Drip...Drip...Drip...

I'm sitting in the living room and all I can hear is our kitchen faucet.  It has this constant drip and if you don't turn the handle just right...all you can hear is DRIP...DRIP...DRIP...DRIP...DRIP.

You get the idea. 

It's enough to make you angry.  I mean seriously.  The longer I sit here listening - the more I want to scream.

I immediately thought of the many verses in the Bible that talk about a dripping faucet.   

"...a nagging wife goes on and on like the drip, drip, drip of the rain.  You may inherit all you own from your parents but a sensible wife is a gift from the Lord." -Prov 19:13-14

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." 
-Prov 21:9

"A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day." -Prov 27:15

"It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman." -Prov 21:19

A sensible wife is a gift from the Lord. 

I sit here listening to that annoying drip in the faucet and think of when I play the role of a nagging wife and I feel sorry for my husband.  

I feel convicted. 

A sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.

So what does it mean to be a nagging wife?  

• Maybe we vomit every thought and feeling onto our mate without any thought to what's coming out and when he stands there in shock, not knowing how to respond, we can't see why he's unable to carry on a conversation and we just DRIP, DRIP, DRIP.

A sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.

• Maybe we don't agree with a decision he has made so we harp on it and harp on it and harp on it, hoping that we'll manipulate convince him into changing his mind and we just DRIP, DRIP, DRIP.

A sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.

• Maybe he said something hurtful and instead of choosing forgiveness, we choose to make him pay and just DRIP, DRIP, DRIP.

A sensible wife is a gift from the Lord.

• Maybe he wants a day to go fishing or play golf or hang out with friends but we had a different plan for the day, so we pout and just DRIP, DRIP, DRIP.

• Maybe he dried all of our clothes (in an effort to help with the laundry) and shrunk our favorite blouse and we act as though he just sold our firstborn and we just DRIP, DRIP, DRIP.  

(that last one is totally hypothetical, of course)

A sensible wife is a gift from the Lord. 

So how do I fix the dripping faucet?

PRAY:  
Because I can't fix the faucet.  Only God can.  Ask God to change my mind, to renew my mind. When my mind is changed - the heart will follow.  I'm personally, a pretty head strong woman and once I make up my mind - you're going to have a hard time changing it.  That's not necessarily a bad thing. I just need to always make sure my strong-willed self is aligned with God's will.  And His Word is very clear on what He thinks of "nagging woman syndrome."

Romans 12:1-2 says "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Pray for my husband.  He's human - just like me.  He makes mistakes - just like me.  Whether he's right or wrong - he's deserves my respect and submission.  God says so.  I should pray daily for God to give my husband the wisdom and courage he needs to be the leader of our home. (Philippians 1:9-10) 

Pray together.  Not comfortable praying out loud?  Pray silently.  We aren't praying to each other - we're praying to God.  He knows our every thought.

GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT: 
This is something we see as a must in our marriage.  When my first response is to give my spouse the benefit of the doubt and assume he isn't out to hurt me, it's a lot easier to have a respectful conversation and extend forgiveness. (I Corinthians 13:7)

THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK: Is it TRUE? Is it HELPFUL? Is it INSPIRING?  Is it NECESSARY?  Is it KIND?  This is something we teach our children but often need to practice ourselves.  We must tame our tongues.  What comes out of my mouth - reveals my heart.  The Bible says, "Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."  (Proverbs 31:26) (Ephesians 4:29)

TAKE OUT THE TRASH: I was once addicted to trash television.  Not something I'm proud of but it's true.  Desperate Housewives, Real Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice - they all had a place on my DVR.  I could name some more but they're all the same.  They're all trash.  God started convicting me when I had children (as if it mattered any less when I didn't have children) and I started thinking more about what I was watching. I started caring about what I was bringing into our home through the television.  One by one, I started deleting those shows from my DVR. And do you know what?  I don't miss them.  Know something else?  I can't even watch one of those shows now without being offended.  And that's a good thing.  If it offends God - it should offend me!  There is nothing true, good, right, pure, lovely, fine, or praiseworthy about any of those television programs.  Absolutely nothing.  (Philippians 4:8)  God wants me to fix my mind on things above - not on worldly things.  Trashy television and books only feed my flesh - they do nothing to uplift my spirit. The only way I can die to flesh every single day is to take out the trash.  And when I'm not playing the role of a dripping faucet, my husband is a lot more likely to take out the literal trash without being asked. :)

LOSE THE PRIDE - BE HONEST: It's imperative that I'm not only honest with my spouse but honest with myself.  What is my true heart?  What are my true motives? Am I acting out of insecurity or a need to control?  Ask God to shine a light on those dark, hidden places in my heart - acknowledge the sin and repent.  God can see my heart - there's no use lying about it.  And through repentance there's freedom and true intimacy - a wonderful thing!  I should never go to my spouse with ulterior motives or trying to manipulate the situation.  This only causes hurt and distrust in the relationship.  (Jeremiah 16:17) (I Samuel 16:7) 

ENCOURAGE: I'm my husband's biggest fan.  We're best friends.  I want him to know out of everyone in this world - he can always count on me to encourage and not tear him down. (I Thessalonians 5:11)  I want to be the one he comes to to share his heart. I want him to want to come home to me.  I want him to feel a huge weight lifted upon walking through the door every day - because I've made our home a retreat for him. Not a war zone. 

Is your husband heading to the corner of the roof?  Is he retreating to the desert?  

Time to fix that dripping faucet.

"An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.  She does him good and not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:10-12

A sensible wife is a gift from the Lord. 

Love to all,

Time...

This was my husband about 30-45 minutes before service time on Sunday.  I leave to get coffee creamer and walk in to him climbing up to fix a light. Only at JC.  HA!

Sydney giving Daddy some love before service time. 

I volunteered to work in the sound booth.  This was only my second time and I was a nervous wreck.  Why must there be so many buttons and slides???

My father-in-law was my partner in sound. We didn't totally wreck the service, so I think they'll let us come back for a third time. 

We had a joint service with All Points and it was wonderful.  Love these people and loved our time of worship. 

Sunday's service was dedicated to those sharing about the latest Cabecar mission trip.  I laughed.  I cried.  It was a good time.

Sunday picture time!

Amelia is getting pretty good at taking pics.  She captured this the first try...record time!

Time for our girls to get in front of the camera!

We had some time with family after church.  Nice photobomb by my brother-in-law. :)

I've shared a little about our Devotion in the Closet time.  My girl no more than hears me up and getting ready on those days and she's preparing the closet with everything we need.  

Y'all, this is my favorite time with Amelia.  Like EVER.  

We spend at least an hour in that closet and it's the sweetest time.  

We have our devotion, we read the Bible, we sing, she talks A LOT, I listen.  I just sit there smiling as she shares what she thinks about the topic of the day.  And laugh as her mind wanders to something totally off the topic, which happens much of the time.

I try to keep my phone put away for the most part but there are times that I have to take a picture of this face.  I want to always remember these moments with her.  Think she'll still want to have devotion in the closet when she's 16?  I sure hope so.

We use a different devotional every time.  We purchased some new ones at Barnes & Noble last week.  

We were talking about Servanthood yesterday and she wanted to list ways that she could serve.  Here are a few of the things she threw out:

1. Give money to those people who don't have a home or food to eat.  

2. Give CFA gift cards to those people who don't have a home or food to eat.  (I'm thinking she overheard this at home group.) 

3. Don't give Texas Roadhouse gift cards.  But Sonic would be good!

4. Go to Costa Rica and build a pass-thru house.

5. Make cards for people all the time.

6. Fill shoeboxes for kids for Christmas.

7. (And my personal favorite) If someone falls into a hole - help them out. 

If you aren't spending some time with your kiddos.  Time where you can just sit and truly listen to them - make the time.  

Time to go buy some gift cards.

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven..." Ecclesiastes 3

Love to all,

Let's Go Fly A Kite!

We had a fun afternoon with the girls.  

They had the best time flying their kites.  

Oh what a beautiful morning

Oh what a beautiful day.

Our Weekend...

Yesterday was one of our Devotion in the Closet days.  I've been making a point to do this with Amelia every other day.  Our topic yesterday was "My Daddy is Bigger."  It was all about our Heavenly Father and how big He is compared to any situation that comes our way.  I shared the story of the widow and the oil jar.  It's the first time Amelia had ever heard that story.  She started to get teary-eyed as I explained how this Mama must have felt as she had just lost her husband and was fearful of losing her two sons.  After devotion time, she said, "Mama, it's on my heart to make some cards for people with you." haha!!  She loves to draw pictures and make cards.  I loved that she said, "it's on my heart."  

Sydney slept late, so we had time to make her some pancakes before she was up for the day.  She was mighty appreciative. 

I made Amelia some hot cocoa and no more than handed her the cup and she dropped it.  My girls get their gracefulness from their Mama.  

You know that look on your child's face when they've done something but it was an accident.  But they aren't sure how you will respond?  I saw that look on Amelia's face and it broke my heart.  God continues to show me that my response to my children is SO VERY IMPORTANT.   No need to cry over spilled hot cocoa.  The kitchen needed mopping anyway!  And Amelia was determined to help. I didn't take a picture of Sydney fighting her sister to help mop but I'm sure you can imagine that one.

A few more pictures of our day...

Another beautiful day to play outside!  

Makes me so ready for spring.

I said it was time to go inside and this is what I got.

We spent our evening at Barnes & Noble.  

Amelia's eyes lit up when she rounded the corner and saw the kid's section.  She couldn't believe how many books they had just for kids. ha!  Sydney enjoyed the stage and lego area.  

We came across this book and Amelia had to have it.  They just read this to her at dance class and she said it was so good.  

I bought this book to start reading with Amelia before bedtime.  She asked me where the pictures were as she looked through the book.  I told her that she would see them in her mind as Mama read the pages. :)  We read the first chapter last night and we were both laughing by the end.  

My little late sleeper.  She snoozed until 10:30 this morning.  She immediately asked for pancakes as I lifted her out of the crib.  She shared some with her "bun-bun."

Alex and Amelia went to our niece, Victoria's swim meet this morning.  

Amelia made sure to tell me before walking out the door that she was really happy it was just her and Daddy going together.  

Well thanks. :)  

They said "Roo" swam fast!  Yay Roo-Roo!!

My parents are celebrating 45 years of marriage this weekend!!  Happy Anniversary, Daddy and Mama!  Thank you for loving each other.  Thank your for staying together despite the hard stuff that marriage brings. Thank you for making me laugh non-stop over the years.  God has written a beautiful story for you as a couple.  I love you both!

Alex and Amelia are on their way home.  Today we fly kites!!

Love to all,