Being a parent is tough. On the parents. The other day the Ladybug and I had the most ridiculous conversation.
Her: Mom, can you teach me to drive when I’m 11?
Me (distracted while driving and trying to find a pen under the seat): Uh, no, you have to be 16.
Her: But you said you would.
Me (distracted while driving and trying to answer my cell phone): I told you maybe you could learn to drive the Ranger when you were 10. In the field. You have to be 16 to drive a car.
Her: Then can I have a phone?
Me: What?!!
Her: Can I have a phone when I’m 11?
Me (dropping the phone and the pen): You can have a phone when you have a job to pay for it.
Her: Daddy said school is my job. So, can I have a phone now?
This week I am thankful for an amazing community of Christian moms out there blogging their hearts out to help the rest of us muddle through. Moms who’s words repoint your heart and recalibrate your priorities and refresh your spirit. Thank you ladies (and gentlemen!) at MOB Society…MOD Squad…A Wise Woman Builds Her House…Generation Cedar…Raising Olives…all the ladies at Seeds of Faith Women…and so many more I come across every day. Moms that believe it’s ok to tell your kids “no,” and that it builds character to give your kids chores, and that it’s your job to monitor what they do with the computer and TV. True Titus 2 women. “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” (Titus 2:3-5)
I am thankful for siblings. I’m sure there’s benefits to being an only child, I just don’t have any reference for what they are. I’m thankful that our kids will grow up knowing the love, the frustration, the challenge, the companionship, the teamwork, and the pleasure of having siblings. “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
I am thankful for my sister. She turned 29 on Tuesday (I swear your birthday package is in the mail!). We are different. Like night and day actually. Like summer and winter. But we’ve been blessed, by God’s grace, to overcome those personality and value challenges over the years to reach the close friendship we share today. More like steak and potatoes. Or peanut butter and jelly. Completely different, but totally complementary. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the coutenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
And today I’m thankful for a roof over our heads, food on our plates, and gas in our trucks. As we reach out to those less fortunate than us for the holiday season, we are reminded of how very fortunate we are. And I am thankful for Christ. For God’s grace. For the divine gift of Hope and Joy that Christmas celebrates. Even if we were to lose the roof over our head or the food on our plates, no one can take away the gift of our Salvation and the promise of Heaven. If we lived in a box under a bridge, God would live right there with us. “…we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail…” (Hebrews 6:18-19)
Good morning World! Happy Thursday!
