No Brakes, Head Lice, and a Bad Attitude

I. Have. No. Control.

I. Will. Live. A. Surrendered. Life.  

I. Have. No. Control.

I was driving home in our very “broken in” car.  Being grateful it even started, I pulled onto the highway for the short 5 minute drive home.  As I was enjoying the wind in my hair, I was peaceful and happy.  I didn’t even get mad at the driver who realized she was in the wrong lane and darted in front of me.  But, then I heard a noise.  It wasn’t good.  My power steering went out.  “No problem.  I’ve had this happen before,” I thought.  Then another sound.  Even worse.  

It was time to pull over.  I turned my wheel hard to direct myself into the Donut Bank.  As I was turning, I suddenly realized their entrance is really a steep embankment.  I doubt I would have ever considered it steep.  But, I suddenly had no brakes.  That’s right!  I pushed the pedal and nothing happened.  No steering and no brakes.  I threw the emergency brake.  I came to a screeching halt in front of their dumpster.

I.  Have.  No.  Control.

Today, I had great plans.  I even started my day with great quiet time!  And, then, as I brushed my sweet girl’s hair, I saw something.  Upon further investigation, I realized she had head lice!  I’m a super clean freak.  Some might call it OCD.  I call it cleanliness.  Head lice weren’t part of my “great plans.”  

I.  Have.  No.  Control.

Now, sitting here after hours of treatments and cleaning with my washer and dryer still humming, I have one more confession.  I’ve also had a really bad attitude. the past week before these events even happened. Why?  Because I’ve felt out of control.  

I’m beyond blessed and have no reason to be snippy and demanding.  But when my mind is preoccupied with the things of life, it is what I revert to. I try to take control by making plans or controlling others.  And what is worse, my kind, sweet children have started to dish the snippy tone right back at me.  Not a shining moment of parenting.

But, I’m learning.  This “Type A” girl who loves Jesus continues to have control issues.  I’m a work in progress and need grace daily.  This week, I’ve needed a lot of it.  I’ve been in what  I call my “crazy cycle.”   Last night I determined to get off of it.  And, today I did not allow the head lice to put me back on it.  Instead, I remembered a lesson learned last week when I got away and went tubing for the first time.  

I’ve never been very adventurous.  But, put me with a more adventurous person, and I’m in!   I held on tight with anticipation and fear, as my friend and “captain” took off.  Suddenly, I realized I had no control at all.  She was at the helm.  She directed the boat.  She directed the jet ski.  I had to trust, hold on, follow her directions, yield, and do my best to enjoy the ride.  As I was pulled around Lake Barkley, I had moments of relaxation and peace and other moments of screaming laughter as I held on for dear life!  

And, somewhere in the fun, I realized, my life is similar.  God is at the helm.  He is guiding me over the still water and the rocky water.  He knows where he is taking me.  He knows when I’m about to catch a wave and lose my breath.  He knows when I fly off in spite of how tight I’m holding on.  He knows when I sit back, close my eyes and enjoy the wind blowing through my hair.  He never leaves me.  He always knows the way.

I love my beautiful yet messy life.  It is beautiful because I have a relationship with Jesus.  It is messy because I am a real woman with real struggles.  And, it is blessed because Jesus walks with me loving, guiding, forgiving, and encouraging me to keep holding on.  

With a giant smile and peace within I say again, “I.  Surrender.”      

Two Words That Touch My Heart

This mom thing is hard.  Very hard.  No one could have prepared me.  Being a mom is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.  It is also the most rewarding.  And, my children are only 7, 6 and 2...  I’ve only just begun.

Adjusting to summer vacation has been fun and challenging.  On one of the challenging days (or what I call a “grumpy” days), the cycle was suddenly broken by a huge tickle-fest.  I caught each one of our children and “flipped their switch” from grumpy to happy by tickling them.  Soon, thereafter, my ears heard the most sweet sounds.

“Thanks, Mom,”  my oldest said.

“Yeah, thanks, Mom,” my middle one said.

“Thank you, Mama,” said my youngest one with her sing-song voice.

Those precious words reached into the deepest part of my heart.  “Thank you.”  So simple, yet so powerful.  Appreciation.  Gratitude.  Encouragement.  And, a sign of hope for me that they really are learning manners!

How much more do those words touch the heart of God?  

Our family has gone through a season of many ups and downs over the past two years.  Health issues, cancer scares, developmental challenges for one of our children, and negative job changes are just a few of the stresses we encountered.  Some of them brought our family closer together while others tried to rip us apart.  But, in the midst of it all, God was there.  His presence was evident even when I cried myself to sleep in fear.  And, when I was at the end of my rope, He always sent me an unexpected blessing.  

Today, our family is in a good place.  I stand at the top of a mountain in victory and shout, “Thank you, Lord!”  I thank my husband for walking by my side.  I thank my friends and family for being incredible support and encouragement.  I am grateful.

Each of us goes through seasons.  And, whether we are strolling through a lush, green valley, climbing a mountain, standing at the pinnacle in victory, or withering up in a dry, desert, we must remember it is only but a season.  And, God is there.  He is present.  For that alone, we can give thanks.

Today, in your season, may I encourage you to be intentional and simply say, “Thank you,” to those you love?  Let those two words touch the heart of our Father in heaven and the ones who mean the most to you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18, “...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Here is what is happening with FC Women's Ministries...

-Women's Groups start this week.  It isn't too late to join one!  Tonight 6-8 p.m. in Room 218 and Thursday morning 9-11 a.m. in Room 218.

-Tuesday, June 11 come to the Dining Room at 9:30 a.m. and see what you can do with all those t-shirts you or your child no longer wear.  You will learn how to put them together to make a memory quilt.  No experience or skill is necessary.

-Don't forget!  We are collecting nice, used, clothing of all sizes to give away to Warrick County Families before school starts.  Please bring your donations to the church and place along the east wall of the gym under the sign.  We'll also need many volunteers to help sort the clothing at our work days.  There is a small table set up near the Connection Center with dates and more information.

-November will be here before we know it!  Purchase your Fresh Grounded Faith tickets now at the Connection Center for $34 before it sells out!  In addition, we still need many volunteers to serve at this conference.  Let me know if you are interested in serving!

-Are you a prayer warrior?  If you are interested in receiving monthly requests to pray specifically for areas of Women's Ministry, let me know!

-Do you like to cook?  If you are interested in preparing homemade freezer meals on a quarterly basis for us to share with families coming home from the hospital, please let me know!

Holly