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.

Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Muffins, YUM!

Ingredients

• 1 sweet potato
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup honey
• 1 (6 ounce) container vanilla yogurt
•  
• 1/2 cup oatmeal
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease 16 muffin cups, or line with paper muffin liners; set aside. Prick sweet potato several times with a fork and place onto a baking sheet.
2. Bake the sweet potato in the preheated oven until easily pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. When the potato is cool enough to handle, peel and mash.
3. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
4. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, the 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Stir in the vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla, honey, yogurt, and mashed sweet potato, just until all ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.
5. Blend together the oatmeal, brown sugar, almonds, and the remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon in a food processor or blender. Sprinkle topping over unbaked muffins.
6. Bake muffins in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 12 to 15 minutes.

Prayer Request for this week.

Diana Groza has just been approved to buy her first home! She's asking us to pray that God will give her wisdom and guidance through this process.

Ruby Bridge and Julian Harms both have bad colds and double ear infections.  Please pray that God will heal them and help Sarah and me to show patience and love as we're taking care of them this week.

Pray for the Holmes family as they have recently made the decision to move to Cleveland, TN and help with a church plant there.  This is a big move for their family.  Please pray for peace and provision as they make this big step!  We'll miss you Julie!

Update on Ruby and Julian: Julian is feeling much better.  Thank you for your prayers!!!  Ruby's ear infections, however, have gotten worse.  She is getting a series of 3 antibiotic shots.  Hopefully that will do the trick!! 

The dishes can wait

Idolatry is putting something or someone, usually a gift from God, in a place of value that detracts from the fist place owed to God alone.  It is valuing something in a way that hinders the love and trust we owe to God.

So my question is this: can motherhood be idolatry?  Our children become the center of our world from the moment they are born.  Our lives revolve around their wants, needs, schedules, and well-beings.  We love them madly.  It is so easy for our little ones to become more important to us than God.  Our lives are so busy and hectic that it becomes almost laughable that we would be able to find quiet time to sit and be alone with God. 

Sunday morning He hit me with the revelation that as good and right and beautiful as my love for my daughter is, I have unknowingly and accidentally allowed motherhood to become a form of idolatry.   She has become more important to me than my Creator, her creator.  As mothers, I believe that the Holy Spirit guides us.  Some call it mother’s intuition.  I call it divine wisdom.  I believe that as we begin to place Christ as the center of our lives, He will grant us the wisdom of what is best for our children.  As we learn to accept His love for us, we will love our children more deeply and we will have more patience, grace, and mercy than we ever thought possible.  Just as God grants us the wisdom to understand what is best for our children, He also grants us the wisdom to understand that we can’t do this by our own strength. 

What is the solution?  How do we find time to spend time with God?  I think that will look different for everyone.  Maybe it means getting up a few minutes early or going to bed a few minutes late.  It could mean praying while you do the dishes, or just praying instead of doing the dishes. (they’ll still be there) Motherhood teaches us to find creative ways of getting things done.  So think, pray, and get creative.

Sarah

A little encouragement on a Wednesday

So, in my house once you make it past Wednesday it's time to celebrate...only two more days until the weekend!  So here's a verse to help you celebrate making it more than halfway through your week.  Hope you are encouraged and blessed. You are LOVED by your Creator and I hope you can feel that love today.  

Thanks for checking out our first blog entry.  Hope you come back soon!

Holly

Ephesians 3:16-19 

¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.