days of small things

So the internet is down and Oli was helping me figure it out.  I opened my laptop to check connectivity and the last page that I was on pulled up. It was a Wikipedia page on George Cowper. I had been looking up poems on prayer, as I try to organize my prayer life in a helpful way.  Oli saw it and said " George Cooper, hmm why does that name sound familiar?" Me: It's George COWper.  Oli: Oh, it's pronounced Cooper.  Of course it is. My resident theology/church history expert of course knew this.  facetopalm. And he was so gracious about it too.   So that led him, of course, to pull out one of his absolute favorite books: Bruce Shelley's Church History in plain language.  And 2 hours later I'm getting a history lesson on Christian Abolitionists (of which COOper was one) Harriet Beecher Stowe's family's connection, and a secret society.   He is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to this stuff. He loves it so much. As I lay on the bed watching,...

Tonight I was supposed to attend a special session at the Great Home School Convention called the Real Mom Tour! Three ladies, one of which wrote The Read Aloud family, a book that has been very significant in shaping our homeschool, were going to lead what I can only imagine would have been an amazingly wonderfully encouraging and informative session.  I really wanted to go!! I signed up to volunteer (and did so yesterday), so that we could enjoy the whole convention for freeee. But it started raining...pouring. Heavy gusts of wind, lightning, and thunder.  Oli suggested that I stay home.  And so I did.  I was very disappointed. But I know he was concerned about my safety, especially since I would be taking Simon with me.  I could have pouted, objected even, but instead the Lord gave me grace to submit. And not just submit, but with a good attitude. (Okay I struggled with that for a few minutes). But I shook myself out of it and moved on. Which is very new for ...

  I've been going on walks with Marla (Elizabeth & Simon) on Saturday mornings at SIX THIRTY!! for a few weeks now. It's been very nice.  Today as we were walking on the Main Street bridge, a lady stopped in front of me, took a deep breath while stretching her arms out to the side, and said "aahhh, isn't it a beautiful day?" "Yes, God's creation is beautiful." I replied.  At the mention of the name of the LORD, she recoiled. Her hands fell by her side, and she walked away.  The heavens declare the glory of God. The skies proclaim His work. Day after day they deliver their speech, night after night they make Him known.  (Thank you Poor Bishop Hooper, I didn't even have to look that up). For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks. Romans 1:21 *pictured: our view from the bridge

In the highly polarized racially tense culture of the day, if such a picture were circulated online, even amongst Christian circles, it would possibly cause a stir. Maybe people would think: I am a token.  Perhaps Amy and Mrs. Gray are safe for me to be around because they have atoned for their sin of whiteness.  Maybe we're all at a Lecrae concert.  Well.  I'm not. They haven't. And we're at my daughter's ballet recital.  The noise coming from all directions about the inherent division of blacks and whites falls deaf on these redeemed and reconciled ears.  First, a note about the differences:  Mrs. Gray: an older, almost empty nester, mom of 4  Amy: early 30s, working mom of 1 in utero Me: late twenties, stay at home mom of 5  I mention these things because unity and friendship, even in the church, is sometimes based on these superficial things. How many children do you have? Boy-Girl ratio? Ages of the children? What side of town do you liv...

Today is National French Fry Day. And it also happens to be Tuesday which means kids eat free with every adult entree at BurgerFi. Whoop Whoop. Win Win. Usually Oli is suggesting we eat out when he senses I'm tense or frustrated but today it was me! It was a much needed break from our evening routine. And I was still worn out from yesterday. Yesterday was a day that put on full display my need for Christ. I struggled so much with my duties as a wife and mom. But more so my attitude /countenance/behaviour.  I sometimes feel incredibly inadequate and insufficient for the day's tasks. I know this is where "but His grace is sufficient, in my weakness He is strong comes in." But it doesn't always feel good to experience. In fact, it's heart breaking. I am short and impatient and then immediately hate myself for it then fall into a downward spiral of despondency.  The mom I really am looks in the face of the mom I want myself to be and begs Jesus to conform me to th...