The power of a song

I will never cease to be amazed at the working of the Lord in my children's hearts.  It's not that I don't believe that God can and will work in their hearts, it's just that the daily responsibility of dealing with bad attitudes, disobedience, and disrespect can make us all lose perspective at times.

The other night, as I prepared the children for bed, I was reminded once again about the amazing Sovereign power and grace of our Lord. Josiah had a particularly trying day. Earlier that week, he cashed in his piggy bank money and purchased a new Lego set online. It was expected to arrive that day, but morning passed into afternoon, afternoon into nighttime and no Lego set arrived. For a 4 year old who had already waited over a week, waiting an entire day and not receiving it when it was supposed to come was devastating.

This resulted in impatience and rudeness spilling out of Jo.  We easily saw it as a character building moment for him. He just saw it as disappointment and sadness.

Back to our bedtime routine, as Josiah waited for Abby and I to join him in the bed for our prayer time, I over heard him singing a song.

"All I know is that I'm not home yet. This is not where I belong."

The song by Building 429, Where I Belong.

Joining him, I asked him, "do you know what that song means?"  Almost instantly, Josiah's demeanor changed. With a joyful smile he responded, "Yes!! It means this is not our home but our real home is in Heaven with Jesus!! And we get to play with Jesus ALL day long!"

We then proceeded to have a 5 minute discussion about all the wonderful things about Heaven. Streets paved in gold. Thousands of toys and playing with Jesus all day. No worries of getting hit by cars on those gold-laden streets. Never having to go to bed. Living forever. No sadness. No fear. No monsters.

And right before my very eyes, my sourpuss changed. The Lord was doing an amazing work in his heart, and you could sense and feel all the frustration and strife from the day melting away. Not only that, but the Lord was using Josiah to minister to me. So often it's easy to lose perspective of our day and get caught up in all our troubles and trials. I was brought to tears when I paused for those 10 minutes with my son and really processed with him the wonder and glory of our true home in heaven.  It always puts everything into perspective to be reminded that where we are is only temporary, but we have an eternal home to look forward to.

So it all started with the power of a song. Those words the Lord used, not just to change Josiah's heart but also mine. What a good God we serve.

**the Lego set finally arrived!!

It's better to give than to receive

I will continually be amazed at the capacity for compassion and tenderness I see so often in children, especially those of a young age.  So many times, we as parents (Bryan & I, that is) breeze by each day, focusing on the duties in life rather than life itself.  Laundry, check. Dinner, check. PJ's on, check. Teeth brushed, check.  But ever so often comes a moment like today, where you know and sense the Holy Spirit working on the heart of your child. 

In the book of Acts, we learn that Jesus says "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  Today we got to see this principle come to life in the heart of Josiah.  When Bryan picked Josiah up from pre-K today, one of his classmates was distraught that he had missed his chance to purchase a book from the Scholastic book fair.  The rest of the day passed--mostly uneventful, though particularly trying for us.  Josiah was fighting most of the afternoon and discouraged because he felt like he just couldn't do anything right.  On days when we battle this discouragement in him, the day often ends heavy, with many tears and prayers that Josiah would truly know the love of Christ for him--not based on what he can do or based on his perfection, but just because He chooses to love Josiah. 

So this day was playing out like many others.  Us looking at the clock just waiting, and looking with relief, towards bedtime.  But to our surprise, tonight ended on a much different note.  Josiah explained to me what had happened during pick-up time at school.  How his little friend was sad because he had missed the book fair. 

And out of nowhere, Josiah asked, "Mommy, maybe we could give D one of our book fair books?  Well, I don't know.  I'm just thinking about it." 

Wanting it to come out a genuine place in his heart, I gently encouraged the idea, but was careful not to pressure. 

Five minutes later.  "Mommy, I have 4 books from the book fair, so I don't need them all.  I can give one of them away."  Yes, I said that was a great idea.  We immediately found his four books and he picked out which one to give.  Touched by his generous heart, I was still hesitant as to whether he would change his mind. 

Bryan and I explained to him how this was a great way to show the love of Christ to his friend.  "Yes!" Josiah exclaimed.  "Because Jesus loves me.  And you love me. And I love D!"

Josiah immediately put the book in his backpack for school the next day.  Grinning from ear to ear, you could clearly see the Holy Spirit's work on his heart.  Josiah was tasting that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.  "I'm so happy!" he exclaimed.

And aren't Josiah's words so fitting for us all.  God loves us. Jesus loves us. And it's that love that enables us to love others.

Happy Anniversary to Bryan: Promising to always "Fall Forward"

Today Bryan and I celebrate 7 years of marriage.  It's amazing how quickly these 7 years have passed by.  Along the way, we've had our fair share of challenges but also many victories as we've learned to work together as a team.  Today I thank God for a man that still chooses me, in spite of the reality of who I am in my ugliest moments.  A man who promises to stand by his commitment, regardless of how he may feel on any given day.  A man who still cherishes me, calls me his beautiful bride, and esteems me for the God-given value he sees inside of me.

I recently read a book called Sacred Marriage, by Gary Thomas.  Below is an excerpt about what it means to "fall forward" in our marriage.  I love this illustration about what it means to fall toward our spouse.

"Many years ago, I and a few close friends celebrated our high school graduation by hiking on Mount Rainier.  Before I attempted to jump a fast-moving creek, one of my friends advised me, "Just make sure you fall forward."  The advice was well heeded.  Even if I didn't make the jump, as long as I kept my momentum going forward, I wouldn't be swept into the stream.

The advice has stayed with me down through the years, as I believe that Christian marriage is also about learning to fall forward.  Obstacles arise, anger flares up, and weariness dulls our feelings and our senses.  When this happens the spiritually immature respond by pulling back, becoming more distant from their spouse, or even seeking to start over with somebody "more exciting."  Yet maturity is reached by continuing to more forward past the pain and apathy. Falls are inevitable.  We can't control that, but we can control the direction in which we fall--toward or away from our spouse."

Thank God that we choose daily to fall forward.  Bryan, thank you for always standing by my side and choosing to fall forward!  Happy anniversary, honey, to the man I love and my best friend!  Thank you for making life fun, exciting, and challenging at times (which is needed for my stubborn-self!).  I really don't think I had any idea 7 years ago how exactly perfect you are for me when I said "I do."  I have never regretted that decision, and I too choose you still today!  I'm excited for many more years to come!  Here's to a lifetime of falling forward with you!

February 2013 Blizzard

We had our first big snowstorm of the year!  Even though Jo is feeling a little under the weather, he insisted that we venture out.  And this was Abby's first real time playing in the glorious snow.  I have to admit that I LOVE it when it snows this much in the city.  NYC becomes dazzling--white, glistenting, and beautiful.  The cold hardly bothers you when its so beautiful outside!

All bundled up and ready to go!

 



Looking south down Manhattan Avenue in our neighborhood

 



Glistening trees, snow covered cars--what's not to love!

 



Walking to Morningside Park

 



Beautiful sky--in awe of the glory of God's creation!

 



Daddy lifting Abby's little body over the snow mounds

 



Jo buried himself in the snow

 



Abby holding her own--walking through at least 10 inches of snow!

 



Abby thoroughly enjoying herself

 



Sitting on a snow mound in Morningside Park