Point of a Blog

So there are thousands of blogs out on the internet now. There is a blog for just about anything that you can think of. If you want to read something that you are pro, that you are con, that you care nothing about, that slightly interests you or that you feel passionately about...it is out there.

That being said, I am adding to the mix. I am adding to the mix mostly for my own benefit. It gives me something to do. It gives me a place to put my crazy thoughts. If people read it, that is great. If people choose not to read it, that is also fine. This is a virtual public diary. No old book underneath my mattress, no lock and key...just a public site to air my dirty laundry. So I am sort of defining my blog right now (although the definition is subject to change).

I have written about an abundance of things between this blog and our old blog site (that I closed a while back). I have written family updates, my thoughts on parenting, random thoughts about public event and so on.

I have a few blogs that I want to write. These blogs will definitely define my parenting style even more so. My point is not to offend or even tell anyone how to parent (which I really hope you wouldn't listen to me). My point is to talk about some of the things that work for us, why they work, how we do them, and why I like them. I truly welcome feedback, questions and thoughts from anyone whether they be for or against the topic at hand. That being said, I don't appreciate maliciousness (from anyone). I know everyone has a thought on parenting, and we should all be open to listening.

After having many conversations with our pediatrician, fellow colleagues, friends, other mothers and even relatives...I have determined that I am a countercultural mama. I am okay with that definition. There are people far more crunchy than I and people far more mainstream than I. I don't think you are wrong in what you do, hoping that you are doing the best that you can with what you know and what is working for your family. That is all I am trying to do.

All of that being said, my post will be of a more crunchy and natural nature. Some of you may agree, disagree or not give a hoot. The only thing I ask is that it not turn into a malicious debate between anyone!! I do not intent to offend people with my thinking; but it may happen because I can't please all. So stand by (all my crazy "fans" {a very small amount of people, I'm sure}) for upcoming posts that are now clogging my head...

Kindness

I first have to say sorry for all of my 1 readers out there for taking so long to put up a new post. I feel like I have taken on the world in these past few weeks, and well...its winning most of the time. NYC is a very difficult and frustrating place to move into. People can make or break a move, and I don't think New Yorkers really want to make mine easy!!! Enough about that...

We have been studying the fruits of the spirit at church. Last week, we were challenged with a message on kindness. Now I know all of you that know me think I am so kind and don't need messages like this.:) As much as I would truly have to agree with you (JK), I am finding it to be a true struggle. We were each given the opportunity to take a different kindness challenge for the week. My challenge was to purchase the person behind me in line a cup of coffee. It seems like such a simple task. Unfortunately, it is proving to be very, very difficult. Here are the many reasons why...

1. I am still turned off by the smell of coffee during this pregnancy
2. I don't have a car to actually go get coffee
3. I don't ever have any cash
4. The closest coffee shop is not within walking distance
5. I have thought about buying anything for the person behind me in line, but no one has honestly been behind me in a line anywhere I have gone in the past few days.

These are legitimate excuses that I am finding to be the true challenge. When I got the card, I thought...how easy!!! Man was I fooled. My goal is to leave the house Saturday morning for the farmer's market followed by Trader Joe's. I will then go to many many coffee shops around the farmer's market in search of the poor soul who gets to have me buy coffee for them. I will not return home until this task has been accomplished. Operation: Be Kind to a NYer.

The reason for this dyer need to accomplish this is not for my own joy or benefit, although it may sound that way. The reason is Proverbs 3:3 -
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart."

Think about all of the impact we as Christians could make by simply being kind...

Points to Ponder

I want to start a little quiet time, devotional, and memorization part of this blog. I'll admit, I'm stealing the idea from a friend's blog, but I think it is a great idea to steal.

Memory:
Hebrews 12:1-2

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Quiet Time:
Job 40-42

Points to Ponder:
Job 42:7-13

How is your marriage relationship with God? Are you willing to be as honest with your feelings towards God as Job was with his feelings? Peter Kreeft writes, "[Job] is in a true relationship to God, as the three friends are not: a relationship of heart and soul, life-or-death passion.... God is infinite love, and the opposite of love is not hate but indifference. Job's love for God is infected with hate, but the three friends' love for God is infected with indifference. Job stays married to God and throws dishes at him; the three friends have a polite nonmarriage, with separate bedrooms and separate vacations. The family that fights together stays together."

Ponder the thought that God can handle you, all of you, even your negative emotions.

-thoughts from The Message//Remix:Solo - Day 72