Suffering for the Good

My thoughts lately, have fallen to those truly struggling during this time. We are so blessed and should be so grateful for all that we have. We all know of others suffering and in need of great healing and blessing this season. With all the reminders I've received this year about what this season is about and were our mindset should be and how to prepare, I still catch myself focusing on myself.

I have to remember that our world (in the small sense, here) works like a ripple effect. What we choose to do doesn't just have an impact us or those closest to us. It can spread like wildfire, in both a good and a bad way. Here's an example:

About this time last year, a friend of mine found out her nephew was diagnoised with cancer. He was 3. It was horrible for her and her family. She spread the word to our bible study and we were all praying. She kept us up throughout the year on his well being and also how it was affecting their lives. She shared how her personal prayer time had increase and how she was reaping blessing in the midst of his suffering. He is now in remission, thanks God!

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not glad that this boy or those we know are suffering. But I will say that through this suffering, we can bennifit and grow, and passing it along effects others. My friends words effected not only me, but many others, to be inspired to pray more, not look inward so much, and to rejoice in what we do have.

I have a similar situation with this going on right now in my family. When I catch myself looking inward and being selfish (especially at 4 a.m. up with my 7 month old), I have been trying to pray for Maria and put myself in her place. All of the sudden, what is going on with me or my lack of sleep is pretty sad to whine about in the midst of her and her families struggles.

We need to remember the effect we have on others and how we can use that for good and bad. Let's make an effort to use it for good, so that as we prepare for Christ's coming, we can each do our own little part to be Christ for others!

Let it SNOW!!

I have to let you know that today is one of those days that are really enjoyable in living out my vocation. I'm still in my P.J's and it is, well, I can't quite admit, but let's just say it's WAY afternoon. The kitchen is not very clean. The phone has finally stopped ringing off the hook. No chores have been done. But the kids got breakfast and lunch, and I got the youngest dressed before noon, (unlike myself!)

So what's so different today from other days? It's a SNOW DAY! Here in the Great Lakes, we were covered with 9 inches of snow last night. I went to bed looking at a forecast predicting 3-6. We awoke to beautiful white, and it has been falling off and on all day. So I have all 4 kiddos home. What have I been doing? Answering the phone, calling their friends, talking to mine, pulling out boots, snow pants, mittens, hats, scarves, etc. Putting on boots, snow pants, scarves, mittens, hats, etc. You know what? I love it! I love when my kids get along, play outside together (for more then and hour!), come back in for lunch and want to go out for more! To be sure, nothing is really getting done today except for thanking God for the gift of life He's given me and seeing them enjoy the first snow of the season.

Sometimes we have to let the big things go and enjoy those things that won't last. I know that some day snow days will mean that my kiddos will sleep till 1 p.m. and it won't be the same. So I'm choosing to enjoy today!

For Every Season

This post has been long in the making. Mostly because my brain has been on overload. With Thanksgiving just past and Christmas looming ahead, it is easy to miss the focus of not only the true meaning, but this time to celebrate Advent. I must admit that in the past, I've felt really good about myself and prided myself on being "on top" of prep and being able to enjoy the Advent season.

Then this past Sunday came and I was overwhelmed beyond belief. I don't know if that is because of child #4 being 6 months, or just having 4 kids or, I don't know, any other excuse I can come up with? I was frustrated with myself for being overwhelmed when I knew where my focus should be. Sad to say that I haven't fully solved the problem. I have excepted that all might not get done and that my home might not be like the movies.

I went to an "Advent By Candlelight" were I listened to a meditation about being the jug of water that Jesus changed into wine. The people didn't know where it came from, and neither do I need to know where or how the change happened. Yet, my heart needs to be open to being changed. The other question that was asked was "what does God want to give me for Christmas", and "what do I need to do to receive that?". This went hand in hand with what our Pastor has been talking about the last few weeks about this being New Year's for the Church. How are we going to be different a year from now then we are now?

So my motivations now is to take these thoughts to heart. Maybe if I focus on where the meaning should be, I"ll get the practicals back on track and be able to enjoy this time of year that I love so much.

Questions? Thoughts? What are your stumbling blocks during this season and how do you resolve them? This should be a faith filled and enjoyable time of year, not a time that we wish we can just make it through. Let's make an effort to enjoy the meaning the way it is intended.