Encouragement Through Defeat

 

Dave and I decided a while ago that we didn’t want cable in our house. I really see no need to pay for trash and I certainly don’t want my child seeing it. We do keep up with the news online, but I even try to limit that because of all the negative stories I hear. I am usually good at not letting what I do hear get to me too deeply but some things hit your heart and it takes a while to let go.

The other day I turned on the computer and saw a picture of hundreds of women fighting for late term abortions in Texas. It hit me like a mac truck. I was shocked, sad, and angry all at the same time. I am so saddened that these are the same people who will scream till they are blue in the face that we need harsher gun laws because even if it will “save just one life” it will be worth it. What cowardly hypocrites! How many millions of lives are you ending by fighting for late term abortions. You get so so upset and claim that people are trying to take away your freedom of choice, but you seem to forget that you had the choice to not have sex in the first place. You seem to forget that there is a living being inside of you with a heart beat that can feel pain. You seem to forget that pregnancy is temporary and there are so many precious families wanting and praying for a baby to adopt.

At that moment I felt so defeated and so sad that it really kept me down for a few days. I think what makes me so sad is that some day I will have to explain to my daughter that there is so much hate and evil and sin in this world that sometimes it does seem like a dark place to live in.

I get my strength by remembering that God is good. He is so good all the time and he has not abandoned us. Even when all we see around is anger and wrong doing, He is good. God can take our sadness and it use it for good. He can take our fears and turn it into faith. He will not let go of us, even in a world that’s letting go of Him.

      

That Darn Cat

 

A few weeks ago Abby was out back with Dave while he was cutting the grass. I was inside washing dishes and she came in the back door and said “ mommy, come look at my baby”. I usually don’t drop what I am doing and go see her babies because then nothing would ever get done, but for some reason this time I decided to put on my shoes and go with her. She takes me to the back porch and points down at this little black ball of fuzz. My first thought was that the cat brought us a dead mouse…because she’s thoughtful like that, but when I bent down I realized it was a bunny.

Yep, our cat found a bunny den or hole or whatever it is called and decided we needed another pet. We took it inside and wrapped it up. I looked around online and found a lady about thirty minutes away who rescued bunnies. So yes, of course we drove all the way out to this house to save an orphaned bunny. Praise the sweet Lord this little guy made it because I really didn’t know what you do with a deceased baby bunny and how you explain it to a three year old.

Ikea

 

Last month we made a trip to Ikea with some friends from Oklahoma. A few things to point out here: said friends have no kids. Said friends wanted to go to lunch and then go shopping. Said friends have no kids and therefore do not grasp the concept of nap time.

Dave and I have not been to Ikea since 2006, when we went then it was Super Bowl Sunday and it was empty. This trip was on a Saturday after lunch. Lets just say there were a few more people this time around.

I had honestly forgotten how massive the place is. Seriously, this.place.is.huge!!  We started upstairs, grabbed some carts, and we joined the mob.

Said friends are building a house, so they had a lot to shop for. We were buying Abby a bed (because she has been on the floor for over a year). All went really smooth for the most part…and then we found the big sections of beds. We let Abby out of the cart while we looked around to find hers. I thought Dave had Abby and he thought I had her, turns out she climbed into one of the beds, under the covers and all, and was just relaxing. Yes, my germ-a-phobness kicked into massive over drive. On top of that the lady working there gave me a not so nice stink eye. Obviously Abby knew it was nap time.

We finally reached the elevator to go downstairs. Dave got so excited and says “ well that wasn’t too bad, I thought it would take a lot longer”.  O sweet husband of mine, don’t you know this is a marathon, not a sprint. His friend looked at him and started laughing. “ Dave, this is the half way mark”.

I must say, the girls at this point were definitely holding up way better than the guys. Even Abby was holding it together better than the adult men. In their defense though, they really had no reason to be there other than to push the carts. They pretty much have no say in the decorating and honestly I don’t think they even care.

Mom of the year did not bring any snacks,water, or any form of entertainment(proof kids can live without smart phones and other gadgets), but I did remember one important item…

BLANKET!!! O yes, my sweet girl fell right asleep and stayed like that for an hour! Can you believe it?!? #lovethatgirl

The guys were beyond thrilled when we were done, and we decided that next time we will do a girls only trip, I mean I really can push my own cart.

I really think Ikea could make the “experience” a little more pleasant for men. For instance, about every 50 feet or so there should be a beer fountain with frosted mugs and beer on tap. They could also put in some big screens and have any and all games on. Now, I do see how this could become a hazard when they are pushing the carts, don’t worry, I have thought this through…bumpers! Finally, to keep the good Christian men from complaining, they need to have this verse written every where in the giant warehouse

“ Do everything without complaining or arguing” ph 2:14.