Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Fruit


John 15:1 -2 A " I am the vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit"




That was one of the verses in my devotions this morning. Once again I began to think of all the time I spend squandering my life. How much time is lost watching TV, reading magazines that have no value, shopping, and just staring at the computer at things that mean nothing. Many of this is done while my children wander the house on their own, my back to them.


While I was reading a magazine did Jordan grow a bit taller, oh and Janelle is crying, did she fall? Of course I don't know. I was in the room but I was not present. How often does this happen to me, how often does it happen to you?




I will try once again to try to devote my full attention to the world around me. Throw the magazines in the trash, turn off the TV, and computer. (After I write this blog and check my email of course!) But, in a few days Ugly Betty will be on, I will need to Google a recipe, or check freecycle. I will be back to square one. When will it stick, which time will I be able to stand tall, and be present in my life?


Every year the trees in my yard are green one day and the full of color the next, or so it seems. I will say to my husband, I missed it again. Next year I will watch, next year I will be present. How many of us are that present in our lives, in our worlds that we notice the trees in our very own backyard change color? This year I will. I plan to take pictures each day, to see each subtle change. God works in each of us very differently. For some the changes are dramatic, for others, they are slow, letting go of one TV show, one magazine at a time.....


May we find out paths, may we all find the life God intended for us. A life fully present and savoring each precious moment.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Global Warming

Today is a rainy miserable day in Clifton Park. It is one of the first inside only days in quite awhile. Well, if you have read the title of this blog you already get the idea of what I am about to say. Who ever said Global Warming was a bad thing? For those of us who are confined to our homes for about 6 months of the year especially those with small children a little Global Warming now and then really isn't a bad thing.

It's now 3:23 in the afternoon and I am about to shove my 2 little ones outdoors. Kid's need room to run and mom's need a little break. There is only so much to do for an entire day inside and only so many body parts to cover in marker. ( the pictures will be posted shortly)

So my new prayer is not for world peace, the economy, ending world hunger, although these are all really great causes I am hoping and praying for an unseasonably warm day here in Clifton Park NY at least twice a week all winter long. Now is that really too much to ask!

Global Warming, bring it on!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Karen Adkins, Not Smarter Than a 3 Year Old!

As a mother of two small children I strive daily to show patience and kindness.

This can be so hard to do. In this world there are few things slower and less aware of time than a 3 year old!

Jordan prides herself on an "I can do it myself attitude." Now for the first three years of her life I have really worked at showing patience and kindness, spilled milk, broken toys, stained carpets, makeup on the walls you name it no matter what, mom always replied " That's OK Jordan."

Well my "that's OK attitude" has now backfired. Example: The Sunday morning rush off to church, " Jordan your pants are on backward, your shoes are on the wrong feet and orange and aqua blue, not a good color combination."

What do I hear, "that's OK mom!"

Poop on the carpet, "that's OK mom!" No not really OK Jordan .

Where did I go wrong?

I am not sure whether I should pat myself on the back for raising such a calm and easy going child or go back to school because I think I have now been out smarted by a 3 year old!

You heard it here, Karen Adkins,
NOT SMARTER THAN A 3 YEAR OLD!