Thoughts

Thoughts

This faith walk can seem complicated at times yet over and over again we are told that the real work has been done on the cross. We are asked to do the work of believing. John 6:28-29 reads: "28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." I think it is easy to get full of our selves and create real and imagined obstacles to living out our faith.  I believe we are to hold fast, "to not harden our hearts" and handle the word of God with care.  In John 6:27 Jesus says  ^"Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you" and in 2Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."  Is it that simple; to just believe, rest in the fact the work is done, "hold to our original conviction" and to "meditate on God's precepts and consider his  ways."?

Decisions

Decisions

This is a big year for the Cupo's...my 50th, our 25th anniversary, the oldest graduates college, the middle one graduates high school and the youngest heads into high school. Decisions need to be made. Some are fun or easy choices like how will we celebrate. Some are not mine to make and some have John and I puzzled such as where to send Ben next year. For many  families that is an easy one  but for a family who has utilized many different modes to educate our children it is a very challenging time. We have home, cyber, private, public and Wider schooled. All have benefited our children and met various needs. This year as we make this decision I feel a bit of unrest as we look at Ben's gifts and personality, trying to balance what will allow for growth not just academically but in his character and creativity as well as help open doors for future endeavors. Though we are pondering this at great lengths I am not worried and know whatever the choice God will be in it although would love that obvious easy answer.

1, 2, 3.....

1, 2, 3 eyes on me....In a preschool classroom, that is a familiar phrase used to gain the children's attention. In the special education preschool class where I work it takes many different prompts to help them focus on the needed instructions. I sometimes have them clap hands, stretch high in the air, give themselves a hug. Any thing that breaks their wandering gaze. That is very much how I think our heavenly father tries to get us to refocus on his son. I so easily wander from what I learned earlier in the week, day etc. I can experience wonderful truths about how God is working in other  women's lives and soon start to drift into "naval gazing" (a friends coined phrase). Sometimes just like  my special needs kiddos I need more input to gain my attention, a fresh look at the word, a word of encouragement,  a change of posture or a simple move towards obedience. Today, thankfully all that was needed was a gentle whisper...1, 2, 3 eye's on me.

Technology

Technology love it hate it. Frustrated by words unintentionally deleted but love sharing words with others on screens far away.

Tuesdays

Tuesday...one of the days I don't work, a day when Ben is home and the day Avery comes.  It begins early at 7:30 when baby arrives. Smiles, hugs, new skills admired, favorite books reached for and read. All is well, I am confident of this Grandma thing until I am not. We try exploring new songs, games and books but soon they grow tiresome. Lunch approaching and almost done, angel dust dropping away as food is thrown and other normal  toddler behavior emerges. Surprising though is Grandma's shorter fuse, pride thinking I have this down pat. Sinful child wanting her way, but more sad is sinful grandma wanting control. Tuesdays  a chance for the mirror to be  held up to see some ugly reflections,  a reminder that parenting is hard but the process of being sanded by anothers' need so necessary.

Noises

          Shh!Quiet. Shhhhhhh please!
 The noises reverberating all around our house tip the scales many a night; crazy dog barking, music emanating from technology, simultaneous conversations carrying on a midst random  boy noises and TV voices competing in the back ground. Decibels increasing and suddenly mom Shhshing all, hoping for a quiet space, but not really wanting it to stop. The noise does  overwhelm but it also means there is a pulse of life in our home. Time soon enough when one by one the noise makers will move on so this shhsher needs to shhsh herself and listen and remember.




This post inspired by Dani.

winter gift

Many may disagree but this has been a good winter for me. As a type B personality who enjoys a slower pace I have found the snow and cold weather  a bit refreshing. I am not necessarily a cold weather fan but the many days off have provided an automatic rest button from the busy. The frigid temps have also allowed for a hibernation from the world and time slots  that may have other wise been filled with running here and there. The season of rest is so needed yet our culture and values are so opposed to stopping,even if we profess it is good, our body's and minds do not know how. This winter I feel , at least here in the north east, we  have been given a gift from The Gift giver. The gift of staying in doors, huddling with family, reading a good book, and learning to be still.