How Much Do We Keep?

I've been struck deeply in my heart by a recent Join the Journey entry. The basic question asked is not "How much should we give?" but "How much do we keep?" It's so easy in this life to take for granted all that has been given. Freely given. As a mother I find I rarely slow down. It seems there is always something that needs to be done. Don't get me wrong. Much of what I do is concentrate on how to raise our children with compassion and love for others. I want to prepare healthy meals & teach them to be thankful. But clearly I also focus on things that in the grand scheme of things simply don't matter.

Life is short. Life is precious. So are all God's people. Why is it so hard to remember that on a daily basis? I recently told my friends how I wanted to experience life the same way I do in Sunday service. The message is so clear & powerful. There is silence to focus & reflect. In those moments my heart trembles & I am eager to change the world even in just a small way. Then we walk out & I change a dirty diaper. I forget. I get engulfed in this life for all the wrong reasons. I become selfish & self-focused.

Today I wept like a baby.

I look around this beautiful new house & it makes me a little sick. I'm spending money on things for this house that I've never spent before & that too makes me a little sick. It's not guilt. It's perspective. I know more about pop culture than I do about Billy Graham's life work. In the blink of an eye this life will be over. Will God say to me "Well done, good and faithful servant?" I don't know. And that speaks volumes.

Sneak Peek

Hairy Situation

At Sundee's suggestion we took the boys to get their first haircuts together. July 2nd it was. What a cool experience. I'm so gald we did this together. And what an adventure. Reece was only hesitant for a short time. Sundee has a great post about her man. I assumed Luka would flip out & he did not disappoint anyone within earshot. Our boy has some serious lungs on him. The pictures will speak for themselves. Love that kid.

Props to Wes on the cuts. He did a great job. We even got some clippings in an envelope. Hum. Not sure where they are or what I'll do with them. But what a cool gesture. The cuts were also "on the house" because it was their first. Nice day all around. Oh, and the boys look awesome. I'll be posting some of my handsome boy real soon.

Ms. Sundee

Finally, I was blessed to give back a little (and I mean a little). Sundee is an incredibly giving person. Most recently she delivered a fabulous dinner to a family without an oven or stove. Oh, that would be us. Its' hard for me to accept those things, but Sundee is Sundee. Her heart is open to the world & she just gives. Period.

Eyes That Can See had its 1st professional photo shoot. We kept Reece company while Sundee did her thing. I saw the photos today & they are awesome. Girl has talent. I knew God was involved when Luka fell asleep in the tree swing. Boy rarely falls asleep.

Reece & Danijela played so well & there wasn't a single fuss all morning. We played blocks. We made pretend cakes. They blew bubbles. They chalked on the sidewalk. They snacked. Most importantly, they giggled.