Memories.

Lately Seth has been considering the idea of his "sins" finding him out; and with confession being good for the soul...he has been spilling his beans.  Now I could be upset and I do try not to laugh, but it's TOO innocent to not appreciate the sweetness of it.  Here's a couple of the latest. 

He walks up and whispers in my ear, "Mom. I need to tell you something."  Ok.  "Well, I held the fish.  I mean, I reached in and kept in under the water, but I held the fish. Oh, and I drew a smiley face on the table." I ask, "Did you clean it all up?  And is Eli's fish still alive?"  The answer to both questions was "Yes."  Forgiveness was his and off he ran.  Then I shared it with Daniel and we both laughed. Guess sometimes you just GOTTA hold your pets and if you're happy and you know it....you draw a smiley face on the table.

A couple of days later he asks, "Am I going to get found out if I just THINK of a really bad name to call Aaron, but I don't?"  The discussion went on from there and left knowing he was free from the burden of guilt.  

He adds adventure to all our lives!  And a sweet reminder to his momma about how good it feels to talk to a loving parent about the things you did that in your heart you KNEW weren't such a good idea to begin with.....and how it feels to be set free after you've confessed and talked it out!  That's how it works with God too.  Now the fish could have died and I do have a smiley face on my table, so I'm not saying there aren't consequences.  Just that there IS forgiveness and peace that is ours if we open our mouths and confess.  

All my sons provide me with precious memories and loving reminders of my Father's love.  Also a lot of LAUGHS!  I'm going to make it point to record more of those on here so we will have all them to look back on.  

God, thanks for the MEMORIES!

Have a GOOD day! =^)

     My marriage is finally somewhere I like being.  21 years in the making, but it's a good thing...most days.  And really, isn't that the goal?  Beth Moore said in a conference on marriage that she had a "good" marriage, not a "great" one.  Then she asked, "Isn't good, still GOOD?"  What a powerful truth.  God looked at His creation and said, "It is good."  Not great or super.  Good.  In Psalms 34 we are instructed to "taste and see that the Lord is good".   So isn't good, good enough?
     I pray today that you will see the good in your husband.  It's there.  I mean you picked him, remember?  You recognized the good in him then....and he did the same toward you.  It's okay to have a good marriage.  To be good spouses and even to be good parents.  And!  It's attainable.  Doesn't that take the pressure off?  You don't have to be perfect or fantastic...just good.
     Don't believe the lies that your hear every day.  Your friends struggle in their marriage.  Their homes get messy, both physically and emotionally!  There is no gold standard.  Just a Godly one....and He calls Himself good.  Take the heat off yourself to try and measure up to an airbrushed world.  And don't give up the GOOD fight
     God is so gentle and understanding.  He wants the best for you and it is for you to acknowledge the good things He has given you.  I'm no Bible scholar but do you realize how often good is used?  Romans 12:2 "His GOOD, pleasing and  perfect will" (Emphasis mine.)  Hebrews 13:21 "...equip you with everything GOOD for doing His will".  (The examples go on and on....search it out.)
     Look at your husband...it's likely he's a good man.  Treat him like he is.  Tell him that he is.  Love him like he is.  Tell his children that he is.  Be a good wife.  Thank God for your GOOD marriage.  Appreciate the good gift the Lord has given you in a mate.  When it gets hard (and it will!)  "Fight the good fight"  (I Tim. 6:12)  Your children are watching, your neighbors are watching, your friends are watching.  Live with your legacy in mind!  Then stand and say, "I have fought the GOOD fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (II Tim. 4:7)

HAVE A GOOD DAY!

Proverbs 31 Woman, a.k.a. Lois Lane....

     Have you ever noticed how little boys are the most valiant people on earth?? They are. Forever playing heroes and saving the day.....how do we keep those ideals in tender young hearts?? 

     I pray that my sons never lose that quality. And that they will marry women who bring out the "inner hero" that I know beats in their hearts! SuperMan has NOTHING on little boys.

So it begs the question:  Are we those kind of women?  Do I bring out he "inner hero" in my husband and for that matter, in my sons?  This is a hard question for me some days.  It's also one I want to keep in the front of my mind.  We can do this ladies and for that matter, we should.  The men we are married to had mother's who pondered this same question...

Up, Up, and AWAY!

Proverbs 31:11 " Her husband trusts her completely.  With her, he has everything he needs."  NCV