Scriptural Naps

Those who know me, know that I LOVE, I mean LOVE taking naps. Especially like this past weekend, when it was dark, raining, and my room was cold. I love snuggling under the covers and just getting away into dream land.

Then I relearned that God values rest as well. Maybe not in the specific nap form, I can't find the actual word in the Bible. However, He STRONGLY believes in taking time off, and relaxing. Back in the OT, it starts in the BIG 10.....Remember the Sabbath Day and Keep it HOLY. Then the Sabbath and remembering it is listed more times in the Bible. He wasn't fooling around on the issue. In Leviticus there is the guidelines for taking 7 days off for the sole purpose of rest and relaxation (they just didn't use the word VACATION). God's design and plan for us was not to run ourselves weary. To be so dead dog tired that we can't even remember our name or families faces. The point was to relax, and reconnect with HIM and with ourselves and loved ones.

This issue has been a big one for me this year. I have seriously taken it to heart. Now, Sundays don't always work out for us to have a day off. On those weekends, we reserve another day during the week or weekend to have the rest that is needed. Unfortunately it doesn't always involve a nap, but it does involve taking it easy, being with family, not stressing about the endless laundry, bills needing to be paid, or housework that needs to be done. God wanted us to have a day that we could actually contemplate HIM and reconnect with HIM. If you do a little research you will find that :

1. God wasn't kidding around on taking the Sabbath Day seriously


2. There are tremendous blessings and rewards for those who obey
   
3. God is pretty amazing to MANDATE a weekly day off, and a yearly week off ~ That is a cool mandate if you ask me!
4. There are some pretty SEVERE consequences at the very end of Leviticus if the Israelites didn't follow the rules for taking the Sabbath and Sabbath years seriously.........Look at the nation's history.

Tuesday's Treasure

Today's treasure might seem a bit unusual.....but here it goes. My treasure for the week is the rain. I, unlike most So. Cal residents love the rain. I treasure the fact that we don't get THAT much of it during the year. I love the sound it makes against the windows, even though I know that it means I am going to have to clean them........later. I love the fact that it cleans the streets, lets us have a REASON for drinking hot chocolate, and just generally smells wonderful. I think it is wonderful that today is only a whopping 44 degrees outside and tonight, if the rain stays it might actually snow a little at our house. Rain brings the opportunity to put on my polka dot rain boots and go splashing in the rain puddles with the kiddos. I love that with the rain, it brings winter into reality and that to me is wonderful considering that it is February, we will have enough warm glorious days. It won't stick around forever, I don't want to move to Seattle ~ yet, but for this week, I will treasure the rain and cuddle up with my Valentines for warmth!

Valentines Day

I love Valentines Day. Not for the romantic reasons that you might think, although I like those too. I love setting out towels with hearts on them, and putting simple decorations around the house. I like the fact that I just finished decorating my mantel with pictures from family members wedding day all the way back to my great grandparents. I love that with all of the decorations there are shades of pink, that come with the promise of spring not far away.


I love this suito-holiday most because it is a choice. At Christmas and birthdays there are those people that you "have" to buy for. For whatever the political reason, buying for them makes life easier. But Valentines Day you get to CHOOSE who you love on. There is NO obligation (except for sometimes your spouse and possibly kids) to give the gift of saying "Hey, I love you!" For instance, this year's teachers are going to feel the love they deserve! I think girls probably do this more than guys, in fact I know so. But still, isn't it fun to get a card from friend, and remember that you love each other on top of liking each other and having a hang out buddy?Isn't it fun to buy your own pack of kids Valentines and send them in the mail to friends, or make them a card? I love the simplicity of it, and yet it speaks volumes to the recipient. As for the romantic part, well.........that is just plain fun and needed as well. My Hubby is a GREAT Valentine, and I am so glad that cupid still strikes him!

My Kids Are Growing

Yesterday was kind of a hard day for me. I am actually seeing the growing process in both of my kids on that day. It is sad in one way to see the process happening, but then on the other hand I am very proud of the growth that they have shown.

Yesterday, was Bubba's birthday. He is now officially 8. I knew this was coming, I can read a calendar, but it still strikes me as sort of odd. I remember so clearly the day he was born, when no one was expecting him early. I remember so clearly the drama that followed as I was admitted in the hospital and Mr. C. gravely warned that it could have been so much worse had we not acted as quickly as my sister and I did. It just is odd, that my baby is learning and reading cursive handwriting as I am typing this. He is growing right before my eyes and although some of this brings great changes, some of it is sad.

Then there is Missy......she today has to take the Kindergarten admittance test at the school in which we want to enroll her in for the fall. When Bubba took this test, it was much later in the spring. I know she is ready. I know she is apprehensively excited to go to school with the big kids. But she is my baby, she is my last and for the last couple of years she has been my sole shadow during the days except while at preschool. Next year she will attend school for 81/2 hours a day. This is the first step of her becoming a big kid instead of a preschooler. Exciting, yes. Sort of sad, also a yes. Then she had the nerve, to go on Indiana Jones yesterday with the boys. She was FINALLY tall enough, by two Disney employees. When did my little one grow so big???

I do not want my kids to be babies again. HECK NO!!! I also am just reminded yet again of how quickly the time passes. Before I know it they'll..........well, let's just take one day at a time!

Worship

I am an usher during my mornings at BSF. This is not a glamorous job. I am the lady that asks as politely as possible for the 400th time for the other ladies to do the pew shuffle and make room for others. Because of this position though, it is hard to sing the hymns with the rest of the people. IN fact we aren't allowed to hold hymnals while doing our job, so I stand and worship God by listening. It is a fairly new experience for me, to listen to the choir of voices singing songs that unless I know I have to just pay attention to.

Yesterday morning something caught a hold of me though. We were singing the song "Peace like a River". Most people know this one, I think it was even on "Little House on the Prairie", but it says in the chorus, "It is well with my soul" over and over again. Now if you don't know the hymn was penned while crossing the Atlantic and the author had just lost his family in a tragic accident. Yet he penned "It is well with my soul". Amazing. Some of the ladies you could see, were actually paying attention to the words. Several actually stopped singing along and began to weep. In today's economic crisis, are things well with my soul? If God took MY kids, could I sing the song?

I think it is easy to sing songs that are like "Amazing Grace" Oh yeah, let's sing all four choruses on that one!!! What about "Our God is an Awesome God" Woohoo yeah gets the blood pumping. We sing one at church that is very upbeat that talks of God being near, and Heaven coming down. I love it, but these are Happy songs that talk about who God is. These are great and I can get into them. But on Sunday we were challenged as we were about to sing "Blessed be the Name of the Lord" to really listen to the words. When God "Gives and takes away, my heart will truly say, Lord blessed be your name". Really????? IF God took away my family, I would have a hard time singing. IF He took away cancer, no problem, let's sing that again.

Several years ago, our old worship minister actually asked us to not sing, if we didn't believe the words we that were coming out of our mouth. There were several Sunday's when our church wasn't a choir, but more like a quartet. His challenge struck me again today. Am I lying in my worship if I am singing with the masses "Blessed be your name" or "It is well with my soul" if in my heart of hearts it isn't. Should I sing, as a reminder of where my heart needs to be? This is something I am going to ponder for a while. I want my worship in song to be genuine and not just following the masses. Maybe even in my own church where I know the words and they are displayed for me, I should be really LISTENING to what the words are saying like I have to do in BSF.

Technology is NOT my friend

AGH!!!!!!! I have no other words but that!!!!! I am in a technology rage right now. I am trying to post pictures on my blog, the internet is being dumb and keeps kicking me out. My hubby keeps texting me as well as other people and my phone stinks to text on. We got a new TV that I am having trouble working without the 8 or 4 year old around. FILTH FARTH AND FILTH AGAIN!!!!! AGH!!!!!!!

Tuesday's Treasure

This week is Bubba's birthday. He is a true treasure. He is smart, funny, and has a very sweet spirit and heart. He loves soccer, building with Legos, and being with family (even his sister). Although he can be true boy with the burps that are rated, the gross humor, and the toots, well let's not go there; he can also cuddle like no one's business and endures kisses from his mom (if we are not in public). He is a true joy, and warms my heart. God knew what He was doing when He made us wait for the treasure He had in store for us.