In the last blog I bragged about my kids and this week as I was lamenting over the very things I had imparted to my children, exhibited right in front of me, I paused for a little reflection. Yes, I do want to see character in my kids that out weighs their obsessive love of clothes and beautifully coiffed locks, but haven't they gotten those very traits from moi?
A sigh of relief escaped my lips when I read the words of Deborah Ford, expert from Girls Raised in the South, as she replayed her childhood memories preparing for church. She mirrored the image of her mother and Grandmother before her, sliding on her child sized kid-leather gloves, (mine had pearl buttons at the wrist), grabbed her purse, perfectly matching her shoes and headed for the door.
My memories suddenly began flooding in as she explained, "With this kind of tradition behind me, it's no wonder that when I roll out of bed in the morning, my mind immediately turns to the closet."
So that's my problem! My poor kids are just pitiful clones of another generations wayward obsession with looking good. Let's blame it on the South! At least, I don't have Deborah's memory of her Grandmother gathering eggs from the chicken coop in her high heels, but I do remember that you can't wear white past Labor Day, you must always write thank you notes and "Yes, ma mm" and "Yes sir" are non-negotiable.
Although the once stringent code has changed and my kids have left most of the aging protocol behind, they still carry with them the residue of being a clotheshorse. They've replaced the cliche white leather gloves with more hair products and the matching purse and shoes for a plethora of shoes. I confess they got that from me, too. However, they are usually courteous and respectful, especially when Aunt Brucie comes to town. I guess I can be thankful for one thing; I'm not gather eggs in my high heels!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Coolest Bunch, Brady or Otherwise
I have the coolest family! You know being the mother of the Brady Bunch gives me that 70's, all is fine in the world, joyful sort of feeling. My brood, although many are still finding their way, is exceptional.
I remember Gabriel's graduation from high school a few years ago, as I stood there on stage trying to get out a few proud words about my son, the tears rolled. I was astonished by what the young man standing there before me had overcome. Despite all of the huge mistakes and failings I'd made as a mother, God's enormous Father's Heart, continued to nurture. All of these Brady's are overcomers.
Josh is into this anti establishment slant now, disgruntled with the world, wanting to see change amidst the apathetic youth. Yet beyond the words, I can see God's hand working to truly make him into a world changer. He jumps into any situation with vision and solutions. He activates change where ever he goes. God is shaping a world changer.
Chloe keeps us all laughing. Her take on life is so dry that you really have to know her to appreciate it. She definitely has a writers voice, so does Gabe. She sees beyond the surface into a dimension others often miss.
Sam, my man, is a Gabe reincarnate. It's amazing to see such a similar distaste for details, such as cleaning his room, a love for his great head of hair and the perfect Zoolander smirk. Heaven help us! Too cute!
Not to forget the Newlyweds. I really miss them, living outside of the city now, as they do. Don't tell them, but I am hoping they decline the job offer up there in Mooresville, even though it would be prudent to take it. They bring so much fun and life to our quirky family. Being the seniors of the kids, it's so nice to have them paving the way and loving the youngsters as they do. We have a blast together. Remember kids, we are scheduling a regular annual week at the beach beginning next summer!
We don't get to see Matthew very much, but somehow still we all revere our Soccer Star, playing for Brown University and the Canadian National Team. He always fits perfectly as another pea in the pod when he's here, just hanging with the guys. We love him. I am so grateful that God so perfectly built this family and for the ones He's chosen still to follow.
Rarely do I get to brag about my kids in print, so I took this opportunity to do so, like God's big boast about His kids when He says,
"I can't keep my mouth shut, I can't hold my tongue, until her righteousness blazes down like the sun and her salvation flames up like a torch...you'll be a stunning crown in the palm of God's hand, a jeweled cup held high in the hand of God. No more will anyone call you rejected, and your country will no more be called ruin. You'll be called my delight..." Isaiah 62:1-
I remember Gabriel's graduation from high school a few years ago, as I stood there on stage trying to get out a few proud words about my son, the tears rolled. I was astonished by what the young man standing there before me had overcome. Despite all of the huge mistakes and failings I'd made as a mother, God's enormous Father's Heart, continued to nurture. All of these Brady's are overcomers.
Josh is into this anti establishment slant now, disgruntled with the world, wanting to see change amidst the apathetic youth. Yet beyond the words, I can see God's hand working to truly make him into a world changer. He jumps into any situation with vision and solutions. He activates change where ever he goes. God is shaping a world changer.
Chloe keeps us all laughing. Her take on life is so dry that you really have to know her to appreciate it. She definitely has a writers voice, so does Gabe. She sees beyond the surface into a dimension others often miss.
Sam, my man, is a Gabe reincarnate. It's amazing to see such a similar distaste for details, such as cleaning his room, a love for his great head of hair and the perfect Zoolander smirk. Heaven help us! Too cute!
Not to forget the Newlyweds. I really miss them, living outside of the city now, as they do. Don't tell them, but I am hoping they decline the job offer up there in Mooresville, even though it would be prudent to take it. They bring so much fun and life to our quirky family. Being the seniors of the kids, it's so nice to have them paving the way and loving the youngsters as they do. We have a blast together. Remember kids, we are scheduling a regular annual week at the beach beginning next summer!
We don't get to see Matthew very much, but somehow still we all revere our Soccer Star, playing for Brown University and the Canadian National Team. He always fits perfectly as another pea in the pod when he's here, just hanging with the guys. We love him. I am so grateful that God so perfectly built this family and for the ones He's chosen still to follow.
Rarely do I get to brag about my kids in print, so I took this opportunity to do so, like God's big boast about His kids when He says,
"I can't keep my mouth shut, I can't hold my tongue, until her righteousness blazes down like the sun and her salvation flames up like a torch...you'll be a stunning crown in the palm of God's hand, a jeweled cup held high in the hand of God. No more will anyone call you rejected, and your country will no more be called ruin. You'll be called my delight..." Isaiah 62:1-
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Getting a Return On His Investment
This week the Lord began another one of those lessons that left me in a quandry, wondering what He was getting at.
I bought a lamp and shade from Target, but decided to returned it and was credited. On another day, I picked out a different lamp and shade and purchased it, however I wasn't happy with it either, so again I went to the customer service counter to make the exchange.
Since I am not a very detailed person, I hadn't noticed that during my original purchase I was only charged for the lamp, while the shade resting a top, was overlooked. However, when I returned it, I was credited for both. Realizing that I had received more than I was entitled, I pondered how to handle the error. Now knowing the very chaotic condition of the customer service department, I opted to forget about it, not attempting to remedy the error.
A few days later I exchanged the lamp and shade again, finally settling on a purchase. This time I realized that I was actually credited less for the shade than I should have been. Yet, knowing the earlier confusion, and the fact that I had been over credited, unfortunately I let it slide. However, I never did really forget about this. It bothered me having received what wasn't mine. I asked the Lord to forgive me for the neglegence on my part, even though I had not intentionally sought my own gain through these transactions.
During the next week I went to Staples to purchase an ink cartride for our printer. I used three, $3.00 coupons that I had received earlier for returning empty cartridges. Wouldn't you know it, when I got home I realized I had carelessly picked out the wrong cartridge (definately not detailed). When I went back on the same day to return it, I was credited the full amount for the cartridge I had purchased, instead of the discounted amount from my coupon reduction.
When I asked whether or not the coupons had been used the second time, the clerk seemed confused and called his manager to find out how to handle this. Knowing that I had used discount coupons the manager still instructed him to credit me the full amount and not the discounted price which I had actually paid. Even though I made an effort to correct this, again I walked away with something that wasn't mine. Why were these exchanges happening, so that I was receiving back what wasn't mine?
Not only has the Lord challenged us for several years to be faithful overseers with our finances (not living in debt), He can make something out of nothing. He can even work things for His purposes, that almost seem ridiculous. He can and will restore all that has been stolen. He can do more than we can think, ask or imagine and He can certainly multiply all that er invest in Him.
The Lord spoke the world into existence. He used A Pharoah, the most powerful man of the time, as a pawn in His plan for Moses to lead His people out of captivity and into the Promised Land. He is certainly able to take whatever small amount we offer Him from our lives to expand it for good. Imagine the multiplication that can take place. God is able to get a much bigger return on His investment than we imagine.
Steven Furtick, my Pastor, of a 2,000 member church, weekly experiencing many people giving their lives to the Lord, 3 services, 2 campus' in less than 2 years says, "The limiting factor in God's ability to use our life is not our ability, but our capacity. We need to enlarge our capacity to receive. Our growth is limited by our capacity, not God's supply!" "God shall supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus." Phil/ 4:19 I know that is true. He took my broken life and restored it to something that is better than I could have ever dreamed. I want all He has to give, to affect all those He gives too, for His glory!
Those store credits weigh heavily on my heart, because I want to be faithful with all the Lord gives me. We are being challenged to continually relinquish all that we hold in our hands. Even when unscrupulous people steal, all things are still His.
Ruth Bell Graham described the darkness we exsist in, apart from Christ, with these words: "Choosing his own path, how could he know Your hand directs where he shall go? Thinking he's free -free at last- unaware that Your hand holds him fast. Waiting in darkness to hide in night, not knowing, with You dark is as light, poor Prodigal! Seeking a "where" from "whence" how does one escape Omnipotence?
I bought a lamp and shade from Target, but decided to returned it and was credited. On another day, I picked out a different lamp and shade and purchased it, however I wasn't happy with it either, so again I went to the customer service counter to make the exchange.
Since I am not a very detailed person, I hadn't noticed that during my original purchase I was only charged for the lamp, while the shade resting a top, was overlooked. However, when I returned it, I was credited for both. Realizing that I had received more than I was entitled, I pondered how to handle the error. Now knowing the very chaotic condition of the customer service department, I opted to forget about it, not attempting to remedy the error.
A few days later I exchanged the lamp and shade again, finally settling on a purchase. This time I realized that I was actually credited less for the shade than I should have been. Yet, knowing the earlier confusion, and the fact that I had been over credited, unfortunately I let it slide. However, I never did really forget about this. It bothered me having received what wasn't mine. I asked the Lord to forgive me for the neglegence on my part, even though I had not intentionally sought my own gain through these transactions.
During the next week I went to Staples to purchase an ink cartride for our printer. I used three, $3.00 coupons that I had received earlier for returning empty cartridges. Wouldn't you know it, when I got home I realized I had carelessly picked out the wrong cartridge (definately not detailed). When I went back on the same day to return it, I was credited the full amount for the cartridge I had purchased, instead of the discounted amount from my coupon reduction.
When I asked whether or not the coupons had been used the second time, the clerk seemed confused and called his manager to find out how to handle this. Knowing that I had used discount coupons the manager still instructed him to credit me the full amount and not the discounted price which I had actually paid. Even though I made an effort to correct this, again I walked away with something that wasn't mine. Why were these exchanges happening, so that I was receiving back what wasn't mine?
Not only has the Lord challenged us for several years to be faithful overseers with our finances (not living in debt), He can make something out of nothing. He can even work things for His purposes, that almost seem ridiculous. He can and will restore all that has been stolen. He can do more than we can think, ask or imagine and He can certainly multiply all that er invest in Him.
The Lord spoke the world into existence. He used A Pharoah, the most powerful man of the time, as a pawn in His plan for Moses to lead His people out of captivity and into the Promised Land. He is certainly able to take whatever small amount we offer Him from our lives to expand it for good. Imagine the multiplication that can take place. God is able to get a much bigger return on His investment than we imagine.
Steven Furtick, my Pastor, of a 2,000 member church, weekly experiencing many people giving their lives to the Lord, 3 services, 2 campus' in less than 2 years says, "The limiting factor in God's ability to use our life is not our ability, but our capacity. We need to enlarge our capacity to receive. Our growth is limited by our capacity, not God's supply!" "God shall supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus." Phil/ 4:19 I know that is true. He took my broken life and restored it to something that is better than I could have ever dreamed. I want all He has to give, to affect all those He gives too, for His glory!
Those store credits weigh heavily on my heart, because I want to be faithful with all the Lord gives me. We are being challenged to continually relinquish all that we hold in our hands. Even when unscrupulous people steal, all things are still His.
Ruth Bell Graham described the darkness we exsist in, apart from Christ, with these words: "Choosing his own path, how could he know Your hand directs where he shall go? Thinking he's free -free at last- unaware that Your hand holds him fast. Waiting in darkness to hide in night, not knowing, with You dark is as light, poor Prodigal! Seeking a "where" from "whence" how does one escape Omnipotence?
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