regarding the 2nd thought

15, 13, 11. - they're growing up as fast as everyone warned us they would.  It's becoming tradition to watch old home videos on the kids' birthdays.  So, on Ellie's birthday we watched a hilarious video we made several Christmases ago.  It kind of felt like an Ebeneezer Scrooge and Ghost of Christmas Past moment as we peeked into happy moments of a young family.  

Later, we were talking about how hard surrounding circumstances were at the time the video was made.  Trevor was just starting his business at Edward Jones and we had recently moved away from all that was familiar.  But if we didn't know that background and all we had to go by was the video, we would assume that all was well. 

Two thoughts: 1. What a great picture of what the home should be - a safe haven.

                      2. What a great picture of how we need to be transparent with our 

                          challenges and not just record and project that everything's great
                          when, in truth, we're struggling.

I guess I'll start (regarding the 2nd thought).  I was not a good mom to my oldest son yesterday.  I was immature and easily angered.  He desires all the things we prayed he would desire and is serving God with his life; he's a terrific son.  But, I managed to nit-pick at a few irritants and ruined our day together.  Yuck.

Praying for no yuck today on my part.

Give and Take

It's not the best picture, but it's better than nothing.  Ellie snapped a few photos during warm-ups and those are the only pictures we have of Tate's 8th grade basketball experience.  See, we were planning on taking more; probably many more, but the situation changed. 

Blessed Be Your Name - it's a song we sing a lot.  The bridge of song is haunting:

      You give and take away.

           You give and take away.

                   My heart will choose to say,

                          "Lord, Blessed be Your name".

We were so amazed at the gift God had given Tate by creating a way for him to play basketball.  Tate's first game was a blast and our hearts were so full as we watched Tate shine.  Yes, he did very well on the court, but the shine came from his heart being so alive as he was doing the thing he loves. 

Then were so amazed that God took it away.  But this time we weren't amazed in a good way; not at all.  Mid-season we discovered more information about the requirements and legalities of his eligibility and he had to be done with all of it.

To some, it's just a sport.  To us it's something Tate's created to do and the loss was great.  But God injects in our minds a greater perspective and a reminder of words we've proclaimed dozens of times: that bridge.  Oh, that bridge.