Beauty From Ashes

Beautiful radio broadcast from Anne Graham Lotz that you can listen to online:
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/archives.asp?bcd=2006-9-25

Time well spent!

Legacy of Prayer

This morning I went to a PrayerForce conference, it was an awesome event. If one comes near you, I strongly encourage you to go. I bought the Bible Study "Live a Praying Life-Open Your Life to God's Power and Provision". I've always struggled with prayer - especially praying aloud. I don't want to be selfish in my prayers, and I've often struggled with what to "say" to God. I'm excited about this journey - I'll keep you updated.

At the conference Jennifer Kennedy Dean spoke about the Legacy of Prayer and how it builds up a spiritual trust fund for generations. She referenced a beautiful quote from O.Hallesby, Prayer:

Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. - Matthew 6:20

The longer you live a life of this kind, the more answers to prayer you will experience. As white snowflakes fall quietly and thickly on a winter's day, answers to prayer will settle down on you at every step you take, even to your dying day. ...This shower of answers to prayer will continue to your dying hour. Nor will it cease then. And when you pass from beneath the shower, your dear ones will step into it. Every prayer and every sigh which you have uttered for them and their future welfare will, in God's time, descend upon them as a gentle rain of answers to prayers.
Our family has been a believing and praying family for three generations. The elders have prayed faithfully for their descendants. During my whole life I have walked in the prayers of my forebears and in the answers to these prayers. A quiet rain drips steadily upon me.

What an awesome thing to leave my children, I want them to have that knowledge and security.

Conflicted

Have you ever listened to Dr. Laura? I listen to her everyday. I wish that I had listened to her at the age of 18, my life may have turned out differently. I am not a stay-at-home Mom. I never wanted to be, until the birth of my 3rd child. I'm know I was selfish and immature, but I didn't think I could handle it. I work in a family business and am poised to take over in a few years when my father retires. My mother-in-law kept/keeps my kids while I work.

What Dr. Laura lacks that I do have is the perspective of life as a Christian (she is Jewish). She is not an advocate of unrequested forgiveness or taking your problems to Christ. So, I do find myself disagreeing with some of her advice.

But, on the subject of child rearing I find that she is winning me over, and I agree with her more, the older I get. However, I am not going to change the position I am in. I feel like such a Hypocrite.

Thanks for letting me have my little pity party. I don't talk about it because no one wants to hear me feel sorry for my own self and decisions. BUT, since this is an anoymous blog, that very FEW people read, I feel like I can blog WHATEVER I want!

Anyways, if you happen to be a new Mom, struggling with the decision on if you should return to work, or stay home - STAY HOME! I honestly believe it is the best thing for you and your kid!

Thankful thoughts

A post last week at the Motherhood is Not for Wimps blog got me to thinking. How blessed and thankful I am for my life. What a great, loving HWH I have. What wonderful children (3) I have. My youngest, who is 4 1/2, and was a TOTAL surprise, is such a sweet gift. I live for the moments when he says to me "Mommy, you're warm". He'll snuggle into my arms and lap and lay contently until his 4 yr. old attention gets drawn to something else. He lights up and runs into my arms when HWH brings him through the door after a day at Pre-school. I know I will miss those moments. Perhaps because I feel certain he's our last little one, or perhaps because I'm a bit older and more patient now then I was 7 years ago when my oldest was 4, I enjoy youngest childs youth more than any of the others.

I don't mind them growing up, but I still wanna have those snuggle moments when my kid tells me "I'm warm" and finds peace, security, and comfort in my arms. I can't imagine a much better feeling in my life as a parent.