Prayer

During Lent this year, I am learning more about prayer (something I seem to always be grappling with).

If you would be so kind as to allow me to pray for you during this season, leave a note in the comments or slip me an email (whitesparrows at gmail dot com)

Love Bade Me Welcome

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back

     Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

     From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning

     If I lacked anything.

“A guest,” I answered, “worthy to be here”;

     Love said, “You shall be he.”

“I, the unkind, the ungrateful?  Ah my dear,

     I cannot look on thee.”

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

     “Who made the eyes but I?”

“Truth, Lord, but I have marred them; let my shame

     Go where it doth deserve.”

“And know you not,” says Love, “who bore the blame?”

     “My dear, then I will serve.”

“You must sit down,” says Love, “and taste my meat.”

     So I did sit and eat.

 

                          George Herbert

Motives

Yesterday, E and I were headed to the car after getting a new ID card. I was holding him close because the wind was blowing, like it always does. He did not understand why I was confining him and was bucking and fussing. By the time we reached the car, we were both frustrated. He got in trouble for whining and I put him in his car seat. Shutting the door, I asked something like, “Lord, help me not to think about my frustration. What can I do for You?”

And immediately, the thought crossed my mind, “Minister to E.”

I stood out in the cold, thinking about how he had just gotten in trouble: the reason was legitimate, my heart was not. I was frustrated. The motivation behind the discipline had not been to encourage a willing and obedient heart but to make him not be so frustrating. I had made it about me.

Motherhood is about laying the self down.

Life is Christ.

E is still naughty at times. And the way I deal with his rebellion is the same.

But now, I pray (even in the heat of the moment) that the Lord would give me His heart.

Library

We’ve been too busy having adventures to post them but here’s one from today. E took his newest skill (walking) to the stacks.

Nom

Sharing a bowl of soup at Panera. Yummy!

Come Together

Since having sweet E, I have been shocked at how quickly issues spring up between mamas…and how quickly a small parenting decision can come between good friends.  I loved this article from Steady Mom; the title says it all, “I don’t know what I’m doing and neither do you…”.

As long as we’re doing the best that we can with the physical and emotional tools provided, we can cast off that mommy-guilt.  Let’s surround ourselves with mamas who can support us despite our differences…this mama-thing is hard enough without fighting each other, too.

Off to Church

Grocery Jungle

Today’s morning snack was eaten while hunting for deals at the grocery store.

A Gift of Beauty

The little guy created his first work of art today-a gift of original beauty to a cold world.

Bible Study

E bravely ventured into his own classroom for CBS. We were both worn out afterwards.

Cookin’ With Mama

We’re having a special guest for lunch so the buddy is helping me prepare the soup.

(Forgot to photograph yesterday; we had lunch with church friends.)