Suit Up. There's a battle going on...

I'm a mom to three boys. You know what that means, don't you? No matter how often I remind them to be gentle and compassionate, they always find a way to remind me that God made them ALL boy. In their world, sticks become swords. Chopsticks become wands. Peanut butter sandwiches become guns. And no one had to teach them how to make those awesome sound effects either. It's like they were born with it. Be warned, friends: if you stop by our house unannounced, there's a pretty high chance you'll walk into a living room full of pushed back furniture to make room for a night of "college wrestling", and it doesn't even have to be the weekend.

Somebody please tell me you can relate. Geesh.

The theme is always the same. There's a dark side and a light side. Good versus evil. And on a good night - if I'm lucky- true heroism shines through, and they rescue their little sister from the bad guys. They've figured out that she can play a pretty good little Tinkerbell when she puts her mind to it.

It's crazy, but they never seem to run out of stories to act out. Even if the bad guys were defeated the night before, another villain inevitably arrives to take the last one's place. But somehow they're ready. They know there will be a struggle, but they're determined to stand their ground. And without fail?

The good guys always win.

There's a huge contrast between those boys and this lone girl of mine. If given the option, she prefers to "mommy" her baby dolls all day, every day. She's a born nurturer, and she doesn't need prompted to love and sway and sing and pat until the cows come home.

But every so often, if the cast needs another player, she puts on her cape and joins forces with the boys. It may not seem as natural to her as playing babies, but she doesn't let that stop her. She's tough and determined and focused when she needs to be, and when summoned, she'll rise to the occasion.

Join me over at Good Morning Girls today where I finish my thoughts on another battle that's currently raging, except for this one's not make-believe...

Channeling our passion for the Gospel...

I'm passionate about baking. She's passionate about helping. This isn't always a match made in heaven. In fact, truth be told, I still like to do things my way in the kitchen. I really do enjoy flour-less floors and tea rings with perfect measurements all around. I desire order and efficiency when I work. I prefer my dough to be smooth and even, minus the ten chubby fingerprints through the center.

But yesterday when we were creating this Valentine treat for Tess's daddy, I realized that a key ingredient was missing in my idealistic little recipe for baking success.

Joy.

I needed to let go of the unnecessary and focus on the bigger picture. Forget the efficiency. Forget the perfection. Forget my way. There is so much joy in embracing this special one-on-one time with my girlie. Slowly training her from a young age to love working in the kitchen. Helping her to understand that we as women can love our families well through such a simple act of service. Grabbing hold of her love for helping others early, so it's her natural bent as she grows. Channeling her (sometimes overwhelming!) passion for good.

Possibly the biggest mom-lesson God continually brings to my mind is to be more passionate about the person than the project.

If I spend all my days as a mom trying to live up to the standards of perfection I have created in my head, then I will miss the ministry that God has placed before me. I can complete all kinds of projects and display all kinds of skills, but if I neglect to love others in the process, then I will have completely missed the mark.

Talk about being passionate about something... enter Ephesians. Paul has this passion-channeling thing down pat. He is so passionate about the Gospel, in fact, that he can't stop talking about it:

"For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² SURELY you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly."

Ephesians 3:1-3

If it seems like Paul has repeated himself a few times in the first few chapters of Ephesians, it's because he has. Imprisonment couldn't even waiver him! I love the almost interruption of his speech in these verses. Was it because he felt the need to repeat himself again? As if to say, "Wait, I want to make sure you get this... SURELY you have heard. I've already said it, but this is good stuff. Remember this!"

It would be easy for Paul to get caught up in the political incorrectness of his message. What he has stated about the Jews and the Gentiles becoming one in Christ caused HUGE ruffles and controversy. I would have even understood if he was worried about his image, or if he had a little pity party for himself because the whole thing landed him in prison. Yet he continues to keep his passion focused. He knows the ONE whom he is talking about, and he can't resist sharing the Good News with anyone who will listen.

I wonder how much more we could accomplish for the Gospel if we focused on just that: the Gospel. I fear that we often channel our energies into so many different things that we lose sight of the real ministry that God has called us to from the very beginning. We are bent on doing things:

Perfectly.

Our own way.

Committed to all kinds of projects, organized ministries and lots of good things, but allowing division in the body and our own agendas to get in the way of why Jesus came in the first place.

Just think of how effective we could be for the Gospel if we were more passionate about the person - JESUS - than we were about the "project". Do you need to answer His call to return to your first love?

He is waiting patiently. Strip the unnecessary away. There is JOY in His presence.

Christmas dishes are meant to be used, and so is your Bible...

I've come a long way in these last ten years of parenting. So far, that as I was packing up Christmas decorations, Tess was aloud to have one last tea party with my Christmas dishes.

That's far, folks. Deep breath.

You see, I used to save nice dishes for when guests were over. When I really wanted to impress someone. But most of the time, I would display them in the hutch as part of the holiday decor, but would rarely use them. In fact, I usually ended up dusting them more than someone actually ate from them. Wait, I forgot that I don't dust in December. Heh. But if I did dust, they would certainly need it. They were used so rarely that sometimes I would even forget about them entirely.

But having kids conveniently, eventually does something for most of us parents and our view of material things. Mostly because nothing in our homes can ever be held sacred again after a two year old has crossed it's path. What once was organized and well taken care of suddenly begins to resemble those second rate items in a furniture store: once lovely and highly desired, but now residing in the scratch and dent aisle in the very back of the warehouse.

Only my stuff is a little stickier.

As I think about the new year, I don't want my Bible to become like my Christmas dishes. Out for display, but never used practically for it's intended purpose. I don't want to only pull it out when I have guests over, or when I really want to impress someone with just the right words, or wait until (gasp) a church service to find it useful. If I'm not intentional in it's use, it will sit in the same spot long enough to collect dust, and I'll pass over it just like I do other nic-nacs that sit around my house. An item that's nice to have, but never truly taken down and enjoyed.

Let's be honest, I've been on again and off again in my Bible reading plenty of times before, and I've had enough time to learn my lesson. I need it daily. Yes, daily. Not because I'm some legalistic rule-follower, but because I'm messed up enough that I need Jesus every minute of every day. And His Word is His voice calling out to me, showing me the way.

I have a plan for the new year. I know myself well enough to know that no plan means no follow-through. I'm keeping it simple or otherwise I'll fail. It doesn't require childcare or money, and I don't even have to get out of my pajamas if I don't want to. Just a small commitment of a few minutes each morning. And you'll never believe it, but someone has already done all of the preparation for me. I just have to be obedient.

And get a little help from my friends.

I'll fill you in on my little secret tomorrow. And I'm praying that you'll consider joining me!

One thing I do know... I've never enjoyed my Christmas dishes more.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Intentionally looking ahead...

I just went online and registered three boys for school. Ugh. The end of summer can wait just a little bit longer if you ask me. I know lots of moms are itching for their schedules back, but this one is pretty comfortable right where she is, thank you very much.

We have enjoyed a great summer routine, thanks to a little bit of intentionality. But since it's August 1st and those crazy registrations are submitted, I've been forced to look ahead to what our schedule will look like once school starts.

Some leisurely things will sadly have to go. The kids will have to actually take baths instead of relying on the sprinkler to clean their dirty summer feet. Meals must consist of more than a PB & J on the way to a ballgame. The nighttime routine is in serious need of being bumped back by at least an hour. And pancakes in the shape of Star Wars battle ships? Well, those molds might have to be reserved for lazy Saturday mornings.

Oh, and one more thing. Sweet, sweaty boys, you might as well get it through your thick skulls... shirts must eventually be worn, whether you like it or not.

But I'm praying for the resolve to continue to make some things a priority when we say goodbye to this beloved season. Yes, we've enjoyed the simplicity that summer can bring. But, in an unexpected way, summer has also caused us to be more disciplined in certain areas.

Like Bible reading.

We take the time because there's more of it. Or maybe it's because we've intentionally scheduled it into our days. Could it be that we've come to the realization that our older boys need to be honing some of these spiritual disciplines for themselves instead of always relying on us to make it happen?

As we gear up for another year of public school, we want our kids to be armed with the Gospel of Truth. Guided, encouraged, and filled with the wisdom that God has revealed to us through His Word. It might mean getting everyone up a half-hour earlier. It definitely won't always be the easy or natural thing to do. But if I could only commit to one thing as the school year starts, it would be this.

Our practical plan over the summer has included Jack and Trey learning to study the Bible on their own. Trey completes his daily reading and worksheet for his Sunday school class, then has a head's up for the story they'll be covering during their next class time. Jack is reading through the New Testament (a challenge from his dad), but has recently decided that he wants to take a detour in Proverbs, covering a chapter a day. He then picks one verse out of his reading to write out and apply to his life personally. Chase and I just completed The Jesus Storybook Bible (the most beautiful tying together of scripture for children), and are now attempting to read it through again with Tess.

Yes, attempting.

Only the Lord knows if she is hearing the words through all of her squirming and hanging off of the bed upside down.

No matter. We're not perfect. But we're giving it our best shot, and we're begging God to do the rest.

To work in our kids' hearts. To change them to be more like Him. Then to empower them to make an impact for Christ in their own little worlds.

So far the one who has been changed and challenged the most?

Me.