A tribute to "my Dad"

 This post is written for my “Dad”. He was an awesome guy. God didn’t make me his daughter from the beginning although he was my dad for more years then my natural born father was. Both died from cancer. Both loved me and showed me in the blessings they gave to me. I was thinking how tight my second Dad would hug everyone. He squeezed his love into you. It was full. Not that light wrapping around and a slight pat, no it would take you off your feet. I can still feel how tight he would wrap his arms around you. You were going nowhere. He had you. He made sure you got the fullness of his hug. How could you not feel important and special?

   As I thought about Dad he was a clear representation of Christ in many ways and he spoiled me. He had five natural children but him and his wife who became like a second mom just took me in. I was that ugly wet kitten in a box on the side of the road. I was like number six. Over the years I would bite off more than I could chew. Make a mess. Get into something I could never get out of myself. Dad was there. He would fix, reverse, straighten and love me out of the mess I made. I think his natural children were jealous at times. I know he would do things for them but he always kept a close eye on me. I don’t know why? Did he know no one else would do the same for me? I don’t think I did anything better than his kids. In fact I am sure I made bigger and way worse messes than they did.

   I look and see in Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  Dad was not my natural dad but he was there. Like Joseph and Jesus. Jesus however was an easy child. I on the other hand was a train wreck. Anyone can tell you. I can see in Genesis 3 how Adam and Eve fall. I was right there doing the same, but I noticed even in the mess Father God is cleaning up the mess. Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. Dad would be right there cleaning it up. I would have to ask but immediately he would dig in. He would wait patiently on the side lines let me stretch the disasters as far as I could take them.

   Is that not exactly what God does? Let us go in the mire, making it so bad. But God has a plan. He had a plan from before we got in our mess. He knows how bad it will be but nothing will ever be too much. Dad was a clear example for me. I never knew how deep his relationship was in Christ. I can only pray because of his unending patience for me was a representation of Dad’s understanding of Jesus wanting us to serve and love each other.

     When people die it is a good time to evaluate our own life and relationship to Christ. Are we serving others because we are going to get something in return? Dad did things for me I could never ever repay. We all have made messes. Some we can clean up or sweep under the rug. Like a broken plate it will never be fully the same even if you glue it together. Our broken plates are evidence of our sinful nature. God knew. He had a plan. He fixed the mess with Christ. Do we know Him? Not just His name and what He did, but like I knew Dad and he knew me. He could see the mess and make a plan to fix it. I knew his love, his dependability, his ability to fix it, and I know Christ like I know Dad. Christ is there. He has a plan. Are you ready to get out of the mire? I pray I become like my Dad, living like he did so my kids know that when they mess it up there is hope. Our hope is Christ. He has a plan. He will fix everything in His time. I love you Dad and have hope we are to be together again in His time.

Can one be a Facebook busy body?

        I love social media! I am a people person and being home with kids keeps me in the loop with friends and current events. It lets people know what we do on the farm. You can see the power when I have a new litter of puppies. All the likes, comments, and shares on Facebook. I love pictures of my friends doing fun things with their families. I liked several pages about large families, Christian home life, farm families, and crochet pages. These are a wealth of information. It helps me to do something I have never done like crochet stitches or perhaps encouragement from another homeschool mama who has a struggling child who can’t grasp a math concept. It is a good place to show my Christian values or how I am really a sinner who is not following Gods word.

James 1:19 Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

      Facebook can be a two edge sword. As much as I love social media it wastes my time. It really does. There is too many good things to read, rabbit trails to run, and too many damaging words and pictures forever on the internet for all to see. How often we over look or turn a blind eye. If you are a Christian like myself you have to really analyze how much time you should be on social media and how you will use it. I have had to being to limit my use (and still need to pare down more!) When should I comment and when should I let it pass through the feed?

      How thankful we can go to God's word and find that answer. An easy place to start is Proverbs 31 where it gives clear instructions on expected behavior of a woman. We should be building our home. 

Facebook and Pinterest have fantastic ideas to decorate, skills to learn, recipes, activities for kids and homeschool ideas. You can find encouragement on blogging pages or Bible study methods and reading plans. Here's a list of great resources available in one place!  BUT are we pinning items that we may truly try or things we wish we had? (coveting) Are we just reading about someone’s struggle to feel better about ourselves? The temptation is there and is in pretty packaging. We as Christians have to make an effort to be using the internet for the best uses and have our guard up as we use it.

     How many times I can read something and then get into a lengthy post of my opinion? It may have God's truth in it, but to a world of sin I believe it falls on deaf ears or contentious hearts. How I could have been wiser passed it by and worked on an area of clutter in my home, planned my garden for the spring, done more reading with the littles (there is never too much of that). God wants me to pour that truth into my children who have open hearts to receive it and ears willing to hear.

      What Does God expect? Should I never get on social media? No. I believe we can encourage others, add beauty and organization to our home using the internet. WE are able to bring things to our home from “afar,” make wonderful meals we never would have otherwise, found parenting advice from a place of struggle. We can gain useful wisdom and also pass it along.

      One of the first things that convicts me is "she does not eat the bread of idleness" Prov 31:27 His words clearly state I should not be idle. To be hours on end on the computer is idleness no matter how many good things we pin, comment, or see on the internet. There are areas of our home that are troublesome. The junk drawer, the pile of papers to be filed, grading of homeschool paperwork, extra time with our kids (the season is sooo short). Time flies on its own but internet seems to help it slip away faster. Things left "undone" in our family and home while we chose another pleasurable activity is idleness. The key is there are things needing to be done and we chose unwisely to do the computer vs the activity our homes are waiting for us to do!

Are we not running off into others home/lives? How easy to be nosey Reading others comments, especially those who happily blurt out their family problems. Comparing ourselves to them, their families, and circumstances is not being humble. Christ asks us to put others above ourselves. We cannot put our husband’s and children’s needs ahead when we are checking out the neighbor’s personal difficulties. 1 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

       I am guilty, guilty, and guilty of this. (Raise my hand way high) I do want to encourage others with the thing I am finding helpful to change these bad habits. I use my phone. How does a smart phone help? It helps not to scroll through Facebook, spend hours pinning, check my emails as often because the computer doesn’t have to be on. People can message me on my phone through Facebook or text. That is usually quicker the chatting on the phone. I can answer and continue on with the task at hand. I also learned about airplane mode! Thank You Busy Mom. She recommends tuning it on during school hours. (It is found in the settings of a smart phone for anyone as challenged as I) The phone can still be used for timer (great for speed drills and reading speeds) and she also recommends not turning on the computer until all the tasks you need to complete are finished. Set a timer so time doesn’t fly off and then the stress and frustration of children having been unattended need to be dealt with. (and the messes which now add to more wasted time)

Moms that stay at home can easily become addicted to social media. It is really easy. Look at how hard it is for children having to get off the electronics and we are just as guilty. As Christian moms we have the power of the Holy Spirit to guide our choices and the power to overcome the draw of electronics.

I encourage you to keep track of your time, a good indication you are on too much is when your kids are pulling or poking at you for attention. (Again my hand is high) This year I am working toward a healthy balance of electronics. It is a new issue as I was never a TV watcher and find myself on my computer way too much. I used it during the time I was nursing twins. It is exhaustive tiring and I was so glad to find other moms on the internet willing to commiserate. Eventually it was a very bad habit. I feel it is just as bad as gambling but instead of losing money you are losing time that can never be replaced.

    This was something on my heart as I was reading through the Proverbs 31. I have done the study and many things came back and reminded and as I pondered this post formed. I was inspired to write it as God through His word showed me I need to continue to be diligent and apply (OBEY) what I know I need to be doing. This didn’t happen overnight. I have to walk it out daily sometimes struggling to do but His mercies are new every day! I hope if you struggle as I do it encourages you too!