When asked what we could do to change the world, Mother Theresa
responded, "Go home. Go home and love your children."


Friday, January 1, 2010

January 1, 2010

Here is what I wrote in my journal this morning. For some reason, I thought I would share it:

Today is New Years Day. We all slept in and are having a lazy morning. The girls woke up and went straight to writing books. It's amazing to see how Myah is sounding out words and writing a "book".

I'm sitting in my bedroom trying to have a moment of reflection and prayer, but instead I am hearing the sweet chatter of little girls who are best friends, the dog's obnoxious squeaky toy, and the Today show on the television. Usually, I would be annoyed not to be able to have some quiet time, but this morning, it puts a smile on my face. I am hearing the blessings God has given me.

I am so blessed to have Emma and Myah. I know they were given to Happy and I as a gift from our Heavenly Father. I love being the mom of little girls. I love making baby doll clothes and playing barbies. The drama gets a little crazy at times, but what a blessing they are!

Then, I hear that annoying squeak. (Why did I even buy her a squeaky toy?) Roxy has been quite the challenge. I guess God wanted me to experience a strong willed child. Only strong willed children are usually highly intelligent, and I'm not so sure Roxy has that part of it going for her. But, even she has given our family many laughs together and we are thankful for her. She is also a strong thing, having survived getting hit by a car! Or I could say the car survived getting hit my her!

Last, because he is the most important and biggest blessing in my life is my lifetime partner, my hubby, Happy. My sweet, easily pleased, quiet, and gentle husband has loved me when I've been moody, unlovable, and unsure of myself. He has dedicated his life to changing the world and by no means has he ever forgotten his family. He is so kind and caring. People crave the Jesus they see in him. There have been times in our marriage when we've struggled. I was gently reminded of three things that me, as his wife, need to always remember.

1. To accept him as my husband
2. To accept him as a gift from God
3. To make him my primary ministry

I think I have done okay with number one and number two. But, number three would get a big fat F! This year, with God's help I want to work on that. One day the girls will be gone from our home and only Happy and I will remain. I want to spend the rest of my life with a friend and a lover, not with a man who helped me raise my girls. "You have to fight for it", is what was said to us. It's hard. I'm exhausted at the end of the day. I don't feel like being creative and besides we don't have any money to go out on dates..........EXCUSES!! I'm going to fight for it guys!!!

So, I challenge anyone who might read this to sit back and and "listen" to the blessings in your life. It may be the sound of your dog ripping your favorite pillow apart. Or it might be the sound of children chattering/screaming/crying/fighting, in the background. It could be the sound of your heater coming on, like mine just did, and oh how I'm thankful for that noise!! It could be the sound of coffee brewing, or the television, and you know there is the presence of others in your home. Our God is good. We have much to be thankful for.

5 comments:

Jamie said...

Good word friend. I so enjoyed reading this post. Thanks for writing #3. I need to hear that.

The Wyatts said...

I'm so glad you shared! Thanks for that encouragement and blessing. You are an amazing lady and I'm so thankful you are my friend! Love you!

Lisa said...

I was reading your post realizing how similar our lives are...thanks for the reminder of how much I have to be thankful for!

Julie Tiemann said...

Great post, Erin. Thanks for sharing. Mike and I were doing our goal planning for 2010 today and one idea we came up with is to do a stay-at-home date night (that Mike has termed "culinary date night" once a month. It will mean a very late dinner because we will wait until the girls are in bed (after 8), but we love to cook and eat together, so that's our plan. We'll try fun, creative things that Amelia wouldn't eat and just enjoy being together. Anyway, not sure if that would work for you guys or is your kind of thing, but thought I'd share our idea. We'll see if we keep it up... :)

Happy New Year!

Erin said...

thank you friends for your sweet encouragement. julie, we'll have to try your idea...although, happy has maybe cooked dinner one time since we've been married. :) but, he'll eat anything i make...so maybe we'll have a fun dinner and game night. thanks for sharing.