Weary

 Ever since becoming a follower of Christ nearly seven years ago, I've often prayed that God would soften my heart and help me truly love people like he does.  After a recent convicting sermon series called "People Matter", this difficult personal struggle has been laid upon my hardened heart again. 

 

So I keep my reminder up on my desk at work and frequently ask the Lord to help me see others as He has so beautifully created them.

 

Sounds wonderful, huh?  Of course it does...until it comes time to actually apply this concept of people mattering into my daily life.  It seems that over the past several weeks, everywhere I turn (not just at work...if only that were the case!), people are exceptionally irritating.  It's as if everyone knows I'm working really hard on this, and they are purposely trying to derail my efforts. 

 

I find my head turning back and forth between the "People Matter"sign and this quote pinned up in my office:

 

 

I can play the blame game all I want, but I know, as difficult as it is to admit, that this is my issue, not everyone else's problem.  But yet I keep wondering how to love others like Jesus wants me to even when they continue to be stupid and make poor choices. How can I continue to kindly respond and extend patience, love, and forgiveness? Simply put, I can't do this on my own. I've tried many times. I've failed many times.

 

To be completely honest, people have been exhausting to me lately, but "people matter" so I'm going to keep on keeping on.  I'm afraid this is going to be a life-long process for me, chipping away at it one teeny tiny bit at a time.  Thankfully, I don't have to do this alone.

 

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  --Matthew 11:28

Purple is Not My Color

Dear face,

 

Thanks for stopping my fall. 

 

 

Love,

Katie

Right He Is

After a recent work weekend away from home, Daddy returned when the kids were already in bed.  E was crashed, but J was still awake reading.  When Daddy walked into his room, J exclaimed, "Now this is the best kind of Face Time!"

Listen Up

J:  Mom, you provide for our family.

Me:  How do I provide?

J:  Because you work.

Me:  Yep and Daddy works a lot for our family too.

E:  We all provide for our family.

J:  No we don't.  We don't work.

E:  Yes we do.  We just don't get money.

J:  Oh yeah.  Our job is to listen to our parents.

Amen, brother!  Amen.

Just Another Manic Monday

It's been a weird day. 

Today at work I was hugged twice and kissed once.  Just in case you're wondering, getting kissed at my workplace is never a good thing.  Never.

I heard the weather forecast on the radio during my drive home this evening which prompted me to check the weather map.  Right now in the western part of this great state, the wind chill is ten degrees.  Here it's still in the 60s.  Talk about a feeling of impending doom.  Come back, 70s, come back!

I tried a new recipe yesterday.  J liked it so much that he's asked me to make it again...three requests today alone.  I think we've got a winner with the baked cinnamon roll(ish) pancakes.  I multi-tasked during work today by brainstorming ways to make the dish even healthier.  I think it can and will be done soon.  Very soon.

I ate half a jar of pickles tonight and then drank the juice.  I've been having some serious salt cravings lately to say the least, but I'm already regretting this gluttony.  I'm fully expecting to wake up tomorrow with cankles and diarrhea.  When will I learn? 

Tonight I softly whispered to E at bedtime, "I love you to the moon and back and then all the way around the Earth and as far as the ocean goes and then some."  She simply replied, "I love you more than that."  She sure knows how to make my day....even a weird day.

Proud

I often say, "You don't even know what it means to be proud until you've become a mom."

 

Once again, I had a proud mommy moment tonight when our overly (overly, overly) cautious boy mustered up the courage to actually try a solo bike ride.

 

 

Way to go, J!

 

Of course, in true S family style, this called for a Dairy Queen celebration.

 

Everybody's a winner tonight.

Football

It's technically spring around here, but on many recent days we've needed our gloves and hats.  It has definitely felt like football weather.

This last game, J had a nice tackle/flag pull and a good run.  Needless to say, he's really enjoying his spring league.

E is not as interested.  Surprised, huh?

Another Reason

I have a four year old in the house again, so I dusted off this old picture....

 

 

E:  ...28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33.  Wait!  You're 32, right?

 

Me:  Yup.

 

E:  You're very big for 32.  Very big.