Crazy Love

Our small group at Church is doing a series on a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book has challenged me in ways I never expected a book to do so! In one of the chapters, Francis talks about "Lukewarm' Christians. The idea is that we don't sin because we are regretful for our actions but more so because we are worried about the consequences. Now, I think this is appropriate for someone who is just starting out in their faith. Like with our DD, she has consequences that prevent her from behaving in a negative way. We hope that some day she behaves the way she should because it is the right thing to do, not because of the punishment. Well, God wants us to love Him so much that we do the right thing because of our love for him, not our fear of punishment.

The other challenge I have faced while reading this book is trusting in the God I love so deeply.

"Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don't have to trust God if something unexpected happens - they have their savings account. They don't need God to help them-they have their retirement plan in place. They don't genuinely seek out what life God would have them live- they have life figured and mapped out. They don't depend on God on a daily basis-their refrigerators are full and, for the mos part, they are in good health. the truth is, their lives wouldn't look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God."

WOW - that made me stop and read it several times! I had to wonder, how different would my life look if I suddenly stopped believing in God...

God is the one who is to judge

Yesterday I left work at noon with a horrible headache. Of course as soon as I got in the car, my gass light came on so I had to stop. As I was finishing up pumping a guy approached me. He said him and his fiance were traveling and both were on unemployment. They needed money for gas to get home. He said several more things but I was not listening as I just wanted to get home. The second he asked for money I knew what was in my walet and what I was going to give to him. In the past when I have been approached, I have felt that I would 'be taken advantage of'. One day when my husband and I were walking to our car a lady asked him for money for food for her son. He is a very giving person and always gives what he has. Later that day and several days after that it weighed on my heart as to why we didn't ask them to eat lunch with us as that is where we were headed. I decided at that point when given the opportunity, I will give what I have. We are so abundantly blessed to have the means to help! Of course there are people who are taking advantage of a giving person but the lesson I have come to learn is, it is not my place to judge that. If I am giving truly from my heart it doesn't matter what my gifts are used for, that is for them to answer to God on Judgment day. When you let God take your worries, concerns, fears and anything else that is weighing on your heat, it is truly a freeing feeling!! Next time you are asked to give for what ever reaon, don't worry about their intention, worry about what is in your heart...

Mac N Cheese with Green Beans

Well DD did it, she got three green days in a row! She came running at me when I picked her up yesterday saying "MOM - you get to have lunch with me tomorrow!" I was lucky that I had time in my schedule and was excited to spend the time with her. Her class we really excited to have me as well. I heard the other kiddos telling DD that she has an 'awesome' mom. I sat at the table with her and 3 of her friends. It was a lot of fun to listen to the conversations of 4 year olds! I had such a good time that I plan to regularly go have lunch with her while she still wants me to! I know that some day it will no longer be 'cool' to have mom around. I also have to say thank you to my good friend Niki who gave me the idea, it is one that I think will have a great impact on my relationship with DD!

I love gadgets!

So if you know me, you know that I love gadgets! The newest one I have fallen in love with is the polar watches. As I have been working out regularly again, I find myself chasing my appetite the rest of the day. After talking with a personal trainer I believe this is because I am getting my heart rate up too high and burning off sugar and not the fat I am trying to get rid of. So, this is going to help me stay in my target heart rate zone. The other benefit is that it will transmit my heart rate to the machine I am working on giving me a better idea of how I am doing. At the end of the work out I will get a run down of intensity, duration as well as calories burned. Then the watch also gives me a weekly summary. The other option I am excited about is the ability to download the information to play with on the computer. Knowing I am going to see at the end of the week how much I have worked out, I think will help me get out of bed when I don't want to! While the watch is big and kind of masculine, I am extremely to have this tool to help make me more efficient while I am working out.... thank you honey!!

Shhh, are you listening?

One of the hardest things for me to do while growing up was to stop talking. It wasn't until I was an adult that I understood that while talking, I was not listening. I am sure I have missed a lot growing up not 'listening' and now my daughter is walking in my footsteps. It is hard as a parent to watch your children make the same mistakes you made.

This weekend at Church we learned about listening to God. When I pray, I start off thanking God for the things I have and then asking Him for the things I want. Not too often do I start off with asking God what he wants to talk to me about. What is He telling me that I am too busy talking to hear? It is amazing how many of my life lessions I am trying to teach my child that apply to my relationship with God!!! This week I am going to try to slow down and listen before speaking... Maybe if I display the behavior I am asking of my child she will follow?

What color day did you have?

Well the 'cents' idea didn't work as planned. For one, mom was not quite as organized at implementing the plan as thought. Last week, we had more red days then anything else... and things started to turn around at the end of the week. The director decided that DD could be her 'helper' if she gets green days. That seemed to help. After two green days in a row we get dinner with one of DD's favorite people and after three in a row... lunch with momma at school. She was excited. She has great intentions and heads into the day saying she is going to get a 'green' day. Somewhere along the day she gets sidetracked and things go down hill. I hope that all the incentives we have been throwing her way really help!!

I can't help but see the comparison between her and how my day goes with God in it. I start out the day talking with Him and thinking it is going to be a great day. Then, somewhere along the day, I lose focus and end that conversation. I need to keep my concentration on just like DD and end the day as strong as I start it. I know God continually gives me 'incentivies' to keep the lines of communication open, He is just waiting for me to come around!!

Cents

So, after moving our DD to a new school, there is a lot more information exchanged between us and her teachers. Every day we get a note that goes over the lessons for the week as well as the type of day she had (Red, Yellow, Green). The first week we had lots of Red and Yellow days. After she started to adjust we were seeing more Green days until this week. We have yet to have a Green day!! DD does not like to take naps and would rather play. We have sent crayons & coloring books for her to do during nap time. We explained to her that she doesn't have to take a nap but needs to be quiet. Well, she is just like her mom and likes to talk, so this is getting her in trouble! After reading a friends blog yesterday she gave me the idea of money for incentive. Starting next week we are going to give her a quarter for ever Green day she has. If she has a Red day she will have to pay us a quarter and if she has a Yellow day we are all even. She really likes to get money so I think this will work. I am excited to try this out and see if we can turn her behavior around!