Don't Worry, Be Happy

This is how I know God made me to be Caroline's mom, and that He made her to be my daughter. 

Breakfast In Bed

This kid blesses my socks off. 

She's really blooming in her culinary skills.  Last Monday, (well, obviously it wasn't last Monday.. this post has been sitting in draft mode for quite a while) she brought me breakfast in bed.  It was SUCH a treat, although a little humbling.  Be honest, how many of you were able to make perfect fried eggs (without breaking a single yolk) at the age of 9? She's just earned herself the role of Chief Egg Fryer at the Cox casa.

Fried Eggs, Rosemary Triscuits, and Coconut Chips... 

Breakfast of Champions! :p  

The interesting selection of sides is really my fault... she'd be more than willing to attempt bacon and potatoes if I gave her the green light.  And, more importantly, if I managed to get to the grocery store more than once a month.

wake-up call

I went to church with Everett today while Christopher played golf with a friend.  He almost passed on the offer because it's Father's Day and he wanted us to be together (well, 3/4ths together), but I encouraged him to go because he hasn't played golf since we moved here... 3 years ago.

So, I arrived late (I cannot possibly explain the events of the morning with PorkChop and keep the disposition necessary to tell this story, so I'll refrain for now) and snuck in after worship - just as Jim Matthies (our amazing Spiritual Formation pastor) was getting started. 

The general premise was aimed at the men in the audience, and was titled "Fathers vs. Babysitters".  Essentially, are we engaged in the act of "fathering" or are we engaged in a shallow game of defense in which we're just trying to make sure everyone survives until the REAL father shows up. 

The piece that really really hit me hard was this brief comment...

Jesus was always busy, but never in a hurry.
 
Oh have mercy.  That one hurt.  I'm in a very busy spot in my life.  New promotion, new responsibilities for strategy, work product, and development of my direct reports... new baby who is growing so fast that everytime I blink I miss something good... husband with a new internship that has him driving 160 miles each day to experience some of the best ME research projects in the world.... new pre-teen who is looking around for the next big step in her life and wants - no, needs -  me to be engaged and offering strength and encouragement along the way.

All of this, and God still provides some beautiful times of silence and stillness for us to breathe, enjoy our life, and just be.  Except that I can't enjoy those moments because I'm always in a hurry.  

Jesus was always busy, but never in a hurry. 

I want desperately to feel like I'm not in a hurry.  I want to be busy, experiencing days full of purposeful interactions and meaningful learning opportunities and discipline-building tasks.  But I don't want to be in a hurry anymore.  I want the people I love most to know that I'm thinking only of them when we're at the dinner table, or on a run, or saying our nightly prayers. That I'm not just arranging and cataloging and prioritizing the next 12 things I need to take care of.