Why Loving Slow Part 2-Loving God Slow

Before I begin let me re-say that the majority of thoughts and ideas I will be sharing over the next several posts are combined thoughts coming from godly counsel, amazing books, and sweet conversations with a friend. I feel so blessed and recognize that it is clearly God’s grace that I have heard these things and been encouraged to flesh them out.

As easy as it is for me to abandon or misarrange priorities in my life- I am convinced that my top three priorities in ranking order should be: my relationship with Christ, my relationship with Aaron (my love), and my relationship with my children. It is interesting that if we operated in this correct order a domino effect would occur. If I am walking intimately with Christ and he is satisfying me completely then my cup would be full. Then as I go through my day my heart would be turned towards Aaron and his needs. I would be willing and desire to serve him and elevate his needs above my own because Christ has done that for me. I am not looking to my relationship with Aaron to fulfill me because Christ already has. Every sweet way he cherishes me, serves me, and dotes on me –just makes my cup overflow. If Aaron and I are inline with one another and both growing towards Christ our relationship with each other will then in turn be of great benefit to our children. So after considering the “domino effect” I concluded that obviously that’s what I desired.

There are so many days that come and go where I love God FAST and I mean really FAST. I might read a set of scripture say a brief prayer and honestly check that off my to-do list . Sometimes I even put it off to the end of the day and choose a sink full of dirty dishes over spending time with the Creator of the Universe.  There are other days where the Spirit pricks my heart and by God’s grace my time with Christ is so sweet and intimate.  Oh how I long for the latter to overshadow the others.

In God’s sovereignty, I heard a man talk back in October.  This man is a friend of a friend and I cannot even remember the man’s name honestly, but I will never forget what he taught me. He taught me one practical way to love God Slow. He didn’t use those words and in fact it wasn’t until 5 months later that I had even begin to think about loving slow. But as I thought about what it would look like to love God slow, I remember what this man had opened my eyes to. What this man had described was something I had heard mentioned growing up in church but never knew how to do it-what he taught on was meditating on scripture. I knew about memorizing scripture and the importance that served, but had never understood the difference. Recently,it is as if I cannot get enough of you Psalm 119 and it is clear all throughout that chapter the importance and blessings from meditating on the Word of God.

He defined meditating on God’s Word and gave some examples that really helped me.  

What is mediating on God’s Word.........

1..  -Meditating on God’s word is slowing down
- It is the difference in taking a long bath as opposed to a quick shower.
- It is the difference in taking a jet plane from California to Florida or driving for days stopping at  small towns along the way, lodging with them, and fishing and talking with the locals.
- Its taking God’s word and digesting it.
 

How to:

1.     He gave the advice that taking a psalm or proverbs and just chewing on 6-7 verses throughout the day.  Thinking on each word and the implications of what each passage is saying.

2.     He used Psalm 1 as an example.

“Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,

nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in^(E) the seat of^(F) scoffers;

2but his^(G) delight is in the law^[b] of the LORD,

and on his^(H) law he meditates day and night.

3He is like^(I) a tree
   planted by^(J) streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
   and its^(K) leaf does not wither.
^(L) In all that he does, he prospers. 4The wicked are not so,but are like^(M) chaff that the wind drives away.

5Therefore the wicked^(N) will not stand in the judgment,
   nor sinners in^(O) the congregation of the righteous;
6for the LORD^(P) knows^(Q) the way of the righteous,
   but the way of the wicked will perish.”

-He asked us to think about what it meant to be blessed. To define that word and think on how it is to be around someone who is blessed. We also looked at what a blessed man does not do.

-He then had us look at the progression of sin- the man first walks with wicked, then he lingers a little longer and ends up standing with sinners, finally before it is all said and done he is sitting with scoffers.

3. My favorite thing that he did with us was he read the description of the tree and has us do a quick sketch of what we thought this tree would look like.

Unfortunately, since October I have lost my “notes” of everything this wise man said-but this is what I took from it. I would love to hear ways that others meditate on God’s word and favorite verses that you meditate on. Also, please share ways you love God slow-whether its being still before him, walking and praying, etc.. 

There are so many facets and aspects of God and because of Christ we have access to him. We get to spend the rest of our days here and in eternity loving God slow. 

Almost -but not :)

I know I know I said I was going to blog more about why Loving Slow for the next three posts.. I promise that's coming-but I couldn't resist telling this story.
Riley Kate is a very independent child whose favorite phrase is "Riley Kateit do it!" So I do not know why I am surprised that she was going to be the same way when it came to potty training.  It has been her interest/decision to potty train this early from the beginning. I for one was not quiet ready for this transition, but she was taking off her diapers and exclaiming, "sheeww mommy I wet!" So we started the training process. I made mention in a previous post that she was doing well-and I should've know I would eat my words because the very next day she had an accident and it seems like we have been hit or miss since. Today a 1st happened. Previously, we've been taking her to the potty and waiting with applause and M&M's for when she's finished. Today she decided to exercise "Riley Kateit do it " technique and ran to the potty, sat down and peed. However, ......she forgot to pull down her panties :/. We reminded her that was an important part of the process, changed her, and went on our way. I thought-now isn't that the way it goes sometimes-almost-but not :)

What is Loving Slow?

I first heard this coined phrase during a "Titus 2" morning, when a seasoned mom -who I love and respect dearly- shared her heart with us younger moms on slowing down and really taking time to love God, your husband, and your kids. "Titus 2" is a ministry of our church where a group of younger mothers meet together and glean wisdom from more experienced mothers - following the mandate in Titus 2. (hence the name)
That particular morning Lisa Hyland spoke volumes to my heart and the Spirit has used her words to since began to transform my life. She spoke of three main priorities in our life- Our relationship with God, our relationship with our husband, and our relationship with our children. Since her talk it seems everything I read and many thoughts I have echo what she has said. So I thought why not name my blog- Loving Slow-because it seems to encompass  my every day's goal. Over the next three days I will blog about what it looks like (so says my sweet friend and other books I have read) to love slow in each of these three priorities.

From Life's First Cry...

We got the call last night that my brother and his wife were headed to the hospital because they believed that my sister in-law's water broke. Indeed it had and at 12:44 am Madison Elise Powell made her first appearance into this world. Ashley (that's my sister in law's name too) was only 36 weeks but Madison is absolutely perfect. She weighed 5lbs 10oz and was 17.5 inches long.

Last night was once again a time I hated not having family close by-but luckily today was Aaron's day off so the girls, Aaron, and I packed up first thing this morning and made a day trip to Nashville. Riley Kate is potty training (and doing very well actually-almost a week of no accidents :) so we stopped twice for her to potty and one of the stops was combined with a feeding for Hadley. When we arrived at the hospital I could not wait to get to that sweet baby-I think Riley Kate was just as excited. She narrated what we were going to do the whole trip to Nashville. I was so excited to hold that small burrito (thats what they call her because she loves being swaddled up tight). Its funny no matter how recent its been you just forget how little they are when they first arrive. Riley was a little smaller than Madison and Hadley a smidge bigger- but all three of them were within 7 oz /3 inches of each other. It was only 6months ago that Hadley was that small- but I still felt like I had never in all my life held something so tiny. 

It was so sweet to see these two as parents-that Madison sure is a lucky girl. 

Everytime I hold a newborn I am reminded of the lyrics from  In Christ Alone- "From Life's First Cry-to Final breath Jesus Commands my Destiny" Already praying that God would draw Madison to himself at an early age.. That she would see the beauty of Christ and be compelled to love Him above all else. 

God moments in hairy days

What do green snot, 2 hours of sleep, and a temperature have in common? Well at our house it usually means Riley Kate has another ear infection. 

       I love how God uses ordinary daily things to scrape away more of my flesh and in doing so is revealing more of himself to me. I had it all planned out-my whole week actually- day by day sketched out on a scrap piece of paper. Its a really busy week for us but i am a list maker to the very core.. although i hardly ever follow them or get them all accomplished. Anyway, since aaron started his landscaping side job i do not have an opportunity to go work out in the morning before he goes to OPD. So I had resolved that I was going to give getting up at 5am to go run before my babies woke up a try. So that was first, then I was going to shower, get in the word, eat breakfast, and be ready to go when my crew( including aaron) woke up. I was anticipating todays "feature event" which was getting Riley Kate's cast off followed by plunking her into a bathtub(which i haven't been able to do in 4 wks)  I had come to terms that i would have both kids with me at that doc's apt and it would involve Hadley missing her morning nap but we would adjust and hopefully it wouldn't be too hectic. My "perfect day" was over before it even really began. I went to bed @ 12am after Aaron got home and was woken up by the sweet little "mommy" cries at 12:45. Riley and I did not go to bed until 4:49am.. so when my 5:00 am alarm sounded i was not about to make a gym appearance.

     Since August, Riley Kate has had what i would label "Chronic" ear infections. Luckily it hasn't effected her hearing or "motor mouth's" linguistic skills-but we (our doctor included) hates giving her so many antibiotics for fear that there effectiveness will eventually wear off. We were told two ear infections ago that the next one meant tubes.. We (doctors included) kept hoping that if we could make it to spring the problem might resolve itself. 

 At 7:15 Hadley and I began our day-I did our morning thing, barely said a prayer,  showered, called doctors, and got Riley up in time to eat breakfast and rush out the door  to our orthopedic apt. 

 We went to Dr. Milem's and our cast did get taken off and Riley Kate handled the sawing really well :) Then we rushed home for a quick bite of lunch and a BATH and then headed to our next apt. Sweet little Hadley just contently went along for the ride all day-with as usual no fussing :) It was while I was  waiting for Dr. Gannon to come into the room that Spirit brought to my mind how incredibly sinful I  was being . All morning I had been frustrated-not at Riley because even though i love my sleep- those middle of the night moments of cuddling and soothing your baby to sleep are sweet even in there misery-but i was frustrated because I hadn't accomplished what I had set out to do. The Spirit reminded me of several convicting things

1. Had I accomplished everything on my to-do list-what would that have meant-NOTHING probably just added some pride to battle. And because I accomplished ZERO things on that list what does that mean? It made me evaluate where I am finding satisfaction. In my own performance or in God's presence. 

2. God ordained this day before the beginning of time and I get to walk in it... There is purpose so no need to be frustrated or dismayed. I will never get this day back with my kids. 

3. Selfishness. I think there are many degrees of selfishness and when you enter into different seasons of  life if you are a believer the Lord reveals them to you and plucks it out and prunes you. For example, when you are a college kid its not wrong that you go to bed when you want, eat when you want, and spend your time (in reason) the way you see fit because there is really no one (aside from Christ-which is huge dont get me wrong) that you are laying your life down for. Then when you get married I feel like there is a new degree of selflessness you have to work through. Then when you have the first kid -another degree of selflessness you have to weed through..And i know for me the second kid has provided yet another avenue for God to prune me of selfishness. I am sure more kids probably= more selflessness.  Let me clarify i don't think making time for things like getting in the Word, working out, and showering= selfishness but just the response of becoming frustrated is where i felt like i was being selfish. 

It was an ear infection so tubes are in our near future-which we realize is not a big deal and are okay with if it will help her. Currently she is resting well. 

Better than Christmas morning

Okay take the real meaning of Christmas out of it .. and its better than Christmas morning...what am I talking about??? Owensboro's Pigtails and Cowlicks Consignment sell. It is by far my favorite thing that happens -and it happens twice a year(spring/summer  & winter/fall) . You get the very best deals on amazing clothes that have been gently worn. We rarely have to buy anything for our kids except what we purchase here... Usually I go by myself but last night Aaron was off work and so we made a date night out of it. We got a sitter in the late afternoon, went shopping, and then finished with an early evening dinner at one of our favorite restaurants (and got the Early Bird Special ) . It was a spectacular night! However, with two people finding cute clothes we may have went a little "overboard". Not that he ever fusses at me for money I spend (seriously he never does) but I always sift through my piles time after time before checking out to make sure I got the best deals and "just what we need". I think his hunger got the best of him-he was ready to leave after only one sifting. 
   We came back to the house where our kids were well taken care of. Riley Kate wanted to try on everything we had bought which I think pleased Aaron and I as much as it did her. I would dress her and she would look at me and say, "show daddy?!!" and then run and show aaron. She even wanted to show her babydoll.  
We loved on our babies and then put them to bed. We enjoyed the rest of our evening -completed by snuggling and talking on the coach before going to bed.. It was a goodnight!

Where is my mind

I just got off the phone with a friend who informed me that she was going to start blogging. We discussed how neither of us feel that we have anything really important to say, but just blogging could be fun and if no one but our moms read it would be a way of keeping record of our family's memories. We also resolved to make our blogs encouraging and discuss funny things or ways God is working in our lives. As soon as the phone conversation ended I put my youngest down for her nap and decided to pursue the "beginnings" of blogging -only to figure out that I started one two months ago. So here it goes -same blog (that I forgot about having) but a renewed commitment to every now and again (hopefully not once every two months) to write on.