On the third day...

I have been so refreshed over the last few weeks!!! In January I began the journey through the book of Esther with a few gals from my MOPS group. It's been a good opportunity for me... I've been able to get to know some new girls, enjoy some adult conversation, and fall in love all over again with the Word of God!

Each week the Lord has pointed something out to me... sometimes encouraging and hopeful, sometimes convicting and challenging. This week's lesson is on timing... ah, timing... In our video series this week (it's the study Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman), Beth Moore was pointing out that you've got to know when your timing is right. She gave some examples on when the timing was right in scripture, but the trend intrigued me so-much-so that I had to research this a little more in detail. Check it out...

Esther 5:1
"On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court... "(Esther is preparing to go see the King... it's the beginning of her journey to rescue the Jews from the edict that's out sentencing them to death.)

Exodus 19:11
"...and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mt. Sinai in the sight of all people." (On this day Moses led the people to meet with God and they were given the 10 Commandments... in essence leading the Israelites to a plan of how they should live.)

Hosea 6:2
"After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will restore us,
that we may live in his presence."

John 2:1
"On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee..." (This scripture describes the 1st miracle performed by Jesus... turning water into wine.)

Matthew 16:21
"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." (His death and resurrection... the very thing that gives us life!)

It would appear that the third day is an important day in scripture... a day that brings life and hope to people. A day that provides restoration. And as the Jews believe, a day of relief from dire distress. Are you waiting for your third day... for that timing to be just right? Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and not delay (Habakkuk 2:3).

Restoration

The last couple days, Sadie's been receiving a lot of disciple. As the mommy, disciplining is very exhausting. Sometimes I feel like consistency with her may be the death of me. :) You mommy types know what I'm talking about!

ANYWAY, today during one of our "disciplining sessions" God gave me a very clear picture of what forgiveness looks like... I'm not sure why He chose to point this out to me today... but He did. Here's how it went down...

Since Big Man Cole now sits up, he and Sadie really enjoy playing together on the floor (I am enjoying this, too... I can actually unload the dishwasher with out a critter on my hip or around my ankle!). While playing, Sadie likes to get right up next to him, wrap her arms around him for a "hug" and then tip them over onto the ground... as you can see, this isn't the safest form of affection for an infant. So, as this happened today, I explained to her why this wasn't a good idea and told her to not do this again. Well, not even two minutes later, I hear the kerplunk followed by an unhappy little boy... you guessed it... Sadie was just trying to give her "wittle bruder a hug."

Cole is comforted and sat back down, Sadie receives her disciple and then is required to go and tell her brother she's sorry and why. The second Sadie walks over to him to apologize, Cole bursts into uncontrollable laughter... which only caused her and I to begin laughing hysterically. Next thing I know they are back to playing together and enjoying one another again.

As I stood there laughing with my children, I couldn't help but think... this is how forgiveness is supposed to be... this is how it was intended... no grudge... no bitterness... no harsh words spoken. Only joy for the return and restoration to the relationship. Can't you just see the glimmer in His eyes and hear the laughter and delight of the Lord every time we return and are restored unto Him?!? I can, and I'm so thankful for this picture today.

I'm a Pepper...

I LOVE Dr. Pepper... the chill, the taste, the burn... do I sound like I need to join D.P.D.A. (Dr. Pepper Drinkers Anonymous)??? Yeah, I probably do. Anyway, Eric found this intriguing recipe... we may give it a whirl. Check out Dr. Pepper as a "winter warmer!" It may be your new fav!!! :) Happy sipping!

A Mommy's Nap

I have been exhausted this week... between a sick, teething baby, a 2 year old that's been talking in her sleep and trying to find the "right" pillow, I haven't gotten much sleep. I woke up today ready for a nap and CrAnKy. After lunch I planned to lay down for awhile (or all afternoon if I could swing it). Here's how it went down (or didn't)...

• Snuggled up in my bed on my new pillow... by the way, I think I like the new pillow.
• Two minutes later... Cole cries (how do they know when we lay down?) - he's hungry.
• Feed baby... dozing while he eats.
  
• Baby needs a diaper change.
• Lay him on my bed... big mistake... he'd blown out his diaper and now I have baby poop on my sheets.
• Change and Clean baby.
• Strip sheets.
• Switch out the laundry and fold a load of clothes.
  
• Sheets hit the wash.
• Cole thinks it's play time.
• Cole lays back down for his nap.
  
• I lay down on the couch with my head covered... hoping I am invisible.
• Sadie plops a toy right on the bridge of my nose... I probably make a bigger deal of it than it really is.
• Sadie wants to read a book... Daddy reads it instead.
• Eric has to leave for a meeting at church.
• Mommy reports back to duty.

Ahhhh... the joys of motherhood! :)

Pillow Talk

Eric and I are in desperate need of new pillows... AGAIN! I'm not sure why, but it seems that I've gone through more pillows in the last five years than I've used in my entire life. I've tried Walmart, Target and JCPenny's pillows (and I don't just select the cheapest one they have... although that would be my nature) but they all end up with the same problem... becoming flat as a pancake after about 3 months of use. When I was younger, my pillow would flatten over YEARS of use... about the same time our dogs pillow was too stinky for her... I would graciously give her my old pillow and I would get a new one! My pillow right now is not even worthy of dog use. As Sadie would say... "That's terrible."

Anyway, I need pillow advice. If you have a pillow that you love, LoVe, LOVE... I need to know about it! This is the week that we will sleep more soundly on a comfy, fluffy pillow! :)