I have been sitting here staring at this computer screen for almost an hour. Okay, that is not exactly true. I have gotten up to get a drink of water – thinking that maybe I can’t think of anything to write because I am dehydrated. Then, when water didn’t work, I thought maybe chocolate would kick-start my brain. Two fun size KitKats and a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup later — still no progress. Okay, that’s not exactly true either. I have thought of several things I could write at least three or four pages about, but if I did, my children would never speak to me again.
There have been some interesting happenings around our household lately! Someday I will spill the beans, but for now, all those good stories will have to stay within the walls of the Bentley abode. That is unless you meet me for a cup of coffee or run into me at the grocery store.
I have been asked to give an inspirational talk to a group of young moms about raising children. This past week-and-a-half has made me feel like the least qualified person ever to inspire anyone on how to raise children. I know that is a little over dramatic, but anyone who has been reading my column for long knows drama is something in which I excel.
Before I cause too much concern, let me say we are all in good health, no one is going to jail, and as far as I know, there are no unplanned pregnancies. Now, I know some of you may be saying, in a not to flattering way, “Well, you are just defaulting to the least common denominator of good news.” Yes, indeed I am, and some days it helps put the right perspective on a family full of young men.
I read a Bible verse today that really hit home and made me laugh at the same time. I found it due to a reference from a Facebook friend. Let me stop here and update: still not friends with my boys on FB and right now I am very okay with that.
Back to the verse; it is Psalm 71: beginning with verse 1. I read it in the Message Bible and this is what it said, “I run for dear life to God. I’ll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.”
I have been asked to give an inspirational talk to a group of young moms about raising children. This past week-and-a-half has made me feel like the least qualified person ever to inspire anyone on how to raise children. I know that is a little over dramatic, but anyone who has been reading my column for long knows drama is something in which I excel.
Before I cause too much concern, let me say we are all in good health, no one is going to jail, and as far as I know, there are no unplanned pregnancies. Now, I know some of you may be saying, in a not to flattering way, “Well, you are just defaulting to the least common denominator of good news.” Yes, indeed I am, and some days it helps put the right perspective on a family full of young men.
I read a Bible verse today that really hit home and made me laugh at the same time. I found it due to a reference from a Facebook friend. Let me stop here and update: still not friends with my boys on FB and right now I am very okay with that.
Back to the verse; it is Psalm 71: beginning with verse 1. I read it in the Message Bible and this is what it said, “I run for dear life to God. I’ll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.”
When I got to the “you take me in stride” part is when I laughed. I love when scripture makes me laugh out loud.
Let me walk you through how perfect these verses are for me. You see, usually at the Bentley house, when it rains it pours, and when it does I have a tendency to get all in a dither. A lot of the issues are what we like to call ‘five- minute’ issues: they will fix themselves or won’t matter in five minutes.
Others are five-hour issues: by the end of the day, they too will have corrected themselves or they won’t matter.
Still others are five day, month, or year issues. These will take a little more time and effort, but eventually, it all works out. I, unfortunately, sometimes treat all problems like five-year problems and give them way too much time and attention. By the way, the Bentleys are not well grounded enough to come up with the “five” rule on our own. We heard it in a sermon.
Let me walk you through how perfect these verses are for me. You see, usually at the Bentley house, when it rains it pours, and when it does I have a tendency to get all in a dither. A lot of the issues are what we like to call ‘five- minute’ issues: they will fix themselves or won’t matter in five minutes.
Others are five-hour issues: by the end of the day, they too will have corrected themselves or they won’t matter.
Still others are five day, month, or year issues. These will take a little more time and effort, but eventually, it all works out. I, unfortunately, sometimes treat all problems like five-year problems and give them way too much time and attention. By the way, the Bentleys are not well grounded enough to come up with the “five” rule on our own. We heard it in a sermon.
I have been working on not obsessing over every little hiccup the boys throw my way. I have recently, however, found myself singing the old hymn “I Must Tell Jesus” almost daily. My gut instinct when something goes wrong is often to call a friend and start complaining. But I realized they really can’t help me with some of this stuff.
The only one who knows what I really need to do and how much I should or shouldn’t react is God. So, “I Must Tell Jesus” has become my theme song. Now, I wish you could hear what I tell Him while and after I am singing this song. I can‘t help but think He has to laugh with how melodramatic I can be.
Just a glimpse of what He has heard lately: son one is back at home living in our basement, son two brings home lovely girlfriend (really she was precious) who has three tattoos and a snake bite piercing. (I had no idea what that meant either. Ask a young person.) Son three is on scholarship probation. Oh, how I wish I could give you more details, but if I did I would have to move to Siberia.
So I am in the midst of living Psalm 71. I am running to Him and asking Him to, “Do it again. Get me out of this mess. Fix it. Make it better. Make it go away. Tell me what to do.” And He once again is doing what He has done so many times. He is helping me stand on the ground that continues to move under my feet. Whereas, the rest of you might “gasp in alarm” at my hysterics, I know that my God, who has seen it all before, just lovingly laughs, takes me in His arms, and offers me comfort. He takes me in stride. Amen and Hallelujah.
The only one who knows what I really need to do and how much I should or shouldn’t react is God. So, “I Must Tell Jesus” has become my theme song. Now, I wish you could hear what I tell Him while and after I am singing this song. I can‘t help but think He has to laugh with how melodramatic I can be.
Just a glimpse of what He has heard lately: son one is back at home living in our basement, son two brings home lovely girlfriend (really she was precious) who has three tattoos and a snake bite piercing. (I had no idea what that meant either. Ask a young person.) Son three is on scholarship probation. Oh, how I wish I could give you more details, but if I did I would have to move to Siberia.
So I am in the midst of living Psalm 71. I am running to Him and asking Him to, “Do it again. Get me out of this mess. Fix it. Make it better. Make it go away. Tell me what to do.” And He once again is doing what He has done so many times. He is helping me stand on the ground that continues to move under my feet. Whereas, the rest of you might “gasp in alarm” at my hysterics, I know that my God, who has seen it all before, just lovingly laughs, takes me in His arms, and offers me comfort. He takes me in stride. Amen and Hallelujah.
