in the belly

have you ever felt God nudging you
to make a change in your life,
perhaps give something up for a season?

this is what i have been wrestling with for awhile,
and found myself resisting...
giving up something that had been very good
and encouraging for the past 6 years.

only was it encouraging?
not really. not right now.

i found myself coming away from what i had once loved,
feeling drained and overwhelmed.
unable to see the forest,
as i wandered amidst the trees aimlessly.

i've been like Jonah.
knowing the good i ought to do,
and unwilling to do it.

like Jonah, i've been sloshing around
in the belly of a fish.
how long ago did it start to stink?

part of his revelation from God during his time there:
"Those who cling to worthless idols
forfeit the grace that could be theirs."

that's what i've been clinging to.
a worthless idol.

so, here i am.
one week into surrendering this idol.
this sacred thing in my life
that is no longer sacred to God.

and what am i finding in the process?
God's grace.
his loving kindness and goodness.

i now have more free time with my family.
more peace of mind.
a slower pace and a quieted heart.

i am more engaged in the world around me.
i am more alert to my heavenly Father.

and i am more aware of my emotions.
no longer can i get lost,
numbing my heart.

so while this new season is very good,
it is very humbling and revealing.

being pruned is not pleasant.

my hope is that thru this process
i will bear fruit that
ultimately
brings glory to God.

Prayer for Parents

O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power. Let me not tempt my children to lie or steal.

And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all that I say and do that honesty produces happiness. Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I'm out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue. May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgment of adults. Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions. Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm. Make me fair and just and kind and fit, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children. Amen.

prayer by Fr. Anothony Coniaris from Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home

just guide gently

This blog entry has been really inspiring to me....

http://aholyexperience.com/2008/08/how-to-parent-just-guide-gently.html

growing up in grace

an online friend wrote a few blog entries that really spoke to me and inspired me. I'm linking to them here so that i can reference it later, and in hopes that it will perhaps be thought-provoking to others :)


http://simple-gifts.blogspot.com/2006/10/growing-up-in-grace.html
http://simple-gifts.blogspot.com/2006/11/punishment-vs-discipline_01.html