Seeds of Compassion

Maybe you remember, maybe you don't.  One of the key words I want Monkey to know about himself as he grows is "compassion".  I watch with joy as this little man notices people who are sad and wants to do something about it.  He tries so hard to comfort his brother, and has recently adopted the phrase "poor guy" - I'm not really sure what he means when he uses it, but he's starting to identify with people who are hurting.

Today our neighbor girl fell off of her scooter and hurt her leg.  Someone thought she might have broken it and called to have an ambulance come so she could be examined (her mom was not home and they had no other way to get her to the hospital).  We watched the ambulance and talked about what was happening.  Monkey and I said a prayer for Marissa as they wheeled her into the ambulance.  He told her bye, see you later, and feel better.

He didn't just feel pity for her in the moment.  See, this happened more than 6 hours ago.  It has been on his mind all afternoon and evening.  Monkey keeps telling us, "Marissa sad, Marissa hurt leg, Marissa go hospital."  Even at 2 1/2 my sweet man is learning to care about others.  I think tomorrow morning we will make a card for her and deliver it.

My Phrase: Part 3

If you haven't read about "My phrase" and want to know what it's about, click here. 

I wrote yesterday about how, as a parent I have the responsibility to help my children write their stories.  I have the power to influence what they think about themselves, and who they will become.  Right now Randy and I are the ones that tell them who they are and what it means to be that person. 

Yesterday I wrote about the phrases that I want to speak into Monkey's life.  If you want to know what those things are, read the blog about him.  Today I want to share a little about Crackers.  You may remember that he has had some significant struggles in the first year of his life, particularly in the first month.  If you want to reread this, click here. 

Crackers first week.

This young man has already shown us that he is a miracle.  I hope that he hears that enough in his life to make that part of his story.  The phrase I really want him to learn, however is this:  I am an overcomer. 

As Cracker's grows he will face challenges.  We all do.  He already has faced a few and he has shown us again and again that he is an overcomer.  He is a fighter and as he grows, I want this boy to know that he can make it through the tough times.  At this point he does not stand on his own more than a second or two, and that is with a lot of help and encouragement.  He does not walk yet either.  He is just 12 months old, so we are not too concerned, yet.  He also has a therapist that watches him and is doing what she can to help him continue to meet his milestones. 

My boy will learn that he is an overcomer.  I have not pinned down a second word for him yet, we'll get there.  At this moment he is trying to learn how to overcome the potty chair.  I'm not saying he's trying to go to the bathroom, he wants to figure out how to climb it and sit on top of it without falling off.. or maybe he's trying to fall off, he'll conquer it in his own way, little boys are funny!

What positive words have people spoken to you recently?  A friend told me yesterday, "I appreciate you".  You better believe that has a huge impact on how I feel about myself.

My Phrase

This Sunday I was blessed to be part of the worship meeting at Heartland Church.  This is our home church but it is sometimes difficult for me to get there on weeks that Randy works.  This week we had a guest speaking with us, Chip Judd is his name.  Chip is a pastor and a professional counselor.  We always love to hear God's word as it comes from Chip!

This week he shared about "The Keys to Happy Living".  Chip talked about the fact that everyone is living out a story.  It is the story that they have written for their own lives.  He challenged us by reminding us that we have the power to change our personal story.  Through a testimony of his own, Chip helped us to hear that God has something more for us than we have written for ourselves and in order to change our stories into the story that God has for us, we need to look to Him for help.  In the end of his message, Chip encouraged the church by telling us that there are 1-3 phrases that haunt us, that make our story less than what it could be.  We need to consult with God about the truth in these phrases and see God's phrases spoken into our lives.  God's phrase for my life has to be bigger than the other phrases that I hold on to.

I quickly was able to identify one phrase that has "haunted" my story.  See, from the time I was in early elementary school (I'm talking first grade), I have heard the phrase "Gifted Under Achiever" spoken into my life.  Ouch.  I have lived up to that.  Even in graduate school I did not achieve to my fullest, because I was gifted enough to get by. 

I prayed about this and saw how it has effected my life even as a wife and mother.  I am working on embracing God's phrase for my life.  God says I am a "devoted daughter".  Wow!  What a name to live up to.  It sure does take a lot more work than the old phrase.  I am so glad that I have a new platform to grow toward!

Another blessing this Sunday: one of the ladies in the church prayed for Crackers and I, in her prayer she referred to us as a "Madonna and child"... I love that image, it touched me.  Even though I don't know your name, thank you for praying for us and for blessing us.