Learning by Living

Hi Everyone,  I've never blogged before & I feel a little like I'm in a new store "virtually".  I even have the benefit of already having a gmail account.  It still told me I wasn't invited.  I'm too old now ( at a perpetual 35 with a 1 yr old) to take it personally.  Lo & behold, I turned the virtual corner and found you all!

I have ventured into Changing Diapers, Changing Lives and at first glimpse felt, oh cute.. a little devotional to stir my mommy heart. I read, Parenting in the flesh, and thought, we're  so close to the moment in time that there is still a sense of shock about it.  Our daughter is ?really? the culmination of the great love we share.  It's not that I can't appreciate the message or be moved by it. I'm just still in the WOW of it. 

The second devotional, Learning by Living reminded me of things that life has forced me to do;  things that have humbled me, things I have had to do afraid.  I remember when 'being by living' became less of a burden for me.  I had gotten ahold of some Joyce Meyers tapes ( much better than TV).  One was entitled, Do It Afraid.  Whatever the delivery was, it brought me to my gate of fear.  And then, with all this resolve in her voice she said between her teeth, "Now DO it, afraid."  After that, I felt the empowerment that comes with resolve.  I was able to feel forthright when confronting new tasks with anxiety.  Not knowing & not 'being' lost much of its power over me.

It's a nice thing about being a parent that there's no confusion in the title. When one has a child , they get the title. It's not like becoming a gardener where there is a period of ambiguity and self-identifying and other's acknowledgement.  If I grow a little am I a gardener? What if I only grow one every other year?  When a person has a child, they get to have the title before earning it.  Hmm, reminds me of another relationship we have...  Oh, and I don't have to worry about filing on time for it.  What a gift.

Learning by Living, p. 7 of "Changing Diapers Changing Lives"

I read the reflection for today and thought, "I've been a parent for almost 19 years, and I still don't know what I'm doing..."

As the author points out, faith and parenting are primarily learned by doing. However, I think having faith is often easier than parenting - I guess because faith doesn't have the free will to throw a temper tantrum and faith doesn't need to be potty trained... The real test, tho, is having faith enough to let our children grow and become, not who we want them to be, but who God has made them to be. We need a lot of faith to let go of the wheel (figuratively speaking),especially when our beloved children are in the car. Fortunately, love abides, and with God's help we can both parent - and let them go.

What do you think? Is it more difficult to have faith or to parent?

Blessings!
Meredith

Note: the ssignment each week is easy! No need to try to read the entire book. Just read one page at a time. Thus far I have reflected only on the first piece on the first page. I'll try to add a reflection each week. Blessings, my friends!

Parenting in the flesh and Spirit, reflection 1

When my first child was born, I remember praying to God, "Now I know how much you love me... because I love this child more than anything else... and you love me even more than I love her. Thank you, Lord..." I was completely overwhelmed.

Sarah was born on Thanksgiving weekend, so the church Christmas Pageant occurred soon thereafter. That year I felt a very new and different connection to Mary - and to Jesus. The story of God incarnate now had a more physical depth than I'd ever experienced before. This is how I relate to the Incarnation, as Garcia describes in his reflection. What reflection of God's love for us!

Heavenly Father, you sent your Son into this world. We thank you for the life of our children, entrusted to our care. Help us to remember that we are all your children, and so to love and nurture them, that they may attain to that full stature intended for them in your eternal kingdom; for the sake of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(BCP p. 841)

Any thoughts? Write and tell us, and feel free to share news about your family.
Blessings-
Meredith

Here they are...

This is my second post to our Changing Diapers, Changing Lives blog. Can't say I know what I'm doing yet, but am ready to "Learn by doing" rather than wait any longer to launch our St. Mark's mom's group! One thing I have failed to say, which is important, is this - everything we post is confidential. This is a sacred group, and sacred space. There are no good and bad, or right and wrong reflections. We listen and share in love, as Christ asks us. In this way, we'll carry one another on the journey. As we begin to share and know one another, let's take an opportunity to introduce ourselves and our children: My children are well out of diapers... Sarah is 18 and is a freshman at Hope College in Holland, MI. I miss her terribly and am having an interesting time forcing myself to let go, especially when I'd rather be the Mom who is fixing everything all of the time... Grace is a senior in high school. She's currently applying to colleges- and is very stressed. There's a fine line in my head between wanting to help her and wanting to send her to her room. (No, that urge does not go away.) Zach is 14 - a freshman in high school. I'm enjoying seeing the person he's becoming. Now, if only he could communicate in words instead of grunts... My husband Doug and I recently celebrated our 25th anniversary with a weekend trip to Florida. He is an attorney. I think you know what I do for a living... Please introduce yourself and your family. Also, if my instructions are poor and you know a better way to do/post things, please inform the group by responding to all in my recent e-mail from revmeredith@cox.net. This is our blog - feel free to post photos, articles, or other reflections. Look for another post later this week! God bless you and keep you- Meredith