Praising and Pumpkin Painting...

A few hours ago I watched my son get in the car with his father and drive away. I had only gotten to see him for fifteen minutes when I got home from work. Max seemed pale and quiet...I worry over him and ask him lots of questions - it's been a long and exhausting week and I'm afraid he could be coming down with something. But I had to watch him leave and he is out of my sight...but not my mind. Parenting is an unending cycle of overwhelming joy and gut-wrenching worry. It's terrifying and exhilarating...complicated to say the least. 

Thank goodness not everything is complicated. 
Last Sunday at church, our preacher spoke about one such thing...something that isn't complex and confusing. 
Following Jesus. 
Nothing about following Jesus has to be complicated. Psalms 150 simply states "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"
As I feel Fall wrapping around me, it is so easy to see God's creation praising the Lord...the thunder, the lightening, trees with their changing leaves, water bubbling in the stream, rain on the roof. When everything around me tangles up and life seems to be in knots - I simply need to praise the Lord. That's it. 
I'm a follower of Jesus and I will praise His name. No matter the situation, no matter the fear. I will stop what I am doing and praise Him. It is as simple as that. 

Fall 2013

Life has been flying by...
only slowing down here and there for moments of celebration, sadness, or counting blessings. 
We celebrated my little cousin's wedding - Lauren and Zack were married on the most gorgeous Saturday we've had all year. It was so relaxed and laid-back...much like Lauren herself. The whole wedding party spent most of the day at my mom and dad's - taking pictures, snacking, and just celebrating the love shared between these two! Lauren was so very full of joy all day long - it was a beautiful wedding and the reception was a blast! 

The next day, on Sunday morning, a young man who graduated from Barr-Reeve last year was in a terrible accident and passed away. I had watched him grow up during my 11 years teaching at BR - as well as his brother and sisters. Everything seemed to come to a standstill and it was such an emotionally  draining week for the whole community. My heart breaks for Brandon's family...losing a son is the worst possible thing I can imagine happening. There is nothing to say that would help...nothing to do that would change what has happened. Seeing the pain in his parents' eyes was unbearable...sadness overwhelms me. 

So here I am again...asking God to forgive me for letting work overwhelm me, being impatient with my precious kiddos, short with my husband. It seems like I would eventually learn, doesn't it? But HE doesn't get annoyed with me...listens each time I ask for forgiveness, loves me thru the layers of sin. 

He gently reminds me to find patience and never miss a moment with my sweet family.