Grasshoppers

I recently had a few nights at VBS with my Aunt Nancy and her crew. We had a great time as usual. I am embarrassed to admit what Katie, my younger cousin, and I talked about the first night for probably 30 minutes or so. We talked about grasshoppers!!! How boring, adult-like and "country" is that. She has been under attack. We were a few years ago. Seriously... attack! Grasshoppers have been on my mind since then because I see them so often. Thankfully, not in my immediate yard, but in the more distant, surrounding areas.

Thus, I have two recent observations about grasshoppers. On a run up the white rock road, I saw something for the first time. I spotted what appeared to be an adult grasshopper with a "childlike" grasshopper hopping along beside it. I am assuming mom and child because that's just what they looked like to me.

The smaller version of the pest followed right along behind momma, pinging and bouncing its way across the road to the grass. It, they, reminded me that our children, or people in our lives, follow us wherever we go, noting how we talk, react, spend our money, time, and how we treat others. We better make sure we lead them in the right direction and hop with a decent attitude. Perfect? Not possible, but being ever aware of the fact that others are following us and watching our every move. (Just like the momma and her mini me grasshopper)

Next observation is this. The first time we take the trash to the dumpster and travel down the path on the ranger, there are thousands of grasshoppers that part the path trying whole heartily to get out of our way. On our way back home, traveling down the same road through the pasture, there are not as many. It's like they have moved on out. They are "onto" us, ready for us. That is how we should react to life's many trials.

Reminds me of how in life something can blindside us the first time it comes along, but after trip down the wrong path a time or two, it should get easeir and we should not be caught AS off guard. Maybe it is a comment from a co-worker that sends us over the edge? Perhaps there is an old addiction or destructive pattern in your life that rears its ugly head every so often? A trap of gossip that you fall into? If you know what to expect and can even see it coming, get out of the way. Be prepared. Be on guard. Pray up. Rest up
Be ready. I love the word in 1 Corinthians 16:13 that tells us this: "Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage, be strong. Do everything in love."

I'm carrying that thought with me today!

Carry YOUR load

I was on a mission last week to get a box of deer stand windows out of my closet, so I walked over to the shop and located a 2 wheeler, or a "dolley" as I used to call it. I brought it back home and was about to load up my box when I overheard a conversation between 2 of my kids. Brazos wanted Blaise to carry a box of tools back to the shop. She said no problem and loaded up the small, gray box on MY dolly. Because I was on a mission, I didn't wait on her, I just drug my box on over.

About half way there I realized that I had once again caught myself in a comical situation. I did the whole NOT FAIR thing and compared her load to my load like we often do in life. We compare and think we have it better or worse than someone else! Comparing our load to anyone else's load can also begin a pity party.

I remember years ago when I realized that there were some things in life are just not fair. I will always do more in my home than anyone else. I have a good husband who works hard and kids that help me, but I do the most! That is my load to carry. I can do it with joy or do it with bitterness! I seem to flip flop with my joy and bitterness often at home if I am honest. Joy does win, but it's a fight.

Another thing about looking over your shoulder and analyzing the load next to you is that it almost always leads to judgement. We rate each other on how we parent, deal with marriage, work, and we even rate diet and exercise habits. It's so easy to do when we take our eyes off of our own load and look around at others.

I am reminded that if I carry MY load that The Lord intended for me to carry, that He will give me the grace to do it! (I can't pick up a bunch of extras: sin, scheduling too much, or worrying about the world.)

I just had to play referee over the t.v. Wears me out! My "load" in life seems to vary between light and heavy many times some days; however, a verse comes to mind that helps. Matthew 12:28 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." 29 goes on to explain how this rest can be obtained. It says "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." That truth makes my load seem lighter!

Hebrews 12:1 reminds me too that there is a race, or a load, marked out for me. "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." I am encouraged in knowing, resting that Christ marked out my race! It's just for me.

How is your load today? Focus on your relationship with Jesus and it will lighten up.

Obedience and blessings

Obedience is NOT a fun title and it is not always a fun topic. It's a key word around this joint or quite honestly we could never leave this place, especially when my kids were younger and I was totally outnumbered.

We have been watching the history channel's Bible special that we recorded some time ago and never got to. It has amazed me that the Israelites often practiced obedience in some form, but most of the time it was partial obedience, delayed obedience, or a rushed form of obedience that came from making "it" happen before God made a way. Sadly, all of these forms obedience resemble the real deal, but they are not!

One of my children the past few months has by far been the most obedient. I have never had time to have a favorite for sure and really do share a special bond with each of my kids, but recently this one has made me so proud and I have even purchased an extra "flat bill" cap or two for him.

Oh, I just gave it away! It's Bosque. If I mention dishes, they are done. The same with the chickens, bedtime, and teeth brushed for the night. He's on a roll! I love it. His obedience makes life easy and fun! I have rewarded him too.

Maybe The Lord feels the same way with us. He loves us all the same, but I do believe that He appreciates, loves, and even rewards us when we are totally and immediately obedient. A delayed response is so common for me. The Lord prompts me to do something or not do something and I do a, think a.....

ok, after I get this settled,
Sure Lord, after I figure this out,
or ok, Lord, I will do that AFTER he/she does this.
Does that ring a bell?
Am I the only one?

Deuteronomy 13:4 sums it up for me. It says "It is The Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him." That is an old testament slap in the face about what we are supposed to be doing on this earth. We must fully obey.

Follow the leading today of the Holy Spirit and make a choice to completely obey Jesus Christ. Just like with your own children, He will be pleased with you and blessings will follow.

Fishing and hornets

Our summer thus far has consisted of days spent mostly at home, ball at night, and full recovery from our fun week of work at the fair with the animals, rides, and friends. Today with the cooler weather, we ventured out to the lake in front of our house to fish. It was a perfect picture of peace to me! I had a book, water, cozy chair, and was wearing comfortable clothes. My shades fit just right, the breeze was perfect, and my kids all lined up in a row to fish. (Minus Banner who very teenage like avoids some of my outings.) Peace and quiet, nature's best, tranquility, a slice of heaven, bliss, whatever you call it, we had it going on!

Until...... You knew that was coming.... The hornet showed up and got after Blaise. SPAZ should have been her middle name. She gained all of the drama that her big sister seemed to dismiss at birth.

Every time the hornet came in sight and Blaise screamed, I nearly threw my book in the lake from fright and fell out of my chair, the boys seemed to loose their grace with casting, and one time the 22 shooting that they also were enjoying had to totally cease! We had to go into total HORNET mode to swat, chase, calm Blaise, and then we all would laugh. We never got the hornet, but had fun.

Our scenario reminded me of John 16:33. Jesus said "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world." I needed to be reminded of that today. I feel like I always have little fires to put out, a need, and sometimes quite honestly trouble! Trouble within myself, trouble with others, or trouble with a situation or even an object like replacing the vacuum filter or finding a missing lime green softball sock as we head out the door. Life is a battle of tranquility and then the hornets!

Reread the verse now that you have nodded your head and temporarily focused on your troubles. Don't mentally stay there! Make your mind go to the promise of this verse. Hold it tight. Write it on your heart today by repeating it.

I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.

Relationships fail, businesses crumble, worry creeps in, health diminishes, dreams may seem to end, and people may just drive us crazy on a daily basis; however, IN JESUS, we may, we will, we must claim peace!!!! The work has been done too, dear child of God, He has overcome the world. That is a past tense verb!!! One day there will be no trouble. In the meantime, hang onto Him and He will not let go of you.

Show animals and my needs

The Monicos are currently housing 2 pigs and 2 lambs. In only 4 days after the annual Freestone County Fair and Rodeo, the world's greatest fair to quote Sid Fryer, we pray that all 4 of the animals are gone. When I help feed, I always dish up food first or encourage the kids if they are closer to feed "Big Daddy" first. He's the big pig. Bosque says he's the champion for sure.

Why do I want Big Daddy served his grub first? Because he makes me most noise! He goes crazy when we get near the pen. He is all PIG and is ready to eat!!! Snorts gets fed second. He can raise the roof too but does not have the lung capacity or the squealing talents of Big Daddy. Sadly, the sweet, more subdued lambs, are 3rd and 4th in line. They quietly raise up on their gates, but don't cause a ruckus.

This reminds me of my relationship with The Lord. I will make this first person because I am sure I am the ONLY one who cries out to The Lord, reaches my wits end, and knows that without HIM I just couldn't make it. Often my prayers and petitions have nothing to do with me. They are all for my loved ones. Jesus Christ died for us all and loves us all the same, equally. However, I do believe we have a part in our relationship, DUH, and that He answers and responds to those who make some noise and call out to Him. Those in need and willing to admit it get heard and get answered in my humble opinion.

I did that this morning with some specific needs and started in my Bible with one of my favs. Jeremiah 32:17 says "Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and your outstretched arm, Nothing is too hard for you ." I love the NOTHING. I need to know that NOTHING is too hard for The Lord. I have claimed that verse for years. I have stood on that verse like it was all I had to stand on. I believe it.

Today I kept on reading. I needed more. You might say I was the hungry pig, the loudest one, the one most desperate to be heard and learn more, so I kept on reading, willing to make some more noise. I found this in Jeremiah 32:38 that The Lord said. "They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them." I want that. Singleness of heart and action so that I and my children will have good!!!!

Make some noise today. Not to your friend, neighbor, someone standing next to you in line at the carnival or the Lion's Club booth, but to The Lord. He speaks, He will answer back, and His Word is Alive and active. I believe today Jesus Christ is asking his children, will you just cry out to me, talk to me, let me help?

Sweet obedience

I called the four Monico children to full attention one morning last week as we struggled to get out if the house on time for school. I declared a "laundry" afternoon when we got back home before anything else. I stay current on the washing, this means an average of 4 loads a day, and we were up to the speed on the delivery. Everything was falling apart after the delivery when the piles reached individual rooms. Stuff was in the general location of where it belonged, but it needed to be put on hangers, in cabinets, and baskets. There was a great need for sorting!

When we got home, Blaise quickly set up her home office in the living room. (See picture). When the other kids got bags out of car and stumbled in the house, I said let's start on this laundry project. I usually add a...this will be fun and only take a few minutes, which makes them all sick. I told Blaise jokingly to hang a closed sign in her store window, shut the shop down, and join me in her room.

When I circled back through, her office caught my eye. She had done exactly what I asked her to do! (again, see pic) There was a handwritten closed sign laying across her keyboard. I called out to her, still buried in her pile of hangers and clean clothes, and complimented her on her total obedience.

Leviticus 18:5 touches on this, actually hits this hard and commands us that we are to LIVE in obedience. It says "Keep my rules and laws. The one who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD."

Obedience brings JOY and life. Disobedience, delayed disobedience, or partial obedience brings death, misery, and robs us of any JOY. Blaise made it look easy on this occasion. A close relationship with The Lord will help us all stay in check and obey.

Snakes, birds, and future spouses

I have only a few hobbies left at this stage of motherhood and life. Running, reading, writing, and watching my purple martins. My father in law is the biggest bird nerd and he has trained me well. My three houses are equipped this year with snake guards. Snakes have proven to be a problem in the past for my bird population and one can run your bird family off for good.

Therefore, I was totally surprised when I looked out of my bathroom window Sunday morning and saw a snake up past the guard weaving itself into the bird house. I screamed like a total panicked woman and as usual, my husband grabbed a gun and some bullets. We all ran out in the front yard. Some of us, will not give names, not even in appropriate clothing yet.

The horrible and mean snake got at least 2 of my adult birds. The others are scared and may not return. I was just amazed at the disgusting determination of the snake. Sickened by it. It reminded me of a quote I wrote down last week from my favorite Stormie Omartian book "Power of a Praying Parent." She writes "Remember that your fight is not with your child, it's with the devil. He is your enemy, not your child. Stand strong in prayer until you see a breakthrough in your child's life."

That is another example of frightening determination. The devil will stop at nothing to get to us and our children because his ultimate goal is to hinder the work of Jesus Christ. Pray and be on guard. Recognize that you are in a battle! Sounds a bit "out there" but it is true.

Part 2 of the snake story: I immediately sat down both of my daughters and told them that I needed to have serious talk with them. I made them promise me that they would marry a man who could shoot a gun, kill a snake, and take care of business like their daddy when duty calls. Second to being a Christian, I desire a man for them, and especially if they make their home in the country, who is a good shot.