How will they know?

  This weekend Aaron and I were sitting in the car after a family trip for icecream.  The kids had all gone into the house and we just sat for a few minutes.  We do this when we need the cone of silence.  It sometimes makes the kids nervous because they know we are "talkin".  Many a huge decisions have been made in the cone of silence.

I asked Aaron how we knew how to be parents?  A profound question.  When growing up no one
talked about when you get married and have kids you are going to need to know how to be patient and you are going to need to be totally selfless.  There was a lot of expectations to go to college and make money but never to be a good parent.  Maybe it was assumed.  I was not raised on the Bible.  We were church going but I did not have a personal relationship with God.   So the question..."How will your kids know how to be parents?"

I am tossing this out there.  I don't have an answer.  It is concerning and scary to me that we dont talk about it openly with our kids.  Our culture does nothing to address being a good parent.  There is lots and lots of talk about not getting "into trouble" and becoming a parent too soon.  But there is nothing that shows or teaches the gift of parenting.

Some folks say that Aaron and I are too hard on our kids.  Our four have lots of chores and they do not have a lot of outside the house activities..ie sports and such.  They do a lot at home and with each other.
They are expected to watch the younger ones when needed and they are expected to do it well.  Maybe this is like on the job training for when they are parents.

I wonder.....what celebrity would make an impact on young people.  What person would be a good spokes person for parenting?  What would they say?  What would you say?

Hummm??

Double for your Trouble

This might turn out to be more of a rant than a blog post...but Im ok with that.

Ladies...(gentlemen I am not ignoring you..but there are just more gals)

Each and everyone of us has incredible talents.

 God has given us these talents and blessings to serve Him.   Every time you get into the elevator to get to your office or cube you are working towards a goal.

Every time you empty the dishwasher you are working towards a goal.

When you pick up the phone to call a friend that has been a little too quiet you are working towards a goal.

Every single day when you get up and see your babies out the door you are woking towards a goal.

It is not a goal of financial wealth or of fame.
 It is not a goal that anyone else in this world will ever see.
 It is a simple formula.
 Painfully simple.
It is about doing the right thing.
 It is about serving others and always looking to Christ.  It is about having "ground hog day " over and over again.
Not because you like to clean the kitchen (maybe you do, but not me) but because you are working towards raising children and having a nice home for them and you want to keep your eyes on the prize.

There are times when we are stopped in our tracks by what is happening to us..what someone is saying, or what someone is doing.  Mean, hurtful things that can take our breath right out of us.  Times when we are on our faces.  Times when evil is lurking and threatening our Faith.  Tests....

These tests dont just show up in small manageable doses.  They slam you to the fence with a tidal wave of circumstances.
The magnitude of the reality of our world is cruel and harsh.
How can we fight such opposition?  What power do we have?

Indeed..."What are our defenses?"

What are your defenses?

Where is your shelter?

How do you respond to the attacks?

Again...it is simple.  You do the work.

Every single day...every single moment.....every single night...you show up.
Ya see....I have been counsel to many a close dear friends.  It is a huge blessing to have sisters in Christ.  You raise one another up.  You dry tears.  You make meals.  You dig in.  You pray.

You basically ignore the bad and focus on the good.  Super simple..but soooo hard.

I have the hardest time when it comes to my kids.  I am a mama bear times a million.  I am a fierce protector.  But I can not protect them from themselves.  Two are teenagers.  They are going to make choices...ones that I might not like.  They are going to push....and test.  This makes me sooo scared.  I have prayed so many times for the days of sleepless nights and diapers.  Watching your kids learning to fly is terrifying....and ohhh sooo exhilarating.

You truly will get double for all your trouble.  Keeping your eyes on the prize.  Showing up.  Listening to the teenage stories and drama.  Making the calls.  Taking the meals.  Fighting the good fight.

 Every single day...focusing on Him.

I love IG..Insta Gram!!!

Merry Christmas....................

Do you feel like the Barbie at the end of "Toy Story 3..."are we done yet?  is everybody gone?...Geeze..my cheeks are killing me..."

Is this you??  All the shopping all the running all the visiting...you just need a brake.

From Thanksgiving until today....I have been on full power. The four kids and the parties and the running.

Now I love every second of it....but I forget some of it ya know???  

That is why I love love love IG....

I have taken more pictures of sweet moments this past season and I am so thankful because today I was able to sit back and look at this busy blessed season and  remember....

Merry Christmas....to all !!!!   come and see me at joanniedoors on IG...so much fun...

Smooches!!