everyday acts of worship

It was 7:45pm.  Past bedtime.  And Daddy was gone for the night.  Those pre-bedtime hours seem much longer when he's gone.  

I looked around the house that the tiny toddler tornado had made his mark on.  Toys, unorganized, everywhere.  I was tempted to leave them.  Put the boy to bed.  Zone out on the couch and leave it all for morning.

But, instead, I invited Jude to clean it up with me.  Piece by piece, we put it all away.  I'm always shocked at the organization skills my not-even-two-year-old has.  Each toy in it's proper place.  He fills a bucket with cars and then takes it to his room to be put away, without me asking.

This is his daddy's attention to detail, most definitely.

Once all was put away, Jude looked at me with excitement, shouting, "More!  More!".

But I had no more toys to put away!

And in a new way it hit me how this sweet boy found joy in something I find so mundane.  Something simple, that I dread, he enjoys.

I want to be more like that.  Joy in the mundane.

Joy that comes from gratitude, I'm certain.  Being thankful for the toys on the floor and the dishes that were eaten upon by my favorite people.

And then the other day.  I had posted about needing grace in this season of sickness.  And my sweet friend, Colleen, posted something that totally rocked my perspective on the day.

It is so much a ministry of the high kingdom....cherishing the least, and doing the menial in complete exhaustion. It is what we mommas are honored in, our act of worship!

She is such an encourager.  A real blessing to me.

But, what if, in my heart of hearts, I acted in faith that each of these menial tasks are the work of the kingdom?  I often don't.  Personally, those menial tasks often end up at the bottom of my list and get pushed to the next day.

The laundry?

The floor washing?

The cleaning out of closets?

But, what if, I did these things as an act of worship?  What if I were able to give praise through these things?  What if I could really truly express gratitude in these mundane tasks?

I might be able to find the joy like a child.

2012 in a word

In a year where I have received and been blessed with so much, there is only one word that stands out in my mind to describe the past twelve months.

gratitude.

I've seen bits of the fruit that comes when you count back your blessings to the Giver, and that is what I intend to do here tonight.  

january. My hubby turns 30.  I also joined a Monday morning bible study that would rock my world more than I ever realized.  Some of my favorite people on the planet gather in this little group.

february.  We learn that the babe in the belly was another boy, and we could't have been more thrilled.  

march.  My sweet Jude Michael turns ONE year old.  And we sure celebrated his year of life.  Always so thankful for him.

april.  I work through a lot of my anxieties about having two kiddos so close together.  I can say that 6 months in now, God spaced them perfectly for me.

may. We overcame a nasty bout of hand, foot, mouth disease and a Mama with an ear and sinus infection.  We gave thanks that it wasn't a month later.

june.  My world was rocked with another sweet boy.  We welcomed Isaac Lee into the family and life was never the same again.

july.  I was thick in the baby fog.  And swimming in love for my boys.  Not much happened this month, except for loads of newborn cuddles.

august. In a summer with over 100 degree days, I still work out being a Mama of two under two (and loving it) and learning that it takes loads of grace.  Thankful that there is an abundance of that.

september. Isaac turns 3 months and Jude 18 months and the fog is starting to lift.  I learn a bit about finding my worth and value in Christ and not in any job description (or lack thereof).

october. My sister visits from Jamaica and meets Isaac for the first time!  Such a blessing to spend time with her!  Also, I turn 28.  And I feel little tugs at my heart to write more in this little space.  Just to see what God might have in mind to do with my words.

november. I start to write like it's my job.  The blog changes to Space for Joy and I decide to take this little piece of the internet a bit more seriously. 

december. I'm beginning to find some community in the interwebs and do a few guest posts.  Writing 3-5 times a week sometimes flows freely and other times is not so easy.  In any case, it is good for me, and I do my best to be faithful and write.  Also, Isaac is now 6 months and Jude is 21 months.  The boys are changing daily and being a Mama is my most favorite job ever.

I have much to be thankful for.  

Gratitude is the overarching theme here.  In a few more words...

faith,

mommyhood, 

& writing.

Those are ways that I grew.  That I put much effort into, and that I saw fruit in.  I think this same theme will continue in 2013.

Happy New Year, friends.  I hope your 2012 ends as well as mine did.

come Lord Jesus come

These are my people.  My sweet littles are home.  Safe.  Tucked in bed.  And I'm holding them close tonight.

I have no words to express the ache I feel for those whose arms are empty tonight.  It's a tragedy in the worst way, and my Mama heart just burns with anger and fury over the evil in this world.

I want to cry, but I also want to scream.

This fallen world.  There IS more.

There IS a kingdom.

And one day it WILL reign in it's fullness on a new, sinless earth.

That day is not today.  Today, there is still sin.  Today, there is still pain.  Tears.  The deepest ache.

Until then, we pray.  Your kingdom come.  We seek his His truth to reign in our lives.  Your will be done.  And we become the hands and feet.  On earth as it is in heaven. 

Come, Lord Jesus, come.  


*written in response to the elementary school shootings in Newtown, CT this morning.  Heavy hearts pray peace over those who lost.

a week of gratitude

i owe my gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving from us to you.

We spent the day at my parent's house and was joined by my hubby's three younger brothers, and some of my parents long-time friends who drove up from Indiana.  It was a random mix of people, but I'm so glad that the table was full.  I'm glad that all who were there were welcome, loved, and considered family in one way or another.

A last minute, "hey, we need a Thanksgiving photo" photo.  Squirmy boys and all.

I don't think there has been a time in my life more marked my gratitude.  I owe some to reading Ann Voskamp's, One Thousand Gifts, for opening my eyes to the joy at the other end.

I owe some gratitude to my children.  For giving me child's eyes that see the world in all its newness.  Life is so beautiful and so joyful when viewed from down low.

I owe some gratitude to my husband, who daily expresses his own gratitude to me.  He is thankful for me, and I him.  More than he will ever know.  

I owe some gratitude to the ladies in my life who spur me on and encourage me to view the world with a WORD perspective.  The ladies I see weekly and the ladies whose words I read and I never see.  All of you are such a tremendous encouragement and are so special to me.

I owe all of my gratitude to the Lord.  For choosing me and saving me and giving me eternity with Him.  For the blessing of the life I have, for which I am so very grateful.  

So much that I don't deserve.

But I am blessed.  There is no doubt about that.  

Thank you thank you thank you.

A week in gratitude.

What are you grateful for this week?

Praying you all have a great weekend, friends.

when my coffee is lukewarm

Sipping my lukewarm morning coffee, I hoped that if there was a smidge of caffeine in my cup of decaf that it would make it's way through my veins and wake me up.

I don't wish these days away, but the day when I have two children sleeping through the night will be a glorious day.

But watching my two little punkin boys reminds me of the sweet season we are in.  Jude not-so-gently grabbing Isaac by the face to lay a smacker right on him.  Isaac squealing with delight as he watches his brother run through the house flapping his arms like a duck.  Jude's vocabulary growing by the minute and his complete joy when we affirm what he's said.  Isaac just being a 4-month-old.

I think four months old is one of my very favorite ages.  I'm not entirely surprised I (whoops!) allowed myself to get pregnant when Jude was just six months old.  I adore the baby stage.  Absolutely adore it. But those babies turn into toddlers (who I LOVE) that begin to exercise their will and demands and this combination of baby-not-sleeping-through-the-night and my toddler-risk-taker-wild-man-testing-the-boundaries is what leaves me feeling run into the ground this morning.

And don't worry.  I'm fully aware that my body needs a break from being pregnant and I don't plan to have any sort of announcement in the next year (or so).

I sip my coffee slower.  Taking the moment in.  Watching my boys interact and remembering how desperate I was for them only a few years earlier.  God is good.  And I am challenged to take my mornings slower.  We have places to go, people to see.  But I want my boys to remember me as someone who was always present with them.  Fully present.  Not zoned out on my phone (guilty).  Not too much of a zombie to listen to what they're telling me (guilty).  But slowing down.  Looking them in the eye.  Being there.

I do hate being rushed, but I'm so often the one doing the rushing.

Thank you Lord for my sweet children.  For mornings I can sip my coffee.  For moments you sustain me so I can give enough.


Linking up with Just Write.

A week in gratitude.

I'm back with 30 days of life-changing gratitude.

What are you grateful for this week?

To gratitude.

I've been complaining a lot lately.

I know this because my sweet hubby has told me so.  :-)

But here's the deal.  I'm 8 months pregnant.  I regularly feel like my legs are going to disconnect from my body and I might split down the middle.  Oh, and this week I came down with a sinus infection.

Preggo Mama + sinus infection + adorable little tiny tornado = me waving my white flag and giving up on the day.  Let's just say I'm going to need that nesting energy desperately to get things in order before #2 arrives.

So, I'm just frustrated.  My ears are still clogged and I have done everything my OB, Primary care doc, and Dr. Google have told me to to try to unclog them.  I think it is a matter of time.  I just hope it doesn't last another month.  I really hope to love on my newbie with a clear head.

BUT.  That said.  This post isn't about complaining.  In fact, even though all of the above things are true I am writing today to deliberately NOT focus on it.

Let's talk about gratitude.

Before my sister went to Jamaica we decided it would be fun to read a book together across the ocean.  Kind of a deliberate way to connect and make sure we stay in touch in the midst of our chaotic lives.  We looked at many books.  We were planning to do a Beth Moore book, but after hearing my favorite Monday morning ladies rave about this book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, I suggested we maybe look at that one instead.

So, we started reading a week or two ago.  I'm only three chapters in.  But WOW.


I had never made the connection of gratitude being so connected to salvation.  To knowing God.  And to living a full life.  It's all over the bible, but why so overlooked?  In everything give thanks.  Yeah yeah yeah.  I'm thankful and I make my lists at Thanksgiving of things I'm thankful for, but really.  In everything give thanks.  After reading three chapters I'm convinced that if I truly put this into practice it would be life-changing.

The One Thousand Gifts are a list of one thousand blessings, gifts, that Ann decided to list and give thanks to God for.  One thousand ways she had received God's love.  And she was listing those blessings back to God.

So, I'm going to do the same.  Maybe not make a list of specifically 1,000, but I am going to deliberately give thanks daily.  For the everyday, mundane and for the extraordinary.  I'm going to recognize and name my blessings back to my creator.  Because I believe that in that I will find His joy.  His fullness of life.

I've never been much of a tweeter. :-)  But I've found that this might be a good avenue to share my thanks.  On twitter and instagram people will post their thanks with the hashtag #1000gifts.  I also found an iPhone app to help remind you and help you keep track.  LOVE.  So, I'm going to be doing this. :-)   If you know me on Twitter or Instagram, I'd love it if you'd join in!

It's little things like this that can make an ordinary day into something great.

I've been a bit blog-MIA in this season, but I really hope that changes soon.  This weekend I'd also like to share with you about a study I've been doing.  #SheReadsTruth - look it up. :-)  I'm loving it.

{thankful}

Today I am thankful for...

...the ability for me to stay home to raise my son(s).  I know not many get this privilege.  But, somehow, even though we didn't specifically "plan" for me to, I am able to stay home full-time.  A real blessing.  Exhausting, yes.  But I love that I get to see so many of Jude's firsts and little quirky behaviors as he learns about the world.  Like yesterday, when he grabbed the monitor and walked around the house holding it in the air, shaking his head "no".  That is his thing lately, shaking his head "no" to things he knows are off-limits or no-no's... and doing them anyway.  I don't really care if he plays with the monitor, but it was too cute.

And pointing to the cat as she is at her water dish, and shaking his head "no-no".  Because that is probably my #1 battle with him.  We do NOT eat dog/cat food or put toys in the water dish.  Apparently he wanted to communicate that the dish was off limits to the cat as well.  He's catching on. ;-)

I am thankful for...

...my incredible husband who works. his. tail. off. to provide for our family.  Financially, spiritually, domestically (yeah - I'll admit - he is way tidier than I am).  He did all of the dishes after dinner last night, so I wouldn't have to.  He cleans the cat litter every two days.  He cleans the bathroom and scrubs the tub (because I hate to).  He gets up to meet with the Lord every morning and prays for our family.  He comes home and takes on daddy-duty and wrestles with Jude to tire him out before bed.  He tells me I'm beautiful even when I feel like a whale.  He drives everywhere we go without complaining, even though he drives all over the state all day for his job.  

Pretty cool guy. ;-)  

I am thankful for...

... a long Friday to Monday weekend.  Hubby took some vacation time so we can make some memories as a family of three before it gets even more crazy.  I plan to read, sleep, kick the hubby's butt in Scrabble, and snuggle my little boy LOTS AND LOTS.

I am thankful for...

... this cup of coffee.

  

That is almost gone.  

I am thankful for...

... a God who loves me too much to let me stay my same, sinful, prideful self.  Even when it isn't easy.  I'm being challenged to memorize more scripture.  I have never been good at memorization.  Or maybe I should say, I have never put much effort into it.  Not good.  After reading this passage this week, I feel like this is something that needs to be hidden in my heart.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. {Romans 12:9-21}

I am thankful for...

... my second baby boy ever so wiggly in my belly.  I had a fantastic OB appointment yesterday.  The doctor had to laugh at how active my boy was as he was trying to get a heartbeat.  I also scheduled my c-section date and can say that we are less than 11 weeks away from meeting this little pumpkin.  Oh, yes, I am having another c-section {unless God has other plans}... I can talk about that later.  But I am thankful for my OB and his surgeon skills and the peace of mind I have in that decision. :-)

I am thankful for...

... my 1 year old, who is now awake from his nap.  I am going in to take advantage of some sleepy snuggles.

What are you thankful for today?