Lessons through a child

There are so many things that I've wanted to write about but being a busy mom has kept me from the computer. So I'll share the little lesson that I received through my son today.

I was up at the church tonight working on our new First Time Family check in station. Liam was on the floor playing. He was playing with his new toy from Tupper Ware, you know that red and blue ball with the shapes....yep...he likes it. He was picking up the shapes and putting each one in his mouth. Since he's still working on his dexterity some of the shapes were getting away from him. One would fly and he would scoot to chase after it. Well, while chasing a shape a bottle of water caught his eye....his new goal, the bottle of water. So he set off to get this bottle; scooting/Crawling (military style) eagerly trying to reach what he wanted. In his path was a small changing bag, so he started making his way over this bag, which got him in a pickle because now his body was at a higher level (like he was body surfing) and he wasn't able to figure it out. Anyway, he began to reach and stretch and strain to get this bottle of water. Slowly but surely, he got his fingers on the bottle. He worked and worked and he could see his prize almost in his complete grasp. With determination and focus, he finally got that bottle of water. In his little mind he had succeeded!! Then out of nowhere, his prize was pulled from his grasp.

The lesson I got from this was:
There are many things that we try to reach for or that we want, a job, a new car, a new toy, a new relationship, or even a new life. We reach and stretch and try to push through the obstacles, sometimes with success, sometimes without success. But we push and strive for what we want. Then when we get it we are excited and feel like we have a huge victory. But then that prize is pulled out of our grasp.There are things in my life that I've pushed for and wanted and have succeeded in getting. Then God out of nowhere comes in and removes that prize. It wasn't meant for me. It's not what he wanted for me and in some cases it was not the best for me.

That was my lesson. Stop reaching for the things that I want and start focusing on the things that God has in store for me. Stop putting all my time and effort on what I want and wait for God to open the door for me.

Two ships passing through

So, I'm sitting here at home and it's 11:53pm on Wednesday night. I have to say that I do not envy single moms and find that I respect them more that I thought. I say this because I sit here at home waiting for my husband to come home from work. See, my husband works for the House of Blues of Myrtle Beach and tends to long hours. Our schedules are so opposite (hence the felling of being a single mom) he works at night and I work during the day. I know that he really doesn't care for this schedule either. He doesn't get to spend much time with the baby and when he does, he's usually tired because he came home at 2am and the baby is up by about 8:30am.

If you were to peek into our life you'd see two ships passing through the night or day, depending on the ship that you're following. This seems to be a pattern for us. There was a point in our life when we we both home by 6pm and got to spend the evenings together. That was an awesome time! I got the opportunity to have dinner ready for him and I also tried to do other things as well. I LOVED IT!! Now, I'm lucky if he eats the dinner that I leave in the microwave for him. I know that this is a season and God has a plan for us and doesn't want us to not have time for each other and family time.

About 2 and 3 weeks ago we some great family time. One weekend we took a Ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher and we went to the Fort Fisher aquarium. The ferry trip was so cool. Then the week after we went to the Ripley's aquarium. It's awesome to have a Blues Brother partner. We got a free ticket. Anyway, I would love to see us have the ability to spend more time together as a family.

Well, it's about 12:30 am and I just nodded off for a short nap. I'm off to bed. Sorry that this a little random.

Cherish time with your loved ones. Treasure the moments with your children.

Awesome weekend in Children's Ministry

We had some record numbers yesterday in Children's Ministry!! It's sooo cool to see the number of new families that came through the doors at Barefoot.

I have to say that God is AMAZING! I don't know about you, but I find myself in utter astonishment at what power God has on this world. This OnePrayer series has really brought about some changes. There have been times when there are things that make me go, "Hmmm".

It's sad that I find myself always so busy that those moments are few and far between. If I could stop for a moment and realize and stand in God's presence, the "Hmmm" moments would begin to be more than just moments.

Barefoot is about to rock the North Myrtle Beach community. I believe that there is about to be an explosion of Jesus on this city. God is ready to do more amazing things in and through Barefoot church. It's not about Barefoot, it's about God moving. He has a plan for us all and if we can slow down for him to reveal that "Hmmm" or "Aaha"; our lives would radically move to "HNL!"

We have to be willing to reach further than the clouds, through the stars, and into the heavens to receive God's full for our lives. He stands and knocks at our doors! Are we standing on the other side shaking in our Rainbows because of what he might ask us to do? Are we saying, "Perhaps" I'll open that door in a minute?" Or are you saying, "Here I am Lord, I will go?" I pray that I become more of the latter and move away from the "Perhaps" and "In a minute."

Where do you stand? Open or closed?

Check out our newest ministry tool IslandJAM Children's Ministry group web site.