Mile Marker 16

David and I have hit another milestone in the parenting journey. Jordan turned 16 a few weeks ago and he is now a licensed driver. Whew, what a mental adjustment David and I have had to make. These past few weeks we catch ourselves planning our days around who will pick up Jordan, How Jordan will get to work, 'Poor Jordan must spend the day at home by himself while we work'. We have to constantly remind ourselves that Jordan can drive himself to work. He no longer needs his parents for transportation. So, we now wait up for him to get home at night. Well, we stay awake most of the time.

This past weekend Jordan went to the park to hang out with friends who were camping. And he would come home at night and sleep. It's always been a rule in our house that when our children come home at night, that they come to our room and 'check in'. Between working, training for a half marathon, and just 'living life', David and I were pooped. So we went to bed early and immediately fell asleep. The next morning I woke up in a panic. "Where was Jordan?" "Had he made it home safely?" Too many horrible scenerios ran through my head. David had gotten up at midnight and found Jordan in his bed, safe and sound. Thankfully.

In many ways, our parent/child relationship on earth is so similar to our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Only, The Lord is a much better parent than I will ever be. God doesn't fall asleep on His Watch. He says he will never leave us. Psalm 121:4 says, "He will neither slumber nor sleep." Henry Blackaby says, "The Lord is your constant protector. He never tires of watching over you." In my weariness, I fell asleep. I did not wait until I saw the lights come down the driveway, I did not wait for the door to open. I was simply tuckered out and I was not there when my boy came home. But the Lord never tires of watching over me, he never tires of watching over Jordan. His eyes never get droopy, His head never bobs. He is always there.

He never sleeps.

Happy Valentine's Day

I love Valentine's Day. It's one of my favorite 'holidays'. And I know it's supposed to be a romantic holiday, and it is, but to me, it's so much more. When I was growing up and in school, the roses and balloons sent to school were put in a room because there were so many, and students would walk through the room and find their flowers that were sent by their boyfriend. It was a big deal to get flowers from your boyfriend on Valentine's Day. And you felt special. I remember walking through that room, sometimes I got flowers, some years I didn't.

But I always remembered being loved on the Big Day. You see, my Mom always got us a little gift or card on Valentine's Day. She always made it a point to celebrate the day. At breakfast, before school, she would have a card or a pencil with a crazy fuzzy thing on the top and some candy for us, to show us how much she loved us. And my father, would always come to school, get me out of class and bring me a box of chocolates. Those fuzzy things, cards, and chocolates meant so much to me. My parents always made Valentine's day special for me, because they love me. So, now that I'm a parent, I try to do the same thing for my children. David and I love them dearly.

Today was especially special. Today is Sunday. Today I worshipped my God who loves me so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for me so that I could have eternal life with Him. He loves me so much that He has blessed me with a wonderful husband of 21 years, two incredible boys that God has entrusted me with to love and raise. He has given me parents who love me, brothers and sisters that are the best. He surrounds me with family and friends. God has demonstrated His love to me in so many ways. So what would be more fitting than to spend Valentine's Day worshipping a Great God.

So, to my Husband, my sons, my parents, my family and friends, Happy Valentine's Day. I love each of you. And Thank you for loving me.

Y2KX

I know, Iknow, it's already 3 days into this new decade, the year 2010. But I still have a hard time believing it is really 2010. I mean, it sounds so futuristic. But, alas, it is 2010. I remember where I was in 1999 when we celebrated the last decade, the year 2000. I spent the evening with friends, eating M&M's, date balls, and other great things, and I was giddy with excitement. The host of our party home worked for a communications company and because of the Y2K concerns, was not at the house when we rang in the new year, but 'out on the field', ready to address any problems that arose because of Y2K. There were so many preparations that had to be completed before we rolled into the year 2000. That communications company worked tirelessly to make sure nothing would crash and leave many without means of communications. People stockpiled food. Many worried about their money in banks. Computer programmers worked for months on end. It was a crazy time in our country.

So when 2010 came, I thought about the lack of preparation we did this year. We don't know what this year will bring, although most hope this year is better than last. Most people make resolutions for the new year. Most resolve to be better people, do more for others. I do not do well making New Year's resolutions, but I did think about what 'preparations' I needed to make for this year, and I came up with two.

One of these days, years, decades, millenniums, our Lord and Savior will return. And I want to be ready. I used to fear I would not recognize His face if He returned. I know, that sounds crazy, but I didn't feel I was a mature Christian and would miss 'it' if He returned. I now know that a child of God will not miss Jesus' return. I want to be ready when He returns. How can I prepare for that great and blessed event?

First and formost, I need to pray. I need to keep the lines of communications open with my God. I need to talk to Him every day, every hour, and be quiet and still and listen to His voice.

Second, I need to read and study His Word. The Bible is so precious to me, more precious than it has ever been. I have a fire and a passion to read it. With great bible studies and Sunday School lessons, I hunger for His Word and am challenged by what He says to me.

Our Sunday School teacher issued a challenge to us today. Read through the bible this year. His wife has done that the past two years, and he is doing that this year. And he has asked us to read it with him. If we were to all do this, what great changes would happen in that class.

One local church is being challenged by their pastor to read Proverbs in January.

One pastor suggested in a sermon to take one book and read and study it and become an expert on that book. If you are thinking, "I can't become an expert on a book in the bible." Think of all the people who have written commentaries on books. How do you think they became experts? They studied their copy of God's Word and listened to what God had to say to them.

This may be a bold statement, but I believe that if we study our bibles more and pray more, all the 'other stuff' will fall into place. All the other resolutions, be a better person, be nicer to my family, etc. will be accomplished.

I want to be ready for Jesus' return. I want to look into His eyes and know my Savior. And until He returns, I want to be ready for whatever 2010 and this decade bring. This decade will bring lots of changes in our family. We will probably have a few additions to our family, i.e. daughters-in-law, grandchildren, maybe even a new niece or nephew. There will be some great times, and there will be, unfortunately, some sad times. I want to be ready to handle each situation with the wisdom that comes from God's Word and from constant prayer.

I want to be prepared.

So, how did you prepare for 2010?