Pushing Our Thanks Button

I hope this isn’t too personal, but I have this one pair of jeans I call the “breathing optional” jeans. I was going somewhere the other day wearing the death jeans, and I told my daughter something like, “Now if Mommy passes out, nevermind the CPR. Unbutton the jeans.”

And as a motherly disclaimer, I had to add, “Don’t look directly at that top button. One bad thread and it could put an eye out.” I really would hate it if I had to explain in the ER how my daughter got a concussion or something from a blue jeans button turned bazooka.

Anyway, I was very thankful that we made it home from our little outing without either of us having lost consciousness.

Speaking of being very thankful, isn’t it fun that we’re heading into the season that forces us to think about thanks? The Bible tells us to always be thankful. Always. That’s often.

So I’m making it a goal to be thankful always—for every breath. Especially for every breath that doesn’t rocket a button.

Going to Court?

How tickled I am that my two college boys are taking the Rhea family "to court" in such a good way. Andrew (left) and Jordan (right) are parked on either side of the cute Katie Porter representing their respective junior and freshman classes at the 2006 Homecoming Gala and Coronation at Hannibal-LaGrange College in Hannibal, Missouri. Katie is the junior girl homecoming rep. I loved getting to snap some pictures of their "court appearance." The entire evening was a royal blast!

Two on the homecoming court from the same family? That has to be some sort of historic event for the college. I know it's an historical event for the Rhea family. As the mother of those two fine boys, I think it's more of a HYSTERICAL event--since I'm so proud I could just cry!

And as the mother of two of the homecoming court guys, I'm wondering if that somehow makes me QUEEN. Not that it's all about me, mind you. But really. Could I get a crown out of this?

I guess I'm a little spoiled, since on the eternal side, Jesus has already made me royal. Again, not because it's all about me. But because he is full of mercy. It's all about him. It's all about what he's done.

And if I do happen across a tiara or two, I know just where to lay them. I love the Revelation 4:10-11 picture of falling down in worship, laying our crowns before the One and Only Worthy One. “And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, ‘You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.’” (NLT)

As proud as I am of my boys, I'm even more thrilled to serve in the court of the One True King. All glory to him!

Chase Down That Car

Sure, the dog is calm and collected when she's sitting in the sun with my son, Andrew. But just let a car drive down our road. Suddenly she's a foaming car maniac. Gracie got out yesterday and before I could even bribe her with a gajillion doggie cookies, she flew down the road after a car. Why do dogs do that? Does chasing a car make any sense whatsoever? What was she going to do if she caught it? Did she think she was going to wrestle it to the ground and show it who’s boss? "Ha, I am GRACIE THE WONDER DOG and I have conquered the great metal beast in the name of all Dogdom."

I would make fun of her a little more, but I can actually be much too much like her to get away with it for very long. It’s like I unconsciously decide now and then that I’m going to chase down living a good life myself. Yeah, watch me, I can wrestle down that car!

But living a righteous life comes from giving God’s Holy Spirit control—not from taking control myself. If we want to be good people, we really have to understand that we can only do that through the goodness that God gives. Giving him control? It’s better than the best doggie cookies. That’s where I need to stay. Yeah. Sit. Stay.

Hair-ware

Notice the new pic for my new website banner? I'm excited about (okay, so this is rather shallow) having more froo-froo in the do. Gotta love a hairdo with froo.

I have a friend who has made one of the greatest sacrifices for her husband I’ve seen in a long time. I mean to tell you, I’m deeply moved by her selflessness. Her name is Chris and she’s sacrificing…are you ready for this…the froo in her hairdo. Her husband has a new motorcycle he wants her to ride with him. That means she has to spend an hour or so getting her hair to poof in just the right way, then she has to smash the life right out of the poof with the bike helmet. Oh the humanity.

Personally, I’m not sure if I could make that kind of sacrifice. Give up my lunch? Sure. My favorite earrings? Probably even those. But my DO? That’s asking a lot.

My friend Peanuts (who incidentally, is the one who puts the froo in my do) said she would only make that kind of hair sacrifice if they were riding on the motorcycle—on their way to pick up a very large diamond. And then after she saw the helmet Chris had to wear, she decided it would have to be a diamond HOUSE.

Sacrificing the hairdo is big. But sacrificing our all to our Heavenly Father? That’s something altogether bigger and eternally more urgent. Romans 12:1 gives us sacrifice instructions: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship." Not only the hair--the whole body!

Giving him control of every part of our lives is what makes this life more exciting than the wildest motorcycle ride. He knows just how to make the perfect adventure because he knows us so well—right down to the very number of hairs on our heads. Poofed and un-poofed.