Friday, January 15, 2010

Thankful and Conflicted


Today was the second day this week that I had plans to be somewhere by 9:30 a.m. We arrived at 10:00 for our play date. Hopefully tomorrow we will be better prepared to depart on time since my daughters are starting a ballet class at 9:30 in the morning. They've been dancing for joy ever since I shared the news that I had managed to sign them up.


Immediately after the last ballet class we will, Lord willing, travel south through Kansas to Oklahoma to visit my parents and sister. The last time I was there was about six months ago, and I'm looking forward to reconnecting with them and attending church in the sanctuary where my husband and I were married.

I am thankful that my husband has decided to take my daughters to school each morning. He's away most evenings, so this is a chance for his to grab Daddy-daughter time and it makes my mornings less hectic. We also enjoyed our first candlelight dinner of the year. I surprised my husband by setting the table with porcelain plates that I found on clearance after Christmas. These plates will be used exclusively for our weekly dinners as a couple (which works well since I found a place setting for 4 and we are a family of 5).


So while we've managed to get this year off to a good start in some ways, I find myself stymied in others. Being somewhat of a contrarian, January puts me in a dilemma. I resist the cultural momentum to diet and make resolutions because that's what everyone else is busy promoting. But in fact I do want and need to be transformed. However, in my case, willpower and self-discipline will not accomplish much. So I come to God helpless and humbled, hopeful that he will carry on his work in me. Whatever good changes happen this year will not come from my strength of will, they will be wrought by Him.

"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

"...it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."
Philippians 2:13 (ESV)


8 comments:

Heather said...

I can totally relate to having a hard time getting out the door on time! However, I have no excuse since I only have one little one to get out the door vs. three! I also love your dinner date idea. What a great way to get some couple time in! Have a great weekend.

Cari Kaufman said...

Oh me too...although I have purposed to do better this year, and so far am doing well with that!

OOOO...candlelit dinner....sounds so romantic...I am going to have to steal that one!

Have a great weekend!

Jennibell said...

I hope you had a beautiful date dinner with your husband. What a romantic thing to do!!! I use a timer to get out the door on time. . .I have found that I set it 5 minutes before I really *need* to be out the door for the last-minute scramble of a potty break, finding a hat, etc. And sometimes, like this morning, I will set the timer to go off an hour before I have to leave. . .the first timer will tell me it's time to get the troops on task, then they know what the second one is for! Have a good visit with your family. . .

Anonymous said...

Little ballerinas are always so cute! It's great to get some couple time...we need to work on that one over here. Hope you had a good dinner together. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend.

mholgate said...

Candlelight dinner! How sweet. :) My husband isn't much for the mushy stuff so we usually end up going out once a month to dinner, (as long as it's in our budget)leaving the kids at home.

I love the way you ended your post..."Whatever good changes happen this year will not come from my strength of will, they will be wrought by Him."

Amen to that!
Have a great weekend!
-Melissa

One More Equals Four said...

How fun, a candlelight dinner with hubby! Sounds delightful. My husband and I have a standing date every Thursday night...House Hunters, popcorn and peanut M&M's!

We are constantly running late as well. I HATE it, but with 4 kiddos, it is just so hard to have them all ready at the right time!

I agree about the beginning of the year. One of my goals is actually to lose weight and get healthy, but it isn't really a bandwagon thing, just a necessity. I was talking about this with my husband last night and prayer and God's will is all that will make it successful!

That is one of my favorite verses, thanks for sharing!

MommiesCoffee3 said...

My hubby takes our daughter to school, too, and I'm perpetually late. Everywhere. it is their daddy-daughter time, too, and my husband cherishes that time.
LOVE your table setting. How sweet...
I don't typically make resolutions either, cuz I typically break them. This year, I've set smaller goals that I can meet more easily without the huge burden looming over my head... It feels much better this way. =)

kalea_kane said...

Awwww...how nice that you found a nice place setting for your romantic dinners with your hubby. Very cool! Also very nice that daddy will be getting some daddy-daughter time with the girls in the mornings. That is so important. :) I am sure the girls will love it. Have a wonderful week!