Why I will still shop at Target...

Ok guys.  Let's get serious here.

We live in a world full of sin, and evil.  It's everywhere.   At the store, at your kids school, in your church, and even in your own homes!

While I am annoyed with Target taking the stance they are taking, this stance is not changing anything about the world we live in.  It might change the facts of what we do regarding using the bathroom in public....like,  I won't let my kids go to the bathroom alone, or I will wait by the door for the boys to come out, and maybe even time them to make sure things aren't taking too long, or even further yet, have them tell me if someone else is in there and how many people before I let them go in so I can monitor them.  These things will change, yes.  But if I stopped shopping at every store that didn't hold moral, or biblical values, than I would only be able to shop at Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A.  And I don't think I can live off that.  Unfortunately.

If you can't shop at target anymore then there are a few more things you need to consider.  First of all, most abuse and assault situations happen with people you already know instead of strangers.  Second, a large number of these offenses happen within the home.  What are you doing about that?  Are you stopping getting together with people you know incase sin prevails and something bad happens to your kid while other people are around?  Are you going to never leave your house again, and never have anyone over ever again?  Odds are you can not stay home by yourself for the rest of your life.

You're kids are going to grow up and live in this trouble filled world by themselves one day.  They are going to need to know how to process information around them, and how to deal with bad situations.  How are you teaching them to handle these terrible situations when all you are doing is stopping being around it?  I want to be able to teach my kids what is bad, and what is acceptable, so I can help steer them in the right direction of what to do about it.

You're kids are not safe at the park, yet you take them there, and sit with your friends chatting, not even paying 100% to your children.

You're kids are not safe in your backyard, yet you let them play out there while you are in the house.  It is impossible to know what is going on if you are not there to witness it.

You're kids are not safe at school.  Hurt people, hurt people.  So there are hurting adults and kids in schools, and in all actuality there is potential for something to happen to your child.  And you are no where near arms reach to do something, let alone ever know about it if your child never tells you if something were to happen to them.

You're kids are not safe at church.  Considering there have been multiple times on the news regarding church clergy, or leaders of some fashion doing something wrong within the church walls, I'm sure there are many more cases that have not been reported about.

I think you are getting it now....  Terrible things are everywhere.  You are not immune.  Therefore, staying away from stuff is not the option.

Instead, you need to teach your children about how and why certain places are unsafe, or could potentially be unsafe and what then they need to do about it.

March 6th....a fading etch.

July 2004 we found out we were expecting for the first time.  Right away the dr said baby would be due March 6th... I etched that date in my mind totally excited that our first child was expected to come EXACTLY in the middle of my husband and my birthdays. His is March 1st mine is March 12th. March 6th. What a perfect day it would be. 

A few weeks later in August we went to hear the baby's heart beat, only it could not be found. Our sweet expectation turned to sorrow. And the etched excitement of March 6th turned into dread. I didn't want March 6th to come.  For the next couple years I would mark baby's birthday on the calendar. We moved states the next year and that possibly made it harder to deal with. No one who was around me currently was around during the most painful time of my life.  To explain your pain to someone is not the same as them being there while you go through the pain. 

I sit here looking at the calendar realizing today is March 6th. Somewhere between then and now God has done a marvelous work in me. I do not dread March 6th. I am not angry anymore. Believe me this took a long time. But now I trust in my Savior more than ever before. 

The etch of excitement turned to dread, but after much time God allowed that etch to fade as I focused on Him and His agenda for my life over my own agenda. 

What things have etched fear or dread or anxiety in your mind?

Give it to God and let him help fade the etch mark. 

 

Personal Acknowledgement

I do not have it all together.  I am not perfect.  I am not bullet proof.

I am a human.  I make mistakes.  I try hard.  I fall sometimes.  I feel weak and insignificant at points.  I feel like sometimes I'm screwing it up.  Maybe I could have been a better example or teacher.  Sometimes I feel as though I'm doing it all wrong.  Sometimes I break down and cry.  Sometimes I feel all alone.

Ten days ago I lost a piece of my heart.
The baby God brought into our lives, God removed from our lives.

We do foster care you say, this is to be expected.  Foster kids aren't really "yours", you say.  And yes people do tell me these things.  Well, the kids you birth aren't yours either.  All children belong to God. He's the one who brings them to us, and He's the one who allows us to care for them as their parents.

Maybe this is something we knew was possibly going to happen at any moment or day.
-Does that make it less significant as a loss?
Maybe this is something we could foresee and should be prepared for.
-Does that make it less painful of a loss?

I feel just a bit as though there are some people who do not count this as a real loss and that is almost more painful for me.  Lack of acknowledgement.

When my dad died people came from everywhere to be supportive.  Meals, cards, just being there to sit, chat listen, cry with us.  Acknowledge that we were going through a sad time.  Whether or not they have been through that same circumstance.  Whether or not they have ever lost a close loved one of their own.  I will never forget someone whom I didn't even know had heard about my dads passing and all they did, was drive to the funeral home and sit there for one hour.  And it meant the world to me.  Because they took time out and acknowledged my family's loss.  They personally came to support.  On the other hand I will also never forget someone who was very close friends with me all my childhood, and how 'they' talked to me a couple times after the fact with never acknowledging my dad's passing.

Acknowledgement.  Personal acknowledgement.

I know we live in a social media age, but that doesn't mean that is the only form of connection or communication.  Personal, as in real life, acknowledgement goes much further than social media acknowledgement.

What can I learn from this?  How can I better myself through this life lesson?

This is my thoughts and what I think we should take away from this experience...

Do you know what is going on with the people around you?  Have you hugged them?  And I mean a long, deep, I'm here for you and want to acknowledge any pain kind of hug.  What do they need? How can you help them?  Don't ask them what they need.  I repeat, do NOT ask them what you can do for them.  Do NOT ask them to tell you when they need something.  Just DO SOMETHING! There are some times when it is NOT the thought that counts.  The pain of loss is one of those times. There are things that every person uses.  Food/groceries, precooked meals, money/gift cards, toilet paper.....  You're a person, what do you use every day?  Send them that!  No matter how practical it seems, and without them having to ask for it.  This is true personal acknowledgement.
This could be life changing.  For you and them.

Don't underestimate the power of even the smallest gesture/action.




 

Saying Goodbye hurts

Today I must mourn the loss of my baby.

November 22, 2013 we welcomed a 2 month old foster baby into our house, for seemingly 1 week. Right before Thanksgiving. We ended up celebrating with him as he turned 3 months, 4 months, 5 months.....and ONE YEAR old!  We celebrated through two Thanksgivings, and Two Christmas'. He has brought our family so much joy, love, growth and bonding.  
Friday, January 9, 2015, we are forced to say goodbye.  Even though we know not to expect anything, and should always be prepared for them to move back, we are not ready.  When are you ever ready to let go of someone you love?

The greater the love, the greater the loss.

I have loved on this child with all my heart, therefore I am filled with deep sorrow.

Job 1:21b.... The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;  blessed be the name of the Lord.