what if we are all wrong...

What if we/me approached life knowing and acknowledging that I am wrong rather than trying to prove I am right?

As it is written,

there is no one righteous, not even one

there is no one who understands

there is no one who seeks God.

Romans 3:10-11

Seems lately, in Christian circles {love that vague term}, so many are trying to prove their stance based on right vs. wrong in how to follow Christ, where to educate our children, how to parent, how to be married, what movies to watch, which holidays to celebrate, which version of God's Word to read, etc., etc., etc.

I'm beginning to believe we are all wrong

... because if we were right, we wouldn't fall into the trap of trying to tear down our brother/sister to build ourselves up.

My children are teaching me this lesson.  It seems as if they are constantly fighting to be right.  In the fight, they tear down their brother/sister in order to defend themselves.  In the end, this parent is left to deal with puffed up pride and hurt feelings.

It's taken 42+ years to realize I do this and my Father God is left to deal with puffed up pride and hurt feelings.  

Sin is wrong

I sin

I am wrong

This is how I want to live the rest of my days... I know I will fail miserably.

I want to be wrong so that I don't fight to be right.

beware of the random post...

You are about to enter a very random post... 

you may want to walk away...

beware!

we woke up to this hanging off 

our roof this morning..

I actually opened a living room window 

and removed the screen to take this picture

much to the chagrin of the boy.

I don't know what bothered him more...

the cold air coming in

or that his mother was hanging out the window.

this still just cracks me up!

What looks like Rapture left-overs is

actually a very carefully laid plan.

This is what the 8 year olds bedroom floor

looked like Wednesday night.  She laid

her clothes out for homeschool co-op the next morning

in the exact way she would wear them....

funny girl!

beauty for $3.99 at Aldi.

The male cashier asked me if I was purchasing those

for myself or someone else.

I told him for my marriage...

I enjoy them immensely 

and it gets my husband off the hook.

this is what's for dinner tonight.

The idea of a turkey stuffed with a duck and a hen

has always intrigued me.

Though not a rockbottom price,

the clearance tag convinced Chad to try it

and he convinced me.  

The best part?

We're taking it to a spontaneous get-together tonight.

Should make for some great discussion!

this is how we spend snow days!

I'm wrapped up in this blanket 

looking down at Ebony at my feet.

I should be writing, folding laundry, doing dishes

or doing a million other things.

Love this blanket, by the way!

Dad bought it to wrap Chad's Christmas gift

and it's now used every day in 

the living room.

this is the first idea

for the book cover...

not crazy about it and have 

been brainstorming with my photography friend,

Kari,

she is uber talented and I can't wait 

to see it all come together!

I've started the sequel

and I thought a snow day 

would be the PERFECT day to write...

I even fell asleep last night dreaming

of writing all day long.

Let's just say...

not so much...

instead...

I'm under the red blanket

blogging a hideously random post...

and apparently,

you did not head the warning.

carnival rides...

This summer, I told my mom about a distinct memory I have from either late elementary school or early jr high.  The really funny thing, is that my mom does not remember any of this.  So, either my mind is play tricks on me or I just wasn't with my parents when this happened.  I'm hoping it was the later.


My memory goes like this, one warm summer night, our little town had a carnival set up in the empty lot behind and next to the VFW Hall.  Cotton candy, elephant ears, slushies, corn dogs and rides.  All the right carnival things needed for a fun night.


I do remember running around with a friend enjoying all the treats this little carnival had to offer.  After we had filled our bellies, we decided to do a few rides... uh, not such a good idea.


We couldn't wait to ride the swings... you know, those carnival ones that lift you off the ground and the wind blows through your hair.  The same swings that go around... and around... and around..... 


We were the only two on the ride and about 60 seconds into the ride, I said "please stop this ride."  Well, with the wind and the loud sounds of the carnival, no one heard me.  So, I yelled "PLEASE STOP THIS RIDE!!!"  


The carnie worker was none too impressed when he pulled the lever to stop the ride and I stepped down from the swing and promply threw up all over the ground right in front of his shoes.  Yeah, cotton candy, slushie, corn dog... all that stuff that makes for a good carnival time. I have never forgotten the look on that poor man's face.


I've told this story to the kids and Chad every year at the fair.  And, every year, they laugh at their Mom's weak stomach.  It makes for a good story.


Lately, I've felt like the 11 year old Heidi saying "please stop this ride" and no one hears me.  I'm afraid I may have to start yelling soon to be heard over the sound of school, practice, games, life, etc.  I just hope I don't throw up when the ride stops.


Just like I chose to be on that ride years ago, I have put myself on this current ride.  Thankfully, the sports seasons end in 5 weeks.  Thankfully it is apple, pumpkin, colored leaf time... my favorite time of year.  Thankfully, God's grace is sufficient... for when I am weak, He is strong.


Last night, my dad gently reminded me that just because this ride is coming to an end, doesn't mean that another ride won't start.  He's right.  This ride called life, marriage, parenting, ministry is a wild ride.  It's always moving, shaking, swinging.


Truly, I don't want to get off the ride.  However, I wouldn't mind if the ride stopped for just a little while so that I can catch my breath... and clean up anything that might have landed on the carnie's shoes.

valuable life lesson...

Life lessons... those school moments for the heart that sometimes come in as a whisper and sometimes as a storm... appear every single day.  The question becomes... will we learn from them or let them pass us by?


Yesterday, we had a great life lesson present itself to all of us.  Honestly, at first, I thought the lesson was just for my son.  I found it, read it, and bookmarked it.  My thought... "I can't wait until after practice for Eric, he needs to read this!"  Later, I watched Emme have her first starting position in volleyball and thought "Em will be reading tonight too!"


After football practice and volleyball games, we came home and gathered round to read.  They each read the story of an incredible young football player who, in the face of adversity, didn't give up.  Not only did he not give up, he chose to make a difference... he chose to lead by example.  In the end, his team still lost the game.  However, he led them down the field to score one touchdown before the end of the game.  


The best part of the story... we know this kid.  We have known and loved him all of his fourteen and a half years.  He's Eric's best friend and twin cousin.  To Emme and Ellen, he's the cousin who plays great games on the trampoline.  To Chad and I, he's part of our family.  He's quiet.  He's gentle.  And, he's amazingly talented.  


Last night, I read the story to Chad and we both smiled.  Chad said "Way to go Drew!"  And then, "Eric could learn a lot from him."  


This morning, I realized Eric isn't the only one who could learn a lot from Drew.  This is my lesson too.  I tend to lose my confidence when the going gets hard, especially when I'm losing.  It's hard to be the one who maintains the quiet confidence.  It's hard to be the one who will fight hard until the clock runs out.   It's hard to be the one who leads by example.  


Lately, there is much I have wanted to give up on.  The going has been hard.  I've been losing and the score has been about 0-50.  I've wanted to give up... to take my ball and go home.  


At 42, I still have much to learn in life.  Last night, I learned a valuable life lesson from a 14 year old.  I only wish we could have been there to see him in action!