A Lesson on Being Still

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

Be still. Still. Be. Still. Be still. Each time I write it, it looks more and more strange. Wrong. Almost as strange and wrong as it feels to actually be still. In today's society, so much emphasis (and recognition!) is placed on going and doing and accomplishing...fill in the blank. So to be still in contrary to what has been taught and reinforced since childhood.

Throw in motherhood and the concept of being still is nearly impossible. Nevermind more than one child who constantly "needs" something -- a milk refill, a shoe tied, a light turned on, a kleenex, a blanket, a bandaid, a hug, a snack, help buckling a seatbelt, help finding Buzz, no not that Buzz, the other Buzz, help writing numbers, help catching a ladybug. There are so many "needs" to tend to on a daily basis, 24 hours a day!

But what do they really need? How can their mommy really meet their needs? By being still. Showing them how to be still. And know God. To "be still and know that I am God."

Yes, I still have to meet their physical need, but more importantly, I need to show a living example of how to be still. Balance. Settle down. Set limits. Establish healthy boundaries. Quiet. Calm. Order. Peace.

"Be still and know that I am God." Be still. Be. Still. This is my charge. I believe that God has placed my physical limitations on my life so that I will slow down and be still. This verse is brought to mind each day, throughout the day, and I believe without a doubt that God is at work through it. Be still. Carly, be still. Know me. Know that I am God. I am your God.

God is teaching me a big lesson now. I don't want to miss it. So, I am choosing to stop. To listen. To settle. To be quiet. To find balance. To be still. Be. Still.

"Be still and know that I am God." -- Psalm 46:10

A Child-like Perspective

Swimming Lessons - Day One
When JA's teacher walked over to us, I couldn't help but notice how incredibly TINY she was. And tan. And pretty. And when she spoke to JA, she was nice. JA was set. She likes these types. But when Miss Brittany said, "Are you ready for swimming lessons?" I was fully expecting JA's natural reaction to new things: to turn away and bury her face in my lap/legs/shoulder, etc. Not this day. She reached out, took Miss Brittany's hand and didn't look back. My heart jumped for her.

She did everything the teacher asked of her. Willingly. Although, I will admit, she wasn't crazy about being dunked under the water. All three times. But she survived. And when the 30 minute session was over, she said, "Mommy I did it. I'm so proud of myself!!" I was too.

Fast forward several hours to 6pm and it's Jack's lesson. He's in the Water Babies class. All the other children were, in fact, babies. Comparatively, Jack seemed like a first grader. He was the oldest one and most opinionated, for sure. Wes went in the water with him and had a rough time holding onto him. Poor Jack kept saying, "I do it myself." Yeah, he definitely NEEDS the swimming lessons. He's fearless.

But watching my children conquer the water yesterday was very eye opening for me. It all started when JA and I were sitting on a bench waiting for it all to begin. The pool was filled with "older people" going through their daily routine of socializing and pool walking. I noticed a banner on the wall outlining an aquatics arthritis program. These folks were easily in their seventies and eighties, some frail and some still quite active. None of them looked good in their swim suits. Most were wearing rather unattractive swim shoes. None were tan. None were too proud. They just were doing their best to keep going.

So we were watching them. And Jordan Ann leaned over to me and said, "Look mommy at all those big kids. They are having so much fun."

Oh, how I long to be able to look past the surface to see what is truly on the inside. I pray that the Lord will continue to give me reason to have a child-like perspective. What a blessing it was yesterday to hear JA say that, just as a reminder that we all start young and when we're not anymore, we are still young at heart.

Just like all those pool walkers yesterday.

You Get What You Pay For

Consider this a fair warning. I feel like it's my civic duty to fill you in on this.

Tonight we had what was called a "snick-snack-snupper" when I was a child. Daddy's not home for supper and mommy doesn't really want to cook. So a frozen pizza it was. My children typically eat pizza with no problems and it was a dollar something at Walmart this morning. (Just call me el cheapo.)

At our regular dinnertime, Jack alerts me with constant whining. The child has an alarm strapped to him for every mealtime everyday. I knew they would both be hungry.

I popped in the pizza and 15 minutes later, voila. Supper.

I got out my cute pizza cutter and made adorable triangles for their plates. After I burned the fingerprints off my thumb and first finger, I thought it would be a good idea to cut Jack's up in little pieces. Jordan Ann requested full triangles.

Add some fruit and a cup of milk and I was feeling pretty proud of myself. Not the most wholesome, but sufficient.

I called them in to the table and they anxiously climbed into their chairs. I put their plates in front of them and Jordan Ann popped her thumb in her mouth and laid her head on the table. Jack ignored the pizza and put away the strawberries faster than you could say "strawberry."

"What is the big deal here?" I thought to myself. So, I tried a piece of it. Cardboard. Cardboard with nasty pizza sauce and cheese that resembled styrofoam, even cooked.

Neither of them would eat it. I couldn't blame them, though. It was terrible.

All the books say that if your kids don't eat what you put in front of them, don't give them another option. I stretched it a little on this one. I didn't want them to go to bed starving because I purchased a frozen pizza for a dollar something.

Yogurt for supper.

(I hope that doesn't make me a terrible mother. I'll try better tomorrow.)

And for future reference, don't buy frozen pizza for a dollar something, thinking you can take the easy way out and provide a fun meal for your children. Or if you do, be sure you get some yogurt, too.

We're Expecting!

Baby birds, that is. {But did I get your attention?}

Several weeks ago, Jordan Ann pointed out that we had a bird in our geranium right outside the window. We watched as the bird assembled a nest, and wondered if we would really see her laying eggs. Days went by with nothing new except the perfectly built nest.

Two days ago, Jordan Ann was doing her regular check on the nest and found a surprise! There were eggs in the nest. Later, we saw the mommy bird tucked in, keeping her eggs warm.

Since then, JA has checked on the mommy bird hourly from the time she wakes up until she goes to bed. Yesterday she asked if she would be able to see the baby birds after her nap.

How long does it take for birds to hatch? Are we going to be checking on birds for days, weeks or months? And if you're a bird watcher and can tell us what kind of bird we have here, leave a comment please. I'm dying to know!

{Does anyone besides me find it ironic that I redesign my blog using birds and am now, days later, making a post about birds in my geranium? Very, very strange.}

Smocking

Here are a couple pictures of my first smocking project ever. Well, not a project, really, more like a sample practice piece. Don't look too closely because it's not perfect. In fact, I've had to resist the temptation to take out the mistakes and redo it, but have to patiently remind myself that I'm learning.

I'm thrilled with myself to see that I've finally learned to do something I've wanted to for years. It's tough and going to take practice, but is there anything worthwhile in life that doesn't?

Are you learning something new? What is it?