Sacred Blankies

As you well know we have kids.

My kids all have blankies. Each blanket has a special name from each kid. Significantly enough, these were the blankets we bought for them as soon as we found out we were having a boy or girl.

We have a 10 yr old Blankie Pink, which is now a well loved shade of greyish-pink. It started off a plush pink side, and a silky smooth satin side, which were affectionately referred to as "cold side or warm side."

For 7 years we have had a duo blanket team, because one cuddle blanket was not enough for this kid! They are Blankie Blue, and Blankie White. They also are composed of a "cold side" and a "warm side."

The newest addition to the family is a 4 yr old Blankie Green (which is actually mostly white, but Blankie White was already taken.) All of these of the same composition. Over the years though, blanket manufacturers got fancy, and started adding texture. You can see this evolution in our blankie family. 

You see my kids know these blankets by no other name. These blankets are sacred. They are loved. They are security.

These blankies have been to nearly every doctors appointment, healed nearly every wound, and have wiped more tears (among other things) than you can imagine.It's a privilege for this mom to wash these well worn soldiers of our home.

Usually when I can sneak them away, these well loved blankets are dirty, smelly, and just plain gross. But soon they are washed clean, smelling new, and just as fluffy as they once were, waiting to be held.

My children have these blankets near them most of the time they are home. Just recently, my 10 yr old has started to question if she should still have a blankie...that it might be embarrassing to still sleep with it even trying to sneak it to a slumber party.

Reminding me so much of our faith.

As children we PROUDLY walk around spouting off bible verses and never wavering in our belief, confidently carrying around and loving on our Savior. But somewhere along the way we question if its still cool to carry Him around so boldly and proclaim our love.

We are diry, smelly, gross sinners. Im so glad He washes new every day, waiting to hold us. Renewing us. 

I pray, that my children continue to CLING to Him as much as they do their blankies. I will always encourage them to hold dear to that which they love. No matter if it's still cool or popular.

Love on Him, lean on Him, let Him wipe your tears, and heal all your wounds, wash you clean.
His love never fails.






Warning to future spouses: Be prepared to get a special sentimental gift one day that has a "warm and a cold side" and goes by the name Blankie.

Spiritual Amnesia

Am-ne-sia
1. memory loss: loss of memory as a result of shock, injury, psychological disturbance, or medical disorder.

Synonyms: loss of memory, memory loss, forgetfulness, obliviousness, blankness, a total blank.

How am I so quick to forget?

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Psalm 107:1

Daily I forget. When life gets messy. Right now, in this moment, I have 2/3 children in their room for losing their tempers and flat out being mean. There is no kindness, no compassion. I have found myself crying out, where is the thanks in this moment!

How can I teach them to overflow with love, how can I watch them turn out this way when the words and actions I have spoken to loved ones in the last 24 hours have been a desert, dry and dusty. Amnesia. A total blank. No joy.

God is speaking directly me so much through reading "1000 Gifts" by Ann Voskamp as I mentioned in my previous post. Once again as I picked it up in thirsty desperation, He spoke through the story of Hagar, Genesis 21. Hagar and her son were sent away into the desert, once their supply of food and water were gone, Hagar thought all hope (and joy) was lost. She left him under a bush not wanting to watch him die. She was afraid of the way it would turn out.

But all she had to do was open her eyes to see the well and they were saved.

 "Do I really smother my own joy because I believe that anger achieves more than love? That Satan's way is more powerful, more practical, more fulfilling in my daily life than Jesus' way? Why else get angry? Isn't it because I think complaining, exasperation, resentment will pound me up into the full life I really want?" (Voskamp 126)

Open your eyes, when the amnesia hits, just open your eyes. Where there is thanks, there is always a well of joy. Where there is joy there is love, forgiveness, compassion.

Thank you Lord for saving me. For reminding me to look for the well. For waking me up from my amnesia.

Giving thanks is the way to a full life, seeing God in every moment; not just the "good" moments, but the soul searching hard moments. He gives us those too.

I am thankful for this moment to be transparent and vulnerable with you. Now, to go and humble myself and pour out love and compassion to my children and husband.

Eucharisteo.