Lutheranism Archives - Be Still and Know

Grace Never Asks for Perfection

August 2, 2019 kelseybonilla

When I dig deep into my heart and look closely at my tendency to try to control my life, I often feel sheepish and silly. Perfectionism is such a ridiculous condition for a Christian! I believe that we are all sinners: …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. (Romans 3: 23 – 25). But, then I so easily slip into behaviors that reflect different beliefs. These include striving to improve myself, ordering my external and internal worlds, and seeking to do the “good” and “right” thing at all times. In other words my actions take on the utmost importance in my life as I basically tell God, “Thanks for everything! I’ve got it from here…”

In Chapter 5 of Matthew, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus concludes the challenging directive to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… by announcing: You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48). Yikes! Doesn’t that just sound condemning! I absolutely cannot be perfect enough for God’s standards. Fortunately, God knew this and provided an answer to our human condition by sending Jesus to be the substitute and propitiation for our sins. He upheld the law of perfection and, when we’re united to Him, His perfect righteousness covers our sinful hearts.

There is rhetoric within Christian communities that promotes the idea that we need to earn God’s favor through our actions. Our former pastor referred to these practices as “sin management programs”, as if we could somehow perfect ourselves by managing our behavior. Fortunately, I’m also hearing more honest and true representations of the “Law vs. Gospel” distinction in contemporary Christian music, which makes my heart happy! One example is from a favorite running song of mine, “Even Then” by Micah Tyler:

When the days up ahead look a little bit brighter
But the grip of the past holds a little bit tighter
I’m reminded Your grace never asks for perfection
Oh I’m restored ’cause I’m Yours and I stand forgiven

That simple line (the one in bold!) always grabs my heart. God’s grace doesn’t demand my perfection. In fact, the idea that I need to be perfect is basically a rejection of God’s grace. Grace is completely unmerited favor. I don’t deserve it at all. None of us can earn something that God freely gives out of His divine love. The MercyMe song “Best Day Ever” also captures this beautifully:

Some say, “Don’t give up”
And hope that your good is good enough
Head down, keep on working
If you could earn it, you deserve it
Some say, “Push on through”
After all, it’s the least that you can do
But don’t buy, what they’re selling
It couldn’t be further from the truth…

Some say, “Don’t ask for help”
God helps the ones who help themselves
Press on, get it right
Otherwise, get left behind
Some say, “He’s keeping score”
So try hard, then try a little more
Hold up, if this were true
Explain to me, what the cross is for

The simplicity of song lyrics often captures an idea in such a poignant way, so that I feel it rather than think about it. Truly, if we are able to be perfect enough for God’s standards, why would Jesus have to die for our sins? When we worry about God “keeping score” and tallying up our sins versus our good deeds, we take matters into our own hands rather than surrendering and resting in Jesus’s perfect atonement for us.

Recognizing our neediness before God completely overturns the modern focus on self-actualization. Instead of striving and trying to control the world around us, we can remember Paul’s experience of the thorn in his side: Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2Corinthians 12: 8-11).

God’s strength is made perfect in us when we stop trying to be strong and instead rest in his all sufficient grace. Amen!

Home and Family, Lutheranism, Uncategorized

You Are What You Love

January 19, 2019January 19, 2019 kelseybonilla

The beginning of a New Year is the highpoint of self-actualization rhetoric in American culture and I typically jump in with both feet. The idea that we can change our habits and routines so everything stays in perfect balance and we’ll be thinner, fitter, happier and more productive this year than last year is so enticing! But, for a reformed hyper-planner and self-aware Type 1 perfectionist, this time of year is a very slippery slope for me.

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Sure enough, the past few weeks, I’ve been “in my head” and less in touch with my heart; relying on myself instead of God, expecting everything to work out just right if I plan properly, and missing the moments of connection all around me. However, simultaneously I’ve been reading a very interesting and helpful book: You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K. A. Smith. Our pastor, who recently moved across the country, preached from this book for several weeks before he left last year. I loved the sermons and looked forward to deepening my understanding of how our loves are shaped by liturgical practices, both inside and outside the church.

Dr. Smith argues: “In ways that are more “modern” than biblical, we have been taught to assume that human beings are fundamentally thinking things.” Most of our efforts toward discipleship focus on collecting information as if “we can think our way to holiness – sanctification by information transfer.” This approach is diametrically opposed to biblical wisdom, where Jesus continually refers to the human heart as the center of our being. Of Christ, Smith states, “He isn’t content to simply deposit new ideas into your mind; he is after nothing less than your wants, your loves, your longings.”

This argument really hit home when Smith asked “Do you ever experience a gap between what you know and what you do? Have you ever found that new knowledge and information don’t seem to translate into a new way of life?” I imagine everyone who’s currently struggling with maintaining a health related resolution has experienced just this gap! We know what is healthy, but that doesn’t mean we always do it! Smith goes on to suggest: “What if it’s because you aren’t just a thinking thing?” Indeed, what if our “epicenter of human identity” is what Augustine articulated when he said, “You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you…”?

Smith goes on to describe the Augustinian alternative: “…since our hearts are made to find their end in God, we will experience a besetting anxiety and restlessness when we try to love substitutes. To be human is to have a heart. You can’t not love. So the question isn’t whether you will love something as ultimate; the question is what you will love as ultimate. And you are what you love.”

If loves aren’t cultivated by information transfer, in other words, we can’t collect ideas in order to transform our loves. How are our hearts oriented? Smith explains that loves are shaped over time by the liturgical practices in our lives. Rival liturgies are the habits we have, which over time shape what we perceive as the “good life” or the end to which our life is headed. The book includes a lengthy metaphor of the shopping mall as the modern “church” in America; illustrating how everything from the cathedral style architecture to the economic transaction at the altar of consumerism. It’s really interesting and comical too. I could relate to the feeling of aimlessly strolling through a mall (or more commonly Target!) looking for something that I “need”.

The biggest takeaway from this book, for me, is the idea that what we ultimately love and desire is shaped, over time, by our daily habits. If our family routinely spends the weekend shopping, then being a consumer is what we cultivate as “the good life”. If we watch television each evening, our worldview is shaped to mirror that which we see in popular culture. If we read classic, wholesome books with our children, then their desires are shaped by things that are good, true, and timeless. When we pray before dinner, attend the Divine Service each week, read before bed, and spend time as a family, our loves are oriented toward God and family. These little daily habits shape what we value, desire, love and ultimately you are what you love.

Home and Family, Lutheranism, My Awakening

L-O-V-E

September 15, 2017September 15, 2017 kelseybonilla

The Gospel reading for this past Sunday was from Matthew, chapter 18, when the disciples asked Jesus “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus replies by calling a child over to him and He said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I love this reminder and oh, how I need to keep it in front of me daily.

The prevailing message in our society is self-determination. We are encouraged to strive hard, be productive, and generally make our way in the world. Jesus’s message couldn’t be more different. His definition of greatness is the opposite of what the world tells us. The child who is humble, meek, and readily surrenders to the care and guidance of their Father in heaven, that one is the greatest.

I don’t know about you, but this message brings me such relief! It tells me: “Stop striving, Kels! Stop trying to live up to the expectations of this world. Stop needing things to go a certain way so you can feel comfortable and in control. Stop measuring your worth through productivity, wealth, or accomplishments.”

Instead, look around you, be present in the moment, what are you called to do right now? Try praying for guidance. Try resting and waiting for God’s timing to be fulfilled. Be humble and surrender. God knows what’s best and he’ll let you in on his plan for your life a little bit at a time. You don’t get to see the whole picture. You don’t know what’s best. But, your Father in heaven does. Stop. Rest.

As a parent actively raising young children, this imagery of childhood and submitting to the guidance of loving parents is particularly meaningful. Just last night, I had the opportunity to pray for wisdom, stay present, and help my son through a challenging moment. Teo was sitting at the dining table and making a consistent, annoying noise. After asking him to stop a few times, I decided to put music on in the kitchen to divert his attention. He didn’t react well to the music coming on.

“I don’t like this music!” he complained as Frank Sinatra’s crooning filled the room. I explained that this was mommy’s time for cooking and listening to music, so I wasn’t going to change it. He continued to throw quite a fit. I let him cry and yell for a few minutes, then tried to reason with him again. He calmed a bit, but then came into the kitchen complaining again, “Turn this off, I don’t like it.”

The Nat King Cole song “L-O-V-E” was just starting. Without any forethought, I scooped Teo up in my arms (which is getting harder and harder to do!) and started dancing with him in the kitchen. He instantly relaxed and put his head on my shoulder as I sang along:

L is for the way you look at me
O is for the only one I see
V is very, very extraordinary
E is even more than anyone that you adore

And love is all that I can give to you
Love is more than just a game for two
Two in love can make it
Take my heart and please don’t break it
Love was made for me and you

As the song came to an end, I silently prayed: “Thank you for that moment, Lord.” Then I kissed Teo on the cheek as I put him down. Within a few minutes he grabbed his glove and baseball to practice pop-flys in the backyard while dinner finished cooking.

When I think of the way that God lovingly guides and cares for us, despite our persistent sin, pridefulness, and general disregard for his direction, I’m inspired to love my children unconditionally. Children are often sent the message that they will be loved when they obey their parents or other authority figures. Being a “good girl” or “good boy” and being praised for those traits leads to many “people pleasers” and “approval addicts”. What if we allowed our children to feel their emotions, express them, assert their will, and have their own perspectives? Then, we can teach, guide, and coach them with loving support and big doses of hugs and love. What if we tried to model God’s grace for us in the way we parent our children?

Lutheranism, My Awakening, Uncategorized

Seeking Peace Where it Can’t Be Found

September 9, 2017 kelseybonilla

Living in our postmodern, technological age, we are inundated with information all the time. Browsing through the bookstore or library (two of my favorite activities!) reveals that there’s pretty much no topic that hasn’t been researched and written about. I’m a fan of physical paper books, but there’s obviously a nearly infinite number of electronic and online sources of information. From diet plans, cookbooks, and exercise advice, to personal productivity, self-help, and religion, if you have a problem, there’s at least a dozen sources of potential answers.

Culling through all the noise and conflicting advice is enough to make your head spin. There are certainly useful and sometimes very helpful ideas that we can implement in our lives in practical ways. But, as a Christian, I’ve found that all the worldly advice and self-help rhetoric can never compare to God’s perfect guidance. I’m reminded of one of my favorite verses from Philippians:

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 4-7

When I’m striving for control, I can dive deep into the latest research, diet, or other self-help approach, seeking to improve myself and be healthier, smarter, and more productive. But, none of that information can ever give me what I deeply desire. It can’t fill the God-shaped hole inside me or provide the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. In fact, instead of lasting peace, this striving for control ultimately leads me away from God as I rely on my own understanding.

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When I trust in God and rest in prayer, I am consistently amazed by how perfect His timing is, how the right words come to mind and prompt me to act in loving ways so I can connect with those around me. What truly matters always gets the appropriate amount of attention and time when I stop striving to control and accept the world around me.

If you step back and think about it, this striving and seeking our own way forward, instead of relying on God, it’s pretty ridiculous. The Creator of the universe has made Himself known through His Son and communes with us through the Holy Spirit, so that we always have access to Him and His perfect love. But, so often, our sinfulness drives us into ourselves and we believe the lie that we can make it on our own. Instead of turning to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we trust our feeble, limited wisdom. Craziness!

There’s undoubtedly a lot of wise and helpful advice and information in all types of mediums that we can read and learn. I’m a lifetime student at heart and still love going to a coffee shop to read and take notes! It’s my special “me time” that I try to carve out on a weekly basis. But, now I’m doing it prayerfully, asking for proper discernment, so that trusting in God is always foremost in my heart and mind.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6

Home and Family, Lutheranism

A Family Constitution

August 31, 2017 kelseybonilla

Sienna came running out the backdoor with a paper in her hand: “Mommy, you need to read this and sign it!” I had been sitting in the backyard watching the sunset and initially thought it was her daily binder reminder that required my signature. Instead, she handed me a contract she’d just drafted for our family.

The “Family Constitution” included the following rules:

No hitting. No pushing. No snatching. No saying someone is mean. No name calling. No rudeness. Always share. Be kind. Say please and thank you.

Dennis had already signed the constitution, and I later teased him that he must be Hamilton, which is appropriate as the head of our family.

“Sienna, this is great! I’m happy to sign.” I told her. “Did you do a class constitution in school today?”

“Yep!” she replied as she went to collect Mateo’s “signature” and add her own, before posting it on the refrigerator.

This morning, she added our return address stamp to make it “official” and declared that she was the President of the family. Teo proudly announced that Sienna had installed him as the police officer. I thought it was a brilliant move to give him responsibility for policing these rules as he’s one of the biggest offenders. Specifically of calling his mommy “mean” when she doesn’t let him do what he wants to do!

“Who decides on the punishment?” Teo asked.

“Well, you’re the police so you’ll arrest someone and then they’ll go in front of the judge,” I replied.

“Who’s the judge?”

“I am!” Sienna declared.

“You’re the President and the judge? Sounds like a concentration of power to me!”

When we returned home from work and school this evening, Teo and I had a conversation about these family rules. He was feeling tired and overwhelmed and wanted to toss out the constitution because it was too challenging.

“Teo, you don’t have to keep these rules perfectly. No one expects you to do that,” I calmly explained.

“But, I do!” he responded.

I went on to explain that these family rules are in the spirit of God’s law for us. We can never keep God’s perfect law. We’re sinners and will always fall short of God’s standard of perfection. Jesus lived without sin and paid the price for our sins with his death and resurrection. We’re washed in his righteousness through Baptism. Therefore, we’re forgiven each time we fall short. Similarly, in our family, we’ll break these rules, say we’re sorry, ask for forgiveness, and be forgiven.

Wow, that’s reassuring news whether you’re a kid, parent, President, police officer, or judge.

Home and Family, Lutheranism, Uncategorized

Graceful Teachable Moments

July 23, 2017 kelseybonilla

Rushing kids to get ready and out the door in time to make it to work by 8:15 a.m. feels like a fate worse than death. Fortunately, I don’t have to do it often, but this week I did. Adding to the equation that they have been going to bed late, sleeping in, and generally in the slothful mode of kids in summertime, just about pushed me over the edge.

When we finally left the house to head to their summer program, Sienna realized that we’d forgotten to apply sunscreen. No, correct that… I had forgotten to apply sunscreen to her and Mateo.

“Mom! You forgot our sunscreen!” she accusingly cried.

“You’ll be okay,” I passively replied.

“No, we’ll get sunburned! Why didn’t you put sunscreen on us?” my persistent daughter asked.

“Because I’m a bad mom! What do you want me to say, Sienna?” was my lovingly maternal response.

I sighed, already regretting my comment. “Breathe,” I told myself. For the next few blocks, I just drove and took deep breaths. Gazing in the rearview mirror, which is always pointed toward my kids when they’re in the car, I noted the sad expressions on both their faces.

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Pulling the car over to the curb, I turned around to face them.

“I’m sorry. Mommy has a lot of responsibilities and today I was anxious to get to work on time to make sure a room was setup in time for a meeting. You two are my most cherished and important responsibilities and I love you so much. Work is important too because it provides money for our family. Sometimes mommy gets overwhelmed, but I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”

“It’s okay, Mom” Sienna replied. Teo smiled at me as he patted my hand.

We parted with big hugs and kisses a few minutes later. On the drive to the office, I could have beaten myself up for responding harshly and sarcastically instead of patiently and lovingly. But, instead, I prayed and remembered that God is gracious and forgiving. This was yet another opportunity to demonstrate that love and grace to Sienna and Teo.

Recently, Sienna has begun telling me she’s sorry for talking rudely or unkindly. She’s started reflecting on why she chose to behave a certain way and expresses regret when she hurts her loved one’s feelings. In these moments, it seems like she’s mimicking me. I’ve made it a point to ask for forgiveness when my words and behavior don’t match my loving intentions.

We all get frustrated and short-tempered from time to time and say things that hurt others. We try to do better, but we’re sinners and we’ll inevitably fall back into wanting things to go our way and getting frustrated with the people around us when they don’t do what we want them to do. Being quick to acknowledge when we sin against those we love and seeking their forgiveness is what I hope our kids are seeing and learning.

I guess it’s fortunate we have so many good teachable moments.

Lutheranism

Take this cup from me…

March 6, 2017 kelseybonilla

I’m working through a Lenten devotional called Contemplating the Cross: A 40 Day Pilgrimage of Prayer by Tricia McCary Rhodes, for the second time this Lenten season. My first time through was six years ago. I’m getting so much more out of it this time around, mostly because of my willingness and desire to dig deep and face unpleasant emotions. There’s no way to understand Christ’s suffering without facing the pain and suffering head on.

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Yesterday’s devotion helped me understand Jesus’s suffering in the garden in a new way. In order for Jesus, who had no sin, to be the sacrifice for our sins, he had to take on the sins of the world. He had to become sin for us. Rhodes explains, the cup Jesus asks the Father to take from him is filled with the sins of all humanity throughout all of time. Can you imagine the repulsion that Jesus must have felt?

In response to each daily devotion, Rhodes urges readers to write prayers. Here’s mine:

Dear Lord Jesus,

I cannot imagine the depths of sin and darkness that filled the cup you were given in the garden. My sin was included. Your perfect righteousness was defiled by the sin of the world that night.

I am so eternally grateful that you drank from the cup, becoming sin for us, so you could be the sacrifice for sin. My life and the lives of everyone I love, indeed, everyone in the world, would have been lost had you dashed the cup upon the ground. Your struggle, pain, and doubt was not as big and strong as your love and obedience toward the Father.

If only we could try to immolate that obedience, Lord. We would all be so much better off; I would be. But, you are perfect righteousness. You are ultimate love and compassion. You are the giver of life and all good things. Thank you for loving me and drinking my sin into your body that night. May my life always reflect this gratitude.

In your precious name, Amen.

Lutheranism, Uncategorized

I Am a Sinner. What a Relief!

February 23, 2017 kelseybonilla

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

Given our culture of positive thinking and self-empowerment, this may sound revolutionary, but here it goes… I have found that remembering that I am a sinner and in need of Christ’s perfect righteousness and salvation provides instant relief, comfort and peace. By reminding myself that I’m not innately good, without Christ, I am brought back to a state of surrender, which leads to a peace beyond understanding.

It’s been several years now since my transformation from living disconnected, in my head, and out of touch with my emotions. I typically embrace living in the moment, feeling my feelings, and connecting with Christ and the people in my life. However, the ego is a funny thing. After feeling strong and capable, happy and fulfilled, because of letting go and trusting God, I will then slowly, gradually, and without detection start striving for control. I start to believe my thoughts that tell me how things ought to be, how other people ought to behave, how the world around me ought to operate.

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Our thoughts are pretty ridiculous at times and I’ve been tapping into my observing self lately to watch how my mind operates. Thoughts will hook me and I wrestle with deciding whether or not they are true. One of the most important lessons I learned from The Happiness Trap is to focus on whether or not a thought is helpful, whether it helps you live a life you value, rather on whether or not the thought is true. Ultimately, my perspective and wisdom are very small. Typically, when I’m striving to reconcile unhelpful thoughts, I’m actually struggle with a need for control.

I’ll remind myself – “Kelsey, you’re a sinner. You aren’t innately good and right in this or any situation. God’s grace is what brings life and salvation to you and everyone else.” I am then able to relax, breathe, and start praying for God’s wisdom to guide me to take action to improve whatever situation or circumstance is plaguing my thoughts.

One of the concepts in Lutheran theology that brings wonderful relief is that we’re simultaneously saint and sinner. Because of Jesus’s sacrificial death and resurrection, those who are baptized into his name are saints. But, we are still sinners living in this fallen world. No matter our efforts, we are breaking God’s perfect standard on a daily basis. There is good inside of us – the Holy Spirit of God – which leads us to love and do good deeds. But, we certainly cannot boast in these actions because they’re motivated by God, not by our sinful humanity.

By remembering my sinfulness, I’m immediately brought down from the elevated place my ego has lead me. By recognizing my extremely limited perspective and wisdom, I turn to God for guidance. By recalling that my thoughts are misleading and without value, I am able to dismiss them and turn my attention to connecting with the people around me. By connecting with people and praying for God’s wisdom, I am able to find ways to love and good deeds to do.

Books Worth Reading, Lutheranism, My Awakening, Uncategorized

Time Well Spent

October 24, 2016October 24, 2016 kelseybonilla

Maybe it’s just me, but tasks, responsibilities, choices, options, and general noise from the world can become overwhelming at times. When life gets busy, I find myself almost paralyzed with information overload. Have a half an hour before the next scheduled event? Should I prep food, do some house cleaning, write a blog post, read, play with the kids, go to the store, check an item off my to do list, do a quick workout?

Okay, I decide to prep food. What meal? Should I stick with the meal plan I came up with earlier in the week or be spontaneous? I’ll see what recipes I can make with the ingredients on hand. Okay, should I search online or peruse the half dozen cookbooks on my kitchen counter? Will the kids eat the Thai chicken dish I found online? Doubtful. I’ll just make something different for them. But what? And around we go again.

This is just one possible option of how to spend those thirty minutes. There are dozens of others, and that’s where the real struggle comes from. When I get caught up in my thoughts and buy into the societal pressure that my life ought to look a certain way, there is a self-imposed pressure to always be doing the right thing. I remember this mindset. It’s the one that drove me into my head and away from my family. It’s the one that believes my thoughts and actions will keep my world spinning, rather than surrendering to God’s perfect plan.

The truth is, time is finite. There are only so many hours in a day, days in a year, and years in a lifetime. How we choose to spend our time is hugely important in shaping the life we lead. The more activities I tell myself need to fit into my life, the more overwhelmed I feel. Does the meal have to be completely home cooked and (for me) paleo? Do I need to say yes to every request for parental volunteer or kids’ birthday party invitation? Do I have to run or workout a certain number of times per week?

Of course the answer to all of these is no. Those pressures are self-imposed and lead to stress and anxiety that I have to fit everything in to my already full schedule of childcare, diabetes management, a full time job, etc.

I’m prayerfully asking God to help me re-find the place of trusting acceptance and he’s shown me a surefire method for deciding how to spend my time.

I began down the right track this fall as I prioritized my kids’ soccer games over joining the running club on long runs Saturday mornings. I’m still running on my own, which is peaceful and delightful, but training for a marathon is not a priority when I could be watching Teo play soccer!

Just last night, I got a wonderful reminder of how prioritizing connection with my family yields joy and peace. Sienna starting complaining of an upset tummy about an hour before bedtime. She was already all bathed and in her pajamas; she came to me in tears that her tummy hurt. I said, “Why don’t we get in bed and read?”

Since she’s been doing most of the reading to Dennis or me at bedtime, she asked “But, can you read? I don’t feel up to it.”

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“Of course, Lovie.” We settled into her bed to start the last chapter of Ramona Quimby, Age 8.

After taking some medicine and finishing Ramona Quimby, Age 8, Sienna was feeling a little better and asked if we could read another book. We both moved from her bed to the floor in front of her bookshelves to choose the next book. I looked over at Sienna, she smiled at me and said, “I love reading with you, it makes me feel so much better.” Then, looking at the books, “It’s like our own library… our own little library,” she gushed.

I felt the tenderness of that moment and thanked God that I wasn’t too busy or distracted to make the time to read longer with my daughter. This night, I’d certainly made the right choice.

Today in church, if I needed additional confirmation of the value of spending that time, Sienna said to me: “Thank you for reading to me when I was sick last night, Mama.” I told her what was true, “I love taking care of you when you need me.”

I’m so thankful for these tender moments that teach me the most valuable ways I can spend my precious time.

Home and Family, Lutheranism, My Awakening

What Fills Me Up.

October 8, 2016October 10, 2016 kelseybonilla

Whoa. Where did September go??

Now that we have two school aged children, I’ve become keenly aware of how busy and hectic the fall season can be. Transitioning from the lack of structure and routine of the summer months into the scheduled-to-the-hilt (what in the world is a hilt?!) school year routine is jarring. This year, Mateo joined Sienna in the elementary school summer program on August 1st and the kids started soccer practices that same week. So, even though school didn’t officially start until the 16th, our summer more or less ended at the beginning of August.

Between the fall busy season at my office, school, soccer, starting the Stephen Ministry training program (more on that later), church, football season, family activities and social events, life has been super full the past couple months. There was a week of crazy work days as we worked to meet the 9/15 tax deadline. I’m not cut out for 12 hour workdays back-to-back-to-back. I don’t know how those accountants do it for weeks or months on end! But, for the most part, we’ve found a good balance of activity and downtime which has felt manageable.

My favorite part of the week is attending mass on Sunday! My goodness, those couple hours fill me up with such joy and peace, that it feels like I can deal with anything that comes my way the rest of the week. We recently switched from sitting toward the back of the right hand side of the church, to sitting just in the front of the middle of the left hand side. Specifically, next to the stained glass of Jesus raising his arms.

167 Dennis dutifully gets the whole family up and going on Sunday morning so we can make the 8:00 a.m. service. We then record the Dolphins game which is typically on at 10:00 a.m. our time and pray that no well intentioned member of our church family decides to give us an update on the game before we head home.

Sliding into the pew with Dennis and the kids, I settle in for the beautiful, familiar routine of the liturgy. Cuddling with the kids is the best way to keep them from getting bored, loud, and unruly. It’s typically about a 90 minutes service, so I understand that the kids get fidgety. But, if we snuggle up with them they tend to behave very well. I’ve learned so much about the importance of loving actions over frustrated words in getting the kids to behave the way we’d like. Sienna likes to lay her head in my lap during the sermon so I can run my fingers through her hair. It’s relaxing for us both!

As I wrote about before, our coffee date while the kids are in Sunday School is something I look forward to all week. It’s so lovely to walk hand-in-hand with my husband and talk, uninterrupted, about whatever is on our mind. Sometimes we talk about the logistics of the upcoming week, other times we just chat and reconnect. Again, this time of connection with my sweet husband totally fills me up for the busyness of the weekly routine.

Life is full and blessed. We’re soaking up as much of our kids as possible during this stage of life. On the brink of nine and six years old, we’re well out of the little kid stage and moving quickly into the fun middle years of childhood. I’ve heard so many parents say that these ages (basically before the teen years!) are the best. I can see why. Sienna and Mateo are interested in anything that Dennis and I are enthusiastic about. They’re inquisitive, engaged, and excited to learn new things and have new experiences. Just talking to them and hearing their perspective on life is delightful!

On the other hand, we’re now a family of four people with different ideas on what we want to do, eat, watch, etc. Whether it’s picking a movie for Friday Movie Night or debating the dinner options, there’s no shortage of opinions in our house. Sometimes the kids will take the high road and let their sibling pick the movie, other times kids (okay, mostly Teo) is sent to his room for throwing a fit about not wanting to eat what is served for dinner. If there’s only one of something left, God help us. They’ll both want that last banana desperately!

Trying to rush to get dinner on the table? Yes, of course that’s when Teo drops his pencil sharpener and the shavings go everywhere. Trying to get out the door for school and work in the morning? Sienna’s shoes will inevitably be missing even though we’ve asked her to put them on ten times over the past 15 minutes.

The peace that I’ve come to cherish is when I take a deep breath and lovingly tell Teo, “It’s okay. Go get the broom and dustpan, we’ll get these shavings swept up quickly so we can eat.” Or, when I look Sienna in the eyes and calmly tell her – “Your shoes are by the front door. Go put them on right now so we can get going.” We’re all just trying to do our best to get things done individually and as a family.

I constantly remind myself of the basic tenant of our faith that we’re not doing anything to earn or deserve God’s favor. Christ’s sacrifice means that, by grace, we’re saved and sanctified. We’re all sinners and fall short of God’s glory. It takes all the pressure off! If I slip up and yell at the kids – like I did this week when I accidentally bumped my head on the car door jam as I was reaching for Teo’s school bag – then I pull myself together and apologize to my children for acting poorly. They respond with “We forgive you mommy.” We are reconciled to one another and I’ve taught them that we all make mistakes and it’s safe to apologize with humility to right the wrong you’ve committed.

Sitting here, in the fall of 2016, over three years since my awakening, I see life entirely differently. There are ups and downs, highs and lows in life. I haven’t been blogging as much lately because these realizations don’t strike me as radical, like they did a couple years ago. But, I want to write more and share the daily ups and downs, the simple lessons and moments of tenderness that I experience.

I love the peace that comes from surrendering and not trying to have everything figured out. I love the joy that comes from being present with my family and letting life unfold in ways I’d never imagined. I love trusting that God has a perfect plan and knowing that he loves and protects us all more completely than we could ever know. I love taking the time to write out what’s in my heart and mind and am thankful for loving readers.