Compassion

Yesterday Craig was tackling the Mt. Everest of Laurel Hedges, armed with various cutleries (some with motors, some with nothing more than human muscle needed to operate) and stumbled upon a nest with two freshly hatched birds tucked carefully inside. Sadly, we had destroyed their protective covering and severely disrupted their safe retreat. We himmed and hawed over our options. To attempt to raise them ourselves would require feedings every 1/2 hr, a schedule made impossible by my own offspring. There was no 'home' to return them to and even though I gave it a shot, our parakeet wanted nothing to do with them. I tucked them back into a bush that was nothing like their home, put a heated pad underneath their nest and prayed. Foolish though it may seem, their little open beaks pleading for food haunted me all night long and was the first thought on my mind when my own little nursling roused this morning. My heart felt sick, honestly, at the thought of these wee orphaned birds quietly dying in their little human-fashioned nest, a mother without her young. In the wee hours of this day as I snuggled with my sleepy baby, the word compassion reverberated in my head. What I felt for these nestlings was compassion, a deep and some may say, foolish, compassion. In that quiet moment, God reminded me that I was made in His image and that the compassion I felt was an attribute passed on to me by my Father. The deep-seated compassion that consumed my night time thoughts was similar in nature to the compassion the Lord has for me! I was astounded!!!

Ps. 86:15 "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth"

Ps. 111:4 "He hath made his wonderful works (that would be US!!!) to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion"

Ps. 112:4 "Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious and full of compassion, and righteousness"

Ps. 145:8 "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy"

How much more a loving, perfect God towards His beloved creation than a sinful, imperfect woman towards some orphaned birds. I am profoundly astonished, truly in awe...

(Sorry, didn't mean to 'leave you hanging', as my friend Leanne, noted. The birds, as one might guess, did not survive without their mother to tend to them. Another stark reminder in nature of how desperately we need our heavenly Father...)

Would You Pray for Baby Joe?

Would you be willing to pray for Baby Joe and his family? He is a very, very sick 7 week old baby. Will you join me in praying for a miracle? Thank you!

My Free Couch Revisited

Nice Couch- Free

Handsome Boy- Priceless

Rocks in my Dryer Part 1

So I've got some rocks knockin' around in my dryer. I doubt I will have time to settle them all right now as the kiddos are about to begin their day so this may have to be Part 1 of who knows how many parts. I've had some of these thoughts knockin' around in my head before but a recent James Dobson radio broadcast really got them going. I rarely catch Dr. Dobson's broadcast but this week he happened to accommodate my dish washing time (wasn't that nice of him?) and I got to hear a large portion of his broadcast with Dr. Archibald Hart entitled "Recapturing the Joy Part 1". You can listen to it here, (just click on "Listen to radio broadcast" and find "Recapturing the Joy"). Dr. Hart, from what I was gathering, was talking in part about how our society's drive for satisfaction and happiness and stimulation is literally killing us. He, of course, mentioned the grave dangers for our youth but what really caught my attention and spoke profoundly to my heart is the importance I put on being happy. I know I am not alone in my struggle (I don't know if I say that to validate you, the reader, or me, the vulnerable writer!), but how many times do I put off what I SHOULD be doing to do what makes me happy? How many times, in my daily life as wife, mother and homemaker, do I turn from my responsibilities because I simply don't FEEL like folding laundry or weeding the garden or washing the dishes, etc, etc? And is this assumed entitlement to happiness (sometimes at all costs) unique to my generation or has it been a temptation through the ages? What would have happened when my grandmother's mother decided she simply didn't feel like scrubbing out the clothes or washing up the dinner dishes? She had a family of 10 or 11 (Mom, correct me if I'm wrong) to care for. I would surmise that if she decided to take the afternoon off, the household would nearly fall apart. It seems that ladies of that generation were much more driven by responsibilities rather than happiness. They seemed to simply do what needed to be done without giving much thought to whether or not it made them happy. Am I wrong in this stereotype? What has made the difference between that generation and mine? Do you see where I'm going with all of this?
Yes, this will definitely have to be Part 1. Half of the Fabulous Four have risen from their slumber, hungry bellies and pajama-d bodies calling for me. More to come and if you have a minute to listen to that broadcast, please do so and then will you share your thoughts? I'd love to hear!

Vacation Bible School

This day brought for us the end of vacation bible school for the year. I had a couple of tired and sad boys! They enjoyed it so much (it was a science theme) and came home singing all the great songs they learned and reminiscing about the different things they got to do. I don't know why but the grand finale of VBS always chokes me up!!! All those kidlets singing and smiling, excited about the things they learned, some of them having asked Jesus to be their boss for the first time in their lives!!! It just reduces me to the bawling mother in the back row trying to croak out the songs with the rest of them! Sheesh!!!!!!

And it all leads me to ask, already....WHERE IS THIS SUMMER GOING????????

Soon swim lessons will begin, summer birthdays will fly past and the cool of autumn will be here before I can swat at a bee. As Hannah used to say, "Holy My Cow"!!!!!

Boyhood

An afternoon of Sun's shine on your back and woodsy scent in your lungs, of guns in your little boy arms and racing heart in your chest (for didn't YOUR heart race the first time you perched on your daddy's lap, big steering wheel held by hands deep in childhood?).....

Paisley Tot Etsy Store ***Free Shipping***

I am offering free shipping for all items in my Etsy Store, Paisley Tot, now through July 4th! I currently have some hooded towels, perfect for bathing and beach trips, and a couple of summery smocks. Come by and check it out!!!