Friday, October 23, 2009

Tolerance is an Interesting Word

I was reading the paper today, as usual.  The paper of choice around here is the Vail Daily (actually the choices are limited, but we live in a small town so it is all good).  Apparently Vail wants to stimulate our local economy by having Gay Ski Week.  I thought that gays were allowed to ski every week but I guess this is some celebration of sorts or organized event to recognized the gay community.

However, some folks wrote in stating that this is inappropriate and disagreed with such an event  It wasn't hateful or mean-spirited, they just disagreed.  Apparently they were now intolerant people.  Tolerance is a very interesting word in our society.  It seems tolerance only is used when addressing people who agree with the mainstream media or people who lean to the left.  If for some reason an individual doesn't agree with lets say gay marriage, universal healthcare, prochoice, or medical marijuana they are intolerant, close-minded  hate-mongers.  The personal attacks on their character run wild.

Unfortunately the folks who disagreed with Gay Ski Week were called "close-minded, bias and insensitive" and  "not good stewards to our country" and "ignorant and hate-inspiring".  It seems that the people who wrote in to rally behind Gay Ski Week were being very intolerant.   It is kind of funny when you think about it.  They were basically saying "I hate you because I think you are a hateful person."  or  "I cannot tolerate such an intolerant individual".

I wonder why the "tolerant police" were not there to chime in on behalf of the citizens who wrote the Vail Daily against Gay Ski Week.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Book Review

Good news!!  My book Two Shoes was reviewed last week by Christian Children's Book Review.  They did a very thorough review and I was extremely encouraged by their kind words.  I am still so new at this Author stuff that I can't believe when my book pops up on Amazon.com.  I look for it everyday just to make sure I didn't make it all up in my crazy brain. 

This journey I am on is so out of my comfort zone.  I would rather talk about someone else's success than my own.  But today I am tackling my fears of self-promotion head on. I am so thrilled about my book review from CCBR and I am excited to continue establishing myself as an author.  There is so much to learn and even though it is tough to market my books (and myself), I hope I never forget the joy of writing and rhyming for children.  Especially when it is glorifying to God.

God must have given me this "gift" of rhyming for some reason or He wouldn't of made me think and write this way.  In fact it is very hard for me not to rhyme, does anyone have the time, I make my salsa with lime, I hope that is not a crime....."stop rhyming and I mean it, does anyone have a peanut?" (Princess Bride movie)

Gotta Go!

Friday, October 9, 2009

God Can Change Even Me

The last couple of weekends a mom from my soccer team came up to me to "talk" to me about her son.  She was visibly angry and frustrated.  I am not easily intimidated so I said sure, lets "talk".  I listened and validated and tried my best to keep the conversation at an even level. 

Because she doesn't know very much about soccer the conversation was difficult.  It was like talking to someone who knows very little English.  We were both confused.  I think we both had deer-in-the-headlights expressions on our face. 

After the conversation I realized my growth as a Christian woman.  Sometimes I wonder if I have grown at all.  It is similar to seeing your children everyday and not realizing that they grew 2 inches until you messure them on the kitchen wall.  That is how I felt this last Saturday.  The old Beth (BC-Before Christ in my life) would have got in that lady's face and told her somethin' somethin'.  Especially when she verbally attacked my son.  But I didn't even go to that dark place of anger and domination.  I actually felt sad for the woman because she was so angry and bitter. 

I went to my car and thanked my Lord and Savior for saving me from a life of bitterness.  I never thought that I would ever be at a place that was more about love than anger.  I truly felt a desire to love that mom.  I couldn't imagine holding on to such resentment.  You could see her pain and emptiness in her expressions.

I feel like God took me into the kitchen and messured me on the wall.  God is good and boy can He change us.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Our Husband's Helper

God created Adam and put him in the garden to cultivate it and keep it.  Then God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone:  I will make him a helper suitable for him."  Then God made every creature, but for Adam there was not found a helper suitable for him.  (Gen. 2:4-23 NASB)  So God created Eve, to be Adam's helper.

There are a lot of views out there describing the relationship between a husband and wife.  Who is the leader of the home?  Who works?  Roles?  Respect? Parenting duties?  Who cleans?  Cooks? 

Women continue to fight for the right to work and take on more and more roles.  Why?  I can only generalize  the reasonings behind women's motives.


What did God call woman when He created her?  "Helper suitable for the man."  Why is that such a bad thing?  I figure since God created us, He should know what makes us tick.  Helper.  That is very specific.  We were made to be a helper. God created us just for our man.  Together we become one flesh.  I like that visual.

With that thought in mind, why are women struggling to be more than that or different than that or to be the man.  I find the woman's role to be hard enough without taking on the man's role.  It should be a partnership like no other.  Because together husband and wife are one flesh, unable to seperate.

I find life to be peaceful and secure when I let my man lead.  When I embrace my role as a helper.  The system works and it works well.

Now if you were to ask our children who's in charge, there is debate.  My oldest daughter Jessie says I am in charge and my son Logan stands firm and says that Jim is in charge.  The youngest Becca "Boo"  says I am in charge but then whispers in her daddy's ear that she thinks he is in charge too.  But when we break it down, they all agree I am in charge of the laundry, cooking, cleaning, soccer practice, homework and singing/dancing in the kitchen.  Jim is in charge of working, owning and running two businesses, outside chores, bills, handing out chores for the kids, taking care of his family and wrestling after dinner. 

But now that Jim got me a housekeeper I don't have to be in charge of cleaning anymore.  Sounds good to me!

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Things I Never Thought I'd Say Out Loud

I go through life as a mom of three kids and each day is a new experience.  I assume I am doing what is best for my kids and I pray for God's guidance. I know for certain I am not perfect but each day I try my best.  Whatever that means......

Even through prayer and my best attempts I catch myself saying things to my children that I never thought I would have to say. 

For example: 

"Honey please don't lick the wall". 

"You have to wash your hands AFTER you go to the bathroom".

"Did you forget your undies today"?

That was just yesterday.  I realize that it has to be the way I am parenting that causes me to say these things.  It must be something I am doing.  Can't fix it now so I think I am going to keep a journal about all the things that I can't believe I have to say out loud. 

"By the way who let the rat out"?

Life is good!