A "Simple" Prayer Request

I am guilty. I have been known to make the following statement about someone I considered "very spiritual": "Well we KNOW his/her prayers hit heaven." Now I know that all of our prayers do "hit heaven"...I think we fall into the trap of judging someone's spiritual life and deciding that they must have a direct link to God. I know I am not alone in the trap. God DOES hear our prayers. I believe it. Yet, at times I still find myself questioning...but then something happens to remind me of the truth:

This week, dh said to me, "Did you know that ds 4 puts a prayer request card in the plate at church every week?" I do watch him write on the card each week. He has been doing this since he could hold the pen. First he would scribble the lines, now he fills it out. One Sunday, he even wrote his brother a note that said, "Dear Brother 2, You owe me 1,0000,00000,0000 dollars." But, not wanting to admit that I have never seen him slip his card into the plate...I just said, "Oh?" Dh continued: "Do you know what he's prayed for over the past three or so weeks?" Again, I shrug. Dh says: "World Peace". World Peace? You could have knocked me over with a feather!

DS 4 who is a tornado in motion most of the time! DS 4 who has such a zest for life that it makes the rest of us dizzy! DS 4 who can get under the skin of his older brothers (and sometimes his Mother) quicker than a splinter!

Then I re-think his request and I re-think him: DS 4 who is extremely sensitive and completely aware of the world around him. DS 4 who has such a love for people and animals of all kinds. DS 4 who has never met a stranger. DS 4 who has brought us joy beyond belief. DS 4 who has faith that is immeasurable. (FYI: He believed that HE really would find Boardwalk in the McDonald's Monopoly game and win the million dollars! When the game ended, he said, "There's always next time.")

Jesus said that we should have the faith of a little child. I know I am not supposed to say it, but somehow I think that THIS little boy's prayers DO "hit heaven". I am sure that Jesus just smiles at his simple yet powerful request.

World Peace? I hope so son, I hope so.

Seen any red cars lately?

Dh had another great sermon today as he reminded us the importance of being thankful. He asked an interesting question: How many of you saw a red car on the way to church today? Of course a few hands went up.

Then he said, "I want everyone to look for a red car on the way home." He continued: "Now that I asked that, how many of you think you'll see a red car on the way home?" Almost all the hands went up.

He noted "Everyone will notice one because you'll be looking for it." Then he drove his point home: We have to look for the blessings in our lives. We sometimes take things for granted and miss them. It's up to us to recognize them and then be truly thankful for them.

So: Have YOU seen any red cars lately?

More Lessons from Son 4

There is a new song out on Christian radio that says: "The one thing that I don't question is you. You really love me like you say you do." It's a beautiful thought that I think most of us have a hard time grasping as adults.

Son 4 loves this song. When it comes on the radio he sings it with such conviction and belief. He truly has that faith of a child and it's so precious to watch and hear. It's obvious that He trusts that God does love Him and he should never question that love.

Now when I hear the song I ask myself, "what would it take to really say that statement like I mean it all the time...AND to live life in the same way?" What a different world this would be if Christians could just start with the belief that no matter what they are loved by God AND that we don't question Him.

I'm off to listen to more radio...and maybe learn more lessons.

My Crazy Life

Some days I wonder if I am coming or going! With six schedules to coordinate, it keeps me (and my family) absolutely hopping.

I was thinking the other day about a "simpler life" and really wondering what I would "give up" if I could. Here's our list of things that cost time:

1. Soccer games for ds 4
2. Youth group for dss 1, 2, 3
3. Church activities for all of us
4. Soccer practice and games for ds 2
5. Dh's work
6. My work

There isn't one thing on this list that I would give up. Watching my kids play sports is a joy and I KNOW builds confidence and character. Knowing that my boys are so involved in the Youth Group both as participants in high school youth and leaders for middle school youth (sons 1 and 2) makes me SO proud. Son 3 is really coming along well as he learns to balance school and social activities. I love my job and I am confident that dh also loves his work. I can honestly say that I don't know what to "give up". I don't know how to simplify.

Really when I think about it...life was like that for my family the minute I hit high school. More things tug at their social lives which cause the rest of us to be impacted. Being involved in my church and school though helped define who I am today. I am confident that my boys' activities will do the same.

I just pray that on those days when I feel like I want to scream or have the urge to sing Ricky Martin's "La Vida Loco"...that I can gain the perspective I need to realize that life is sometimes busy and it's OK. I also hope that I recognize when I am given the opportunity to slow down...and that I will have the wisdom to take it as the gift that it truly is.

In the meantime, I am off to soccer practice to pick up son 4!

Food for Thought

I have spent the last few days wondering "where I am going" and "what I want to do with my life"....then I found this quote. Now I will spend some time pondering its depth:

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, “Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?” Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we're liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Marianne Williamson

Leaving On a Jet Plane

Remember the old song?
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me...
Hold me like you'll never let me go....
I'm leaving on a jet plane
don't know when I'll be back again...
Dh is off again. This time he is going to California for three days. So, yes, I know when he'll be back again...but I hate to see him go. Now, I must admit that it IS getting easier (thank goodness)! But it's still no picnic.

You see ever since we have been married...it seems that our parenting, running the household, and other "stuff" has been a two-way street of give and take. OK, he may do more at times than I do...in fact, my Mom and Stepmother say I am downright spoiled! And they are right.

I am blessed. It just seems lately as he has traveled that God has shown me how He has passed that blessing along to our sons. They pull a little more weight while Dad's away. The older ones help out with the younger ones. They help me juggle schedules...transportation (thank God for two licensed drivers)...and keep me sane.

Yes, I know when dh will be back...but it's not soon enough. I miss him when he is away. I suppose it is true, though that absence DOES make the heart grow fonder. I'm just glad we have until January before he is gone again!!

A Second Lesson

My FIL called me a little while ago and said, "Turn on channel 7. You have to see the story that is coming up." I had no idea what or why I needed to do this, but then he said, "They are going to talk about how having children makes women smarter." So I turned it on.

It is true that studies are suggesting that women are, in fact, smarter after they give birth and start raising children. Why? Because it requires multi-tasking, problem-solving, and all the other things that mothers "do".

The most interesting part of this lesson did not happen on the TV...but with son 4 as we watched this news segment. He heard them state, "Having children may actually make women smarter." Son 4 exclaimed: "It does? Wow, Mom...that means you know more than ME!" Before I could say a word, he said: "Tell me EVERYTHING you know, Mom! Please. Tell me all of it!"

I am not sure having children made me smarter, but it certainly keeps me on my toes. Now, I have to go tell son 4 "everything I know".

The Ripple Effect

Last week, when ds 1 got into some trouble, we talked about "The Ripple Effect". Since this conversation, we have noticed just how relevant and real this is. Basically, he and I discussed the fact that EVERY SINGLE decision we make has a ripple effect. Our decisions either send out a positive "ripple" or negative "ripple". It's up to us to decide. I even heard son 1 sharing this lesson with his brothers this week.

I'm So Thankful!

Things have been crazy around our house lately...everyone's going in a different direction...though positively. I'm glad November is here. Not because it translates to anything really slowing down...but because it is a month that I am reminded to be thankful. I know that I should be thankful all the time...and maybe it's the teacher in me...but the "I'm thankful for..." statements start flowing around me starting November 1st and going right through the Winter Holidays.

Recently several things that have happened that have made me thankful:

1. DS 1 got in big trouble last week. I'm sure you're thinking: "You have a warped since of thankful, Susan!" It wasn't the trouble I am thankful for...but rather his response to it. When we talked about it with him, he said, "I know I screwed up." He was right. And he knew that he deserved the consequences that came his way as a result. Our conversation about his infraction was just that, a conversation. It wasn't hateful but rather a reality check. It was a true glimpse into and reminder of the fact that our first born son is growing up into a fine young man. For this, I am SO thankful!

2. DS 2 and I gave one of his teammates a ride home for the second time this week from the soccer game tonight. As we dropped this young man off at his house I asked son 2, "Doesn't his family ever come to his games?" He told me "No" and proceeded to tell me that the parent gets frustrated when he can't find his own ride and figure it out. I said, "That is sad." Son 2 said, "Yeah it makes you glad that you are in a family that does care." For this, I am SO thankful!

3. Dh and I had a conversation on the phone last night. I am single this week...a HUGE challenge for me! I shared something that I wanted (not really needed) and he reminded me of reality and the need to "wait a bit longer". My first inclination was to pout...yes, I know I do that. And I suppose I did for a while...but during further reflection I thought: "I am SO thankful that he is the voice of reason and that he cares enough about our family that he can think so clearly." For him, I am eternally grateful!!

4. During one neurotic "I-can't-spin-one-more-plate" moment this week, I heard the voice of a dear friend remind me that I needed to let go and let God. She reminded me to give Him my cares and to take things one day at a time. For her gentle words and important reminder, I am SO thankful!

5. I have been troubled this week by the story of a young pastor that was tragically electrocuted during a baptismal service this week. I listened to part of the funeral service online tonight and read an excerpt from his last sermon that he was going to deliver after this baptism. In it he planned to remind his church to live and live well (You can read it here. I am thankful for this message. It is a reminder that none of us has the promise of even one more second on this Earth...but we should live and live well.

I hope you all find time to be thankful this month. May it be the beginning of us all acknowledging the blessings in our lives. May we not take one single breath for granted and may we truly "live and live well."