baby.

word of the day: baby \ˈbā-bē\

noun: an extremely young child
adjective: much smaller than the usual
transitive verb: to tend to indulge with often excessive or inappropriate care and solicitude

My friends just had a really beautiful baby. And I mean really beautiful. You should take that to mean something, too, because I don't usually think babies are anything to write home to mom about (at least at first).

I have never watched someone go through all the stages of pregnancy to birth so closely, and let me tell you, I was very blessed to witness this particular experience semi first hand.

Children are regularly referred to in the bible as blessings from God and that reality never really hit me until I realized how much God has blessed my friends already through their tiny daughter.

The Lord created life through them.

One day she was in the womb, and the next, she was in my friends' arms.

Frankly, it's hard to wrap my mind around.

Unfortunately, sometimes life stops in the womb, and I know that God loves those babies and those moms and dads just as much as he loves those whose babies are born healthy.

But through this most recent birth, I was reminded of God's great love for us. I was reminded that He hears our prayers and blesses us far beyond our wildest dreams. I was reminded of his magnificent power through His intricate creation.

It's funny how such a small baby can make you realize how big God is. I'm thankful for the picture of God's love such a tiny child could create for me. Sometimes God surprises me in small/enormous ways.

Also, technically this sentence would be grammatically correct based on the listed definitions for "baby": The new grandma babied her daughter's baby baby. Wrap your mind around THAT.

separation anxiety.

words of the day: separation \ˌse-pə-ˈrā-shən\ and anxiety \aŋ-ˈzī-ə-tē\

Together, they mean: a form of anxiety experienced by a young child and caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings.

For the sake of this post, please replace "young child" with "dog" in the above definition.

In my introduction to Ginny, I made a semi-flippant comment about my new dog's abandonment issues. As it turns out, it was no joking matter. Ginny has separation anxiety.

Who knew that dogs could have such severe psychological issues?

Ginny basically goes crazy every time you leave her alone. It's very sad, really. We're not sure if the anxiety is WHY she ended up at the pound or if it's a RESULT of being abandoned. I suppose it could go either way.

My dog's abandonment issues have me thinking a lot about parenting, though. Obviously, there was some sort of neglect in Ginny's past that has made her think that when people leave, they are not coming back. It has messed with her psyche enough to throw her in a tizzy every time we step outside.

How much worse off are babies whose parents neglect to rock them to sleep or children who never get held when they cry?

Ginny keeps teaching me things. This time, she taught me a little something about parenting and the importance of holding, rocking, soothing, caring for, and loving my babies (future tense).

Thanks, Ginny. And, here's hoping we don't have to place you on anti-anxiety pills in the near future. . .

ginny.

word of the day: Ginny \ˈjin-ē\ The younger sister of Ron Weasley and close friend of Hermione Granger and Harry Potter. She is the youngest of the Weasley children and the only girl. Often lauded for her powerful magical ability, Ginny is also known for her feisty and stubborn demeanor, sarcastic sense of humor, and unwavering popularity. (imdb.com)

I wanted to name my dog after a character in one of my favorite books. Now, my favorite book actually is To Kill a Mockingbird. But, since all three of Jake's German shepherds were named Scout, that was out of the question. Plus, we named a fish Boo Radley last year, and Jem just didn't seem to fit. SO, I moved on to my second favorite book: Harry Potter. And, Ginny it was.

There are a few things you should know about Ginny...

1.) We rescued Ginny.

Now, I don't mean to be all dramatic about it, but really, we did. We got her on tax day at the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. She was picked up as a stray, kept at the police department for awhile, and then taken to the ARL. They guessed she's about two years old and some kind of a cockapoo mutt.

2.) Ginny follows me everywhere I go.

She must have sensed that we rescued her from her life of misery, because she follows me wherever I go. If I go upstairs, she's quick to follow. If I go to the bathroom, she follows me right in. Even last night, I took her to my parents and then ran up to the store to pick up a few things. She stood at the door whimpering until my dad finally convinced her to move.

3.) Ginny lays at my feet.

I wanted a dog that would keep me company while Jake is studying all hours of the day next year. I can already see very well that Ginny will do just that. Not only does Ginny follow me everyone I go, she also lays very close by. If I am upstairs doing my makeup, she is content to lay by my feet. Last night during dinner, you could find her right below my chair. Even right now, she's laying quietly beside me without a care in the world.

4.) Ginny does NOT like her kennel.

The only time you will EVER hear her bark is if you put her in her kennel. She whimpers, cries, and makes you feel like the worst person in the world. Is it possible for a dog to have abandonment issues? I wish she could understand me when I say, "Don't worry Ginny. I promise I'll come back for you." I don't think she gets that quite yet.

Now, I know very well that I tend to over analyze things. Just ask Jake. But, I also believe very strongly that in every situation I can learn something about God and His nature.

Ginny has painted a really clear picture of what my relationship with God should look like.

1.) He rescued me.
2.) I should follow Him wherever He leads me.
3.) I should be content to lay at His feet.
4.) I should rest in the promise that He'll never leave me no matter the situation.

Basically, Ginny is the best dog ever. You should probably come meet her as soon as you can, because I know you'll agree with me.

And you should read Harry Potter.

showers.

word of the day: showers \ˈshau̇(-ə)r\ to give in abundance

It's raining today. I like the rain. Plus, I have a new Lemon Lavender Yankee Candle that is making my whole house smell like spring goodness.

The rain today made me think of this verse:

"I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26

Rain makes things grow.

I have a small pot of dirt on my porch. At least that's what it looked like for about two weeks. Then the other day, Jake noticed a small green piece of Basil peeking through. Thanks rain.

Rain revives things.

I have some Easter lilies in my house. I noticed one day that they were starting to get a little droopy. So, I got my green thumb out and watered them. By the next day, they had perked right up. Thanks water I poured out of my pitcher.

Rain makes mud.

That's actually the only thing I don't like about rain. There's no metaphor there.

Today I especially liked the rain because it brought to mind all the blessings God has showered me with. It was a nice reminder.

On a totally unrelated note, one of the words of the day on m-w.com is brodeo: a gathering consisting predominantly of men.

I hope that is a word we can start incorporating into our daily vocabulary.

grace.

word of the day: grace \ˈgrās\: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification

I don't get it. Grace I mean. It's one of those concepts I just can't wrap my mind around. Kind of like when people wear flip-flops in December and then complain about being cold. I don't get that either.

Have you ever read through the Old Testament? I'm in 1 Samuel right now and those Israelites were a bunch of idiots most of the time. They would sin against God, repent, and then God would forgive them. Then they would go back to their sin, cry out to God, and God would forgive them again. Things would be fine for awhile until they turned back to their sin, repented, and God forgave them again. Do you see the pattern?

I was thinking today about the pain this must have caused God. His heart was broken time after time after time, and yet His grace was given time after time after time.

I don't get grace because I am very easily wounded.

Because I am so easily wounded, it is often hard for me to forgive.

I can feel the pain of heartbreak or unfaithfulness, and yet most of the time I don't understand how to love or forgive the source of that pain.

It is in those moments that I feel like I can understand God just an ounce better. I understand the pain that comes along with watching people continue to turn their backs on the truth. But then, at that moment, I am unable to offer grace because of my own pain and stubbornness.

And in that moment, the unmerited grace of God becomes all the more beautiful.

God knows the heartbreak of unfaithfulness. He knows pain and feels the stab of His children turning their backs on His love.

And yet, He continues to love.

And He continues to urge me to love others and offer grace with more of myself.

I think Paul understood grace pretty well. And today, He wrote these words just for me:

But he [God] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 1 Corinthians 12:9-10

God doesn't use my own weakness to beat me down. Instead, He uses it to display His own power and increasing love.

And so, I turn my weakness over to God and trust that He will teach me to love people better. Even those crazy winter-flip-flop-wearers.

risen.

word of the day: risen \ˈri-zən\; the past participle of rise.

I didn't hear the phrase "He is risen" until I was in college. One of my good friends said it to me around Easter time and I was quick to respond, "Amen!"

By now, I am well aware that the correct response is "He is risen indeed!" Is risen? Does that even make sense?

If my grammar serves me correctly, "is" is a present tense verb, while "risen" is past. According to my extensive English education (tongue-in-cheek), you are not supposed to do that.

He is risen?

He is risen indeed!

Christ's resurrection allows me to live in the present and future tense. It is right now. It is tomorrow. It is next week. It is every ounce of time I can wrap my mind around.

Christ was risen back then and remains risen today.

And THAT is something I can holler a big "AMEN" to.

Matthew 28:6 - He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

good.

word of the day: good \ˈgu̇d\

Good Friday. Today I've been thinking especially about the irony of that name.

As an adjective, "good" has plenty of different meanings and connotations. It means handsome or attractive (good looks). It references something suitable (good enough to eat) or profitable (he made a good job choice). I could say I had a good time at your house last night or that I had good reasons to turn in early. I OFTEN tell Jake that he made a good joke and I make sure to take good care of the house we're renting. You can have good taste, good intentions, and come from a good family.

It doesn't seem to me, though, that the "good" in Good Friday fits any of those definitions.

That's when I looked up the definition of "good" as a noun.

praiseworthy character
advancement of prosperity or well-being
something useful or beneficial

for good: forever; permanently
to the good: for the best; beneficial **

It doesn't seem to me that the "good" in Good Friday is an adjective at all. It's not a "good" day by any means, but it represents such goodness. The name of the day carries with it a much less ironic ring when I think of it as advancing my well-being forever. Ultimately it's for the best and represents the unfathomable praiseworthy character of the one who took my place.

Friday is good because of all that follows. Because of the character and purity of Jesus. Because I am not worthy to deserve any of it. Because Christ willingly endured the extreme opposite of "good" to ensure my place in eternity forever.

Without the unselfish goodness of Jesus, there would be much less to celebrate on Easter. May we remember the goodness of His sacrifice this weekend.

Good night and good bye.

**All definition references from m-w.com