Count by Numbers

19

number of years that I have been married to Rich

1

number of books I finished this week

3

number of guitars in this house

7

number of days until school starts

6

number of days the kids will sleep until noon

72

temperature in our house

14

number of brand new pencils I didn't have to buy

2

number of pencils without erasers

6

number of hours I work a day at Grainger

62

number of times I think about home while I’m at work

9

number of folders

9

number of folders that are girly

0

number of folders that are manly

1

trip to the store to buy manly folders

8

number of boxes of kleenex that my father-in-law bought

16

number of kids that were in my family

7

number where I fell in the birth order

7

number of brothers and sisters that passed away

7

number of graves I stood by today

2

number of cats

1

number of dogs

2

number of fish

0

number of pets in the future

4

the time of day all three of my children were born

63

number of minutes it took to register Micayla and Dale for school

487

amount of money I spent on school fees for three schools

17

number of deep breaths I had to take after I paid school fees

57

number of minutes it takes for our washer to complete a load

113

number of days since my dad died

383

number of ways I love my husband

13,986

number of days I have been alive

13,986

number of mercies that have been new to me every day

"Teach us to number our days that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:2

Encourage

I was watching television the other day and a commercial came on that made me tear up.  I know, I know you're shocked.  It was so touching.

It made me reflect on all the times I have told my kids no when maybe I should have encouraged them more.  Or when I have shrunk in my seat in embarrassment when I should have stood up for a child.  Or when I have scowled at or judged another child or parent for being out of line instead of compassionate.

Here, take a look and see for yourself:



The message is obvious.  Encourage your children.  Or encourage children in general in the talents that God has given them.  Or to not want the floor to swallow you up when your child makes a mistake because you're worried about what people will think.  After all, aren't we an advocate for them?

But there was another thing that gnawed at me as I watched that video.  It was so easy for that little boy to trust the maestro.  He simply glanced up at the master, smiled and kept playing.  He didn't worry that his song was too simple, his playing too inadequate, his timing too slow, his level of playing too small... he just trusted that he was enough with him.

There's a reason that the Jesus says that we need to come to Him as little children.  They are so innocent and pure.  So confident in Him. As adults, we have all this junk in our lives.  All these insecurities, baggage, frustrations, mistrust, anxiety....

I found myself looking at that little boy and wishing that I had that blind faith.  Faith to sit at the piano and let the Father put his arms around me and sweep across the keys of my life and make a beautiful sonata out of it.  Not worrying that my pay check is too simple, my mothering inadequate, my timing with Him  off and my offering too small.  I just want to trust that I am enough... with Him.

"Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, 'I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.  Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom.  What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me.'" (Matthew 18:2-5)

Lord, let me be like that little boy and have faith to trust you completely. Grace over my marriage, my children, my work, my finances, my everything.  I'm yours.  Love, your kid.