A Lesson from Bad Fish

*DISCLAIMER: Some references might be a bit TMI, but they illustrate the message.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well" Psalm 139: 14

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 6:23

Saturday night started out perfectly. Our sitter arrived, the kids were eager to play with her, and Scott and I were free to enjoy dinner and a movie. Ahhh, time together. All continued to go smoothly when we arrived at Outback. We hadn't been in quite some time, despite our history there (some of you may know that our first date was at Outback), and we were pleasantly surprised to discover that there wasn't a wait (shocking, I know, but maybe it had something to do with us arriving at 5!). 

We ordered, then talked while we waited for our meals, fish (mine) and steak (Scott's). Our food finally arrived, and neither of us was disappointed. The fish was perfect: Mahi mahi topped with artichokes, sundried tomatoes, and a lemon sauce. It hit the spot, satisfying a craving I didn't know I had.

Next up, the new James Bond movie (definitely recommend it!). We made it in time for the 6:30 showing (the time is important, especially since the movie is about 2.5 hours long), found decent seats, and got comfortable. Sometime during the movie, I started feeling slightly uncomfortable. My once satiated tummy was twisting and turning, and not in the regular digestion sense. (Leah had the stomach bug last week, so that was at the back of my mind, too.) Still, I lost myself (mostly) in the movie, willing the gurglings to pass... and made it safely through the movie (though I was only too happy to be heading home). 

We made it home... and none too soon. Scott bid our sitter good-bye, as I was incapacitated in the facilities... where I also spent the first half of the night (well, alternating between there and bed). Chills, aches, and fever accompanied my hourly visits to the bathroom, until, finally, my body had nothing left to expel. And then... rest.

Sunday, feeling much better after two naps, I had a chance for some quiet time and reflection. Funny how I could then see God's hand (in a positive way) even in the midst of food poisoning. 

First, Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." How grateful I am that God designed our bodies in such a way to remove the harmful bacteria that I had inadvertently ingested. Here was something delicious yet dangerous... and I had no idea. Yet God, in His ingenuity, gifted my body with another defensive mechanism (though certainly not pleasant) to protect me from greater harm. How amazing!

Second, Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." My dinner was beautiful, delicious, much like sin. How often have I relished in my sin, excusing it or justifying it because it "looked" acceptable by society's standards? Yet smothering it in a delectable sauce doesn't change it; it's still sin, it's still deadly, and it still separates me from God. 

BUT... there's hope for I know that Jesus died for my sins. He suffered the pain of my sin-- separation from our Holy God and Father-- even though He was perfect. Even though, he did nothing wrong. Yet suffer He did so that He could rise again, interceding on behalf of believers, forgiving us, and allowing us to avoid the physical, emotional, and spiritual anguish that our sin deserves. 

So, thank you, Lord, for bad fish. For a physical reminder of what I won't have to endure because I know my faith and trust are in you. In whom is your faith and trust? May it be "the author and perfecter of our faith (Jesus), who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12: 2).

Slipper Dancing

So, I was going to write about the election, especially since this has been quite the lesson/ ride for me this past week. And who knows, I just might write, if only to convey the peace that God has given me in the midst of my own feelings of despair. But for now, a more light-hearted, and enjoyable post: Hunter dancing.

My son LOVES to dance. The other night, Scott turned on some "cruising" music for Hunter to listen to while riding around in his Cozy Coupe. Every time they drove through the living room, Scott had to stop the car so that Hunter could get out, dance, and then return to the car for the rest of the ride. Seriously. This boy LOVES to dance.

Big sister passed along her Car slippers after she received new piggy slippers. Nevermind that the slippers are still too big for Hunter; he LOVES shuffling along in them, stopping every so often to reposition a foot that slipped out. So stinkin' adorable!

Now just combine those two images --dancing and slippers-- and you can imagine the result. Better yet, just watch the video. (My apologies for the angle; I can't rotate it.)

Like a Million Bucks

This past summer, Scott and I talked about saving up for a swingset for the kiddos. I looked at a few to get an idea of cost, and then we started socking away some money. Not only would we have to save for the swingset itself, but we'd have to save for the tree removal service, too, since we didn't have space in the backyard for a sizeable set. We knew this would take some time, especially since there were other house projects (the front porch) that took priority.

And then God, like He usually does, intervened.

Turns out our neighbors had a swingset that their kids had outgrown. A playset that they just wanted to GIVE away. Yes, GIVE.

And that upped our initial timetable.

Being the handy husband that he is, Scott borrowed a chainsaw and cut down the trees in our yard. Little. Big. They were no match for him (though a rotten tree did put up a good fight). That took about two weekends.

Another weekend, he ground the stumps down. (That turned out to be an all-day affair, much to our surprise.)

Come September, he and two of our neighbors carried the playset over to our yard so that Scott could begin the make-over. First a face-lift (power-washing). Then some nips and tucks here and there (board replacement). Finally, the make-up (stain). But she still wasn't ready.

New "jewelry" (rungs on the rope ladder). A new "hairstyle" (a new steel roof). And finally, she looks like a million bucks. And all for about a quarter of what just a new playset itself (not factoring in tree removal) would have cost us.

Don't tell me that God doesn't provide. I only have to glance out back to see that He does.

 The view from the bay window in the kitchen. Scott hadn't anticipated the tree falling toward the house. Thankfully, it was just short enough to miss doing any damage.

 Hard to tell, but notice the color difference between the playset and the ladder on the right. Just staining it made a big difference. You'll notice that there's no roof  and that the rope ladder isn't functional (the wood rungs were rotting).

 Leah enjoyed helping Daddy "paint" the ladder.

 Like a million bucks! Notice the roof that Scott designed and built, as well as the PVC rungs on the rope ladder. All of his hard work has been well worth it. The kids LOVE going outside to play.

Hunter LOVES the slide, particularly walking up it (assisted, of course) and then sliding down. He tumbled off the end and landed in a bed of leaves. I think he would have stayed there all afternoon had I let him!

 Leah had to try out the bed of leaves for herself.

 Playing pirates with big sis in the "fort". Or just looking adorable!