Child abuse or should I say the prevention of – is a passion of mine.

Picture this. You are at the grocery store, target, mall- some public place… when a child is acting out. You can see the anxiety of that parent rising. They may lash out at their child who is misbehaving, and maybe even in a way that concerns you. If you have ever been in that situation…

…what was your response?

Was it to stare, or maybe even give the ‘look’?  May I make a suggestion? Any of us who are parents should be able to relate to that situation. How many times have I been standing in line at Target when one of my kids throws a tantrum because I am NOT going to buy them that fancy container of liquid sugar in the check out isle?

They put it there for a reason people!

For parents who decide to give in to their tantruming kids just to get the onlookers off their backs! (I’m guilty!)

Think about what might have helped you in that situation.

A smile? Laughter? Recognition from someone that they have ‘been there‘?

In some circumstances, when you may be really concerned about the escalation of that parent’s behavior, and maybe even concerned for the safety of that child, what. would. you. do?

One recommendation may be to offer a distraction to take that parent out of the heated situation. Kindly interrupt and ask for directions. Compliment them on their clothing, hairstyle, whatever…. ask if they have seen a product. You get the idea. Something completely unrelated to the event, but because you are creating that interruption, it is giving both child and parent time to cool down.

On the other hand, if you are witnessing a violent act against a child, you have the responsibility to alert authorities. Children count on ‘the village‘, and if the village fails them when warning signs are there…

…what is left?

Unfortunately we live in a world where there is stress beyond measure. Many of us are feeling the pressures of our finances. For others it might be health issues, or lack of insurance, or a loved one who is deployed. We all have our triggers. I just ask that you, as a concerned citizen, take the responsibility to be the eyes and ears for our children. It really does take a village.

Anything you do to support kids and parents can help reduce the stress that often leads to abuse and neglect.  Here are some suggestion from preventchildabuse.org article:  What You Can Do: Reach Out PINWHEELS FOR PREVENTION ™ CAMPAIGN

1. Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiences to provide reassurance and support. If a parent seems to be struggling, offer to baby-sit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear. Show you understand.
2. Be a friend to a child you know. Remember their names. Smile when you talk with them. Ask them about their day at school. Send them a card in the mail. Show you care.
3. Talk to your neighbors about looking out for one another’s children. Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your apartment building or on your block. Show that you are involved.
4. Give your used clothing, furniture and toys for use by another family. This can help relieve the stress of financial burdens that parents sometimes take out on their kids.
5. Volunteer your time and money for programs in your community that support children and families, like parent support groups or day care centers.

“It takes a village to raise a child.” -African Proverb

Flickr Photo Credit

Acquaintances doubt us. Friends question us. Our family even makes us wonder if we are doing the right thing. And the Enemy…he is on the prowl.  He tells us the lies that we are…

…inadequate, unworthy, and ill-equipped.

During my Bible reading this morning, I was struck with a couple of sentences in the book of Acts. Paul and Barnabus are doing their thing: preaching the Word of God to everyone they meet. This particular part of their story places them in Pisidian Antioch, a town with both Jews and Gentiles.

Though initially asked by the Jews to speak at the synagogue, the Jewish leaders had become very jealous of Paul and Barnabus and their popularity. You and I both know that their ability to attract and influence came from Jesus, of whom they preached. However, the Jewish leaders didn’t see it that way. They determined to have the two men, Paul and Barnabus persecuted and driven out of their town because they were terribly jealous of them.

Jealousy. Opposition. Persecution.

What I want you to see and hear and think about is the reaction by Paul and Barnabus:

“Paul and Barnabus shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples.” Acts 13: 51 – 52 {Msg}

As I read these verses, I had to go back and read them again. Surely I had misunderstood. After these guys were doing what God had called them to do, they got driven out of town, and they were…

…brimming with joy?

I would have been brimming with something, but it wouldn’t have been joy and the Holy Spirit.

So, how do we react to jealousy, persecution, and opposition? I don’t know about you, but I get angry. I cry. I avoid. I run…

…I give up.

We must be confident in our calling and in the One who calls us. When people come against us, we need to be able to shake the dust off of our feet and move on to the next place in our journey. We need to be so full of joy and the Holy Spirit that it spills out of us…we are actually brimming with it.

You see, Paul and Barnabus did not REACT to their situation…

…they REJOICED. May we be so bold.

Today I cut a pineapple.
Not very earth-shattering — to you.

…but to me, it was monumental.

I had never cut a pineapple before, never even tried. Even when we lived in the jungle and the indigenous people would bring us fresh pineapple from their gardens, I’d let it sit on the counter, our eyes large with desire and our tummies growling. I’d wait for my husband to return; depend on his know-how to prepare it.

It was the same here in the States. Anytime a pineapple adorned our counter, it would wait for my husband’s steady hands, or it would sit and rot.

…I had never cut a pineapple.

The truth is, I was afraid.

Sounds silly, I know. Afraid to cut a pineapple?

But what if I made a mistake?
What if I cut it wrong?
What if I wasted some of this treat?
What if it didn’t turn out right?
What if, what if, what if?

When I found a great price match and picked up this pineapple, I bought it with the full intention of my husband cutting it up for our family to enjoy. But today, this pineapple caught the eyes of my children.

With Daddy away at work, I tried to hide behind excuses,
until I wondered, “What if? What’s the worst that could happen?”

So I picked up my knife, and I started.

Today I cut a pineapple,
and it wasn’t that hard.

How about you? Do you have any “pineapples” you need to “cut”? Are there any areas in your life that fear is in control, any areas you need to take the first step?

Photo Credit: zemlyanichnaya

VERY. Exciting. Stuff.

These plans left me at home with our son, Owen who is almost 9. Some might think we got the short end of the stick. BUT, you know what? This weekend — just the two of us…

…has been priceless.

In fact, even before Doug and Gracie left, Owen came down with his backpack filled with clothes. He announces, “Mom, is it okay if I move into your room for the weekend?” Soooo cute! And, yes… he has pretty much moved in.

We have been busy watching movies, and Funniest Home Videos, and eating popcorn, and swimming, and throwing the football, and putting the Clay Matthews fathead he got for Christmas up on his bedroom wall….

There were no interruptions, we talked, listened, laughed, and spent time together. I have even let the housework slide!

I am reminded how important it is to be intentional about spending time with our kids. They both have such different personalities, and needs, and we react to them differently as a result. To have a few days focusing on each one individually has really been a gift- both to Doug and I, and to our kids.

To be intentional, and present, not distracted by other duties, people, or obligations. I gave myself permission to go on vacation this weekend, and have loved every minute of it!

“Kids spell love T-I-M-E.” – John Crudele

“For fast-acting relief try slowing down” – Lily Tomlin

We can GO. GO. GO. with out stopping to take a breath because life is full of expectations.  From ourselves and others to DO. DO. DO.

Life happens.  From one day to the next.

Life goes on.  Even after hiccups, set-backs, and losses.

Life begins with today – yesterday is a memory, tomorrow doesn’t matter  – we. have. TODAY.

Enjoy TODAY…

…can you?  will you?

God gifts us 1,440 precious minutes each day, does it ever feel like enough?

We have a choice how we manage these gifts, these minutes.  How many do we sleep?  Enjoy eating?  Work, play?  Spend connecting with others, spend with loved ones?  How many do we set aside for ourselves?  How many do we give back to spend time with God, our creator?

We have TODAY…the “present” — the moment IS. A. PRESENT {gift} — L I V I N G in the moment is a very challenging way to think, to feel. We are tugged in so many directions by children, bosses, teachers, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and society.

The gift of someone’s presence is amazing to receive AND…

…amazing to give.

Have you experienced the feeling of someone’s presence?  Without the distractions of being on the phone, watching tv, playing a video game, being in a hurry to be somewhere else?

I have.  I’ve experienced someone giving me the gift of being “present” with me.  Undivided attention, focus, INTENTIONAL.  It felt great.  I want to give that FREE gift to others — be present.  My desire is to SLOW DOWN and BE with my kids, my family, my friends, AND my God.  God is present all the time; He is my provider. Keeping my focus on HIM gives me strength, hope and JOY.

This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24

Photo Credit: nerdboy

The spring of 2002 is not one I care to ever relive. As my wedding ring slipped from my finger, my hope, confidence and security obliterated. A single mom, there was one fear that plagued my mind…

…what would happen to my kids if something happened to me?

My ex-husband lived several states away. I lived in a new city without friends or family. If my children did not have me, I believed they would have no one.

My faith met my fear at my second annual check-up after my divorce. The call came within 24 hours of the test.

Cancerous cells detected.

I was completely alone and looking a nightmare in the eye.

God and I were not exactly on speaking terms. I thought my shambled life was His design; that somehow He’d overlooked me. I wondered if God was holding out on me and so I held my tongue in icy silence.

The incomprehensible news from my doctor drove an icepick through my vow of silence. I cried out to God, knowing He was the only one who could help.

The day of my biopsy arrived and to say I was nervous would be a serious understatement. As soon as the procedure began, I saw the looks exchanged over my torso. Something was drastically wrong.

Eventually the doctor cleared her throat. “I don’t know how to tell you this but there is absolutely no sign of cancer. There’s simply nothing for us to biopsy.”

God wasn’t holding out on me…

…HE was holding me.

I wonder about you. Do you think God has passed you by and doled out exceptional lives to everyone else? Dare to lance the silence and find Him there not holding out on you. He’s holding you.

Photo Credit:  ZedZap

What if, you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?

OUCH!!

I stumbled across this message the other day and it stopped. me. in. my. tracks.

Why?  Because I had been having a pity-party.  It wasn’t fun. really, it was NOT.  There was no one at my “party” it was just me and my miserable self.

When I read these words, I thought…

…today I would have nothing.

And, that was not ok with me.  I needed to shift my thinking and take the advice that I so frequently give to others. {practice what I “preach” — walk the walk}

Write a gratitude list — NOW!

So I did, with the message in mind, “…what IF I ONLY had the things that I thanked God for.” — what are those things that I would so desperately want, miss, desire — what am I truly grateful for?

Thank YOU God for…

1. your grace, mercy, forgiveness, and for Your unconditional love for me
2. my health and a sound mind — for the strength that you give me everyday
3. my husband, his strength, provision, leadership, his health, our marriage, his hugs and kisses, the way he loves me
4. my children, their health, smiles, unique gifts and personalities, their hugs and kisses
5. always giving me and my family enough to make it through each day – food, shelter, clothing, love
6. my family, their love and support, their prayers
7. my friendships, the encouragement from others, positive healthy relationships
8. healing and restoration — in relationships, emotionally, physically, spiritually
9. opportunities to share the message you’ve place in my heart, to sow seeds, impact the lives of others, to shine Your light, the freedom to share
10. technology — for providing us ways to learn and grow, to connect, to simplify

…my pity-party ended as I made my list.

Tomorrow starts a New Year, a new beginning.  What’s on your gratitude list?  What are those things that you want to wake up with tomorrow; to carry into 2012?

Write a gratitude list — NOW!

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” – Oswald Chambers

My son lost his iPod last week. Actually, it had been gone a week longer but Sam kept it a secret, hoping to run across it.

But he didn’t, and as he lay on the couch crying the truth came out. It was gone.

This gift he’d received just a few months earlier was nowhere to be found.

We turned the house upside down looking for any trace of his iPod. We dug under the seats in our cars. We called friends and family we’d visited over the past few weeks.

Nothing.

So at Sam’s request, we began to pray for God to show us where it was. We asked Him to bring to mind a picture of where it was resting. We prayed for a supernatural memory of where the iPod was last seen.

Rather than focus on the problem, we began to focus on the Solution. {I love that.}

We were praying with our eyes on God.

But when days passed and the iPod was still missing, my husband and I began to formulate a plan.

• We talked about allowing Sam an “advance” on his allowance so he could purchase a new one.
• We considered a generous visit from Santa.
• We considered getting me a new one and giving Sam my old one. {I really liked this one.}

As much as we knew we shouldn’t rescue our son from learning valuable lessons, our hearts were so tendered towards his pain and tears.

Sam, however, wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. He was confident that God was going to come through.

He continued to keep his eyes on God, trusting in Him.

Where is your focus when life throws a curve ball?

Do you launch into task-mode and try to fix things yourself? Do you willingly ride the tumultuous waves of a painful situation, getting tossed around like a ragdoll? Do you find ways to make that pain go away through shopping, food or alcohol?

Or do you keep your eyesight on God, knowing He is your only hope?

Our Heavenly Provider tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to trust in Him rather than lean on our own understanding…

…and when we do He’ll direct our steps.

My son chose to trust in Him rather than do what made sense in his flesh.

Smart kid.

Well, the iPod showed up. Thanks to a crazy, Divinely-inspired twist, it ended up back in Sam’s hands.

He knew it would all along. My wise 10-year-old believed with all his heart that God was bigger than his problem, allowing him to keep his eyes on the Solution rather than the problem.

I wonder… do you have that kind of faith?

The holidays should bring us joy and reunions with friends and family. We should be able to approach them with expectation and anticipation.

But some years we can’t.

Some years, too much has changed from the way it was to fully embrace where we are.

We have been blessed this year and we are looking forward to our holiday celebrations, but we have also had the privilege and challenge of walking with some of our friends as they travel a road marked with sorrow this season. It is not easy for those who walk through trials or those who walk with them.

I want to offer hope and encouragement to you this Christmas season. Whether you are grieving losses anew or dreading the tension at a family gathering, remember the reason we celebrate and let it bring you hope and healing.

Jesus came to Earth in humility and love, to show us how to live in that same way. So when we face situations and people that do not live in such a way, we can still choose the way of grace and humility.

He wishes for us to live an abundant and full life.

He knows our sorrows and the things that threaten to steal our joy and rob us of our abundance. In Isaiah 53, it says, He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief… Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. He already knows and understands exactly where you are.

He has already carried your burdens for you…

…will you let him do it again?

It is not easy to walk a road filled with sorrow and tension, but it is only for a short while. For those who are now in sorrow, joy will come again.

And now, GOD, do it again— bring rains to our drought-stricken lives So those who planted their crops in despair will shout hurrahs at the harvest, So those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing. Psalm 126:4-6 (MSG)

God will restore your joy and bring you healing if you let him.

He is willing, are you?

Sometimes it feels easier, at least momentarily to stay in the pain – it becomes a familiar place, but God desires more for you, and not just during the holidays, but all year.

The holidays do sometimes bring forth the reminders of what once was and what will never be. Allow yourself to remember and to feel. Be there for those whose pain is fresh.

Live joyfully and look for those armloads of blessing, even if they seem small at first, soon there will be too many to count.

Photo Credit: Morna Crites-Moore

The darkest days of Fall, before the first day of Winter gives us a chance to reflect on being a L I G H T and connecting with our Higher Power, mine is God, to experience peace and joy in today.

Daylight is a precious gift…

…as is the moment.

Each day before us provides an opportunity to see our “cup full” — to give and receive, to choose gratitude.

I am thankful…

…for the darkness outside to reflect on how I feel inside

…for peace to surrender to God’s plan not my own

…for the people who are “present” in my life and the joy I receive from them

…for my journey; embracing acceptance not regret

…the dark days of Fall changing to longer days of light as Winter begins

…to feel alone with people I know so that I can be filled up by people I don’t

…for the boldness and courage I’ve found to be transparent with others, to sharing my experiences, strength, and hope

…to enjoy the longest daylight when that day comes; not before

JOY comes from peace within each of us.

We can find Peace this season by being present with ourselves, our family, our friends, and all God’s people as we celebrate and hold tightly the True reason for the season.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Photo Credit: misu / Mikhail Palinchak