Embracing Him

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11)

Last week Sweet Pea attended a fantastic preschool Vacation Bible School in a neighboring town. During the three day program, she explored the stories of Daniel, David, and Jonah through stories, crafts, games, and reenactments.

These three Bible greats are not unfamiliar to Sweet Pea. We’ve read many, many, many, many stories about Daniel, David, and Jonah. She’s also watched the Veggies Tales bring these stories to life in two videos we highly recommend: Heroes of the Bible-Lions, Shepherds, and Queens (Oh My!) and Jonah.

The energy generated by VBS is swirling around inside our home. Sweet Pea has found a new use for her jump rope. It has morphed into a slingshot which hurls imaginary rocks with amazing accuracy! Here at our house, giants are falling daily as Sweet Pea swings her jump rope about and shouts, “I am little, but God is big!” In addition, our day must now include a daily showing of Jonah and daily playing of her new favorite song, Belly of the Whale by The Newsboys.

JT and I are thrilled that Sweet Pea had such a great time at VBS! We’re glad God has given us an opportunity to help her hide the Word in her heart.

Do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14)

I don’t know who invited her or how long she plans to stay. The Whining Fairy has stopped by the Thorpe household and hasn’t gone home yet. She has waved her wand over my precious Sweet Pea and has transformed her voice into a high pitched one rife with complaints.

On a recent Sunday morning, Sweet Pea spent several minutes whining because we would not allow her to wear flip flops to church. Two days later, as we prepared to head off to swim lessons, shoe selection set off another whirlwind of whining because Sweet Pea did not want to wear the flip flops to the pool. Instead, she wanted to wear her dress shoes. (Yes, the same dress shoes she didn’t want to wear a couple days before!)

In order to deal with Sweet Pea’s whining in an effective manner, I’ve taken the matter to the Lord in prayer. Because He is so loving, merciful, and kind, He is answering my prayer and leading me to some valuable information that will help me combat this problem.

At the same time, God has given me some food for thought. Often when I take the annoyances of others to God in prayer, He reveals an area of my life I need to improve. (How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:4)

While praying about Sweet Pea’s whining, God reminded me of some of my own recent grumbling sessions, convicted me regarding my improper attitude, and showed me how my complaining was a sign of ungratefulness based in a lack of faith and a lack of focus.

When I complain, it appears that I am unappreciative of the people and things God has placed in my life. When I complain, it reveals that I don’t fully trust God and have not given Him total control of my life. When I complain, it shows that my focus is on situations and not the Savior. Instead I must show my appreciation to God by fully relying on and focusing on Him.

Sweet Pea may not stop whining tomorrow, but I’m determined to stop complaining about it today. Instead, I will view this challenge as an opportunity to grow in Christ. This, too, shall pass!

Photo: Courtesy of frotzed2

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (I Corinthians 10:12)

Yesterday morning the girls began their simultaneous summer swim lessons. Because we have to be in the pool by 8:45 am, I need to be extremely organized to make the swim plan work.

All mommies know that packing everything the night before is the key to any successful outing. However after swim lessons end is when I really see whether my organizational skills pass or fail. Since all three of us had towels to dry off with, clean underwear, diapers, and dry clothes to slip into, plastic bags to contain wet suits, flip flops on our feet, and nothing was left behind, I figured I had scored a perfect 10 with my swim plan.

As I left swim lessons, I was feeling quite proud of my super mommy skills, so I decided to run an errand before heading home. I made my way over to Rite Aid armed with coupons and ready to shop for some free items (I’ll post about those deals later.). Unfortunately, I did not consider the words of I Corinthians 10:12 and took a hard fall from grace at the Rite Aid register! Can someone say Reality Check?!

Brazenly (and foolishly), I headed up and down the Rite Aid aisles in search of the items on my list. It didn’t take long for Sweet Pea to catch an attitude and begin whining because I would not let her push her sister’s stroller. Stubbornly, I ignored the voice inside my head telling me it was time to go. I pressed on simply because I didn’t feel like coming back to the store later. By the time I got to the register, Sweet Pea was whining while poking and prodding her sister and Sugar Plum released her frustration by repeatedly screaming at the top of her lungs.

Because there was only one register up and running, it didn’t take long for a line to form behind me. As the cashier sorted through my coupons and completed a dreaded “price check”, the girls continued their performance. I could feel eyes boring holes into my back and when I looked behind me, I saw a few different responses.

The young woman directly behind me appeared to be entertained by the girls’ tirade and let loose a chuckle or two. Another woman smiled and gave me a sympathetic, “been-there-done-that” look, while the woman behind her rolled her eyes and shook her head. The man at the end of the line abruptly ended his cell phone conversation proclaiming it was “impossible to hear over the screaming kids in line”.

Once home, the girls received a good reprimand, devoured a hearty lunch, and headed off for much needed naps. When all was quiet, I reflected upon the importance of timing errands properly, not doing too much with the girls at once, and listening when the Lord speaks in that still small voice.

After all that, it turns out that I did have to go back to Rite Aid later anyway. In the midst of all the kid commotion, I picked up the wrong toothpaste and ended up paying full price for it! You know we can’t have that!

Photo: Courtesy of Tortuga One