Give till it hurts

 

I always knew there would come a time when I would learn life lessons from my children. Last night was a profound lesson from Lincoln. After christmas we decided as a family to go through our toys and give away some of them. When I first explained the idea to the children, they were excited. So we went through the house and looked for toys that other little boys and girls would really enjoy. When we were nearing the end of the collecting, Lincoln came to me with a brillant idea. "Can I give my blanket to a little boy that doesn't have one?" Now this is the blanket I knit for him before he was born, and has slept with it almost every night. Part of me wanted to say, NO- that's your special blanket that mommy made for you, you should keep it. But I decided to see how this one would play out. Lincoln preceeded to get a ziploc bag and placed his blanket inside. Not much more was said about the matter.
It was the next morning that I realized he fell asleep without it, and didn't even ask for it.
Now toy drop off day was still a week away, so the blanket did make it out of the ziploc for the rest of the evenings. But when it was time to drop off the toys last night, Lincoln remembered the blanket, and placed it back in the ziploc. Out the door the boys went with Nathanael to drop of their things. 20 minutes latter they arrived home, and I asked Lincoln, "Did you leave your blanket there?" He looked at me like, OF COURSE, it's for a little boy that needs one. He had already made the decision, and had the resolve to go through with it. There was no question about it, that blanket was for someone else now. AMAZING!! It seems it was almost harder for me to see the blanket go, than for him.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21
Lincoln, thanks for the great life lesson!!

Welcome Elijah Thomas Bailey

Please forgive this belated welcome to our newest nephew! Nathanael's brother Philip, and his wife Abby had their first baby. Elijah Thomas was born on November 13th. He is a very healthy little one, but was tiny when he first arrived. We got to see and hold all 3 pounds and 10 ounces of him just one week after he was born. We are so excited and proud to have Elijah join our family.
 
 
 
 

psalm 126

Lately I have noticed that some of my family and friends are going through times of great trial, suffering, and pain. Some of you may be reading this right now. I want to encourage you with this promise from God.

"Those who sow in tears, will reap with songs of JOY. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." psalm 126: 5-6

This psalm is such an encouragement to me because it holds a promise from God. If we sow the Word of God in our lives and the lives around us during a time of weeping, we WILL reap a harvest of JOY.

Below is the way that I have interpreted and applied it in song




Sow the Seed
Sow the seed, amidst the sorrow
tears of pain, soak the harvest tomorrow
Go forth in hope, of the faithful ONE
He prepares the soil, for the work of the Son

Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia
Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia

Reap the sheaves, with Joyous strains
Carry it with laughter, that's replaced the pain
All praise to HIM , he's forever Blessed
He's renewed, restored, and brought a new harvest

Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia
Those who sow in tears, will reap with shouts of Alleluia, Alleluia




I thank you God for your great renewing promise!