As a fresh abundantgiftsblog.com user i just wanted to say hello to everyone else who uses this bbs

I know motherhood seems to be drudgery 90 percent of the time. We need to remind ourselves often that all the little things add up to a big bonus–character building in our children, giving them a sense of security, modeling how to live and love.

Janet Penley says moms are “peace-time soldiers,” equipping children to go out and win the battles of life. I like that.

–Diane

In fact, here’s a quote I just read this morning, along similar lines:

“My whole life I have been complaining that my work was constantly interrupted, until I discovered the interruptons were my work.” This from Henri Nouwen, near the end of his life.

Seems the past several months have been nothing but interruptions to what I thought was my work. This morning, one email rearranged my whole day. But, because God gave me the gift of this quote before that interruption, I am at perfect peace that this new direction is the work he has for me today.

My youngest, who is 4 yrs. old, asked me as we’re driving down the road, “Mom, is God in control of everything?”
My response: “Yes, honey. Everything.”
Lex: “The car?”
Me: “Yes. Everything.”
Lex: “The clouds?”
Me: “Yes.”
Lex: “That car…it just went by…?”
Me: “Yes. EVERYTHING.”
Lex: “The radio…IN THE car?”

I was listening to a CHRISTIAN radio station, great program; at this point I am getting annoyed at the interruptions.

Me: “Always. He is always in control. The radio, well…he is control of the person using the radio. The person sending the radio station. The ability of the radio signal. Lexie, He is control of everything.”

I went back to listening to the important program, deeply affecting my life!

Lex: “….Moooom…everything?”…..
Me: silent (I am listening to an important program.)

Lex: “Mom, He couldn’t of been in control of Papaw – he died.”

This was my grandfather, the first of my four grandparents to die. I think all of my four children were affected deeply by watching me grieve. Now, I knew to give her more attention.

Me: “Of course He was in control. That’s why God took Papaw to be in heaven with Him!”

Lex: “But, it made G.G. so sad!”

G.G. is my Grandma.

Me: “G.G. knows that Papaw is with Jesus, that makes her happy, in the end, so God IS in control.”
Lex: (very angry voice) “G.G. would be much happier if Papaw were with H E R!!!”

I carried on with a ‘canned’ answer to happiness, the meaning of being in heaven with God because of belief in His precious Son -our Savior. Adult answers. Their was much silence. I returned to listening to the radio.

Lexie breaks into a beautiful, made up song. She spent the rest of the ride home and most of the afternoon convincing me (and anyone else) that Jesus rhymes with God.

At the end of the day, I knew this was more than an abundant blessing. My 4 year old, knows how to explain part of the trinity! Thank you, Diane. You help me to count these as blessings! Not interruptions to my day.

Shari

I agree … your blog looks great! May you reach many people who will be enriched by the special brand of wisdom you dispense! You already know I’m a huge fan of your book, “Abundant Gifts.”

In keeping with your “disguised gifts” theme, I’d like to share the following e-mail I just received:

I am thankful …
for the wife who says “It’s hot dogs tonight”
because she’s home with me
and not out with someone else

For the husband, who is on the sofa
being a couch potato
because he’s home with me
and not out at bars

For the teenager, who is complaining about doing dishes
because it means she’s at home
not on the streets

For the taxes I pay
because it means
I’m employed or earning money

For the mess to clean after a party
Bbcause it means I have been surrounded by friends

For the clothes that fit a little too snug
because it means I have enough to eat

For my shadow that watches me work
because it means I’m out in the sunshine

For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home

For all the complaining I hear about the government
because it means we have freedom of speech

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I’m capable of walking
and I’ve been blessed with transportation

For my huge heating bill
because it means I am warm

For the lady behind me in church
who sings off-key
because it means I can hear

For the pile of laundry and ironing
because it means I have clothes to wear

For the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
because it means I’ve been capable of working hard

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours
because it means I’m alive

And finally for too much e-mail
because it means I have friends who are thinking of me

Blessings,

Maria

Diane

Cathy