Love really does redeem.

One of my favorite books is Francine Rivers "Redeeming Love". If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. It is a historical fiction novel based on the book of Hosea. Yesterday as I was flipping through my bible, I decided to read the book of Hosea through it's entirety. I read chapter 1. Hosea 1:2 reads: When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, "Go, take to yourself an adulteress wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery departing from the Lord." I was struggling to figure out why God would have asked His prophet Hosea to marry an adulterous woman. I know the obvious answer is because "the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord." I read the commentary in search of better understanding. It talks about the feelings Hosea may have had when asked to do this. Of course, it focused on Hosea's steadfast faith that he would be willing to obey God knowing the hardship that it would bring. But thrown into the last sentence of the commentary was a question that I haven't been able to get out of my mind...It says, "Will you be able to accept the fact that the pain involved in obedience may benefit those you serve, and not you personally?"

Wow.

I reread it many times and I was quickly convicted of how often I choose whether or not to obey by the way it would make me "feel". Of course Hosea was benefited by his decision to be obedient to God. But, he lived out some real-life major consequences. He walked into a situation knowing that it was going to be a long, difficult road being called to love a woman who would betray him. He would have to seek her out and bring her back. He may even be called to pull her from another man's bed and then take her to his home and love her unconditionally. That's a hard road if I've ever seen one. That requires some big-time faith in your God.

I can't wait to explore this story as it unfolds. I am always humbled by the human illustrations that God provides in His word to reveal His never-ending, unconditional love.

the buddy leash

Warning: This post may be difficult to follow outside of my brain. Inside, it makes perfect sense.

During worship yesterday, I felt as though the Lord were showing me an illustration. I was singing "You Never Let Go". The chorus says:

"Oh, no, You never let go,
Through the calm and through the storm.
Oh no, You never let go,
Every high and every low.
Oh no, You never let go,
Lord, You never let go of me."

As I sang those words I started talking to the Lord. I started thanking Him for the reality that He never has let go. I have wandered. I have struggled. Sometimes, I have tried to hide. But, He has never let go. Then I got this picture in my head of a toddler on a buddy leash. You know, those little backpacks with the tails that you can hang onto so your child doesn't bolt into oncoming traffic, etc. I thought, that's the truth, isn't it, Lord? It's not so much that I am trying to get out of Your grasp, I am not. I really do want to be safe in Your will. It's just that I sometimes wander, unaware of the dangers that could be just ahead. My next thought was that I have been walking with the Lord long enough, that I really should know better. I can't expect Him to put me on a buddy leash as an adult. I should be more mature in my walk than that. And instantly, I felt the Lord revealing this to me: If my child, no matter how old, was a danger to herself with her wandering, I would not hesitate to slap on that buddy leash. Her safety is more important than the fact that she should "know better".

So, I asked the Lord to strap on my monkey backpack and hold onto me to keep me from wandering into dangerous territory. I have no doubt that He will use this time to continue to teach me and train me to be able to walk side by side with Him without the assistance. But, until then, I will continue to remind myself of the visual of me walking next to my Savior wearing my buddy leash.

Random Thoughts

• A yard sale when it is approximately 142 degrees is sweaty work. I have to say that the Deadliest Catch's swamp cooler was a beautiful blessing that made it bearable.

• The Cutie has had her whine-o-meter on high these days. Consequently, my patience seems to be at an all time low.

• I have come to the realization that she has officially hit the age where I have to be willing to tackle the hard stuff. The binky is seeing it's last days this week. And the bedtime routine will be set and followed. Don't judge me, just pray for me.

• My kitchen is officially unpacked. I had a few stray boxes that have been lingering and mocking me with their presence. Today they were conquered!

• I love, love, love hanging out with my friends/family and their kids. It really is a bright spot in my life. They are each so different and complex and so full of joy.

• Even though my house is still not put together, I love having friends in our home.

• And, my dryer...it mocks me. It works approximately 1 out of every 7 attempts to start it. So, most of the time, you can find me with a dryer full of wet clothes. It's super fun when I get to wash each load 3 times...
  

"Uncle"

It's one of those...WEEKS! Seriously, what a doozie. Between the cabin fever, the heat, the odd turn of a friendship, the stress of figuring out what to do about a second vehicle....

I give.

I can't take anymore screaming.

Umm, that is all.

I'm Back!!

After being without internet service for a month, we are officially hooked back up.

I am sure I have much to catch you up on, but I won't bore you with the boringness.

I will just return to regularly scheduled randomness. (Actually not scheduled at all...but you get my drift.)

I leave you with this...The most important thing I have discovered this past month is that I find it incredibly beautiful watching my husband fall in love with his daughter.

Enough said.

Back to School Shopping

Apparently my boy does not care for underwear and sock shopping for his sister.

It makes him queasy.

Which would explain why he barfed all over himself.

In the store.

That's one way to get me out of Target.

Don't tell your dad your little trick.

Random Pictures

Firstly, I have to tell you, moving is exhausting! Even the baby doll neeed a break!

This was my car on the way to Baby Blues birthday celebration. The balloon release was beautiful, but getting there was comical.

This was an example of the delicious and healthy food options at the fair we went to on our vacation. Really? Chicken on a Krispy Kreme??

Dirty Jobs shirt says: Stud Muffin seeks Cupcake.

Cutie's shirt says: Little Miss Cupcake.

A perfect match? I think so.

These are a couple of pics of our kids doing life together.

I have a feeling I will being seeing this much in my future.

(That's a phone tucked into her shoulder.)

I love this one because it shows the ironies that are my girl. Those are her high heels that she put on to go help Daddy work on the truck.