Lost is Found

Memorial Day. Remembrances.  Sacrifice.
My dad served in the Navy during World War II.
In keeping with my blog tradition of posting a poem written by my dad on or near special days, his prose is below. And to mark the beginning of summer, I am sharing a picture of one of my dad's favorite places...The Lake. Happy Memorial Day. I pray you are enjoying some time with your family. ~Lori

"Whenever I return to the CABIN

 I am filled with the strongest feeling that something that was lost is found." Robert Appel

Dear Lord,

Perhaps I will find

Within this place,

Some joy, some peace

Some hope, some grace.

Perhaps I will find

Strength and courage too,

Enough to face tomorrow

Surely my spirit renew.

Perhaps I will find

within these walls,

Thy blest dominion Lord

Clearly my soul recalls.

But best of all

Here I now find,

Thy very presence Lord

and yesterdays are left behind.

Amen. 

******

......Rockman 5/26/97

Memorial Day

Thank you, Vets. Freedom isn't free. 

Thank a Vet today.

A Prayer for Oklahoma

There are times during tragedies and disasters we are at a loss for words. Even so, we know praying is THE thing to do.  If you are in this space, here is a prayer you can pray with your children for the citizens of Oklahoma City.

Father,
You never slumber. Thank you that you brought hope and life out of the rubble during the night. Thank you for the courage and compassion of the first responders, rescuers, volunteers, and teachers. We pray for those who have family members still missing. We know you are in the business of finding the lost. We ask for comfort those who have lost loved ones.  You are the Great comforter, full of compassion, abounding in love. You are our provider and protector. We pray for those who have been displaced and lost their homes. Be with them.Only you could reduce the death toll. You are the miracle worker, our friend, our daddy, king, and savior.

Amen

Oklahoma ...God is for you. God is with you. You are not alone.

Faith, hope, and love,

Lori  & Becky
And the 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Team

My help comes from the LORD the maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2

Eternal Moments friends,

This prayer is  published today at my other site as well http://www.1Corinthians13Parenting.com

~Lori

The Battle of the Bowl

So...what's wrong with this picture? I guess I should be thankful, at least the roll is within reach. I suppose if a box of tissue had been nearby the toilet paper may not have even made it to the counter. 

So here's the big question, do you prefer the forward drop or the backward flap? I've tried both. The backward drop seems to make sense. The paper hangs straight down. No chance of getting twisted. But..the forward flap shows the design. It also seems to be the way hotels handle tissue. Hmmm. That must be the proper way. Anyway...

Lately, I don't care. I'm happy if the roll makes it on the springy-thingy. 

Moms, have you noticed…we are the end of the line when it comes to household management. We get the stuff, organize the stuff, toss the stuff, and donate the stuff. We also locate the stuff.

Why is it that I know where my daughter’s earrings, my son’s shoes, and husband’s wallet are? I don’t know but… I do know. And ....husbands, you know I'm right. Your wife is the go-to-person to find missing items, isn't she? 

 I remember thinking at my own wedding shower (over thirty years ago! YIKES) that once I got married my soup and salad days would be over. Okay... so I would be the sue-chef but  I had not realized I would also be the one in charge of all the stuff.

“Mom, we need more cereal.”

“Mom, did you know we are out of milk?”

So I have come to terms with being the Stuff Manager. I’ve decided it isn’t such a bad role. I love caring for my family. In fact, I'm looking forward to this summer. I'll have my college kids at home. And my managerial skills will come in quite handy. 

As far as the toilet roll goes, I am able to Let. It. Go. (so to speak)  I have a choice. I can fight the natural system-or lack thereof- or I can just place the roll on the roller- any which way. This summer, I’m choosing to pick my battles. And toilet paper isn’t going to be one. 

She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family" Proverbs 31:15a-b

What battles have you decided not to fight?

Grover Defines Marriage

When my son was in first grade, he came to me for some confirmation,"Mom, two girls can't get married, right?" The topic on the school bus was same sex marriage. That talk didn't occur recently. This took place seventeen or so years ago. Today that type of conversation has seeped into the fabric of our lives-everywhere we go.

Last week, I took two of my three girls out to lunch. The two family bookends, as my oldest likes to say. My oldest child, at 25 years of age, is in a same sex relationship. (In case you are wondering... Yes, we brought her up with traditional values.Yes, this is painful for me. And yes... I  love my child.) She wears a rainbow ring to signify her sexuality or in support of gay rights (I'm not exactly sure).  Maybe both. Anyway...

The waitress serving us tapped her ring and said that she and her wife were on the local news station the other night. At the time of writing this blog, the Colorado governor had just signed the same sex civil union bill.

Today I jumped on Facebook and came across this YouTube video. The video was posted four years ago but it is recirculating. Take a few minutes and watch this.

After watching this, do you think Sesame Street had an agenda or was conveying a subtle message? Do you think this is cute and harmless or dangerous and smells of indoctrination? What is your definition of marriage?

The world's voice is not only loud, it is constant. My young adult has embraced society's view. Even so, her dad and I continue to speak words of grace, truth, and love into her life. She is our kid and we love her unconditionally.

Parents buy the lie that if the children are brought up in a home with Christian values, it's guaranteed he or she will hold fast to those standards as adult. I wish that were the case.

But... parents are still responsible to provide a solid foundation. It is our job to honor the Lord in our parenting. Whether or not our children live out those values is... I hate to say it... up to that child.

So...Parents, be aware and advised, it is not too early to talk with your preschoolers about your family's definition of marriage. Because if you don't, Sesame Street will. They already have.

How have you seen the culture bump up against your values? How have you armed your children?

Leaders, Peace Out

Have you ever compared the words, make and keep? Maybe not, but recently I have. Perhaps these words have been milling around in my mind because I need to know how the Lord wants me to proceed in a difficult situation. (Of course I want to keep the peace-but in doing so, is there a cost? Maybe.) I desire to demonstrate God's love, peace, truth, mercy, justice, and compassion. How can this be done in the midst of a potentially "unpeaceful" struggle?

A few weeks ago I wrote a post titled, AHHH and Awe. I recommended 5 tips on how to parent young adults. Here are a few to add:  zip it, offer advice when asked, and allow the young person to own and work out his life choices. I still believe that to be solid advice.

HOWEVER, There are times it is important to step up to the plate and be a Peace-Maker rather than a Peace-Keeper. In fact it is a leadership skill to be developed by both parents and kids. I think we have become confused by what peace looks like and how we achieve it.

I did this little exercise yesterday. I contrasted the words, keep and make. Here's my list of ten comparisons:

Peace Keeper                                               Peace Maker
*place of weakness                                        *place of strength
*motivated by fear                                         *motivated by faith
*passive                                                        *pro-active
*pacify                                                          *protect, defend
*tolerates injustice                                         *stands up to injustice
*status quo                                                   * change
*looks the other way                                     *engages
*rolls over                                                     *stands up
*values silence                                              *values speaking up
*conforms                                                    *transforms

When we keep- we are holding on, maintaining, refraining, and conforming. When we make- we are shaping, creating, causing, changing, and transforming.

Our children are living in a culture that continually challenges and bombards their belief system. Society encourages them to be peace-keepers rather than peace-makers. We need to arm our kids with the tools they need to be leaders. My friend and fellow Mentor Mom from The MOM Initiative, Julie Sanders,wrote an article about raising kids with an urge to lead. She says, Don't rescue or interfere, to build strength and perseverance. Encourage, model, and pray for your child's leadership skills to provide guidance and motivation. Wise counsel.

In your home, value both mercy and justice.Be humble and strong while communicating with family members. Demonstrate how to lead with both truth and grace. Scour Scripture to discover what God has to say on a given topic.

Today, more than ever, our kids need the tools to be a peace-maker. A peace-maker doesn't sit idly by, hoping no one will get upset or feel challenged. A  peace-maker changes the status-quo with love and truth. And don't you agree, the societal status quo could use some transforming?
 

 Leaders are peace-MAKERS. Jesus, the Prince of Peace says, 

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God. 

Matthew 5:9