Like a Little Child

It was one of those Sunday mornings.

I held her but I couldn't contain her. My daughter did not want to be in my lap and she definitely did not want to be still and quiet.

My 5 year old kept asking questions. I kept hushing him.

My 7 year old wanted a pencil, too. I shushed him.

At one point, my 9 year old leaned over from the row behind us and did something to the 5 year old. The 5 year old whined his brother's name loudly in protest.

All the while, my daughter was trying to color on the hymnal. The church bulletin was not right. The clean white pages of the hymnal beckoned to her. She managed to get a few scribbles in as I answered spelling questions for my 5 year old.

Then, we prayed. Or, the minister led the church in prayer. Over and over during the prayer, I repeated, "Shhhhh! We are praying." My last admonishment was more urgent and accurate as I whispered, "SHH! He is praying."

My children love coming to church. Most Sundays, I am stressed during the short period they are all in the service with me. (They all go to separate places after the children's time of the service.)

My children love coming to church.

As I watched my children crowd the minister during children's time, I couldn't help but wonder about the reason the disciples rebuked the children that were brought to Jesus. (Matthew 19:13-15) Were they acting like kids?

Today, I wanted to contain my children so those around me could worship without interruption.

I wonder, would my behavior draw indignation from Jesus? (Mark 10:14)

Is what I am offering God as heartfelt and earnest as my son's drawing on an offering envelope?

I need
~a simple faith
~an ardent desire to worship
~transparency with myself, those around me, and God
~a spirit that cannot be quieted


Mark 10:15 "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

A Delightful Blend of Laughter and Love

Not much beats watching your kids wait outside for thirty minutes longing to see a car that they won't recognize because it is a rental.


Not much can compare to seeing exchanged smiles and hugs between the generations.




There's a sweeter-than-sugar sweetness when your daughter kisses your dad.


The living room and kitchen are full of life, love, and the sounds of laughter during game time.



My dad, a former pilot disabled from a stroke, flies again with the aid of his grandsons as they teach him to play the flying game on Wii Resort.


There are bedtimes stories and prayers. Those pictures are images tucked away, warming my heart.

~Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children. ~Alex Haley~

Thank You

For the Veterans (including our Daddy, Poppa, Aunt Carrie and Uncle John):

Signed with Love

This morning I received indirect criticism about a gift I recently gave. I was taken aback. I felt irritated. And, then I realized it didn't matter. I gave from the heart. The recipient is grateful. What was said doesn't even matter. The criticism gave me cause to consider gift giving. Why do I give gifts? Does the item express my heart? With Christmas around the corner, I am shaken by the desire to change the gifts I give.

I give to others because I care about them.

I rarely know what to get people.

My gifts usually don't reflect my feelings. My gifts are tokens of affection, often bought in haste because I am under a deadline to meet a special occasion. I don't get something for everyone I wish I could. I am often too late for special events and I miss celebrating someone special all together. None of it -a bought gift or a forgotten gift- reflects the love I have for friends and family.

I want this year's Christmas to be different.

I don't know how I am going to change.

I spent the morning listening to Christmas music, thinking about gift giving and the reason that I want to give to others during the holidays.

I want to show my kids how to give.
They need to give this year. They need to see me giving from my heart.

I don't know what to do differently. My heart aches for change. I want to show more love to those I know. It's plain and simple but exceedingly difficult during the busy holiday season.

I wonder, how can I celebrate giving with my kids?

I wonder, can my Christmas shopping be more than a checklist?

I'm praying over this and looking for ideas. Let me know what you do- big or small- to keep gift giving centered on the meaning behind it.

I want my gifts to be signatures of my love.