However...

BUT, we can work to change and overcome that set-point. But it takes hard work. I'd like to think I'm in the midst of hard work and soon my set-point will change.

homeostasis

I think that much like our physical beings, our mental, spiritual and emotional beings have a set-point. A homeostasis if you will. We are comfortable at certain levels regardless of how healthy or unhealthy this place of being may be. And we will, like our bodies, fight to stay there.

Work

Today I received an encouraging email from a friend who reminded me that it's constant work to juggle everything. I'm grateful she used the word "work."

Sometimes I often think "It's a struggle to juggle!" That could be a really pathetic rap song for Moms. But I wouldn't want to produce it because the lyrics sound not only ridiculous and cheesy, but also cumbersome. I like the thought of work. I like the reward of hard work. And I think there is hope in growth that is produced through work.

Well, that's all for now. Night night!

Dramatic!

I guess Jonah had a flare for the dramatic! I mean, in Chapter 4 he actually told God he "angry enough to die." Not angry at an unrepentent people, not angry at sin. Jonah was angry at God's compassion and then that anger was compounded by a vine that God gave and took away.

It seems like such a limited perspective that Jonah has there at the end of the book but I can relate. When I pray and things don't go the way I thought they should I get upset, angry and hurt.

On Sunday my brother Casey, for the first time in years, went to church with us WILLINGLY. I was so excited that he might experience a bit of God's love and be moved to accept God's gift of grace and eternal life that I wasn't prepared for what was going to happen.

Casey endured the service uncomfortable all the while. And at the end with tears in his eyes he looked at me with a soft heart. My eyes teared up a bit, too. Whether his tears were from joy or pain, I didn't know. I just told him I loved him.

Without all of the details, something stirred Casey's heart and spirit. Was it the Holy Spirit knocking at the door of his heart? I don't know. But when I felt hurt by Casey's words in the car my heart's response was much like Jonah's. I was limited in my perspective and did not understand what had happened. I still don't. But what I do know is that God has a plan. I know a little of what Jonah was feeling when God said to him, "You have been concerned for this vine, but you did not tend it or make it grow."

My job is now what it was before. To love Casey, stand firm in God's word and truth and pray for Casey to feel that love and accept the salvation God's trying to give him.

Just another day.

Today feels like just another day that is going to kick my butt! Sorry for the pesimism!

I've just struggled to get things done around the house and be as efficient as I would like. I'm going to detox from facebook for a while and I think that will help me stay focused on what needs to get done. The TV has been off for almost a month now and that has certainly helped me be more effective in my home but I still am struggling to just get things done.

Maybe today will be different but if not...what do I do?! How do I break this getting nowhere fast habit? Other Mommies please chime in and I'll let you know tomorrow if I was able to manage things any better!

Jonah!

Brett and I read Jonah chapter 1 together last night and a few things caught our attention. One, Jonah ran from God. A prophet, whose job it was to be sensitive to God and had the understanding of consequences when and if you were disobedient, RAN from God. And two, the struggles and ultimately the repentence that Jonah experienced literally turned him around (via the giant fish) and headed him back toward Nineveh to do what God had called him to do in the first place.

What a picture of God's grace in light of such blatent disobedience. In chapter two I read Jonah's prayer and realize there are some key words there that Jonah uses. He talks about not experience God's grace because of our attention and devotion to other idols. What idols do I have in my life that keep me from knowing and feeling the grace of God? He also says that Salvation comes from the Lord. So in times of confusion, fear and frustration I'm going to remember these two things: I could be robbing myself of the grace of God by putting other idols first and that salvation only comes from the Lord. I can't save myself.

On my way...

Into another week! I feel good about our new church membership at Harvest Pointe Community Church and am feeling super blessed God has led us there.

I pray my heart will be soft this week to God and all he is trying to reveal to me about myself and the world around me. I pray that Brett, Trent and I will be the love that was so freely given to us.