Saturday morning reflections

It's Saturday morning, the kids are playing happily in Devon's room, still in their pajamas,  and we're not going to make it to church... again.  The main reason being that Steve and Abby are sick, and of course during this flu season we don't want to pass it around or expose ourselves while our immune systems are weak.  Also, I went to a Skillet concert last night in Salem and got my face rocked off, and didn't get to bed until 1 am.  But it bothers me immensely that this is starting to be a routine, our excuses for missing church or being incredibly late week after week.  I miss the fellowship of my church family, I miss talking about God with other people.
But am I leaning on others to do my spiritual walk for me?  I have noticed in times past when we go through phases like this that my spiritual walk becomes more like a crawl.  No, in fact, it becomes more like a crying toddler being pulled into the doctor's office for a shot.  I find myself being childish in my faith, bargaining with God, and sending up daily lists of things or resolutions that I want in addition to complaints about why things aren't turning out the way I want.  When will I grow up, Lord?  Why do I persist with my pursuit of worldly things when I know, I know, that what you have is better.  Why do I put you last on my "to do" list when I know that putting you first would make my incredibly long list so much easier to handle?  Why do I take the incredible gifts you've given me and treat them like I somehow deserve them?
Lord, hold my hand and help me trust you and love you because I don't have the strength to do it by myself, but I'm tired of leaning on others to do it for me.  Show me you, let me fall in love again.  Turn my desires of selfishness into desires of service for others.  Help me come to you first, before I try to do it all, fix it all, solve it all on my own.

Serena

Pirate-y things

Imagination + kids = funny.

Devon (to Abby): "Walk the plank, pirate!"
Abby: "OK.  Where is it?"
Devon: "Over there!"
Abby: "Thank you!"
Devon: "You're welcome!"

Later that afternoon, Devon struck a commanding pose on the arm of the sofa and announced loudly: "I am the pirate lord, captain, king, ruler, and dentist of this land!"
Oh, good.  I always thought the pirates could use a little extra dental work.