Mirror Mirror

Who is the fairest of them all? I think we all know.....

All Things Are Possible

Stephanie Miller

How We Take It

Warm House, for granted.

Running Car, for granted.

Fuzzy Blankets, for granted.

Dish Soap, for granted.

Sturdy Shoes, for granted.

Clean Water, for granted.

Balanced Diet, for granted.

Fresh Air, for granted.

Religious Freedom, for granted.

Educated Teachers, for granted.

Health Insurance, for granted.

Holy Bible, for granted.

Furry Pets, for granted.

Fluffy pillows, for granted.

Police Officers, for granted.

Warm Sunshine, for granted.

Gas Stations, for granted.

Clean Laundry, for granted.

Ice Cream, for granted.

Loving Family, for granted.

Lovely Flowers, for granted.

Caring Friends, for granted.

Dental Hygiene, for granted.

Fighting Soldiers, for granted.

Yeah, that's how we take it.....for granted.

All Things Are Possible,

Stephanie Miller

Like A Two Year Old

As the storm rolled in at 4:30 this morning, a curly-haired boy rolled into our bed. Grant was a little too awake for so early in the morning. He curled into me, his fuzzy hair tickled my nose. Little did I know that this "snuggle fest" was going to last for a couple of hours.

Minutes turned into an hour..... and an hour turned into two. Grant tried so hard to fall back to sleep. He tossed, he turned, he kicked Brad in the back.....

At one point I thought that he was sleeping because he was so calm. I cracked opened my eyes and his big blue eyes beamed back. He just stared at me. I stopped the fake sleeping and stared deeply into his eyes. He was so precious, calm, warm, fuzzy, and squishy all at the same time.

He did not stop staring at me and I did not stop staring at him. As we gazed into each other's eyes, I thought about how lucky I was to have him, how lucky I was to be his mom, how lucky I was to be given such a blessing.

I also thought about how helpless he is... and how much he depends on us to care for him. I know that he is now a "big boy." You know..... an underwear wearing, sassy, vocal, independent two-year-old :) He THINKS that he can take on the world..... he THINKS that he knows everything :)

I laid there thinking about the things that he needs from us - both tangible and intangible. Grant depends on us for nourishment, safety, clothing, stimulation, education, love, friendship and an occasional bath :)

I also realized that he never worries about receiving these things. Like..... he doesn't even realize that they are "given" to him..... he never has to wait and wonder where they are...... or where they will come from. Grant receives what he needs and his needs are met.

Then I thought about God. He looks into our big eyes and supplies us with our needs - both tangible and intangible.

The difference is that we worry, wonder, and complain. We get nervous, anxious, and some even shake like puppies in the corner (like its never happened.....) when it seems as though our needs are not or won't be met.

It is amazing. Grant just snuggled in during the storm.... he never even responded to the rumble of thunder or the flash of lightening. He felt safe, secure...happy.

How hard what it be to have a childlike faith? How hard would it be to snuggle in..... and enjoy life... unconscious of the storm around us? How amazing would it be?

(Yes, I know. We can't all just "snuggle" in and ignore the storms around us.... I know that we can't cover our eyes and ignore everything that is happening..... )

I am simply saying.... what if we cast all of our cares on HIM? What if we tried to worry less about the future? What if we stopped trying to control every little detail of our lives? What if we gave ourselves, whole-heartedly to God?

Then I ask, when God supplies our needs are we happy? Does He make us feel safe and secure or do we ask for more? Do our needs increase as other needs are being fulfilled? Do we ask for more instead of enjoying what He has given to us?

I guess that life would be easier if we had a childlike faith..... life would be easier if we acted like two-year-old......

(Please, of course, keep the accidents, tantrums, and snotty noses to a bare minimum..... )

All Things Are Possible,

Stephanie Miller