Homeschooling Mom's Graduation Tribute 2016

 Originally read May 2016 at Colt's and Spencer's high school graduation (with a nod to Jeff Foxworthy). 

If disappointment spills through your van because the dead skunk just trumped everyone in the contest they were having – you might be the mom of a teenage boy.

If you have logged hundreds of miles and hours driving to and from practice – you might be the mom of a teenage boy. 

If you have ever found rubber bands on your ceiling fan or in your plants – you might be the mom of a teenage boy.

If your kitchen water glasses double as an instrument and your kitchen table doubles as a ping-pong table – you might be the mom of a teenage boy.

If even you are impressed that the youth leader can drink a 2-liter bottle of soda in under 2 mins. – you might be the mom of a teenage boy. 

If you have ever had to ask if the soccer game on the TV screen is live or X-box – you might be the mom of a teenage boy. 

If after a youth soccer game, shin guards and cleats are used for a biology experiment – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you hear a trumpet sound early in the morning, two pairs of feet running down the stairs quickly, and then Thud -- OWWWW! “Mom!!!!!” – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you have declined the offer to put your 8 lb. maltipoo puppy into a 5-gallon shop bucket – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you have ever waited giggling in the next room for the remote fart app to be detonated – you might be the mom of a teenage boy.

If you have ever washed a Captain America hoodie or Batman socks – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you open your new-to-you Coach purse and find a 2-week-old egg in it – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you open your Bible and find the church sermon notes folded carefully into a paper airplane – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you have to open your van window in 20-degree weather after giggles and a foul stench – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If as a 40-year-old you have ever had to execute a sneak attack or been tackled for a hug – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If your smart phone automatically changes the word “Okay” to “That would be peachy” and you cannot change it back – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If your smart phone changes your 2^nd-born’s name to “my first and favorite child, highly skilled in the arts of ballooning, computer technology, and hundreds of other activities.  A.K.A. the most interesting youth in the world” – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If 4 gallons of milk, 1 gallon of ice cream, 4 pizzas and Oreos are staples in your weekly grocery cart – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If napkins fly into drinks at family dinner and the meal ends with a belch – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If bathroom cleanliness is NOT next to Godliness – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you have ever pondered the olfactory power of the 7 vultures on the side of the road snacking on a fragrant dead  skunk – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you have to bend your neck back and look up to discipline and stand on your tippy toes to snag a hug – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If your house is lively past 11pm but silent and peaceful until 10 am – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you drive below the speed limit on the way home because conversation is finally flowing – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you are praying for the strength to one day let go of and give away a piece of your heart to the girl who captivates his – you might be the mom of a teenage boy

If you are working yourself out of a job but feel blessed beyond words for this season to touch his life … you might be the mom of a teenage boy.  

Fingerprints of the Lord

Christine A. McCloy

The Reminder of the Scars

It was a hot, humid Houston summer afternoon, when the best relief from the sweltering heat could be found splashing in the neighborhood pool. My best friend from 5^th grade and I were practicing our version of synchronized swimming with underwater flips. At the end of these routines, we would spring into the air with a gymnastic leap. There were no smart phones to record our graceless routine from that day, but I have a record of our practice session. Above my left eye, there is a 1-inch scar where my head collided with my friend’s teeth.

I was not a girly girl, so at the tender age of 10, I relished that scar on my forehead knowing that one day our military family would leave Texas and my dear friend.  My scar would always remind me of the summer fun my buddy and I had at the pool. Thirty-plus years later, I still smile and think of my dear friend when I look in the mirror.

In a society rife with plastic surgery and photo editing, it struck me how odd it is to treasure my scar. Yet, I am not alone in cherishing scars. Artists today depict the nail-scarred body of Jesus for Christians to remember His great sacrifice on the cross so that we might be saved. After the crucifixion of his precious teacher, Thomas, one of Jesus’ own disciples, insisted on seeing the scars of his master in order to accept his resurrection.

So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” John 20:25

Understanding the power of seeing the scars for himself, Jesus revealed his scars to Thomas:

²⁶ A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:26-27

God sent His only begotten Son to us so that whoever believed in Him would not perish but would have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus is perfect and without sin, but to save us He has the scars of hanging on the cross for our salvation.

²¹ God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

I treasure these scars.  The scar on my forehead reminds me of a precious childhood friend and our summer pool days. Jesus' scars remind me of His sacrifice for us and His eternal love.  

Fingerprints of the Lord

Christine A. McCloy

Mission Crestwood - God Sightings: Needs Met

 

Mission Crestwood
God Sightings: Needs Met

Books, backpacks, pencils, scissors, paper, pens, and highlighters – the cost of school supplies adds up! Hundreds of families in our community do not have the funds to provide their children with basic supplies for the school year.

When the plea was made at Crestwood Baptist during service to provide not only our “regular donation” to Mission Crestwood, but also an “additional donation” to a local elementary school for supplies, it seemed like a tall order. Thankfully, the shear size of the need did not deter our church. It certainly was not too large a need for our God!

The day after the plea for school supplies was made, a woman stopped by the information desk at church. She inquired as to whether someone could assist her in bringing in school supplies. A helpful church member offered to assist. The donor suggested that a cart might be helpful. After attaining a small cart from the resource room, the church member followed the donor to unload supplies.

As they walked outside with the small cart, the church member spotted a box truck of supplies! What a blessing – the small cart was not going to do the job! They needed reinforcements and help to move the numerous supplies that were left over from the LG&E school supply drive.

Another church member, who heard the plea the day before, had a contact at LG&E who had the supplies and needed the connection to distribute them. There would be enough supplies for both the elementary school and Mission Crestwood! Need met! Again, our God is much bigger than any of our needs!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:19

God is working and moving at Mission Crestwood!

We invite you to personally experience these God sightings and point our community toward Jesus at Mission Crestwood on Monday or Saturday mornings from 10-12 or Thursday evenings from 6-8. Just show up and see what God is doing!

http://missioncrestwood.org/the-closet/

Fingerprints of the Lord

Christine A. McCloy