The Right Prayer

How do I pray for my children?

Do I pray for their happiness? An easy life filled with joy and protection from trial? Of course. But is that all I should be praying for? I heard this song tonight and was so convicted of the real lessons we learn in life. May the Lord help my children rise to the occasion of each one.

Pray by Kendall Payne

May your heart break enough that compassion enters in
May your strength all be spent upon the weak
All the castles and crowns you build and place upon your head
May they all fall, come crashing down around your feet
May you find every step to be harder than the last
So your character grows greater every stride
May your company be of humble insignificance
May your weakness be your only source of pride
What you do unto others may it all be done to you
May you meet the One who made us
And see Him smile when life is through
May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be
And when you look upon the broken
May mercy show you what you could not see
May you never be sure of any plans you desire
But you'd learn to trust the plan He has for you
May your passions be tried and tested in the holy fire
May you fight with all your life for what is true


Just a thought.

Or five.

Don't know about you, but it sends me to my knees for all new reasons.

934. rallying with a peaceful heart
935. no questions from the kids
936. people showing up on time
937. a bigger view of heaven
938. walking through trials with others
939. seeing an old friend in person after too long
940. falling into bed exhausted
941. seeing God work in hard circumstances

My List

I have a to-do list a mile long. And much of it never gets glanced at. 

Ford's baby book? eeeek.

Abby's post-surgery book? What's two more years?

Finishing my new website? A snails pace.

Let alone, the day to day news. 

My feedly feed.

Because... there is laundry to fold.

Or a child that needs to practice her doctor kit on you.

And wait, I need to brush my teeth. 

And it's noon and I'm still not dressed

and weren't we headed out to the store an hour ago?

And my days that used to seem so long (too long!) are now flying by

and yet i'm still not getting much done.

So i'm praying that taking the time to

make the snack

and play the game

and clean those feet

and just laugh

mean more than the list. 

Although most things on that list are trying to help me preserve the memories that I'm making today, I'm going to take a lesson from my friend Hillary and really try to live in the moment. As I learned over and over again this year, I am called by God to my circumstances. Each and every grimy-footed one. So, I better take note of them and just relax. 

And not forget the laundry.

Please note grimy foot. Dirty hand. Snotty nose. Filthy face. It must be summer.

Cleaning hands...

 Rinsing feet...

930. that crewcuts dress from a friend
931. rapunzel pjs in the mail from a friend
932. shoes that fit
933. God changing our minds about timing at the same time

Smelling Summer

Summer is within reach, people. We can smell it.

After a few sprinkler runs, it's time for snacks. Rinse and repeat. Every day for 60 days. We can't wait.

We're even fantasizing about living in the water. As mermaids.

Other than that, we've been painting. 

We're watching extra TV,  giggling longer into the evening on the swing set and

trying really, really hard to get along. 

Summer, here we come.

926. moving in a new direction

927. seeing abby mature emotionally

928. giving ford more chances to do it right

929. running motivation