Today is laundry day at my house. I.Love.Laundry.Day. For real. There isn't anything more satisfying to me than having 5 laundry baskets full of clean clothes. Even if it only lasts for 5 minutes. I live for those 5 minutes.
As I was folding my last little shirt today I looked down at my bed, and the entire thing was covered with clothes. Covered. You could not even see the comforter through all the piles of clothes. Ridiculous.
I then counted all those clothes, and this is what I came up with...in a weeks worth of time our family of 6 wore 69 shirts, 56 pairs of socks, 52 articles of unmentionables, 48 pairs of pants, 4 dresses, 20 pairs of jammies, 1 leotard, and 2 1/2 swimsuits(don't ask.). And those are just the things that made it to the laundry basket. That does not include the random items left in the toy room, stuffed under the bed, or hung back in the closet to be worn a second time before washing(if you think that is gross, I don't care).
Ridiculous.
And what is even worse is that nobody was out of clothes in their drawers or closets. Still plenty of shirts, pants, jammies, socks, and swimsuits to last a few more days.
Oh I have had the urge for awhile now, ever since I read Jen Hatmaker's book entitled Seven, to do a closet purge. You know, get rid of those items that I am hanging on to just-in-case the situation arises that I might in the off-chance need to wear them again sometime in the next 3 1/2 years. A good example would be this cute little halter-top I have. Are those even cute anymore? Well, at any rate I cannot part with this thing. I wore it 2 kids ago, and may have had the chest to pull it off at the time. But not anymore. It is time to bid that top farewell, give it my blessing, and send it on it's way. Surely there is somebody out there that can do that top more justice than I can. And then there are those jeans that I am hanging on to...a pair for fat days, a pair for skinny days, and 15 pairs for all the other days. And let's be honest, most days I end up in comfy pants anyway...
So my goal for the new year is to rid my closet of those things that I have no use for, and taking it one step further, to keep in line with my fast, to see how long I can go without filling the empty hangers.
Jen talked in her book about consumerism, here is what she had to say in regard to shopping and clothes:
With my genuine needs met but so many dollars yet unspent, shopping has become a stronger marker of freedom than voting, and what we spend in the mall matters more than what we're accomplishing together as the church. I am a part of the problem, a contributing member of inequality. Every time I buy another shirt I don't need or a seventh pair of shoes for my daughter, I redirect my powerful dollar to the pockets of consumerism, fueling my own greed and widening the gap. Why? Because I like it. Because those are cute. Because I want that.
These thoughts burden my holistically, but the trouble is, I can rationalize them individually. This one pair of shoes? Big deal. This little outfit? It was on sale. This micro-justification easily translates to nearly every purchase I've made. Alone, each item is reduced to an easy explanation, a harmless transaction. But all together, we've spent enough to irrevocably change the lives of a hundred thousand people. What did I get for that budgeting displacement? Closets full of clothes we barely wear and enough luxuries to outfit twenty families.
I am just sure that Jen and I are soul mates. She pry wouldn't agree though.
I am not kidding that there is something about shopping that just feels good to me. There is something about ripping the tag off a new shirt, or putting on a new pair of jeans that just feels so liberating to me. And I can justify just about every purchase I have ever made. I have a problem. I know.
My man and I were in Des Moines Saturday night and I confessed some of my dirty laundry to him...since my fast forbids me to shop for and spend money on clothes, I have been shopping and spending money on other things...furniture for my daughter's room(she moved from a crib to a big-girl bed), accessories for her room, books, curtains, home decor, Christmas gifts, and more.
And I am left wondering why I feel like God has sort of turned his back on me.
My fast was initiated, and orchestrated for the sole purpose of turning to God when I needed filling, not to shopping. And I failed.
Shame on me. But I am not going to wave my white flag of defeat quite yet. I have another plan.
For the next 4 months I am going to take my fast one step further. I am going to not only bid shopping for clothes farewell and rid my closet of the clutter, but I am going to spend money only on the necessities...food, toiletries, haircuts(sorry, I must cover all the grays), etc. And no, this is not about the money, in case you are wondering, this is about me needing to rely fully on my God, and not on the temporary fulfillments of this world.
I read this morning in my devotions the following: Enjoy the adventure of finding yourself through losing yourself in Me.
So if you run into me at Walmart and I have a cute $1 coloring book in my cart for my daughter, you can kindly tell me that she doesn't need it. Or if you see a fun throw-pillow in my cart at Target, you can tell me to put it back. And if you find out that I have been searching the internet for a cute new swimsuit for spring break, please tell me how ugly it would look on me. And remind me that I am supposed to be losing myself so that I can find myself in God.
Please note that if you do any of the things I mentioned in my last paragraph, I may "unfriend" you on Facebook, but eventually I will come to my senses and appreciate you again.
Journey
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Hard Days
You do not even know how hard it is for me to not shop the day-after-Christmas-sales stores are now having.
This is the most wonderful time of the year when I typically start a stock-pile of clothes for next year. I have a pretty good idea of what size all the kiddos will be next fall and winter, and I love to shop sales, so this season of savings was made for people like me.
Until this year.
Instead of gassing up the truck, dropping the kids off at my mom, and rushing to Des Moines, I am stripping The Beast of all Christmas decor and vacuuming up all the evidence that The Beast left behind on my carpet.
I caught a glimpse of a sale advertisement at a store I like to shop at while checking Facebook. However, I did not click on it, nor did I check to see what might be available in my childrens sizes. Instead, I kept scrolling, to see if there was anything else more exciting posted.
There wasn't.
Anyway, shortly after starting my fast I decided that it was in my best interest to "unsubscribe" to all those daily e-mails that filled my in-box. Each one brought temptation with it, and I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to handle 6 months of that torture. I mean, it would be like going on a diet, and then making cookies everyday and setting them on the counter and staring at them. Failure would soon happen. So normally I would have woke up to e-mail after e-mail, each one boasting about the "best sale of the year."
But not this year.
Instead, when I was doing my devotions this morning I came across this verse that I had hi lighted in my Bible found in Psalm 16:8:
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
The crazy thing about that verse is that I was actually supposed to read a different passage, but for some reason that one a few pages later caught my eye. It's funny how God knows what we need, and when we need it. He knew that today would be a hard day for me to resist the temptations of the devil, so He reminded me that with Him, I cannot be shaken.
Please note that we will never be buying a Christmas tree as big as The Beast again. Wow, what were we thinking...my vacuum will never be the same.
This is the most wonderful time of the year when I typically start a stock-pile of clothes for next year. I have a pretty good idea of what size all the kiddos will be next fall and winter, and I love to shop sales, so this season of savings was made for people like me.
Until this year.
Instead of gassing up the truck, dropping the kids off at my mom, and rushing to Des Moines, I am stripping The Beast of all Christmas decor and vacuuming up all the evidence that The Beast left behind on my carpet.
I caught a glimpse of a sale advertisement at a store I like to shop at while checking Facebook. However, I did not click on it, nor did I check to see what might be available in my childrens sizes. Instead, I kept scrolling, to see if there was anything else more exciting posted.
There wasn't.
Anyway, shortly after starting my fast I decided that it was in my best interest to "unsubscribe" to all those daily e-mails that filled my in-box. Each one brought temptation with it, and I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to handle 6 months of that torture. I mean, it would be like going on a diet, and then making cookies everyday and setting them on the counter and staring at them. Failure would soon happen. So normally I would have woke up to e-mail after e-mail, each one boasting about the "best sale of the year."
But not this year.
Instead, when I was doing my devotions this morning I came across this verse that I had hi lighted in my Bible found in Psalm 16:8:
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
The crazy thing about that verse is that I was actually supposed to read a different passage, but for some reason that one a few pages later caught my eye. It's funny how God knows what we need, and when we need it. He knew that today would be a hard day for me to resist the temptations of the devil, so He reminded me that with Him, I cannot be shaken.
Please note that we will never be buying a Christmas tree as big as The Beast again. Wow, what were we thinking...my vacuum will never be the same.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Mary did you know?
We are on the countdown to Christmas at our house. The paper chain has just a few circles remaining, counting down the day until we get to celebrate Jesus' Birthday.
We had our own little Christmas party at our house this morning, complete with yummy food and lots of fun gifts the kids enjoyed opening. We started our celebration off by reading from the Adventures in Odyssey Activity Calendar included in our Thriving Family magazine. It spoke about how there were so many people expectantly waiting for Jesus' birth, just as people were excited about our own birth.
The kids then allowed me a few minutes to talk about how each of them came into the world...minus the human anatomy lesson.
I told our firstborn how we were so excited for him to come into the world. My due date came and went, and still no baby. I waited another week until the doctor said it was time. And I was never the same.
Then I told our second born how I cried for the first week after I found out I was pregnant with her. We lightly touched on how God's time is not always our time, and I wrapped it up by telling her that she came, with the help of modern medicine, on her due date, and was much easier on me than her brother. She liked hearing that, especially after the whole crying-for-a-week thing.
I shared with our third child how she was a gift from God, and that I had really bad back labor with her, and I was as happy as a clam to have that over with. There was no sugar on the end of her story, except her of course.
And our fourth "baby" is a miracle from God and too little to understand what that means. This is not the post I want to share her story in, but I promise, it will come. And I promise that even though she was the biggest surprise of our lives, we can't imagine a day without her and all that God has taught us through her.
So back to Jesus and his birth story.
I have been thinking so much about Mary this Christmas season, and what she felt as mother of Jesus.
I remember so clearly the minute the doctor placed my new infant on my chest, the joy and excitement that I felt with each one. The lack of pain that I felt thanks to some good drugs. The army of people there to help me with my delivery and the many hands that were available to care for my new child, all in a very clean, sterile room.
And what did Mary have? Joy and excitement I am sure. But as a young teenage mom she had little to no experience delivering a child. With nothing but her man to help. No army of nurses to tend to her or her infant. And she was in a barn, in a bit of animal poop, perhaps.
And I wonder if Mary knew.
If she knew that the baby that she just delivered, the ones she had her own hopes and dreams for, the child that God had chosen her to bring into this world, would someday be hanging on the cross to save thousands, millions of people.
I dare to bet that had she known the pain He was destined to experience, she would have traded places with him. She would have bargained with God in order that her son would not have had to walk that road.
When our oldest was about 18 months old we were told that he failed a hearing test, and would need hearing aids.
And my heart broke.
Here he was, my child, my little boy, and I knew that although hearing aids were not the worst diagnosis we could have heard, I also knew that kids are mean and cruel, and that he would endure pain and hardships that I would much rather carry. I could handle those hurtful words. I could handle the stares. I could handle the inconvenience.
Give it to me God, and please take it away from my son.
I started bargaining with God as if my life depended on it. If only he could take this away from my son, then I would be better. If He would take it away, then I would sing his praise all my days. I would share what He had done for us, the healing that He offered.
We took our son for healing prayer. And the craziest thing happened, the craziest God-thing ever.
We had a more invasive hearing test performed on him at Blank Children's Hospital a few days later.
And he passed.
Not only did he pass, but the technician couldn't figure out why in the world we were there.
He did it. God did it. He healed my son. He took away all the things I had become anxious about.
God did not do the same for Mary. She raised this gift from God, only to watch him die in public disgrace. I am almost sure that Mary's heart broke, just like my mother's heart does when I see my child suffering, hurting, or alone.
I love how Mary set an example for us all when she replied to the angel in Luke 1:38, "I am the Lord's servant...May it be to me as you have said."
Mary didn't know. She didn't know how Joseph would react to the news that she was caring a child conceived by the Holy Spirit. She didn't know how her family would react. And she certainly didn't know how difficult it would be to see her child die. But she trusted God, and His plan. And she knew that even if all of her prayers went unanswered, and even if God didn't bargain with her and allow her to trade places with her son, allow her to carry the pain of his death, that the story God had written was far better than anything she could have come up with.
Please note that I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas, enjoying lots and lots of food, fellowship, and perhaps a few new outfits for me.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Disconnected
From what I can tell, there are two different people in the world: those who like to be spontaneous(my man), and those who like a well thought-out plan(myself). And apparently those two different types of people can live in harmony with each other. Most of the time.
Thursday night my man brought up the idea of getting rid of our cable. Now, granted, we have thrown this idea around from time to time, but there was never a serious discussion had. So he threw the idea out there again, and I kind of said that I would possibly think about it the next time I was somewhat bored.
Friday night he mentioned to our son that he needed his help on Saturday in the attic. So I inquired what they were doing in the attic, perhaps hunting for bats. Nope. My man had purchased an antenna, and he planned to put it up Saturday in order to eliminate our DirecTV.
Excuse me. Do you remember me saying that I would think about it maybe, I had not fully committed to this.
Apparently he was having selective hearing when the topic had been ever so slightly brushed upon on Thursday night.
I voiced my concern, letting him know exactly which channel(s) I would miss watching, along with telling him that the kids would be after his head if they didn't have Disney Junior to watch in the morning. Ok, so maybe that was me that was going to miss Disney Junior in our morning routine...I can't entertain this tribe 24-hours a day.
Saturday rolled around and I left for a quick Target run.
When I came back 8 hours later, our cable was gone. Disconnected. No longer in service. Kaput.
Now I know there are a lot of people who live without the likes of cable television. I just haven't been one of them since I was little enough to do a somersault without pulling a few muscles. It's not even that I watch that much television, I just like to have it there as an option at 5:30 when the kids are tired and hungry and dinner is still 45 minutes from ready.
And even more than that, I like to contemplate for a rather long time the pros and cons of change. My husband doesn't. I have many examples to support that too, but I won't bore you with them on here.
Anyway, the point in all of this is that God is continuing to call me to a simpler life. One that is not dependent on the happenings of HGTV, but rather on the happenings of life around me.
I am guessing that by getting rid of DirecTV we will be saving an estimated $1,200 a year, give or take. And what exactly can be done with that money is up to God, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, there are lots of places that would welcome that money each month, and perhaps will benefit from it more than DirecTV.
So I guess that sometimes being spontaneous is what I need to be so that I can have Eyes to see what God has in store for me.
It is perhaps obvious this far into my blog that I love music and I love how it speaks to me. I had the privilege to hear Laura Story sing in person this summer, and love her music. A new song of hers entitled I Can Just Be Me is one that I have fallen in love with. A few of my favorite lines in the song say "I've been holding on so tightly to all the things that I think that can satisfy my soul. But I'm letting go....I can be frail and shattered. Lord I need you now...now I'm needing, desperately pleading, oh Lord be all to me...be my everything. Cause I'm so tired of trying to be someone I was never meant to be."
I don't think God meant for me to be on this earth for my own happiness, I believe that I was created to do His will. And He keeps showing me that in this journey.
Please note that over the course of the last 72 hours both the kids and I have survived without HGTV and Disney Junior. Thankfully the amish antenna up in our attic picks up a new fun cartoon channel, as well as a low-budget HGTV knock-off.
Thursday night my man brought up the idea of getting rid of our cable. Now, granted, we have thrown this idea around from time to time, but there was never a serious discussion had. So he threw the idea out there again, and I kind of said that I would possibly think about it the next time I was somewhat bored.
Friday night he mentioned to our son that he needed his help on Saturday in the attic. So I inquired what they were doing in the attic, perhaps hunting for bats. Nope. My man had purchased an antenna, and he planned to put it up Saturday in order to eliminate our DirecTV.
Excuse me. Do you remember me saying that I would think about it maybe, I had not fully committed to this.
Apparently he was having selective hearing when the topic had been ever so slightly brushed upon on Thursday night.
I voiced my concern, letting him know exactly which channel(s) I would miss watching, along with telling him that the kids would be after his head if they didn't have Disney Junior to watch in the morning. Ok, so maybe that was me that was going to miss Disney Junior in our morning routine...I can't entertain this tribe 24-hours a day.
Saturday rolled around and I left for a quick Target run.
When I came back 8 hours later, our cable was gone. Disconnected. No longer in service. Kaput.
Now I know there are a lot of people who live without the likes of cable television. I just haven't been one of them since I was little enough to do a somersault without pulling a few muscles. It's not even that I watch that much television, I just like to have it there as an option at 5:30 when the kids are tired and hungry and dinner is still 45 minutes from ready.
And even more than that, I like to contemplate for a rather long time the pros and cons of change. My husband doesn't. I have many examples to support that too, but I won't bore you with them on here.
Anyway, the point in all of this is that God is continuing to call me to a simpler life. One that is not dependent on the happenings of HGTV, but rather on the happenings of life around me.
I am guessing that by getting rid of DirecTV we will be saving an estimated $1,200 a year, give or take. And what exactly can be done with that money is up to God, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, there are lots of places that would welcome that money each month, and perhaps will benefit from it more than DirecTV.
So I guess that sometimes being spontaneous is what I need to be so that I can have Eyes to see what God has in store for me.
It is perhaps obvious this far into my blog that I love music and I love how it speaks to me. I had the privilege to hear Laura Story sing in person this summer, and love her music. A new song of hers entitled I Can Just Be Me is one that I have fallen in love with. A few of my favorite lines in the song say "I've been holding on so tightly to all the things that I think that can satisfy my soul. But I'm letting go....I can be frail and shattered. Lord I need you now...now I'm needing, desperately pleading, oh Lord be all to me...be my everything. Cause I'm so tired of trying to be someone I was never meant to be."
I don't think God meant for me to be on this earth for my own happiness, I believe that I was created to do His will. And He keeps showing me that in this journey.
Please note that over the course of the last 72 hours both the kids and I have survived without HGTV and Disney Junior. Thankfully the amish antenna up in our attic picks up a new fun cartoon channel, as well as a low-budget HGTV knock-off.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
More vs Less
Today I stopped at our Community Center to drop off the gifts we had bought for our adopt-a-family. Now I am in no way bragging, looking for recognition, or trying to make you feel lousy if you didn't participate. I just needed to lead into my post with something.
So I hauled a few bags and a super heavy item up about 900 stairs. I swear that building is so old that it doesn't have an elevator. And as I was bringing the items up, I was reminded of something I read last night. I am almost through the book Christmas is Not Your Birthday, which means I will only quote it a few more times before I move on to the next book, then you will get to read about that book.
Mike Slaughter wrote, "At Christmas, we celebrate a messiah, a deliverer, who was born to die. So, we too are called to give ourselves sacrificially with Christ for the world that God loves. More of him and less of us. More for him and less for us. Such sacrifice is paradoxical because the more of ourselves that we give away, the more abundant our faith and our contentment will be with what we have. In our culture of consumption, this is a countercultural way to live. Living on less when we could have more and giving away more when it means having less is a frightening proposition to many. It is not easy, and there will be naysayers, but this sacrifice is what Jesus truly desires of those who would follow him."
What is interesting is that Mike is a pastor and also challenged his congregation to donate money to a certain organization equal to that which they spent on Christmas gifts that year. So if I spent say $500 on gifts for everybody on my list, then I would also give away $50o to help the poor.
And I wonder what that would do to our spending habits. Would we be inclined to spend just as much, knowing that we had to match that to bless others with. Or would our spending on gifts decrease so that we would be able to give more away.
What if we take it one step further and say that any money spent should be matched and given away. If it takes $200 a week to feed and clothe my family of 6, then I could donate that same amount to provide rice and clean drinking water to a family in a third world country. Honestly, it would pry provide enough for a month.
It is a little scary to think about, and I am not saying that it is right for everybody. In fact, my man and I have yet to discuss the idea, but I think it's a great seed to plant.
How could I live with less? What does that look like? For me, I think I have realized over the last 6 weeks that we can live with a lot less clothes. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, there hasn't been one single day over the last 6 weeks that I or my kids have gone anywhere naked.
You are welcome for that.
In fact, do I dare say that I have enjoyed the challenge of coming up with "new outfits" in my own closet. I told my man that it is all about the layers, and it also works in my favor that the "in thing" right now isn't to be quite so matchy-matchy, so my orange scarf with my navy sweater actually makes me look a little trendy instead of dumpy.
So I can obviously do with less in terms of clothes, but what else...less channels on our television perhaps, less toys in the basement maybe, less iPods certainly, less for me and more for Him definitely.
I feel like God is calling me to less. That perhaps after my fast is over I will shop for a new item or two, but instead of filling my closet with more, He wants to see what I can do with less. And that feels like a challenge that I will only be able to conquer with His help.
I am reminded of the verse where Jesus talks about seeing the hungry, but not feeding them, seeing the naked, but not clothing them.
Last year my husband and I took a trip to the Dominican Republic with some friends of ours and my eyes were opened to what the hungry and naked of this world look like.
We stayed in an fabulous all-inclusive resort, where we were left wanting for nothing. And on a day-trip out to zip-line we drove out of our lavish resort and through some very poor areas.
At one point I looked over and saw a half-naked child about the same age as my third child, and my heart broke. Here we were having the time of our lives, with nothing to care about except what cute outfit I would wear to dinner in an extravagant restaurant.
And this boy didn't even have pants to wear.
And he more than likely didn't have a kitchen full of food choices either.
My first thought was to pack him in my suitcase and take him home, but my man wasn't on board with that. So we just drove past.
And I think about that boy every so often wondering what his life is like and what the future looks like for him. And mostly wondering how in the world God chose to bless me with food, clothing, and shelter, and not him.
I have said it before, and I will say it again, as it is my go-to quote right now...I am blessed to be a blessing...
Please note that we had so much fun on our trip to the DR, and I truly believe that God allowed us to take that trip so that my eyes would be opened. He had to get my attention somehow, and he knew that wasn't going to happen sitting on my computer in my living room shopping on-line.
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Feast
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to my daughter's preschool for their Thanksgiving Feast. We had a great morning preparing food, and then a while later 19 kids and 5 adults sat at a long table to partake in the prepared feast. There were apple slices, corn bread, more popcorn than we could eat, candy corn, and apple juice to drink.
About an hour after I finished with the preschool feast, I went to grade school to eat the Thanksgiving Feast prepared by the school cooks. Again, we were offered a variety of foods, including turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, pumpkin pie, and more.
I felt like a stuffed turkey after indulging in those two feasts.
Earlier that week my mom had shared an article with me by Leslie Royalty entitled "Fasting: An Invitation to Feast." The article talked about the purposes of fasting, both modern day fasting and that which we read about in the Bible. In regard to fasting she wrote that "the primary purpose in doing so is to position ourselves with an open and attentive heart before God."
She was speaking right to me, I am sure of it.
She went on to write the following:
"I sensed Jesus' clear invitation, 'I want you to FEAST on ME today'. What a joy! Rather than focusing on what I was going without, Jesus was calling me to come to him and FEAST! Just like I would partake of a big banquet, to dig into him, to drink deeply of HIM. To eat heartily and savor His Word. To allow Him to nourish me and satisfy me with Himself. To enjoy Him, to delight in His presence within and around me."
And so my focus with this fast has turned from what I cannot have or do, to that which God is trying to give me.
He didn't call me to do this so that I would be miserable and walking around wallowing in self-pity, or gloating either for that matter. He called me to this fast so that I would turn to him to fill me, so that I would feast in his presence and eat the "food" He is offering me.
Just like I was full after a day of feasting with my kids, so God wants me to be full everyday after feasting on His word.
I have starting keeping a journal that is filled with scripture passages that speak to me. Ones that feed me when I start to feel hungry for God. Verses that I can turn to when I feel the hunger pains and start longing for something other than God.
I really like Isaiah 41:10:
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
What a beautiful promise made by our Savior walk with us no matter what we are facing, be it a fast or a feast or something else.
Please note that school lunches are not always my favorite, but I love seeing my kids in their element, on their turf so-to-speak, so they can show me what they do when they are away from home. I would encourage you to make time to feast with a child in your life this week...even if you have to eat crispitos.
About an hour after I finished with the preschool feast, I went to grade school to eat the Thanksgiving Feast prepared by the school cooks. Again, we were offered a variety of foods, including turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, corn, pumpkin pie, and more.
I felt like a stuffed turkey after indulging in those two feasts.
Earlier that week my mom had shared an article with me by Leslie Royalty entitled "Fasting: An Invitation to Feast." The article talked about the purposes of fasting, both modern day fasting and that which we read about in the Bible. In regard to fasting she wrote that "the primary purpose in doing so is to position ourselves with an open and attentive heart before God."
She was speaking right to me, I am sure of it.
She went on to write the following:
"I sensed Jesus' clear invitation, 'I want you to FEAST on ME today'. What a joy! Rather than focusing on what I was going without, Jesus was calling me to come to him and FEAST! Just like I would partake of a big banquet, to dig into him, to drink deeply of HIM. To eat heartily and savor His Word. To allow Him to nourish me and satisfy me with Himself. To enjoy Him, to delight in His presence within and around me."
And so my focus with this fast has turned from what I cannot have or do, to that which God is trying to give me.
He didn't call me to do this so that I would be miserable and walking around wallowing in self-pity, or gloating either for that matter. He called me to this fast so that I would turn to him to fill me, so that I would feast in his presence and eat the "food" He is offering me.
Just like I was full after a day of feasting with my kids, so God wants me to be full everyday after feasting on His word.
I have starting keeping a journal that is filled with scripture passages that speak to me. Ones that feed me when I start to feel hungry for God. Verses that I can turn to when I feel the hunger pains and start longing for something other than God.
I really like Isaiah 41:10:
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
What a beautiful promise made by our Savior walk with us no matter what we are facing, be it a fast or a feast or something else.
Please note that school lunches are not always my favorite, but I love seeing my kids in their element, on their turf so-to-speak, so they can show me what they do when they are away from home. I would encourage you to make time to feast with a child in your life this week...even if you have to eat crispitos.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Hot Pursuit
Last week Tuesday my mom and I went and had a shopping day. There I said it. I.went.shopping.
And then on Friday night, I went again.
Ok, fine, I went Saturday night too.
Now before you all jump ship and label me a loser, I want you to know that I did not buy any clothes for myself or my kids. I even went into OshKosh with a $10 reward certificate and spent it on undies. Ugly boy undies none-the-less. I don't understand why they can't even be sort of cute. I saw plenty of other cute things in there, but nope, I bought underwear. Bless it.
All of those shopping trips have been for Christmas gifts. And I have been doing Christmas shopping like it's nobody's business. And I am done. So I guess I am done shopping until May then too. Awesome.
Oh, I do have a point in all of this, so stick with me.
Through all of this shopping and pursuing of the right gifts, I haven't felt like I did those first few weeks of my fast. The first month I was in hot pursuit of God's direction and will. But the "honeymoon" period is over, and I think I lost a little steam after that first month.
My husband can relate.
Not sure if it's because of the Christmas shopping I have been doing, or if I am just getting comfortable with the whole situation, but I do feel like I am a little disconnected right now.
I am reading Christmas is Not Your Birthday by Mike Slaughter, and came across this little paragraph today that caught my attention:
Only when we realize how far we have strayed from the one who loves us so deeply and unconditionally can we respond in radical faith. And when we passionately pursue God as our defining life center, then everything else will be rightly ordered.
As I read that I felt that nudge, that quiet whisper that told me that I have perhaps strayed from God a bit over the last week or so. I quickly and easily fell back into the routine of shopping, even if it wasn't for clothes. Searching Target after Target for the doll that claimed to be available in each store, only to find out it wasn't(Target, you need to work on that), scanning website after website for the right gift for my mom, and driving from one sports store to another looking for something to make my son happy.
I think I lost sight of what God was calling me to do in the first place. Rather than pursuing Him, I have been pursuing the things of this world that will provide temporary happiness for my loved ones.
So I think I cheated a bit. Not in the sense that I shopped for clothes, since I didn't do that, but rather in the sense that I put God in second place again, and let shopping for Christmas gifts fulfill me.
The good news is that my Christmas shopping is complete, The Beast is decorated, and my stockings are hung.
Now I need to be in hot pursuit of God so that my life will have some order to it again...and perhaps ask for a little forgiveness for straying.
Please note that I do realize that Christmas is not my birthday, or my kids', or anybody else's for that matter. It is Jesus' birthday, but I have yet to figure out how to explain that to 4 little kids and have them understand why they shouldn't get gifts when everybody else is...thoughts for another post perhaps...
And then on Friday night, I went again.
Ok, fine, I went Saturday night too.
Now before you all jump ship and label me a loser, I want you to know that I did not buy any clothes for myself or my kids. I even went into OshKosh with a $10 reward certificate and spent it on undies. Ugly boy undies none-the-less. I don't understand why they can't even be sort of cute. I saw plenty of other cute things in there, but nope, I bought underwear. Bless it.
All of those shopping trips have been for Christmas gifts. And I have been doing Christmas shopping like it's nobody's business. And I am done. So I guess I am done shopping until May then too. Awesome.
Oh, I do have a point in all of this, so stick with me.
Through all of this shopping and pursuing of the right gifts, I haven't felt like I did those first few weeks of my fast. The first month I was in hot pursuit of God's direction and will. But the "honeymoon" period is over, and I think I lost a little steam after that first month.
My husband can relate.
Not sure if it's because of the Christmas shopping I have been doing, or if I am just getting comfortable with the whole situation, but I do feel like I am a little disconnected right now.
I am reading Christmas is Not Your Birthday by Mike Slaughter, and came across this little paragraph today that caught my attention:
Only when we realize how far we have strayed from the one who loves us so deeply and unconditionally can we respond in radical faith. And when we passionately pursue God as our defining life center, then everything else will be rightly ordered.
As I read that I felt that nudge, that quiet whisper that told me that I have perhaps strayed from God a bit over the last week or so. I quickly and easily fell back into the routine of shopping, even if it wasn't for clothes. Searching Target after Target for the doll that claimed to be available in each store, only to find out it wasn't(Target, you need to work on that), scanning website after website for the right gift for my mom, and driving from one sports store to another looking for something to make my son happy.
I think I lost sight of what God was calling me to do in the first place. Rather than pursuing Him, I have been pursuing the things of this world that will provide temporary happiness for my loved ones.
So I think I cheated a bit. Not in the sense that I shopped for clothes, since I didn't do that, but rather in the sense that I put God in second place again, and let shopping for Christmas gifts fulfill me.
The good news is that my Christmas shopping is complete, The Beast is decorated, and my stockings are hung.
Now I need to be in hot pursuit of God so that my life will have some order to it again...and perhaps ask for a little forgiveness for straying.
Please note that I do realize that Christmas is not my birthday, or my kids', or anybody else's for that matter. It is Jesus' birthday, but I have yet to figure out how to explain that to 4 little kids and have them understand why they shouldn't get gifts when everybody else is...thoughts for another post perhaps...
Monday, December 2, 2013
Peace
Yesterday marked not only the one-month date for my journey, but it was also the first Sunday of Advent. Crazy how quick that came after Thanksgiving this year.
Anyway, over the last couple of weeks it seems like no matter what I read or hear it has something to do with peace.
So I have been pondering what peace means to me. And my initial reaction is that peace comes from about 1pm-2:30pm when my littles are napping. Peace and quiet. That is what I long for.
But I'm pretty sure that is not the peace that I am being lead to seek right now. Although God blesses me with the temporary peace and quiet my ears and body need each day, He is trying to bless me with a different kind of peace.
This morning in my devotion I read, "Walk with Me along paths of Peace; enjoy the journey in My Presence." (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling)
"Enjoy the journey in My Presence"...I like that. A lot. Over the last month I have been, well, sort of enjoying the journey, and I have certainly found myself in God's Presence often. I love how God has opened doors to conversations and relationships that may have otherwise been left alone. I love how God has started to transform the desires of my heart from what I can purchase, to the things that can't be purchased. I love it when my husband tells me that I am a better mom & wife after starting this journey.
What I do not love is how I can still be so easily tempted to stray. How a 10% off plus free shipping on TOMS makes my heart beat a little faster. I do not love that when I see certain people wearing new clothes I judge rather than offer compliments. I do not love the ugly that still lives in my heart.
I need peace.
God's peace.
Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Oh, I want to trust in him. In certain areas of my life. Like I trust in Him with this fast. But I don't so much trust in Him when it comes to raising my kids. I mean, I know them well, I have been with them their whole lives, I know what makes them tick, so I got it.
But I don't.
I often loose my patience, get frustrated, angry, and act unloving towards them. We can put on a great show when we are out in public, but most days I am overcome with the daunting task of raising 4 kids. But rather than turning to God for his peace to wash over me, I put on my big-girl panties and do it myself.
I act like my 2-year old. Fabulous.
And I read in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Daily, hourly, every minute I need Him to uphold me. To cover me with his peace so that I may live a life that is pleasing to him.
I think one of the gifts God wants to bless me with through this fast is peace. And I think that he is opening my eyes to areas where I need to come clean with Him, depend on Him to strengthen me, so that I can have the peace that is listed with the other fruits of the spirit.
God doesn't really want to give me external peace, it's the internal peace that I need. The kind of peace that comes over me when I see a shirt that I am just sure I can't live without. The kind of peace that pushes away the jealousy and envy that my heart so easily turns to. The kind of peace that the angels brought to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds long ago. The kind of peace that Jesus brought to us. The kind of peace that allows me to live in His plan for my life...I mean if Mary and Joseph could find peace in their crazy, scary situation, then I can at least try to experience God's peace in my crazy life.
Please note that Peace on Earth by Casting Crowns is a great song for this time of year...especially if you are seeking His peace
Anyway, over the last couple of weeks it seems like no matter what I read or hear it has something to do with peace.
So I have been pondering what peace means to me. And my initial reaction is that peace comes from about 1pm-2:30pm when my littles are napping. Peace and quiet. That is what I long for.
But I'm pretty sure that is not the peace that I am being lead to seek right now. Although God blesses me with the temporary peace and quiet my ears and body need each day, He is trying to bless me with a different kind of peace.
This morning in my devotion I read, "Walk with Me along paths of Peace; enjoy the journey in My Presence." (Sarah Young, Jesus Calling)
"Enjoy the journey in My Presence"...I like that. A lot. Over the last month I have been, well, sort of enjoying the journey, and I have certainly found myself in God's Presence often. I love how God has opened doors to conversations and relationships that may have otherwise been left alone. I love how God has started to transform the desires of my heart from what I can purchase, to the things that can't be purchased. I love it when my husband tells me that I am a better mom & wife after starting this journey.
What I do not love is how I can still be so easily tempted to stray. How a 10% off plus free shipping on TOMS makes my heart beat a little faster. I do not love that when I see certain people wearing new clothes I judge rather than offer compliments. I do not love the ugly that still lives in my heart.
I need peace.
God's peace.
Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Oh, I want to trust in him. In certain areas of my life. Like I trust in Him with this fast. But I don't so much trust in Him when it comes to raising my kids. I mean, I know them well, I have been with them their whole lives, I know what makes them tick, so I got it.
But I don't.
I often loose my patience, get frustrated, angry, and act unloving towards them. We can put on a great show when we are out in public, but most days I am overcome with the daunting task of raising 4 kids. But rather than turning to God for his peace to wash over me, I put on my big-girl panties and do it myself.
I act like my 2-year old. Fabulous.
And I read in Isaiah 41:10, "So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Daily, hourly, every minute I need Him to uphold me. To cover me with his peace so that I may live a life that is pleasing to him.
I think one of the gifts God wants to bless me with through this fast is peace. And I think that he is opening my eyes to areas where I need to come clean with Him, depend on Him to strengthen me, so that I can have the peace that is listed with the other fruits of the spirit.
God doesn't really want to give me external peace, it's the internal peace that I need. The kind of peace that comes over me when I see a shirt that I am just sure I can't live without. The kind of peace that pushes away the jealousy and envy that my heart so easily turns to. The kind of peace that the angels brought to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds long ago. The kind of peace that Jesus brought to us. The kind of peace that allows me to live in His plan for my life...I mean if Mary and Joseph could find peace in their crazy, scary situation, then I can at least try to experience God's peace in my crazy life.
Please note that Peace on Earth by Casting Crowns is a great song for this time of year...especially if you are seeking His peace
Saturday, November 30, 2013
O Christmas Tree
Oh mylanta. Today was the day, according to my man. The annual "Chop Down the DeVries Family Christmas Tree Day."
This day holds it's own unique adventure each year, therefore it is also deemed worthy of it's own post.
My man feels it is important that we drive to the middle of nowhere to chop down a tree with the kids, for the sake of making memories. So off we went to make memories.
We always start with the best intentions. So early this morning we buckled 4 kiddos into our bus(or Expedition EL) and started out.
Right before we left I realized I was out of Mt Dew. This is a problem. So I held my man's coffee captive until he agreed to stop and get a pop for me, and all the while our 7-year-old is in the back seat preaching to us about how we should both stop our nasty habits. Zip it little one, you know not what you speak of.
So he stopped at Casey's, I released his coffee to him, and we were off for the tree farm, full of caffeine and a whole list of other products that I can't pronounce. But at least I didn't have a headache. Yet.
After arriving at the farm we were escorted back to the section that held the big trees. That should have been an indication of what we were getting ourselves into. But it didn't, we were too busy dreaming about the tree that would make Christmas 2013 all that and a bag of chips.
We started walking around, examining tree after tree. Right out of the truck Boo found one that she was just sure was the one. It was all of 3 feet tall. We decided to keep looking.
Sally(or Emerson) was insistent that we find a tree that "felt good." So she was walking from tree to tree deciding if the needles on it felt good. She found one. It was, well, a bit crooked. We decided to keep looking.
Tait was busy telling us every 30 seconds that she was tired and hungry, and quickly forgot what the task at hand was. After a few minutes she fell about 15 feet behind the rest of us and started telling the trees that she was tired and hungry. I think they cared more than I did.
Holden was the keeper of the saw. Not sure why we thought that was a good idea. He was more interested in spinning the saw around in hopes of "accidentally" nicking one of his sisters than he was about the tree.
All of the sudden it was as if the heaven's opened up, and there before us stood THE TREE.
Before my man started sawing, he confirmed that this was indeed the one. I said yes...then went looking for another tree. Not a good idea, in case you were wondering.
After I checked out a few more trees I returned to ours, and I am not kidding that it had grown in the 30 seconds I had been gone.
I mentioned to my man that maybe it really wasn't the one after all. He was well into it with his dull saw, and politely told me that I couldn't change my mind, we were committed this one already.
The nice workers came with their little ATV to take our tree and shake it for us. It took both of them to keep it in the back of the ATV.
After we drove back to the main area and saw our tree again, I was sure that it had grown...again. It was a bit fuller than what I had remembered it being in the field.
It took exactly 5 men, a stepstool, and a few ropes to get the beast(our tree) strapped to the top of our truck. The Griswold's don't have anything on us.
And all the while everyone that went past was looking at our truck with a ginormous tree strapped to the top with a grin on their face...pretty sure we were the laughing stock of the tree farm.
We made it nearly a mile before we had to stop and tighten the straps. For fear that our tree might actually fly off the top of the truck, my husband drove below the speed limit the whole way home. That was the first time that has ever happened. First. Time. Ever.
Upon arriving home we trimmed the bottom, and set it in a stand that is intended for a tree about half it's size. I had to do a little extra trimming on the bottom, since my man indicated that presents wouldn't fit under it. And I'm fasting from buying clothes, not Christmas presents, so we need space for gifts...more on that in a later post.
And our tree is now standing in our living room, taking up a substantial amount of the space in there. I swear it grew again. Thinking we may need to remove a few pieces of furniture for a season.
But when I look at our tree in all it's big fat glory, I am reminded of the memories made this morning with little ones that I am told will all to quickly be making memories with families of their own.
So thanks, Lumber Jack, for making sure our family is making memories...
Please note that again, this post had nothing to do with my fast...sometimes I think it's good to give you all a glimpse of what our family is really like...and I was going to post a picture, but it just didn't do the beast justice. If you want to see it first-hand, you are always welcome to stop by for a cup of hot chocolate.
This day holds it's own unique adventure each year, therefore it is also deemed worthy of it's own post.
My man feels it is important that we drive to the middle of nowhere to chop down a tree with the kids, for the sake of making memories. So off we went to make memories.
We always start with the best intentions. So early this morning we buckled 4 kiddos into our bus(or Expedition EL) and started out.
Right before we left I realized I was out of Mt Dew. This is a problem. So I held my man's coffee captive until he agreed to stop and get a pop for me, and all the while our 7-year-old is in the back seat preaching to us about how we should both stop our nasty habits. Zip it little one, you know not what you speak of.
So he stopped at Casey's, I released his coffee to him, and we were off for the tree farm, full of caffeine and a whole list of other products that I can't pronounce. But at least I didn't have a headache. Yet.
After arriving at the farm we were escorted back to the section that held the big trees. That should have been an indication of what we were getting ourselves into. But it didn't, we were too busy dreaming about the tree that would make Christmas 2013 all that and a bag of chips.
We started walking around, examining tree after tree. Right out of the truck Boo found one that she was just sure was the one. It was all of 3 feet tall. We decided to keep looking.
Sally(or Emerson) was insistent that we find a tree that "felt good." So she was walking from tree to tree deciding if the needles on it felt good. She found one. It was, well, a bit crooked. We decided to keep looking.
Tait was busy telling us every 30 seconds that she was tired and hungry, and quickly forgot what the task at hand was. After a few minutes she fell about 15 feet behind the rest of us and started telling the trees that she was tired and hungry. I think they cared more than I did.
Holden was the keeper of the saw. Not sure why we thought that was a good idea. He was more interested in spinning the saw around in hopes of "accidentally" nicking one of his sisters than he was about the tree.
All of the sudden it was as if the heaven's opened up, and there before us stood THE TREE.
Before my man started sawing, he confirmed that this was indeed the one. I said yes...then went looking for another tree. Not a good idea, in case you were wondering.
After I checked out a few more trees I returned to ours, and I am not kidding that it had grown in the 30 seconds I had been gone.
I mentioned to my man that maybe it really wasn't the one after all. He was well into it with his dull saw, and politely told me that I couldn't change my mind, we were committed this one already.
The nice workers came with their little ATV to take our tree and shake it for us. It took both of them to keep it in the back of the ATV.
After we drove back to the main area and saw our tree again, I was sure that it had grown...again. It was a bit fuller than what I had remembered it being in the field.
It took exactly 5 men, a stepstool, and a few ropes to get the beast(our tree) strapped to the top of our truck. The Griswold's don't have anything on us.
And all the while everyone that went past was looking at our truck with a ginormous tree strapped to the top with a grin on their face...pretty sure we were the laughing stock of the tree farm.
We made it nearly a mile before we had to stop and tighten the straps. For fear that our tree might actually fly off the top of the truck, my husband drove below the speed limit the whole way home. That was the first time that has ever happened. First. Time. Ever.
Upon arriving home we trimmed the bottom, and set it in a stand that is intended for a tree about half it's size. I had to do a little extra trimming on the bottom, since my man indicated that presents wouldn't fit under it. And I'm fasting from buying clothes, not Christmas presents, so we need space for gifts...more on that in a later post.
And our tree is now standing in our living room, taking up a substantial amount of the space in there. I swear it grew again. Thinking we may need to remove a few pieces of furniture for a season.
But when I look at our tree in all it's big fat glory, I am reminded of the memories made this morning with little ones that I am told will all to quickly be making memories with families of their own.
So thanks, Lumber Jack, for making sure our family is making memories...
Please note that again, this post had nothing to do with my fast...sometimes I think it's good to give you all a glimpse of what our family is really like...and I was going to post a picture, but it just didn't do the beast justice. If you want to see it first-hand, you are always welcome to stop by for a cup of hot chocolate.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Just Stop
So last week I was feeling very attacked. By satan to be exact.
I was having a pretty good week, when out of nowhere satan started planting seeds of doubt in my head. I am thinking that it may have something to do with this blog.
This post is going to be pretty raw. Meaning I am going to write about things that I wouldn't normally share. With anybody. Even my man. And that is saying a lot.
So one of the posts I wrote last week didn't get as many hits as the previous ones. And satan hopped on that like a kid in a candy store.
And this is what he had to say...Look at that, you loser, nobody wants to read about you. Why do you think anybody cares? Nobody cares about what you are doing. You should just stop. You are just a nobody who sits at home all day taking care of kids. What you are typing about is so irrelevant. People are too busy to care about this so-called sacrifice you are making. You should just stop. I mean look at you, you aren't pretty enough or thin enough or put-together enough to be deemed worthy of peoples time and attention. You know people are judging you, right? You think you are doing this good thing, when really there isn't anything good about what you are doing. You should just stop.
And I considered it.
Then I went to church on Sunday, and listened as Craig Broek, a guest pastor, preached on the parable of the mustard seed. And how a mustard seed starts out so small, but it doesn't take long and that one seed can quickly become a plant that takes over an entire area.
We read about it in Matthew 13:31-32. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
As I sat there and listened to the words God gave Craig to speak I wanted to cry. But I couldn't because I was on praise team that morning, and I had to get back up in front of church...and I would have been a hot mess...again.
How crazy is God's timing. Seriously. He knew that I needed to hear those words. He knew that I needed to be reminded that the success or failure of this blog or fast isn't dependent on how may hits my blog gets. It's about one thing...that my relationship with God will be strengthened through this, so that I will seek Him to fill me rather than clothes or other things of this world.
If the only seed that gets planted through this journey is the one in my heart, then I will considered it a success. If perhaps my seed grows and others want to come and lodge in the branches thereof...wait, that sounds weird. How about if others find solace in what I am doing, then that is all God. His Spirit moves on His time, not mine.
I have a good friend who called me up almost immediately after I posted my first blog a month ago. God bless her, she was so honest with me. I believe her words went something like this...I think what you are doing is great, but I am not going to do this with you.
After I accused her of being my weakest supporter she has become one of my biggest fans. And I know that when she told me that she wasn't going to join me it didn't mean that she wanted me to fail.
Satan, however, does want to see me fail. And being only 1 month into it, I know he will work on me again. And I have faith that God will put the right person in my path to undo the lies that satan tries to get me to believe next time, just like He did last week.
So no, satan, I will not stop.
Please note that I have felt so much love from so many of you over the last month. And this post is in no way, shape, or form a cry for pity. So many of you ask how it is really going, and like I mentioned, this is just me being very honest with all of you. Not looking for any more than what you all have already given me.
I was having a pretty good week, when out of nowhere satan started planting seeds of doubt in my head. I am thinking that it may have something to do with this blog.
This post is going to be pretty raw. Meaning I am going to write about things that I wouldn't normally share. With anybody. Even my man. And that is saying a lot.
So one of the posts I wrote last week didn't get as many hits as the previous ones. And satan hopped on that like a kid in a candy store.
And this is what he had to say...Look at that, you loser, nobody wants to read about you. Why do you think anybody cares? Nobody cares about what you are doing. You should just stop. You are just a nobody who sits at home all day taking care of kids. What you are typing about is so irrelevant. People are too busy to care about this so-called sacrifice you are making. You should just stop. I mean look at you, you aren't pretty enough or thin enough or put-together enough to be deemed worthy of peoples time and attention. You know people are judging you, right? You think you are doing this good thing, when really there isn't anything good about what you are doing. You should just stop.
And I considered it.
Then I went to church on Sunday, and listened as Craig Broek, a guest pastor, preached on the parable of the mustard seed. And how a mustard seed starts out so small, but it doesn't take long and that one seed can quickly become a plant that takes over an entire area.
We read about it in Matthew 13:31-32. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field; Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
As I sat there and listened to the words God gave Craig to speak I wanted to cry. But I couldn't because I was on praise team that morning, and I had to get back up in front of church...and I would have been a hot mess...again.
How crazy is God's timing. Seriously. He knew that I needed to hear those words. He knew that I needed to be reminded that the success or failure of this blog or fast isn't dependent on how may hits my blog gets. It's about one thing...that my relationship with God will be strengthened through this, so that I will seek Him to fill me rather than clothes or other things of this world.
If the only seed that gets planted through this journey is the one in my heart, then I will considered it a success. If perhaps my seed grows and others want to come and lodge in the branches thereof...wait, that sounds weird. How about if others find solace in what I am doing, then that is all God. His Spirit moves on His time, not mine.
I have a good friend who called me up almost immediately after I posted my first blog a month ago. God bless her, she was so honest with me. I believe her words went something like this...I think what you are doing is great, but I am not going to do this with you.
After I accused her of being my weakest supporter she has become one of my biggest fans. And I know that when she told me that she wasn't going to join me it didn't mean that she wanted me to fail.
Satan, however, does want to see me fail. And being only 1 month into it, I know he will work on me again. And I have faith that God will put the right person in my path to undo the lies that satan tries to get me to believe next time, just like He did last week.
So no, satan, I will not stop.
Please note that I have felt so much love from so many of you over the last month. And this post is in no way, shape, or form a cry for pity. So many of you ask how it is really going, and like I mentioned, this is just me being very honest with all of you. Not looking for any more than what you all have already given me.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thank You Jesus
One of my favorite things to do is going to watch my kids perform. Be it a dance recital, Christmas program, soccer game, preschool program, Spanish program. It doesn't matter, it makes my heart happy to see my kids doing their best for Jesus.
Last year I went to a Mother's Day tea in my daughter's class. This would pry be a great time to give a little info on her classroom. It's not your traditional classroom. At all. She is in the Spanish Immersion program at our school. What does that mean you ask? Well, she is taught all day in Spanish. Every subject, except art, library and music. When I go to her classroom I hear lots of chatter, but don't understand 95% of it. But she is THE cutest blond-hair, blue-eyed little dutch, Spanish speaking kid I have ever seen. I am a bit biased though.
Ok, back to my point.
So I went to her classroom where she and her fellow Spanish-speaking classmates got up and sang a song. And honestly, all I could get out of it was "Thank You Jesus," the rest was all foreign to me. But by the end of the song I had tears rolling down my face.
Shift gears to a dance recital I attended at which two of my daughters were set to perform. As I sat in my seat and watched them twirl and clap and tap to the rhythm, my eyes again filled with tears. They were both just doing their best, it wasn't perfect by any means (but man were they cute).
Shift gears again to the baptism of our youngest child. Our son was in Kindergarten and his class had just finished memorizing Psalm 23. A friend sang "Children of the Heavenly Father" and broke in the song just long enough for my son to recite that beloved Psalm. Tears were everywhere on my face that day.
I was a hot mess.
My husband is very aware of the need to carry kleenex in his pocket any time we are going to watch our kids do something. It is to the point now where he pretty much knows what my breaking point is, and just quietly offers the kleenex without wondering if the tears are there.
So this morning I went to chapel at my kids' school. And as we are standing there singing about Jesus being our superhero, and then later listening to the same friend that sang at our daughter's baptism sing "Praise the King" my eyes once again filled with tears.
I am just so amazed that the same God that made the universe also made these little people that I love with all my heart. He gave them life, he gave them each this unique set of talents and interests. He has written a different story of each of them. He loves them all the same.
And I am blown by all of that.
So when I see them doing these ordinary things, like singing and dancing and reciting scripture and kicking a soccer ball and building a tree house, I am a little overwhelmed that my God loves me enough to bless me with these kids.
And I often wonder if He looks down on me, just trying to do my best at what He has asked me to do, with tears in His eyes.
Many people continue to ask me how my fast is going. And I can honestly say that I feel God leading me more and more everyday through this. The same God that made the universe and blessed me with my kids, also cares about me and my silly little fast.
Thank You Jesus for that.
Please note that our kiddos are in no way shape or form perfect. And I am certainly not a perfect parent, nor do I claim to be. Pretty sure I mess up more than I get it right. But if you mess up one of those kids that God blessed me with, you will see my momma bear side come out...and the tears will be yours.
Last year I went to a Mother's Day tea in my daughter's class. This would pry be a great time to give a little info on her classroom. It's not your traditional classroom. At all. She is in the Spanish Immersion program at our school. What does that mean you ask? Well, she is taught all day in Spanish. Every subject, except art, library and music. When I go to her classroom I hear lots of chatter, but don't understand 95% of it. But she is THE cutest blond-hair, blue-eyed little dutch, Spanish speaking kid I have ever seen. I am a bit biased though.
Ok, back to my point.
So I went to her classroom where she and her fellow Spanish-speaking classmates got up and sang a song. And honestly, all I could get out of it was "Thank You Jesus," the rest was all foreign to me. But by the end of the song I had tears rolling down my face.
Shift gears to a dance recital I attended at which two of my daughters were set to perform. As I sat in my seat and watched them twirl and clap and tap to the rhythm, my eyes again filled with tears. They were both just doing their best, it wasn't perfect by any means (but man were they cute).
Shift gears again to the baptism of our youngest child. Our son was in Kindergarten and his class had just finished memorizing Psalm 23. A friend sang "Children of the Heavenly Father" and broke in the song just long enough for my son to recite that beloved Psalm. Tears were everywhere on my face that day.
I was a hot mess.
My husband is very aware of the need to carry kleenex in his pocket any time we are going to watch our kids do something. It is to the point now where he pretty much knows what my breaking point is, and just quietly offers the kleenex without wondering if the tears are there.
So this morning I went to chapel at my kids' school. And as we are standing there singing about Jesus being our superhero, and then later listening to the same friend that sang at our daughter's baptism sing "Praise the King" my eyes once again filled with tears.
I am just so amazed that the same God that made the universe also made these little people that I love with all my heart. He gave them life, he gave them each this unique set of talents and interests. He has written a different story of each of them. He loves them all the same.
And I am blown by all of that.
So when I see them doing these ordinary things, like singing and dancing and reciting scripture and kicking a soccer ball and building a tree house, I am a little overwhelmed that my God loves me enough to bless me with these kids.
And I often wonder if He looks down on me, just trying to do my best at what He has asked me to do, with tears in His eyes.
Many people continue to ask me how my fast is going. And I can honestly say that I feel God leading me more and more everyday through this. The same God that made the universe and blessed me with my kids, also cares about me and my silly little fast.
Thank You Jesus for that.
Please note that our kiddos are in no way shape or form perfect. And I am certainly not a perfect parent, nor do I claim to be. Pretty sure I mess up more than I get it right. But if you mess up one of those kids that God blessed me with, you will see my momma bear side come out...and the tears will be yours.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
The Verdict
A couple of posts ago I wrote about a delivery I had received from my UPS man. And I'm sure you have all put your lives on hold, waiting to hear what my man decided about the contents of the package. I can just picture all of you sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to read what follows...it's a nail-biter, so brace yourself.
It's a hung jury.
Here's how it went down. I took the dress and 2 sweaters that I wanted to keep, hung them up, and put the other skirt and sweater on the shelf to be returned. I had the dress/sweater combo hanging in the kitchen for a few days, he had many opportunities to comment, he didn't, so it went into the appropriate closet.
But that stupid dress is haunting me.
I swear, I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about that thing. Should I keep it? Should I take it back? She will look so cute in it, but does she need it? If I keep it, will I be breaking fast? Did I just fail? It wasn't that expensive, but could the money be better spent somewhere else? If she wears it for Christmas, then she will match her sisters and brother, and I thought I covered that in Q&A #1? So is it better to show up in our Christmas best matching? Or is that hypocritical, and so we all need to show up wearing a different color? Who is even going to notice?
For the love. I have not had a full night of sleep since that dress arrived.
And I am sitting here with books and Bibles and devotions, trying to find something "right" to say. And I've got nothin'.
So I'm going to go back to the basics.
Why am I doing this? To make myself more dependent on God, and less dependent on the desires of my heart. Lysa Terkhurst said it best in her book What Happens when Women Say Yes to God: God wants to know if we're willing to give up what we love to Him who loves us more. He desires for us to open our fists and trust Him with absolutely everything.
Why do I want this dress for her? Because she will look cute in it, and I feel like we would look put together when we walk into church and she will also look great in pictures if she coordinates with her siblings. (And don't even act like you don't think about that when planning Christmas clothes.) Sarah Young wrote in Jesus Calling When you are around other people, you tend to cater to their expectation--real or imagined. You feel enslaved to pleasing them, and your awareness of My Presence grows dim. Your efforts to win their approval eventually exhaust you.
So what am I going to do with the dress? Honestly, I don't know. My heart is telling me that it needs to go back. My mind is picturing all the kids sitting in front of the Christmas tree, posing just right for that beloved 'Christmas 2013' picture and telling me to keep it.
It's a dress. It's not a big deal. I know, I get that.
But remember that It Matters to Me, and right now I am struggling.
I am going to look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always as Psalm 105:4 suggests I do, and I know that he will guide me and give me peace in this situation.
And hopefully a full night of sleep.
Please note that if you happen to see my youngest daughter in a leopard-print dress for Christmas this year, I would prefer grace over judgement.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Legacy
"Mommy, you add dis to my Chwistmas wist."
Take 2 steps.
"Mommy, you add dis to my Chwistmas wist."
Take maybe 4 more steps.
"Mommy, you add dis to my Chwistmas wist."
Our Target run was going to take a lot longer than I had anticipated at this rate.
My two year old was in no hurry, and completely enamored with all the toys that filled the aisles and spilled out onto the end caps as well.
Apparently I don't take her to the toy section at our local box store much, or it could be that we have one of the nations smallest box stores in our town. No worries though, we have the nation's largest working windmill, so it all balances out.
Our mission that night at Target was to find gifts to bless others with, but instead our kids were doing inventory of every aisle, leaving virtually no toys untouched. Keeping a mental list of all the things that they were sure they couldn't live without. And all the while my patience was wearing a bit thin. They all have lots of toys that go untouched for days, weeks, maybe even months on end, yet they are longing for more. For toys that are bigger and better and flashier and faster and have more bells and whistles than the ones they already have.
And it all becomes clear to me.
This is the legacy that I am leaving with my kids.
Now, I understand that it would be hard to find a child in the world who when taken to the toy section of a store would walk away without wanting something. But for me, what I have taught my kids, perhaps even engrained into them is that you don't need to be satisfied with what you have.
Feel free to long for more. You aren't happy with the selection of toys in the toy room? Then it is only right to get what you want. You don't like the shoes I bought for you for school that you have already worn and can't be returned? Well then let's go find some you do like. Oh, green isn't your favorite color anymore, now you like purple and you don't have any purple shirts? Well we should order some for you. There's a xBox game that everybody is playing and we don't have it? We need to get it. And on and on it goes.
What I have taught my kids is that happiness can always be bought for a certain price.
Matthew 5:5 says, "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."
When my kids grow up and look back on their childhood years, I want them to remember a few things about me...how I was content in every situation, that I loved them no matter what they said or did, and how pretty my hair was.
Oh good grief, I'm just kidding about the last one. Sort of.
Please note that Target is awesome, and although I am going to do my best to avoid the mall this year when Christmas shopping, I will not try to avoid Target. I just can't handle a clothes fast and a Target fast at the same time.
Take 2 steps.
"Mommy, you add dis to my Chwistmas wist."
Take maybe 4 more steps.
"Mommy, you add dis to my Chwistmas wist."
Our Target run was going to take a lot longer than I had anticipated at this rate.
My two year old was in no hurry, and completely enamored with all the toys that filled the aisles and spilled out onto the end caps as well.
Apparently I don't take her to the toy section at our local box store much, or it could be that we have one of the nations smallest box stores in our town. No worries though, we have the nation's largest working windmill, so it all balances out.
Our mission that night at Target was to find gifts to bless others with, but instead our kids were doing inventory of every aisle, leaving virtually no toys untouched. Keeping a mental list of all the things that they were sure they couldn't live without. And all the while my patience was wearing a bit thin. They all have lots of toys that go untouched for days, weeks, maybe even months on end, yet they are longing for more. For toys that are bigger and better and flashier and faster and have more bells and whistles than the ones they already have.
And it all becomes clear to me.
This is the legacy that I am leaving with my kids.
Now, I understand that it would be hard to find a child in the world who when taken to the toy section of a store would walk away without wanting something. But for me, what I have taught my kids, perhaps even engrained into them is that you don't need to be satisfied with what you have.
Feel free to long for more. You aren't happy with the selection of toys in the toy room? Then it is only right to get what you want. You don't like the shoes I bought for you for school that you have already worn and can't be returned? Well then let's go find some you do like. Oh, green isn't your favorite color anymore, now you like purple and you don't have any purple shirts? Well we should order some for you. There's a xBox game that everybody is playing and we don't have it? We need to get it. And on and on it goes.
What I have taught my kids is that happiness can always be bought for a certain price.
Matthew 5:5 says, "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are--no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."
When my kids grow up and look back on their childhood years, I want them to remember a few things about me...how I was content in every situation, that I loved them no matter what they said or did, and how pretty my hair was.
Oh good grief, I'm just kidding about the last one. Sort of.
Please note that Target is awesome, and although I am going to do my best to avoid the mall this year when Christmas shopping, I will not try to avoid Target. I just can't handle a clothes fast and a Target fast at the same time.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Delivery
You will never guess who just stopped at my house.
The UPS man.
You will never guess what he brought.
A package from The Children's Place.
Oh thank you Jesus. It is like water to a thirsty soul.
And here I sit staring at the package, and instead of feeling excited, I feel a little dirty. Like I don't even want to open it because if I do then I will not only feel like a failure, I will pry be one.
Now, the lines are a little blurry when it comes to buying clothes for the kids. It is a purchase that has to be approved by my man, and he has to see that it is something they need, not just something I want for them.
Why does my man need to approve it you ask? Because he provides a fresh pair of eyes in all of this. His eyes are God's tool right now. What I see as a need, he can clearly see as a want or a longing of my heart.
So I guess time will tell if I am able to keep the contents of the package, or if my man sees the items nearly as a product of my deceitful heart.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 boasts the following:
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve.
My footnote puts it in easy-to-read form by saying "God makes it clear why we sin--it's a matter of the heart. Our hearts have been inclined toward sin from the time we were born. It is easy to fall into the routine of forgetting and forsaking God. But we can still choose whether or not to continue in sin. We can yield to a specific temptation, or we can ask God to help us resist temptation when it comes."
Crap.
I think I forgot to ask God to help me resist temptation when it came knocking. And now this package is sitting on my counter.
I went shopping with a good friend on Saturday, and felt like I did a great job of resisting temptation.
I had a few very specific things that I was looking for, including a black sweater for one girl, and Christmas dresses for the other two. I would also like to point out that the older 2 kids will be wearing "old" clothes for Christmas this year, so in my mind I am doing good by not insisting on new outfits for all 4.
What I came away with was 4 bags of adult women's clothes and one sweet little dress for Boo.
The other clothes was for my mom.
And she did need it. Especially after I went out there 3 weeks ago and made her donate a majority of her things to Bible for Missions Thrift Store.
Anyway, back to my Christmas clothes dilemma and the package sitting on my counter...
I read this little ditty in Seven over the weekend, and it hit home:
If a fast doesn't include any sacrifices, then it's not a fast. The discomfort is where the magic happens. Life zips along, unchecked and automatic. We default to our lifestyle, enjoying our privileges tra la la, but a fast interrupts that rote trajectory. Jesus gets a fresh platform in the empty space where indulgence resided. It's like jeans you wear every day without thinking, but take them off and walk outside, and you'll become terribly aware of their absence. I bet you won't be able to forget you are pantsless, so conspicuous will the omission feel. While that metaphor is in shaky theological territory, that is basically the result of a fast. It makes us hyper-aware, supersensitive to the Spirit.
Oh Jen Hatmaker, you said it so well.
When I was shopping on Saturday and my heart longed for the cutest little scarf(it would have looked super cute with the coat I wore today), or those sweet little cords that were on sale(I mean seriously, cords at J.Crew for $28!), or that sweater that I was sure would keep me warm in January in Iowa, I had to depend on the Spirit. And trust me, I did depend on the Spirit.
I so badly wanted to default to the way that I had been before I started this crazy fast. I wanted to walk into a store and without even thinking purchase an armful of shirts, pants, and accessories(oh yes ladies, according to my husband accessories are also forbidden). And although I did purchase some for my mom, I did not add any items to my own closet.
Jesus is staring to build a platform in my heart where shopping used to reside. Amen.
Please note that I will let you know what the "judge" says about the contents of the package on my counter. In the mean time, I need to give a little recognition to my man, his mom, and my friend Shalene for picking up the pieces last week when I was stuck at Jury Duty. You all did a fabulous job, and I could not have made it through the week (without shopping) if it were not for you!
The UPS man.
You will never guess what he brought.
A package from The Children's Place.
Oh thank you Jesus. It is like water to a thirsty soul.
And here I sit staring at the package, and instead of feeling excited, I feel a little dirty. Like I don't even want to open it because if I do then I will not only feel like a failure, I will pry be one.
Now, the lines are a little blurry when it comes to buying clothes for the kids. It is a purchase that has to be approved by my man, and he has to see that it is something they need, not just something I want for them.
Why does my man need to approve it you ask? Because he provides a fresh pair of eyes in all of this. His eyes are God's tool right now. What I see as a need, he can clearly see as a want or a longing of my heart.
So I guess time will tell if I am able to keep the contents of the package, or if my man sees the items nearly as a product of my deceitful heart.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 boasts the following:
The heart is deceitful above all things
and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
I the Lord search the heart
and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve.
My footnote puts it in easy-to-read form by saying "God makes it clear why we sin--it's a matter of the heart. Our hearts have been inclined toward sin from the time we were born. It is easy to fall into the routine of forgetting and forsaking God. But we can still choose whether or not to continue in sin. We can yield to a specific temptation, or we can ask God to help us resist temptation when it comes."
Crap.
I think I forgot to ask God to help me resist temptation when it came knocking. And now this package is sitting on my counter.
I went shopping with a good friend on Saturday, and felt like I did a great job of resisting temptation.
I had a few very specific things that I was looking for, including a black sweater for one girl, and Christmas dresses for the other two. I would also like to point out that the older 2 kids will be wearing "old" clothes for Christmas this year, so in my mind I am doing good by not insisting on new outfits for all 4.
What I came away with was 4 bags of adult women's clothes and one sweet little dress for Boo.
The other clothes was for my mom.
And she did need it. Especially after I went out there 3 weeks ago and made her donate a majority of her things to Bible for Missions Thrift Store.
Anyway, back to my Christmas clothes dilemma and the package sitting on my counter...
I read this little ditty in Seven over the weekend, and it hit home:
If a fast doesn't include any sacrifices, then it's not a fast. The discomfort is where the magic happens. Life zips along, unchecked and automatic. We default to our lifestyle, enjoying our privileges tra la la, but a fast interrupts that rote trajectory. Jesus gets a fresh platform in the empty space where indulgence resided. It's like jeans you wear every day without thinking, but take them off and walk outside, and you'll become terribly aware of their absence. I bet you won't be able to forget you are pantsless, so conspicuous will the omission feel. While that metaphor is in shaky theological territory, that is basically the result of a fast. It makes us hyper-aware, supersensitive to the Spirit.
Oh Jen Hatmaker, you said it so well.
When I was shopping on Saturday and my heart longed for the cutest little scarf(it would have looked super cute with the coat I wore today), or those sweet little cords that were on sale(I mean seriously, cords at J.Crew for $28!), or that sweater that I was sure would keep me warm in January in Iowa, I had to depend on the Spirit. And trust me, I did depend on the Spirit.
I so badly wanted to default to the way that I had been before I started this crazy fast. I wanted to walk into a store and without even thinking purchase an armful of shirts, pants, and accessories(oh yes ladies, according to my husband accessories are also forbidden). And although I did purchase some for my mom, I did not add any items to my own closet.
Jesus is staring to build a platform in my heart where shopping used to reside. Amen.
Please note that I will let you know what the "judge" says about the contents of the package on my counter. In the mean time, I need to give a little recognition to my man, his mom, and my friend Shalene for picking up the pieces last week when I was stuck at Jury Duty. You all did a fabulous job, and I could not have made it through the week (without shopping) if it were not for you!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Eyes to see
I turned the T.V. on this morning while I walked/jogged, and it didn't take long for me to see it.
Store after store, company after company boasting of their "Sale of the Year," or "Best Prices EVER," or "MEGA sale."
I was almost tempted to watch Dinosaur Train on IPTV, just so I didn't have to endure the commercials of network television anymore. Almost tempted.
When we think ahead to next week, there are many people who will be looking forward to seeing one thing, and one thing only next Thursday. And it isn't Aunt Bertha who smoothers you with musty old-lady kisses and leaves traces of bright cheap evidence on your cheek. It will be that ginormous paper that will greet you early Thanksgiving morning, the one that holds all the information about all of the "SALES OF THE YEAR" in one neat stack.
I am talking about the Black Friday Specials Paper, also known as the Special Thanksgiving Edition.
For those of you that look forward to Black Friday more than the birth of you child, don't click on that little 'x' in the corner of your screen yet, please hear me out.
As you know, I love to shop. And believe me, I love a good deal. In fact my mom and I braved Wal-Mart last year late on Thanksgiving Day, just to save $4.37 on a book and some plastic storage containers. Never Again.
Anywho, to each his own. And if you want to leave your Thanksgiving Dinner before the turkey is served, just to go stand in line for a great deal on some electronic that is only available for 31 minutes at a drastically reduced price and is obsolete the minute you walk out the door, knock yourself out.
I don't want to.
Instead this year I want my eyes to be searching for other kinds of "deals." Not the kind you will find at 10PM Thanksgiving night, and certainly not the kind that start at 3AM on Black Friday (I have discovered that I love sleep and my own sanity more than a bargain). The deals I am going to be looking for this year are the kind that allow me to consume for the sake of others.
For example, Crossroads of Pella offers 2 different ways to help others in the community, Toys for Tots and through their Adopt a Family for Christmas program. Both of which impact the community in a positive way.
Operation Christmas Child is a fun way to get your children involved by packing a shoebox full of goodies for a child or children who may not get another gift this year. Drop-off locations for that are available in lots of different towns or you can just pay to have the company pack a box for you.
Our church participates in Angel Tree which is a program designed to provide gifts for children whose parents are in prison.
World Vision has a great catalog available for ways to make an impact in third world countries. And if it's a deal you are looking for, you can buy 5 ducks for $35. I don't think Theisen's even has that good of prices.
And thatannoying little bell that rings when you are walking into Wal-Mart, the money that you pay to make it stop ringing goes to the Salvation Army and helps feed needy boys and girls.
Finally, one last place that our family is proud to support this year is Many Hands for Haiti. We basically love everything about this organization. It is run locally, so you know that when you send a check in, the money is going directly to the program. They also offer a little pamphlet full of gifts for the people in Haiti, including a Bible for $10, a soccer ball for $20, rice, homes, goats, healthcare and more. You can also sponsor a child through their Thrive for 5 program or their 180 for Haiti program. I double dog dare you not to fall in love with the faces of the sweet children you will see on their website. But they are not for sale, I already checked.
Maybe you don't have a lot of extra cash this year to give, but I would like to challenge you to turn what little or lots that you do have into something that will impact another human, rather than our friend Consumerism. Whether is with one of the above mentioned organizations or another great one.
And the best part about all the bargains I listed above is that quantities are not limited, you won't have to wait in line for hours to purchase them, and you can shop at your convenience...Black Friday cannot compete with that deal.
Please note that if you didn't like this post, you pry won't like the one I have brewing in my head based on the book "Christmas is Not Your Birthday". You may want to jump ship now while we are still friends.
Store after store, company after company boasting of their "Sale of the Year," or "Best Prices EVER," or "MEGA sale."
I was almost tempted to watch Dinosaur Train on IPTV, just so I didn't have to endure the commercials of network television anymore. Almost tempted.
When we think ahead to next week, there are many people who will be looking forward to seeing one thing, and one thing only next Thursday. And it isn't Aunt Bertha who smoothers you with musty old-lady kisses and leaves traces of bright cheap evidence on your cheek. It will be that ginormous paper that will greet you early Thanksgiving morning, the one that holds all the information about all of the "SALES OF THE YEAR" in one neat stack.
I am talking about the Black Friday Specials Paper, also known as the Special Thanksgiving Edition.
For those of you that look forward to Black Friday more than the birth of you child, don't click on that little 'x' in the corner of your screen yet, please hear me out.
As you know, I love to shop. And believe me, I love a good deal. In fact my mom and I braved Wal-Mart last year late on Thanksgiving Day, just to save $4.37 on a book and some plastic storage containers. Never Again.
Anywho, to each his own. And if you want to leave your Thanksgiving Dinner before the turkey is served, just to go stand in line for a great deal on some electronic that is only available for 31 minutes at a drastically reduced price and is obsolete the minute you walk out the door, knock yourself out.
I don't want to.
Instead this year I want my eyes to be searching for other kinds of "deals." Not the kind you will find at 10PM Thanksgiving night, and certainly not the kind that start at 3AM on Black Friday (I have discovered that I love sleep and my own sanity more than a bargain). The deals I am going to be looking for this year are the kind that allow me to consume for the sake of others.
For example, Crossroads of Pella offers 2 different ways to help others in the community, Toys for Tots and through their Adopt a Family for Christmas program. Both of which impact the community in a positive way.
Operation Christmas Child is a fun way to get your children involved by packing a shoebox full of goodies for a child or children who may not get another gift this year. Drop-off locations for that are available in lots of different towns or you can just pay to have the company pack a box for you.
Our church participates in Angel Tree which is a program designed to provide gifts for children whose parents are in prison.
World Vision has a great catalog available for ways to make an impact in third world countries. And if it's a deal you are looking for, you can buy 5 ducks for $35. I don't think Theisen's even has that good of prices.
And that
Finally, one last place that our family is proud to support this year is Many Hands for Haiti. We basically love everything about this organization. It is run locally, so you know that when you send a check in, the money is going directly to the program. They also offer a little pamphlet full of gifts for the people in Haiti, including a Bible for $10, a soccer ball for $20, rice, homes, goats, healthcare and more. You can also sponsor a child through their Thrive for 5 program or their 180 for Haiti program. I double dog dare you not to fall in love with the faces of the sweet children you will see on their website. But they are not for sale, I already checked.
Maybe you don't have a lot of extra cash this year to give, but I would like to challenge you to turn what little or lots that you do have into something that will impact another human, rather than our friend Consumerism. Whether is with one of the above mentioned organizations or another great one.
And the best part about all the bargains I listed above is that quantities are not limited, you won't have to wait in line for hours to purchase them, and you can shop at your convenience...Black Friday cannot compete with that deal.
Please note that if you didn't like this post, you pry won't like the one I have brewing in my head based on the book "Christmas is Not Your Birthday". You may want to jump ship now while we are still friends.
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