February 9, 2009 at 11:02 am (Uncategorized)
Do you ever have those moments where you experience something that feels as if you have witnessed, first hand, the working of God? I’ve no doubt that I do all of the time, but every once in a while I see something in which his spirit is so palpable that it makes me want to fall on my knees before him. This morning I experienced that in a simple conversation with one of my dearest friends. Within me my human nature was battling it out to have the soapbox and rail about some frustrations I am experiencing. Really, I could justify my attitude and irritation to anyone, anyone except Christ. As I was praying about it I realized that I could see my friend submit fully to Christ in the very way that I was struggling. She is the example I need to look to and I am grateful for that.
It is no small thing to see someone you know reflecting Christ. Especially seeing it in a way that makes you want to do it, too. It far outshines the payoff of indulging in our earthly nature, it is participation in the Glory of God. I am amazed that He would deign to use such frail beings in such a glorious way.
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February 5, 2009 at 12:35 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: child care, daycare, working mom
As a middle class, Christian, mother of small children, I felt a little judged when in late 2003, I had to go back to work. It was not what I wanted to do, and it was with great reluctance that I gave in to that fact and took a teaching job. At that time it felt heart rending to leave my girls with someone else- how would I ever find someone who woud treat them with the same love and tenderness that they deserved and needed? I could only leave the question to God.
A friend from church, Margaret Cox, offered to take the girls each day. Margaret was a good woman with very sweet children, but what I did not know is that she was also gifted with the capacity to love other people’s children as her own. Maddie stayed with her for only half a day for half a year before she started full day school, but Michal was with her full time. I can not imagine a better caregiver for Michal outside of our family. Margaret gave Michal and Hannah (my friend Anita’s daughter whom she also kept) such love and attention that I felt fully confident that she was in the best hands possible outside of my own. To this day I think of Margaret as having given our family one of the greatest gifts we could have received at one of the most difficult times for us.
When we moved to Memphis we were faced with the same dilemma again. This time God provided an answer through my lifelong friend Beth. Once again, my daughters (even Maddie felt this way though she was in school all day) found a home away from home and an extended family. Ryan, Beth, Katie, and Jonah incorporated us into their household with unreserved love and warmth on many occasions and in so many ways.
I have been talking with several friends who have recently had to confront the situation of going back to work before they had planned or who are going to start taking care of children for friends who work, and it has made me think of what an amazing way to serve that is. Curtis, Margaret, Callie, and Tanner, Ryan, Beth, Katie, and Jonah will always hold a special place of esteem and thanks in the heart of our family for what they have done for us. Many people can babysit a child, but few take the trouble to actually take that child into their heart and love and treasure them. I am blessed to have found some of those few.
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February 3, 2009 at 12:15 pm (Uncategorized)
Tags: insurance, medical care
I just came back from the dreaded removal of two of my wisdom teeth. Through this experience I can’t help but laugh at the irony of the situation. I first learned that I would have to have this done about two years ago when Mark and I were both employed and had both dental and medical insurance. I didn’t do it at that time because our insured, two income family couldn’t afford to pay for it. Lucky for me that we quit our jobs to become missionaries who make half of what we made then and moved to a third world country. This lucky turn of events has enabled me to receive the medical care I needed! What is wrong with this picture, America?
For those interested in how I’m doing, I’m ok and now am trying to start taking in food that my sore mouth can handle as well as my stomach (I have been vomiting since the surgery.) I think things are going better as I have been able to drink water last night and this morning and just ate a little potato soup. We’ll see how that sits with me.
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