A sweet weekend

Our church is really savvy in the way that they plan the baby dedication to take place on Mother’s Day weekend. As if Mother’s Day wasn’t sappy-sweet enough already, it’s made even better by that event. A chance to dedicate ourselves, as parents, to bring our children up in the church and to teach them the ways of the Lord. To help them learn about and have a relationship with Jesus. To give them a caring, supportive community that they can call ‘home.’

It was a lovely time.

But I’m here to keep it real. And you want to know the real deal?

This was Avalon most of the afternoon:

The fact of the matter was that Avalon wasn’t diggin it for some reason. In true Avalon-circa-three-weeks-old form, she was a little bit of a pill. Thankfully, Jesus loves all the little children, even those with bad attitudes and ants in their pants.

For real, though, it really was a special service. I’m so glad that we were able to take part in the baby dedication, and I’m so excited and grateful for Avalon to grow up in this church.

And now, here are the pictures I would have shown you at the beginning of the post if I wasn’t all about full disclosure- you know, the pretty and happy ones:

The next day, Mother’s Day, Rob and Avalon brought me coffee and my present in bed. Much to my surprise – I was sure I was getting a bread machine – I unwrapped the Mac Daddy of all chef knives. Because I’m a Food Network-aholic, I recently mentioned to Rob that I NEEDED a Wusthof knife like all the chefs on TV use, so he listened and gave me the most unconventional Mother’s Day gift I had ever imagined: a weapon.

I love it, of course, and told him that I couldn’t wait to chop up an onion. I need a life.

Provision and perspective

Just to be honest, whenever people put song lyrics in a blog post I never read them. It takes me only a millisecond for me to see the italicized lyrics written out and  pass right on through to the next unread post in my Google Reader.

However, because I’m four weeks postpartum and still slightly or completely hormonally-charged, I’m going to go against what I would previously never do and post song lyrics. Because it just feels right. So if you’re like me and typically don’t do the lyrics thing, go ahead and scoot along. But come back soon, mmmkay?

The song is by Nichole Nordeman, and is called Gratitude. I am already a huge Nichole fan, always have been, but recently I’ve been listening to her CD on repeat every single time I get in the car, and Avalon and I take daily trips to Sonic to get my diet vanilla coke fix so that’s at least thirty minutes of Nichole time every day. I’m pretty sure that Avalon is going to be one of those cute three year olds who sit in the backseat of the car singing the words to to whatever music Mama plays over and over again in that little kiddy, high-pitched voice, and in our case it’ll for sure be Nichole Nordeman. SO PRESHUS.

So anyway, this song in particular really strikes a chord with me lately. Lyrics below:

Send some rain, would You send some rain?

‘Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again

And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?

Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down

Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today

Maybe You’ll provide in other ways

And if that’s the case . . .

(Chorus)

We’ll give thanks to You

With gratitude

For lessons learned in how to thirst for You

How to bless the very sun that warms our face

If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread

Bless our bodies, keep our children fed

Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight

Wrap us up and warm us through

Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs

Let us slumber safe from danger’s view this time

Or maybe not, not today

Maybe You’ll provide in other ways

And if that’s the case . . .

(Chorus)

We’ll give thanks to You

With gratitude

A lesson learned to hunger after You

That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between

What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace

Move our hearts to hear a single beat

Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today

Peace might be another world away

And if that’s the case . . .

(Chorus)

We’ll give thanks to You

With gratitude

For lessons learned in how to trust in You

That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream

In abundance or in need

And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .

Not only is the music itself gorgeous, but the lyrics, what a message! To be grateful for what God has already given us, despite the fact that it might not be what we want or would choose for ourselves. That we are taken care of no matter what. There’s a line that especially gets me every single time, That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream, in abundance or in need. SERIOUSLY TEARS. EVERY. TIME.

You know, when I think about it, Nichole’s music should have some type of disclaimer, like, “Do not attempt to drive while listening, for risk of eyes welling up with tears and blurring vision.” Believe me. I know.

It’s been an encouraging song recently during my tough days with Avalon, when she screams to no avail and it seems like there is nothing I can do to console her. Hearing this song makes me grateful that I even have a daughter, a daughter with strong enough lungs and vocal chords to scream and cry, scream and cry, etc., etc., etc. It puts my bad day into perspective, and makes me grateful for what I have.

I am blessed. You are blessed. In abundance or in need.