Being Third

In today's culture, winning is best.  In the words of Ricky Bobby, "If you aren't first, you're last." I started a Bible study co-written by two lovely teachers (who happen to reside in NC!) last week and it couldn't have hit more on time for my teacher, momma, wife, fallible heart. I sat and prayed over the scriptures I read carrying away one big idea that has made an impact on my life. Right now. Something I've discussed with my littles.  Something that we are working hard to implement as our family: Being third.  {By the way... you can check out this amazing Bible Study here: http://bonniekathryn.com/bible-study-sign/}

Tonight, I spent like 2 hours making dinner.  Only one of my family members ate it.  Only one other even tried it (it was NOT bad, but I have not so adventurous eaters---a grown man included). I got up from the table, choked back tears and left.  Ya'll, I got in my minivan and left. I'm 32 years old.  I'm not sure why stupid stuff hurts my heart, but it does. And then I remembered this line I highlighted: Faithfulness does not depend on the actions and behaviors of others (or something like that).  I did what I should have (maybe I should have picked something different to prepare), and despite the fact that over half of my family ate microwavable popcorn for dinner, it didn't really matter.  In the grand scheme of things it was fine.  I really didn't have to cry in the parking lot of the Food Lion, even though at that moment in time, it felt like I should.  I know this is a stupid story to share, but for me it's important to realize and admit my shortcomings.  My love language is words of affirmation.  So, hearing "yuck" and "I don't even want to try it" after putting forth quite a bit of effort into today's meal just crushed me.  Knowing that about myself, and knowing my family like I do, I pretty much set myself up for tonight's dinner fiasco.

What does this have to do with being third?  Who is really before me? This week's lightbox message has been a lit up reminder to our household:

This is SO hard.  I think back to my 1990s self with those trendy WWJD bracelets.  There have been a lot of times in my life where  I did NOT do what Jesus would have wanted me to do.  Even today, it's hard to be pure in mind and actions all the time.  We are human.  I wish we had more of this.  Wish my kids acted differently.  Wished I could eat anything I wanted and my metabolism would keep up.  I don't always want to let others go first.  Maybe even that dinner was more to my tastes than my families.  Maybe, deep down, I was thinking of my preferences before theirs.

This being third has also been a theme in our current church series "One Another." {You can catch this sermon series here: http://subsplash.com/thesummitchurch/s/cfb7ceb/  If you don't have a home church and want somewhere to worship on Sundays, you are more than welcome to join us ANYTIME!} In this series, we've discussed how our walk with Christ isn't alone, it's interconnected with others.  Other followers and other nonbelievers, and how our actions can show others Jesus' love. I'm not the best at voicing my faith aloud (I'd much rather just type it out...), but if my actions show His love, those actions speak louder than any words ever could.  Do I have to travel to Africa on missions? Do I have to organize volunteer efforts in our community? Do I have to teach at a Christian school? No.... even those are all wonderful ways to serve our God.  I need to live third. I need to carry the burdens, forgive, submit, honor, be kind, and genuinely love others just as Jesus did.

So, while this little lightbox message won't make it's way to my classroom this year (at least in black and white and lights), it's stamped on my heart. Jesus. Others. Self. In the words of Rachel Henley, "If you aren't third, you probably aren't doing it right."

Heaven Sparkles and the Mailbox is the Best Place to Visit: Interviews with Rea & A

This summer has gotten off to a slow start... Cloudy skies, cooler than average temperatures, and rainy afternoons don't make for the best sightseeing or pool days.  We've made the most of it and today on my seventh day of summer break, I thought we'd take a time out and just see how these tiny people are thinking these days.

Anna:
What is your favorite color? Pink & Yellow
What is your favorite treat? Chocolate
What is your favorite sport? Basketball, because I'm good at dribbling the ball!
What is your favorite tv show? Paw Patrol of course. 
What is your favorite book? The one about sea turtles (I'm not really sure what she is talking about here.....)
What is your favorite restaurant? Olympic, because I love their cheese grits.
What is your favorite place to visit? The mailbox (eh... maybe too many Amazon boxes have arrived lately)
Where do you WANT to visit some day? The Science Center 
Who is your best friend? Drew
What’s your favorite thing to do with Reagan? Play with our toys
What’s your favorite thing to do with Brent? Watch movies
What’s your favorite thing to do with Dad? Eat popcorn
What’s your favorite thing to do with Mom? Make a secret hideout
What is the nicest thing someone has done for you? Make me ice cream
Can you tell me something that scares you? BLOOD!
What do you think heaven looks like?  I think it looks like outside with fun things to do.
What is the best thing about you?  I play with lots of friends and I think about unicorns.
If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be and why?  I would be Reagan because she's funny!

Reagan:
What is your favorite color? Blue
What is your favorite treat? Cake!
What is your favorite sport? Soccer
What is your favorite tv show? My Little Pony
What is your favorite book? Wild Kratts
What is your favorite restaurant? The Cafeteria, because they make yummy breakfast
What is your favorite place to visit? Gramma and Grandpa's
Where do you WANT to visit some day? This summer I want to visit the new park.
Who is your best friend? Joel
What’s your favorite thing to do with Anna? Play with toys
What’s your favorite thing to do with Brent? Play outside
What’s your favorite thing to do with Dad? Snuggle
What’s your favorite thing to do with Mom? Snuggle
What is the nicest thing someone has done for you? You always make me food and if I don't like it, you make me new food.
Can you tell me something that scares you? Heights (true story, I've climbed in many a Chickfila PlayPlaces to get this kid down)
What do you think heaven looks like?  I think it looks like clouds with sparkles.
What is the best thing about you?  I can be a kind friend.
If you could be anyone for a day, who would you be and why? God, because He is good & powerful.

I guess none of these really surprised me, but I actually kept the girls separate when I asked them, just so I could hear their earnest responses.  They get lumped together a lot: the girls.  Like they are one little entity; however, they are very distinct little people.  It's easy to get caught up during the school year with the work that seems to surmount around me, and I adore the summer for the very reason I get to stop and just be Reagan and Anna's mommy.  My house becomes a place we live and have fun instead of where we throw our stuff down, eat and sleep.  I LOVE my job and know I'm not cut out to do this 12 months a year, but I do love the two months when this becomes my life.  I hear all the time about how fast kids grow, and while that's true, there's something magical about each age.  A few summers ago I spent my time tracking feedings and poopy diapers and I DO NOT miss that at all.  This age is much more fun.  I love that Anna only wants to be her sister, Reagan loves visiting Gramma and Grandpa's house "in the country," and that both girls seem to have an affinity for red headed little boys. All these answers will probably change by the end of the summer, but I'm enjoying looking for the sparkles in the heavens and maybe a couple less trips to the mailbox (summer budget, you know!).