Erin – Page 28 – Beyond the Elm

Feeling very blessed. I had a bright idea late Sunday night to build a dog yard while Lance was out of town to surprise him for his birthday by taking something off of his plate. Thankful his trip got pushed back a day because it gave us a little more time to work. This may not seem like much to most, but my gift to Lance (and the gift from those who helped out), was not only a mostly completed fence… it was the gift of time to spend at home with his family. He has been working every second to pay for baby King, and feels frustrated that he can’t get all the projects done around the house. We already had most of the materials since before we even moved here to complete the project… but we lacked the time. So in 3 afternoons (and until 2:30AM on Thursday morning), with a little determination, this pregnant lady, her 5 and 3 year old, my in-laws (one who recently had knee and shoulder surgery), and friends- Dan and Cole – we mostly completed the project. Lance was very touched… as was I… I think I even shed a couple of tears because I felt so gracious and blessed beyond measure… maybe even still shedding them -I honestly don’t think it is the hormones 😉 Now, today I get to be lazy – baby King and husband’s orders. Thankful for those that God has put in my life… for my husband, family, and friends… and for the many ways He blesses me each and every day!

Today, I felt so blessed to sit in church and watch the girls sing songs of praise with the other 3-6 year olds. Isabella is usually reserved, but when it comes to worship, she is ALWAYS singing songs “about Jesus”, most which she makes up. Today, I just reminded her if she felt afraid to remember that she was singing for God and he was there listening, so she need not worry. Roo in the front row and Iz a couple of feet behind her, sang from their hearts, and even I could hear them loud and clear. It wasn’t a time for me to a be a proud momma, but I was… but I was also humbled and two verses came to my mind…

The first verse:
Luke 18:17 “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Unfortunately, I think most of us fall into this category from time to time. At least I know I do… My faith is tested. I often let doubt, worry, anxiety, etc. take over for a short time…and it is only the Holy Spirit that reigns me back in. Thankful that I don’t have to travel alone on this road.

The second verse that came to mind…

Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Lance and I try to share with the girls the important of Christ on a daily basis… we try to teach them manners… we try to pray and read the Bible with them, we try to speak with a soft tongue…we try to teach them about acceptance and not to judge…we try to lead by example… Unfortunately, in this area, we again fall short from time to time. As I said earlier, thankful that I don’t have to travel this road alone and that I have the Holy Spirit to put me in my place…and sometimes even on my knees.

Thankful for all that I can actually learn from watching my Children as they grow in their walk. Blessed by my kids everyday.