Children and ministry...

Is there really a ministry to children? OR is it really something else? Do we shoe horn the "ministry" label into something that should be natural and flowing? Do we overthink the concepts or undervalue? So many questions. If we don't do it right, we screw up our kids, forever! Right?
Well, maybe not. I can clearly think of several fairly normal 19-22 year olds who turned out pretty good despite the crazy, abnormal even abusive life they led. They did not have a relationship with Jesus until they were much older, 14-16. Not the norm. Most people accept Christ as kids under age 10. After that, the odds are against it. These kids are phenomenal. They are dependable, flexible, and excited! I use them as counselors and everything else intern types. My job is more complete with them. So why do I use kids, mere high schoolers, who have only known Jesus for a few years? I use them because its genuine, real Faith. They aren't screwed up or unmotivated disciples for Christ. They are the opposite.
So what happened to my kids who have been raised in the church? Where are they? Why don't they step up to help out? I am dismayed at the level of laziness.
Maybe, just maybe we approach it all wrong. Do we throw dice at odds hoping for the abnormal? Or do we plan like mad and hope for the best? A very precarious balance. One toe over, just a smidge could result in lackadaisical faith or irreverent atheism. Or maybe it defines who they will be. Maybe it is not us. Overthinking it? Undervaluing it?

Turtle Chex Mix Addiction

Yummy! After hosting a Chex Mix Football party, I am hooked! I tried Honey Nut, Original, and Turtle.  I pretty much hogged the whole bag!  Teresa even tried to snatch it from me.  No way! That Turtle is mine.  Little chocolate pieces, caramel and chocolate cereal pieces-too heavenly! I even went back and bought five bags from Frys.  It was such a cheap treat but oh so yummy and sinfully delicious!

Friendship

Friendship is a fluid thing.  In Proverbs we learn so much about what true friendship means. I am left wondering if I am that type of friend? Do I persist in love for my friends? Do I encourage, lift up, and lend a helping hand? I know I am far from perfect.  We all have nasty days. Those days no description will do justice. Thank Jesus that I don't relive those days over and over. I do have hope.  But, what about the damage? Like a glass-laden bomb just thrown out with shards flying all over inflicting damage to all around. I know damage has been done.  My words are not always kind but is the damage not repairable? I think not.  We must make efforts to rebuild and love our friends.  We must be the kind of friend Jesus is to us.  Do we intentionally form relationships with wise friends? Do we seek out simple friends who need open arms? Am I invested in others' lives? It is so time consuming but the rewards far outweigh the risk and weary hands.  I have so many wonderful friends who have blessed my life, some for seasons, some for my lifetime.  I would never trade the ups and downs my girlfriends have shared with me for anything even a gentler life.  Drama is part of friendship.  Friendship lends itself to awesome in so many ways.  I have friends who are fashion divas, rockstars with great voices, some are quietly strong, some are get er done gals, and some are just there when I fall to pieces and need some wise words to shake me out of complacency.  Thank you Jesus for my friends who give my blessed life a part of awesome!

the reality of awesome

my reality is far from perfect. perfect is not in my life. So why do I strive so hard for perfection in my life? Momma's fight for perfect for their dear sweet darlings. Perfect preschool, perfect childcare, perfect school, perfect clothes. Or do we? Is it fair to admit defeat? To say that I don't need perfect anymore? This Momma is shifting her focus. Now I'm on to awesome! I want awesome! Awesome time with my sweet munchkins, awesome mind blowing time with the dear sweet man, awesome time with Jesus. The reality of awesome is all in how we perceive it. I said it. Its done. Awesome is how we make it. Perfection is unattainable but awesome? Hey I can pull off awesome after a 5 hour sleep, no makeup when that lady from work stops by, my dear Em forgets her show & tell, race to the store for the 7up because sweet El is vomiting, try to think of dinner, type up my class plans, do my ppt, race JT to guitar then swerve around to take Em to her dictator ballet teacher, meet up with my sweet man, kiss kiss, throw dinner out on the table, meet my JC from drama and collapse on the sofa to get a few minutes before bedtime routine. Yeah, I can pull off awesome...now if I can just shift gears faster from Momma to Hottie....