Letting Go...

There is nothing in this world that brings me quite as much delight as my children! Each one is a miracle to behold, a true gift from God. You might be asking yourself if I could possibly be a bit prejudice? Could be! But, then again, most of you could understand that point of view and probably have some pretty amazing kids of your own! Perhaps ALMOST as amazing as Michael, Noel,and Christian!

Christian is our thirteen year old, the youngest of the bunch. He has lived a very dangerous life in those thirteen short years. He is our accident waiting to happen. He has recently started working at a nearby farm. His duties include feeding the calves, and helping with the milking, both of which tend to be very messy and stinky. The concept of actually being paid for this very cool work is almost ecstatically overwhelming for him, and it shows daily in his enthusiasm and smile! Christian is funny, physical, and loving. He makes me laugh each and every day. I can't wait to witness the man he is becoming.

Noel is our one and only daughter. She is fifteen, and blossoming into an assertive, faithful and confident young woman. She is a singing machine, and her voice makes my breath catch! My relationship with her is full of fun, sarcasm, and static! She is, of course, beautiful. And did I mention that she has awesome hair? She is a bundle of opposites, and watching her sort through these feelings and emotions displays to me just what a strong personality she is. Today she brought me home a treat, and told me "This is just because you are my mom". Nothing could have made me happier.

Michael is 19,our oldest child. His identical twin, Thomas, died at birth. The fact that he survived our parenting is proof positive that God is alive and well! Michael is an assistant chaplain in the U.S. Army. He and his wife Kayla are expecting their first child in February. They are currently stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas, but he will soon be deployed to Iraq. Michael has a faith that teaches me about loving the Lord. He is steadfast, honest, and rebellious. Quite the combination!

So here is my point in sharing all this with you...

My children are growing more independent each day. They have lives of their own, and Bob and I have had many years of opportunity to nurture and teach them about the "things" they will need in life...strong faith, morals, and kindness. After holding on so tightly for so many years, I can feel the tension on the apron strings. Now, I must learn how to start letting go.

The whole idea of one of my children being a soldier is just starting to sink in. In concept, I love the idea of serving our country. I think it is an honorable and brave job to do. But this is not just any kid, it is OUR kid...

So here is the deal. My adult child volunteered for this job. We are proud to bursting with his choice. He is leaving the safety of the USA to attend to others who need our help. This is how we brought him up, and truly a part of his personality. Believe me when I say that there is pain in my heart that I cannot even begin to describe. I knew this day would come. I just can't believe that it is almost here. And the reality that our other two children will soon pursue dreams of their own, maybe not in Cedar Grove, WI is also becoming quite clear to me. This circle of events has been going on since the beginning of time. I knew when our family first started that these children were just here on loan to us from God. This is the way it is supposed to happen. So why is this so complicated?

Dear Lord, I know that you know my needs before I do. Please, fill this aching heart, and give me the strength to take joy in the "leaving" of my children. Give my heart the fullness it needs to let go. And remind me to lean on You even when the going isn't tough. WE are in your keeping, Lord. I know I will be safe there, as will my children according to your promise. Hold us close dear Lord. And remind me daily that our safety has nothing to do with our situation, and everything to do with your ever watchful care. Amen





Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him

Not So Much...

Life can certainly be funny...And then again, sometimes, not so much.

Recent events in my life, and the lives of loved ones, have me contemplating on relationships. Friend to friend, spouse to spouse, parent to child. Time can either nurture and affirm these connections, or erode them to a bare nothingness. Our time here is too important to let even one tragedy break the bonds of any basically loving relationship.

Throughout the years of my marriage, and that would be 23, my husband and I have developed own personal code for marriage. Now, I am perfectly aware that 23 years does not an expert make me. On the other hand, in a society where half of all marriages end in divorce, I know that some of our coping skills have worked wonders. Let me inject here that spousal support and involvement is an enormous part of this personal success.

Our first rule of thumb is to usually use respect when dealing with disagreements. I say usually because I have certainly stooped to some not so wonderful retorts when backed into a corner. I can blatantly tell you that these moments were neither successful or proud... So respect it is. And the funny thing? When I use this "tactic" I usually end up on the receiving end of the very same thing! Amazing! Treat your spouse with respect and love and it comes bouncing right back at you.

And how about a dose of kindness and generosity? There is nothing more freeing then when someone excuses a mistake I have made, and gives me the chance to redeem myself! This kind of trust makes me want to do a better job, not just next time but always. There is nothing that affirms a long term relationship better than being given the room to make mistakes, learn from them, and improve with experience.

Honesty is the best policy. What a cliche! But one thing I cannot abide is deceitfulness. Trust grows when honesty is practiced. There is no single concept that could make a marriage flourish with greater success! Look each other in the eye, hold hands, and experience the delight of honesty!

Lastly, go the extra mile. Do a little something each day that says "I love you"! This can really be a challenge at those times when the road is rough, but that is when it makes a difference. It IS the little blessings in life that can make your day happier! I love nothing better than when my husband pours me a cup of coffee just the way I like it, or takes time out of his busy day off to drive me to work simply because he would like some "alone" time with me. These little gestures make me feel important and lovable, some things that on a daily basis can be pretty hard to come by.

For those of you who know us, I hope you see these things at work in our marriage. We are nothing more or less than sinful mortals, and we do make mistakes. And, yes, we have had terrible, horrible and tragic incidents in our lives together, and you have probably heard us utter a sour word here and there. We have, at times, treated each other with less than loving words and actions. But those things, from experience, do not work for our relationship. When in doubt, be generous, kind, loving, and patient.

Let me just end with this passage from a very reliable source:
Psalm 86:15
But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

What awesome words! There is no greater mentor for any of our relationships then Him!

I am a Patriot

I have always considered myself a patriotic citizen. I was brought up to be proud of our country, our flag, and the men and women who volunteer to serve in the military. My dad was a veteran of WWII, and he instilled in me a healthy respect for all things American. I will forever be thankful to Dad for this part of my character. As an adult, that feeling has grown stronger. I am now the proud parent of a soldier, and more fiercely protective of our rights and freedoms than ever before.

So what exactly is patriotism? According to Wikipedia, it is the love and/or devotion for one's country. I would agree with that definition, but would prefer to take it a step or two deeper.

I know it is not fashionable to be a patriot. On that note, I feel that patriotism, at least the type that I celebrate, is not a political concept. For me, it revolves more around the people that live beside me in the daily grind of life. I mean...WE THE PEOPLE.

Why is it so easy to overlook the amazing things that have happened here in America? I can marry the man of my choosing, select the food I would like to eat, buy the clothes whose style fits me best, choose my friends, birth or adopt as many children as my husband and I care to parent, worship my God, own a rifle, and raise my children with the morals and ethics that I value. And that is not even a drop in the bucket.

It seems that we have forgotten what America is all about. It seems that we have let the concept of freedom become a burden instead of a blessing. We argue about hot topics, disagree about politics, and build "fences" to keep out the issues that are disagreeable to us. It seems ancient history to put the words "right" and "responsibility" together.

I find that many times we take our rights for granted, and tend to sweep the responsibility part under the rug. In a perfect world, patriotism would include the responsibility of having a social conscience. Hatred and bitterness would become extinct with the responsible practice of patriotism. Patriotism should be a lifetime dedication to make our world a better, more thriving place. We should cherish and use carefully our right to dissent, and respect the rights of others to do so courteously.

I believe that patriotism is a principle, and ideal, a character trait that has everything to do with loving and caring for people everywhere.

And I am proud and elated to live in a country where I can, and do, choose to live my ideal of patriotism. I am a patriot!

The World is All Good

Do you ever have those days when you wonder where the world is headed? Things just seem downright nasty, and any hope seems to have faded away? The evening news is full of badness and sadness, and you just can't seem to remember that God has a plan for all this?

I am betting you answered yes! Me too!

A few days ago, I got a little insight into what makes this world worthy, good, and happy. Actually there are quite a few everyday things that can make me feel this way too. If I stay away from the world news, I might check up on my own little world and think of all my immediate blessings...my children, my job, my spouse, my health. That list can go on and on. And it should. That is a healthy way to bring Light to each new day. Thoughts of these gifts can definitely open my eyes to the loveliness of life, and give me hope and peace.

But sometimes I just get a blast, an explosion, an actual flash of giddiness. My heart is awakened to the miracle of life. What could possibly cause this reaction, you might ask? Well, in my current world, it is my little nephew Lucas.

I just look at that little 10 month old piece of work, and I get a smile worth a million bucks - from him, for me, from me! He is a bit of joy, a miracle, a gladness in my life. He makes my heart happy. He is all that is right with the world. And he makes my heart flutter.

Lucas is my sister Rena's son. She is also the mother of a 26 year old daughter, and a 23 year old son. And along comes the unthinkable miracle...a healthy baby boy born to rock the world of some sleeping people. Little Lucas Lee. Have I mentioned that he is amazing? I was fortunate enough to witness the miracle of his life making it's entrance into this world.

This little boy has already changed lives. Rena, his mom, has found a new patience and selflessness that is new in her life. This makes me happy. And Lucas' life has refreshed for me the idea that God has plans for all his creation! God does not create gratuitously! Lucas is in this world with a purpose! I can't wait to see what is in store for him and his family...

The world is all good. Lucas is my proof of that. Thank you God.