Life update

So, here is a little bit of what is going on in the Diehl family in the last week.  A bit of back story first.  Ben started working at our church in September on a part time basis.  He works in the worship arts department doing various things-setting things up, working during services to help people on and off the stage, etc.  He has really enjoyed working there and it has been a blessing to our family to have the opportunity to serve in this way.  Last week, I got some news that as of now, I do not have a spot teaching summer school.  While I was disappointed because we really could use the money, I had a sense of peace about the situation and told Ben that God had another plan for us.  Well, turns out, He did.  And boy is it a good one.  As of today, Ben is now a FULL-TIME employee at Bay Life Church!!  God is so good!  We are so excited that we have this opportunity for him to serve in a church, doing the ministry that we believe God has called him to do.  Thank you so much to all of you who have prayed for us while we have been waiting for Ben to find full time work. And thank you so much to our God who sees the big picture and always knows what's best for us!

This hurts me more than it hurts you...

We had church tonight (big surprise here). It's our spring musical and there was a video about how God takes his chisel and molds and shapes each one of us to be more like him. The two men, one is God and the other is being chiseled, are talking about how much it will hurt. The man playing God says, "It hurts me more than it hurts you." As I listened, I thought about all the times I heard that phrase, both as a kid and now as an adult, and especially, now as a parent. But, this saying is so true. When I'm disciplining G, it does hurt me. The temporary pain she feels from a swat on the hand or leg is almost instantly over, but my mommy heart hurts. It hurts me that my child is, at this point mostly because of her age and inexperience, willfully disobeying me when I tell her for the tenth time not to stick her fingers in the dog dish or not to throw toys in the trash can (this has happened) or whatever the action is. But isn't this so true of my relationship with my heavenly father? Don't I continue to repeat the same, willfully disobedient actions as my child, even though I've been told no and warned? And yet, just like G, I'm surprised when I receive a "swat" or something to get my attention and then cry and pout because I got caught. Oh sin....so easily entangled in it are we. But then, after time to think and reflect, don't I (and God) take our beloved child in our arms and say to them, "I love you, no matter what." Even if you stick your hand in the dog bowl, or climb the stairs when no one is watching, or tell little lies to make others happy. Glad God is here to help me through the hurt and loves me enough to want me to be better. P.S. I know I missed five minute Friday. I'll try to do a six minute Sunday instead. Have to make it through this musical first. :)