Just had one of those mornings with Chloe that I pray I never forget.
I walk into Chloe's bedroom to find her sitting on her bed in front of her window peacefully "watching cars." I lay down with her and hug her and say goodmorning, ask her how she slept, snuggle her some more. (love that warm, snuggly feeling of a freshly woken up Chloe)
We make small talk. She pokes my belly and asks me if I have a baby sister in there. "No, no babies in there right now." "I want a sister." "Well, we will have to ask God about that." "I hear God talking to me." "Really, what is He saying?" "He says I should have a sister...and brother too." "Wow. That's cool." "I want a big sister. So I can have piggy-back rides" "That would be fun." "Please, will you pray for my sisters and brothers." "Right now?" "Yeah." "Dear God. Chloe and I pray that you would bring her sisters and brothers to us at your perfect time. Show what we need to do to bring them to our family. In Jesus Name, Amen." "Pray more." "Okay. God, where ever our brothers and sisters are, we pray that you would protect them. Keep them strong and healthy. Let them know that they are loved and that we want to meet them soon." Smiling from ear to ear, "I want them here now." "How would they get here now?" "On an airplane." "Where would they get on an airplane?" "At the airport." "How would they get to the airport?" "Their mom would drive them there." "Then I would be their Mom when they got here?" "Yeah. I want a big brother for Eli too." "Really?" "Can you have a baby sister for me?" "We will see about that. We may have to wait a little while." "I have lots of pink for her." "Yes, you have saved a lot of pink for your sister."
We move on to talking about cold feet and a big pink ball...but I can't help but wonder... how God will answer our prayer...and if some of the details that seem like "3 year old ramblings" could be...are possibly...prophetic.
so, parenting styles aside...today the Lord used a parenting moment to speak to me:
Let me set this one up...
Georgia weather is finally cooling down enough for our wardrobes to change for at least part of the day. The mornings are cool and a great time to play outside. One problem...the cooler weather recquires socks. Chloe, being ALL three, and a bit spirited, (like her Mom) HATES socks. Well, not socks exactly, more like the rib of stitching that goes along the top of your toes. It drives her CRAZY! (Side note..if you are reading this and you know of a manufacturer that makes socks without seams...contact me ASAP)
So, being the fun mom that I am, this morning we were getting dressed to go outside and play...SOCKS AND ALL. Things are going smoothly until...DUN, DUN, DUN...
THE SOCKS!
Complete meltdown...no words...just screams, shrieks and tears...
I know exactly what she wants, I just need her to stop freaking out and "use her words." In fact, I even told her that. "Mommy will be happy to help you as soon as you tell her what you want."
More tears, more shrieks...Mommy takes her own time-out...
As I walk away...that still, small voice I have come to recognize as the Lord says:
"This is how it is with you too. So many times I know exactly what you want. You throw your own fit...kicking, screaming, CRYING...wanting me to fix something...to DO something. All that fitting, when all you need to do is ask me. Tell me exactly what you want. I am happy to help you. You have not because you ask not."
Kevin and I have had the awesome opportunity to spend a little time with some of AIM's future World Racers. (check out www.theworldrace.orgfor info on this incredible program) In talking with one of them the Lord has begun to do a work in me and I thought I might share a little of that here...maybe to solidify it in my own heart and possibly encourage anyone who happens upon this site...
The Lord is challenging me to clean my house.
I am walking through this in the physical realm right now...putting clothes that I have not worn since college... that have been taking space up in my closet..into bags to be removed from my life!!
I have been holding onto them because I used to like them...I used to be small enough to fit into them...they remind me of a really fun season of my life...but they are no longer me...I am a new person, in a new season of life and I simply have no use for them anymore.
What if I did hold onto them...just in case...they might come back in style...I might get back down to that size...wouldn't it feel good to slip into a pair of jeans that fit me when I was 19...
I have had a revelation....
NO!!!
Even if they do come back into style...even if I do shrink 3 jeans sizes...
I DO NOT WANT TO WEAR MY OLD CLOTHES!!!
I want to wear
NEW CLOTHES that represent who I am
NOW and who I am
BECOMING!!!
This has so much spiritual significance it is blowing my mind right now...
2 Cor. 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
Eph. 4:22-24 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on your new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Col. 3:9-10 "...since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. v.12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Lord, keep me motivated to not only clean my physical house, but more importantly, my spiritual house.
One month ago we officially became a family of four!
We are so excited to have
Elijah Hooper Williams with us and he has added a new twist to the Williams family.
Eli is a great baby...eating, sleeping (and NOT sleeping) just like he should. Chloe is doing a wonderful job of being a BIG sister...a job she takes very seriously. :) Sarah and I are in survival mode...passing one another in the night...but greatful for a growing family and continually remind eachother that these first few months will pass and the house will be quiet ALL NIGHT... eventually.
