THE SMELL OF A NEW BOOK A NEW BABY A NEW PACKAGE OF LUVS DIAPERS BROWNIES MR. BUBBLE BUBBLEBATH FRESH LAUNDRY OUT OF THE DRYER RAIN MOWED GRASS A POOL FLOAT RIGHT OUT OF THE PACKAGE APPLE PIE CANDLES CELERY ROAST MY MOM NEW CAR LEATHER CEDAR CLOSETS/CHESTS RUBBER GLOVES THE OCEAN ROSES COUNTRY CHARM (STORE IN THE MALL) FRESH BAKED BREAD HERBAL ESSENCE SHAMPOO/CONDITIONER MY KIDS AFTER A BATH COFFEE VANILLA FINGERNAIL POLISH REMOVER PERMANENT MARKERS PLAY DOUGH MY BED
a
small metal spike with a broadened flat head, driven typically into
wood with a hammer to join things together or to serve as a peg or hook.
When we moved into the house we are in now, there were nail holes everywhere. We patched some, but we also hung pictures, signs, etc in some of the same places. Tonight, as I think about this weekends activities for Easter, I also think about nails. Not the nails in my walls, but the nails that nailed my Savior to a tree. My sin put Him there. He loved me, He loved you so much that He would die for us. Those nails made a difference in my life. Those nails were the pathway for me and you to Heaven. BUT, those nails in his hand and feet....those nails did not keep Him on that tree. He rose three days later. Those nails hung my Savior. Those bloody nails represent love, hope, and Heaven. I hope and pray that this Easter, in the midst of all the food, egg hunts, and time with family and friends...you pause and reflect on why we even celebrate Easter. If you haven't already, I pray that you experience the same hope those nails have given me.
And on the 8th day, God looked down on His planned paradise and said, "I need a caretaker." So God made a mother. God said, "I need somebody willing to get up before dawn, pack lunches, make breakfast, wake the kids, send them off to school, feed the baby, mop the floors, squeeze in a 30 second shower, work all day at home or the office, make supper, bathe the kids, read them a story, put the kids to bed so they can do it all again tomorrow." So God made a mother. "I need somebody to know when to use tough love but also know when to be tender and compassionate. Somebody to oversee homework, wipe crocodile tears, keep hungry bellies full, put her own needs on the back burner until everyone else is taken care of, and to tell the kids that they are loved---and mean it." So God made a mother. God said, " I need somebody willing to sit up all night praying for the hurting heart of a child, and watch him cry, then dry his eyes and say, 'God is still good.' I need somebody who can shape a child with encouraging words, praise her husband in the midst of chaos, one who can whip up a dinner out of a box of Bisquick, wash dishes and clean house. Someone who will put in 48 hours by Tuesday morning, with a list a mile long to get done by Friday." So God made a mother. God had to have somebody willing to multitask at double speed to get everything done by the end of the day, and yet stop in the middle of a task to read Curious George Visits the Zoo to the attention craving child. So God made a mother. God said, "I need somebody strong enough to discipline and teach lessons yet gentle enough to shed tears when her heart aches, who will stop everything she is doing to tend to a sick child. It had to be somebody who'd raise a child and point that child to Christ. Somebody to encourage, build up, love unconditionally, forgive, and one who would pray without ceasing. Somebody who'd hold a family together when the going gets tough, who would laugh and cry, and then reply with smiling eyes when her son says he wants to marry someone just like her. ......
This past Christmas, I got a label maker as one of my gifts from my sister. I was so excited because I had wanted one for a very long time, just never got around to getting one. I LOVE it! You can ask my husband, I label everything.... from our names on our towel rack, sippy cups, DVD's, etc. I simply love that little machine. Tonight I was in the bathroom and happened to glance at our towel rack. Seeing our names on our towel rack got me thinking. We don't just label items in our home, work, car, etc. We label people.
I myself am guilty on judging and putting labels on people. You might have even experienced being labeled.
What if I told you that in God's eyes, you only have one label. In His eyes, He sees His creation. In His eyes, He looks past our failures and bad choices. He died on the cross because of our label. In His eyes, we are simply L-O-V-E-D. That is all. The labels that you have gotten in the past are from sinners just like you. Those labels are from humans just like us. With God, those labels are erased and forgotten. In Him, you are loved. As Easter approaches, this takes on a whole new meaning. Because He loved us so much, He died for us. He endured the worst treatment you can imagine. He carried His cross. Why?? Because we are loved.
I want to challenge you to do something. I want you to take a few minutes and think back on your life and I want you to write down labels that you have been given over the years. After you write them down, give them to God and exchange those worldly labels for His label. Once you have handed those labels over, rip that paper up, burn it, take a black marker to it....whatever works to show yourself that those labels are GONE! Live like you are loved. Love that you are loved. Point others to that same Love.
A couple weeks ago, it was just me and my children in the car. Like many families all over the world right now, music from the movie Frozen plays continuously in the house and car. It was a sunny day but chilly, but it was warm enough in the car where I had the front windows down just a bit, and my kids and I were jammin' to "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" and having lots of fun and giggles. We were coming up on a stoplight and the car next to me had their bass turned up all the way, and our minivan seemed to be vibrating all over the road and shaking. I had a choice right then and there. Do I roll my windows up and prevent a headache OR do I roll my windows down and turn my bass up and blare the "noman (Kagon's way of saying snowman) song?" I went with my second thought. So, I looked over and it was a couple. I smiled at them and they smiled back. I then rolled my windows down all the way, turned my bass up and being the introvert that I am (yeah right) began singing loudly..."Do You Wanna Build a Snowman??" The couple looks over and just busts up laughing and turns their music and bass down. In the meantime, my children were in back covering there ears, poor things. Sometimes, it is worth the risk just to "Let It Go" and have fun. You never know when someone needs some fun and laughter in their lives. You don't have to be serious and a stick in the mud all the time. You only live once. HAVE FUN!
(WARNING: Something I feel so passionate about and this post may offend)
We got married in August of 2007. We had the same type of plan that most people have before getting hitched. We would enjoy our engagement, then we would get married, then we would start a family, then we would live happily ever after. Shortly after we got married, we learned that our plan was really not happening like we thought it was. I guess I grew up thinking that you got married, then you did "the deed," then you get pregnant. Yeah, not so much. Month after month, year after year nothing was happening. We were devastated. We still have not given up, but right now we are so wonderfully in love with our two precious children that God blessed us with through adoption and focusing on them. If another adoption came up, you betcha we would pursue it! But, right now at this present moment we have two beautiful children sound asleep under our roof.
So what is this post about?? I want you to become more aware about infertility and how greatly it affects all kinds of women around you. It doesn't matter if you are skinny or have extra poundage, eat healthy or unhealthy, tall or short, etc. Infertility affects all types of women. Infertility hurts. Infertility has the potential to tear marriages apart. Infertility can make you feel worthless. Infertility is a dark cloud looming over many women all over the world.
Just being honest, I have a few questions for God when I get to Heaven. (of course when I get there it won't matter anymore because Heaven will be more than I ever could imagine) Why do you allow women that drink, smoke, do drugs, and sleep around to get pregnant? Why do you allow girls/women to get pregnant out of wedlock when a lot of women who "do things the right way" can't get pregnant? Why do you let the girls/women get pregnant who are just going to abort them anyway? The answers to these questions I will probably never know. But, you just gotta wonder....
A few things as I end this post....
If you have the wonderful PRIVILEGE of getting pregnant...don't EVER take it for granted
Children are a blessing and a lot of hard work. So if you aren't ready for that kind of commitment and responsibility...well...you know how it happens...so....
Reach out to those women who are struggling around you. Pray for them, take them under your wing, encourage them
Never assume that every woman can get pregnant, got pregnant, will get pregnant
If you are pregnant and don't think you are ready for the responsibility of being a parent at this time in your life, please explore your options. A baby is a life. There are many couples and single parents praying for a child. You could make their dream come true.
If you are pregnant...remember that there is another innocent life inside of you. Please don't smoke, partake of drugs, or drink. We have seen what that does to babies, and it is one of the hardest things we have ever had to watch.
If you have a child/children....love on them, discipline them when necessary, and thank God every single day for them
