Thankful

You might think I am about to do a traditional thankful post. That is true in part, but just wait until you read what I am thankful for and feel free to smile at the innocence of children.

Last week the boys and I were snuggled up on the couch watching a Christmas movie on ABC. A commercial came on and I got a little uncomfortable as the cell phone man was surrounded by Sierra and her crew as they appeared. Not only were they suggestively dressed in all leather, they were dancing-REALLY dancing in a circle around the guy.

Luke said in a disappointed voice, "Oh, well I thought it was going to be J.I. Joe."

The Fleece and His understanding

This morning, I read the story of Gideon.

Perhaps you are familiar with it. Perhaps you have heard of him. Or perhaps like me, you knew something about him but maybe the Lord has something sweet for you to take away from it as He was so gracious to allow me to do this morning.

May I share with you? I found this in Judges 6:11-40.

"Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, "The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior." Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian." The Lord looked at him and said,"Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?" He said to Him, "O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father's house."

But the Lord said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man."

So Gideon said to Him, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me."

"Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You." And He said, "I will remain until you return."

The passage goes on:

"When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the

Lord, he said, "Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face."

The Lord said to him, "Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die."

In verses 36-40 of chapter 6 we read of the sign of the fleece.

I had so many thoughts as I read these verses that I am afraid of even trying to write them as they will probably come out a little chaotic. But, I'll give it a shot.

First of all, you see Gideon going about the next thing in his day to day life. We are brought into his day as he is beating the wheat. I can't imagine that to be too exciting. Probably in haste as the Midianites would have targeted him if they had found him. That is probably why he was threshing in a wine press and not on the hill-for cover.

So, his life was interrupted with a visit from an angel of God. We're not sure which angel. But, in any case an angel came and sat under the tree AND called him valiant warrior. Can you imagine? As you are doing your daily task; looking up and seeing an angel (one that calls you valiant warrior) as you are ducking around threshing wheat in inconspicuous places. Then, being commanded to go and defeat your enemy. Sweet Gideon, often gets blasted in present day for his lack of faith, but I have to say, I can really relate to his unbelief at the situation. Isn't it precious that God didn't blast Gideon for his lack of faith by asking for a sign, but instead graciously worked not once, but twice to reassure Gideon? I am thankful that Jesus understands me for the sinful way that I am and loves me enough that when I question Him, He is gentle with me, but doesn't allow my questions to come in the way of His working. He loves me enough to allow times in my life that seem impossible or bleak to teach me what it means to sing at midnight. That doesn't mean I am happy with the trial, but it means learning to REJOICE in my salvation ALONE even if there was NOTHING else to rejoice in. He has blessed me so abundantly, but sometimes life isn't all happy days. There are the days when we feel like Gideon and we are so small, but then God comes along and says, "Valiant Warrior." And O how patient and tender He is-powerful and mighty yes, but He spoke to me in this with His great tenderness. Let me know how this passage speaks to you.

A little Sympathy

I have a HORRIBLE sinus infection.

I can't open my jaws.

I HAVE to get to my kindergarten class today because we're talking about Indians. The buffalo came up in our conversation and they really don't have a clue as to what that is since my description really didn't do this massive creature justice, I must take them a picture.

Perhaps I have lock jaw.

Did I mention I hurt? Not all of me. Just draw a line down the middle of me and it is the left side of my head. It is like the epidural that didn't block on both sides. The Tylonel cold and sinus is working on the right side.

I am on a Z pack.

I think I need to be knocked out.

I remember a few posts ago I said, but life is good. It is. Even though I hurt-REALLY bad. I am thankful. Some people hurt all of the time. I am thankful for medicine and a comfy bed and sweet little boys who bring me Diet Pepsi and a cup of ice. Yesterday, Benjamin came into my room and prayed for me. Thankful for my parents who brought our family Chic Fil A and for in laws that helped out this week with the boys!

All that being said, I am still in pain, but I have much to be thankful for.

Talking

So, an area that the Lord has really been working on in my life is the area of prayer; I shared that with you before. I have always wanted to pray regularly. However, I think I have really been missing out on what prayer CAN be-not something to do, but a relationship.

I know this sounds silly, but I wanted to have things just "right" to pray. You know, boys asleep, coffee in hand, house picked up, life as it should be. OR the opposite way my prayer life looked was in the midst of a trial, offering those whispers of help and that would be all I could get out, or just crying out at God. But, I am learning to view prayer as conversation-dialogue. That means there are sentences from me and then times when I am quiet (those that know me in real life might start to laugh at that one). I haven't taken time to talk with Him this week, not really. I have talked at Him. He knows I have toddlers and what my life looks like and He isn't angry that I haven't talked WITH Him more. Oh no. Not Jesus. He is waiting and inviting me to come and practice the blessing of visiting with Him. No agenda. Sharing with Him my heart, my struggles, my sin-can you believe He wants to help me with that? What a precious Friend...and when all I can get out is the whisper, "help," He is all over it interceding where I can't go, cause I am not Him, but man am I thankful for this blessing I like to call conversational prayer. It is powerful folks...

Hey Friends!

I hope you are all doing well. I have missed you!

I am busy baking some yummy desserts for tomorrow night's ladies coffee and dessert extravaganza, so I will be brief.

Life is full, but how thankful I am for a full life. Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving!!!???

That leads us to Christmas! You won't believe it, but I actually got a pain free photo this year! Whatever will I do with all of my hours saved?????? Work on our card. I have some ideas dancing in my head. Don't get too excited, I am not crafty.

My house is a wreck. I am serious, but I am working on that tonight after my tater tots hit the hay and the house is quiet and there aren't messes being made after one cleans up.

Like I said life is full, but so good.

Last night, David heard me say I was tired and achy. NO I don't have the flu. However, he started whimpering at dinner that he was icky. He said he was so full and icky. :) lol

We have the boys doing chores in the morning. I am a fan! That provides something productive to do besides hitting your brothers or making MORE mess and it really helps me out. So, here is the low down. One makes the beds. They are not perfect, but that isn't the point. They are made. The other cleans the playroom. You'll note I have jobs for two. David is still asleep. I just switch the chore each day so they both get a turn doing each. They can earn a little Wii time after homework in the afternoon if they complete their job by the time the timer goes off. You might hear me singing the Hallelujah Chorus down the block. The biggest blessing is that you hopefully won't hear me YELLING at the children down the block. Note I said "hopefully."

Luke has a broken collar bone.

They all need haircuts and it is going to rain this week.

Sounds like a messy week to me, but life is good.