Buddy

I have this love/hate relationship with our dog Buddy. In the process of moving, we were debating on whether to keep Buddy or find him a new home. I personally was ready to be rid of the responsiblity of nagging my children to play with him. He has really been more trouble then he is worth. He stills jumps up on us at times, digs in my flower beds and needs more attention then we have been giving him. The closer we got to getting rid of him, the sadder I got because deep down I really do like my daily walking Buddy. Who else would go anytime of the day with you on a walk. Who else could frustrate me more but then love to have you brush and pet him. Well we decided Buddy need to stay a part of our family. For this we sarificed new carpet at our rental and probably part of our sanity but our children are happy and I still have a walking partner.

This topic leads back to one of my biggest frustrations-lack of time spent with Buddy by my children. For children who love Buddy and couldn't imagine living without Buddy, they will often forget he is even alive. This often leads to guilt trips by their mom reminding them that they need to play with Buddy. What kind of love is that. Well in reality it could look a lot like love for our Savior. As Christians, we will often claim to love Jesus and can't imagine living without him but our actions don't match our words. At church we may be reminded (mom's guilt trip) of where we need to be. We do better for a day or so but true change only comes with a heart change. When my love for Christ is so much a part of me that I can't help spending time with Him and living for Him. When Christ is a part of all of our day not just a few minutes of our day.

Dear Patient and Loving God, Thank you for the opportunity to be your child and have your Son as my forever friend. May my love for you always grow and never grow cold. May you be a part of all my day not just bits and pieces of it. Amen

Stepping Out in Faith

Last week the children's lesson at church was the story of Abraham following God's leading to a new land. It was the story of Abraham's step of faith. Here is a brief story of my family's step of faith. My husband and I have been seeking a new direction but weren't quite sure where He was leading. We did know that our first step needed to be putting our house up for sale and that I was also to apply for some teaching jobs. We took the first step the Friday before Mother's day and I feel like we have been running ever since. Our house sold in 8 days. I had an interview and accepted a job a week after that. My husband felt confirmation in the direction he needs to go and God in his goodness allowed my job to be in the area we need to be for his schooling. Then lastly, we were able to find a rental house in the elementary school boundaries near where I teach. So we move this weekend to begin our new adventure. It is scary but not as scary as that first step.

Oh I forgot to tell you these amazing things. Our house selling in 8 days was a God thing. We live in a neighborhood where houses take 6 months to a year to sell. Also, I couldn't figure out why no one was calling for an interview. When they did finally start calling, my first interview was with a school that was located in the area where we needed to live and I would also teach pre-calculus. Okay some of you may not be excited about pre-calculus but it was what I use to teach so makes it a little easier going back into the work world (I got the job by the way). One more amazing thing. We had a moving sale and sold all the big things that needed selling in one day. We closed up around 2 or so in the afternoon.

As we begin this journey, we ask for your prayers. I am looking forward to seeing God continue to work in our lives as the school year begins in August. I know that my children and I will both be stretched. I do know they are in God's hands. I am excited to see how He will work in their lives as well.