Why I Repeat Myself

The other day I was driving the kids to school.  We were running late, so like a responsible citizen, I may have accelerated rather quickly on a long stretch of road. And then this conversation happened: 

Julia: "I think you are going over the speed limit."

Me: (in a great parenting moment and with great wisdom) "If you didn't take so long to get ready this morning we wouldn't be late and I wouldn't need to speed!"

(I know....just shake your head and tell me you've been there...)

Julia: "That doesn't make it right."

Ouch.

Keep in mind, her tone was very respectful and she was calm.  I was bratty and  unkind.  Ugh. (Really, who is the parent here!)  And in that moment I was convicted of my own wrong, but also greatly encouraged that we had been training our kids in the way they should go.

Early on whenever we heard "That's not fair!"  We would remind the kids, our family doesn't do what is fair, we do what is right.  I said this mostly when Julia would irritate Daniel and he would haul off and hit her. I would have to remind him over and over that he could and was expected to do what was right.  (No eye for an eye rule in this house)  I would repeat for the umpteenth time "We don't do what is fair, we do what is right".

This also came up often when we didn't have "equal" amounts of whatever food was popular at the moment .  Or if one got to pick the movie for movie night, or if one got new shoes, etc and etc. Now we only have two kids, so this may make it easier on us...but sometimes the fewer the kids the more they notice?  I don't know.  All I know is that I repeated this phrase often.  Usually the follow up question was then asked, "Does it make it right to do this when treated this way?"  The child's response was usually a "no" with a disappointed head shake.

This day, my great parenting day, was the first time that I noticed that this training had taken root. Did I have some great anointing to speed since Julia made us late?  No.  I had the choice to do what was right, no matter the circumstances.  And I failed.  And if I can be honest here, it was actually me that woke up late (which caused me to wake her up late).  

Why is it in our failures we want to play the blame game?  It's been this way since Adam and Eve. ("It's your/his/her fault") I am grateful that with God we can start fresh. 

So if you feel like you are repeating the same thing over and over again, make sure it is something you want to take root, because it will one day.

Made to Create?

Greetings friends.  It's been almost 8 months since I've posted my last blog entry.  I have started several and have not been able to work through to the end of even one. Let me tell you, "writer's block" is a real thing.  I hesitate to even begin this one with the thought of another unfinished entry lingering in the air before me.

I've noticed somewhat of a "drought" in my life.  God definitely has not been silent.  He has been at work, I have countless stories of His goodness to tell, but for some reason the words have not spilled out as easily as they have in the past.

I have been pondering many things (too many probably), but the one that is emerging right now is our need to create.  It struck me mostly over Christmas break.  Julia made most of her gifts, here are two: Bread mix and a cutting board she made in wood shop at school!

    I was so impressed with both, she took great
delight in making them and giving them.  Daniel has also been working on some projects with Dave and has taken an interest in cooking.  I realized that I had not been creating and that was why I felt in the midst of  this "dry" season. It was as if my soul was parched.

Now I don't think I will ever be a famous artist (or even mildly well known) nor will you ever own a piece of jewelry or pottery with my name on it. However, there are many ways to be creative...and I believe blogging is one of those ways.

I feel a closeness to the Lord when I write. I don't understand it.  It may be that I am creating something, a story.  It may be that new life is given to these thoughts in my head.  It could be a unique way I communicate with God, or He with me.

So my answer to my own question, are we made to create?  I think the answer is a resounding yes.  I believe we are nearer to Him in these moments.

Is this true for you?  How is your creativity expressed?  If you don't have a quick answer, maybe it is something to ponder.  Be brave.  Try something new (or something old). You never know, you just may finish your first blog post in too many months.  (Like I just did - hooray!!)