Set the world on FIRE

This song, Set the World on Fire, by Brit Nicole has been rolling around in my head for a while now. I'm not especially fond of the repetitive melody, but the words are powerful. "I want to set the world on fire until it's burning bright for you. It's everything that I desire. Can I be the one you use?"

Believe it or not, there are days when I feel like life is passing me by. I think to myself, "I want to do something great in this life, but I'm too busy changing diapers, potty training and trying to keep something clean. When will my time come?"

Sometimes I have to step back and realize that setting the world on fire is done one day at a time, one life at a time, one moment at a time. It could be that love that I show my children that will actually change the world. It could be that God is building something in me and preparing me for the future as I am challenged by one more mess. It could be that God already knows exactly where I am and what He wants me to do. It could be that I need to learn to be content and trust God. I'm guessing the latter is exactly true.

Finding contentment in the mundane tasks of life isn't easy, but I believe that if we can learn to be content in whatever situation we are in we will be a greater influence to those around us and then God can really use us. As the Word says, "Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Teach me Lord.

Just another day in the life

Oh baby, it's been a looooonnnggg week! We've had one sick little man here. Liam caught a nasty cough and the poor boy has been coughing until he throws up! (Gross, sorry about that) Finally, last night he only woke up 11:00pm to cough and then slept for the rest of the night. You know what that means? I SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT! For the first time in forever, literally like 9 months, I got to sleep all night. Hallelujah.

Waking up rested is a beautiful thing, but I'm still like a trapped rat since we've been trying not to share our germs with anyone else. I'm a little sick of staring at these walls. I don't want to clean even though I should (story of my life) and I don't really want to do any other work either. I actually would like to make an escape and leave all my mini's behind for a few hours.... just wait until Bill gets home. Ha!

In other news, our little Norah had an awesome visit with her therapist today. At  just over 7 months she is working on her army/combat crawl. She's totally rocking it! I was so proud of her as I watched the therapist work with her and be amazed by all she could do. Even though Norah had a rough start, she's developing beautifully. It's so awesome to see how God can turn what the devil meant for harm into something beautiful. Norah is just that - pure beauty.

This is the glamorous life of a stay at home mom, people. I'm livin' it up big time!

Lyrics

Music is a big part of who I am. It doesn't matter what kind of day I had, what is really going on in my life (you know, the stuff no one else knows about), how upset or angry I am, how exhausted I feel or anything else, when I walk into church and sit at the keyboard to worship everything else falls by the wayside. It's like I'm completely at ease and can just rest in that place.

Music is such an amazing gift God has given us. It has the power to change our moods and take us to a totally different place. I feel like there are theme songs for many different periods in my life - songs that take me right back to a specific time period. Most of the songs I love are worship songs and well, I can't lie - I'm a Hillsong LOVER! I've been with Darlene Zschech since my early days. I'm pretty sure I was the only 14 year old listening to "Shout to the Lord 2000" while traveling across the country in a bus for a high school competition.

In recent months, Darlene's new album Revealing Jesus has been a favorite. During our daughter, Norah's days in the NICU I would blast that album as I drove back and forth to be with her. Songs like In Jesus' Name and Victor's Crown got me through. Lately, this song, Jesus at the Center, has captured my attention. The lyrics are beautiful (posted below the link).

Jesus at the center of it all

Jesus at the center of it all

From beginning to the end

It will always be, it's always been you, Jesus

Jesus, nothing else matters

Nothing in this world will do

Jesus you're the center

Everything revolves around you

Jesus, you (at the center of it all)

Jesus at the center of my life

Jesus at the center of my life

From beginning to the end

It will always be, it's always been you, Jesus

Jesus, nothing else matters

Nothing in this world will do

Jesus you're the center

Everything revolves around you

Jesus, you

From my heart to the heavens

Jesus be the center

It's all about you

Yes, it's all about you (repeat)

Jesus be the center of your church

Jesus be the center of your church

And every knee will bow

And every tongue shall confess you, Jesus

Jesus (repeat)

Is it even possible?

Today, I was in my typical mommy mode when my sister stopped by as she does most days to say hello to the kids and see what treats linger in the pantry. She walked into a total war-torn, disastrous, toy covered living room, complete with a big box I had yet to open and everyone in their pj's (it was only 10:00am, haha).  This very familiar scene doesn't faze her in the least; she steps past all the mess and says, "Who wants a treat?!" as she scoops up one of the little ones.

As we make our way into the kitchen and the boys go wild telling Favorite (yes, my sister has the kids trained to call her Favorite - they don't even know her actual name) which treat they'd like and how many, I follow behind trying to clean up a few of the toys left behind and clear the path. The kids enjoy their treat and Favorite searches the fridge for something more substantial. Finally, she looks up at me and says, "Why do you even bother cleaning up after them all the time? They just make more mess. Just leave it!" "You are right," I say, "I've been thinking all I do is chase the kids around most of the day trying to clean up and get them to clean up after themselves. It's a lost cause."

As afternoon went on I did manage to clean up the living room, vacuum and sweep the floor, along with a couple other minor things. Side note: when I told Liam to help me clean the living room he asked who was coming over! I thought to myself, "Does anyone with three little kids actually have a clean house? Is it even possible? Am I striving in vain? How could anyone really keep it all clean for more than a few hours?"

Here's the thing - no one is perfect. Why do we try to pretend to be? Why do we think that our homes have to be in tip top shape if we are ever going to have anyone over? Why do I panic when people randomly drop by? Why do I think they will think less of me if they know my house is a mess? WHY DO I CARE? Well, that opens a whole new can of worms.

We care because we want people to perceive us a certain why. We want them to think we are someone that either we are not or that we aspire to be. The truth is that other people are probably well aware that we aren't perfect and they've chosen to like us anyway! No one likes someone who is actually perfect because they don't exist! And if you think they do, I'm telling you, it's only an act.

Instead of striving for perfection, let's be real. Let's talk about how hard it is to keep up with housework and 3 little kids. Let's talk about how we'd rather do 100 other things besides clean the house (hello, that's me!). And let's show some grace and love when we see each other's flaws because we all have them! A little honesty and grace go a long way.

Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to post a picture of our daily chaos, but today is not that day. Good night!

Welcome

This blog has been a long time coming. Most who will read this post know me personally and know that I have another blog already Sela Designs, but I wanted a place to write about real, everyday life. I want to be able to share the joys, hard times, lessons learned, recipes, humanitarian efforts and everything else that goes along with this crazy life of mine. This is my place.

A little history - I'm 28 years old. I have been married to my husband, Bill, for nearly 8(!) years. We have 3 beautiful babies - Liam, Henry & Norah. I am a God lovin' woman, a worship leader and a jewelry creator (in my spare time). We love our family and spending time together.

Oh, I almost forgot; I'm also a stay at home mom. Let me tell you, this is the hardest job I've ever had and it comes with many challenges and joy. I'm guessing there will be many posts here about that.

We are seriously passionate about James 1:27 "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."  I want to live with an eternal perspective and take God at His Word. If I say that I believe God is who He says He is, which I do, then I can't live for this world: I have to live like I'm heaven bound. The only thing I can take to heaven with me are people. My prayer is that God would show me how to be His hands and feet to the world around me so I can show His love and live like Jesus did.

Those are some pretty big words. I can't tell you I know exactly how to live this out, but I want to learn. I hope you'll join me in this journey and we can "spur each other on to love and good works."