Stop

A few weeks ago, my husband got a ticket for not coming to a complete, four-wheel stop at a stop sign. Since then, though I thought his stopping technique was just fine, I have been paying more attention to my own stops while driving. I have been discovering how hard it is to make myself stop that completely. Sure, I pause to look around and make sure it's safe to proceed, but to come to a complete, absolute, dead stop seems like a pointless waste of time. Especially when there are no other drivers or pedestrians in sight.

But one night as I drove home from church recently, I heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit in my soul, "You don't come to complete stops in life, either." At first I thought He was talking to the wrong half of my blessed marriage union. My husband is the one who identifies himself by the name of a high speed race car, the salt racer. I am more the pondering, meandering type, comparatively.

However, realizing that the Holy Spirit may have more insight than I have, I asked Him, "What 'stop signs' have been moving past too quickly?" This was His answer:

"I have put stop points in Your day. First thing in the morning, nap time, and in the evening, for example. During those times, put aside all your doings and stop. Be with Me. Rest in Me. Let me fill you, refresh you, invigorate you, envision you. There are times for doing. But take the time to stop with Me."

I am happy to report that I have been doing a bit better in this area. This morning when I woke, I used the five minutes I had before getting the kids up to sit down and pray (instead of getting dressed - did that later - much later). I asked for wisdom and direction and that my words, tone of voice, and facial expressions would reflect Him today. (Not that I succeeded perfectly in this - not even close - but I figure if I keep asking He will surely help me to get closer each day.) Then, halfway through the morning when I started to feel "a quart low" (a favorite quote of my quotable son from the Pixar movie, Cars), I went into my walk-in closet, closed the door, and just lay on the floor for a few minutes, asking to be refilled and re-envisioned. And He did that, in spite of the fact that the door was opened several times by inquisitive children wanting to know why Mommy was lying on the closet floor!

So I encourage you to take some time to come to a "complete stop" today too. It can be really hard to do. It may seem like a waste of time. But you'll be glad you did.

Update for Monday, March 22

Hi moms!

I hope your weekend was good. Mine was a bit rough - at least Sunday was. Suddenly I've started having brain fog again, and that day it hit me the hardest. But I am trusting that His strength is sufficient for me.

This evening we'll be reading chapter 11 in Having a Mary Spirit, "Rooting Out Bitterness." This is a chapter that has really impacted me. I am looking forward to revisiting it for the Lord to do a deeper work in this area of my heart. I hope that you can join me!

Also, there will be a slight change to our schedule. We will meet from 8-10pm as usual, but the first half hour will be in the prayer room (Birch room) enjoying a Worship in the Word set. Then we will meet in the Rock'N Kids room at 8:30 for our discussion and prayer time.

Hope to see you tonight!

House Rules

Yesterday I followed Stephanie's lead and asked my children to tell me some of our house rules. I was curious what would stand out to them. Here are their responses.

Laughter:
1. To not whine, fuss, or fight.
2. Don't stop cleaning.
3. Don't play with water or in the bathroom.
4. Do not fight, or kick, except when you're outside you can kick a ball.
5. Don't stop cleaning.

(You would think we make her clean 24/7!)

Little Tree:
1. Do not panic.
2. Don't do something without asking.
3. Don't feed babies without asking.
4. Don't play with Thunder in his crib without asking.

(I guess this explains why he always asks permission to do anything!)

Rainbow:
1. No going into the boys' room before breakfast.
2. No swinging on the banisters.
3. No climbing on the furniture.
4. No standing on the toy chest.
5. No being rough with the babies.
6. No waking up Mommy during nap time. (You got it!)
7. No pulling hair.
8. No putting blankets over babies.
9. No snatching.
10. No putting things in babies' mouths.
11. Be generous. (Awwww ...)

(And she reminds her siblings of these and many other rules regularly.)

How about you? What do your kids say the house rules are in your home?

Getting Real

If you want to know more about me and the real, sad, funny imperfectness of my life - and (or) if you want to share about yours - read these posts on my personal blog!

Let's Get Real

Let's Get Real Some More

Meeting - Monday, March 8

Hello favorite ones!

I am so looking forward to our meeting tomorrow. Since we only meet twice a month, it always feels like we're having a reunion! :)

We will be reading chapter 10 in Having a Mary Spirit, "A Fearless Beauty." If you are just joining us, please feel free to jump right in. While we are a little over halfway through the book, each chapter is really good on its own. I will also have a few books available for those who would like to pick one up.

As a reminder, we are now meeting in the Rock'N Kids room from 8-9:30pm. If you are able, come enjoy the prayer room (in the Birch room) for half an hour or more before. It's so awesome to have a little time to just be with the Lord with no distractions.

Hope to see you tomorrow!