My Little Iron Man

Iron Man crawled into bed with me a few mornings ago.  Not the real Iron Man (obviously) but a miniature version.  A sweet little 2 year old we affectionately call Mediano who often seems to believe that he is a superhero.  He holds out his little hands makes a noise and imagines he’s shooting things like Iron Man.

He’s playing, using his imagination, but there really is power in those little hands of his.  When they are given over to be used by the Holy Spirit, they can become hands that heal, hands that feed, hands that comfort, and hands that pass on spiritual gifts.

. . . the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands . . . 

Acts 8:18

He doesn’t know that yet.  But I do.  And at times I sit back in wonder at what those hands will one day do.  

And eventually his true victory will be won when he, like Christ, gives himself completely into the hands of his Heavenly Father.  What incredible hands He has.

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:46

multitudes on mondays

20.  happy noise
21.  arroz con leche filling the house with it’s aroma
22.  my boys saying please and thank you to each other
23.  beautiful and affordable ways to keep the pictures that capture memories (photo books)
24.  little boy language only Mama understands
25.  quiero poquito chocomil, con poquito asucar, con poquito leche en un vasito de de cars. (grande)
26.  leche, toy story vaso, puro asucar, and leche  (mediano)
27.  te ta ta ta ta (chico)
28.  books read slowly taking in every word
29.  warm sun streaming through windows on chilly autumn  mornings
30.  little eyes gazing up at abuelito taking in his every move
31.  the grace that cost so much and yet was so freely given
32.  loving hands of a creator cradling the broken heart of his creation
33.  a God given place in the battle for my children’s souls
34.  never having to go it alone
35.  victory over temptation to the point where it’s no longer tempting
36.  His hand of protection over me as I follow His path
37.  friends to lean on and to support
38.  painful thanksgiving that brings transformation
39.  a place to rest both spiritual and physical
40.  the tender hearts of my boys entrusted to my care
41.  the love of a husband that reflects the love of Christ
42.  new starts
43.  freedom to honestly and openly come into God’s presence without fear
44.  Jesus.  who He is.  what He’s done.  that He is all I will ever need.
45.  wisdom shared
46.  time to reflect to gain the Lord’s perspective
47.  the ability to hold my children when they wake at night
48.  the power that resides in the name of Jesus
49.  freedom to love God passionately without the fear or risk of rejection and the joy that comes from that
50.  my voice being used by Him
51.  quiet moments
52.  a voice small and still but powerful enough to be heard through the noise
53.  walking in a path set before me, not having to blaze my own trail
54.  the peace that comes through letting go
55.  words well woven creating a blanket of encouragement that warms to the soul
56.  knowing where the journey will end

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Scripture Sunday

Apologia Live Vlog

Here's a short vlog about Apologia Live so far.  FYI I am sleepy and not eloquent in this video.  ;-)

Hold On Baby, Here We Go!

I took the boys to the park again this week.  For those of you who may be wondering no I did not torture Chico by pushing him in the swing again.  I did slide down the big twisty slide with him on my lap though, and he loved it.  

I have to say that I was a little nervous up at the top looking down with my sweet baby on my lap.  I couldn’t even see the end of the slide.  How could I be sure it was safe for me?  How could I be sure it was safe for him?

It’s incredible how much we change when we have children.  When I was younger I thought I knew what faith was.  I thought I had it.  The faith that no matter what happened or where His path would lead that everything would eventually turn out all right.  The faith that He would provide everything I need.  The faith that hears a still small voice and walks forward without asking Him to repeat Himself just to make sure I heard correctly.  It seemed simple.  It seemed natural.  

Add a husband and three small sons to the equation and it doesn’t seem as simple.  I may be easy not to worry about what I will eat or what I will wear (ok so sometimes I worry about what to wear), but not worrying about what my boys will eat or if they’ll have clothes to protect them from the cold is much harder.  

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

"And why do you worry about clothes?  See how the flowers of the field grow.  They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34

But the Lord has proven Himself to be faithful.  And I am learning what I used to think I already know.  To trust Him.  Not only to provide for me, but to provide for my family.  Not only to lead me in His path of righteousness, but to do the same for my boys.  To get back to that place of hearing His voice and walking in it, without fear and without doubt.

And if that’s hard just check out what Jesus says in Mark 13:11.  

Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Mark 13:11

To be arrested and not worry?

Lord grow my faith!