Micah can sit up! We found a toy store in Ft. Collins that he loved!
Here's some new photos! Micah isn't smiling in pictures as much because he seems to be curious about the camera :)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The Elusive Heart of Mary....
So it has been a crazy couple of weeks, and the forecast for the next 2 are just as busy. We have been busy preparing to move--we close next week! It's been so fun. I normally HATE to shop but I have been giddy about things like shelf liners and knobs for my cabinets. :) I have also had several rounds of company as well as working quite a bit. I am so thankful for a job (ER RN) that has flexible hours.
Busyness. There is nothing more deadly to my walk with God. And not necessarily a busy day guided by a lengthy to-do list. But a busy mind. My antagonist to a soft heart to the Lord. My enemy to knowing God better. For the past two or three weeks I have had such a busy mind. I hate to admit it, but I have been taking melatonin to get me to sleep most nights. If not I lie awake arranging furniture in my mind or contemplating colors for my accent walls. (Funny thought--Matt couldn't sleep the other night because he couldn't decide where the TV was going to go...it's contagious) I know this isn't wrong in itself, and I'm thankful God gave us the emotion of 'excitement.' But my mind hasn't just sat on God for a while. And I am feeling the effects of that. I can tell that my ear isn't as in tune to his leading, his comfort, his encouragement. My responses to Matt and Micah aren't as gentle or understanding. What a reminder of my desperate need for a Savior! It just doesn't work as well when I put God on my to-do list and then cross him off after a 30 minute bible study. I get nothing more than a false satisfaction that I"m still doing 'OK' spiritually. On the other hand, is there anything sweeter than feeling God piece you back together from a state of brokenness? Is there anything sweeter than a day with a still mind, focused on the faithfulness of God? I think not....
Looking back (all the way back to this morning :) ) I have pinpointed some red flags that I have a busy mind:
*Lack of prayer
*Not starting my times with God in prayer
*Decreased stress tolerance
*Emotional liability
*I avoid times of stillness, which begins a downward spiral
*I think less of others, more of myself
Oh to have a "Mary heart in a Martha world..." I love that story. Look it up in Luke 10. Picture it. Jesus comes to visit the sister's house. Martha immediately begins pouring chips into a serving dish and the salsa into a matching fiesta style bowl. She quickly lights a candle (the scent was no doubt appropriate for the season, for example a 'pumpkin spice' for late October). And as she rushes into the living room to offer Jesus a glass of wine she finds her sister. Sitting on her butt. Mesmerised by Jesus. Listening to his Word. Is she really unaware that there is work to be done?! And yet....Jesus is pleased. In fact, he calls Martha out. He says "Mary has chosen that which is better." In my Bible it says "Martha Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only ONE THING is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part..." (vs 41-42) That illusive one thing. A still mind. A focused mind. A mind and heart of worship. Do you know that every time I read this story I fight the temptation to defend Martha?! Hmm....I wonder why....:)
So I have to share my new favorite Micah moment. We just got our first professional family picture taken and Micah was HILARIOUS. Micah loves when we sing to him, but about a week ago we noticed a unique excitement to the Iowa fight song. So today during the photo shoot Matt and I would sing the song and Micah would start dancing and laughing! And he did it like 10 times. It was hilarious, what a sweet happy baby.
Well, we are off to our church's fall festival. And no, Micah doesn't have a costume. We are horrible parents, but I just couldn't justify $30 to make Micah more adorable. It's superfluous. :)
Thanks for letting me process. I'm gonna go sit on my butt. :)
Busyness. There is nothing more deadly to my walk with God. And not necessarily a busy day guided by a lengthy to-do list. But a busy mind. My antagonist to a soft heart to the Lord. My enemy to knowing God better. For the past two or three weeks I have had such a busy mind. I hate to admit it, but I have been taking melatonin to get me to sleep most nights. If not I lie awake arranging furniture in my mind or contemplating colors for my accent walls. (Funny thought--Matt couldn't sleep the other night because he couldn't decide where the TV was going to go...it's contagious) I know this isn't wrong in itself, and I'm thankful God gave us the emotion of 'excitement.' But my mind hasn't just sat on God for a while. And I am feeling the effects of that. I can tell that my ear isn't as in tune to his leading, his comfort, his encouragement. My responses to Matt and Micah aren't as gentle or understanding. What a reminder of my desperate need for a Savior! It just doesn't work as well when I put God on my to-do list and then cross him off after a 30 minute bible study. I get nothing more than a false satisfaction that I"m still doing 'OK' spiritually. On the other hand, is there anything sweeter than feeling God piece you back together from a state of brokenness? Is there anything sweeter than a day with a still mind, focused on the faithfulness of God? I think not....
Looking back (all the way back to this morning :) ) I have pinpointed some red flags that I have a busy mind:
*Lack of prayer
*Not starting my times with God in prayer
*Decreased stress tolerance
*Emotional liability
*I avoid times of stillness, which begins a downward spiral
*I think less of others, more of myself
Oh to have a "Mary heart in a Martha world..." I love that story. Look it up in Luke 10. Picture it. Jesus comes to visit the sister's house. Martha immediately begins pouring chips into a serving dish and the salsa into a matching fiesta style bowl. She quickly lights a candle (the scent was no doubt appropriate for the season, for example a 'pumpkin spice' for late October). And as she rushes into the living room to offer Jesus a glass of wine she finds her sister. Sitting on her butt. Mesmerised by Jesus. Listening to his Word. Is she really unaware that there is work to be done?! And yet....Jesus is pleased. In fact, he calls Martha out. He says "Mary has chosen that which is better." In my Bible it says "Martha Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things, but only ONE THING is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part..." (vs 41-42) That illusive one thing. A still mind. A focused mind. A mind and heart of worship. Do you know that every time I read this story I fight the temptation to defend Martha?! Hmm....I wonder why....:)
So I have to share my new favorite Micah moment. We just got our first professional family picture taken and Micah was HILARIOUS. Micah loves when we sing to him, but about a week ago we noticed a unique excitement to the Iowa fight song. So today during the photo shoot Matt and I would sing the song and Micah would start dancing and laughing! And he did it like 10 times. It was hilarious, what a sweet happy baby.
Well, we are off to our church's fall festival. And no, Micah doesn't have a costume. We are horrible parents, but I just couldn't justify $30 to make Micah more adorable. It's superfluous. :)
Thanks for letting me process. I'm gonna go sit on my butt. :)
Monday, October 5, 2009
"You Hem Me In"
Last night at youth group Matt and I separated the boys and girls to give them 'THE TALK.' Relationships and dating are two things that Matt and I are very passionate about, and we are committed to talking about it at youth group, and in fact, talking about it a lot.
So I had a panel of ladies to answer questions from the girls. Let's face it, by junior high most of these kids already know more than I do! (And I have been pregnant!) But what I do know about is the sweet gift of saving myself for my husband and the downpour of blessings that comes with that. It was fun to reminisce on junior high romance. I got some laughs when I confessed to them that when I was in junior high I "dated" one boy. For one day. And he only had one arm. :) It's a true story. (He is an awesome guy, by the way) Then in high school I pretty much only dated one guy and was able to walk out of that relationship with no regrets. And then came my prince charming....in a Herky costume. God has been so faithful in this area of my life. Wow, what an understatement.
As I reflect on last night I am reminded of the promise that my God protects me. I love that verse in Psalm 139 that "You hem me in." I feel God's gentle hands so often, and I picture them. Like His gentle hands are cupped, one in front of me, and one behind.
One to keep me from returning to a lifestyle of sin, or a sin He has already defeated for me. Like Lot's wife I often find myself tempted to look backwards. Beth Moore says it best "Few things are more dangerous than looking back to that from which God has delivered us." I feel myself drawn to the same sins over and over again. In high school it was often flirting with eating disorders, now it is often the sin of a critical spirit and a desire for control. How quickly do conquered sins begin to look attractive again, and how quickly do I forget the burn of the consequences.
And the other is often there to slow me down. Ah, slowing down. I hate slowing down. Just ask that cop that pulled me over going 74 in a 55. (No worries--I got out of it) Or ask my high school cross country team when I would run preseason practices like it was the state meet. But God is so good to keep that loving hand there to serve as a bumper. Whenever I move too fast His hand is there to gently bump me back. It saves me from many a broken heart. Whenever I make hasty decisions it is there to prevent me from carrying out that decision. Often my ideas and plans are bad in themselves, it's just my pace that isn't right. I fully believe I would have zoomed past many lessons and revelations of my Lord if I was going the pace I was choosing.
The Lord's protection amazes me. I can sense it easiest only when I am spending time with Him, pouring out my heart to Him, and searching for His ways in Scripture.
So I had a panel of ladies to answer questions from the girls. Let's face it, by junior high most of these kids already know more than I do! (And I have been pregnant!) But what I do know about is the sweet gift of saving myself for my husband and the downpour of blessings that comes with that. It was fun to reminisce on junior high romance. I got some laughs when I confessed to them that when I was in junior high I "dated" one boy. For one day. And he only had one arm. :) It's a true story. (He is an awesome guy, by the way) Then in high school I pretty much only dated one guy and was able to walk out of that relationship with no regrets. And then came my prince charming....in a Herky costume. God has been so faithful in this area of my life. Wow, what an understatement.
As I reflect on last night I am reminded of the promise that my God protects me. I love that verse in Psalm 139 that "You hem me in." I feel God's gentle hands so often, and I picture them. Like His gentle hands are cupped, one in front of me, and one behind.
One to keep me from returning to a lifestyle of sin, or a sin He has already defeated for me. Like Lot's wife I often find myself tempted to look backwards. Beth Moore says it best "Few things are more dangerous than looking back to that from which God has delivered us." I feel myself drawn to the same sins over and over again. In high school it was often flirting with eating disorders, now it is often the sin of a critical spirit and a desire for control. How quickly do conquered sins begin to look attractive again, and how quickly do I forget the burn of the consequences.
And the other is often there to slow me down. Ah, slowing down. I hate slowing down. Just ask that cop that pulled me over going 74 in a 55. (No worries--I got out of it) Or ask my high school cross country team when I would run preseason practices like it was the state meet. But God is so good to keep that loving hand there to serve as a bumper. Whenever I move too fast His hand is there to gently bump me back. It saves me from many a broken heart. Whenever I make hasty decisions it is there to prevent me from carrying out that decision. Often my ideas and plans are bad in themselves, it's just my pace that isn't right. I fully believe I would have zoomed past many lessons and revelations of my Lord if I was going the pace I was choosing.
The Lord's protection amazes me. I can sense it easiest only when I am spending time with Him, pouring out my heart to Him, and searching for His ways in Scripture.
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