Responsibility Test

by Beth Johnson


I can only figure that summer vacations were not invented by parents, no parent would willingly invite into their life ominous, structureless time.   I've been trying to get my children on a schedule during their summer vacation, you know, everyone gets up, eats breakfast, prays, reads the Bible, practices their verses, cleans their plates, and then they can go about their diversions, BUT everyday we need to create something, build something, put away something, and tell something.  We take 3 weeks off from home school every year in the summer, so it's short and sweet.  Thank goodness because I don't like all this 'spare time', aimless wandering, idleness, and mostly the unknown.  What will time off look like?    Right now I am watching the time tick by as my kids are at the next door neighbor's watching a movie in the middle of the day.  There was a time when I would have marched over to their house and kindly escorted my easily distracted children back home.  Because as you know, we don't spend time with people watching something else, we spend time with the living people.  God created us to interact with each other, and my kids would smile at me and say, "we know."  But the heat has upped the ante on my rules and it's just too hot to play, think, speak, or move.  So, I'm letting this one slide.  I like order but tire easily with people who don't like to adhere to what I think order looks like.  What I am wanting from this break is to see what my children want to do with their free-time.  What is it that they seek?  Who do they cling to?  Where do they go?  What are they talking about?  I want to be able to give them the resources they need to rest.  But when I realize where their first inclination to go is to be with other people and do whatever they are doing I end up confused.  How do I challenge them to create, dream, build, you know, everything kids are made for.  We were made for...

There is much talk about living out what God has made you for.  Being your calling.  What does this look like when you have 4 loads of laundry to fold, the dog is eating the contents of the toilet, the lonely child is in her room weeping, and the demanding child is doing just that, demanding.  What am I called to? When Motherhood looks like this, the calling gets all fuzzy and before you know it you are begrudging your duty.  I find myself viewing my children as burdens instead of the image-bearers and Spirit-vessels that God intends for them to be.  Then I hear the Spirit ask me to enter into His rest, but I've already explained how much I do not like to rest.  Rest means so many 'bad' things for me.  Just show me what job I can do, and I can do it, point me in the right direction.  Rest means I am going to wake up and the storm will be raging and I will not have prepared for it.  Essentially, unbelief, I don't believe that if I shut off the light He's got it covered.  Can He do anything?  Yes.  Did he make you?  Yes.  Does he have complete authority?  Yes.  Yet, I don't like to stop for just an afternoon and let the dishes pile up because I am going to have to clean that up later speech.   "Therefore while the promise of entering into His rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. " Hebrews 4:1  Okay, this verse just screams responsibility to me, not rest.  I have got to rest because there is a cut off valve somewhere that's going to shut off and I might run out of something.  And there is a possibility that I'm not going to reach what I am supposed to be going toward.  You can feel my tension, I'm sure of it, because you might be like me and just think if you are trying hard enough it must just work out.  I am not prepared for this rest command whatsoever.  Before  I self destruct I quickly jump forward to the last verse in the chapter, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Sound better?  Yes, now I read the in between parts.  But in order to have this confidence you have to rest.  Not worry, not give into lies, not listen to panic, and not self preservation.  Verse 11, "Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall,"  and the falling be to disobedience.  You have to want this rest, there is no half way here, both feet in, are you going to let Him have the keys? If you are heavy with child, running with a toddler who just figured out how his legs work, dealing with the drama of a preschooler, or the melancholy of a pre-teen girl you know the need to believe that He has a place of rest for you.  That He has called you to this, the testing of your faith, the proof of who you really are as you work endlessly because He has allowed you to be someone's Mother.  There is no chance in that, He wrote the DNA, and He will provide for your rest.   Read the whole chapter, and the one prior, and the one after and rest while you do.

Welcome baby Nadia Ruth Todd!

Lori Todd had her baby girl today!  Please welcome Nadia Ruth Todd!

Born April 7th, 2010

7lbs, 11oz.

20" long

Mom and baby girl are doing great!  Congrats Lori!

Mango Strawberry Salsa!

This recipe is perfect for the summer-like weather Nashville's been having!  It's also super easy to make.  So how about you whip up some salsa, get a big glass of lemonade and sit on the front porch with your feet up tonight.  :)  Happy Wednesday.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 diced fresh mango
• 2 pints strawberries, diced

Directions

1. Stir together the balsamic vinegar, orange juice, lemon juice, and lime juice in a large bowl. Gently fold in the mango and strawberries until blended. Allow the mixture to rest at least 20 minutes before serving.

I'm not perfect and that's Ok.

I'm not sure exactly what it was but from the moment I woke up today something was a little off.  Did I not sleep enough?  Did I eat something funny before bed?  Or did my intuition just know it was going to be a rough Monday?  I was super clumsy, tripping, falling, spilling, burning, what felt like everything I touched.  It seemed like for every mess I cleaned another ten popped up.

Anyone else ever feel this way?  After a few hours of frustration I finally just sat down and prayed.  I was actually so discouraged and frustrated that I had tears in my eyes.  It felt like praying was my only option.  Praying was my last resort.  And then it hit me...

I'm not perfect....and that's Ok.

The irony of it all is that God created me this way.  His perfect little deliberately flawed masterpiece.  And while praying and trying to let go of all the overwhelming thoughts of everything I'm trying to accomplish right now in my life...the Lord quietly took my hand and reminded me to be still.  Be still in His simple embrace.  That was all he was really asking of me today.

I wondered then how my day would have been different if I started it with the prayer. Why do I wait to go to Him as my last resort?  Why don't I start with Him instead?

Holly

Park Day!

A few of Anchor Moms met up today for lunch and playtime with our kids at the park.  It was awesome getting to enjoy each other and the nice weather!  We're planning on doing this every 3rd Saturday of the month.  Hope to see you next time!

on motherhood...

Alright mommies, read this!  I think it describes motherhood and my experiences with it so far almost perfectly! 
http://petiteroses.blogspot.com/2010/02/babies-do-such-nice-things-they-rock-on.html

TGI Wednesday

Good morning mommas!  Happy Wednesday! (we're almost to the weekend...!!)
When I read this it reminded me that it is only a connection to Christ that gives us the strength and wisdom and patience we so desperately need to take care of business everyday.  It is only through this connection that we are able to understand how deeply God loves us and that He has given us the grace to love our children and families so much more that we ever could have on our own.  Be encouraged and blessed today!

Sarah

Proverbs 3: 5-8
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, 
and He shall direct your paths. 
Do not be wise in your own eyes; 
fear the Lord and depart from evil. 
It will be health to your flesh, 
and strength to your bones.