Create

My uncle creates amazing art. When I was around 12 years old, he and his lovely wife asked me to come spend the summer with them. One of the greatest impressions of that trip was watching him paint. From a blank white piece of canvas he started with small pencil strokes and then on to blues and greys. In the beginning, there was no way I would have been able to tell you what those strokes would become. But he knew. It was already painstakingly planned out in his thoughts. Over the summer, the blues and greys and pops of color revealed a beautiful city skyline. Awesome.
God creates too. Our lives are His blank canvas. Sometimes we don't always understand the strokes. We can't see what it's going to become. Be He knows. It's already painstakingly planned out in His thoughts. Maybe you feel like you've messed up your canvas. It's crisscrossed with mistakes and wrong turns. Splattered with good intentions gone wrong. But look at this;

"1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light." Genesis 1

God, the Master Painter, is able to bring light and beauty from your empty or dark canvas. He is "hovering" over your life, waiting to create a masterpiece. He's just waiting for your invite. In this new year, let Him get started. See what He can do.
Blessings Friends

God With Us

Our home has been privy to many epic battles. In fact, come by any given morning and you can be thrilled by daring escapades and courageous rescues. Many times I am right in the middle of these adventures. I pass through my living room with the laundry and hear that Tico the squirrel is saving Sophie the giraffe from imminent hurt as she clings to the edge of the couch. Other times I suck up Cheerios right in front of Minerval the stuffed chicken and Iron Man as they duel for the coveted treasure chest. I have even had to politely excuse myself as I dusted around T-Rex and Buzz Lightyear as they worked on a plan to conquer the window sill. The excitement never ends...My son Josiah loves his super heroes. He loves having the good guy overcome obstacles with his super powers. It wasn't long ago that I sat and watched him reenacting yet another battle scene. The morning sun was like gold shining on his bent head and I marveled at how he was growing. And as I observed his little superheroes I found myself praying that he would realize who really was the greatest Hero of all. I prayed that in the time of trouble he would really know Who to call upon. Immanuel - God with us. Christmas is a time to remember that God. Is. With. Us. He is no little plastic friend of Dora who has no power to save. He is not a dollar sign who is useless when our heart is breaking. He is not just a man who will make mistakes. He is God.

All powerful.

All knowing.

Always present.

Always loving.

This Christmas, I pray that you are reminded daily that God sent Jesus, His Son, to be WITH you. God with you. Immanuel.

"...and they will call him 'Immanuel' which means 'God with us'". Matthew 1:23

Take a listen at this Immanuel song. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&list=ULm8NdDYhZANU&v=m8NdDYhZANU

Hugs From Andrew

Here's Andrew. How's that for cute? He actually looks EXACTLY like his daddy did at that age (funny thing - you do all the work and...). ;) Andrew has the most soul satisfying way of hugging. When I lift him up on my shoulder, he wraps his chubby little arm snug around my neck. It's extra special because he's still so bitty (well...over 16 lbs of bitty at 5 months). Those snuggles are heavenly to any mom.

How much do we love it when our little ones jump in our lap for a squeeze?! Just this afternoon my older boys went running for daddy when he came home for lunch. My middle son squealing; "I want a tiss (kiss) too daddy! I want a tiss!"

We love our children unconditionally and seek to show them in many ways throughout the days. Some days it may feel like all we hear are 'requests'...

"Can I have a cookie?"

"Can we go outside?"

"Can I jump in that puddle?"

"Can I unroll ALL the toilet paper in the house?" (ok., sometimes they don't actually ask...)

So, when, out of the blue they turn around and show a genuine display of affection for mama...it's pretty heart melting.

Just a couple days ago I had lifted Andrew and was delighting in his tiny hug when I thought;

"I wonder does God feel like this when we love Him back? Does He delight in me running to Him each morning and whispering thanks each night? Does His heart swell when I can tell Him I love Him? Have all my conversations with Him today been requests?"

Remember today that as much as God loves to hear and meet our prayers and requests, He also delights in our genuine affection for Him.

1 John 4:19

We love because he first loved us.

Zephaniah 3:17
17 The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Christmas Stands Still

As a little girl, the first snowfall of the season was a monumental occasion. The first little puffy flakes floating softly to my face set my mind dreaming of things to come...skating figure-eights, hiking through quiet woods, late evening snowball fights and Christmas. Christmas. Christmas. That first snowflake meant that Christmas was on it's way. And from the beginning, my heart would be torn with not being able to wait for it to come - and not wanting it to come too soon - because then it would be over. No little one wants Christmas to be over. Too soon the wrapping paper would be littered around us, the turkey dinner gobbled and the surprises over. In the midst of the presents and family and carols, my heart would grieve just a little that the season was drawing to an end. A whirlwind of red and green, lights and decorations, new dresses and church, gifts and food.

But one year - Christmas stood still. One night, it paused.
I was a little older now, 17 to be exact. I was on the edge of childhood and verge of becoming an adult. This would be my last winter at home before I left for college. I stood outside our home. Everything was quiet and muted by the blanket of deep snow that had fallen. The Christmas lights were casting a warm glow on the white front yard. Big, soft flakes lazily floated down. And then Christmas paused. A moment full of God's presence and awareness of His hand in my past and His purpose for my future. All is calm. All is bright.
Over a decade later, I sit across the table from two little boys. Two flames flicker and cast a warm glow on their faces, it's light reflecting in large brown eyes like their daddy. My heart aches for Christmas to stand still for them. For their own moments full of God's presence and awareness of His love for them.
So, in this season of Advent, we light candles every evening and make moments. We relish in Christmas - in Christ with us. And we pray we make Christmas stand still in their hearts - stay still in their hearts.

Sweets

My boys are not wanting for stuff. They have an ottoman full of toys in our living room that gets dumped and picked up again around three zillion times a day. They have toys in the sandbox outside. And we can't forget the little toy box in their room. They also are not wanting for food "experiences". I think Samuel could say "fries" before he could say "mama" (don't worry, it's all in moderation...). So, when I stopped by our little corner store yesterday and saw some little red marshmallow candies, it wasn't for lack that I bought them for my boys. It was for the mere pleasure of seeing their eyes shine when I would tell them I had a "surprise!" (Side note/Disclaimer: I cannot promise shining eyes if your child gets whatever they want..whenever they want ;) So, was it worth it? You bet! Josiah, with wide eyes, gets his precious little grin, rubs his tummy and says "Mom, they were bery, bery good!" In that moment I thought of two things.
1. Sometimes God just wants to delight us because He loves us. Sometimes that sunset...is just for you. Sometimes the $5 on the sidewalk was a special surprise. Sometimes the half hour of quiet was a gift and...
2. Do I show my appreciation and gratitude? Do I look to the heavens and say "God, that was very, very good!"?

I pray you find surprises from God today. He delights in you.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Timing is Everything

Today, my little Samuel asked to run in the "sprink-a-ler." This summer, it was not an uncommon request. We would crank that hose and let her run. Our big 3 year old would go running right through the centre where all the action was while little 2 year old Samuel would go skirting around the edge of the spray. We made it through many hot days with the help of the "sprink-a-ler."

However, today was not hot. In fact, today was the middle of September and I think I may have smelled smoke from a wood stove. Today was cold. Today was not a day for little boys to run half-naked through a cold spray of water. In fact, it would not even be caring of me to let my little Samuel (who is also sporting a runny nose) run through the sprinkler on a day like today. I explained to him that it was cold but he didn't quite get it. His words were actually; "Look mom! It's nice outside. It's not rainin'."

I think I'm probably like a two year old more often then I would like to admit. How often do I ask God for something and sulk when it doesn't happen right away? Little do I know or understand the big plan behind His answer. I remember when I first met my husband. I think within a few days I probably mentioned to God that He should make something happen - soon. Nothing happened (that I could see anyway). A few years after that (4 to be exact) I was wondering what in the world God was up to. No action there (that I could see anyway). Then, it happened. He marched up to my office and asked me out. I honestly wanted to dance when he was done but thought that might scare him away. So I did the next best thing - called my mom. When I look back at that season (yeah...yeah...hindsight is 20/20), I know that God had a big plan going on all along. He knew when we would really be ready and what was best for us - even though it was hard to wait sometimes. I thank God for those years of waiting now. It deepened my relationship with Him and that is something I would never trade. It also make us each more ready for the other. I believe our marriage is all the more enriched for that time when we waited on God.

Don't be discouraged. Keep asking in faith but also be open to His answers and His timing. He knows what's best for you - His timing is always the best timing.

Blessings friends.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Isaiah 55:8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Got it all together?

This is me in Grade 3.

I did not have it all together.

However, there was this one girl who did. You probably had one like her in your Grade 3 class too. Long, flowing hair. Perfect teeth. Beautiful smile. Pristine nails with perfect white tips (how did she keep them so clean?!). Latest New Kids On The Block pencil case. Greatest high-tops ever. The teachers adored her. Girls fought to sit next to her at lunch. Boys (at least those who had gotten over the cootie phase) dreamed about being her 'boyfriend'.

I've always thought that post-conversion Paul had it all together too. He was so brave, so encouraging, so hard working, so close to God. It was hard to think of him having a down day. After all, he was the one who said; "count it all joy when you go through trials." However, this morning I read this in 2 Corinthians 7:

"5 For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within."

Paul feared?! Yes, he did. Paul was like me sometimes. As much as a revelation that was to me, the greater revelation was what came next;

" 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus..."

Paul knew God's comfort in the midst of His fears. He knew God to come through and saw Him do it. In the midst of my fears and my not-having-it-all-togetherness....God will come through for me. He will come through for you. So, don't beat yourself up when you're dealing with fears and inadequacy - but wait to see how God will comfort you.

Blessings friends. :)

P.S. To Grade 3 Girl: In case you're reading...you still have great hair and nails. ;)