I Am Weak

I had one of my children tell me the other day, "You are a weak person, Mom," and she wasn't referring to my physical ability.  While her jab stung quite a bit, I could only respond, "Yes, I am."

I've been thinking a lot about her words since that day.  I am weak.  I feel weak much of the time.  When I was younger, I used to feel like I had everything under control.  I could handle anything that came my way.  I had it all together.  The older I've gotten, the more I see that I CAN'T handle everything that comes my way, I don't have nearly as much control as I had thought, and I certainly don't have it all together.

My prideful self doesn't like this feeling of weaknesses.  I want to be the one who does it all.  The one who doesn't let things bother her.  The one who jumps right back up after getting knocked down.  Truth be told,  I'm not any of those things.

As I grapple with my inabilities, my insecurities and my failures, I keep coming back to this truth though -

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient to you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.                - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

HIS grace is sufficient, it's enough for me.  I don't need to be strong.

In my weakness, the power of Christ rests upon me!

For the sake of Christ, not for my own sake, I can be content with my weaknesses.

Yes, I am weak........and because of that, not in spite of that, I am strong!

Happy Father's Day!!!

I'm so thankful for the Dad God gave me!  I appreciate him every day, but I will be more specific and public in my appreciation today.

My dad has given me so much -

1. Most importantly, unconditional love. He loves me even when he doesn't agree with me, which is most of the time if we're talking politics. He taught me that I can love people I don't agree with.
2. An appreciation for a good conversation. I can always count on discussing thought-provoking topics when I'm around him.
3. An incredible appreciation for history.  The man is like a walking history book.  If you have a history question, he's the guy to ask.
4. A dry sense of humor - he is one of the funniest guys I know.
5. An appreciation for a good debate - although we frequently take opposite sides in any debate, I appreciate his joy in a good verbal sparring.
6. An appreciation for a job well done - if you're going to do the job, do it excellently - I honestly don't know of anyone who works so hard - (And, Dad, most 80 year olds do not get up on the roof to sweep the leaves off....just so you know that!  We really can do that for you, you know!)
7. He is an endless servant.  Anytime we need help with any project, Dad's there...tool belt strapped on and ready for a day's work.  
8. His persevering attitude.  I know very few people who could face a lung cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgeries with as much bravery and courage as he did. There was never any self-pity, just determination to beat that thing - and he did!
9. An appreciation for a well-kept yard.  I can't keep up with you, Dad, in this area, but I do certainly admire a well-done yard!
10. He also gave me a really high metabolism, which in the grand scheme of things is quite insignificant, but I really appreciate it, nonetheless!

 

I LOVE YOU, DAD!!!

Let There Be Light

Do you remember waaayyyyyy back in January when I did a post about remodeling the kitchen? Well, it's been a bit of a slow process, to say the least.  It's not that we haven't wanted to get it done, it's just that there was precious little time with work and school and such. 

Well, my dear, sweet, wonderful, and oh-so-talented hubby has now redone the lighting in my kitchen!  To really understand how very excited I am about this, you need to realize that my kitchen was little more than a dark cave.  Seriously!  It had two sets of track lighting, one of which only had two lights on it.  This for a room that is approximately 26' x 13'.  I could barely see what I was cutting on the counter-top (which wasn't always a bad thing). 

Anyway, now, I have a wonderfully lit kitchen space! Every little nook and cranny is bright!  I am beyond happy!!!

Next up, redoing the ceiling, counter-top, backsplash and walls.....

Cabin Life

Nina and Molly haven't been able to make it up to the cabin in awhile because of their work schedule, so when they found themselves with a few days off this week we decided to trek on up. We had to leave Chris and Aidan at home because of work and school, but the rest of us are enjoying cabin life. 

Unfortunately, the mosquitoes are REALLY bad right now.  Thankfully, there are no mosquitoes in the middle of the lake!