Feeling kind of blue...

...because I have been sick for almost a week. As all we mothers know, the world doesn't stop for us when we feel like curling up in a ball and waking up 3 days later. It makes me think back to a section of scripture Derek and I were studying in Sunday School a few weeks back. The passage was from Luke 17 concerning service. The story talks about a servant who is tired, hungry, and exhausted from a long day's work. He then comes home and makes food for his master, and waits on him until he is done. THEN he makes his own food, etc.

The message to be taken was that we never stop serving the Master. No nap, no break, no vacation. We're never done, ever. And we should serve with humility. As a human I always want to hear, "Good job, Shannon. Bravo!" I want to be noticed. Don't we all? Even for something as simple as forgiving those that say they're sorry and not causing others to sin, I still want someone to tell me, "Well done."

Serving kids is like serving Christ. It never stops, even when I'm tired (or sick). Even when I feel like I can't give anymore, I need to realize that after this life is when I get to recline and relax. We need to be like the apostle Paul, a perfect example of a servant who never stopped. To go the extra mile is my duty, not to do my checklist and then prop my feet up expecting my husband to take over when he comes through the door. I want to be a disciple of Christ, not try to be a Super Christian (which there's just no such thing). Serve my family, my friends, people I don't know, and keep serving. Some of you may be exhausted just thinking about this, but it really encourages me to suck it up and keep going. My reward is coming in due time, just not here on earth. How refreshing, is it not?

On a lighter note, I was looking at the multiple posts that I have fallen behind on again. I found some solo photos that didn't deserve their own individual post and threw them all together.

Derek decided to dig up a tree that was never going to straighten itself after Hurricane Ike. I took this photo because of what both Derek & Justin we wearing on their feet during this task. The other photo is from when we kept Luke one evening while his mommy ran errands. Nothing like a good bubble bath to bring smiles to little boys' faces.


A few weekends ago we went to a party with our neighbors at the Rajin Cajun. They had won a party at a silent auction, and the food was actually very good. I'd never been there before and was pleasantly surprised. Anyways, Justin is obsessed with me wearing boots (or anyone else for that matter). He doesn't have any, but thinks that his rain golashes are the same thing. So he sees mommy putting on her boots and runs to put his on as well. The other photo are the wonderful neighbors that live next to us: Dawn, Denise, & Naseem. They are always letting us know if something happens when we're gone, helping with ingredients to a recipe, etc. Such a blessing for us to have neighbors that look out for us!

And last but not least, I spy something in a straight line! I am always rounding a corner in the house to see a crazy arrangement of something random put in a perfect line. I think, "Justin strikes again!" The first photo is a vertical arrangement of spices. The second is one of the many ways he lines up his toys in the backyard.


So as Christmas is only 3 days away, and we all are running ourselves into the ground with mindless errands, remind yourself that we are here to serve, and to keep serving just when you feel like you've done enough. It's what we've been commanded to do. We serve such a Great King that we unworthy to be his servants. But I am thankful that He allows me to be!