Conversations by the Kitchen Window

For the past 15 years, Graham and I have been going to the same beach condo in Panama City Beach for vacation (thanks to his generous aunt and uncle!). Every year we prop open the door, turn down the air, unload all our stuff, open the curtain, take a look at the beach and breathe a sigh of contentment and thankfulness to be at the beach. Every year the activities are pretty much the same, just with more and more children- alternating between the beach and the pool, trips to Wal-Mart and the movie store, tacos and seafood. And every year when we want to talk on our phones, we have to stand in the kitchen by the window that faces the parking lot to get any reception. I was thinking about how the conversations have changed over the course of time. From "yes, I feel fine" with my very first pregnancy, to working out real estate contracts that always seem to come up the day before we leave for the beach; discussions about an at home business, questions about a homeschool book order, to "yes, I feel fine" with pregnancy number five! I can track the stages and phases of our family life with the small periods of time spent by the window in the kitchen. No photos or scrapbooks about it- just vivid memories of the journeys God has taken us through the years. I smile when I ponder the conversations in the future- "are you working on your wedding plans?", "are you bringing the grandkids?", " I love you and can't wait to spend time with you." I pray that Jesus will tarry so I can savor the sweet feel of the sunshine and the sound of the voices of those I love while standing by the window in that kitchen.

Ponderings

Do you ever have those days when your mind just seems to wander and question everything? The other day I was driving in the van and I was making a mental list of questions, things that make me laugh and things that make me sad. So here are the ponderings of a mom having a blah/nostalgic/introspective day. Questions: Why do young children suffer with cancer? When I get to the end of this short life, will I really know for sure that I have invested, and not just spent, my life on what really mattered the most? Why does a bike for Sandy cost less than a pair of shoes for Griffin? Why does Sarah getting more beautiful make me feel so much older? Things that make me sad: When I drive by the park and remember all those fun days when going there was the most important thing on my list; hearing moms talk unkindly to their children; seeing Andrew sob for the children of Haiti and other orphans of the world; knowing that time is running out for loved ones who do not know Christ; ways I have let my family down; knowing I will never, ever get caught up on all the scrapbooks for the children. Things that make me laugh and smile: Hearing Sandy correctly use words like vibrate, pitch black, "a pinch of"; chatting on facebook with my nephew at 1AM; knowing by name all the kids in the church nursery and giving each a big hug; singing to Annie so she will smile and open her mouth so I can feed her; seeing my children look out for each other; listening to Griffin as he very seriously says "If I don't get drafted by the NFL or the NBA, then I think I want to be either a writer or an inventer!"

I'm thankful that each day is a new day and His mercies are new every morning. I can live by His grace and for His glory with His transforming power. I guess those are wonders to ponder.