"Bad Mommy Moments" 

 

Those of you who are parents know what I'm talking about; if you become a parent, you'll eventually understand. Our oldest daughter was just a sweet, little six year old, and we had just moved to our home in the woods with the long, long, lane.  While she was at school, the weather turned frightful-- snow, sleet, and a cold wind. (Kinda like many days this winter.) An early school dismissal was ordered.  Since she was riding the school bus, I guesstimated the time she would arrive, and my intention was to be waiting in the warm, navy-blue mini-van at the bus stop. Did you know that the bus drivers don't necessarily wait for the said departure time from the school, but they leave whenever they are ready even if it is an hour before the scheduled release time? I was in the kitchen when I heard Bo, our big yellow lab who was in the garage, give a sudden string of deep woof, woof, woofs!  I went to the garage and found my little girl standing in the garage, crying, looking like a crystallized cherub, so startled by the dog that her boots became wet inside as well as out!

This has nothing to do with Sunday's message, but I've just become a 'great aunt' twice in a few short weeks, and then there's all this ice and snow. Memories awaken! The good news is, in spite of my "mommy flubs" my daughters have grown into amazing young women, and if Alana has children she'll be able to say to them, "Well, when I was a kid, I had to walk through ice and snow up a long, long, lane..." 

(Sometime ask me about the lane, a bicycle, the eldest daughter, and a groundhog....) 

Brother Nelson will be sharing a message he is calling, "Beyond Our Capacity." Scriptures are Matthew 5:38-48, I Corinthians 3:10-11, Psalm 119:33-40, Leviticus 19: 1-2. God has called God’s people to show graciousness to each other, the neighbor, the stranger, and even to love the enemy.  With all these categories we could get caught trying to figure out just exactly where one fits into the scheme and thereby try to understand the nature of our relationship.  The irony is that when we are loving the enemy we are in fact living in ways that ignore the categories we could develop. In the OT God’s people were called to be holy; Matthew records Jesus saying, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” These standards seem beyond us, and they are.  Our only hope to meet these lofty expectations is to be a people built on the foundation of Jesus Christ." 

The worship service begins at 10:15 AM with classes for all ages designed for sharing, learning, and 'discipling' at 9 AM.  I will not be present as I'll be with the senior high youth enjoying the beauty of PA mountains.

Here is this week's bulletin detailing many opportunities for growth and service: Bulletin
If this loaded correctly, here are some pics from 2009 Mountain Retreat.

Prayer for today:  God of mystery and light, touch our lives today that we might experience you in new and transforming ways.  Our journeys are all different, yet you travel with us.  Open our eyes to recognize you. Peace, Hope, Love, Grace, Joy, Light-- envelop us in your Presence--Immanuel-- with us, never to leave us nor forsake us.  Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too! 

Love and Light,
Carol

Ridgeview Mennonite Church

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd

"Mom, my knee hurts," my twelve year said on a cool spring day. 
"Ok," I replied. 
Did I ask when it started hurting? Did I ask if she injured it?  Did I ask her to describe the hurt? Did I ask any questions at all? Did I take time to examine it?  The answer to all of those questions is NO! 
A few days later the weather warmed up, and my daughter came down the stairs wearing shorts.
"Hhhhhhhhhhuu!" I sucked in my breath.  "What happened to your knee?"
"I told you!" she said in a rightfully accusatory voice. 
"I know, but I didn't know!" Her knee was at least double the size it should have been! 
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I did tell you! You didn't believe me!" 

It turned out that our daughter had lyme disease caused by one of the zillion little creatures with more than 4 legs we have living in our back yard. She was successfully treated, and the elephant knee which was her only symptom returned to normal size. My daughter was not one to exaggerate pain, bumps, or bruises. Why didn't I believe her until I saw it for myself? Why had I been so busy as not to notice her limping, her expressions, the subtle differences that I'm sure were there had I been truly paying attention. sigh "Bad Mommy Moment # 357.  
Oh, and if anyone needs any tick removal assistance, you know where I live!

Brother Mick has titled his message "Sensory Deprivation" with the sermon text from I John 1:1-2:2. In his presermon notes Mick writes, "We are a people who want to experience things first hand to know for ourselves that thus and so is true."  God's presence with us is so very real, but it is not tangible in the touch the nailholes with our own hands kind of way. We must listen and hear. We must be aware. We must open our eyes and see. 
We'll be back in the Upper Room on Sunday! I hope you can join me at 9am.  The worship service begins at 10:15am.
Oh, we are collecting toothbrushes and paste to put with the children's food pacs. The baskets in which to place them are in the lobby.
http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

There continues to be so much pain and suffering in our world. Locally with the loss of a sweet toddler, friends and loved ones young and old dealing with cancer and other health issues, hunger and strife around the world, racism and violence-- sigh-- we all need Jesus.

My prayer for today:  You are Light. Through you and in you, we truly see.  We see ourselves. We see each other. We see creation. We see our paths. We see truth, and hope, and love, and life.  We see YOU. As we are more deeply and fully aware of you, Divine, let our actions and words, our hearts and minds reflect your light as bright shining stars, offering peace, hope, joy, and comfort to all. Come kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. Amen.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!
Love and Light,
carol

Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend!" JD