Maple Syrup Kisses

As my 6 year old, Caleb, swung his arms around me this morning and planted a giant maple syrup kiss on my cheek I was quickly reminded that I am blessed right where I am.
When I was 20 and three months into my beautiful new marriage I found out that I wouldn't be having drinks on my 21st Birthday like all my other friends. Instead, my hunky new husband and I would be indeed picking out names for the arrival of my firstborn. While all of my friends were off at college I remember thinking OK this is it. This is what I have waited my whole life for. Not to get a degree in fill in the blank....No, I was going to become a mommy. As a little girl I could never decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. These were the choices I would make on career day...Nurse and Teacher. As I think back to those days it brings me so much JOY to know that God was designing me to be the VERY thing He created me for...Mother. I get grumpy sometimes (a lot) and get in the ruts of life where I just want to complain about everything. But today when Caleb put his arms around me and I smelled the aroma of the maple syrup it made me giggle and smile. No, I do not have a college degree and I am not the most eloquent writer or speaker, but I am very thankful that my God would love me so much to give me a husband who takes care of me and guides me in the Truth; that He loves me and gives me these three blessings to teach and be a nurse to everyday. Treasuring these special moments and tucking them away to bring out on a rainy day.

A Pilgrims Journey

Every year during the thanksgiving season I am amazed and in awe of the Pilgrims and their journey to the New World. It was hard, rough and there was great loss. I often wonder if I would have been on that boat if I had been born in the 1600's. Their vision was clear and distinct. They wanted to be able to carry out the first commandment with freedom. To love their God with their whole heart. Being told when and where to do so just wasn't working for them. I hope I would be so bold.
As I was teaching the kids this week about their journey I asked them to draw what they would have taken on the boat. They drew things such as their doggies, water, blankets, pillows. As I looked at their drawing it really didn't dawn on me till later that they left one key item off of their drawings. The Bible. It made me realize our depravity and that we missed the point on the lesson of the Pilgrims. I can't blame the kids or even get mad at them for forgetting the Bible. They learn by example so somewhere I have fallen short, but God is good and gracious and is constantly TEACHING Shane and I. Do I treasure the Word of God like my life depended on it? I need to remind them (and me) that it is not just a book of rules that a mean and high pompous being created to make us mad. It is LIFE. And in it are the treasures and jewels of breathing in this life. I need to be on my knees asking the Lord to show me the way to teach my children the necessity of scripture. In this day and age it is very hard to disconnect from the distractions of life. Computers, Wii's, ipods, etc, but I am learning that in each era there was some type of distraction it is just going to get harder and harder to keep the eye on the prize. How do we as parents today do this? I know two things are key. I just need help reminding myself to put it into practice...Prayer and the Word. As John Piper says "the breath of the Christians life is prayer without it we will suffocate." I am going to be asking the Lord to help me and my family be pilgrims. To be able to stand up for what we believe and always seek the Cross for refuge and strength.
Praise God the pilgrims had focus. They also had the Holy spirit guiding them and they trusted the Word of God. Pilgrims were not perfect by any means, but they had great determination because they were constantly seeking His righteousness and knew they could not live under such a rule any longer. So, when I reteach the story of the Pilgrims and Indians today it is not going to be about a "happy peaceful feast." I will be teaching that their was sorrow, pain, and loss, but they trusted God remembered why they left England in the first place.
The word of God, prayer, and the spirit kept their eye on the prize as it should us today. I pray that you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving and that you will be amazed by our High and Holy King who loves us and adores us because of Christ! This is the greatest gift to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Be blessed!