Responsibility and Library Books

Why can't I renew or return my library books on time? This happened when we lived in Birmingham so often that I quit checking out books. I confessed my irresponsibility to the library guy and asked him to suspend my card. He looked at me like I was crazy, but he did it anyway. True, I didn't have my 4 kids with me so he couldn't see what I was having to remember to do on top of returning my books on time. He couldn't see that they were, at the time, ages 5 and under. That for us to even get to the library, I was responsible for finding everyone clean socks and matching shoes, taking them the the bathroom or changing their diapers, not to mention finding all the books we checked out so we could return them. It became too much for my head, so I just quit.

Well, it's happening again. We left 2 Friday's ago for our Christmas break, and I forgot that the 10 books on my shelf (I'm getting better at keeping them together) were due that day. Today we got a notice on email that the other 5 I had checked out later (I'm daring to have different sets checked out at the same time) were due today. Good thing--the fine would have been much more than the $8 I owe right now.

I know I've gotten better about a lot of things over the years. God has sanctified me in many areas, but I pray today that he will sanctify me in the area of responsibility and library books. I enjoy going to the library and checking out books, but I can't afford to if he doesn't change me! :)

Holidays

It's the day after Christmas, and we're at my parents' home. We have seen all our immediate family, except for one set of my grandparents. It has been busy, yet relaxing, and so fun!

Christmas morning my children all received gifts from us. This is not unusual. The strange part this year is that I was disappointed as the gift giver. We gave one of them a "big" gift, exactly what they wanted, and they did not show the excitement I expected. In fact, there seemed to be disappointment or--even worse--apathy toward the gift. And therefore I was sad as well.

I kept asking if s/he liked it. S/he said yes, s/he did. I asked if s/he wanted to try it out, and s/he said yes but later. Then later in the day when we were in the car on our way to my parents', during a time s/he should have been using the gift, s/he didn't even ask for it. S/he had sure asked for it the whole way down to Birmingham from St. Louis!

At first I was concerned. Then sad. Then irritated. Then it hit me--how much I take for granted all the good gifts my heavenly Father gives me. How I look in his face and don't show gratitude or appreciation for what he has so carefully chosen to bless me with--things that I need and even ask for.

And that is truly sad. Lord, help me to have eyes open to see all the blessings given to me and right response of joy and gratitude.

First timer

I've never been a blogger. I write in my journal periodically but not often enough. Since I spend so much time--too much, really--in front of the computer, let's see if I'll write down the good stuff more often if I blog it.

I'm going to have to get used to typing the word blog. It keeps coming out blot.

So why "It's not supposed to be this way"?

B. is home...I'll explain later. What do YOU think?