Pride. As my pastor said this past week, "How much pride is too much? Any." Amen. I've been studying Daniel with some awesome ladies and as we've studied the words said by and written about King Nebuchadnezzar the Lord has spoken some deep truths to me regarding my pride issues. A deep longing to be recognized and praised, wanting to be known as if I deserve something or am above someone else. I accepted the fact that I had pride issues, but it didn't REALLY hit me until last week when we received over $1000 worth of checks in the mail. One of them was $500 from some dear friends saying, "We wanted this to be anonymous but the bank wouldn't let us. The Lord told us to give this to you to help with the hospital bills right now." Really? REALLY?? Yes, my God provides. And yes, I wanted to give back the money and say we didn't need it because I was too prideful to accept a gift from our friends. Knowing I have to see two more specialists this week likely leading to yet another scan and very likely a surgical procedure, I wanted to deny a gift because I was too prideful to accept. WOW. Then God spoke powerfully on Sunday morning (check out the sermon at Southbridgefellowship.com. Ah-Mazing.) My lovely pride issues falling right in line my heavy security issues that I look for in my husband - funny that he travels every week. Leaves quite a bit of time to spend finding my security in the Lord, that's for sure! Oh and then there was the meltdown after trying on swim suits about the drastic changes my body has taken since my sweet son was born and mourning over the fact that I am 22 years old and having to visit my dr. every 3 weeks, see a back specialist, go back to physical therapy, and see a colon specialist (yes I just said colon in a blog. twice.) because of yet more issues from the delivery. But God is good and gracious with His teaching, though it is heavy at times. My body is a temple and it was not made to live forever. And it was not made for me to flaunt or pridefully boast in my weight or figure. And one day I will be given a new body to worship Him in forever. So the past few weeks have been heavy. But I have been reminded of His provision, His security and comfort that can only be found in Him, and the desire for Him to be the ONE AND ONLY thing I worship.
A couple updates about the fam.. Luke is incredible - he is 3 months old! He's so stinkin long. Most pants are capris on him and 3 month socks are too small. In fact most things that are 3 months old are too small because he is so long. He's having a hard time with naps but the Lord is giving me patience (most days ;) ) and friends that give me ideas on what to try next. He is so close to rolling over and he is sitting up in his bumbo without any help at all. He discovered Wyatt a couple weeks ago but can now focus on him and thinks he's very funny looking. He talks...a lot. I've started video taping and recording his sounds on my phone because it's pretty much non-stop. It keeps me giggling throughout the day and brings such joy to hear him so happy! He's very close to going from 10 pm - 7 am without waking up, but not quite there yet. About once a week he'll give me a 7pm - 7 am stretch which is incredible. I'm going to miss snuggling with him in the night :) Oh and he LOOOOVES music. Mostly classical??? Which typically puts me to sleep, but he loves it. He's also a fan of Steve Green's Hide Em In Your Heart, Baby Einstein soundtracks and Praise Baby. Billy is still traveling like crazy but we have lots to look forward to this summer - our 2 year anniversary in Charleston, visiting with his sister and brother in law in Georgia, a week camping with my grandma (yes you read that correctly), celebrating my other grandma's 90th birthday in florida, taking a trip to LA with him for business and a family beach trip with the Grimme's....phew, that's a lot! It's a challenge for me to have him gone so much because quite honestly, I miss my best friend! But, it makes our love for one another stronger each trip and we have such a sweet and fun time when he's home so it works...for now :)
As of late....
Wyatt is fooling you into thinking he can actually hunt. When really, animals fall out of trees in our back yard and he thinks he has accomplished something magnificent. True story.
Chillin on the dock
Seriously? This smile gets me every time...about a hundred times a day :)
Sittin in the shade on the dock
That's my boy :)
Many things to be thankful for...
a marriage FULL of laughter.
friends that are obedient to Christ.
over $1000 in the mail in one day - to pay off hospital bills and to remind us that He provides, always.
skype.
a sweet morning with friends and babies.
my Daniel Bible Study.
pastors that boldly proclaim the TRUTH.
sweet ladies in Bridge Kids that like to love on my son.
my sweet sweet friend, Janet, that tells me she loves me every time she talks to me and is always there with encouraging words and helpful tips in taking care of Luke. And her willingness to babysit him while we're at a wedding next weekend. What a blessing she is.
friends who speak truth to me, regardless of how it might sound.
luke's awesome sounds when he is playing by himself.
a baby that is content playing by himself at times.
hearing my husband talk to luke and seeing them interact. precious.
luke's grin and giggles (and the milk spewing out of his mouth) when I'm feeding him and he catches my eye.
energy from the Lord that sustains me the days after a rough night's sleep.
billy's job.
my dear in-laws that are probably the most mission focused and servant minded people I know.
brothers and sisters that are followers of Christ.
an afternoon with my whole family celebrating mother's day and my mom's birthday at the park.
delicious chocolate cake.
getting to stand up at church when they asked mom's to stand up. I love the gift of being a mom.
the smell of my sweet baby boy.
snuggles with Luke in the morning.
an evening of worship this Thursday night with some fantastic women!
His word piercing my heart.
beautiful weather the past few days and a chance to get out and enjoy it with my fellas.
the opportunity to travel with Billy and Luke this summer.
my friend Julianne coming over ... right now! :)
