The Boys Enjoying a Fall Evening

Stefan taking Pedro the stray cat for a bike ride


Lukas taking a ride on his John Deere

Another "Snippet"

Yesterday's stories were mostly about Lukas, so here is one about Stefan that happened just this evening.

We have a stray cat we've started calling "Pedro" who seems to have chosen us to be his family. Probably because I am too softhearted and started feeding him, but regardless, the boys now consider him ours. (Just to clarify, the name Pedro came from a dog in Inspector Gadget, one of their favorite movies. Although if you've seen Napoleon Dynamite, it could come from that movie, too.)

Well, tonight we got hit with a downpour just as the boys were supposed to be getting ready for bed. Right away, Stefan said, "Mom, if Pedro is at the front door, can I please put him in the garage?" I said yes, of course. The poor cat was sitting on our front porch trying to stay out of the rain.

Stefan grabbed him and brought him in, then took him to the garage. We haven't allowed him to come in the house because we don't know if he has fleas or what shots he has had, if any, and we have another cat and a dog. So, Stefan took a blue fuzzy blanket and laid it out for him on the garage floor. He took a towel and dried off the cat, then put food and water down for him.

When he came back inside, he said, "Wasn't it nice of us to save Pedro? Because, he is one of God's creatures."

How could I argue with that? What a precious child who has compassion for God's creatures! And yes, I am proud of our kids. We have two great boys!

Snippets of My Everyday Life

Today Lukas informed me that he got a new girlfriend. She lives just down the street from us.

"Really?" I asked. "What's her name?"

"I don't know." He answered. "I didn't ask."

Apparently that isn't an essential detail for a six-year-old.

I helped Stefan finish up his last page of math homework for the week. How can third grade math be so hard? I never liked math, but they do things so differently now. Different approaches to everything. Now I understand why my dad used to say, "I can tell you what the answer is, but I can't tell you how to find the answer using what you know."

I didn't get groceries this weekend because it was a busy weekend anyway, and I don't like shopping when the stores are so crowded. Wouldn't you know, tomorrow's hot lunch is sweet and sour chicken which, of course, neither of them want. Now I have to figure out what to pack for their lunches from a bare pantry.

But here is the best thing. This weekend we had the Candlelight Dinners at Youth Haven. These are special dinners for those who support Youth Haven or have an interest in our ministry in some way. We have musical guests, a nice meal, and the children who are at the Ranch for the weekend do a special presentation for the people.

At the end of the children's presentation, they pass out prayer cards with their name and picture on them, asking the people to please pray for them. Last night, Lukas asked me, "Can I get one?"

"Yes," I said, "as long as you are going to pray for the child who gives it to you."

He got a prayer card and asked me the name of the little boy who was pictured on it. I read it for him and turned to say something to my mom. When I looked back, there was Lukas, eyes closed, head bowed, hands folded. He was already praying for that little boy.

My children are blessed to have a loving family, a chance to go to church and a Christian school, and provisions for their needs. They don't get everything they want, but their needs are met and they don't have to worry about going to bed hungry. They don't have to worry about their parents fighting or getting divorced. They have never been and never will be struck or abused. They are safe, and they are cherished.

I am grateful that, even through the mundane, everyday things in our lives, my husband and I have been able to set an example of caring for those less fortunate. I am thankful for the opportunity to let our kids see and learn about other children who face a lot of hardships at home. I treasure our nightly prayer times and see the fruit of that in their lives.

My kids have both asked Jesus into their hearts, and I see in them a real desire to do what pleases Christ. I'd like to say that we're doing a good job as parents, but the truth is, it's all God. Sometimes, even good parents have wayward children. I pray that will never be the case with my boys.

My prayer for them:

Thank you, Father, for their young yet steadfast faith. Please nurture it and help them to seek You with all of their hearts. All I want for them is to love You and serve You to the best of their ability. Please keep them close to You. Thank You for the blood of Jesus that has redeemed their lives. Amen.

The Innocence of a Child

Yesterday we spent the afternoon with some friends of ours, and we had a great time. They have five acres and two four-wheelers, so the guys took Stefan and Lukas four-wheeling while we women sat on the back deck talking. It was such a relaxing afternoon - something Lars and I both needed, and it is a blessing to have friends we both enjoy being with.

I knew Stefan and Lukas had fun, but I didn't realize how much it meant to Lukas until he was saying his bedtime prayer last night. This is what he prayed: "Dear Jesus, thank you that we could enjoy the day at Mrs. and Mr. Borodychuk's house today, and for the opportunity to ride the four-wheelers, and just that we could hang out with them. And thank you that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Amen."

I know parents are supposed to teach their children, but the truth is, there are so many times my children teach me! This was another one of those times. First, I was reminded of the importance of spending time having fun with our kids. I know the four-wheelers had something to do with it, but just the fact that he was spending time with his dad was pretty special to him. I'm sure that afternoon is one he'll remember for a very long time.

Second, I was struck by this simple, yet profound prayer. He didn't ask for a single thing. Just thanked Jesus for the things that he appreciated. And he ended by thanking Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins.

It made me stop and think about my own prayer life. All too often my prayers are a list of things I wish God would do for me or someone I love. I know God desires us to ask Him for things. But I wonder how much more effective my prayers would be if I would focus less on the asking and more on the praising.

In the first chapter of Philippians, Paul tells us, "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with prayer and thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

God did not treat me as my sins deserve, but sent His Son to die for me so that I could be called His child. And He has continued to lavish me with blessings I am so unworthy to receive. Tomorrow, my morning quiet time is going to be spent thanking God for His grace and continued faithfulness in my life. This could be another transformation for me - brought on by the innocence of a child.

A Challenge From My Friend:

I could survive for 51 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Another List

A few reasons why I love Lansing Christian School (just a few; there are lots more, too!):

• Two days ago Lukas said, "Leaving school is my least favorite part of the day."
• Stefan has already made a new friend this year.
• Tomorrow Lukas wants to get the salad bar for lunch. (He is learning all about the food pyramid.)
• Scripture memory verses.
• Stefan was having trouble focusing on his math homework this weekend. As I sat there saying, "Stefan, do your homework!" I realized I really am grateful that I don't have to force him to do his work every day. It has been good for our relationship to eliminate the student/teacher aspect.
• The second day of school Lukas told me, "I love Mrs. Jackson!"
• Grandparents' Day is coming up and the boys are so excited!
• Today on the way home, Stefan said, "I don't mind getting up at 6:30 if that's the only way we can go to Lansing Christian."
  
• The teachers are not afraid to talk about tough issues. Both my boys know all about the upcoming election, and they are only in 1st and 3rd grades!
• A curriculum called "Everyday Math" that makes mathematics practical and much easier to understand.
• Lukas brought home a note from a boy in his class the other day that said, "Thanks for letting me be your friend."
• Praise and worship every Monday and chapel every Friday, plus Bible classes
• They teach Spanish in elementary school. Although this could be a bad thing if my boys can speak a language I can't speak...

Worship

One of the most fulfilling aspects of my life is serving on the worship team at our church. I have loved singing ever since I can remember. In fact, one of my most treasured possessions as a little girl was a Debby Boone record (yes, I said record!) that my aunt had bought me with the song "You Light Up My Life" on it. According to my mom, I knew every word by the age of 2.

I have also sung in church ever since I can remember. Being a pastor's kid, I was part of children's trios, quartets, and ensembles from the time I was big enough to walk up onto the platform. I sang my first solo in church when I was in the fourth grade, in a children's musical called "Angels Aware." I've been singing in church ever since, and even had the incredible opportunity to tour with the Continental Singers the summer between my junior and senior year of high school. But I never really understood the difference between a singer and a worshiper until I started singing at Trinity.

When Lars and I first went to Trinity we were immediately drawn in by the incredible worship experience. We decided to audition for the team, and I will never forget that experience. The Director of Worship Arts at that time said to us, "We check our egos at the door." Right off the bat, we knew that at this church, worship is not about the individuals who might be up on the stage. It's about God, the One Who is worthy of so much more than we have to give. It's not a performance. It's engaging in worship of our Lord and Savior.

Through struggles in my own life, God has brought me to a new level of intimacy with Him. (If you haven't read my testimony from back when I first started my blog, you can read all about those struggles if you'd like.) Now, worship is a very personal acknowledgment of my daily need for Him. It is a proclamation of Who He is, an act of surrendering my will and embracing His. It is my heart crying out the fact that I don't understand why He has reached down to me with grace I am so unworthy to receive. It is a joyful expression of my gratitude for what He has done for me.

It is amazing to me that God would use me to bring honor and glory to Him. That He would take my passion and spread it among His people as we worship corporately. That He not only accepts my meager offering - the best I can give but not perfect by any means - but delights in it!

This weekend after all three services we had a "ministry expo" at our church, trying to help fit people into areas of service where God has gifted them and might be calling them to serve. I had the opportunity to talk to several people who were interested in serving in the worship department. Then our current Director of Worship Arts laid out a set of expectations for the group so they could be fully aware of what is required of the volunteers in our department. Here is a small part of what he said:

"If you are going to serve in the worship arts department, you must have a dynamic, ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you don't, you really need to set serving aside for the time being and invest in your relationship with Him. It's not about any one of us, but it's about the person of Jesus Christ. If you want to be front and center and have all the attention on you, then you need to find another place to do that. In this house, all the attention and praise goes to Christ."

It seemed fitting that the verse Lukas is working on at school this week is Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." That is what I strive to do as I serve at Trinity. I hope that is what you strive for in whatever area He has uniquely gifted you, too.

Slowing Down

Week 2 of school and it's much harder to get out the door in the mornings than it was on day 1.

Lukas did pretty well this morning, but Stefan was dragging his feet. I had to play the mean mom and insist that he was going to school despite the variety of illnesses he suddenly claimed to have. When I asked him why he didn't want to go to school he said, "I just hate getting up in the morning!" I can't blame him for that, but I also couldn't let him stay home.

I went into the kitchen to get their breakfast and let the dog out, since Lars is in Arizona and I'm on my own for a week. When I went to retrieve the dog (he's small and has to be lifted in and out the back door), I discovered our neighbors' German Shepherd that weighs more than I do had decided to venture into our yard. Again. I grabbed Pudge and brought him in, thankful that at least we have a small dog.

My father-in-law drove the boys to school today, and as soon as Stefan saw that "Papa" was taking them he was fine. One problem solved. The neighbor dog wasn't phased by getting sprayed with the garden hose, though. Second problem not solved.

Once they were on their way I was ready to head to work. I put Pudge in his kennel, opened the door from our kitchen into the garage, and hit the button to open the big garage door. Before I knew it, the neighbors' dog ran right into our house. Fortunately she turned around and ran back out after I yelled at her for a few minutes. It must have been quite a sight!

By the time I got into my car I was glad to just take a deep breath. I thought of Psalm 46:10, which says, "Be still, and know that I am God," and wondered if I will ever again have time to be still. And then God put a school bus in front of me and forced me to slow down.

It seems like recently the time I spend in the car is the most quiet I experience all day. The drive to the office after dropping the boys off at school is my time to surrender them into God's hands - something I have to make a conscious choice to do on a daily basis. The drive to pick them up at the end of the day is a chance to lift up the concerns of my family and friends. I guess God must have known I needed a little extra time this morning, since he put that bus in front of me on the short drive from our house to Youth Haven.

I suppose I could have gone around the bus, but I actually enjoyed those few extra minutes before being thrust into the day's work. (If the boys had been in the car with me I would have heard, "Just pass them, Mom!")

In his book The Life You've Always Wanted, John Ortberg suggests that we should each find times within our day to intentionally slow down. Don't pass the slow-moving school bus. Choose the check-out lane with the longest line. Most of the time, slow drivers and long check-out lanes frustrate me. Today I took Ortberg's advice, and it was refreshing to drive a little more slowly and talk with my Father.

It seems strange that my car should be my special place to spend time with Him, but as a busy mom I'll take what I can get.

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school. I have to admit, I am not one of those moms who looks forward to the start of the new school year. I know the boys will have a great time with their friends and learn a lot, but I miss spending my days with them.

I am not at all opposed to public schools. We chose to enroll our kids in Lansing Christian because we wanted a Christian education for them, and as LCS grads ourselves, it was an easy choice to make. Last year they both had wonderful teachers who made the transition from home schooling easy for them. (And it was reassuring to Mom to drop them off knowing they had Christian teachers who loved them and cared for them.) They had a blast, learned so much, and made a lot of new friends.

I will confess, when this day started drawing near, my mother's heart wanted to keep my kids at home and start home schooling again. But when I raised the subject with them, they both insisted that they wanted to go to school. In my head I knew it was the right thing to do, but my heart still had a hard time letting them go.

When we got to school this morning, though, all of that changed. After we dropped the boys off in their classrooms, parents were invited to stay for a special chapel. First of all, it was incredible to hear the student body worshiping together. Worship is a passion of mine, so to realize my kids are experiencing that on a regular basis at school is so rewarding to me!

The most powerful thing was at the end of the chapel time. The students all gathered on the floor of the gym and the teachers stood around them. The parents then surrounded them, and there was a special time of prayer to dedicate the students, teachers, faculty, and this coming school year to the Lord.

I am so grateful for a school where we can gather together and pray like that. It was a chance for me, in spite of all my fears, to remind myself that they are in God's hands, and how much more will He care for them than his teachers can!

This is going to be a great year.