Thursday, January 3, 2008

Shame on me

I have been really convicted lately about missing several weeks of Thankful Thursday/Thursday Thanks Tank. And, my only excuse (and it is a REALLY weak one at that) is that I've been too busy to stop for some time, meditate on how truly blessed I am, and blog about it.

Shame on me.

And, as I look at another lloonngg list of things that need to be done in the next few days, I am ashamed that I'm having trouble looking PAST the list and reading for the the blessings between the lines.

To do: I have the MOMS Club newsletter due ASAP and haven't started it *sigh*

Blessings: that I have become friends with some really wonderful and amazing ladies through this group...Donna, Melanie, Melissa, Kenya, Amy to name a few...all believers I'm pretty sure...who, if I called them right now, would listen to me whine and moan, they'd empathize, and then they'd kick my butt in gear! LOL

To do: Pojke's little cake-and-ice-cream party for the big TWO on Saturday. Kept small like Flicka's was, to be attended by two of the moms listed above with kids Pojke's age. Favors, crafts/activity, supplies, etc. NONE of it done and they'll be here in about 48 hours.

Blessings: Two years of amazing time with this sunshiny, happy, feisty, strong and happy boy! He makes me happier than I could ever imagine and so glad and proud to be his mom. Three people I know (one IRL and two online) have experienced first trimester losses in the last few weeks. All of them have unfortunately a history of similar events like myself. How dare I fuss, moan, complain, get frustrated over my precious little Vikings' newest mess or demand! What a slap to my Father's face! I was on my knees for YEARS for these two babies. How could I possibly treat them with anything other than love and praise. I WILL be thankful for the miracles He has provided!

To do: scrambling to make an unexpected (to be honest, forgotten) dinner for a family gracing our home tomorrow.

Blessings: The mom of this family is a wonderful, God-loving girl I met about 8 years ago when I was being "recruited" to spend a weekend with Lutheran Bible Translators to see if I was cut out for the calling of missionary! I was still single, no prospects on the horizon at nearly 30, and I was thinking that maybe God planned it that way for just a reason as this. Becca and I were roommates for the weekend. She comes from a family of missionaries with LBT and she grew up primarily in Africa. I have kept in touch with her, financially supported her when I could, and read her newsletters over the years as she met and married Danny, as they trained with Wycliffe down south, as they went into the field in Papua New Guinea, had Anna (the same time I was pregnant with Flicka), and then had Joshua (when I was pregnant with Pojke).

They are now on furlough, traveling, speaking, visiting, training, and they will be passing right by us on their way from the Detroit area to (I'm assuming) LBT's offices in Illinois! THEY are who I'm making dinner for! What a blessing and a privilege to serve a family that has given so much for the Lord! They are making enormous sacrifices for God and His work. I'm flattered that they are even stopping for a visit much less a meal. How dare I lose focus, or more accurately move the focus to myself. *sigh*

Shame on me.

With all these things coming up in the 60 hours, my ADD-rattled brain is having trouble focusing on what needs to be done when and how I am going to get it all done. So, I've decided to rest...rest in His mercy, in His care. "Offer it up" as my mom and grandma would say. Give it to God and let Him guide me. It'll all get done I'm sure. It always does. I need to just stop stressing about it. So, I'm giving it over to Him and focusing on the blessings.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ya know what, Beth ... the kids will be just as happy to play and be in each others presence . If there is no activity, then fine. Heck the only activity at Drew's (5th!!!) party today was pin the hubcap on the tire (haha!). The kids were more happy to play with each other.

Also, the MOMS Club newsletter ... that's about why I never volunteered to do it. haha! I feel your pain. Get through the next few events and then have at it. Relax. It'll get done in time.

Call me to vent anytime!! :)
Mel

Sarah @ Ordinary Days said...

Hey Beth! Remember my Honesty Contest you entered way back? I just wanted to stop by and let you know I am having another one. Here is the link: http://methemama.blogspot.com/2007/12/contest-time-with-prizes.html
Stop by if you can. :)

eph2810 said...

What a powerful post, Beth. I love how you have put the flip-side to your 'moaning' (which I don't you did). There is always a blessing in all the things we do. The thing that I do when I get frustrated/discouraged looking at my 'to-do-list' is say a quick prayer and thank the Lord for what He has done for me and it puts my little list in the right perspective :)

Thank you so much for sharing your grateful heart with us this week.

Blessings to you and yours in 2008 and beyond.

PS: Please thank your friends from the bottom of my heart that they are His hands and feet in the mission field.