Contrasts ...

Today I am moved to tears by so many contrasts ...

Yesterday, I read this post recommended by a friend...

I followed some of the links within it and started reading about the unbelievable famine affecting over 11 MILLION people in East Africa ... Its unfathomable.

As I am nursing my babe, I look down and see this ...

And all I can think about is this ...

As I am feeding my well nourished ten month old ... I am thinking about this mom holding her severely malnourished 7 month old. Haunted by those eyes ... It's too much.

Jesus.

I am swimming with my boys and one of them takes the Lord's name in vain... "Oh my G...". I explain, "We don't say that." He turns to me in all seriousness and asks, "Only grown-ups can say that?" I explain that, "No, no one can say that."

Not even twenty minutes later, I place them in the tub to rinse off the chlorine and return to find a SOAKED bathroom. In exasperation, I take in this complete mess and exclaim the very words I just told my son not to say. My heart is pierced.

Jesus.

I could go on and on. It's time to do better. I attempt to hold my children to a standard I myself cannot keep. I CAN do better.

How to live with less? Give more? Hold myself to the standard I am attempting to hold them to? To avoid the sin of the Pharisees who piled heavy burdens on their charges without lifting a finger to help? How do I dig out and destroy the sin in my own heart so it doesn't take root in theirs ...

Jesus.

I am encouraged to step up my game as these days and weeks and YEARS are flying by. I can do better.

I will start today with the exhortation given here on how to (help) raise grateful kids.

We will all start our own gratitude journals. I will finish Will's thank-you notes.

And I will make my own list of 1000 gifts.

Starting now.

I have so much to be thankful for ...

1. Three beautiful and healthy boys

2. An abundance of food with which to feed and nourish them

3. Freedom to read God's word that feeds and nourishes us all

4. A hardworking husband who faithful provides for all of us.

5. Jesus

And ... although it may only be one small drop in what seems like an bottomless bucket, we can give ... Here.