On to December....

OK, the Giving Challenge is over and I must admit that I started to dwindle toward the last 1/2 of this adventure. It is actually more difficult or should I say "challenging" than I thought to be giving to someone each and every day...well, that is if the "someone" is not in your family. We "give" every day to our kids and spouse....by cleaning up the house, making meals, doing their laundry...and sometimes I think those things are overlooked and not counted as "giving" by the receiver. Not to get off topic, but my kids often need reminded that they have been GIVEN much...very much...beyond anything they deserve! For some reason, God has chosen to bless our family beyond explanation. And, Jim and I are firm believers that to whom much is given, much is expected! We are trying to instill that in our children but sometimes it feels like we are talking to a wall! I really think that God is showing me that "teaching" my kids what is important must be exhibited in the way I live more than in the things I say. Living by example in DOING is much more difficult (at least for me). I am not perfect. I am not always a good example. I do not handle things the way God would want me to on a daily basis. So, I do a lot of apologizing to my family and a lot of praying to God that He will change me from the inside out. I feel like Paul (in Romans) all too often....I do what I do not want to do and I even hate that I am doing it WHILE I am doing it....WHY do I do the things I do????

One last note...can you pray for a few friends for me? Please pray for complete healing and restoration for my Pastor's wife and friend, Cindy Wyatt. And for my good friend Jackie's mom, Kathy Tylman....pray for miraculous healing for Kathy, for peace beyond explanation for her and her family...peace that can, and only, come from our Heavenly Father!!! I hate cancer...