When Your Heart Can't Breathe

Have you ever been disappointed by a friend? Let down by someone you love? Did someone you count on really let you down? Yeah. Me, too. It makes your heart hurt, doesn't it? I mean, it literally feels like your heart...HURTS. To me it actually feels like my heart is gasping for breath.

As bad as that feels, there is something worse....seeing your child's heart hurt in that way. It's been a tough night at our house. I had "heart gasping for air" talks with both of my boys tonight about friendships, hurts, and disappointments.

As I was talking with one of the boys and grasping for something, anything to say to make it better, I decided that I would just pray with him. As soon as I started praying, he burst into tears. I grabbed his little hand and I prayed some more, the tears lessened, by the time I got to the "amen" his breathing had calmed and I could tell he was feeling some peace. It is amazing how a prayer can bring comfort like that. There is no greater peace than the peace of God. None. After our prayer, I decided to pick up our favorite devotional book (Jesus Calling - the kid version) for some HELP, because well, I had NOTHING. Just look at the little gem that was there waiting for us in tomorrow's reading (I figured God would be okay with us skipping ahead a bit ;-).

"No one is perfect - not your best friend, not your mom or your dad, not your sports hero or favorite television star. Sooner or later, someone in your life - someone you really counted on - will let you down. You can end up feeling angry, hurt, and betrayed. You may feel like you are falling, with no one to catch you or help you up. So who can you count on? Count on Me. I will never let you down. And when others do let you down, I will be your safety net. I will not let you crash. Not only am I always there with you, but I am holding your hand. and I promise, I won't ever let go."

"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save." 

Zephaniah 3:17 

"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." 

Psalm 73:23-26

Isn't that amazing and perfect? What a comfort to a little heart that is hurting and to a Mother's heart that feels like it is literally gasping for air. People WILL let us down. No one is perfect. We can count on that for sure.

But there is One who will NEVER let us down, 

who will catch us when we are falling, 

who will give our hearts OXYGEN when they are gasping for breath, 

who gives us PEACE amidst hurt, 

who always LOVES us, and always ACCEPTS us, and always APPROVES of us. 

And in that TRUTH we find our comfort.

The Great Expedition of 2011

Last week Rich took William on an "expedition". William would like to travel the world, but seeing as he is only six, we really only allow him to travel around the neighborhood and even then he needs an adult chaperone. Check out these humorous documentary style videos Rich sent me in "real time" as they conquered the treacherous neighborhood terrain. I realize there are several videos, but each one is brief and worth your time. My hubby is a pretty funny guy! I especially like #3 and #5. Enjoy!

     

   

     

   

  

   

   

 

 

 

Dinosaurs, and Dragons, and Jedi's...OH MY!

The world as I see it...

Dinosaurs on my bedside table

A dragon in the refrigerator?

 

And a Jedi battle (with guest star Indiana Jones) on the bathroom sink.

And Provisions, I Did Get.

Well, according to the National Weather Service, we are about to experience the worst winter storm in our area since 1912. Yowsa. And well, let's just say...people are FREAKING OUT.  Of course, I can't really judge, because I have done a little freaking out of my own today. I mean, I am hardly equipped with the appropriate survival skills for an apocalyptic storm, being a member of the 21st century and all. I wasn't even in Brownies as a little girl.

So, after some research (okay, scrolling Facebook statuses), I decided the thing to do was to go to town for provisions. According to my FB friends, the store of the "super"ness was NOT the place to go. In my denial, I decided to peruse the parking lot anyway. It didn't look entirely foreboding, so I took a gander through the window as I drove by the front of the store. Right. Game over. Time to travel across the street to a more pleasant store...you know, the one with the target? I decided to get as many things as possible there and then brave the local grocery store for the rest. It turned out to be a good plan. I do SO love the store with the target.

And provisions, I did get.  What is it about an impending storm that brings on the clearly instinctual desire for JUNK FOOD? I mean, whatever would I do if I was snowed in for any period of time and I had no Doritoes, place and bake cookies, or HEAVEN FORBID, Coca-Cola? It's truly a scary thought. In all seriousness, I do TRY to eat healthy most of the time, but a girl has her weaknesses and I would certainly not want to have a weak moment in the middle of a snowstorm with no possible way of getting to the store with the target.

Don't worry (Mom), I also got bread, milk, eggs, and bottled water. And (Dad) we are planning to fill the bathtubs with water and gather plenty of candles, matches, etc.  Unfortunately, we have no fireplace, generator, or four wheel drive vehicle, but we do have sweet friends who do. AND they have offered to share. I told you they were sweet.

So. for now we are hunkering down, praying for the best case scenario and holding fast to this promise...

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." 

Matthew 6:34

(The Message)

Musings

I can't stop blowing my nose! I can't understand the biology behind where all that stuff comes from!

Apparently my first week Kindermusik classes is being met with a MAJOR winter storm. Lovely.

I had a birthday a little over a week ago and this is what my husband gave me...

It's the grown-up version of this.  Seriously, go out and buy both of them today. If I could I would buy you all copies and give them to you myself. They are THAT good. Underneath the Jesus Calling devotional (seriously click on that link and BUY it!) book is a new journal in pink and brown (it matches my Bible, you guys!). Big points for Rich on this one. We also went out as a family to Olive Garden after lunch and it was truly a lovely time. And anyone with kids knows that that is saying A LOT.

I am currently in love with reed diffusers. Where have they been all my life? Especially the ones in the pretty bottles. I love the lavender vanilla version I got from Target recently! Yes, I bought a birthday present for myself.

Back to Kindermusik, I had a free preview class this week and it was FUN! We had a great time. I have several kiddos enrolled, but am still hoping and praying for more.

Oh yeah, I started back to running. Remember, I started running a couple of years ago and even ran my first 5K! I am not necessarily training for a particular 5K this time, although, I may decide to run one. However, I am using the Couch to 5K app and I LOVE it. I highly recommend it if you are wanting to give running a try. Trust me people, if I can do it, anyone can!!

And, I suppose that is all for now. Over and out.

My Winter Cold Survival Kit

A little chicken noodle soup. Easy peasy, you don't even have to add water! And tasty, too.

Some hot tea. Okay, you gotta add a little water here...and some milk and sugar. British style all the way.

My favorite fuzzy blanket.

A pretty box of Kleenex, but SO wishing they were Puffs Plus right now. I'm feeling a little Rudolph nose coming on.

And entertainment for all. This is a delightful "feel good" movie. The perfect choice for a day when you're feeling NOT so good.

Top it off with a little chocolate, complete with cheery saying inside. And you are well on your way to a full recovery!

Reset

Behind on Blogging.

Behind on personal email.

Behind on work email.

Behind on paperwork.

Behind on dishes.

Behind on laundry.

Behind on DVR shows.

Behind on Facebook.

Behind on house cleaning.

Behind on grocery shopping.

I need a reset button.