My weekly weigh-in revealed that I’m just fabulous! Well, it felt fabulous just typing it! I have nothing to report as Lucy remains across the street at her sleep over party. I wonder if she’s gained weight? 
My weekly nugget was delivered from an adorable, freckle nosed little boy with the most adorable cowlick, or perhaps more accurately, cal-lick, our son, Cal.
This past week, I inquired, “How’d you get so smart?” His prompt reply, “cause, cause, cause…I listen to God.” Nice one Mr. Smartie-Pants!
WOWZERS, ZOINKERS and SHAZAM … our kid is smart (and faithful!)!
Out of the mouths of babes and unweaned infants You have made (provided) perfect praise? Matthew 21:16b (AMP)
Cause I listen to God. I’ve been gnawing on this one all week. I’m impressed and challenged with the ease and truth Cal provided. My self-talk exploded, “I listen to God…well, usually!”
My private time modus operandi(M.O)is park my butt in our comfy overstuffed chair, with both water and coffee and get to it. In other words, I stop, drop and do.
Next to my comfy chair, I have a basketful of goodies to help me “do”. I pulled out a bunch of them…three Bible translations, a concordance, a devotional, and journal (with green pen…are you impressed with my non-black-ink-ness Jen W.?)…
“Do-ing” comes naturally to me. “Be-ing” (listening) does not. God crafted me as a Type A, “git-r-done” kinda gal so I need to learn how to live against my natural bent.
God gently provided, “Listen already!” (Just so you know, this is not a new nudge, He’s just used our youngest to deliver the message, most likely with the thought, “she’s got to get it if I use her 3 year old!”)
So, today, I did journal, I did read, and then I looked at my watch and said, Lord, I’m going be silent. The entire two minutes and 35 seconds (hey, Rome wasn’t built in one day!) comforted, refreshed and pointed.
God pointed that my Monday evening carb-loading (that’s a gentle way to put it) was because I’m grieving Romeo. I miss Romeo’s comfort, particularly when Dave’s overnight at the firehouse. Monday nights acted as a date night for Romeo and I; we bonded even more. I cherished the “us time” once the boys were in bed. Romeo never complained about his decreased position on the totem pole when the boys arrived on scene. Like always, he just took it all in stride.
Romeo’s void is everywhere. I still look down on the floor as I get out of bed to not trip over him. He’s still on my lips as we come in and out of the house with my reflex statement, “close the door boys, Romeo’s gonna get out”. My floors and vacuum canister lack the tumbleweeds of dog fur. I found myself even looking for a few stray fur hairs on the steps as I vacuumed. Even in my windproof jacket yesterday, were plastic poop bags that waited to be filled.
Sunday, we had a ceremony for Romeo. The boys agreed the rock they dug out of the earth earlier that day was to be his memorial stone, it seemed a natural fit. We personalized the stone:
Cal doodled on the top and side,
Jake painted a smile,
I wrote his name,
and Dave painted a heart.
Dave dug a hole, where we placed a bag filled with personal remembrances, Cal placed Romeo’s fur, Jake drew a picture, I wrote a letter and Dave placed a picture. We said a family prayer and covered the hole. It felt good knowing, it’s okay to grieve.
Two years ago, when Juliet died, we did nothing to release the pressure of grief. Sure we cried, but just denied the promptings of grief and pressed on. Dave and I both agreed that we feel a compounded grief now. God speaks and says it’s okay to grieve my child, don’t stuff it. I’m here and care. That’s what He spoke, and I deeply desire now to listen.
Do you listen in on God’s council? Do you limit wisdom to yourself? Job 15:8(NIV)
Stop, drop and listen…then do. This is my new M.O. I need to listen to God. If I don’t I’m limited in wisdom, for sure!
Take it from Mr. Smartie Pants, this guy’s got it going on!
Be smart and listen to God!
How’s your hearing these days?
PS
Check out the new movie Fireproof, I saw it this week with hubby and it was AWESOME! You can find out where it’s playing: http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
Steph, I cried through the whole message this week. Cal is such a sweet boy. I’m amazed at his words and feel ashamed of myself. If only I would listen to God as this small child. Romeo is definately on my heart. I’m so happy to have Sadie while James is gone and when John is asleep. I am praying for you and your family as well.
Another great message, Steph. Are you enjoying Lucy’s sleep away camp? I love the stone you made for Romeo. I continue to pray for you and your grieving family. Pets bring another dimension to family life. Those warm eyes, the tail wag, the big sighs when they finally get the attention they’ve been waiting for … and we miss them when they go. I’m hoping that you and your family have a great weekend. We are planning a busy time as well, but you will be in my thoughts as I try to listen to God. The children He entrusts to us always have the most amazingly moving things to say. Their hearts are still so pure and untainted by the worldly YUCK around us. It is a testimony that we are doing the right thing when our children say things like Cal said. I so admire that closeness to God. Take care of yourself, and know that I’ll be praying for you. Love you!