Gifts Spring from Hurricane Ike's Wrath. . . .

Continuing the gift list with gifts found in an unconventional place-- blessings poured upon us after hurricane Ike crossed our path.
70. A family kept together and safe during the storm.
69. Giggles from boys who loved sleeping in sleeping bags next to each other during our evacuation.
68. Family out of state who care about us and call to see how we're doing.
67. Being able to see old friends and meet new ones while evacuated.
66. The green of grass and plants after a storm.
65. Being able to help neighbors wash clothes and keep items cold with what little generator power we had.
64. The joy of power restored!!
63. Reminding a boy to be thankful that he has a home, even though his swing set was destroyed.
62. Neighbors coming together to fellowship and rebuild fences.
61. A prayer of thanksgiving, as all the neighbors bowed their heads, thankful for what Ike did not take away, and grateful that he couldn't take our connection with our Maker, no matter how hard he tried.

I wanna be like. . . Aidan :)

Oh, Aidan. He's my mischievous one-- we call him naughty; Memaw calls him "inquisitive". Or should I say, Memaw CALLED him inquisitive. Until at 18 months of age, he climbed up onto her dining room table, all decked out for Thanksgiving, grabbed a piece of depression glass, and began toddling around the house with it. Then, Memaw decided that maybe he was just a touch naughty. But, Aidan, he's also my cuddly one. That child can snuggle with the best of them. We joke that he's trying to make up for the naughtiness, but today the LORD showed me that he's not. That's just the way he is :). He can be naughty and then doesn't even think twice about snuggling up next to me. Why? Because I'm his mommy, that's why! He's knows that it doesn't matter what he's done. He knows that my love isn't dependant on how good or naughty he's been. And I know that, too. He could have thrown the hand towel in the powder room into the toilet (been there done, that), gotten into the gift wrap stash, or told me "uh-uh" a thousand times that day; but when he comes to snuggle in my lap-- none of it matters-- he is my sweet little boy, who's come to rest in his mommy's arms. And, so, I wanna be like Aidan. It's inevitable that I'm gonna mess up in this life-- yell at the kids, grump at the husband. But I should NEVER be hesitant to cuddle up into the Father's arms, because his love for me is not dependant upon my actions. He still wants to cuddle me, no matter how naughty I've been. His love never even considers my actions-- I cannot sway him to love me more or less-- he just wants to BE with me. Father, I'm resting in your arms today. Amen.

More Gifts. . .

70. Pillow mazes winding through the house.
69. Boys who eat all the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms.
68. A new service opportunity through church.
67. Being able to plan an upcoming trip to Disney World.
66. God working all things together for good.
65. A new job that makes my hubby happy.
64. A boy who can't wait for his birthday to come.
63. Air-pillow fights.
62. Boys who sing in their beds in the morning.
61. Reconnecting with old friends through Facebook.

The Shift

I cried out to God today-- Frustrated by my lack of commitment to Him, my lack of zeal, my lack of love, my lack of direction. Should I chose A or B? Should I being doing C and D?. . . I definitely need to give up E and F. . . And I said these words to my maker: "God-- I'm just trying to live Your life." And how did my maker reply? Did he shout to me-- You're absolutely right-- you need to give up E AND F, and start doing C AND D, and then, maybe then, I'll let you know if you should choose A or B." NOPE, that's not what my maker said to me. I said, "God, I'm just trying to live Your life." And God? He whispered back gently, reassuringly, "How about, you just let me live your life instead?"
Oh.
And so, with one sentence, the Shift came. A, B, C, D, E, AND F-- were all addressed in one simple reply. Maybe I should stop trying to live God's life and let Him live mine. Maybe I should just trust-- believe. Let God lead me hour by hour-- moment by moment. Maybe if I breathed in God with each breath-- all those things I am so concerned about, so guilt-ridden over, maybe those things will fall into place. And so, I'm drawn back-- back to the sermon today at church-- back to the words I've read so often and at times understood, "For whoever wants to save his life must lose it." We are not called to live Christ's life here on earth. We are called to let Christ live ours. . . And so "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3-16-19) Fill me God. Live my life. Amen.

Gifts (Hubby Style)

60. Sore muscles after a good work-out.
59. A great cup of coffee...mmmmmmm
58. Cinnamon Rolls in the morning...very yummy.
57. Being able to see without anymore glasses.
56. A good book to read on those rainy days.
55. A job to provide for my family.
54. A wife who loves me even when I'm less than loveable.
53. Children to wrestle with.
52. Having the gift of marrige.
51. A family full of support.

Gifts. . . Again!

50. Boys who love to get mail.
49. A Christian family and extended family.
48. This gift list :).
47. Cuddles from my big little man.
46. A husband who wants our relationship to be the best it can be.
45. Fresh hair cuts on little boys.
44. "Big hugs" from Aidan.
43. A little boy in footed jammies each morning.
42. Mexican Food. . . mmmmmmm.
41. A little boy who loves his Aunt Beth.
40. A God who is always there to listen, comfort, and heal.