Casting my cares and anxieties

My blogging has been spotty of late. I have been incredibly busy... I'm always busy running after 7 kids, but lately it's been "busy on steroids". Last week was one of the worst weeks I've had in a few years. Break in at the house. Devastating news about one of my kids. Add to that the pressures of everyday life and I was burdened. I had anxieties. But it was different. I knew people were praying for me and I was praying too. I felt like I was lifted above all of the "junk".
Yesterday I got the privilege to speak to a nursing home in the community. I was running late from my 6th grade boys class and I walked in the community room where the residents meet. There they were, all in a circle...most in wheel chairs, some in mobile recliners, one with a walker. There is one lady who is sort of the "ring leader" of the bunch. She said that they were going to sing "their little song". I asked what it was and it was "Jesus Loves Me". I grinned and said that it was perfect. Little did they know that in my "sermon", I had used the reference to my boys singing their "new song". Priceless.
In the sermon I spoke about casting your burdens to the Lord, because He cares for you. Notice this isn't, "Um, excuse me, Lord...could you please, if you don't mind...could you carry this for me...I don't think I can handle this...it's too big." Nope...it's, "Lord, CATCH!!" Casting...throwing...or in some cases dumping. The Lord can take it and He will take our burdens. I have been working on the casting part...sometimes I like to handle the "Junk" and carry the burden...but I can't...at least not for long. My shoulders are only strong enough to carry it long enough to roll it over to Him.

Psalm 55: 22
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."

1 Peter 5:6-7
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Sorta Numb

Have you ever had some major stuff happen in your life and you're kinda numb? I hope I'm not the only one who does that. This week has been filled with some tough things coming our family's way. Sometimes I put myself on auto pilot and that's easy to do. I'm trying not to do that. I'm a routine nut and I'm trying to get back into a routine after being away for a few days. Add to that the stuff going on and I'm numb. I'm trying to step back and remain aware of what's going on around me. Robin, my wife, s it when I "check out". It's really a gift given to men. Before males are born (and I are one), our brains are washed in testosterone. This does some weird stuff to our brains. I think one thing it does is whenever we have children, a button is activated and we are instantly able to zone out and watch sports on TV. Or be busy doing something around the house or outside. Some think it's a curse, some think it's a blessing. I'm not sure. All of that rambling to say I'm numb. Life is nuts and I'm trying my best not to carry it on my shoulders. I tell my older kids often, our shoulders are strong enough to carry our "stuff" long enough to roll them over to God. I think I'll roll 'em over and let God handle it. I may be losing that numbness after all!

A renewal of sorts

I just spent two and a half days with some of the most amazing people on earth. My wife and I are houseparents with a non profit organization. ( That's why I have so many kids!) I spent two and a half days at a training retreat in a beautiful place in Tennessee. I come away from these "events" renewed. I am more aware of the calling God has placed on my life to pour Jesus into my kids. I am humbled to be around such awesome people. I've known some of the folks for 20 years, and some I just met for the first time. These folks are simply amazing. During the retreat, we got two bits of really bad news. The first was that our home was broken into on Monday. The second was a really huge bomb that was sent our way concerning one of our kids. Raising kids is tough, and our kids have tons of baggage. The whole time we were there, we were ecouraged and lifted up. We're all in this together and it's so vital to see that we are not alone in what we do. If anyone in the group reads this silly little post, please know that I pray for you and I thank God for you all. I was reminded of how blessed I am to be considered a peer in the ministry we're all called to. I was reminded of how crucial it is for God to work in me, to overflow Him...I can't be empty. I was reminded of how awesome it is that I get a chance to serve God by raising kids. Thanks to you all...and "Pass the green beans."

How often I forget to take in beauty around me.

I have a beautiful wife. I have a beautiful family. I live in a beautiful home on some beautiful land. I am currently visiting a beautiful country inn in Tennessee. It's gorgeous here. Every room in the inn is wonderful and they are steps away from beautiful views. Being here reminds me to take in the beauty around me. I am so blessed, but it's so easy to get wrapped up in the everyday stuff that I forget to take in the physical beauty that surrounds me. I think God gets us away at times to remind us of the beautiful places. St. John, USVI is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Last week I was at the doctor and my blood pressure was high. The doctor wanted to take it himself and as he did so, I thought of St. John. It went down...I took in the beauty. Maybe this little blog entry can remind you to "take it in". There is beauty all around. Maybe it's a little one's voice singing a song. A bird flying through the air. A flower that catches your eye. Beauty...it's there to take in....like a special gift from God.

'Cause My Daddy Tells Me So

One of my good friends reminded me of this story. My 4 year old gives me great material to work with! He teaches me a lot about life if I will pay attention. Not too long ago he learned "Jesus Loves Me." One day he was singing it and when he came to the part that normally says "For the Bible tells me so..." He sang ," Cause my Daddy tells me so".
There is so much to pull from that little line. First, it's humbling to know that I can have a huge impact on my kid's lives. Second, I need to watch what I say and do because I have little eyes and ears watching and listening. Third, I need to have that child like faith...believe just 'cause.
I don't have an earthly "Daddy" anymore...he passed away when I was a baby. But I do have a Heavenly "Daddy" and I need to know that Jesus loves me " 'Cause my Daddy tells me so."

This is my 4 year old's blog

Um I don't really know. I don't know. Who put my heart fishy on the wall? I got that at school. I had fun today. I played with my sister. She was ugly she didn't push me on the swing. I said "I need help I need help!" And her didn't push me. I'm done talking about it. I'm going to go outside. I'm going to be late. I already helped you three times.

I'm sick, but I've been "healed" by my 4 year old

Today I've been sick. It hit yesterday. I spent 2 days on the tractor, cutting the land in front and to the side of the house. Allergies hit with a vengeance. Sore throat. Throbbing headache. Stuffy nose. Hurting eyes. Now I know I need to use a mask. My only hesitation in using a mask is that I'll look like a dork. But my wife and kids regularly let me know that I'm a dork. So I'm gonna buy me a mask before I cut the next time. I think I'll actually get one of those $7 gas masks from the Army/Navy store. I'll look cool for sure!
This afternoon I was sitting in my chair resting. I asked my four year old to give me a hug...it would make me feel better. He gave me a great hug and he then he asked me, "You're better now?" "Yep...I'm better now."
It reminded me to have that child like faith that Jesus talked about. Isn't that what the Kingdom of God is made of? Folks with childlike faith.