Whoa!!!

Do you ever wake up feeling like you are starting your day behind before your feet have ever hit the ground? Maybe you overslept your alarm. Or perhaps you just came to the sudden realization that there are 15 things you need to get done before breakfast and you only have time to get to 5 of them. Whatever it is that makes you feel that way matters little. Because regardless of the cause, it is just a crummy way to get your day started.

Lately, I have been trying to wrangle personal devotions, exercise, a shower, hot breakfast, family worship and morning chores into my morning before leaving for work. Not too hard until you figure in leaving time to feed and clothe two babies. Then I find myself scuttling toward the door tossing reminders to gather school books and pencils to my five older children while feeling crushed under the weight of two infant laden car seats and overflowing diaper bags. I arrive at work in a flurry with rarely a minute to spare. Not the most peaceful way to get our days started and yet I just can't seem to get up any earlier.

You see, I have this perfect picture of how my life should look and it includes 7 neat, tidy, well-mannered children all cheerfully staying on my perfect schedule. We all live in my perfect house with three perfectly delicious and nutritious meals gracing my perfectly laid table. Homeschooling goes off without a hitch and the babies contentedly coo the morning away. And I am just stubborn enough that though day after day I see my "perfect" plan crumble before my eyes, I still crawl into bed each night determined that the next day I can make it all work!

I am s l o w l y and reluctantly coming to see that it really doesn't matter if our days go just according to my plan. Because God has a plan that is so much bigger. When I am distracted by two adorable babies who are busy smiling and gurgling at me, those few extra minutes are well spent. I will never get them back. When a little girl wants to curl up on my lap for a few stolen moments early in the morning and I am tempted to prod her on to her chores, I will never go wrong in choosing that snuggle time. She will one day outgrow my lap. Or when that boy, struggling on his way toward manhood, wants to make idle chitchat...I will never regret leaving dishes in the sink in order to give him my full attention. My to-do list needs a bit of renovating. Some simplifying, really. And honestly it doesn't need to go much beyond one item. It should read something like this:
1) Slow down and meet the needs as God presents them to me.
Don't get me wrong...being organized and prepared is a very good thing. But missing the plan for my day that God has for me in order to meet my own agenda is not. I have been given a husband and children to enjoy and minister to...not to hustle past in my haste to "get it all done". So if you see my fly by all wild-eyed and flushed, tap me on the shoulder. Smile. And remind me to keep my priorities in check! Thanks! :)

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Remembering...

Like most of our nation, today I have thought back in time 10 years to that fateful morning when life in America was altered. That morning started like any other but by nightfall lives were devastated by the loss of nearly 3000 precious souls. A cold spot in a bed where just that morning a husband had warmed it. An empty seat at the family table where a mother used to sit for a meal after a long day. Lives lost and families altered senselessly. Where in the world was God that day? I believe He was exactly where He always is. Right beside each of us, patiently waiting for us to see to realize how very mortal we are. Walking with us through that day as our need of Him became a little more clear. Working along side the fire fighters, that ran without thought for their own lives, into those buildings to save lives. Patriotism reached a new high as the shock of the attacks began to subside. American flags were everywhere...on the front porch, emblazoned on T-shirts, on bumper stickers. We live in a great nation, something that it is perfectly wonderful to take heed of and be thankful for. In the 10 years that have passed since that day, troops have rapidly deployed in an effort to keep our nation safe. And for many of us, our lives gradually returned to normal. Television stations ended the continuous replay of the falling towers which so many of us sat glued to, horrified yet unable to look away. Air travel resumed and the day came that we no longer looked up in momentary panic when we heard a plane overhead. But for those families with loved ones in the military, life has never been the same. The battle flames that ignited that day burn on and lives are at risk everyday in an effort to keep America free of terrorism. Thousands of heroic men and women spend months overseas, separated from those they love. The families left behind must find their new normal and attempt to sleep at night not always knowing where or how their loved one is doing. That is no small sacrifice. But God marches with them. He is in the thick of the conflict calling for each heart. Because someday the war will rage far beyond the reach of any aircraft or roadside bomb. This world will be entrenched in the final battle for supremacy and evil will be eradicated once and for all. That Royal Banner will lead the faithful into the Promised Land. The cross that held Jesus is our assurance that God will reign! So today as you reflect on the lives lost that day, hug a soldier. Be in prayer for his/her family. Recognize the blessing it is to live in the Land of the Free! Grab your armor and join the ranks of the Royal Commander-in-Chief!!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
forward into battle see his banners go!

Refrain: Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
 (Refrain)
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
(Refrain)
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
(Refrain)
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
this through countless ages men and angels sing.
(Refrain)

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