discipline for our good

i was reading hebrews 12:7-11 the other day, and i was struck by the verse 10:
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

the contrast between what is "best" versus what is "good" really stuck out at me. i read the idea of "best" as the intention for my good and doing what it right, but not always achieving it. with God, however, the "good" in discipline is always right for what we need. as i thought of this, God reminded me of the verse in romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." so there is always a purpose for His discipline for His children. with our earthly parents, there might not always be a good purpose for their discipline. this idea is so humbling for me, especially as a parent. it reminds me of how imperfect i am! but i'm thankful that our Heavenly Father is perfect and i can depend on Him for perfect discipline!

ah housework!

my friend lydia had mentioned that when the baby reaches about 10 weeks, things seem to get much easier. i've definitely found that to be the case. for us, i think what's really helped is that 1) sean is more into a routine, 2) he also goes down for his naps much easier and stays asleep for much longer, and 3) he sleeps for longer periods of time at night. all these things have really helped me feel more relaxed as a mom as well as enjoy my time as a mom. :) so for all you new mommies out there, give yourself some grace about all the housework stuff while your baby is still a newborn! once your baby gets older, hopefully you'll see this same transition too! ;)

anyways, the point to this post is that i've been able to get some housework done this week (while my darling son has been sleeping):

• did laundry


• cleaned the bathroom


• swept the floors


• put away summer clothes

now that i've gotten more into a "grove", my plan is to do at least one chore a day, similar to the plan i had when i was pregnant. transitioning from housewife to stay at home mom! :)

i did it! (afghan joys!)

well, i finally did it. i finished the afghan! i'm a little disappointed b/c the afghan isn't quite "square". i know it's b/c my stitches aren't quite as even as they could be. i hope sean still likes it and doesn't mind that it isn't perfectly square. :)

grrr... afghan blues

i remember one of the reasons why i didn't want to start another afghan. :P earlier this week i noticed a big mistake that i made around row 20. the real stinky part was i was already crocheting on row 35. then, i noticed a smaller mistake around row 15, so i unraveled some more. then, i noticed the same small mistake at row 3. i didn't have the heart to unravel to that point (which is basically starting over), so i'll just have to live with the fact that it's there. now, i have a huge blue ball of yarn that i have to "recrochet". :sigh: :)

giving in

on a previous post, i had said that i wasn't going to make another afghan. well, i've started another one for sean! :) the things you do as a mom! :) the pattern is much simpler, so hopefully it'll get done faster.

oh Lord, You never let go*...

this morning, i'm struck by God's faithfulness to me and how He truly does sustain my faith in Him. this past sunday, i was able to go to a concert of prayer at my church. it was setup so that there were 5 tables with pieces of paper that led our time of silent meditation and prayer. some of the topics were: hiding the Word in our heart by memorizing Scripture, examining our hearts for what we pray for and seeing how we can know God better, understanding and confessing the depths of our sin by praying through a psalm. God really used that time to really help me to focus back on Him instead of being so focused on motherhood and babies.

please pray that i would be able to continue seeing God more daily and not to be so focused on sean. i know it makes such a big difference when i do this!

* this is part of the chorus from matt redman's "you never let go" song the rest of the lyrics are here:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back
I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Chorus:
Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Chorus:

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You