Answered prayer and something to strive for

This past week more than ever Heath and I were witness to God at work in our lives. We have asked and received many things that we needed, we have been comforted by God's loving arms - and extensions of his arms in the people around us. God is great!

We have met with Cash's lawyer (appointed by the court) and our own legal counsel. At this time, everything is looking good. It's not the exact, quick answer that we wanted to Cash's adoption, but it is a way to keep him here - forever, safe.

As we head into court on Friday, we are hopeful for a scheduled mediation. This will allow us a bit of freedom to put our wants on paper and allow Cash's birth mother to answer back to her demands. Since the state's ultimate goal is always family reunification (that means birth family, not the family you live with) there is always a risk, but we feel at peace with moving forward.

I've looked back recently on my life pre and post-kids. Of course, I'm a lot busier and I look quite a bit older, but on the inside a lot more has changed. It really wasn't until E. Stone was placed into our home that I felt like I had a real relationship with God. I needed that experience to teach me to have ultimate trust in him. This time around I do and it is much easier. I've always known God, but having a relationship with him is an amazing experience and one that I owe to my sons.

I strive daily to lock this relationship into their hearts as well. It's not always easy, and I never feel like I have the time, but I recently was given the following that just might help me along...yet another answered prayer.

Real Resolutions for Moms by Karen Ehman


I will put my Bible before the television, the radio, the telephone and even before good Christian books, for my children will know my priorities by the way they see me spend my free time.


I will make my prayer requests known before God and my children, enlisting their help in the process and informing them of the outcome, for by letting them help when I petition our Lord will they learn of a living God who still answers prayer.


When times of crisis, conflict or confusion arise, I will hit my knees before I hit the phone knowing that by my example my children will discover that although friends are important, God alone is the one who holds the solution to life's every problem.


I will erase the words "luck" and "lucky" from my vocabulary and will instead by my speech point my children toward the One who orchestrates every detail of our lives ad brings all good things to pass, for by this my children will learn of an omniscient God.

When bad things happen, I'll neither grumble nor complain, but will instead help my children see that in the scope of our lives even the bad times are allowed for a reason, for by this my children will learn quiet trust in their Master.

When normal childhood mishaps occur, I will remember that although difficult, it is still easier to remove grape juice from off-white carpet than to erase harsh and unloving words hurled at a child whose chubby little fingers have failed her, for by this my children will see a God who understands when our best efforts fall short.

When my children have witnessed something ugly in me, unkind words, an angry temper, "harmless" gossip, biting sarcasm or even my infamous "mommy pout" when things don't go my way-I will confess it as sin before them seeking their forgiveness, for by this my children will develop the much needed habit of wiping their spiritual slate clean before God and man.

I will teach my children the importance of cleanliness and order while at the same time remain sensitive to the fact that a skinned knee or hurt feeling is more crucial than a spotless floor or uncluttered counter, for by this my children will learn to value people above things.

I will make time for the lonely, the sick, the elderly, the difficult to love, and will bring my children along, for with each afternoon visit, each ride to the doctor, each raked lawn or washed window they will have the opportunity to serve Jesus by serving the "least of these."

I will make our home a haven of rest and retreat from the outside world and welcome place for my children's friends, for with each impromptu backyard soccer game, each video viewed on a rainy day, each cup of hot cocoa or chocolate chip cookie, my children will have the opportunity to practice the act of Christian hospitality thereby learning to share all God has given them.

I will by my actions and my speech let my children see a mom in love with their dad, for by this my children will sense family stability at a time when marriages all around them are crumbling.

I will not require of my children obedience, honesty, patience or kindness without first being willing to submit to the same rules whether in speed limit, miscounted change from the grocery store or when answering a toddler for the fourteenth time, for by this my children will see a mother who is also learning and not a perfect parent to whom they'll ever measure up

In all things will I remember that more is caught than is thought.