do that faithfully... through my example I pray for each of them...

Until next time,
Jean




     

Strenth and Weekness

“For my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  2Corinthians 12:9

"God will have no strength used in his battles but the strength which he himself imparts. Are you mourning over your own weakness? Take courage, for there must be a consciousness of weakness before the Lord will give thee victory. Your emptiness is but the preparation for your being filled, and your casting down is but the making ready for your lifting up."  Charles Spurgeon

With having five sons this is a challenging scripture to impart into their minds... after all they are men in the making.  Kyle and Ethan especially are young 'men' and like to test their strengths against one another. They will often wrestle and challenge one another to races and so forth... very normal 'boy' behavior. 

Teaching this 'weakness' mentality to growing young men as a mom is also a challenge. There is the example thing again... I need to concentrate on being an example to them.  Yesterday  I took Kyle and Ethan out hunting. While we were getting ready to go, I realized that I had 'misplaced' something of great value... I prayed, but I just couldn't find it.  After a bit of looking around and more prayer, I finally came across it.  Suddenly Kyle came in from looking in the truck and said, "Did you find it?"... "Yes," I said, "I did!" with tears almost filling my eyes.  Kyle said, "I prayed Mom!"  Oh the faith of a child... or young man!  So we left then and I dropped off my two young men at the side of the road for them to trek into the woods... we prayed that they would get something and off they went. I watched them go and they turned back and waved... they will never truly know or understand the love of a mother... but I have to focus on the example of showing the love... Christ's love.

Christ was a man with the same like passions the scriptures teach us... yet He never sinned.  Where did his strength lie some may wonder and ask... it lied in His Father above.  He was challenged with every temptation that we know today, yet He never sinned.  Jesus is our example to live by today... He is the one that we can turn to in our times of temptations... we just need to remember to look up as He did... our perfect example.  We do not need to stumble and fall... we just need to be remained focused on our walk with Him and not anyone else... just my own.  To remain focused on that is where the challenge lies, at least for me. I believe though, that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me... and so can you!

Until next time,
Jean








   

Rocking my little boy...

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord." Psalms 127:3

I was rocking Aaron this morning and just cuddling with him. He'd been whiny and just wanted to be held... so up in my arms with blankie we went to mamma's rocking chair... and of course all was well then.  He fell asleep in short order and I told Taylor I didn't think he was feeling very well, after all he had just had the stomach flu a few days before... Taylor laughed and told me I was just making excuses for him! "Well," I thought... "maybe I am."  

Aaron is just two and he is still so sweet and innocent... but he is also very manipulating, as most children are.  It doesn't take long for a new born child to realize that when he cries or screams he/she gets attention... whether it be food, a clean diaper or simply to be held and rocked, they know how to get what they want. As our children grow older into toddler-hood they are still in the process of being trained by parents or training their parents. Either way, some training is going on! Younger children definitely know how to hold onto a parents heart strings and woo with their sweet  smiles or sorrowful tears.

What happens when the child is in control though? I would say much frustration and exasperation are more often felt over the child then feelings of peaceful joy. Children are a job and one not to be taken lightly. We as Christian parents need to prayerfully seek the Lords leading and wisdom in this challenging role.  As many of you know our family you know we are in most stages of the 'parenting game', and challenged we are.  It is difficult to know when to scold and when to overlook... when to punish and when to understand... But God is with us when we seek Him and His wisdom.  We need to remember that these children are not really our own... they are His, loaned to us for a short time... a time to raise them for Him... to train them for His glory.

"Brighten your day and lighten your way and lessen your cares with daily prayers.  Quiet your mind and leave tension behind and find inspiration in hushed meditation."  Helen Steiner Rice.

Until next time,
Jean



   

More Is Caught Than Taught

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity."  Ecclesiastes 11:9- 10

The message in these two short verses say a great deal and should be heeded even more greatly.  It is true that youth tend to be a bit more on the 'daring' side I venture to say.  They seem to think they have the world by the horns and life will carry on forever... We parents, teachers, ministers and adults 'just don't understand'... 'we have never been through such things'... When we were young we would often hear our elders say that time seems to move by so much more quickly the older they get...  and we just couldn't understand such a statement... as we grow older we realize it is strangely true.  I once heard in a message that as soon as a child is born, it begins to die... the aging process begins immediately. As Solomon of old wrote often in Ecclesiastes, '...all is vanity.'

A children's song admonishes, "Be careful little eyes what you see; be careful little ears what you hear; be careful little feet where you go..."  This concept needs to be diligently taught by parents and adults to our children, as well as lived out.  It is hard to teach something that you do not do yourself or tell your youth not to do something that you do... 'more is caught than taught' as the saying goes.  Our children will use us as their guild and for the most part when they are little keep to those things... they believe  and trust us.  As they grow into adolescence, things become a bit more tumultuous and as I wrote the other day, they are now stretching out their wings and testing the world around.  This time is so crucial in the relationship building and I feel so often I fail... It is hard for me to 'let go'... 'to trust'... But I believe that promise written by David in the book of Proverbs, "Train them up in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it." 

We all have this promise as we seek His wisdom... even when we fail, He is never failing... even when we lack trust, He is there to cover us... Praise God for His never failing attributes and ceaseless love for his ever failing children.

I cling to so many of these promises and I believe them... I am trusting my children to Him.
Until next time,
Jean

Wings and Roots...

 

"Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible." Corrie Ten Boom

 

I am sure most of you who know me think you know where this might be going by the title... well kinda.  The other day when my two CSA work share ladies were here we were chatting at the end of their day and one happened to mention how the other says we have to give our children 'wings and roots' both at the same time...  I thought that was very inspiring, especially when two of the things I love most have wings and roots.

Our children start out as helpless little creatures that need us to survive... food, warmth, nurturing, shelter and protection.  Without us they would simply and most assuredly die.  As parents or caregivers we attempt to give these things to our children with utmost care... we love them and want only the best for them.  When they are small we try to teach them things... first with physical movements such as rolling over to crawling and then finally to walking and running... speech comes into play next as well as the ability to feed themselves... but still they need us completely during these formative years.  During the younger years we are also teaching them about Jesus and our faith... this is the time when the roots are growing deeper and when fed the right things will grow healthy and strong... these are the roots in their life that will help them along in the years to come...  when we give them their wings...

As our children become young adolescents and young adults the roots we have given them as small children should hold them firm during the trials and adjustments they will face at this time.  Their wings will form and they like young fledglings coming out of the nest will want to try them and see how far they can fly safely... coming back regularly and each time going out a bit farther... Eventually they will settle into a state when they have their belief system and hopefully a deep faith of their own. This faith is a personal decision that must be made by each one individually... a time of choosing roads they will travel... a time of growing and maturing.  The roots we have helped grow will help them with the decisions they make now...  What are we feeding the roots is the question we as parents must all face and realize that one day we will be accountable for...

It takes faith to let go of them... to trust that they will make the right decisions... to look away when you want to grab hold... smile and trust when you want to cry and protect...
But He is bigger than anything... stronger than anything... and ever true...

           

 

"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."
1 Corinthians 2:5

Until next time,
Jean


Life's Lessons...

"A Cheerful smile, a friendly word, a sympathetic nod, all priceless little treasures from the storehouse of our God." Helen Steiner Rice

We all like to be smiled at...frowns make us feel sad and disappointed, while a smile can make a bad day seem better.  Smiles and kind words are what our goal needs to be when we deal with others, including our family members. 

My littlest one Aaron knows when I have a scowl on my face... and he too knows how to make a scowl.  I try not to laugh when he does it, but it is so terribly cute... although the attitude behind it must be dealt with.  When mother scowls Aaron looks sad and usually comes running into my arms for reassurance. He is so little and his heart so tender. Evan too knows when mother scowls it isn't a good thing... his scowls aren't so cute anymore.  We work on these things though. Our children cherish kind words, hugs & kisses, gentle caresses and tender looks... we as adults long for that as well.

God has both smiles and scowls for his children as well. He like a tender, loving parent knows when we need one or the other and never makes a mistake.  Unlike us human parents who are always making them, He does not. We can have faith and trust that the circumstances in our life are just what he is 'allowing'. I have mentioned in times past God has a permissive will and a perfect will.  If we bug Him long enough about something, whether it be the best thing for us or not, He may just allow it to come to be to teach an important lesson on faith and timing.  On the other hand, if we trust and submit ourselves to His perfect will, always praying that way, we can be sure that all things will work together for good to those who love Him...

But we're human aren't we... prone to be like children... a bit demanding and whiny. It's not pretty, but it's true. I remember when our daughter Taylor was about six years old, we were making some chicken noodle soup and I was putting bouillon cubes into it.  She was always begging for stuff not always knowing or understanding what it was she was begging for... well, this day I thought she needs to learn to stop begging... so I gave her a hunk... too say the least she spat it out quickly!  Now some of you may be thinking that was mean, but it wasn't... she begged for things like pepper and other things that would make her sick... I took her then and explained that is why she shouldn't beg... she did learn the lesson. It's funny now though, because she loves to cook and she is the biggest 'taster' I know... life's lessons.

That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father... sometimes we bug and bug and beg and beg... He's gonna let us taste and learn, and sometimes it might not taste good...

Until next time,
Jean

Life is a Training Ground

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness."   Matthew 5:6

"There is no way that any of us can talk ourselves into getting a "longing for God." Spiritual desire and hunger must come from God Himself! It cannot be whipped up."  Tozer

This was a quote from one of my daily devotions today that struck me. As I thought on this I became so aware of how blessed that I am to have that desire deep within my soul.  So often I have felt as that hart on the mountainside panting after the water brook, my soul has longed after Him. 

I remember as a youth, before I would have been a professing Christian yet still knowing and fearing God, although in a different way... I had a longing for Him... I just didn't know how to get to Him.   I remember as a small child talking to Him in the storms. So childish was I when I would ask Him questions and ask Him to answer in one lightening and two claps of thunder... then I would know the deep secrets I was asking of Him... but He always seemed to answer.  He never dismisses a child... one looking to Him for reasurance.   I remember driving after my grandmother died and wondering why... I was angry with Him back then...

...but after a long journey He brought my soul home to Him...

Now my life is a training ground... one where there are valleys and plains along with the mountain tops...  It seems like it's been a long time since I drifted in the clouds... but I know they are there... waiting for me.

"But it is a different story when we consider the spiritual life. No one but God through His Spirit is able to stir up spiritual desire among us. Those who have accepted a common state of spiritual living and have no deep desire for Him will never be stirred by human means." Tozer

Until next time,
Jean

The Innocence Of A Child...

As small children under mothers wings they are sheltered from much... but as they grow into adolescence and begin to desire to spread their wings, it is difficult to watch sometimes.  Our six children range from eighteen years to two years and we are in many different stages all the time.  This can be exhausting some days to say the least! The little ones are in the training stages of kindness, obedience and sharing... then the teenagers are in the stage of building character and a personal relationship with Christ.  A parent needs so much wisdom and I am so thankful that I can turn to God's word for that wisdom.  But life still has it's challenges and continually poses new issues that we never even thought about. 

In Ecclesiastics the writer Solomon say's there is nothing new under the sun and all in life is vanity. I believe this is true... parents today have the same issues as parents did back in the Bible days... that's why God's word is still the same today as yesterday... and that is why we can turn to His word for everything today.  Although I feel we are much more blessed today then in those days... we have the New Testament which tells us about the love and forgiveness that Jesus provides to all who are willing to receive it.  It gives us the true story of love... His perfect, unfailing love... this love is for an example for us... one to learn and grow by... an example to live by.  Even the days we fail, His love never fails...  That is the perfect example we need to set for our children... love and forgiveness.

As I look at our children I realize their innocence and how precious it is.  As parents we have a duty to nurture and protect that innocence.  Life will all too quickly grab hold of them and much of it will be lost.

Until next time,
Jean
    

Deep Roots...

" Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

I was reading about the Sequoia trees of California this morning in one of my daily devotions... It went on to describe that these massive, towering trees have a very shallow root system that sprawl out rather then go down deep.  It also described how you will not see a lone Sequoia tree because it would be blown done in great winds, but rather they grow in clusters and the trees root's intertwine giving the entire group support...it was fascinating to think how God, not evolution, has designed all this.

As I read on the analogy was to compare each individual Christian standing alone as apposed to being within a group of believers... especially in times of trial's.  I pondered this for awhile and thought how thankful I am to be a part of the church body that the Lord has brought us too... The best way to describe the feeling is if you can imagine yourself standing within a circle with all your brethren facing you, hands held tightly that nothing may get to you... kind of like a sheep fold... When the storms of life are there we don't have to stand alone to face the raging winds, but we are protected and cared for by those that the Lord has given us.  It is such a comforting feeling to know that you are cared for by so many.  But it doesn't stop there... sometimes it is us in the circle of held hands protecting another brother or sister in the Lord. We are there one for another as Christ so designed it to be.

This is also the way the family unit should be... holding each other up in times of struggle, not tearing one another down.  I have mentioned at other times I am an only child, but I see the bonds that our six children have... I see the closeness that they share. I understand that there will be times of disagreement between them which there are now, but my heart prays that as they grow older they can become closer, leaning on one another, lending the helping hand and not criticizing but allowing each other to have their differences... agreeing to disagree, yet loving.  We are all created differently yet we are together to give Him glory in all we do...

Our roots like the Sequoia's need to be shallow and outstretched to all around us... yet we must have a deep tap root which can only be in Jesus... then we can stand in the days of trouble...

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." 2 Corinthians 1:4

Until next time,
Jean

Loving Kindness...

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

We are faced with challenges every day. They can come in many different forms, but yet they remain challenges that we must face and deal with.  I see this real close up in my children's relationships with each other... I think I have mentioned that I was an only child and don't always get the bickering that happens in everyday life between siblings... although with six children I have had to learn to 'get it' as time as pressed on.  It always amazes me how they can be getting along famously one minute and the next be fighting like cats & dogs... ahh, parenthood!  I try to understand that just because they are children doesn't mean they don't have frustrations as well as happiness. They are people too with likes and dislikes...

Loving kindness is the lesson that must be taught though.  This is a challenge in itself as a parent... how to train this in children when you yourself have this struggle... The blessing in all this is that I don't have to do it all alone... I have my Lord and He is there each and every day as I seek His guidance in all life's challenges I face. He is there to encourage me through His word, church messages, through my family and friends.  Life may present those challenges, but I believe that 'I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me'...

"Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: keep the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).
Until next time,
Jean

Swinging my little boy...

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward." Psalms 127:3

Swinging my little boy...

What a beautiful day... the sun was shining, church was wonderful and we had a delightful afternoon of fellowship and food at a dear friends home... what more could we ask for?  The boys played hide 'n' seek through the woods, volley ball with an imaginary net while the girls sang songs and went for walks along the woodland paths... life is good.

I laid Aaron down for the night and then I strolled outside to watch the boys play ball... Evan was 'wandering'... he asked me to swing him... so he climbed on the tree swing and I pushed him... he loves to be pushed... we laughed and told each other how much we loved each other...'all the way to the stars & the moon mom!'... children can bring so much joy to our lives.  Soon it was time for him to go to bed... that didn't go over so 'sweetly' shall I say, he still wanted to swing, but mother knows best so off to bed we went... we talked about how he played today with his little friends and showed them his tree house... how he hunted for bears... 'are you afraid of bears mom?' ... 'yes, but I am sure you will protect me...' 'of course I would mom'... Then he went on to pray for our neighbor lady so she would quit smoking because she is nice and she always gives him cookies.  He is four and a half and so very adorable to this mommy...  I wish I could hold onto these moments forever... I wish I could always protect them... I wish I could always help them make the right decisions...

Until next time,
Jean

Little boys and jumping on the bed...

"The greatest moral force in history is motherhood. Childhood is directed by its love; youth is kept pure and honorable by its sweet dominance; and mature age finds its influence regnant, shaping character even to the end.  Mother is the title of woman's supreme dignity."
                              From The Times, February 1929

Last night my 'mom & dad' in the Lord were over for supper...we were visiting in the living room and suddenly we hear a very recognizable sound... little feet jumping on the bed!  Neil went up to take care of the situation as I had visions of them coming through the ceiling. Dan quickly assured me this probably wouldn't happen... so OK, the bouncing ceased. 

Little boys and big boys oh my... and a girl to boot... what a weighty responsibility we have in raising them up for Him and His glory.  Some times I look at these children and the weight of this truth weighs heavy on my heart... I am so imperfect... and they are so innocent.

I have a picture of Ryan from a couple summer's ago holding a quart jar with a bouquet he made pinned up on the bulletin board over my desk... just the other summer... he looks so little in that photo, and now he is ten and growing like a weed.  He will all too soon be a teenager; one with big ideas and dreams... he loves to tell stories and talk, oh yes he can talk... and I love to talk with him.  Sometimes I catch myself listening but not really listening... I quickly turn the 'real' ears back on and I can see in his face he caught it too.  He is a happy go lucky little fellow...

Each of them is so special in their own way... they each have their talents and gifts... different things they find enjoyable... each at a different stage in their growing years... six children with totally different personalities... but one thing is the same... they are all mine, given to me but for a short period of time to teach them about His love... to be a mother is a gift.

Until next time,
Jean
     

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give" Winston Churchill

Boy time has a way of ticking on by... I can't believe I haven't been here in several days... I absolutely love my blogging but I love being outside even more... strolling through the gardens, picking a weed here & there... walking hand in hand with little Evan and Aaron and smelling the flowers.  The other day I was watering the porch pots and Aaron wandered over to the front garden where I have a row of peonies... there he was very carefully clutching each bloom, which by the way were almost the size of his precious little head, and sticking his wee little noes way in to take a big whiff... so innocent & sweet. 

On Sunday at church the minister gave this quote:  "Satan would rather have us to do good things and not be good people.  God would have us to be good people so we do good things."  I thought that was interesting... and then the above quote by Churchill was on the bottom of my journal page... how fitting I thought, and very true indeed.  We are always on the way to do this or that and life has a way of getting ahead of us... then all of a sudden we realize that we missed some important stuff along the way.  Our children won't always be little and we always won't be young...

Today was our second child, first son, Kyle's first day of driver's training... wow, how time flies.  I can still see him taking his first steps and toddling about in a diaper... now he is behind the wheel of our truck... they don't stay little long.  I want to take the time to be what they need... what my husband needs... what God want's me to be... I want my family and friends to remember me for what I gave in the way of my time and love, not what I accomplished in life.

Take time and smell the roses... the blooms fade fast.
Until next time,
Jean

Tender Moments

"God often visits us, but most often times we are not home."  unknown

Last night I was going up to bed and I thought I was the only one still awake, but as I was walking down the hall to our bedroom I hear... "Mom...".  "What is it Ryan", I ask... Well it was raining very hard and had been since Thursday night with very little break.  Yesterday was off and on all day, but we got a lot of rain.  Ryan wanted to know if it was going to flood... so sweet and innocent.  You see, he is not the middle child but he is the middle boy... he is ten years old... the older boys are 13 & 12 and the little boys are just abut two and 4 1/2... so he really is at the in between age... not old enough for that and way too big for that. I will say though he is a wonderful babysitter for the little boy's when I need help and his big brothers always want him too play ball or hockey, what ever it may be with them... so he's not just left out.  But last night, the little boy in him was talking loudly to this mother heart... I went to him and asked him what God said about sending floods... he very wisely said that God promised not to flood the 'whole' earth again... smart boy! Anyway I asked him then, if God did send a flood would He look over us?  and of course he said, 'yes'.  I consoled his tender heart as best I could and told him to try to go to sleep... he did then. 

As I went to bed then I pondered this moment and I thought about how faithful our Heavenly father is, and when ever I am afraid or worried how He always lead's me to scripture to reassure me, or sends a poem through a friend... and sometimes I hear Him whisper quietly in my heart.... 'Fear not my child, I am with thee....'   My hearts prayer is that my heart and my childrens will always be open to hear that still small voice...

Until next time,
Jean

"What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd realized it sooner!" Collette

What a thought provoking statement... I wonder how many people at some point or another think this very statement.

There are people out there that have had some tragic things happen to them in their lives... things I can't imagine in my wildest nightmares.  I personally know some folks who have endured such horrible instances that it makes my skin crawl. To think that any human being could do to another person some of the evil things that happen doesn't seem possible... it  doesn't seem real... except to the victims... it is very real to them.  There is a sadness and despair that must be overwhelming at times... life is not so wonderful.

Then there are those who 'seem' to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths... everything always goes their way, life treats them seemingly fair, there don't seem to be a whole lot of bumps in the road... but there still seems to be a sadness and something missing. 

We hear about healing and therapy and yes all this is well and good and most definitely necessary. Often times I have heard people say that a loving God would never allow these kinds of things to happen.  I always say that it is not His perfect will for such horrific instances to happen but we live in world that is filled with sin; He has given us all a free mind to make choices and act accordingly... unfortunately sometimes bad people hurt good people...

But God is there for each hurting soul... every person that has suffered He is waiting with outstretched arms, waiting to heal and bound up the broken hearted... He is faithful and loving as we cast all our cares upon Him, for He careth for us...  He want's us to be able to say we've had a wonderful life... with Him.  Don't delay, He is waiting.

Until next time,
Jean

Winning Their Hearts...Having Their Love

"Mother is the heartbeat in the home; and without her, there seems to be no heart throb." Leroy Brownlow, from Flowers For Mother

Being a mother is one of the most fulfilling things in my life.  I love my children more than words could ever describe... more than they will ever understand until, Lord willing, they have a precious child of their own.  At times I don't feel worthy of the title, but I keep pressing on with that faith that someday it will all be worth it... line upon line... precept upon precept... so the saying goes.

Today Ethan and I planted two new climbing rose bushes.  The one is yellow and I told him that the color yellow is for friendship in the world of roses... I told him I want this to be his rose from me because he is my friend and I love him... he looked at me and said, 'thanks'.  That may not sound like much to you, but believe me that was a thousand words for Ethan.  You see he is my 'still water's run deep' child... not to mention his first choice of activities is not gardening!  He is so very sweet and loving... yes he can be a stinker just like any other child, but his soul is so deep.  I long to 'train him in the way he should go so when he is old he will not depart from it'...

Training is the hard part with children; consistency, loving discipline, tender words, occasional stern looks, gentle touch... oh for wisdom.  Most of you know we have six children and each one of them is so unique and different in their own ways.  There are obvious similarities among some of them in the way of looks and temperaments... but they each have their own likes and dis-likes, favorite foods, hobbies and the list goes on.  It can be a challenge to know how to deal with each one and their own special 'needs'...

As a mother, mom and mommy my days are filled with loving and caring for each of these blessings... I couldn't ask for more.

Until next time,
Jean