Leaving (Living) A Legacy

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

My daughter leaves for college in just about a month. It is amazing how fast time really flies. It just seems like yesterday when she was born and now 18 years later she is coming into her own. This has obviously sent me reflecting and thinking about my roles and what I want to be remembered for. Was I a good father, was I there when she needed me, and did I instill the proper values into her to last a lifetime? Some of those can be easily answered while the last one won't be answered until the very end. Actually in the end when we come face to face with God we will need to look back and see what legacy we have left. It is that legacy that will define us and it will be that legacy that we will be remembered for. All of us have sinned and fallen short of what God really wants for us but it is how we lived our lives that will be reviewed. We all have our highs and lows throughout our lives. There will be things we wish we could change or things that we wish we had done better. The bottom line though I believe is what have we leave behind, not the tangible items but rather the things that we are truly remembered for.

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The Overnight Guest

By Michelle (Graceful, Faith in the Everyday)

Recently my friend Sarah’s daughter stayed with us for two days. And I’m going to state this honestly, without fear of offending Sarah, because good friend that she is, she knows me oh-so-well: I did not look forward to the experience. Not because I don’t love Laini – I do – or because Laini’s not a great kid – she is – but because the visit interfered with my finely orchestrated life. It was different; it strayed from the routine. Laini’s visit required that I step out of the box, shake up the system a bit.

I said yes because I genuinely wanted to help my friend Sarah, who had to travel out of town for a conference. I said yes because I love Sarah and her daughter. I said yes because I knew Sarah would do the same for me, without a moment’s hesitation. I said yes out of love, sure, but also out of a sense of duty and responsibility.

What’s funny is that in saying an obligatory yes, I was the beneficiary in so many unexpected ways.

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This Time Is Short, Love Each Moment

By MAD21

My oldest graduated from kindergarten last night. It was an amazing program. The kids and their teachers had obviously worked very hard to put it together. This was the first time that I saw my daughter perform in front of people while looking like she actually enjoyed what she was doing, instead of being so nervous that she just kind of mouthed the words and barely went through the motions.

During the Headmaster's presentation, he spoke about the fact that turning six and graduating kindergarten is an important milestone. I, myself, have been pondering for the last few months on the importance of this time in my daughter's life. At first, I was struggling to figure out why some people make such a big deal out of this stage. Don't get me wrong, every minute I have with my kids is important to me. But I wondered why this specific time is celebrated.

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Life Is Funny: Plight Of The Mommies

By MAD21

I hope everyone is enjoying Memorial Day weekend. My friend Sarah sent this video to me last week and I nearly fell off my chair laughing. I have seen several videos of people making up their own words to this song, but never this one. I nearly fell off of my chair I was laughing so hard. I thought I would share it with you. Thanks Sarah for sending it to me! It made my week.

Mommy Rhapsody from Church on the Move on Vimeo.

 My friend and fellow blogger Wendy at Weight..What? has a fun carnival at her blog called "Life is Funny." Every Monday we talk about something in life that we find funny. Be sure to go visit her blog to read her post along with links to other blogs who are participating.

One Word At A Time: Grace

By MAD21

Last week was "one of those weeks." My youngest was really struggling with self-control and obedience. Several times I saw the ugly side of lost tempers and bad attitudes, admittedly myself included. My oldest was struggling in her own way, too. Getting on "yellow" three days at school for talking and not controlling herself in class.

When it comes to discipline, I have found that grace is one of those really tricky things when it comes to being a parent. Mercy, too, for that matter. Grace being that thing you give when your kids are just short of reaching the goal, and mercy being what you give when they've missed it altogether.

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