Happy Thanksgiving to you! I hope your day has been filled with blessings overflowing as we remember the bounty which God has given to us in this country. My mind and heart have been preparing for this post most of the day. It's not an easy one to share, but I know that God is prompting me to share my walk with you so on I must go...
Most of you know that I make special cakes for my kids on their birthdays. November is always challenging as I have two cakes to make at one time for two different children/two different genders! I have a friend, though, who has four kids with birthdays all within a month of each other... now, she's a busy cake lady come the Spring! I've taken Wilton cake decorating classes, spent money on plenty of cake decorating stuff, and have even tweaked certain cake recipes. Case in point...
I usually use a box cake mix for my cakes. They taste okay and are dependable. Well, I decided to try and enhance the box mix to produce a more dense cake as I have on the plan to build a 3-D fuzzy bunny for D's cake. After baking my pumpkin pie at 7:30 this morning, I shifted into cake mode. I found the enhanced recipes on a cake website and began making my 3 box cakes... at the same time.
During this time, Ben kept the kids out of my hair, but they were really a side-show for me. I neglected them and Ben all in an effort to get the cakes done before heading over to my parents' house at noon for Thanksgiving dinner. My attitude was terrible toward them... just wanting to get my stuff done, etc. The cakes were baking and not getting done and then finally the toothpick came out clean! I let them cool and then attempted to get them out of the pans. And then it happened...
All of my cakes just crumbled after leaving the pans... and 1/2 the cakes stayed inside the pans. I was devastated (to say the least). What was I going to do? I have to make these cakes for Saturday and need to stay on track to get them cooled and dirty iced before tomorrow? Well, with a negative mindset, I went to take a shower as we only had 45 minutes until departure. And it hit me... actually, God spoke to my heart. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18. Ouch.
I was so concerned with dazzling my kids and family with the cakes that I didn't really think about what I was doing in the process. I've spent all week making bits and pieces of cake prep parts (icing, fondant, etc.) and forgetting the reason for doing what I do! It was all about me. The ironic thing is that my kids don't even like the icing and fondant I use for the cakes! K doesn't even really like cake! Ben and I also do not like the icing and fondant. It hit me, hard. I wasted an entire morning in the kitchen, by myself, stewing over whether or not my cakes would get done. I could have been playing with my kids, celebrating my son's birthday, and just plain spending time with my family. God is faithful to redeem that time as I have learned a huge lesson from this experience.
Am I going to make cool cakes again? Probably at some point, yes. Will K have ballet slippers for her birthday cake on Saturday? Probably, yes as that cake could be pieced together. Will D have his blue bunny cake on Saturday? Probably, no. A bowl of cake crumbs is sitting on my counter right now. They taste pretty good but can't hold a form! I could easily make more cake tomorrow and salvage blue bunny, but for what reason? So I can save face on Saturday and have amazing cakes? At what cost? Irritability with my family? Isolation in the kitchen? It's not worth it. I'll finish K's cake and ice the cupcakes from the overflow batter. We'll stick candles in them, sing Happy Birthday, and open the lid to the crumb cake and let people choose what they want to eat on Saturday.
I want to spend the rest of the weekend getting ready for Christmas and having a good time with my family while discipling my kids with what matters. It's a tough lesson and it pains me to think of the money I've invested in cakes and cake decorating, but money can be earned. Time with my family cannot. So on this Thanksgiving of 2010, my son's 2nd birthday, I'm thankful that God continues to shape and mold me into the perfect design He has in mind. Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Anxious Thoughts
I love God's timing... really, I do. As I sat down with coffee mug in hand and opened God's Word, I prayed that the Lord would really impress upon me a truth that I need to hear... not necessarily one that I want to hear but need to hear! Boy, He spoke loud and clear this morning, and I'd like to share some thoughts with you about anxiety.
For the most part, I am not an anxious person. I recognize when I have too much on my plate and can calm myself pretty well by taking bite-sized pieces of each task; however, there are times when tasks become my focus and people seem to fade into the background. It's not something in which I take delight, but it's an area of constant attention for me... tasks vs. people.
Well, as I opened up the Proverbs to my daily reading, corresponding to the date on the calender, I started with chapter 18. Here's what verse 1 says: "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment." Hm, I thought. Interesting... honestly, I thought about our nation right now and how individual it is. The "American Experiment" started out with families creating community in which religious (and other) liberty was emphasized; now we seem to have shifted from religious liberty to bondage as we live our lives in such compartmentalized ways. No longer do I see large families with aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins all together in community... each family is on its own to make its way in the world. Our constant on-demand texting and such connects us to people but only in limited ways. Life isn't being shared in fellowship but in snippets.... And as a whole, our nation is becoming very foolish in its decision-making abilities. We have isolated ourselves and listen to our own selfish desires rather than becoming wise and embrace the collective nature of a church family and learn from one another.
I digress... so I thought about our country. Well, then I read my daily devotion in "My Utmost for His Highest" and was hit across the head with a 2 x 4. Here are Oswald Chambers' thoughts: "We are designed with a great capacity for God, but sin, our own individuality, and wrong thinking keep us from getting to Him. God delivers us from sin - we have to deliver ourselves from our individuality.... Stop listening to the tyranny of your individual natural life and win freedom into the spiritual life." Wow... I was amazed at how these two readings are linked together.
If I isolate myself from others and dwell on the natural inclinations of my heart, I will surely see only myself and all of the sin that so easily entangles me. I'll be more prone to snub wise counsel in decisions as well as pure joy in fellowshiping with the body of believers. I don't believe that we have to be around people all of the time. We do need to pull away and have quiet, personal time with the Lord because our God wants that intimate relationship with His children. But I see that there is great concern in too much thinking of individual pursuits and desires when they start to cloud our thoughts with who God is and what He is doing in the larger picture of life.
I close with this thought... "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25 Where do those good words come from? Most certainly the Word of God, but I also think that community that can speak into my life and give counsel and encouragement is what God had in mind. Just some thoughts to ponder... alone and with others!
Blessings!
For the most part, I am not an anxious person. I recognize when I have too much on my plate and can calm myself pretty well by taking bite-sized pieces of each task; however, there are times when tasks become my focus and people seem to fade into the background. It's not something in which I take delight, but it's an area of constant attention for me... tasks vs. people.
Well, as I opened up the Proverbs to my daily reading, corresponding to the date on the calender, I started with chapter 18. Here's what verse 1 says: "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment." Hm, I thought. Interesting... honestly, I thought about our nation right now and how individual it is. The "American Experiment" started out with families creating community in which religious (and other) liberty was emphasized; now we seem to have shifted from religious liberty to bondage as we live our lives in such compartmentalized ways. No longer do I see large families with aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins all together in community... each family is on its own to make its way in the world. Our constant on-demand texting and such connects us to people but only in limited ways. Life isn't being shared in fellowship but in snippets.... And as a whole, our nation is becoming very foolish in its decision-making abilities. We have isolated ourselves and listen to our own selfish desires rather than becoming wise and embrace the collective nature of a church family and learn from one another.
I digress... so I thought about our country. Well, then I read my daily devotion in "My Utmost for His Highest" and was hit across the head with a 2 x 4. Here are Oswald Chambers' thoughts: "We are designed with a great capacity for God, but sin, our own individuality, and wrong thinking keep us from getting to Him. God delivers us from sin - we have to deliver ourselves from our individuality.... Stop listening to the tyranny of your individual natural life and win freedom into the spiritual life." Wow... I was amazed at how these two readings are linked together.
If I isolate myself from others and dwell on the natural inclinations of my heart, I will surely see only myself and all of the sin that so easily entangles me. I'll be more prone to snub wise counsel in decisions as well as pure joy in fellowshiping with the body of believers. I don't believe that we have to be around people all of the time. We do need to pull away and have quiet, personal time with the Lord because our God wants that intimate relationship with His children. But I see that there is great concern in too much thinking of individual pursuits and desires when they start to cloud our thoughts with who God is and what He is doing in the larger picture of life.
I close with this thought... "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad." Proverbs 12:25 Where do those good words come from? Most certainly the Word of God, but I also think that community that can speak into my life and give counsel and encouragement is what God had in mind. Just some thoughts to ponder... alone and with others!
Blessings!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
2 birthdays
Hello, friends! Could it possibly be that I have not blogged in over a month? Oh my word... and I have plenty of words to share. Life is busy; have you ever noticed that? I read quotes and such and say, "Oh, I need to blog about that;" yet, the computer sits idle as I care for three little ones and the leader of our home. Most of my thoughts, of late, would fly in the face of many people so I temper myself with much prayer and ask for God to grant me wisdom to know what to share and what to keep within the safe walls of marriage and a few close friendships.
Recently, I've been thinking about and mentally planning for two birthdays that will occur in the next few days. K will turn 4 on Monday, the 15th, so we've been waffling between two cake designs for her. At first, it was a pumpkin... pretty straightforward and rather easy. Then, thanks to her Grandma, she decided she wanted ballet shoes. There aren't a lot of ballet cake designs on the Internet so I've taken the best of some and Ben's ideas, and we're off to form twinkle toes for her cake. It's rather humorous to us that we even make a cake for her as she is not a fan of the butter cream icing, the fondant, nor the cake! She'll have the ballet cake for her extended family celebration on the 27th; for her actual day on Monday, I'll be making an ice cream cake... much more to her liking.
D will turn 2 on Thanksgiving Day this year. Sorry, D, no special cake for you on your actual day... pumpkin pie and apple pie win out. Thankfully, he devours both of those choices. For the family party on the 27th, he'll receive a 3-D "blue bunny" cake from us. Ben and I are attempting to make a "fuzzy" bunny that stands up for his cake. His blue bunny is his night-night animal and much loved. We felt it was an appropriate choice for him. I'll post pictures of the results after I've made them in a few weeks.
Our kids are growing up so quickly; the days feel long at times with sibling fighting, whining, crying, and disobedience in various forms, but as I look at the long range picture, I marvel in how far are kids have come in just months of time. J is excelling in school, and I am enjoying schooling him so much more than I thought possible. Every day presents its own challenge, but I feel God's blessing as I teach and instruct from the heart. Powerful. K loves ballet and taking care of her babies. For so long, K didn't care about her dolls and preferred to play with J's toys; however, she is really blossoming into quite the little mommy to her babies and quite tenderly cares for them. D is finally starting to talk and there are more words coming out of him than I can define :) He babbles and stares at me while trying to get his point across at every opportunity. It's quite comical. At almost 2, he falls right in line with big brother and big sister, trying to do everything that they do and quite disappointed when he can't or Mama won't let him! We've been enjoying a rather mild October/November so recess has been a joy almost every day with our good friends across the street who also home school! Blessings abound.
Ben and I are savoring special times together.... even planning for a 10 year anniversary trip to Chicago next June. It'll be great to return to the area where we met, courted, and were married. Even at 8 months away, we're anticipating a great vacation to see our old house, visit our church, and relive some of the special date destinations we enjoyed in Chicago. 10 years... wow! What a blessing to be married to such an amazing and godly man!
Well, I hope to post something soon that is less of a "recap" of our lives, but one can never tell. Blessings to all!
Recently, I've been thinking about and mentally planning for two birthdays that will occur in the next few days. K will turn 4 on Monday, the 15th, so we've been waffling between two cake designs for her. At first, it was a pumpkin... pretty straightforward and rather easy. Then, thanks to her Grandma, she decided she wanted ballet shoes. There aren't a lot of ballet cake designs on the Internet so I've taken the best of some and Ben's ideas, and we're off to form twinkle toes for her cake. It's rather humorous to us that we even make a cake for her as she is not a fan of the butter cream icing, the fondant, nor the cake! She'll have the ballet cake for her extended family celebration on the 27th; for her actual day on Monday, I'll be making an ice cream cake... much more to her liking.
D will turn 2 on Thanksgiving Day this year. Sorry, D, no special cake for you on your actual day... pumpkin pie and apple pie win out. Thankfully, he devours both of those choices. For the family party on the 27th, he'll receive a 3-D "blue bunny" cake from us. Ben and I are attempting to make a "fuzzy" bunny that stands up for his cake. His blue bunny is his night-night animal and much loved. We felt it was an appropriate choice for him. I'll post pictures of the results after I've made them in a few weeks.
Our kids are growing up so quickly; the days feel long at times with sibling fighting, whining, crying, and disobedience in various forms, but as I look at the long range picture, I marvel in how far are kids have come in just months of time. J is excelling in school, and I am enjoying schooling him so much more than I thought possible. Every day presents its own challenge, but I feel God's blessing as I teach and instruct from the heart. Powerful. K loves ballet and taking care of her babies. For so long, K didn't care about her dolls and preferred to play with J's toys; however, she is really blossoming into quite the little mommy to her babies and quite tenderly cares for them. D is finally starting to talk and there are more words coming out of him than I can define :) He babbles and stares at me while trying to get his point across at every opportunity. It's quite comical. At almost 2, he falls right in line with big brother and big sister, trying to do everything that they do and quite disappointed when he can't or Mama won't let him! We've been enjoying a rather mild October/November so recess has been a joy almost every day with our good friends across the street who also home school! Blessings abound.
Ben and I are savoring special times together.... even planning for a 10 year anniversary trip to Chicago next June. It'll be great to return to the area where we met, courted, and were married. Even at 8 months away, we're anticipating a great vacation to see our old house, visit our church, and relive some of the special date destinations we enjoyed in Chicago. 10 years... wow! What a blessing to be married to such an amazing and godly man!
Well, I hope to post something soon that is less of a "recap" of our lives, but one can never tell. Blessings to all!
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