Who Got Peanut Butter on My Daily Planner?

One of the best books I bought around the time I decided to stay home with Buddy was "Who Got Peanut Butter on My Daily Planner?"  I think it was the subtitle that really caught my attention.  As much as I loved being home, I wasn't sure what to do at first and this book helped encourage me in the stay at home process.
I'm currently in the process of re-reading it for the third or fourth time.  I've been feeling like I've been in a slump and not accomplishing as much around the house, especially with Buddy and Sweetpea. 
Cindy Dagnan uses humor to keep you reading and provides many useful tips to help your household run smoothly.  Her chapter on how to overcome our kryptonite has been the most encouraging to read and re-read.  All stay at home moms have dreams of being Supermom and all of us encounter kryptonite at some point.  How we decide to go from there is up to us.  Organization helps keep my home working well and I definitely know when I've started to let life get a little more cluttered.
If you are currently a stay at home mom, or thinking about becoming one, I recommend finding this book at a library or buying it.  I hope that you'll be as encouraged in your desire to stay home as I am!

Imitation

I've been observing lately that Sweetpea loves to imitate me.  The other morning as I got ready for the day, I put in my contacts and turned to grab my brush.  As I turned back around, Sweetpea had dipped her fingers into the leftover solution and was rubbing it under her eyes.  I've also found her trying to apply my makeup and she loves to wear my shoes.  Buddy has done a similar thing with Jon and at 18 months insisted he needed "apple-shave" and "do-rant".  I'll see Buddy sit like Jon and try to talk like him too and it makes me smile.

Ephesians 5:1-2 was brought to mind, "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."  Just as my children want to imitate their parents, I should be striving to imitate God.  Throwing off qualities that are sinful and pulling on His righteous characteristics should be a daily goal.  Instead of imitating the world around me, I hope to emulate Christ so that my children and the world will see Him through me. 

Why?

One of Buddy's favorite questions lately is "Why?" and he asks it about forty million times a day.  To be completely honest, it drives me nuts.  But what bothers me more is my response, the infamous "Because I said so!".  I always promised myself that when I had children, I would explain all their "why?" questions.  Invariably though, frustration sets in and I blurt out the exact response I hated growing up. 
It dawned on me yesterday as I was lamenting to Jon about how I wanted Buddy to mind without questioning me and how I didn't like my responses, that we do the exact same thing to God.  We hear His still small voice telling us to do something and we immediately question, "why?".   Or life brings us a circumstance we don't like and we question. 
"Why do I need to witness to this person?"
"Why am I or a family member facing this illness?"
"Why do I have to learn patience?  Can't you just give it to me?"
"Why can't vegetables taste like chocolate?"
"Why? Why? Why?"
I am so grateful that God has more patience with me than I do with Buddy in this area.  And though sometimes I do think God's answer is "Because I said so!", it is reassuring that He has the best in mind for us.  As I encourage Buddy to obey immediately, I am challenged to do the same thing in my spiritual walk.  Maybe 2012 can be the year of instantaneous spiritual obedience!

Mary's Heart, Martha's Hands

Since listening to Mark Driscoll's sermon about Mary and Martha, I've been thinking and mulling over various aspects of myself.  In the sermon he states, "We need to have Mary's heart but Martha's hands".  I liked that he pointed out that Martha's work and desire to work is not bad but her timing and priorities were out of line.  Since I tend to be more of a "Martha", I sometimes need to be reminded to slow down and take time for my relationship with Christ and with others.  I need to have a heart that longs for growth and deeper relationships while working hard for the Lord.  Often I get caught up in working hard for my husband and children, trying to live up to this impossible standard in my head, and then fail miserably at things like building relationships.  I listened to this sermon before our move and it was a good reminder that even though I want my new house set up and clean, Buddy and Sweetpea still need quality time each day.  As tempting as it is to put in a movie or to send them to their rooms to play individually so I can work really hard, I've tried to work when they are napping and enjoy the time with them when they are awake. 
"Mary's heart but Martha's hands" is such a profound statement to me because often times Martha is the person everyone doesn't want to be but God has given us all our different personalities.  Our personalities just need to be in balance with His priorities.  He has given me the desire to work and to serve and to be busy but my first desire should be to spend time in prayer and reading Scripture to grow in my daily walk.  My prayer lately is "Lord, please give me a Mary's heart while using my Martha hands".  So for all of the "Martha" personalities out there, I highly recommend listening to Driscoll's sermon, 'Mary and Martha'.

The Elephant Room

Jon and I are currently watching the Elephant Room DVDs which contain eight conversations between seven influential pastors.  This has been an interesting series to watch as it has challenged my thinking about several different hard topics. 
The format is two pastors answering the main question while being moderated by another pastor.  The other four pastors have an opportunity to weigh in throughout the various discussions.  Very blunt and very honest conversation develops throughout and becomes thought provoking as well.  I knew and recognized some of the pastors while others I did not know.  I also came in with some preconceived notions, positive and negative, about some of the pastors.  While I do not completely agree with each pastor on certain points, I have developed a respect for these men and their passion and motives for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is a very heady series and so it is good for me that the DVDs are broken each main question session.
As a youth pastor's wife, I appreciate and love these challenging lines of thought and discussion.  Hearing these pastors talk has given Jon and me a springboard for deep conversation together.  The Elephant Room is not something for everyone but if you are interested in learning more, the website, The Elephant Room, has more information.