Hard Truths

One of the hardest things for a human being to face is an unpleasant truth about themselves or someone they love. When someone who cares points out a serious character flaw you have, or a wrong action you did, it is human nature to become defensive, offer up excuses, or even lash out at the person bringing correction. Newsflash: correction does not equal attack. Yet, for some reason, human nature puts the corrected person into fight or flight mode: fight the corrector, or run from the problem. 

There is a remedy for this: humility. Not the false humility that whines, "Well, no one is perfect." Rather, the willingness to take a long, hard look at yourself (or your loved one), without crying to others about how that person who corrected you is attacking you. The willingness to take a step back and really examine yourself, and decide if the flaw or action that was pointed out is something you would overlook in someone else. 

Don't fight. Don't run. In the end, you are only fighting and running from yourself, and you will never succeed; because every time you look in the mirror, there you are. Face the ugly truths about yourself, and make things right. Life is too short to live dishonestly.

I am who I am- Thoughts on Exodus 3:7-15 and 6:1-8

As I contemplate the sorrow of my family upon learning of the passing of a dear relative, my Bible study assignment this week seems most fitting to the occasion. 

Looking at Exodus, we are told in 3:9, "And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them." (NIV

And also in Exodus 6:2-3, we read, "God also said to Moses, “I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty,[a] but by my name the Lord[b] I did not make myself fully known to them." (NIV)

Endings and Beginnings, Part 1

This week, my youngest baby is finishing PreK. Within the next few weeks, she will be in Kindergarten. I am so thankful to personally be on her educational journey with her, because we homeschool her.
PreK was an extra exciting year for me, as one of my favorite curriculum companies, My Father's World, released a brand new PreK program, called Voyage of Discovery, just in time to begin with my little one when she turned four. When I saw it, I knew it was the right balance of seat-work, hands-on activities, imaginative play, and outdoor play for my girl. Not only that, but it was full of Biblical instruction for her, and encouragement for me 😍
It was also exciting for her, learning from the Bible, character, loving and serving others, household chores, letter sounds, math concepts, science concepts, and games to play-outdoors and in, a well as enjoying many great read-aloud books together (a few hundred!)
As beautiful as it has been, all good things come to an end. So this week, we say goodbye to PreK. It is bittersweet. Not just because we are finishing a school year, but because it marks a rite of passage for my youngest child. She is, slowly but surely, growing up. She is growing bigger, wiser, and kinder, and that is what a mother hopes for her children.
But when one thing ends, another begins. So, as we wrap up PreK and soon begin Kindergarten, my youngest child transitions from a Preschool-aged child to a school-aged child. We will continue this journey with My Father's World's freshly updated Kindergarten curriculum, called God's Creation from A to Z, and continue moving toward future endings and beginnings.

The Lighter Side: Survival Skills for the Introverted, Middle-aged Parent of an Extroverted Preschooler

I am the middle-aged mother of four adults. I am also the middle aged mother of one lively four-year-old. These statements alone sound like the set-up for an amusing joke. And, indeed, there are days when my main survival tactic is to sit back and laugh. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
What is it like to have a young child when the rest are grown or nearly grown? I will answer that by listing some things I have learned in hindsight:
1. I had a lot more energy when I was in my twenties. I used to run and climb in the playground with my kids. Now, I can be found sitting on a bench, finding a myriad of polite ways to decline my child's pleas for me to join her on the slide. Which brings me to...
2. Siblings who are close in age can entertain each other. I am now my four-year-old's main source of entertainment.
Me: I love playing with you sweetheart, but I just need to go to the bathroom now. I'll be back in a little bit.
Her: Okay, Mommy.
Her **Two seconds after I sit on the toilet** : MOOOMMMY, where are you??
Me: Sigh.
3. Extroverted children like to talk. A LOT. My older children are varying degrees of introverts, or at least extroverts with introvert tendencies. Which means they all have moments of needing quiet reflection and recharging. Not the little one. It is rare that she stops talking, other than to eat, and sometimes not even then. Her little brain is always going. Did I mention she is also an early riser? My brain isn't awake till about 9 AM, so I have to fake it for two hours.
Her: Mooommmy, can we play a game now?
Me: Mmhmm. In a little bit.
**Three minutes later**
Her: **pokes my face** Mommy, lets play!!
Me: Ow. **ZZZ**
Her: MOOOMMMY!
Me: Sigh.
But lest I sound like a mean mommy, here are a few other things I've learned:
1. I have a bit more wisdom than when I was in my twenties. I used to overreact to the smallest things and miss the sweetest things. I like to think my four-year-old has helped change my perspective.
2. Siblings who are far in age can be close in heart. I love watching my older children interact with their baby sister. She lights up when she sees them, and I can just see the love in their eyes, too.
Her: I love you, Bob!!
Big sister: I love you too, Pookie.
Me: Sigh :)
3. Extroverted children show their feelings freely. This means the bad with the good: sometimes, she can have a whopper of a bad mood. But when she's happy, it's downright contagious.
Her: Mommy?
Me **Slightly exasperated from a few hours of nonstop chatter**: Yes, honey.
Her: You're the BEST Mommy I ever had in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!!
Me: Thank you sweetie. I love you so much.
Her: I love you so much, too!!
**Smothers me in hugs and kisses**
Me: Sigh <3

Mothers

On March 4, 1994, my one and only mom left this world too soon, just five days shy of her fifty-eighth birthday. I was a new mom myself at the time, and not only had I lost my mom, I lost a constant in my life; the rudder to my ship. I found myself drifting along, not knowing how to navigate these uncharted waters called motherhood. I can recall many storms that tossed me about, many dark caverns that loomed ahead of me, but I was missing my lighthouse.
Those of you who still have your moms: appreciate them. Seek their counsel; they have walked the road that lies ahead of you, and you can benefit from their wisdom. Spend time with them; call them on the phone just to say hi; drop in unannounced; bring the grand-kids; give her a big bear hug and sloppy kiss on the cheek. She will probably stifle a laugh and tell you to stop being so mushy, but inside she is in heaven. It reminds her of the crushing hugs and sloppy kisses you gave her when you were a baby-and you will always be her baby.
Your mom wiped your tears, patched up your wounds, cooked meals for you, worked hard for you, taught you, did her best to protect you, held you tight when you were afraid. She gave you life.
Even if you are at odds with her at any point in your life, do everything in your power to make it right. No one, but no one, loves you like your mom.
I take a moment here to acknowledge women who have stood in for moms who were absent, in one way or another. I have had some of those in my life as well. But even if your mom has ever broken your heart, forgive her. I know that, deep down, the worst hurt a mother can experience is that the children that she bore, at any time in their lives, bear a grudge against her, or don't want her in their lives. If she has fallen off your childhood pedestal, remember that she, too, is human. She can fail. She will fail. But so will you. And so will every human being on the face of this earth. You may never agree on certain things; but afford her the same courtesy you give to friends who disagree with you.
I tell you from experience: one day, she will be gone. No matter if it happens while you are in your twenties or in your sixties, it will be too soon. And you will wonder why you let so much time pass between phone calls and visits. You will regret wasted years. You will miss your mom.
Wishing a blessed Mother's Day to mothers by blood or by love (or both), and their children.

Spring

Time of renewal-
Warm, sunny breeze
Blossoms, like jewels,
Clothe waking trees.
Butterflies floating,
Taking their ease;
Hummingbirds hovering,
Buzzing with bees.
Queen of the seasons,
Sweetest of these;
Plentiful reasons,
Moments to seize.
~Lourdes Olson 5/3/2017

Joy or Happiness?

This was on my mind today-borrowed from myself-a social media note I originally posted April 30, 2012.

Happiness is: dependent on circumstances

                    temporary

                    sometimes deceptive

Joy is: not dependent on circumstance

          lasting

          based on truth

If we expect happiness to last, we will always be disappointed-in life, in ourselves, in other people, in God, because when none of these can keep us happy, we blame them each in turn for failing us. What we really want and need is joy. James chapter 1 says:

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Joy is: peace in the midst of the storm

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  Mark 4:39

Joy is: knowing you are never alone, no matter the circumstances that surround you

"lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20

God never promised the Christian a life of ease and happiness. He promised trials, persecution, sorrows. But He promised to be with us through it all. That is our joy, that though we live in this broken world, we have someone to cling through, who always understands, always loves, always helps.

"there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24

Joy is: knowing where we are headed

16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4

And our joy is also that this world is not our final destination, but rather a journey back home.