Willingness To Suffer

Todd here, just wanted to share some thoughts:

I heard a profound statement that has been challenging me. I have a friend who is extremely into cycling. He was involved in a conversation on the phone and sitting right next to him I couldn't help but eaves drop just a little. Even though I was not involved in the conversation I could tell what they were talking about. They were talking about how these guys can get out there in the "Texas heat" and cycle 75 - 100 miles in 3 hours and still have the desire to keep going... to win the race. My friend responded with this statement, " it all comes down to who is willing to suffer the most." Wow!!!!!!! The preacher in me loves hearing things like this because obviously it is a great illustration. However, the person, the man in me hates to hear things like this because it hurts. I hate it because it challenges, it exposes, it makes me uncomfortable. Following Christ is all about running to him with an increasing pace. During a race the cyclist body is screaming at them to "STOP". During the Christian race our flesh screams at us telling us to give up and to give in. The racer knows that he belongs at the Finish Line, The racer knows that he did not start this race just to give up but to win. He pushes through the pain the " suffering" and focuses on the joy of crossing that finish line. His willingness to suffer is the very thing that enables him to finish his race.
Our willingness to suffer with Christ will be the very thing that takes us home. Count it all Joy!!!!!
Romans 18:1 / James 1:2

Changes

Well this was a week of changes for all the Smiths'. I started back work full time, a heart wrenching decision for our family. A choice like this is not made easily or quickly. We came to the decision that we were making the right change at the right time. THANK GOD for Mrs. Suzanne who has become the Smith Family Knight in Shining Armor! She cares for our babies like they were her own and without her we couldn't have come to the decision with any peace. She is a true Godsend to us.
Though I have shed many a tear over this past week, my kids seem to be adapting much better than I am. A blessing and a curse I guess. You want your kids to be happy about where they are going to be during the day, yet I struggle with also wishing they would be miserable without Mommy.
The first day Madelynn was exhausted from playing with all her new friends and was asleep by 8:15. Mommy was exhausted too and went to sleep as soon as she did! By the end of the day today I was feeling better about our shaky routine and beginning to feel like we might all survive.
God Bless all you working moms out there, the choice is one that only you can make and many times you are plaqued with all those "Aren't your kids more important?" comments. My kids are the most important thing and my reasons for going to work have WAY more to do with them than with me!! Good Luck to all you families out there trying to juggle family, work, church, friends, marriage and maybe squeeze a minute in there once in a while for yourself.
Keep this Smith family in your prayers as we are still learning to adjust and learning to juggle. Ours is an ever moving target!

So Blessed

Well, well , well, I can officially call myself a blogger. This is Todd by the way. This is the first time I have done this. Betsy is very hesitant to let me do this as I am not as gifted in the area of overrated things like correct spelling, punctuation and grammar. I have enjoyed so much reading Betsy's blog and thought it was about time to let people hear from her other half.
Last Sunday Madelynn was at her Maw Maw's house so it was very quiet not having the 2 year old running crazy in the house. Betsy was playing the piano and singing some old Hillsong's music. Zach and I went outside to sit on the bench. We listened to Betsy sing and play the piano. It was so incredible and peaceful. As I sat outside, held my son and listened to my wife sing I felt like all was right. I felt like the luckiest man on the face of the earth to have such a beautiful family. It was such a beautiful picture of God's Grace and Mercy in my life. To be so blessed despite all the wrong I have done. To feel so peaceful. To feel so hopeful for the future despite my past. And to be so excited what else God has in store. I could go on and on describing the sense of pride I have for my family and the thanksgiving I give to God for all of His great blessings. Take time today to sit back, look around , count your blessings and give thanks to God.