Inspiration and Genetics in Decorating

Some of you have asked to see the cross stitch that inspired my paint colors.  My MIL made this years ago and I always admired it.  When they moved out of the old farm house she let me have it.  

I look at my kitchen and think, "I'm turning into my mother."  Why? Because she has ALWAYS loved orange and this is my new favorite color.  Though I'm sure she would say this isn't really orange since we never see eye to eye on these things...so maybe I'm not turning into her after all!  

That bench (also from my MIL) is Thing 2's favorite place to curl up and do his school work.  In fact he is there right now and the room doesn't look nearly this neat!

.

A Gentle Slope

I recently studied how to have a gentle and quiet spirit with my freshman and sophomore friends on campus.  It was a chapter in a great Bible study by Cynthia Heald called, Becoming a Woman of Excellence.

Looking up the definition of "gentle" captured my attention, it means: a gradual slope.  When I think about mothering gentleness is something I desire to have but don't often execute very well.  This word picture  inspired me to think about how I want to lead them through the day and eventually toward maturity. To do this I need to make sure the slope is steep enough to get them to independence in 18 years, but gradual enough that they don't quit out of exaustion.  Or worse exasperation.

Some days my expectations are way too steep and I need to readjust the slope, i.e., only focusing on one character trait to improve or snipping out extra activities if we are too busy. Other days the slope isn't steep enough and they get away with way too much (misbehavior, coddling, etc) because I am too lazy or distracted to discipline like I know I should.  Mothering is figuring out just the right slope for each temperament and adjusting for life's factors (illness, fatigue, etc.).  The slope is always shifting but the end goal remains the same.

God's example of leadership in Isaiah 40:11 encourages my heart, "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 know that as I am leading my children if I follow His Lead, He will adjust the slope for me making it gradual enough for me to walk and reach the end of my day with my children, and my sanity, in tact.    

I am Barrabas

First off – sorry for the long silence.  We just returned from two weeks of travel with little time to write in there.  Before that we repainted our kitchen, living room and dining room.  Throw in two birthday boys and Easter and well, you know now why you haven’t heard from me.  I’ll post pics of the paint and bday celebrations soon.  For now – here is a “confession” and then my thoughts on Easter.

It seems like every Easter sneaks up on me.  I’m so busy just doing life I often stare it straight in the face Easter morning like a guest I knew was going to arrive but never took the time to prepare for.  I printed out devotions to do with the boys and never got to it.  I even planned a craft reflecting the death and resurrection and it is still on my “to-do” homeschool pile. (I think I will still do it bc the significance of the resurrection is something I want to be teaching EVERY day anyways).  So now that you know how imperfect my pursuit of Christ is I'll share with you where my mind went as I re-read the Easter story. 

I am Barabbas in this story.  My guilt is certain, my punishment deserved, and my fate of certain death before me.  And in some miracle that I wasn’t even looking for I escaped certain death in the final hour, released from prison to live again.  My life exchanged for Jesus’. Barabbas was the first captive to be set free – maybe not from the spiritual death – but a physical example for all of what Jesus was about to accomplish spiritually. 

I wonder what Barabbas thought of it all and if he took advantage of his second chance.  Did he live a better life?  Did he seek to know his Rescuer?  Did he allow his life to be transformed, forever marked by the day he was released from prison?  Or did he continue on his criminal path?

When I encountered Jesus my physical death was not imminent like Barabbas’ but my life in the next was just as fated.  Do I appreciate all that Christ has done for me, exchanging His life for mine?  Do I allow the rest of my days to be transformed by the day I was rescued from continual separation from the One Who Created me?  My rescue – as unjust as it was, but freely given – is secure.  I am Barabbas and I am released.  How now will I live?  Will I remain chained to my sins or walk in the freedom and grace He purchased for me?