Courageous

Call me crazy, but I saw this movie THREE times in theaters in less than a week.

Call me crazy, but I think it is the best film I have ever seen. I now have an ultimate favorite.

Call me crazy, but regardless, I will stand behind the message of this film.

Our country is turning its back on God and our fathers are turning their backs on their families.

I pray that this movie will be an eye-opener and a catalyst for change in our families. I pray that fathers are convicted to the point of doing something about it.

Here's a video that shares the heart of Courageous. It's not the actual trailer. You'll have to go to youtube for that. Or my friend, Heather's blog--> http://www.mrssouthernbride.com/

I love my grandpa very much. He stood in place of the father who walked out of my life when I was really young. He's not always been the nicest, the funnest, or the most loving, but he's been someone. He stepped up and took responsibility for my sister and I when no other man was willing to. When he didn't have to. By doing that, he gave us more than we had.

I hope this film will knock on the doors of the heart of fathers who have walked out--to move them to become the men they are called to be. I also pray that it will encourage, strengthen, and teach "good-enough" dads like my Papaw.

A powerful movie. A powerful message.

Warning: it's an emotional rollercoaster so be prepared.

Perfect Baby Boy

I cannot imagine the pain a mother feels at the loss of the little life that she's carried, nurtured, loved. I cannot imagine the grief of a father as he tries to remain strong for his wife and children. But I can feel pain, sorrow, and grief as an outsider wondering why he never got the chance to take his first breath...

Even in the midst of the pain I felt, I could not help but feel in complete awe of my Maker's skill.

Ten tiny fingers and ten tiny toes, so small that even the period at the end of that last sentence would be too large to suffice as a nail...

A perfectly shaped tongue, mouth, lips, nose...

Little knobby knees and elbows...

I sat in that bathroom staring at the most beautiful little boy I had ever seen. I just couldn't take my eyes off of him, though the pain of the situation was hitting me head on.

He is so very precious. So very perfect in every way. Just look at him. He's amazing!  

At three months, Baby Boy looked complete, whole, beautiful. Words cannot describe how I felt as my eyes took in every bit of his whole 6 inches. The sorrow in knowing that his little life had ceased was mixed with the joy in knowing the One who made every detail so...perfect. The questions that come, like "I wonder what color his eyes were?" were accompanied by, "How did You make those little toes, Lord?" I was crying inside, but joyfully praising God at the same moment. It's just hard to explain.

I'm so grateful for the chance to be there tonight, even if I was clueless what to say or do. I got to meet a little guy I will not forget, who has unknowingly taken a piece of my heart but has also drawn me closer to my Father.

Lord, thank You for life. Thank You for the opportunity to know and love another one of Your precious children. I praise You for Your unfailing love and comfort in good times and bad. You are to be glorified in and through all things, and I am forever grateful for every moment that opens my eyes to more of You. I praise You for blessings of health and provision. Father, be with the S family tonight and in coming days, weeks, and months, as they heal. Comfort them and bless them in soul and spirit as they deal with the pain of this loss. May they always be pointed back to You and grow to trust You more each day through this difficult time. Shower the S family with your blessings of provision, health, and comfort. In Jesus' name.

Oops!

So during an inservice this week, I learned that even stating things that could be associated with my job, such as "I had a bad/rough day today" are inappropriate to share over social networking sites. I had no idea that all this time I've been breaking company policy, even though I do not mention names or places. I hate to take down posts because that would be most of my blog and I use this as a "virtual scrapbook" to remember bits and pieces of the blessings and thorns God provides. I don't want to lose one morsel!

I'm in a tough spot.

Plus, it is so hard to write and NOT bring up work or something funny said/done that I'd like to remember. That's pretty much my life right now!