Electronic communication

Has anyone else noticed the break down in socialization and basic social skills, as a result? 

I am not awarding myself any credit for, even remotely, breaking this standard. Most of my communication is via some sort of electronic screen. 

On the one hand, I count it a blessing that I can stay in constant contact with friends and family that, ordinarily, I would be separated from, due to distance and./or  "schedules".  It is so nice to be able to know how people I care about, but aren't able to see, are doing. I am able to see pictures of their family, hear stories about their adventures and antics, leave posts of encouragement and such on their "page", and even pray for them when they are having a bad day. 

On the other hand, I've found that the deeper I delve into strictly electronic communication (facebook, texting, etc) the more awkward it is to socialize in person. For example:

Have you ever had this moment? 

You have a "facebook friend" (ie someone you typically only speak to on facebook) that you meet up with in person. Now, in the context of facebook, it's easy to talk for "days" about family, life, and even deep personal issues, but with them now sitting across from you, drinking coffee, or what-have-you.... you find you have nothing to say to them. It's somewhat like talking to a stranger even though, previously, you have have, without thinking, referenced them as your friend?

Maybe yes, maybe no, but I have definitely been in this situation. 

It is, undoubtedly, a difficult cycle to break. Once you convert the convenience of electronic communication, anything else seems so cumbersome. 

Why call when you can text? 

Why text when you can facebook? 

I suppose, on one level, it eliminates the fear of rejection. I often ponder if my acquaintances enjoy my company or, instead, tolerate me due to forced interaction. I'm not throwing my self a one-man-band pity party. I am just not always sure. I have a tendency to want to "cut the crap" and get to the root of a person and most people, likely including myself, find it more comfortable to keep a safe distance. I, therefore, can't always tell if they consider me a friend or not. 

The state of not knowing where someone stands, leaves me pondering the following dilemma:

Do I continue to assume the best and force my friendship on people? or

Do I wait for them to initiate contact/friendship, so that I can "read" whether or not they take me seriously as a friend? 

I seem to always make the wrong choice. 

I, often, will "push the issue" with people who have no true desire to become close friends with me.  OR

I stay aloof when they are really hoping that I will try harder and become their friend. 

FAIL!!!            

All this results in a feeling of safety and comfort reverberating from my electronic devices. 

This is BAD. 

It's not the same to "like" someone's comment as it is to enjoy a laugh over something silly.. 

It's not the same to comment "I'm praying for you" on their facebook status as it is to embrace them.

It's not the same to write a blog about how you're feeling as it is to truly commiserate with someone. 

I want to learn to break the cycle, but I must first consider, with whom? and how? 

We tried hosting a Bible study at our home, and with the exception of two of our AMAZING friends we did not have any attendees.   

I am at a loss. 

Lord, let us always have open hearts for everyone. Allow us to discern good friendships and always be good friends.

amen. 

Inferno

In a world without light

I hold my candle in the wind 

flickering and sputtering for life

Against the threatening storm

I hear an earsplitting screech of desperation

Scanning the darkness for the source

Only to realize it came from deep within 

Reverberating through my bones

and harmonized by distant breaking hearts

A single tear slips through the clouds

falling unnoticed

Onto a gray, barren land. 

 Groping and desperate 

I hold my candle to the heavens

a small prayer 

a faltering home 

 Let the faint Candle 

become an INFERNO 

 

Faith or Wisdom?

This is a very controversial topic with very firm opinions on either side. I'm one of the few "neutrals" on this topic, but being a neutral makes it difficult for me to decide exactly how I feel on the matter. 

The topic? 

Homeschooling!!!

This is becoming more of a subject in my mind recently, for two reasons. One is that I have been really enjoying teaching my son, recently. I am doing preschool at home, and it's been great seeing him learn. 

The second reason is that I see where the world is headed, particularly with the recent elementary school shooting and I want to keep my children safe from it, and prepare my children for it. 

There are two schools of thought on this topic and my husband and I have opposite ones. Mine is that I need to keep my kids safe and nurtured at home ("Start children in the way they should go and they won't turn from it"). John has more of a "In the world but not of the world" approach. He believes that "sheltering" them is delaying the inevitable and will make it harder for them to acclimate when they do have to be a part of society. When I present my concerns for their safety he always tells me the same thing; he says that bad things can happen anywhere, and the only thing we can do is give our kids the skills they need and have faith that God will take care of them. 

So the question sort of boils down to faith or wisdom. Do I have faith that God will take care of my kids or chalk that up to being "unwise" and keep them home? 

Making any decision out of fear is not biblical, so I'm kind of at odds with myself. 

Admittedly, we were planning on doing a small charter school, as a compromise, which is likely safer, but in the wold we're in, I'm not sure if it feels safer.   

Is anyone else faced with this dilemma? (keep the language nice and peace-loving)  

You know you're a mom when... (continued)

1. You base most of your hairstyles on it's ability to hide the fact that you didn't shower. 

2. You have cleaned up 3 AM vomit off of sheets and pillow cases. 

3. You are remarkably talented at finding shoes, coats, etc... but somehow completely inept at changing batteries and/or repairing particularly obnoxious toys (hehe). 

4. You have discussed poop with strangers. 

5. You've taken off (at least part of) your bra in public. 

6. You can play with/wrestle with a toddler with one hand, and write a menu plan with the other. 

7. You've made silly faces in public without much regard to those watching. 

8. You've cheated at Candyland... to make yourself loose. 

9. You use bribery as an instructional technique in your everyday life. (ie "If you clean your room well, we'll play candyland") 

10. You can't wait to leave the house, alone, and then when you do, you can't wait to come home to get hugs. 

11. You have ever referred to a shower as your "me time" or "quiet time". 

12. You have ever said a prayer of thanks for nap time. 

13. You wear a "one-piece" to hide your stomach. 

14. Your stomach looks like an animal attacked it. 

15. You've picked someone's nose. 

16. You're favorite way to spend the day involves coloring pages, paint, or other fun kid crafts. 

17. You listen to music strictly based on what's acceptable to "mold little minds". 

18. You have a designated "corner" in your house (you know what I'm talking about). 

19. You are immersed in love. 

20. You have cut someone's hair without even remote qualifications to do so. 

21. You have forgotten to eat.
22. You don't ever ever get sick days.

23. You've gotten up in the middle of the night, and not remembered it. 

24. A regular staple in your fridge is cheese sticks. 

25. You've found crayons in unimaginable locations. 

26. You've called your husband "daddy" without ANY even remote naughty implications. 

27. You have a "mom look/voice" 

28. You spend a lot of time tickling other. 

29. You kiss owies. 

30. You speak "babble". 

Christmas Season

Christmas is a confusing time of year. You shop the store or walk the streets and you are bombarded with very differing approaches and attitudes toward the season. 

There is that smiling face, who wishes you a Merry Christmas while holding the door open for you, and there is that person who grumpily pushes their cart past you in the aisle, grumbling under their breath about "this time of year". 

I was standing in line at the post office to mail some packages. Even though it was an absurdly long line, everyone was fairly jovial. They were chatting and letting others go before them, but in the quiet boredom of waiting, I eavesdropped on a conversation in front of me. 

An older woman was standing at counter and when the clerk had finished with her package she said 

"Are we done?" 

The clerk smiled and said "Yes, ma'am, unless I can get a smile out of you." 

She turned her head away from him and said "No. I have nothing to smile about." 

The clerk frowned, in concern, and said all that he could "well I hope you have a blessed Christmas." 

Standing there, I prayed for her, and I got to thinking about those who are suffering. 

While I am wrapping that extra present, singing along to "jingle bells" playing on the radio, and reading the story (again) of Jesus's birth to my kiddos in our warm comfortable home. I think of those who don't have to be "needy" to be hurting this year. 

Maybe they lost someone they love. Maybe they just don't have anyone to spend Christmas with... Whatever the case may be. Always always always always give to the needy, but we also need to pray that we never miss an opportunity to just encourage and love one another, so no one has to feel alone. 

The Personal Perception Conundrum

I weigh more than I did last Christmas but less than I did  before I got pregnant with Gabby. I still feel self conscious about the weight difference between this Christmas and last. 

This has, naturally, spurred all sorts of dieting, exercise and general thoughts/actions of self-loathing. I am not a shallow person, but I do have a fragile self esteem. (like most the women in the world) 

The ironic part of this is that my husband is more attracted to me now, than a year ago. Don't get me wrong... he is a smart man. He'd never comment on my weight one way or another, but it's all about the little things that only a wife would notice. 

So, why is that I feel that I need to loose weight? 

That is the question, isn't it?! 

This is the inevitable conundrum. Do I put faith in my husband's perception and not work so hard to fight my body, but instead enjoy his adoration for me? 

OR do I continue in my quest until I reach about where I can become on good terms with my mirror?  

Why I am a Christian

 "Christian:

exhibiting a spirit proper to a follower of Jesus Christ; Christlike:"

Who is Jesus? Most of us know, but to somewhat over simplify and summarize his life and teachings. 

Jesus was born in a barn, literally. 

By the time he was 12 years old he was "educating" the wise men of the time. 

He then spent the rest of his life traveling, healing the sick, and providing  general care and servitude to everyone he came across. 

He taught the vitality of love without judgement and servitude to our fellow man. 

He, then, was brutally murdered by those he was trying to help. 

He rose again in 3 days time and promised everyone the Holy Spirit. 

The Holy Spirit being our soul's companion and advocate.  A piece of God's love, to stay within our hearts so that we never have to be alone. 

Who wouldn't want to be like him? 

Who wouldn't want to be an embodiment of love, compassion, and wisdom? 

There are those who argue "Well, Christian's are so judgmental! Why would I want to be like them?!" 

Christians are humans. They are supposed to be representatives, but failure happens to all of us. 

 "Christian" doesn't mean "people -like" it means "Christ-like".

One can't make the assumption that all parents are bad, because of those that are, and therefore one can't make the assumption that all Christians are not trying to be like Christ, because of those who misunderstand and/or exhibit human flaws. 

...and... despite some misguided confusion... salvation is not based on how "good" you are. It's simply based on believing in Jesus, asking forgiveness, and loving others the best you can. 

Another piece of misguided confusion is that Christians are out to "convert" everyone.

 We just want you to know Jesus. 

Why?

Why not? 

Salvation. Love. Peace. Wisdom. Generosity. Purification. FORGIVENESS.....

Down side???? 

NONE!

We don't share our faith to tell you that you're not good enough. We share because we love you and want to share with you something that has changed our lives! 

Admittedly, some Christians can get a little... let's say... emphatic about representing their beliefs to others, but at the root of it, their hearts are probably in the right place.

Frankly... some non-Christians can be emphatic about their thoughts and believes, as well... but I digress... 

Why am I a Christian? 

Because I want to be like Jesus! 

I have a long way to go, but that's the point of forgiveness. :) 

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mind set as Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5