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Tuesday, August 30, 2005

~A Child and The Claw~

I opened my eyes, and, there they were, all 3 lions, looking at me with their eyes wide open - almost as if to say "hah, and you did not think we were possible"....

It all started last week when we went to see a movie - not realizing I was on my way to learning a life lesson from a child and The Claw.

On the way out of the theater, one of my boys wanted to try one of those games with a big silver claw that you guide, drop, and hope to pull out a toy. You know, The Claw from Toy Story. As he does everytime he sees one, he asked if he could try it. And, as I always do, in my adult know-it-all way, I told him that no one ever wins at those and the animals are purposely stuffed tight so they will not come out. However, this time, since this was his dollar he was spending, I allowed him to try the game, knowing that 'no one ever wins those' - -----He got lucky on his first try! You can imagine the 'see, I told you so mommy', look and words that I had to endure as he pulled that orange, cheap, polyester stuffed, liony looking animal out of the trap door.

Move ahead a few more days - another movie (we had to keep daddy, who had shoulder surgery, away from any bat, ball, golf club, or anything else resembling sports), another, "Mommy, can I try it to win a doll" - bringing more adult know-it-all words of 'no one ever wins those'. But, this time all 4 of my children were armed with their own money in little rumpled plastic bags of pennies, nickels, a few dimes and maybe 1 quarter. So, again, being their own money, I allowed them to try The Claw. Would you believe they won 2 more cheap, polyester stuffed, liony looking, animal things in only 4 trys?!!! Have you ever seen anyone win even once at those things???!!!

Since that time, the kids have been so precious with those lions. I think each doll has had at least 3 owners (inlcuding mom and dad), and they have been placed in many places of honor as if they were trophies. I have found them setting in places all over the house, from the kitchen counter to the computer desk, from the back of the toilet to the head of my bed. I think the kids are really just trying to say "see mom, you were w-r-o-n-g."

But this morning, as I opened my eyes and saw all 3 of those cheap, polyester filled, liony looking animals lined up in a perfect row, just looking right down at me -I had a thought - I did not believe. I had too much adult knowledge, and, not enough childhood magic; I had too many life doesn't work that way experiences, and, not enough childhood why not.

As I laid there and looked at those 3 lions, remembering the childrens' excitement, (and my sheer amazement), I had to wonder how many times I have had too much fear, too much adulty-ish know-it-all, too much it'll never work, and not enough belief in myself, and have, therefore, missed the excitement of winning my own version of a cheap, polyester filled, liony looking trophy........

If only I would learn from a child and The Claw

Sunday, August 28, 2005

~Held~

Two months is too little.
They let him go. They had no sudden healing.
To think that providence would
Take a child from his mother while she prays
Is appalling.

Who told us we'd be rescued?
What has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares?
We're asking why this happens
To us who have died to live?
It's unfair.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

This hand is bitterness.
We want to taste it, let the hatred numb our sorrow.
The wise hand opens slowly to lilies of the valley and tomorrow.

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.

If hope is born of suffering.
If this is only the beginning.
Can we not wait for one hour watching for our Savior?

This is what it means to be held.
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive.
This is what it is to be loved.
And to know that the promise was
When everything fell we'd be held.
Lyrics to Held~sung by Natalie Grant

That song is one of the most beautiful and powerful songs I have ever heard. I must not be the only one - it has been a chart topper for weeks.

Held - We've all been held by a mom, dad or loved one. As a child I felt safe and loved in my mother's arms. I knew all would be OK, I just had to get over the hump of boos-boos, lost toys or hurt feelings. Then, I'd climb down, and be on my way, knowing, she'd be there if I needed to crawl back up.

Now, being an adult, I have adult size boo-boos, losses and pains - sometimes those chilhood ones don't look so bad after-all. BUT, I have a universe-sized lap I can crawl on to hold me until I am ready to get back on my way in life. The lap of Jesus.

Have you ever had anything sacred torn from you? A relationship, your health, a job or valuables: something that was such a blessing and so cherished you were not sure how you could survive without it? He didn't promise us we wouldn't lose in life - He only promised He would love and hold us through it...He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to His heart. And, what a true beautiful blessing to experience being held by Him. His arms are a shelter from the storms of trials and strengthening in preparation for any other wind that is blowing towards us.

John 16:33 says "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless owrld you will continue to experience difficulties, but take heart! I've conquered the world. Another versions puts the last 4 words ...I've overcome the world. He has overcome the world! He has overcome our pain; He has overcome our loss; He has overcome ____ from now through the eternity. Think of that. We, I, You have the Father of the universe who will hold us and strengthen us. He will chase away the imaginative monsters in the closet and protect us from the real ones in our room.

There are times in our lives where all we can do is be at peace. We can't fix or change what is happening. We may feel like we not will survive another moment. But, we can crawl on our Father's lap and let Him hold us until we are ready to get back down and do life some more. So, next time your feeling like your world is crashing in all around you, and, you are not sure how you will face the day, close your eyes, imagine crawling up into His arms and be still. He will hold us, if we only learn to let Him.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

~Awesome Autumn~

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable~by Chris Tomlin
If you are fortunate enough to live in a region where you experience the amazing transition from summer to fall, stop for a minute and look at the leaves - they are changing already! Seems it gets earlier every year, or, am I just getting older every year?

I would never tell my botany professor from college this, but, I forgot why exactly it is the leave colors change - I only remembered it has something to do with that really big word that starts with 'photo' but is not one of my favorite 'photograph'. So, I went online-Now, I think I understand it better than I did at my botany final, thanks to some wonderfully written science for elementary homeschoolers websites!
As I read the series of events that brings these beautiful changes, I realized how much I am so like the leaves - needing my own Son and Living Water to stay healthy and productive.
So, I thought I'd pass on the information - just in case you forgot too. Actually, it truly is amazing how the change occurs and He creates this beautiful show. Besides, be ready, your kids are gonna ask you - won't they think you are smart if you are armed and ready with the answer!
"While the sun was shining, and we were enjoying its warmth and light, so were the leaves. The leaves were a food factory for the trees and plants. The leaves use the sun to convert carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the tree roots into food for the tree, which it stores throughout the summer. (This process is that big word a few of us remember from school – photosynthesis )

Inside each leaf there are millions of little cells with pigment packages of chlorophyll and carotenoid. Chlorophyll is the chemical that helps with the process of photosynthesis, and gives the leaves their green color. The carotenoids are responsible for the yellow, orange and brown autumn leaves. During the summer however, the chlorophyll is very active using the sun for photosynthesis, and essentially masks the other pigment packages.

As the days get shorter and there is less sunlight, the tree makes less green producing cholorphyll which causes the other pigments to be revealed. Of course, these yellow and orange pigments give us our autumns filled with beautiful leaves.
As the tree receives less sunlight, it also creates a layer of cells at the base of the leaf, which is called the separation layer. Eventually, the leaf is not receiving enough water from the roots and it will turn brown, die, and fall off of the tree limb. That is when we begin getting out our rakes!

I think we are all like those leaves.

Without our Son, spelled S-O-N, we lose our life and our shadiness to others, and, eventually fall off and die. When we create our own ‘separation layer’ in our lives, we become disconnected from our Life Giving Water. We may look beautiful to others, as do those leaves that are getting less sunlight and water. However, we, as those leaves, are on the path to death. We may look OK on the outside, but, that is only for a little while. Without The Son, we will die.

But, when we are getting enough of The Son, we are alive. When we are basking in His presence, we are healthy. We are busy and productive using The Son’s energy to do His work.

When we are connected to the Life Giving Water, we are not thirsty. We become beautiful and refreshing to others in our lives. We are a shade for those who need a rest.

So, if you are fortunate enough to live in a region that will have a rainbow of leaf colors this autumn, take a moment and look at the leaves. Ask yourself which leaf are you? And, find a way to remind your self to stay in the Son and connected to the Living Water.
(Excerpt taken from Awesome Autumn - He Keeps Us Faithbooking Devotional available at ScrapbookersBubbleBath.com)


Monday, August 22, 2005

~Held By Him~

Hard to decide what to say on your first post....So, thought I would jump right in and share how I chose my blogspot name, Held By Him. It starts with Isaiah 40:11 He tends His flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads those that have young. I found this verse when I had a 3 year old, a 2 year old, and a newborn, and was working full time in a job with huge responsibilities. I needed Him to tend, hold, and lead my family! As I claimed and clung to Isaiah 40:11, it became my "Mommy verse".

He tends his flock like a shepherd.... We have all heard Jesus as our Shepherd analogy. However, it provides a new meaning and is so reassuring to know we are His flock, and more importantly, our children are part of His flock. He is tending all through our childrens' days. What peace to know our Father, the God of the universe, is tending to our children, and to us.

He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart...The most peaceful and comforting time to me is to imagine each of my children in my Saviors arms. I see Him with His arms around my child, kissing their forehead, kissing the boo boos, holding each child close, whispering comforting words, maybe even singing His own personalized version of Jesus loves me. And, sometimes, I picture Him gathering me - just holding me close to His heart. When I do not think I can put away one more dish, fold one more t-shirt, answer to one more 'mommy', He gathers me. When I think I am completely failing as a mom, or I am not sure I am raising my children as He would desire, He gathers me and holds me close to His heart; - more on this part of the verse at a later blog- just don't want to ramble too long on my first one :)

He gently leads those that have young...I have this part double underlined in my Bible and gently circled. As moms we have such an awesome responsibility, and such a desire to raise our children to love and serve the Lord. That is a mountainous task - one that can not be done on our own. I know on my own, I would be so far off the mark. It can only be done on our knees, while being lead, gently by our Heavenly Father. What a comfort to know He is gently leading me - We NEED Him to lead us. When the baby is crying at 2 a.m. and you wonder if you should call the doctor or not, He gently leads those that have young....When you don't know if you should read Goodnight Moon for the 6th time, or put those 4 baskets of clothes away, He gently leads those that have young....When your child asks "Mommy, what is your soul?", He gently leads those that have young.

So, if by chance you are reading this as a mom or even a dad, take a moment today, grab your Bible and underline Isaiah 40:11. Memorize it and claim it as your Mommy or Daddy verse. We are His precious lambs, each one of us.

I have a beatiful picture of Jesus holding a little child hanging in my main hallway. I can't even begin to count the number of times I have walked by and been reminded that we, and our children, are Held By Him all the days of our lives.