"The Wiggles" blared out of the CD player- and Noah was dancing.....then, out of the corner of my eye I noticed, small , brown, flying objects. I turned, to see Cocoa Puffs, bouncing, rolling and flying around the living room.
"
Noah! STOP. THROWING CEREAL!" I yelled.
(just a point of interest- the Sami Dog doesn't NECESSARILY eat everything Noah throws on the floor- yes, it figures)
With a HUGE grin across his face, and NO semblance of guilt....he said...."It's a party, Mommy, I gotta have confetti"
Music, dancing, confetti, Yep. ( I guess) All the makings of a party.
To Noah- every day is a party. Everything thing is to be celebrated. Songs must be sung at the top; of your lungs- without concern for acoustics, voice control, or key for that matter. While being sung- they should certainly be danced too.
If you are singing and dancing- then of course, there should be confetti. "Don't have any" you say? Improvise... (Noah did;)
It's the celebratory, intent of the heart, that turns common things, moments and actions into parties. It's the intent of the heart that turns everyday moments into celebrations, even holy moments.
Sometimes- I get so BUSY in my daily life- that I forget to enjoy it. I forget to celebrate it. I forget, to remember.......
John 10
The Shepherd and His Flock
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.
7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The last section- Jesus spends, reminding us why He came. He came- so that we can have life- and life to the full.
"Life to the full." Ummm, that doesn't hold much meaning for me.
As someone who " watches my weight... " (at the moment-watching it go up---;) being "full" is generally something I try to avoid. Yet- Jesus says that is WHY He came. I need to get a better understanding...
The word used here is "Perissos" It means.... "Abundant" "Over and above" "More than enough", "more abundantly".
I am currently- preparing for a PARTY. A Graduation party for a friends son. I am in charge of Brownies. Lots of Brownies. Different kinds of brownies. I will be baking for the rest of the week. ;) (too bad for me about the weight thing)
A banquet of brownies, actually. When we met for the party's planning- we talked of abundance- we want to make sure there are plenty of BEANS ... (made by our resident bean queen, I may add) Plenty of cheesy potatoes. Plenty of brownies. Fruit salad...Meatballs...Abundance.
Abundance in party planning- I GET.
Abundance in Life? I need reminders for.
This morning- it took the form of Cocoa puff confetti.
I doubt that abundance in life- means holding a never ending party. (although I'm open to that;)Please, who would change the diapers? Clean the toilets? Do the LAUNDRY? Clean up the confetti? COOK the FOOD for the party?
Maybe, - just maybe, regardless of our situation, our task at hand- or our emotions--- we can experience abundance of life- in our hearts.
In the everyday moments. In the vacuuming of cereal. In the folding of laundry. In the smile of my child. In the middle of our messes. Whether they are physical, or emotional.
The truth is--- "He works all things together for good- for those who love God and are called according to His purpose" Roman's 8:28
Whether I FEEL like, life is a party or not--- whether I see cocoa puffs or confetti- God is at work. God is present. Life is abundant.
That makes me hear music.
That makes me see confetti.
Uh oh... I think I gotta dance.....;)
Dear Lord- I thank you for giving me an abundant life- regardless of how things sometimes appear, or feel. I thank you for reminding me to celebrate in the middle of it. To throw confetti- even if it's cocoa puffs for now. I love you Lord-amen.
Hmmmmm just a final sidebar- I am considering (well we NEED ) new carpet- anybody got a recommendation for something that will hide ground in Cocoa puffs? Maybe we'll go pergo- might be easier to sweep and mop- if we're gonna do all this partying.
(maybe one more sidebar... lest the concerned mommies get upset. Noah, while I recognize that he had no malice, DID sit in time out for throwing cereal. He knows he's not allowed to throw food... it was a momentary lapse- I'm sure;)
