Random Questions to Ponder

• Why do children only throw up between the hours of 3 am and 5 am?

• Why must children only hurl the day clean linens are put on their bed?

• Why don't children of the same family get sick at the same time instead of one right after the other, which makes for a very tired mommy for a longer period of time?

Just random questions I am thinking about today. Nothing spiritually deep and renewing. Just ponderings of a tired mommy.

New Book

I am currently reading this book. Mark Batterson is the same author that wrote "In a pit with a lion on a snowy day." Oh my goodness. It is a very good book. Robbie keeps telling me to hurry up and finish because I am constantly going to him and telling him, "Listen to this..." And then I read him a page. He hates to be read to. But I will blog more about it when I am finished. Meanwhile go get it for yourself!

It is along the same lines as his afore mentioned book. But different... It talks about the adventure of following the Holy Spirit! I am pumped. I really want to do this as a book study.

Control is an illusion

I spoke on the subject of control, briefly, last week. There were quite a few people who had a problem with the statement, "Control is an illusion." Now I have to admit quite a few years ago, I would have had the same reaction. But a few things have changed since then. One is I have learned that control is an illusion. Now, mind you, this is coming from a typical first-born, type A, minor ocd personality type. I have had my issues with control (and some may say I still do, but I can't control what they think!) I have learned this fact: I cannot control one thing in my life other than my reaction to it, and even that is sometimes tricky.

There is not one thing that I have absolute control over. As much as I would like to, I can not "control" my children. I can discipline them and instruct them in ways that are right, but I can not "make" them do what is right. When they are left alone they will make their own choices, and thus suffer the consequences, and I can't control that either.

I can not control whether or not a hurricane will devastate my town. I can prepare with the necessary supplies, but where that storm hits is not up to me.

I can not control my parents... I can not control the economy or the gas prices...I can not control the neighbor's dislike for children...I can not control our government leaders...I can not control church attendance... I can not control ________.

When you think about, how burdened would my life be if these things were possible. And yet we live as if these things were possible.

Forgetting that it is God who puts these things in order. It is God who takes care of his people and his creation. It is God who orders the heavens, as well as our government. It is God who has ultimate control, we are just privileged to be included in his plan.

The only thing that I can have any influence in is "Am I open to the Holy Spirit's leading?"

And so that is why I say Control is an illusion!

Wordless Wednesdays

And we think "our" economy is bad! This is a picture of Haiti during and after the hurricanes that devastated their country.

First Reactions

I wish my first reaction to a difficult situation was grace. Far too often it is not! Yesterday, during church, an issue arose that made me want to scream! (It was a personal situation and had nothing to do with anyone at church! So don't read this and think I am talking about you!) But instead of grace, I hid. Yes, literally, hid in my hiding space (not telling you where this is!) I hid so that I could regroup and allow grace to flow. Then I went into the bathroom, washed my hands, looked into the mirror and said, out loud, "Christie, Practice Grace!" and then I heard a toilet flush in a stall. I thought I was alone, but I wasn't! (I ran out before I saw who it was) Kind of embarrassing!

But back to my original thought. Why can't my first reaction be grace? Why do I need to go into the bathroom and give myself a pep talk? Why doesn't grace just happen? I know some will say, "You must first understand God's grace before it can flow through you." I do know and experience God's grace. He is so gracious to me in more ways than I even know! He overwhelms me with His grace. But my gut reaction is to spew, now mind you I don't do that but I want to!

So I guess I will continue to practice!

Entertain the Masses

There is a great quote in the movie "Gladiator". It is made by the bad Ceasar, Commodius. It goes something like this, "Entertain the masses and the state can do anything." (Although this is not an exact quote, it is close to it).

I have been thinking about this quote a lot lately. And unfortunately I think we may be close to there as a nation. It is this idea that if it "looks" good, then vote for it. This election is incredibly important and can not be based upon entertainment values. Think about who you are voting for. Research the different candidates and make an informed decision. Disclaimer: Watching the network news does not count. Find out more than what the entertainment networks want you to know. Know what the candidates value and stand for. Because, as another quote goes, if they don't stand for something they will fall for anything.

TV as idol.

I have long had this theory that the TV is an idol that we bow down to. I mentioned this on Wednesday and someone sent this to me. I love it! Thanks Devyn!