Gideon got fitted for new ear molds yesterday and he did so good…at first. Dr. King (at Medical City Dallas) put the hearing aids on him and he listened for about 2-3 minutes with no tears.

And then we began to cycle through some of the stages of grief.

Gideon started out with depression..

And what started out as a sad/unsure face, quickly turned into what looked as though he was begging for us to take them out (bargaining)..

When we did not appease his request, his sadness turned to anger..

And while the anger lasted for a long time, eventually he came around to acceptance..

Okay, if you believe that last part then you’re in denial.

We never really reached acceptance. When I glanced away for a few seconds, Gideon had already taken the right hearing aid out and was working on the left. I’m not surprised because he has never worn his hearing aids for very long. We’ve tried every head-band, hat, bonnet that’s on the market and nothing has worked. Distraction tricks? Yup, tried those too. You name it, we’ve tried it.

To be honest, since he got sick in January, I haven’t even tried to make him wear them…mostly because it wears me out! Holding his hands down while he cries and having to put them back in every few seconds is exhausting and defeating.

But we’re starting over with small goals. Wearing them for a minimum of 30 minutes every day this week is my goal for Gideon.

Looking at this series of photos above gives you an idea of what these 30 minutes a day will be like. I have a feeling I will be cycling through my own stages of grief this week.

So as always, prayers are appreciated.

“Don’t kill these mom!!” Those were the words my daughter spoke to  me yesterday as she handed me a pint of pink petunias. I quickly asked her, “What makes you say that?” She replied, “Mimi told me to say that to you.”

I love my little girl and my little girl loves her Mimi. And together they love to buy, plant and water flowers. An enthusiasm I do not share.

I’m not really sure why I dislike “gardening.” I think it probably has something to do with the fact that I’m terrible at it. I water too much, I water too little…either way, I have a tendency to kill all forms of plant life.

For you green thumbs out there (Hi Mom!), you guys think it’s so easy; and that is because you take the time and make the effort. 

I’ve only had these petunias for a day and you can already tell they’re on their way to plant heaven. And honestly I don’t feel too broken up about it (probably because I didn’t buy them).

What I find interesting is how quickly these flowers have begun to fade after only one day of neglect.

This got me thinking about my spiritual walk. When I let even one day go by without reading God’s Word, I find myself beaten down by the end of the day. I feel burnt out- like I have nothing left to give.

Just like these petunias begin to fade after one day of neglect, so will our ability to make wise choices if we don’t daily spend time with Him. If you’re like me, you’ll find every excuse as to why you cannot make time for the Lord.

But just like caring for these silly flowers, it’s a choice. We either take the time and make the effort, or we don’t. Gardening doesn’t come natural to me, but I’ll probably need to take time and make the effort because it’s important to my little girl. It’s a way to build our relationship and spend time together.

Isn’t it interesting that if the relationship means somethings to us, we’ll find the time and we’ll make the effort? How much more important is it then, that we make time for our Heavenly Father and King? After all, that’s the most important relationship in our lives. Let’s not kill it with neglect.

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”  Colossians 3:15-17 (The Message)

I read a book when I was in high school called Redeeming Love. It’s definitely a book that every woman should read- no joke. Without giving too much away it’s a fictional story that parallels to the Bible story of Hosea (a righteous man) and Gomer (a prostitute).

I was too immature in my faith at that time to appreciate the book’s connection of Gods love for us in spite of how often we turn away from Him.  All I remember is reading it (at 15) and thinking to myself, “I am going to marry a man like that!”

Little did I know just how much I would identify with the prostitute in the years to come.  It’s crazy to think that God could redeem me from such a filthy and degrading past. But what’s even more crazy is that not only did He redeem me, but He blessed me beyond measure!!

God gave me my own story of redeeming love. Not only did I get to “marry a man like that!” but I also got to experience first hand the book’s truth– God can redeem you from anything! You are NEVER so far gone that God won’t welcome you back.

Kevin and I recently got to share our testimony again at ReEngage & we decided to update the last 10 minutes to include Gideon’s Journey. I hope you’ll find time to watch Our Story. It began as a story of redeeming love and forgiveness…and now continues on as a daily commitment to choose happiness despite our circumstances.

Praise God for His Redeeming Love!