His Words for When You Need a Fresh Start
I've decided to reinstate my "His Words" Sundays in this new year. His words, instead of mine, for different topics we all face. Today, I'm thinking we all need a fresh start as we walk into 2016. He has something to say about that. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. ~ Jeremiah 29:11 ESV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~ Isaiah 43:19 ESV The steadfast love...
Facing the (miniature) Giant
Lilli has been riding since she was two. She first sat atop a horse when she was only a few months old, held tightly by her Aunt Maddie and sporting a non-stop, gummy, drooling grin. But she was led around on a horse, alone in the saddle, when she was only two, and has continued her education ever since. These were full-size horses, and she never showed an ounce of fear. That is until this past summer. She took actual, formal riding lessons with Maddie, along with another little boy, since she had moved to Texas and was actually around consistently. Up until one particular lesson, she had held onto the saddle horn, in addition to the reigns, and Maddie was trying to get her to let...
Fifty-Two
This is the 52nd time I've awakened on a New Year's Day, and it occurs to me that I'm standing at the precipice of 52 fresh weeks before I awaken, Lord willing, on another one. I'm certain, based on personal experience, that they will fly by at breakneck speed. What to do with each one? It's not a new question. Certainly, the very invention of the New Year's Resolution is evidence of that. Weight loss, exercise, eat right, get that promotion, write a book, take a trip, and on and on. My (very loosely constructed) list includes Purge, with a capital P. Mainly, my house, which has become stuffed to the gills since we moved in four years ago, but also my diet and my heart. There's a...
Slow Motion
Brody got a ride-on CAT four-wheeler for Christmas, which he calls a "Monster Truck." It's made for a toddler, and came with a little yellow CAT construction helmet, which he loves. Fortunately for us, the kids just stayed after Christmas, so all their new toys are here, the Monster Truck included. However, with our freak snowstorm, the yard and driveway have been really mucky and unsuitable for Monster Truck fun. Until yesterday, that is. With the temps around 50, and the sun shining brightly, we made a jail break and went outside. Lilli was just about as excited as Brody to ride on the new toy, and waited patiently for her turn. Finally, it came, and she hopped on and pressed the...
Dance
Brody is two years and nine months old. Brody is a boy. Brody has discovered what makes him a boy. Brody likes to dance naked and celebrate his boyness. Yes, bath-time, potty-time, and changing clothes has been taken to a whole new level in Brodyland. It's actually pretty funny, and completely innocent, although I've decided that it's never too early to learn what's appropriate and, well, what isn't. Last night, fresh out of the bath and smelling sweet, I wrestled him through his latest naked dance and tried to dry him off. "I naked! I naked!" (wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, swing hips, wiggle wiggle) "Yes you are, Brody! How about we get some jammies on?" "But I dancing, Mimmie! I like...