Why Forgive?

Yesterday I got to sit in on Sean's "talk" with the youth, which I don't get to do very often anymore. I love hearing his passion for God's Word and seeing his enthusiasm for teenagers. He makes me very proud of who he is and his love for Jesus. He's just so stinkin awesome!!! This week in particular, he talked about forgiveness and how we should respond to our enemies and those who do us wrong. He referenced Matthew 18:22 in which Jesus responds to Peter's question of how many times he shall forgive by saying "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy- seven times." Some versions say "seventy times seven." Point is, the number does not matter. We should be willing to forgive over and over and over no matter what. Because that is what Jesus did for us. And when somebody does us wrong, we need to return back to them love and kindness. Both of these things are extremely hard for me, as I'm sure they are for you too. Because when somebody repeatedly hurts us, why in the world would we want to forgive them knowing that it won't be too long until they do it again? Sometimes I feel if I were to do this, it would just appear as if I am letting others walk all over me. I know this isn't really the case because there is a way to repeatedly forgive and return love but still be able to stand your ground. The tough part is just being able to figure out how exactly to do all that. Who knows? Maybe I'll figure it all out one day. But I highly doubt it since I am human. I can only try my hardest to be an imitator of Christ in this way.

Today's Top Story

This morning I was watching the news and was shocked at the top story they were discussing. Then again I was reminded of it as it was also the top story on the radio station as I drove to work. Apparently there is a new maid service opening in Tulsa where you can hire a woman or man to come to your home and clean your house topless/nude, whatever. They do an extensive background check on the homes they are sending their maids to in order to make sure they are safe. I'm like REALLY?! What is this world coming to? I mean, I know there are already places like this and have always been places like this for a really long time in other areas but just seeing it so acceptable and easily talked about on the news just breaks my heart. God did not create our bodies to flaunt. So how anyone could honestly do that or be a supporter of someone who does is beyond me. Open your eyes world and open the Word of God so that you can clearly see our purpose for living on this Earth! I can guarantee you the answer will not be that it's for our pleasure...

My hubby has no grace...

The fam and I just attended our first Family Fun Night at The Kirk and it was a blast! We got to learn some good ole line dancing steps and let's just say Sean and I both need some work (he a little more so than I of course!) I can't wait for nights like these when Kinsleigh gets older and can enjoy it a little more. A big shout out to Carrie Lund for heading it up. I truly think this is one of the best things a church can do because it brings families together to do things (like line dancing) that you would not normally do together. And let's face it, we all need a change of pace in our daily routines. And once again I'm reminded through something as simple as this of why I am so thankful to be a part of our church.

Balance

I'm finding the hardest thing about being a mommy these days is figuring out how to balance all my different roles. Trying to be a good mommy, a good wife, preschool teacher, doing chores around the house, running all my errands...the list goes on and on. Sometimes I wish I had all the money in the world so I could just hire someone to do all my cleaning and my grocery shopping for me. Then life would be so much easier. That is until I would probably figure out something else I needed to do in my time to continue to keep me stressed. And to top it all off with a disease that makes me incredibly fatigued does not help with the problem much. Gosh, I guess this is the tough part about life that everyone always used to warn me about. I'm trying to remind myself each and every day that my family is always #1 and the other things CAN wait until later. I have never wanted anything more than to be a fantastic wife and a great mommy to my kid(s), to raise them in a Christian home, and hope that they will grow to be followers of Jesus too one day. Sean and Kinsleigh, you mean the world to me!