Her new favorite phrase - 'but why, mommy?' We've hit that stage. She's so inquisitive and its not coming from a place of disrespect - she is honestly curious about WHY we do the things we do. But why can't I pour water out of the tub? But why can't I eat chocolate pudding for breakfast? But why can't I...
Most of the time, I'm calm and give her an explanation to satisfy her curiosity. And I usually get a "yes ma'am" or "alright" for a response. But there are times, say after the 900th but why, that I resort to..."because I said so"...I swore I'd never say that because I HATED when mom said that to me as a child, but man it is difficult. The little girl has a way of wearing me down.
Today was one of those days. I lost count of the "but whys" after about 200. But as I held and rocked my 33lb 3.5 year old to sleep tonight, stroking her hair and kissing on those sweet cheeks of hers, I muttered: "because I love you and want the best for you, little girl." And that is my constant and consistent prayer - that all I'd do for my children would be from a place of pure love. Because they deserve that from their mommy.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
What do you say....
When someone shares with you something uncomfortable? What do you say when a friend tells you that she just found out her 33wk baby inside her is guaranteed to die? What do you say when a friend shares with you the pain of being sexually assaulted? Or a miscarriage? Or a family member that has cancer? WHAT do you say when you don't know what to say??
Maybe a better question would be WHY do you HAVE to say anything at all? Sometimes, there are no words. But actions speak louder than words. A hug, a pat on the back, just someone to listen to and be there....sometimes that is so much better than the cliches. Even if they're true, its probably not the most helpful thing to say in that moment. The silence sometimes is better than empty words and false sympathy. So next time a friend tells you something that you don't really know how to respond to - don't feel like you have to say anything at all. Hold a hand, hug a friend, shed some tears with a friend, pray over your friend - but don't feel compelled to have to say something.
Maybe a better question would be WHY do you HAVE to say anything at all? Sometimes, there are no words. But actions speak louder than words. A hug, a pat on the back, just someone to listen to and be there....sometimes that is so much better than the cliches. Even if they're true, its probably not the most helpful thing to say in that moment. The silence sometimes is better than empty words and false sympathy. So next time a friend tells you something that you don't really know how to respond to - don't feel like you have to say anything at all. Hold a hand, hug a friend, shed some tears with a friend, pray over your friend - but don't feel compelled to have to say something.
Insanity...
Most every morning, we follow the same routine. I get the kids up and ready for school. I drop Shiloh off first and then Joey. I usually then head straight over to the gym to workout. I love this time. Its MY time. I don't have screaming children in my ears and I'm doing something that makes me feel good. Anyways, I digress...
Here I go - my fat hiney up on the elliptical. And folks, this is not a pretty sight...but my butt huffs and puffs and I somehow make it through the entire workout - the grace of God, no doubt. While I'm sucking wind, I usually try to distract myself from the burning in my legs and the seeming lack of oxygen in my lungs. This helps pass the time. But one can only watch so many re-runs of Law and Order before the tv is out. Music is good and that is usually my go to. But I often find myself staring out the window and daydreaming. If daydreaming were an olympic sport, I'd make America proud :D So imagine my level of annoyance when something so rudely interrupted me. Enter little red - a male cardinal that hangs out outside Aerofit. Every morning, its the same thing. I don't know if he's seeing his reflection in the glass and fighting with himself, or if he's trying to get in the building. But every morning, little red flies and crashes into the window. Every 3-4 seconds, this bird smacks his face in the window. Over and over and over again. Every day, this poor, stupid bird tries and tries and tries to get inside the glass, and every morning he smacks his face, over and over again.
It makes me laugh at first, thinking how dumb this bird is. But then it makes me sad. He keeps doing the same thing, over and over again, and never gets different results. So I started thinking, what actions do I do over and over again but expect different results?? What patterns of sin do I continue in, and expect different results?? Hmmm, suddenly, I'm looking a lot like that stupid red bird. That's where I'm at. Assessing where I'm at, what needs to change, and how to implement that change. Where are you?
Here I go - my fat hiney up on the elliptical. And folks, this is not a pretty sight...but my butt huffs and puffs and I somehow make it through the entire workout - the grace of God, no doubt. While I'm sucking wind, I usually try to distract myself from the burning in my legs and the seeming lack of oxygen in my lungs. This helps pass the time. But one can only watch so many re-runs of Law and Order before the tv is out. Music is good and that is usually my go to. But I often find myself staring out the window and daydreaming. If daydreaming were an olympic sport, I'd make America proud :D So imagine my level of annoyance when something so rudely interrupted me. Enter little red - a male cardinal that hangs out outside Aerofit. Every morning, its the same thing. I don't know if he's seeing his reflection in the glass and fighting with himself, or if he's trying to get in the building. But every morning, little red flies and crashes into the window. Every 3-4 seconds, this bird smacks his face in the window. Over and over and over again. Every day, this poor, stupid bird tries and tries and tries to get inside the glass, and every morning he smacks his face, over and over again.
It makes me laugh at first, thinking how dumb this bird is. But then it makes me sad. He keeps doing the same thing, over and over again, and never gets different results. So I started thinking, what actions do I do over and over again but expect different results?? What patterns of sin do I continue in, and expect different results?? Hmmm, suddenly, I'm looking a lot like that stupid red bird. That's where I'm at. Assessing where I'm at, what needs to change, and how to implement that change. Where are you?
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