That's Not Fair

As a mom, I hear the phrase, "that's not fair," quite a bit. I expect it from my children. They are, in fact, children. A six year old, a three year old and a 16 month old can be excused for uttering this phrase on a regular basis.

It is when that phrase comes out of my mouth that I start to get a little concerned...(Believe me, it comes out of my mouth more than I would like to admit!)

I love the wisdom that God gave Solomon on this subject though!

The book of Ecclesiastes is where I have been hanging my hat lately. There are some jewels in there. One such jewel that hit me this morning was in Ecclesiastes 8. This passage is so relevant!

The Wicked and the Righteous

9 I have thought deeply about all that goes on here under the sun, where people have the power to hurt each other. 10 I have seen wicked people buried with honor. Yet they were the very ones who frequented the Temple and are now praised[a] in the same city where they committed their crimes! This, too, is meaningless. 11 When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. 12 But even though a person sins a hundred times and still lives a long time, I know that those who fear God will be better off. 13 The wicked will not prosper, for they do not fear God. Their days will never grow long like the evening shadows.

14 And this is not all that is meaningless in our world. In this life, good people are often treated as though they were wicked, and wicked people are often treated as though they were good. This is so meaningless!

15 So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.

All you have to do is look in the newspaper to see this passage happening everyday. Bad things are happening to good people while bad people seem to prosper all around us.

But I love what Solomon says here. Notice it, he says this is meaningless. It is meaningless. I think he is saying to stop worrying about all this, and just enjoy what God has given you. Stop worrying about whether or not He is punishing others or not. God is just! Live your life, do what you should. Enjoy your family! Love what you do. And, whatever, you do, do it all with gusto!

We are all really bad people if you think about it. None of us really deserve the good things that happen to us. None of us deserves the grace that has been extended to us. We are all just bad people who have been redeemed. New life is a gift that has been given all bad people who ask for it!

Anyway, just a thought!

Grace and peace from one redeemed bad girl who has decided that life is more than fair!

Sometimes Mom just needs a couple of hours with the girls to laugh.

Sometimes Mom just needs a couple of hours to herself.

Sometimes Mom just needs a few words of encouragement.

Sometimes, Mom just needs...

the number for Merry Maids. I could sure use some girl time with them right now as I am going to spend today Spring cleaning.

Bet you thought I was going to come out with some philosophical poetic gem didn't you?

Sorry to disappoint! :-)

To everyone Spring Cleaning today...God bless and God speed!

Spring Break

Ok, Spring Break was a blast. We went to the Edventure Museum and the kids had a great time.

Evidence below...

Ok, I'm Listening!

There are times when I find it quite difficult to get my children's attention. The reasons for this are numerous. They can be involved in serious play. (Taylor has such an imagination that I sometimes think she has actually been immersed in the land that she has dreamed up.) They could just not hear me. You know sometimes if they are into a movie or a Leapster game or something like that, they can't hear me speaking to them. Then sometimes they are just plain refusing to listen or ignoring me. This last one is really frustrating to any parent. When you love someone so deeply and know what's best for them, you want them to listen to you because you know that so much heartache can be avoided if they would just listen.

It might interest you to know that I am not and never have been the greatest listener either. (This probably doesn't surprise you at all if you are my mother reading this right now.)

Lately, I think God has been trying to get my attention in a particular situation in my life, and I have been the distracted, stubborn child.

Can you imagine it? God as the mother. First in a normal voice, "Julie, stop that now. I want you to do this." At first, I am just going along so intently that I can't hear Him. Then, a little louder, "Julie, you really need to stop that now. Don't you see that is not what I want for you? Go this way." But, I just keep plodding uphill on the wrong path, totally immersed in the world that I have dreamed up for myself. Finally, through the counsel of godly friends, scripture and a message that I heard on the radio this morning, "JULIE, I AM TRYING TO GET YOUR ATTENTION. YOU ARE POURING YOUR TIME AND ENERGY INTO THINGS THAT ARE NOT WHAT I HAVE IN MIND FOR YOU. PLEASE FOCUS ON THIS INSTEAD. I KNOW WHAT'S BEST."

ooooooooook. I'm listening. Sometimes, like me with my children, God just has to put both of His hands on the sides of my face, turn me gently to Him and make me understand what He is saying to me.

So, there you have it. Sometimes, you can save a lot of heartache, wasted time and energy if you would listen to the small voice rather than waiting for the big one. LESSON LEARNED.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."

Easter 2008