Today, Tomorrow and the Next Day

 

Today:
1. Shopping for a Cell project that Taylor has due next week.
2. Thawing turkey breasts in the fridge
3. Teacher's gifts to buy.
4. Go back and get more of my hair cut -- not enough cut off last week.
5. Color said hair -- gray is a' showin'
6. Bake a birthday cake for my almost teenage son
7. Wrap birthday present for said son
8. Go to the store for ingredients for hashbrown casserole, pecan pies, pumpkin muffins for Sunday, fudge and icing for cookies.
9. Pull out Christmas decorations
10. Go by Lifeway for a few other small gifts

Tomorrow:1. Finish thawing turkey breasts for cooking in the crock pots tonight -- delicious way to cook turkey!
2. Assemble tree -- yes, we don't do live!
3. Help son work on science project
4. Bake pecan pies
5. Assemble casserole for baking the next day
6. Have lunch with husband! Yay!
7. Wash clothes
8. Clean house.

The Next Day:1. Be thankful!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17

Happy Thanksgiving,
Dori

Monday, Monday

I probably have a dozen posts by this same name. It's my little way of saying that this post is a "all things random" kind of post.

We had a good weekend -- by good I don't mean perfect. It came with some challenges that is for sure. My sweet girl is dealing with some pretty serious disruptions to her sleep. I want to understand what is causing them so much and really praying for this child. I hate to see her struggle like this and it takes a toll on all of us. So if you think about it, would you say a little prayer for her? I'm compiling a list of scriptures to pray over her and if anything comes to mind, do share! Okay?

Saturday the boys headed up to Kentucky for a very cold football game. Lindsey and I stayed warm and dry and went to see Madagascar 2. It was very cute and just the sound of Ben Stiller's voice makes me laugh, but it is like every other movie and television show that is geared towards children. There is always inappropriate, adult-like humor mixed in. Nothing filthy, just things that make you go, "Hmmmm...I don't think my 7 year old necessarily needs to hear this right now." I understand why they do it, I think, because I was kind of surprised at how many couples I saw at this movie -- with no children in tow! Kind of funny, I thought.

Sunday is a full day at The Cook House! Not much resting going on here. We taught 2nd grade yesterday morning, then Butch attended a leadership meeting after church, and then we were back at 5:00 to teach children's choir and Bible Drill. It's a full day and so on Mondays all I want to do is take my Sunday afternoon nap! :) I remember when I was a little girl that my parents were SERIOUS about Sunday afternoon naps. Now that I am a grown-up I definitely get it! We would come home from church, eat lunch, then I would strip down (hope I don't get any weird google searches because I just used the term "strip down" - ugh!) to our little Sunday "slips" (did anyone else wear a slip under their dresses when they were little girls and do they still make slips?) and off to bed we would go. I think the Sunday nap ritual should be resurrected in Christian homes. I know for sure that our 2nd graders on Sunday night might be a bit more manageable and less hyper if they did that! :)

I'm trying to get out of the house more because I have become quite the hermit lately. If I'm not careful I will sit in my pj's entirely too long, stay on the computer way too long, and then I'm no good to anyone. So, after today's household things are done, I'm going to go run a few errands -- mainly returning some clothes that I bought for me and Lindsey over the weekend. Tomorrow I'm having lunch with a friend and stop by and see how things are with my parents and my grandmother.

Just life, you know?

So that this post isn't completely wasted on the mundane and before I put you completely to sleep, I found an Oswald Chambers quote this morning that I think of often. It is from the February 8 reading of My Utmost for His Highest:

"The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him."

Dear God, as we go through our sometimes mundane, ordinary and uneventful days, would You let Your Holy Spirit wash us clean of anything that needs to go -- those things that look nothing like You? I love You, Jesus. And as I prayed this morning would You stop me dead in my tracks if I am every drawn to lesser loves? Amen.

Blessings,
Dori

Walking in His Daddy's Shoes

 

My son, who is growing by leaps and bounds every month and who we cannot keep pants that fit for more than two weeks, was all decked out this morning in his brand new dress pants, freshly pressed dress shirt and looking oh so spiffy. He was about to head off to school, but then they were headed to a field trip to present their ideas to the Model UN on how to alleviate the slave trade that is occurring in Zimbabwe and surrounding countries. (I know it makes my head swim, too!)

And then...chaos ensued.

Did I mention that he is growing?

Did I mention that I had to buy those dress pants just last night because he had outgrown all his others?

Did I mention that I had donated his dress shoes to Goodwill just 2 weeks ago and had totally forgotten?

Did I mention that when I remembered this, the bus was coming up the hill?

So after a frantic 90 seconds, the thought occurred to me. His Daddy's penny loafers!

I ran back to the closet, grabbed them off the shelf and literally prayed all the way back to the kitchen that they would fit.

And somehow they did!

And here I am...the mother of an almost 13 year old, whose shoes I used to be able to hold in the palm of one hand! And I watched him walk down the sidewalk this morning in his Daddy's size 10's. How and when did that happen??

What a fine young man his Dad and I have had the privilege of watching grow. We are thankful that God, in spite of our lack of ability to parent worth a hill of beans, has his hands on Taylor. He has gifted him with an unbelievable and beautiful mind that can process and analyze beyond anything that we would have dreamed for him. And yet he is sensitive, thoughtful, loving and caring.

Thank you, God, for allowing me the joy of being part of Your plan for Taylor's life. Help me not forget that even though his stature may be taller, he is still a child and in need of gentle and loving guidance. Guide us as we journey through the next few years. Above all, help Taylor grow in the grace and knowledge of You. Help Him to see Your path and walk clearly in Your truth...Help Him to walk in His Daddy's shoes for the remainder of His days!

"Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:11-12)

Blessings,
Dori

Election Day Blues

Friends, when I went to bed on Tuesday night I was quite down -- really full of despair and dread -- over the outcome of the election. Don't get me wrong. I watched our President-elect give a powerful acceptance speech. I saw racial barriers begin to dissolve. On the surface what I saw from that stage in Chicago was exciting, hopeful and moving. But I then recalled the promises he had made that would deterioriate the belief system that my family and I hold dear. So my head hit the pillow and my hope seemed deferred!

But something happened on Wednesday morning. I woke up at peace. God spoke into my ear that my hope is built on nothing less than Him. My circumstances can't change that. The state of my country can't change that. The President of the United States can't change that. I realized that what had happened the night before didn't change the abundant life that Jesus came to give me. I realized that what had happened the night before did, however, make my job as a Christian woman, wife and parent harder in the years to come. But who promised us that the Christian life would be easy? No, indeed, the Christian life is the narrow path. There is a reason Jesus said, "take up your cross daily and follow Me." Taking up a cross is hard work!

As I began to think of the challenges that we may face, I sort of felt invigorated. I felt like I had been given a battle cry to "GET ON WITH IT!" This is no time to be discouraged, in despair or wallow in our disappointment. This is not the time to be a wimp, but be the warrior we were called to be!

The fact is that none of us knows the future. We don't know when Christ will come back for His Bride. We don't know what the President-elect will do when he takes office. We have no idea what rights we hold dear will be demolished.

But what we do know is that we have been called to love -- love God, love people. We've been called to disciple -- across the street and around the world. We've been called to take care of widows and orphans. We've been called to be salt and light. We've been called to "suffer the little children" and teach them all that we have seen and heard God do in our lives. We've been called to worship Him in spirit and in truth. We've been called to make His Name famous!

We are also called to pray for those who lead us. So I'm praying. I'm praying for our President-elect that he will seek God's wisdom, pursue holiness and practice humility. A tall order, indeed. But with God ALL ALL ALL things are possible!

I was reminded that even though things look uncertain, God hasn't changed. It isn't going to be easy, but God will empower. He is faithful. He is above all. He is on His throne. Through it all He is our Prince of Peace, our King, the Alpha and Omega, the One Who was, and is and is to come! Nothing trumps Him. He is Jesus, the One and Only!

Blessings,
Dori

Walk Peacefully with Me

I've been a bit taken back at my attitude and response to this election recently and the hopelessness I have heard in the voices, posts, and even status updates posted by friends on online social networks.

Friends, we serve a God who is the center of the universe. This day comes as no surprise to Him. He knows who the winner will be and no matter who it is, God is the One who is in control. Don't wish this day away. Redeem the time. Get to work. His Name must be proclaimed in love and in hope and in peace and in joy -- not in defeat, dread, discouragement and despair! We were created for such a time as this! Be strong! Don't wimp out in this thing!!

"Walk peacefully with Me through this day. You are wondering how you will cope with all that is expected of you. You must traverse this day like any other: one step at a time. Instead of mentally rehearsing how you will do this or that, keep your mind on My Presence and on taking the next step. The more demanding your day, the more help you can expect from Me. This is a training opportunity, since I designed you for deep dependence on your Shepherd-King. Challenging times wake you up and amplify your awareness of needing My help.

When you don't know what to do, wait while I open the way before you. Trust that I know what I'm doing, and be ready to follow My lead. I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace."

"The LORD replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'" (Exodus 33:14)

"The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days." (Deuteronomy 33:25)

"May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." (Psalm 29:11)

Taken from the November 4 reading of Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young.

Be still but be strong,
Dori