Connected

I am joining with Gypsy Momma today...


I watched several preschool programs this week.  That is my blessing being a preschool director.  Children singing to their mommies  and daddies.  Oversized hand motions with big smiles.  So proud of what they had learned and so proud to have someone they loved watching them.

One boy yells "That is my Nanny!"

A little girls eyes light up when she sees her daddy.

A shy child holds her hand over her mouth but is secretly glad that she is performing for momma.

After the performance the children have opportunity to create a holiday treasure with their someone special.  The adults have come into the child's envorment.  It is our chance to be a child again and enjoy the simplicity of popcicle sticks, pom-poms, glue and glitter.

Yet, some of these adults cannot or will not connect.  They are still plugged into their cell phones texting while their child creates.  They sigh and look at their watch.  They ask me "How long do I have to stay?"

I wonder how often do I do that.  Do I linger too long at the computer?  Do I acknowledge their question?  Do I hear their voices?  Or am I too caught up in things that really don't matter to connect?  Pinterest, blogging and facebook can wait. 

Help me Lord to hear and see so I can connect with people and with You.

1000 gifts

http://www.aholyexperience.com

I recently started reading Ann Voskamps' 1000 gifts.  What started as hard to read has turned into can't put down.  I am searching for moments that I can fill my eyes with her words and create my own list.  I am now carrying a little journal to document as I go.  Because waiting until night I just might forget.  This list keeping is making my smile more.  I 'see' things in front of me.  It slows my pace of life just by the smallest amount, yet enough.  Enough for me to breathe in grace, thanksgiving and joy.

• Red tutu's on my 5 year old asian beauty
• Listening to one of my children pick up an instrument of thier choice and worship
• Sharing with friends who are on a similar journey with God teaching similar truths - yet so individual
• Preschoolers singing Away in a Manger across from my office
• Sloppy homemade ornaments made in pride for mom & dad
• The Written Word
• Smell of Christmas baking
• A sweet text from my hubby
• My 15 year old son putting his arm around his momma
• Sharing hope with a discouraged friend

Practicing

I sat on the couch with my youngest as she practiced her reading.  She is still struggling with the small little word “the”.  As we come to it again she tries to sound it out and I tell her this is just one of those words you have to memorize.  It doesn’t sound out.  And we keep reading.  Keep practicing.

We do it with spelling words, parts of speech and multiplication tables.  In biology, it is classifications, in chemistry it is the element chart.  We are all practicing. Drilling in information or concepts that are needed.  Needed to take us to the next.

“Practice is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation.”

These words are profound to me.  I want so much to realize Truth and have it be so.  Yet, it takes practice.  Simply knowing is not enough.  I have to let it be so.  I have to practice. Just like my 5 year old must practice reading to become a better reader.  Just like my 5^th grader must practice fractions for them to become easier.  Just like my 8^th grader practices her algebra to get better at equations.  Just like my 9^th grader drills kingdoms, phylum, class, families, etc. to better understand life.  Just like my college student memorizes body functions I never knew existed and I don’t understand to get into a nursing program. 

Practice is the hardest part of learning.

For the lessons that God is teaching me I must practice.  I must practice His grace.  I must practice His truth.  I must practice thanksgiving.

And this training is the essence of transformation.

Just breathe

I am linking up with Emily @Chatting at the sky for Tuesday's unwrapped.



God usually speaks in themes in my life. In teaching terms I suppose I would say that we (God and I) have been going through a unit study. A unit study is one that the same subject is used across the curriculum. This is a great way to teach because of repetition and consistency.  It all flows and learning is natural.  God is the perfect teacher.



I love how themes will connect in areas of my life.  What I am reading, a song on the radio, a sermon, or a conversation with a friend.  God does all this to make His point.  To help me to learn His lessons.  Sometimes I have to smile as the same theme emerges again and again.  “Yes, Lord, I am seeing.  I am getting it.”  Other times I react offended.  “Are you kidding me?  Are we still on this, Lord?”  This week I am smiling.  I am getting it. I am working on responding with His eyes, His voice, and His heart instead of reacting in my judgments, my opinions,  and my selfishness.  To take the grace He has richly given and rest and enjoy.

Joy is

"Joy

is always a function of gratitude and

gratitude

is always a function of perspective.

If

we are going to change our lives, what we're

go

ing to have to change is the way we see."

From Ann Voskamp

Perspective

As I sat in church this morning way up in the back of the balcony singing seasonal hymns and songs I felt a wave wash over me.  A wave of praise and gratitude to Jesus.  It caught me a bit off guard.  I feel myself coming out of a long, long drought.  And it feels good.  As my perspective changes I can feel the rain starting to sprinkle over my soul and my spirit is renewed.  Circumstances and people remain the same, yet I have a peace that God is in control of everything and that is enough.  I am learning to let the peace of God rule.

We watched Seven Days in Utopia this weekend.  It was so good. I highly recommend it.  It is a great reminder about what life is all about.  Perspective is everything.

Wednesday we had this amazing couple come to speak to our youth group.  Kathleen is absolutely amazing.  Amazing.  She is such an incredible woman of God.  I was so blessed to meet her in person and hear her story told in her voice.  To meet Cale and to see him smile.  Amazing. Again, it is all in your perspective.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  Colossians 3:15-16

This song blesses me.  God is worth my praise all the time.  In the dessert of my spirit, in the fire of my trial, in my battle and in the harvest.  It is all in my perspective.  I choose to let my attitude be that of Christ.

Hillsong United
Desert Song lyrics

VERSE 1:
This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

BRIDGE:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favour and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow