Lessons from TobyMac and the Backwards Dress

I am at the computer this morning writing by the light of the Christmas tree and the garland draped across my mantle.  It is definitely therapy for my soul.  Merry Christmas y'all!

We took the girls to their first concert a few weeks ago.  We went with our closest friends and their kiddos to see TobyMac, Mandisa and Jamie Grace. You will often find us shaking our booties to Mandisa's "Good Morning Song." It was one of the first times I felt like we could go as a family and not leave the littles at home.  Anna heard the concert advertised on the radio and begged me to go.  Leading up to the concert, Aubrey asked me everyday if the people will sing, "This Girl is on Fire."   Ummm no.  Sorry to disappoint little one.

 I have to say I was lost in thought sitting in my seat listening to the blaring music and staring at flashing lights.  The joy that washed over me watching my girls sing and have the time of their lives was priceless.  TobyMac did a lot of Christian Rap music, right up Anna's alley. Not so much my cup of tea.

However,  TobyMac sang a song called, "Speak Life." My daughters know every word. The message in that song hit me like a ton of bricks and I haven't been able to get it out of my head ever since.  Here is the chorus:

Though it's crazy, amazing
We can turn a heart with the words we say.
Mountains crumble with every syllable.
Hope can live or die

So speak Life, speak Life.
To the deadest darkest night.
Speak life, speak Life.
When the sun won't shine and you don't know why.
Look into the eyes of the brokenhearted;
Watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope,
You speak love, you speak...

It got me thinking.  Do I speak life to those I come in contact with?  Do I speak life to my children?, my husband?

When I was growing up we always teased my mother about "momisms"  Momisms are little phrases that my mother would say to us when we were struggling, complaining, or just in everyday conversation.  Her top two had to be "Bloom where you are planted" and "Love is a choice, happiness is an ability and God is the source of both."  I would roll my eyes at her.  But now I use her wisdom with my own daughters.

So I say all this to say,  "Speak Life" is the perfect momism!  When my kids say something mean or are fighting I just ask them,  "Are you speaking life?"  They too, roll their eyes at me, but it usually is effective at least for a brief moment.  Another one of my momisms is,  "If you can't be kind, be quiet."  I'm developing my own momism arsenal.  So thanks to TobyMac for helping with that.  If I'm being honest, Speak Life has been running through my head as I encounter the rude check out lady at Wal Mart this Christmas;) And also, as I work on the my major spiritual project for 2013 holding my tongue!

 

I got in the car Sunday to head to church with all four girls in tow.  I was flying solo because Ben had to work. I was feeling puffed up because I had gotten four daughters ready. You see, I run a full service hair salon out of my bathroom in the morning.   They all looked beautiful and we managed to have a "scream free" morning and leave our house on time.  As my car rolled to a stop at the stop sign on my street, I noticed my dress felt uncomfortable.  I glanced down to see the tag was in the front.  I had my dress on backwards.  I sighed, sat there for a moment and smiled. Thoughts running through my head:   Do I try and make it to the church bathroom?   I can't go home.  Everyone  will be out of their seatbelts and have their shoes off.  I will just pull into the school parking lot a street over and turn my dress around.   So, I pull in and take my cardigan off and try and contort my body in the small space between the steering  wheel and the seat to get my dress fixed. No cigar. I had to actually open the car door, stand up and turn it around.  All the while, I hear comments from the peanut gallery in the backseat like, "Well this is awkward. This is definitely one for the books Mom!" I'm sure the whole scene is on some elementary school security camera.   When I start to get a little big headed about what the awesome mom I am,  God always reminds me...  "You don't accomplish anything without My help."   It's funny, God usually reminds me through  wardrobe malfunctions.  I cannot forget the time I walked thorough every hall of Hibernia Baptist Church dropping off my kiddos with my dress tucked in my underwear. 

So ladies, you may think other mothers APPEAR to have it together but they probably have their dress on backwards. 

Folks, have a wonderful week and speak life!

Lines

Looking in the mirror,  I can see the lines of life creasing the skin around my eyes and covering my brow.  I used to say I didn't mind getting older.  But as I age, I can see the trials of life like a road map on my face.  Pridefully, it bothers me.  However, I know deep down that they are what's left of walking some pretty rocky roads.  Roads I wouldn't trade for anything now.  Roads that brought me to my knees, knowing there was nowhere else to look, but up. I had to look up for peace and comfort and to press on and take another step.

I can honestly say, those lines are not without a purpose.  They are present because of the lessons I needed to learn in this life.  The trials I had to walk through to bring me to where I am now. One might call it Refiner's fire.  When we endure trials it's our chance to glorify Christ in how we handle situations.  Did God know they would happen?  Yep.  He knew He would have to carry me at times.  He was there. At every step. He showed up through His living word, kind people and in times there was no other explanation other than Christ. Things that happened that were too bizarre to be a coincidence.  He knew I would walk away closer to Him and with new found wisdom I could share with others.

These hard times changed my heart and my life.  They have given me an eternal perspective. I've never doubted God's love for me. But I have been angry at Him for my circumstances. His peace surpassed my understanding many times. I have learned about kindness, gentleness and love through hardship.  I guess that is what James was talking about when he said, "Consider trials of many kind pure joy." (James 1:2-4)

Today, I have pure joy because of the lessons I have learned, the person I have become in Christ and the relationship with my Savior that I cannot live without.  I now have a testimony to share that is full of God's grace and His provisions for me. I have a duty to encourage others.

So, thank you, infertility, international adoption, divorced parents, marriage struggles, parenting struggles, almost losing a child...I could go on.  But I won't.  All part of the beautiful tapestry God is weaving.  I am only a small part. I have faith in His plan when I cannot see. The struggles are not over yet.  Not until I face the gates of Heaven one day.  My prayer is as long as I walk through this life people see Christ in me.

May I be aware of those struggling this Christmas season. May I be a steady hand to hold pointing them to the only one who matters.

So, I guess I will have to take the wrinkles with the wisdom and thank my God.

Hmmm, I'll take the wrinkles with the wisdom.  That would be a good quote for a necklace or a art print huh?  Maybe Anna can design it for me.

Can anyone recommend a good eye cream for my stocking stuffer this year....

There have been many crazy blessings along the journey.  Here are 4 of them.