Like Sand in a Hour Glass...

My mom got my daughter a turtle shaped sandbox for her birthday last year. I thought it was interesting since Elizabeth went straight up to her and asked her for it not talking to me first. I would have said no, because sand gets everywhere! But if you ask grandma for something, you can expect that some time she will get it for you, she just has to wait for an excuse. All the kids at her party were so thrilled with it. It was so pleasing to see so many occupied children that are all happy at the same time. However, I am still cleaning up the sand. I was sweeping the sidewalk and found piles of it everywhere. This might not seem odd to you but the sidewalk is in the very front of our house and the sand box is all the way around the other side of the house. It never goes away, and it gets in everything. Once again, I found myself getting upset, partly with my mom and partly at my kids for spreading it. But God stopped me in my tracks...

This week Russell read a book to the kids called "How Big is God." Honestly, I checked it out for myself because I couldn't exactly explain it myself. The little boy in the book wants to know how God can fit in his tiny heart and be as big as the world. How can God fit in so many places? The mother says think of him like sand. Small enough to make its way into your sock but big enough to make a whole desert.

Now there will never be any cursing the sand in my house, any more. But I also don't think we will ever live near the ocean. No matter how hard we try to get rid of God or do things our way, he is always there. I know I can't see all of the sand that is hiding in the carpet even after I've vacuumed, but its still there, just like God. There will be fun times when we are joyous and just sit and play but there will be messes too.

This week, I asked myself how I could be at peace and look on the brighter side of things no matter frustrated I got. I didn't even realize how mad I was about this sand, but God used it to put me in my place. "Don't forget how big I am and how I never leave you. Even when you can't see me I am still here. I am also small enough to fit right into your heart." Even when we think that we have it figured out and are teaching our children these wonderful things, we still don't have a clue. But thankfully I will have the rest of my life to get just a glimpse.

I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. -Genesis 22:17

The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything. -Deuteronomy 2:7

Just because

I think it is amazing what we can learn from our children. They reflect love in the purest form. My daughter Megan who is 3 told me that she wanted to make a special treat for her daddy. I asked her what she wanted to do and she didn't know but she wanted to make something out of dough so we had to go to the store and get some. I didn't bother to tell her that we could make dough at home because it was her special treat and she HAD to get it the dough from the store. That was last night and the first thing she told me after she demanded her morning drink was that we had to go to the store. So today we went to the store and she decided on chocolate chip cookie dough (which happens to be Russell's favorite).

This week was hard on Russell and I and what better of a way to end a hard week than with fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. The more I think about it the more interesting I find this. She didn't know why, or even care why daddy needed something special she just wanted to do it. God knows everything we go through and sometimes he just wants to share something special with us just because. I always hated that phrase growing up, but now I kinda like it. Maybe it is because I am a mom now a use it, but now I know what it means. "I love you so much that this is it." No explaination, just motivated by love.

How often do we do things just because for some people. Sometimes our just because needs to be for ourselves. We get stuck in the rut of life and time passes by and we wonder what happened. But love is the spice of life. I look at one of my children screaming at the grocery store and fail to drown out the the whining about wanting to go somewhere to eat from the others and I realize, at that stress filled moment that I am laughing. I am happy because I know that it will not be like this forever and they need me. How often do we come before God crying or whining and just what Him to do something. I think God has the same reaction to us that I had to my children. "Thank you for coming to me and showing me that you need me. You make me smile because you don't realize the beautiful things that are coming but I do. Please remember I love you and keep coming to me."

One of Elizabeth's favorite verses in the Bible is, "Let the little children come to me." How it must overjoy the Father when we come to Him. The simple fact is that it isn't just that we need Him but he needs us and he wants us. That is just a part of love. One day my children will grow up and they won't need me anymore. But I hope that they still come to me, not because they have to but because they want to. That is a deep love. That is what God wants, is the just because kind of love.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." -Matthew 19:14

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. -Galatians 5:22-23

"Lord thank you for this day, may I endeavor to be more fruitful in my life. I love you, need you and want more of you, my Abba."

Waiting

I just heard the other day, that if you are expecting something by a certain day, it will come after that. I know that everything always works out and part of having faith is not having the answers. I am sure that if the Lord would have told me everything that I would have to go through to get to where I'm at, I would probably have turned the other way. There is a reason that God only gives us enough light for the step we're on. So often we want to take control of everything and we think we have it all figured out. But the truth is that we will never have it down pat, not even close. I think there is quite a bit of comfort in that. We are not perfect and we will do things wrong. That is where mercy steps in. I used to get so angry at myself for making mistakes, and it turn had little compassion for myself or others. If God forgives us and gives mercy to us who are we to say that our way is better. So I guess I'm asking for mercy for always expecting things my way. I am asking for mercy and awaiting grace.

Oh, and don't forget peace. I look around at everyone in fear of this or scared of that. I said there is comfort in not knowing and there really is. It is called peace. I know that everything works out, it always has, so why not rest in peace instead of something so temporary? Peace is something that has no disorder or chaos. The Hebrew word for it is Shalom. (Funny I talk about this because this word actually came up it Elizabeth's schoolwork today.) Shalom means "safety, welfare, prosperity." I want this, I choose this.

Our main purpose is life is to worship our Living God. For me it is a hard thing to do when I am so focused on fearing what is to come/or not come. We lose so much joy when we are not content, and resting in God's peace. Everyone knows not to say, "Well, things could be worse," because that is usually what happens. No matter where you are at, there is always a silver lining to be thankful for. Sometimes that means being thankful for it even if you can't see it yet. Being thankful, and in peace, takes lots of faith.

Now faith is being sure or what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. -Hebrews 11:1

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:4-7

So the Story begins...

Although our story began many years before this blog began, I know that our story was written on God's heart before we were even conceived. I (Krystal) have started this blog because I have not been able to keep quiet. There are so many amazing things happening that I cannot contain myself from sharing with others. I hope that by writing this that people will wonder what I am talking about, what to know more, and hopefully I will gain some insight into my own small world.

Russell and I began dating in November of 1997. Here we are, despite statistics, eleven years down the road, and life is just now beginning. We are blessed with three beautiful children that God has mighty plans for. It is funny how when we first met in August of 1997 a week seemed so long, now eleven years seems so short. Our eyes are open, and life is so much more than I ever imagined possible, I can't wait to see the great moments but yet wish I could stop and savor every moment for just a little while longer.

Now, when what is decaying is clothed with what cannot decay, and what is dying is clothed with what cannot die, then the written word will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up by victory!" -1 Corinthians 15:54