Only Lucas...

Today looks like a typical kind of day. Actually I got up a little early, because I knew I had a lot to do. I helped kids get breakfast, did Timothy's spelling test, got Alyssa going on a chore and the rest of the kids settled in school work.

Then I head for the shower. Ahhh, hot steamy water and silence. Within moments, the door opens. Kayla wants help with sentence structure. The door shuts...and opens again. Lucas needs math help. Kayla reenters, more sentence problems. The door shuts again. Finally. I'm alone.

Or not...I hear the scratch of a pencil.

"Is somebody still in here?"
"I am," says Lucas.
"Do you need more help?"
"Nope"
"Then you can leave now."
"Why can't I stay?"
"I'm almost done with my shower and I'm going to get out."
Silence
Apparently, I needed to be blunt.
"And I'm not wearing anything."
"That's ok mom, I've seen people bare before. I won't laugh."

Every day is beautiful

Last Wednesday night, as wind chills dipped below zero degrees, Andrew prayed at the couch with our 3 youngest (Timothy was at a Christmas party) and we heard each of them begin their prayer with "God, Thank you for the beautiful day...". Actually, they usually begin their prayers this way, but that night when they were finished, I overheard this conversation.

"Guys, I heard every one of you thank God for the beautiful day, but, have you looked outside today? It's really cold and yucky out there." He looked at them for some understanding of what he was saying. Blank stares. "Well, ok, what does a day look like that is NOT beautiful?"

Lucas quickly piped up, "It's when you lose your job and we don't have any more money and we can't stay in our house any more and we don't have food to eat." The girls are nodding as Lucas speaks, Andrew looks at them and smiles, "So, then every day IS beautiful." Lots of emphatic nodding. Andrew and I give hugs and kisses and tuck them into bed and then sit down on the couch together - Wow! Lord, give me that kind of thankful perspective.