Oh y'all. The Christian world is in an uproar right now. First, there was Worldvision's little stunt followed by a quick rethink of said stunt at the start of the week. Then, there was the impending release of the "Noah" movie in all its controversial glory . . . And well, suddenly, let's all have a fight. I mean we do that well, us Christians. We've got the fighting amongst ourselves thing down.
I thought about throwing my proverbial hat into the ring. Then I thought better of it. I mean who really cares about the opinion of a 30 something year old mom and housewife from Texas? But then, someone, who just so happens to be relatively big in the evangelical world made a statement in the wake of the Worldvision debacle that made me pause for more than a minute. The statement was something to the effect of the Bible being open to interpretation and how we're never going to all agree. I'm not calling this person out. That's not my point. But y'all there are certain things in the Bible that are not open to interpretation. The definition of marriage falls well into that category. But more and more I see this attitude of inclusion and acceptance that is absolutely allowing and giving people permission to stay in bondage rather than be set free.
Before you burn me at the stake give me a second or ten to explain. Here's the deal. I feel like we're afraid to call sin what it is, "sin". We're so jaded from fire and brimstone, legalistic teaching and preaching that we think to point out sin is to negate God's grace. But y'all we need to stop being afraid of sin. We need to start understanding what sin it truly is. It's more than a bad behavior, an action, a screw up. It's more than I yelled at my kid, fought with my husband, cheated on my wife, or stole my neighbor's car (extreme examples . . . stick with me). Sin is a heart problem. Sin is the absence of the power of God in our lives. Jesus wasn't afraid of sin, He didn't ignore sin. He repeatedly said, "Go and sin no more." And so we think He was saying stop doing what you're doing and do something else. But y'all He didn't say that. He literally said, "Go and sin no more." How is that humanly possible? News flash: it's not! But see Jesus wasn't just healing physical ailments. He was transforming hearts.
If we're afraid to point out sin, then we're missing an opportunity to allow God to do an effective work in a person's life. But, if we try to do it without God, if we try to get people to just change their behaviors, we're setting them and ourselves up for disaster. We need to start looking at the condition of people's lives and realize that the behaviors are symptoms of an inward problem. Then we need to point them to Jesus and explain that He can do what no counselor, pastor, teacher, psychiatrist, friend, or foe can do . . . He can change a leopard's spots. He can take who you are and make you who you never dreamed you can be. That's what the cross is all about. That's what grace is for. Not to excuse our sin, but to empower us to turn to the One who can erase our sin and transform our hearts.
And just so we're clear, if you come to me a mess, know that I'm a mess too. I won't shame you or condemn you. There's more than enough of that to go around. What I will do is share with you about Jesus and His transforming power. I have no desire to drag anyone through the mud, but I also have no desire to see anyone live out their life in the mud.
So there's Worldvision and there's "Noah". I'm sorry for Worldvision because quite frankly, I don't think they get it. I think they're trying to please whomever cries the loudest. And "Noah", I'm not afraid to say that I'm not thrilled with the fact that it's being touted as one of the most, if not the most, "unbiblical" biblical movie ever. But I'll withhold my opinion until I actually see it for myself.
And well, I guess "I threw my hat into the ring" after all.
Join me in my adventures in parenting, adoption, marriage, faith, and life in general.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Friday, March 28, 2014
No News Is . . .
Well, no news.
I'm frequently asked if we've received any news on the adoption.
Last Friday afternoon my phone rang. It was our adoption agency. Generally, we communicate with our caseworker via email unless we have a reason for a phone call. She also makes quarterly calls, but I wasn't expecting the quarterly call until April. So when the phone rang, I was hopeful, for a few seconds at least.
She quickly let me know she was starting quarterly calls. Although, I was hopeful, I wasn't (too) disappointed. I didn't really expect a referral. Not yet anyway. There are others in front of us who've been waiting longer. Based on the latest statistics we're closer than we've ever been (that's kind of a given), but we're still a ways out. I refuse to go into more detail on the time line because I'm choosing to remain optimistic. (And if you plan on commenting or emailing me to "rain on my parade" don't . . . I'm not naive, clueless, or an imbecile. I just so happen to serve a God that's bigger than any time line. His time line is all that matters.)
Last Friday, I also saw a summary of a couple of the International Adoption Committee (IAC) meetings from February and washappy thrilled to see that there were quite a few referrals for young, "healthy" children. It's a relief because sometimes we wonder how many children within our parameters are even being referred. Having said that, even if there were 50 or 100 referrals, that's still just a "drop in the bucket" so to speak.
So to answer the question, "Have y'all heard anything?". Yes, we have and no we have not. How's that for ambiguous? Yes, we hear from our agency regularly. But referrals have been sparse.
BUT . . . We're praying and believing for movement, and we won't stop praying and believing until we receive an answer. We're tenacious like that.
I'm frequently asked if we've received any news on the adoption.
Last Friday afternoon my phone rang. It was our adoption agency. Generally, we communicate with our caseworker via email unless we have a reason for a phone call. She also makes quarterly calls, but I wasn't expecting the quarterly call until April. So when the phone rang, I was hopeful, for a few seconds at least.
She quickly let me know she was starting quarterly calls. Although, I was hopeful, I wasn't (too) disappointed. I didn't really expect a referral. Not yet anyway. There are others in front of us who've been waiting longer. Based on the latest statistics we're closer than we've ever been (that's kind of a given), but we're still a ways out. I refuse to go into more detail on the time line because I'm choosing to remain optimistic. (And if you plan on commenting or emailing me to "rain on my parade" don't . . . I'm not naive, clueless, or an imbecile. I just so happen to serve a God that's bigger than any time line. His time line is all that matters.)
Last Friday, I also saw a summary of a couple of the International Adoption Committee (IAC) meetings from February and was
So to answer the question, "Have y'all heard anything?". Yes, we have and no we have not. How's that for ambiguous? Yes, we hear from our agency regularly. But referrals have been sparse.
BUT . . . We're praying and believing for movement, and we won't stop praying and believing until we receive an answer. We're tenacious like that.
Luke 11:9-13
New King James Version (NKJV)
Keep Asking, Seeking, Knocking
9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for bread[a]from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”Friday, March 14, 2014
On Swimsuit Shopping
I'm blogging, or attempting to blog from my iPad. My laptop has a virus and has either through malware or hacking my email, started sending wonky emails to friends and family. If you got one, I'm sorry. DON'T OPEN THE LINK! Anyhow, I know exactly where I got said virus, and until my laptop is fixed it is disconnected from the internet to prevent further issues. And yes, I also changed my email password (again).
So here I am blogging from my iPad. Not an easy task, I tell you. But that isn't even close to what this post is about. Read on.
Last night, I tried on swimsuits. The End.
Just kidding. Although I think for most women that just about sums it up. Last night, I tried on swimsuits, and the skin on my stomach is permanently loose from pregnancy, I have a road map of spider veins right above my knees, and more than a little cellulite on the back of my thighs. It's hot!
And I quit after four suits. I put them back on the rack and walked out of the store because I did not have the energy at 8:30 p.m. to deal with loose skin, cellulite, and spider veins.
But I learned a few things. Bear with me, and I'll share:
(1) All women look in the mirror and struggle with what they see. Like it or not, we are byproducts of our society. The one that puts starving, airbrushed models on display for us to use as a comparison. Skinny or heavy, tall or short, it doesn't matter we can't measure up. Why? Because we're trying to measure up to a lie.
(2) Appreciate the body you have today. I'm not saying don't try to better yourself. If you need and want to lose weight, then more power to you. If you need and want to get in shape, then go for it. But in the process appreciate your body. Don't beat yourself up. You are "fearfully and wonderfully" made (check out Psalm 139:14 - the Bible doesn't lie). I have come to the realization that I'm 32 (almost 33), and I'm not going to look the same as did when I was 22. I'm in just as good of shape (maybe better), and I need to focus on being healthy not looking 10 years younger. I don't need to act, dress, or look like a 20 year old. It's called "aging gracefully".
(3) Don't try on cheap swimsuits. I know it seems foolish to buy an expensive swimsuit, but here's what I've found: cheap swimsuits are just that, cheap. The material is thin and clingy and accentuates every lump and bump known to womankind. Unless your 16 and tiny, cheap swimsuits will only depress you. So save your pennies and invest in something with a little better material (and it will last longer which is a plus). And while I'm on the subject, it's okay to let go of your youth, and buy something that covers a bit more if needed. Believe me you'll feel better and less self conscious if you do.
Once I recover from last night's swimsuit shopping disaster, I'll try again. This time with a hopefully better mindset.
The End (for real this time)
So here I am blogging from my iPad. Not an easy task, I tell you. But that isn't even close to what this post is about. Read on.
Last night, I tried on swimsuits. The End.
Just kidding. Although I think for most women that just about sums it up. Last night, I tried on swimsuits, and the skin on my stomach is permanently loose from pregnancy, I have a road map of spider veins right above my knees, and more than a little cellulite on the back of my thighs. It's hot!
And I quit after four suits. I put them back on the rack and walked out of the store because I did not have the energy at 8:30 p.m. to deal with loose skin, cellulite, and spider veins.
But I learned a few things. Bear with me, and I'll share:
(1) All women look in the mirror and struggle with what they see. Like it or not, we are byproducts of our society. The one that puts starving, airbrushed models on display for us to use as a comparison. Skinny or heavy, tall or short, it doesn't matter we can't measure up. Why? Because we're trying to measure up to a lie.
(2) Appreciate the body you have today. I'm not saying don't try to better yourself. If you need and want to lose weight, then more power to you. If you need and want to get in shape, then go for it. But in the process appreciate your body. Don't beat yourself up. You are "fearfully and wonderfully" made (check out Psalm 139:14 - the Bible doesn't lie). I have come to the realization that I'm 32 (almost 33), and I'm not going to look the same as did when I was 22. I'm in just as good of shape (maybe better), and I need to focus on being healthy not looking 10 years younger. I don't need to act, dress, or look like a 20 year old. It's called "aging gracefully".
(3) Don't try on cheap swimsuits. I know it seems foolish to buy an expensive swimsuit, but here's what I've found: cheap swimsuits are just that, cheap. The material is thin and clingy and accentuates every lump and bump known to womankind. Unless your 16 and tiny, cheap swimsuits will only depress you. So save your pennies and invest in something with a little better material (and it will last longer which is a plus). And while I'm on the subject, it's okay to let go of your youth, and buy something that covers a bit more if needed. Believe me you'll feel better and less self conscious if you do.
Once I recover from last night's swimsuit shopping disaster, I'll try again. This time with a hopefully better mindset.
The End (for real this time)
Monday, March 10, 2014
Spring Break
It's spring break . . .
It's spring break, and wedon't weren't supposed to have any plans.
After a very hectic, very crazy, very busy January and February, we only planned not to plan anything.
Yet, it still seems like we're busy.
Like we still have plans most nights.
Which I don't understand because I intentionally tried to not plan anything.
However . . .
Life happens, and that's okay too.
It's just that when life gets too crazy, someone, who shall remain nameless (ahem . . . me), kind of freaks out. I need downtime. I need to be home. I am not a go, go, go kind of a person. It's a fact of life that I cannot change.
But I realize that reality doesn't always work that way.
So I'll breathe in and breathe out and deal, and hopefully, I won't completely freak out . . . hopefully.
THE END
It's spring break, and we
After a very hectic, very crazy, very busy January and February, we only planned not to plan anything.
Yet, it still seems like we're busy.
Like we still have plans most nights.
Which I don't understand because I intentionally tried to not plan anything.
However . . .
Life happens, and that's okay too.
It's just that when life gets too crazy, someone, who shall remain nameless (ahem . . . me), kind of freaks out. I need downtime. I need to be home. I am not a go, go, go kind of a person. It's a fact of life that I cannot change.
But I realize that reality doesn't always work that way.
So I'll breathe in and breathe out and deal, and hopefully, I won't completely freak out . . . hopefully.
THE END
Friday, March 7, 2014
On Waiting and Dreaming
I thought this morning about going into the closet in Allison's room and looking at all her stuff. Y'all her closet is full of stuff for when she comes home . . . bags and bags of bedding and decor . . . clothes and dresses that may or may not fit (if they don't we'll give them to friends and family) . . . the sweetest little rocking chair and stuffed animals and toys from her aunts . . . books (tons of books) that were mine that I hope she reads one day, but I'm well aware she may hate to read (and I'm okay with that . . . they're still hers if she wants them :)). She is already richly loved (not just because she has things . . . those things are just evidence of the love that is in our hearts), and she hasn't even stepped foot on American soil.
But I haven't gone in there yet. Mostly, because the longer we wait, the more I try not to think about it. Yes, I pray everyday, most days multiple times, for her well being, her safety, and for her to come home soon. But I also try not to dwell on waiting. Some might say it's a coping or defense mechanism . . . don't think about, and it won't be so hard. The truth is, however, that while I want her home (like yesterday), I can't live in the future. I can't live in tomorrow, and forget about today. Andrew will be 6.5 in April. Can I stop time please? I don't want to wish away today dreaming about tomorrow.
So yes, I'll probably go look through her closet here in a little while. I'll think about my daughter. I'll wonder where she is. I'll dream about the day we meet her. I'll pray for her, and my heart will ache for her . . . that ache never really leaves. Then I'll close the closet door, and I'll be present right where I am. I'll love my family. I'll watch my son grow up (too fast), and I'll trust God that one day, in the hopefully not so distant future, I'll be wishing I could stop time for my little girl too.
But I haven't gone in there yet. Mostly, because the longer we wait, the more I try not to think about it. Yes, I pray everyday, most days multiple times, for her well being, her safety, and for her to come home soon. But I also try not to dwell on waiting. Some might say it's a coping or defense mechanism . . . don't think about, and it won't be so hard. The truth is, however, that while I want her home (like yesterday), I can't live in the future. I can't live in tomorrow, and forget about today. Andrew will be 6.5 in April. Can I stop time please? I don't want to wish away today dreaming about tomorrow.
So yes, I'll probably go look through her closet here in a little while. I'll think about my daughter. I'll wonder where she is. I'll dream about the day we meet her. I'll pray for her, and my heart will ache for her . . . that ache never really leaves. Then I'll close the closet door, and I'll be present right where I am. I'll love my family. I'll watch my son grow up (too fast), and I'll trust God that one day, in the hopefully not so distant future, I'll be wishing I could stop time for my little girl too.
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