"It's not on sale"

We were buying a backpack for Bradley when Emily ran to that little spot...you know the one - where they put the toys down low for your kids to want and beg for while you stand in line.  Shockingly, E found a toy that she let me know she really, really wanted and lifted it way up high for me to see. 

I said, "oh, Honey, it's not on sale today, maybe it will be next time we come."  She said "o.k. Mom", put it back and came skipping over to join me.  As I turned my attention back to the cashier, I noticed she looked amazed.  "wow!" she said, "I can't believe she accepted that!"  The lady behind me chimed in, "my grandson would be crying right now, I'll have to try that one...."  So, I left the store smiling, thinking how I would share my genius-level statement with Chris over dinner... my pride imagining the headlines..."Waxhaw mom discovers one-step method to stop tantrums in the store!!"  ha ha.  Well, my smile faded quickly, even as I buckled E up in her seat.  It hit me that I have not taught her the difference between wants and needs, I haven't taught her about contentment, I haven't taught her about idols - I've taught her to look for sale signs!!.... man, I did it again - I keep missing these little "teachable moments".  I thought about it on the way home and when we were parked in the garage, I turned around and explained to her how I should not have told her she couldn't have the toy because it wasn't on sale, but because she didn't need another little princess; she should be happy with the ones she already has..... yadda, yadda, yadda.  I ask if she understands what I'm saying and she gives me the thumbs up.  I'm feeling really good about my better-late-than-never speech as she runs in and starts playing with her little princesses that she has been reminded of.  But then she looks up at me and says, "Too bad Belle wasn't on sale!!"  
sigh. 
I'm thinkin the Lord is working on my pride, huh? 

Got glasses?

I wanted to share my latest page with you.    : )

These are Emily's 4 year old pictures.  I can't believe she is almost 4 1/2!!  Wow, next year she'll be going to kindergarten... sniff, sniff.  Though not surprised, I have to say, God knew what He was doing when He added her to our quiet family of four - she is just the perfect complement....the pink sprinkles on the icing on the cake, if you will!  She makes us all laugh every day. We are constantly amazed at the things she comes up with and there are many times I find myself wishing I could look at life through rose Emily-colored glasses.....after all, when looking at the dust on the table in the front room she happily exclaimed, "Mommy!!  Look at all the beautiful FAIRY DUST!!!"  ; )

Her comments can also tug at my heart like the one early morning on my way to drop her off before work she matter of factly said, "The sky is pink.  God made it that way cuz he knows I love pink!"
I looked back and she was just staring up at the sky with the biggest smile on her face.
I know some of it is her being a girl, some of it her personality, but I believe with my whole heart a bunch of her sweetness is that she has never lived a day without hearing how much God loves her, and that she really IS a princess, indeed...a daughter of the King of kings. 
So, I've been thinking.... maybe it's not rose-colored or Emily-colored glasses I need, but maybe I need to always make sure I am looking at life through my joy-of-knowing-Jesus- glasses!!  Do you have yours on?

You Are More

Ok, back to the song lyric thing again...one of my favorite songs is You Are More  by Tenth Avenue North.  This is one of the first songs I heard when I started listening to Christian music, and I remember the tears rolling down my cheeks.  Then I watched the video, and wow, I will just say I went through a Kleenex or two, or ten!!  I just think it is a powerful visual of how Jesus washes away our sins.  Check out the video....

 "you are more...

                                        than the choices that you've made

you are more...

                                           than the sum of your past mistakes

you are more....

                                                than the problems you create....

                 You've been remade."



 

source:pinterest

Do you have anything written on your chalkboard?  Ask Jesus to wash it away for good, once and for all!

 

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT

 

 

 

Caution:Cheesy Reenactment!

E loves her little princess puzzle. (thank you Auntie Donna) So you can imagine her dismay when we couldn't find the last piece!!  Oh man we searched for it everywhere....until...at last..........

ok,ok, I so wish I could have caught her utter JOY with my camera but alas, this is indeed a reenactment.  BUT, nevertheless I can tell you she was jumping and dancing and screaming with joy!! 
This reminded me of something I heard once, that our hearts have this little piece that is "God-shaped" and He is the ONLY thing that can satisfy that little spot.  Some "pieces" you can kind of try to shove in there and they may hold for awhile, but they can never truly, completely fill that spot. 
Not too many years ago, I remember thinking things like...I will be happy when: my kids behave better...I lose 10 pounds...we get a bigger house...new car...etc etc.
Then one day I asked God to take up residence in every part of my life and my puzzle was complete!!  Cue the jumping and dancing and screaming with JOY!!