The Cost

A ten-minute challenge to write about the cost of loving Jesus.  Here goes!

Is the end of another full day.  Full of kids.  Full of laundry.  Full of dishes.  Full of food.  Full of training.  Full of playing.  Full of going and doing and being.

Like many moms, I often get to the end of my day and think, "That was a doozy.  But what actually happened?  What did I get done?"  And often my response is, "Huh.  Not as much as I thought, but still a ton, considering the circumstances!"

I may have abundant loads of whites and darks, a sink full of never-ending sticky dishes and an eternal job of raising my brood, but I seem to be very, very short on one important commodity.

Time.

Limited hours and minutes to my day has forced me to be very intentional about how I use my time:  waking up in the dark for me to exercise, coordinating my trips up and downstairs to stay efficient, preparing meals ahead of time and steering clear of the computer if I need extra time (nothing like getting sucked into Facebook to drain a precious hour!).

So what happens when I find myself with a few minutes to spare?  What do I do when I discover nap-time and my-time intersect?  I want to plop down and read.  I want to challenge somebody on DrawSomething.  I want to veg-out.  Or I want to knock out a chore or two without any "helpers."

But I hear Jesus wooing me to sit with Him, to stop and spend some time reading my Bible and praying.  This time with Jesus cuts into my free time and I want to resist, but my heart needs it.  And so I sit and I read and I pray ...

And Jesus is faithful to make my time worth it.  He makes these moments valuable ... and my time doesn't seem so costly then.

Snapshots of the Heart ~ God's Word

"But why can't I read the fifth Harry Potter book yet?"

"We've already talked about this.  The books get more and more intense as the series progresses.  Each book is a little darker and a little scarier."

"But I don't mind scary."

"I'm sorry.  But you are going to have to wait to read it until much later.  When J.K. Rowling wrote that series she intended her readers to grow along with Harry, so the later books are intended for older kids.  You're just going to have to be patient."

"grumble, mumble, sigh ..."

_____________

"What are you reading?"

"Uh ... this."

"The Berenstain Bears?  Is that really challenging for you?"

"No.  I don't have anything else to read right now."

"What happened to that Ranger's Apprentice book?  The one Dad brought home from the library?"

"I finished it."

.... silence ...

"You finished it?  When?"

"At school.  It was really good."

"You had it for less than 24 hours.  Did you really comprehend it?"

"Yeah."  Begin detailed retelling of the entire story, complete with battle scenes from the war in Skandia. 


______________________

"I can read my school book to you."

"Great.  Come sit with me."

"My Accident."

"Good.  Turn the page."

"My Accident."

"Okay.  Let's get to the story."

"Here I am on my skateboard."

"Good.  That's like Aaron's skateboard."

"Here I am on the ground."

"Oops ... He fell hard.  Ouch.  Your Daddy fell off a skate board when he was a little boy."

"Here I am in the ambulance."

"Uh-oh.  This isn't good.  Daddy broke his arm falling off that skateboard, too."

"Here I am in the hospital."

"Yep.  Daddy had to go to the hospital."

"Here I am in the x-ray room."

"That little boy even looks like your Daddy when he was little.  He has the same freckles and the same bowl cut."

"Here I am in the cast room."

"I wonder if Daddy knows they wrote a story about his accident.  He had a cast on his arm, too."

"Here I am at home."

"Oh my ... look at that pouty lip.  Poor little fellow."

"Look what I have!"

"Oh good!  His daddy brought him some elbow pads and a helmet.  Good job, Sweetie!  You'll have to read that story to Daddy later.  The only page missing was the 'Here I am in surgery.' page."

________________________

"I pick book, Mommy?"

"Sure, you pick out the book and then come sit on the couch with me."

"I pick it out!"

"Great!  Oh.  No ... not this one again."

"Peas, Mommy."

"Can't we read something else?  I can't read this 'My Little Pony' story again.  All those names:  Cheerilee and Toola-Roola and Pinkie Pie and Razzaroo ... they make my head hurt."

"Peas, Mommy!"

"But it's such a silly story.  What pony is going to be able to ride on a scooter?"

"Peeeeas. Moooommmy."

"And in the end they end up make all those things that they rescued out of the trash can.  I know it's very 'green', but it's also kind of annoying."

"Peas.  Mom.  Meee."

"Okay.  But this is the last time.  I definitely need to slip this one into Daddy's bag to take back to the library."

______________________

It makes my heart so very happy to see my kids buried in books.  To see just the tops of their heads peeking out from behind the cover of their latest literary find brings me great joy.  Of course, we've had our fair share of not-so-great books, but it has also been a thrill to share some of my favorite childhood treasures with my growing readers.

But with as much as my kids read, it is still a challenge to get them interested in reading the Bible.  And I can't blame them.

I remember making the commitment to read the Bible on a regular basis and jumping into Genesis.  That went well for the first several pages as I read about the creation of the world and later Noah.  But then begins the long lists of numbers in the book of Numbers and my commitment would slowly peter out.

It wasn't until just a few years ago that my commitment to read through the entire Bible actually came to fruition.  And even then, there were still chunks of the Old Testament that I plodded through without any real comprehension or retention.

Such a challenge of discipline ... but so very good for the soul!

I think if we can keep in mind that this book is a love letter from God ... the history of His enduring love for us ... then the words in this book will come alive for us.  Some of that comes through making regular Bible reading a habit and some of that comes from not rushing through the passages, but taking the time to study and savor the verses.  As our habit of being in God's Word becomes established and as we discover the treasures of wisdom and hope on those pages, we begin to look forward to our Bible time as a time in which we encounter the living God.  And that's time well spent.

There are a number of resources out there for helping you to be in God's Word.  Here are a few to get you started:

YouVersion - A variety of reading plans available either by topic or with the intent of reading through the Bible.  I am currently following the plan Project 345 which takes you through the New Testament in a year.  Take a peek ... I'm sure you can find something to feed your soul.

BibleGateway - This is a great online resource!  A comprehensive concordance and reading plans to help you delve deeper into God's Word.

For a simple daily devotion, I would recommend "Jesus Calling".  There is a kid's version that we are reading with our children, too.  They also have an app for that. :)

Whatever you do, you will see the benefits of spending time in God's Word - getting to know Him better and discovering another wonderful book worth reading.

"May my children grow to find Your Word 

more precious than much pure gold 

and sweeter than honey from the comb."  

Psalm 19:10

Rise and Shine!

7:27 am

"Okay, everybody!  Head to the table, please.  Let's get this party started!"

... groans and general grumpiness resounds ...

"Come on ... let's get this day started right.  Lydia, will you please fetch us our books?  Thanks.  Hey, Aaron, off the iPod."

"I was just checking the temperature."

"Dude, it's cold.  C'mon.  Join us."

"Mom, Norah's in my seat."

"Scoot, scoot.  Find your face and have a seat.  We need to get hopping.  It's a school day."

7:32 am

"Alright.  What's today's date?"

"It's the 19th."

"Nuh-uh.  It's the 18th."

"Yes, too.  Look at the calendar."

"I did.  You look at the calendar."

...scraping of seats and scuffles as kids scramble for the calendar ...

"Hey now, back to your seats.  It's the 19th."

"Told you."

"Enough."

"I don't like it when you say, 'Told you.'  It sounds bossy."

"Can you say you're sorry?"

"Sorry ..."

... grouch, grouch ...

"Like you mean it?"

"Sorry."

"I forgive you."

... grumble, mumble ...

"Okay, can we get going?"

7:35 am

"Let's see.  The title for today's devotional is 'I Am Still Here'.  We read in Psalm 27:8, "When You said, 'Seek My face,' My heart said to You, 'Your face, LORD, I will seek.'"

"Mom, she's touching me with her feet.  And her feet are cold."

"Put your feet down, Sweetie.  Sit up big.  Back to the verse, Whose face are we to seek? ... Hey, where are you going?"

"I just need to put this in my backpack."

"Nope.  Sorry.  I want your attention for just a few more minutes.  In your seat, please.  Okey dokey, Whose face are we supposed to seek?"

"Jesus."

"Right.  Here's some more that the author had to say ..."

7:40 am

"So Who is always watching over us and waiting for us to turn to Him?"

"Jesus."

"Yep ... hey now, sit up and stop fiddling with that.  I just want to read two quick verses:  Philippians 4:7 and Jeremiah 29:13.  They are some of my favorites."

"Mom, you say that every morning."

"It's because it's true!  Now sit tight for just a minute more.  Uhm .. where are you going?"

"I go potty really bad."

"Okay, quick, quick.  The rest of you ..."

"I'm sooo hungry, Mommy."

knock, knock ...

"Just a minute that's Baby S.  Stay put for just a second."

7:47 am

"Okay.  Settle down again, here we go.  Remember that Jesus is always with you.  Always."

"Skwaahk!"

"Honey, I know you love Baby S, but you have to give her some space.  To breathe."

"Yes, Mommy."

"Let's pray really quick and then you can get your breakfast.  C'mon.  Pull yourselves together."

"I pray first."

"Go for it, Weeda."

"Dear Jesus, thank You day.  Amen."

"Amen."

... mass exodus for the refrigerator ...

"Can I make myself an egg?"

Some days I wonder if I'm getting through, if it really matters at all.  I know in my heart that this time is worthwhile, I just wish it wasn't so busy.  And bustling.  And bouncy.  And brisk.

On these mornings, I have to remember that even if my efforts seem fruitless, God's promises still ring true:

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow 
   come down from heaven, 
and do not return to it 
   without watering the earth 
and making it bud and flourish, 
   so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth: 
   It will not return to me empty, 
but will accomplish what I desire 
   and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Although my brood appears more concerned with the temperature and the calendar and being right, God is planting His Word in their little hearts.  And my job is to keep watering until they bud and flourish!

(Just in case you are wondering, the devotional we use in the morning is the kid's version of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. I can't recommend it highly enough.  I learn a little something every morning, too.)
__________________________________________

Prompt #4 ~ Describe the scene at breakfast.

Follow the Crumbs ...

As Ashley walks out of her Kindergarten room, she pops her thumb in her mouth.  She shuffles across the blacktop of the playground to where the girls and I are waiting.  She drops her pink and black backpack into the basket of the stroller and leans into me.

"How was your morning?"

"Fine."

"Did you have fun?"

"Yeah."

"Are you hungry?"

Head nod.

"Ohhh-kay.  Let's go."

Lydia skips along the sidewalk to the van.  Ashley rests her hand on the stroller handle and labors along beside me.  Lydia hops into her seat, chattering away at Baby S.  Ashley slumps into her car seat and leans to the left, looking out the window.

"Hang in there, Honey.  We'll go home and have lunch right away."

Little Le-Le is so much like her Daddy in this way.  When she's hungry, she's worthless.

I'll skip over the next 15 minutes for you.  It's too painful to relate.  Let me sum up:

She's hungry.
She doesn't know what to eat.
She's grumpy.
She cries a little.
She sucks her thumb a lot.
She can't make a decision.
She lays on the kitchen bench.  A lot.
She's moany and groany.

(At this point, Brett would like me to insert the following:  He isn't quite this worthless.  He usually doesn't cry.  Thank you.)

Eventually I manage to convince her that sitting up, blowing her nose and having some toast will make her feel better.  Within a few moments of the cinnamon toast hitting her stomach, she perks up.  She turns to her snacky-plate, finishes her toast, dives into her yogurt and munches on some red grapes.  All the while, the events and excitement of her day pour from her little mouth.

"I played with Karsyn today.  We climbed on the jungle gym and played on the swings.  We practiced writing the letter "L" and we counted all the way to 51.  Did you know that we've been in school for 51 days?!  We learned a song today in music class, do you want to hear it?"

Whew!  Just like her Daddy. :)  Give them a little food, a little something to eat, and they are re-energized for the rest of the day!

....

I head upstairs with my second load of laundry.  On the top step, someone has put a baby doll to nap.  I manage to wriggle one foot between the "bed" and the diaper bag filled to the brim with random paraphernalia - including what looks like my yummy lotion from my bathroom.
Grumble, grumble ...

I walk into the bathroom to find the two hand towels have leapt from their bar.  Again.  They lay in a damp, crumpled pile on the floor.
Mumble, mumble ...

I hear the screeches and screams coming from the basement.  Added to that are wails and howls.  As I open the louvered door at the top of the stairs, I spy two little people wrestling over the purple exercise ball.  One little screamer has the other howler by the hair.
Grrrrr ...

I stomp into the family room.  The girls are resting in their rooms.  According to the clock, I have about 45 minutes until someone will need me again.  I plop onto the couch.
Sigh ...

What a day!  I'm frazzled, frustrated and fuming.

Lately my days have been feeling more exasperating, more exhausting, than usual.  What's the deal?
It's the same kids, same situations, same busy-ness ... but a significantly different attitude.  What's the root?
As I sit on the edge of the couch with the sun stretching across the carpet toward my toes, I sink back into the cushions.  What am I going to do, God?

"Follow the crumbs ..."

Hmmm ... what was that again?

"Follow the crumbs ..."

The story of Hansel and Gretel comes to mind.  In an effort to find their way home, they sprinkled bread crumbs on the path.  In an effort to find my way back to my preferred role as Mom (the one that doesn't grumble, mumble, grrr or sigh) I need to follow those same crumbs.  And find my way back down the path that has led me here.

As soon as I pause and stop moving, it becomes obvious.  I think back through my last week and I can't remember when the last time was that I read my Bible.  Sure, I had read the devotion with the kids in the morning and I'd been tossing up "popcorn" prayers throughout the day, but apparently it had been over a week since I took time to settle into God's word and hear from Him.  My busy-ness had gotten in the way of this important quiet time and my busy-ness was beginning to suffer.

In the same way that Ashley (and Brett) need food to function well, I (dare I say, we) need spiritual food to perform well.  I can see the same link between toast and Ashley's exuberant recounting of her Kindergarten adventures and my Daily Bread and the energy I need to be the Mom I want to be.

Food meets our needs, be it a snacky-plate for lunch or God's word.  If you're feeling grumpy, irritable, crabby or dumbfounded, the odds are you're hungry.

It's time to follow the crumbs and get fed!

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.’

(Matthew 6:9-13)

Food For Thought ~ Milk, It Does the Body Good

As little Baby S gulps her bottle, she splurts and sputters.  She is apparently starving!  Never mind that she ate a mere three hours ago!

As she gulps and guzzles, a smidgen of milk dribbles out of the corner of her mouth and runs toward her left ear.  I dab at it with her bib in an attempt to keep her from ending up with milk curds in the folds of her neck.

She makes little snorty noises through her nose as she tries to keep up with the flow of the bottle.  She breaks off her latch on the nipple and gasps.  Then latches right back on for more.  Little bubbles come to the surface of her milk as the creamy liquid disappears.

Her sweet little lips are splayed across the top of the bottle, working rhythmically to drain the milk.  Her upper lip is folded back, almost covering her nostrils, but she manages to breath and drink in a tempo of her own.

Her eyes are fastened on mine.  She stares at me with intense focus as if daring me to pull the nipple from between her pursed lips.  The suction she has created makes this nearly impossible, of course.

She loves her milk.
Her mommy's milk.

I breastfed my babies and so this is my first experience with heating, handling and holding bottles.  It has been a curious adventure, to say the least!

Who knew that it took so long to heat a bottle in a mug of hot water?  All the while the hungry baby grunts and tries to fit both her fists in her teeny-tiny mouth ... "Uhm ... I'm hungry!  Hello!"

Who knew that there was an upside to a bottle?  Poor little peanut spent fifteen minutes sucking on a bottle with the air vent in the wrong place ... "Who put this lady in charge?!?  She doesn't even know how to work this thing!!"

Who know that there was a two degree window of optimum temperature?  My persnickety little friend prefers her milk at a delicious temperature of 98.6.  Of course.  "You expect me to drink that?  It's far too cold ... at most it's 96.2 degrees."

But back to her passion for eating ...

This little baby is a foodie of the liquid diet!  When she's hungry, there is no distracting her.  She will follow the hand that holds the bottle - her eyes wide with anticipation, her hands fumbling with excitement, her feet kicking with expectancy.  And for good reason.

This milk is her only sustenance.  And miraculously it meets every one of her nutritional needs.  This connection that God created between a mother and her baby is still a marvelous mystery to me.

This milk is so treasured that the apostle Peter used it as an illustration in his first letter to the churches of Galatia, Asia and beyond.  He compares this valuable milk to the teaching of the Bible:

² Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, ³ if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. (1 Peter 2:2-3)


When we hunger after the righteousness found in God's Word and consume His instructions - digesting the truth found there and allowing our hearts to process it - we grow and mature in our salvation.  We develop spiritually and put aside the selfishness and sin that stunts our growth.


Of course we can't just settle for milk.  Eventually we have to move on to meatier and more substantial spiritual food.  But the milk of the Word is still the building block of our soul's nutrition and nourishment.


So don't be bashful ... just like Baby S, get into the Bible and guzzle it up!  It does the body (and soul) good!

Day 1:  Mom in the Midst

Day 2:  My Button is Lame

Day 3:  Splendidly Lavish

Day 4:  Keeping My Head Above Water

Day 5:  Time-Warp Wednesday ~ Little Me

Day 6:  Me, Myself & I

Day 7:  Food For Though ~ Bacon

Day 8:  The Aches and Pains of Service

Day 9:  I Heart You

Day 10:  Who is Me? {part 1}

Day 11:  Who is Me? {part 2}

Day 12:  Who is Me?  {part 3}

Day 13:  Handmade with Care

Day 14:  Food For Thought ~ Carmel & Apples

Day 15:  A Bunch of Rocks

Day 16:  Not Recycled ... Redeemed

Day 17:  What Do You Do?

Day 18:  Washed on the Delicate Cycle

Day 19:  Know Thy Limits

Day 20:  One Snapshot ~ Many Stories

Day 21:  Food For Thought ~ Malt-O-Meal

Day 22:  Cartwheeling for Jesus

Day 23:  Take a Load Off

Day 24:  Listen!  Do You Smell Something?

Day 25:  Dinner Time!

Day 26:  Where Did It Go?

Day 27:  I'm on the Hunt
Day 28:  Food For Thought ~ Milk, It Does the Body Good