The Flow of Blessing

I am the mother of three children.  Since becoming a mother 6.5 years ago, I have probably spent less than $200 on clothing for my children.  I have been beyond blessed with quality hand-me-downs from friends and family to outfit the little people in my house.  This has obviously been great for our pocket book!

So here I am with wardrobe upon wardrobe being given to me and I was ready to take a bunch of clothes to a children’s consignment sale a few months ago to make some cash.  My motives were not evil.  I was simply looking to make a little cash to pay for other needs for my kids.  I was driving down the road one day and God stopped me in my thoughts and asked, “Why are you trying to nickel and dime these clothes?  Do not you trust that I will provide for your needs just as I have given you clothing item after clothing item?”  “But I could really use $100 to pay for x,y and z.” said me.  L

When I stopped arguing, I realized God was asking me not to stop the flow of blessing.  I like to think of God’s blessing like a bathtub.  He continues to fill our bathtub with an ever running stream of water.  The catch is we cannot put the plug in the drain.  He will keep the bathtub full and the water fresh.  Our job is to keep the water draining.  We receive the “water” and then we “let the water drain.”  We receive and then we give.  So in my little situation, I decided to keep the blessing going and give the outgrown clothes to others that I knew could use them just as I once was in need of them.  Obedience is always a key step in allowing God to transform you; to bring you from glory to glory.

This is not a post to brag about my obedience or put down the act of selling clothes to make money.  It is simply to show a revelation that God gave me on keeping the flow of blessing fluid and not stagnant.  In the bathtub example, we have to release in order to receive more.  Before long, our heart gets such a thrill out of the releasing to others that our selfish flesh forgets that there is a release for us too!  The act of giving does become our blessing!  Good stuff J 

Mr. Bean

Ever since the London Olympics back in August, my children are huge Mr. Bean fans.  He did a skit during the opening ceremonies that they thought was hilarious.  I myself did not see this skit nor have I ever thought Mr. Bean was all that funny.  He is now the litmus test for comedy in our house.  If they can imagine Mr. Bean doing it then it is funny.  “Mom, what if Mr. Bean took all of his trash and threw it out the window?”  Such statements are followed by a genuine, uncontrollable laughter.  It's a bit puzzling.  This too shall pass??

Still Smilin’

My sweet little girl (it’s sad that I can’t call her a baby anymore) broke her arm last week at the park.  This momma had a few days of the guilties L  She went down a slide and toppled over the side and landed just right (or wrong I guess).  She’s been a trooper.  She has to wear a cast for three weeks.  She hasn’t even noticed that it is there.  Every once in awhile she’ll point to it and say, “owie” but then she moves along with her business.  The amazing thing is that I can peel it off in three weeks and I don’t even have to take her in for a follow up appointment.  It was such a minor break that they are confident it will heal in 3 weeks time.  Aren’t our bodies amazing?!?

Signs You Might Be Living With Young Children

1.       Smudges on your wall start to appear as abstract art.  If I could just get one more little finger print in this spot I could see a very creative masterpiece.

2.       Your only matching set of “glasses” is made of plastic and decorated with an NFL logo.  These only get used when company comes!

3.       Small lego pieces can be found in every part of your house…the bathtub, freezer, underneath your bed sheets (this is very painful by the way), the flower pots…EVERYWHERE!

4.        The smell of poop does not even register in your brain.  It often takes a friend (or complete stranger) to suggest a diaper change. #totallyimmune

5.       Speaking of diaper changes…diapers really don’t look that bad.  It’s not like you get to use the restroom in peace anyway.  Why bother even having to go to a special room?!? L

6.       Your grey hair is definitely not because of your age…this can only be attributed to the younger population living in your home.

7.       You have mastered a second language.  You know what every syllable, grunt or sound means that is said by your 18 month old.  (ooo, tay, bumpa, ell, dayda, enna, ma…translated as shoe, okay, grandpa, Bill, Jadon, Sienna, more)

8.       Laughter is usually the best medicine.

Humor

This conversation took place between Jadon and his friend, Josiah while playing hide-and-seek with their sisters.

Jadon:  I know EXACTLY where they are.

Josiah:  Me too…….where are they?  Can you tell me?

Jadon:  They are either in the basement, the living room, the kitchen, my room or my parent’s room.

A Big Shout Out

Whew!  This momma is TIRED!  We just returned from a lovely trip up north to spend time with extended family at our annual reunion.  Due to his work schedule, my husband could not be with us.  His absence was determined just a few days before the trip so a little anxiety crept in as I thought about the 3+ hour drive alone with the kids, not to mention the entire trip without him.  We had a great time and I had lots of help from grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, cousins, etc.  But it was still exhausting.  At the end of the day, I was still the only parent.  The one left to discipline, brush teeth, wipe butts, stop blood, coax sleepy eyes to sleep, ensure protein was eaten and not just sugar, etc. 

I say all of this not to throw myself a pity party (well, not entirely anyway), but to acknowledge that my admiration for single parents grew exponentially this past week.  It is overwhelming to realize that for some, parenting is not a team sport.  My hat is entirely off to you.  May you be covered in grace. 

I think a fun challenge is in order.  Go out of your way over the next few weeks to really bless a single parent.  Even a small gesture will go a long way.  Offer a meal, babysitting, an encouraging note, some groceries, etc.  Even though single parents probably feel like an island at times, they should know that people are willing to swim to them! 

Summer Fun

The highlights of summer thus far…in bullet form!

·       Vacation Bible School!  So fun and the kids are still singing the songs!

·       Basketball camp…I had a blast helping, Jadon had a few fun moments but mostly liked the treats served at the end of camp (good thing Grandpa is a good coach – I think a few skills took)

·       The end of tee-ball.  This was actually quite sad.  Jadon had such a cute little team and they were quite good by the end of the season!  By good I mean all of the kids knew to run to first base and not third base after they hit the ball and they actually sent some runners back to the bench after forcing/tagging them out!

·       A week at grandpa and grandma’s – fun memories!

·       Lots of smores (enough said)

·       Pool, library, parks, bug bites, farmstead, more bug bites, sleeping in, movie watching, sidewalk chalk, more bug bites, etc.

Ahhh, isn’t summer grand?!?  So much fun to be had.