Parenting

I have been involved with a mentor now for a few weeks and I am so happy we have each other. At first I was a bit leary of the idea and now that I have gotten to know her I couldn't be more happy with God's choice. We share so much in our lives that it seems a bit scary but I know that it's real.
Today we talked about parenting teens. This is a hard subject for me because by the age of 12 my mom and me were rivals and not mother-daughter. So I am treading on new ground with my own daughter. I am over protective and pushy in her life. I want to be there for every important thing in her life and share in her decision making. I am learning patience and also that I am not her friend but her mom. As much as I want to be her friend I have to constantly remind myself that I am not. I love her so much and I don't want her to look for love in all the wrong places like I did, so I kinda smoother her.
I wonder if God sometimes feels the same way? Like he wants to smoother us with his love but he has to constantly remind himself what is role is in our lives. We have to want him there, first of all. and secondly we have to talk to him everyday, in the good times and the bad, in the ups and the downs. And when we don't talk to him I wonder how he feels? When we don't invite him into our lives, I wonder if he cries?
I know that I am important to her and she loves me. Although she tells me quite often that I need to back off and let her learn on her own. Make her own mistakes. (boy does that sound familiar) And this boy thing has me really on edge because I know that she is growing up and she will soon be on her own. How I wish I could turn back time to be able to spend more time with her when she actually wanted me to. But thats impossible. So I try to set up time with her when our schedules match, to show her as much love as possible (without smoothering her) I give her advice when she askes me, and I try to be as real with her as I can. And so far she is making some pretty good choices in her life.
I know that I am not perfect and my God loves me just the way I am. So I will continue to love her .... Just the way she is..

Patience

This is the first time I have lost someone so close to me. My mother in law was more of a mother to me than my own. No matter what she was there for me. to talk to , get a receipe from, to get yelled at when I messed up and to hold me when I cried. Now that she is gone I feel empty a little bit and I cry whenever I think of her. I am fully aware of where she is right now and I could not be happier for her, she is with her soul mate and God. But I feel like a piece of me is missing.

Its funny how when something bad happens in a family the family shows their true colors. Some get greedy, some pray, some sit back to see what is happening. They are so full of grief and emptyness that they are not sure what to do except go back to the basics. Some of us are getting closer because of the loss, while others are pulling futher away.

There is nothing that could ever replace her but when I pray I ask for Jesus to tell her how much she is missed and Loved.

My Pray for today

Dear Father God continue to shine on our family, help those who don't know you open their eyes and their hearts to fully understand that your there for them to. Give them rest in knowing that mom is with you and she is happy once more. Thank you Lord for all that you do for us even when we don't see.
In Jesus' name I pray... AMEN

trouble spots

I can only say that my office space, or lack there of is, is my trouble spot. Ya see our son moved out of the back bedroom and we had a little flood problem so everything had to come out, carpet, trim, a wall and the door, due to mold. So everything that was suppose to go into the room for an office has been kept in my living room and kitchen counters, oh yes and in a few boxes for storage space. I don’t have a digital camera to show you but I can assure you that it’s a mess. You can link to find out more about this, there is a contest at Proverbs31 Woman.
Thanks for letting me share
Liz

A little of me

Some time ago, maybe 25 years ago .. I started to write poetry, mainly because I was depressed and I would like to share one with you. But first I would like to share a letter with you that I never sent to my father on father’s day.

Dear Dad,

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

I just wanted to say THANK YOU
Here are a few reasons for my gratefulness.
You made me strong, able to face daily challenges head on
You taught me to always tell the truth, regardless of the consequences or who it may hurt.
I am 39 years old, a mother of 3 beautiful children, grandmother of 2, I am a homeowner, a good career, I don’t do drugs, or drink anymore. I own a car, financed to the back, and a stack of bills that I can’t see over.
Yes dad you taught me how to be independent, pay bills, stand on my own two feet and to trust no one. Yes dad you did your job.
The only thing I ever wanted was for you to be proud of me. And you won’t even talk to me.
I realized along time ago no one is perfect-not even parents. I can forgive but never forget. I can learn from my mistakes but never dwell on them.
Dad I LOVE YOU, I am still your daughter no matter what has happened. You choose me 32 years ago when you adopted me. I only pray that you could Love me and except me for who I am…. Your Daughter… mistakes and all.

All my love

Now for the poetry….

Love

Summer is at a close my Love
No flowers are in bloom
The leaves are turning colors
And falling to the earth
The sun is mostly hiding
As the clouds hang lazy in the sky
The air is turning chilly
Winter is close by
Wrap your arms around me
Protect me from the cold
Until next year when
Spring is in the air
When the trees are in bloom
And the birds begin to sing
Of a renewed Love
And maybe a new dream

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Family

FAMILY

As I think about Family I consider what family means to me.
It use to mean the people related to me, either threw birth or by marriage. But As I study the Bible and what God says about family, we are all family. Those who believe in Christ are in God’s family.
Another thing I considered was why are we the meanest to our own flesh and blood? For example, your brother steals something and is sent to jail, someone might say he is stupid, he’s no good, he’ll never amount to anything? But God says that No matter what the sin if you believe in me your forgiven.. John 3:16 Yet we cannot forgive each other.
I use to be consumed with my own family, trying to make everyone happy, to provide for each one, to set everything aside for everyone. I didn’t get to much done. I had lost myself and I didn’t know Jesus.
My life is different know. I pray daily, sometimes all day. I have lots of sisters that I can call and just chit chat with, I am a volunteer at Church, I get lots of hugs and hello’s, I feel Loved without reservations, (something I still don’t feel from some of my own family members) people I don’t even know who belong in God’s family, come and talk to me about God and ask for my opinion.
I now know that I AM A BELOVED CHILD OF GOD AND A SISTER TO JESUS.. Mark 3:33 and I belong to a un-imaginable amount of Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Talking with Teenagers

Well as I look over other peoples blogs concerning this Hot Hot topic, it baffles me to think of Questioning God’s Word!! But here is my comment on this subject of Friends with Benefits..

I believe that since my husband and I started living our lives for Christ and not ourselves our marriage has gotten enriched. We talk more, we read together, we pray together and our marriage bed is more alive then ever before. We have been married for 22 years and it only seems to get better as we continue our journey with Christ.

Everything we do in life is a choice, not an imbalance as one person wrote in their blog (concerning depression). Marriage is a choice, Love is a choice, following Christ is a choice, sex is a choice, our partner or partners is a choice. We all may not make good choices but it’s a choice none the less. So we have tried to instill good decision making in our children with the choices that they make.

Our daughter is now 16 years old. Back when she was 12, I started talking to her about some changes that were getting ready to take place since she was a girl and not a boy. We had our first discussion about Boys and what to expect about dating, kissing, diseases, and babies. Her eyes got real big as the discussion went on further and what really got to her the most was the BABIES Talk. I told her that her firm little belly would get really big and stretched out. I told her where the baby would come out and what the doctors would do to help the baby be born, at that point she closed her legs and screamed OWE!!! So my message was getting across to her. We spoke about kissing diseases and the sores that you get from them and she covered her mouth. Another point for mom.. we were on a role and then I read to her the story of Adam and Eve and why God made us so different and special and that one day when she was much much older she would get married to a special man and have lots of Love, at that point she threw her hands up and said “Mom there is no way that I am ever getting married and having a doctor look at me naked to deliver a child. You can hang that up…” I just had to laugh and thank God for patience and Love.

If you would like more information on what God says about Sex you can read it here on Pastor Rob’s Blog.

My prayer for today is

Dear Lord, please forgive us of our short comings regarding your word concerning sex. It is so easy to get distracted with the ways of the world and the promise that it doesn’t hurt go ahead give it a try. Give us strength to continue reading and learning your ways, and to turn away from the world views, guide us in truth and understanding.
In your son’s precious name I pray AMEN

God is my Pilot

I constantly see bumper stickers that say “God is my Co-Pilot”. I couldn’t disagree more with this statement. I mean if God is just a co-pilot than who is really in control? It’s a misconception that we are allowing God in the drivers seat of our lives. Co-pilot means helper. I don’t want him to help, I want God in control.
I mean when I thought I was in control my life was a joke. I couldn’t do anything right. I lived a life of sin. My marriage was in disarray. My job situation was unhappy. I had absolutely no direction for my life or my future.
Once I excepted Christ into my life, I wasn’t sure what it all ment, but I went to church, entered a small group, and with God in control, understanding came pretty easily. I can’t even begin to tell you all the Blessing’s that he has bestowed upon our family since that first day of our lives as Christ Followers.
I can tell you that it’s a journey that I don’t ever want to stop.
Yes God is our Pilot in life’s journey. You should try it! It doesn’t hurt. You can start learning here, It’s a post from our pastor at SouthBrook Church.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings, and God Bless