Driving Crazy

As a mom, I am constantly confronted with attitudes, behaviors, and speech that are not Godly (and no, I am not talking about my own this time – though I could . . . for a long time). Usually, I find these attitudes, behaviors, and speech to be annoying. This annoyance could indicate one of two things in me and one of two things in my children: my unGodliness , through my lack of patience; or just my misunderstanding; and my child’s unGodliness or just plain childishness).

God has assigned to me the responsibility of training my child in righteousness. So, when I come across these behaviors or attitudes, it is my job to discern the situation, correct the child if needed, and guide us all back on course. As with any correction, whether it be correcting a car, a spaceship, or a line; small corrections lead to large results. If I make a minute correction of the steering wheel, then it leads the car on a new path. In order to drive straight down the highway, I am constantly making small adjustments to the steering wheel. Making a major adjustment would send me off the road or out of control. When guiding my child, can I look at the situation the same manner?

An attitude is displayed, or a behavior is exhibited, then I go into crazy mom mode and punish, correct, lecture, worry, and/or stress over my child’s attitude or behavior. I fret, wondering if I have done the right thing, questioning how this child got this way, pondering what I should continue to do or what I should redo or change. This would be like that major correction of the steering wheel I mentioned – if I remain on this course I could be driving my child away from the Lord, or we are just plain out of control (which would also be away from the Lord). Instead, I should look at the situation and ask God to help me determine what small correction is needed.

Christ doesn’t try to teach me every truth from Scripture all at once. If he yanked the wheel every time I messed up, I would feel overwhelmed and certain that there would be no reason to try because I’d be unsuccessful anyway. He understands my immaturity and takes me, one little correction at a time, in the right direction.

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”

Ex. 34 6-7

This would be the reason I have been a Christian for almost twenty years and some days behave the same way I would have twenty years ago. Now, don’t get me wrong, overall  I feel that I have gained Christlikeness and matured in many areas. I now at least realize I am not a slave to sin; however, by no means am I just like Christ.

My children on the other hand have been expected to produce every fruit God mentions. It’s almost as if I expect that because I’m teaching them young, because they are being brought up from birth bathed in the Word of God, they will just naturally walk in the ways of God. Not true. God says that we are all under the curse of Adam (Eph. 5:1). Believe it or not, even that sweet baby who looks so innocent has a heart that is bent towards wrong; he just hasn’t had the opportunity to act on it. God says we are all born with a sinful human nature.

“Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” Ps. 51

I know my sinful unrealistic expectations of my children are doing them harm, but how do I stop? How do I stop expecting them to live perfect Christian lives, to be naturally bent towards God – when I know the truth is that none of us are.

(Indulge me a moment) I need to make a "u-turn" on the road of parenting. I need to begin to look at these behaviors as normal human nature. And when the occasions arise, as they will every day, many times, I need to trust God to guide me in making small corrections. One attitude today isn’t going to predict my child’s adulthood. Now, left on that path, it certainly may. (Of course then we could get into trusting the Lord to detour the child, or place another car in the way – agghhh – this could go on forever). But, what I think the Lord is teaching me today is to relax – not catastrophize every behavior, word, or attitude my child has. He is human, after all; he got it from me and great grandfather Adam. :)



“Help me Lord, today – to accept my children for who they are, the natural born sinners. Help me to guide them gently on your path, not “drive” them crazy as an attempt to direct their course. Give me the patience, the wisdom, and the knowledge through your Holy Spirit on this moment-by-moment parenting adventure. And above all, help me to love them unconditionally, as you have loved me and given yourself for me.”

the still immature writer

Faith, In What?

I have a question for you today - just to get you thinking. Do you walk in faith in God or do you say that you believe, then walk in faith in something of this world?

I am a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, yet I tend to place more faith in the things of this world than I do in God. For example, do I trust my security system to keep me safe at night or my Father God who promises to love, protect, and never forsake me? (Joshua 1:5) I am not saying that setting my security system is wrong or against Scripture. What happens though when I have set it, and I hear a sound in the night? Do I immediately think I'm okay because the alarm will go off and scare the burglar, or do I think I'm okay because my God will take care of me? I have to admit, there have been many times that I have fallen asleep only because I was sure I had set the alarm.

Another example is my current leap of faith. I quit my "day" job to pursue other areas of passion and talents (skills).  But what have I found myself doing? First, I started doing crazy surveys to earn fifty cents here and a dollar there. Second, I stooped even lower to opening junk emails to earn five cents or even a penny. What was I thinking? I'll tell you exactly what I was thinking - I've got to make things happen. I've been fretting and stressing over getting work so much that I have failed to enjoy this adventure with God. Do I trust him to make things happen? I say I do, then I walk in disbelief.

Moses and the Israelites were on the edge of the Red Sea, and the Egyptians were quickly approaching. Moses told the people that God would deliever. "Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on'." What? Was Moses thinking, "The sea is in front of us, should we build a bridge, make some floats, what should we do to move on?" No, God said He would make a way if they just believed. He told Moses to raise his hands over the sea, and God parted the Red Sea.

This passage is not a reproach to spending time in prayer, but an encouragement to walk in faith. Moses spent much time with God. What I believe God is now saying is, "It is time to walk in it!" After visiting God in a matter, we don't have to fret over what He's directing us to do, but walk forth as we are trusting Him to make a way when a way can't be seen.

What do I trust in really? Do I trust in what I can see and worry when that doesn't seem to be panning out? That's not faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1

I hope you stop to consider your faith walk today; I'm trying,

the sometimes faithful writer

I'm Back

I'm Back

Once again, I am revisiting my own blog. Amazing, right? There is so much to say - so much has happened and changed since I last wrote. I told you I would be entering a new phase of life, didn't I? Well - I'm here and I'm literally here! 

My goal is to post a short blog at least three times a week. Unlike some of you, my writing takes time. I might rewrite a sentence three to five times before returning to the original sentence, and still not be happy with it. That's just me.

Today I have a bit of a rant - humor me, please?

Are you familiar with the security box most websites now utilize to ensure that we are not robots? You know the ones that require you to enter the "letters you see above." Now, I don't know much about how the Internet works; in fact, it blows my mind to begin considering how much information is literally floating through the air we breathe . . . hey, maybe that's where my more frequent allergies are coming from . . . but really, can't they find a way to  make these letters readable to the normal person? Is my brain that much more advanced than a computer's that I am expected to translate their messy fonts? For years I have had to grade papers handwritten by America's (and other countries') high school students, and I still miraculously manage to see without glasses.

Anyway - several days this week I have encountered these torturous devices, and I have gotten stuck. I enter what I see, and the page reloads and says I have entered the letters incorrectly. So, I try again, and again, and again. Then I ask for new letters, and try again, and again. One day I tried three sets of letters before I could move along with my task. By the time I had finished that exercise,  my brain was spent and I had forgotten what it was I had intended to complete.

Whatever! Please forgive me. My first blog back and I'm confessing my ignorance. Hah -just like someone who wants to be taken seriously, right?

Well - until next time - it has been fun! Got a girl I got to go get! (My attempt at alliteration.)

the hopeful non-writer

Only Time Will Tell

April 29, 2009 -the date of my last post.

Unbelievable! I cannot and yet I can believe that I haven't taken time to write since then. Time to close facebook and dust off the keyboard. Mute the television, leave the dirty dishes, ignore the buzzing dryer, delay the necessary sleep and open up my mind.

Wow - dusty in there too. Time to weed through Barney jingles, preschool themes, and the responsiblities of a mom of two young children.

Why? I've got a seven-year-old and a five-year-old with her first loose tooth. They are growing up quickly. I at least have every other minute or so to take a breath now. Guess what , I am still me - just hidden under a few layers. If I can't see me, you can't.

"What the Memory Holds" - boy does that say it all. I am not sure - but I will attempt to delve in again and discover what may be hanging on.

A new season feels close by. No, not springtime in the south - but school-age children and a bit more time.

I seek the road my Father has for me - will you walk with me - challenging me - pointing out the obvious (to you).

I hope it's not all hot air - only time will tell.

Au Revoir

A feel a change coming on

Yep, cheesy - but I am posting - so this is a change; I added some gadgets - therefore more change. Ha.

Well - can't say much because this computer is on its way out of life (battery is dying). Enjoyed a wonderful trip to Disney this weekend with my sweet husband - sans kiddos. It was marvelous to be just a couple again - although we did miss those babes greatly. The best part was knowing it was just a vacation - much needed.

We had dinner at California Pizza Kitchen, then walked the expensive Millenia Mall (even had security guards within stores - such as Tiffany's). Saturday we went to the Magic Kingdom where we rode Space Mountain (I am not a rollercoaster lover, but I did it). Saturday night we ate at O'Hanas (which is at the Polynesian Resort). To say it was delicious is an understatement. I insist you go when you visit Disney. That was our second time and we will go back. Sunday we drove home. It was a splendid time. No pictures though - just good memories.

The kids went to two Mardi Gras parades, stayed up very late, and I am sure ate lots of junk. They were happy to see us though - Riley was attached the night we returned.

I thank God for my wonderful husband who planned this great belated Valentine's weekend for me, and for wonderful in-laws who would care for our children in such a way that we could relax knowing they were doing just fine without us.

Life is good - and the memory will be special always.

We have decided that our weekend away without kids will be an annual event from now on. If you haven't tried it - do it soon.

Until the memory works again - I'll put my mind to rest.

Lazy, Lazier, Laziest

We tried on our hats and then took a family drive in them. It was a wildly entertaining and freeing evening.


Icicles in Florida - the homemade kind of course. Thanks, Daddy. We did them again last night but I am too lazy to download those pics. Maybe later.
Riley just got her ballet outfit. She was practicing before practice. Only thirty minutes later and the knees were both stained with grass, then pavement and blood. I haven't been able to get the stains out. Just like an almost three year old.

Thought I'd update some pics and list my most recent meals. Just to note - I stayed in my pj's until 3:00 today and only changed so my husband wouldn't freak. :) Loved every minute of it. Caleb never changed. It was a rare, yummy, cozy day at home.

Meals
Red Beans and brown rice with low sodium turkey sausage, wheat yeast rolls (Caleb eats this about every other time I make it, the other nights he just doesn't eat; both pick out the sausage and sometimes the rice.

Nacho salad made with multigrain chips, ground turkey ground meat, spinach lettuce; guacomole, tomato, black beans, and light sour cream. Kids avoid most except for meat and cheese.

Peas, Mashed potatoes, and grilled steaks (thin)

Now my mind blanks, but those are a few recent ones - I'll post more later. Nacho salads are my favorite and have so many redeeming qualities.

Rite of passage

Just thought I'd catch up on some of the kids antics.


Today Riley completed a Glazier child rite of passage. She got her leg caught in the end table. Caleb did this a few years ago; I freaked while Bryan lotioned his leg and carefully removed it. I can remember it like it was yesterday, his leg was bent with the knee sticking through two bars of the mission style end table. Today I hear Riley calling that she was stuck, with a quiet cry. When I saw what was going on, I thought I'd seen that before. Same position. This time I didn't freak. I calmed her down and asked her not to move, then I went to get her favorite lotion. I covered her leg and she helped me remove it. She said it hurt, but was too preoccupied with rubbing in the excess lotion, then trying to get some for her hands too. So, for girls, lotion works double time.

Antic number two, yesterday I was sitting on the couch catching a glimpse at the news while the kids played out back. I had opened the window so I could hear them better. Next thing I hear is, let's try this. Then I see and feel dirt flying in front of my face. They had tested the screen to see if dirt would go through or bounce off as it does on a window. Needless to say, they had to wipe up the windowsill, floor, etc. It was very messy (but you do have me beat, Amanda).

I'm sure I'll add more soon, these things tend to happen every day. :)