It is unfortunate that it takes tragedies to form bonds, but it is a fact that once through a valley, we are stronger on the other side. We find personal and spiritual strength; we find the bonds with loved ones, especially a spouse, have become stronger; and we find our relationship with God to be stronger. I have lost two babies within a few short months, and it hurts today like it did the day the first baby was lost; but it dosn't hurt in all the same ways.
I believe that a baby is a true life at conception. I believe that baby has a soul at conception. I believe that there is no difference in that soul from conception to birth. There is not a magical moment that that soul becomes a life as he or she is born; he or she is a soul the moment they come into existance. It is that belief that makes the loss of a child before birth hurt. My children died living souls, not "things."
I do not remember my time in the womb, and I do not know anyone that does, so my speculation about what my children experienced before death will have to remain that, speculation. This speculation is a wonderful thing to most expectant mothers. We speculate that our children can hear our voice and so we talk, read, and sing to them. We imagine that they know us and form a bond that no one else has with them, we are Mommy. This speculation also causes pain when we never see our child. I wonder if there was any pain the moment their heart stopped beating. I wonder if they heard me tell them I loved them before they passed into eternity.
What I do not wonder is where they are. I know my children rest tonight in the arms of God. My husband is singing a song on Sunday, Finally Home. The lyrics to this song have been such a blessing to me as I think of my babies:
"Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it Heaven; of touching a hand, and finding it God's; of breathing new air and finding it celestial; of waking up in glory and finding it home."
My children know this place, they know God face to face. If I am honest, I could not ask for a better place for them, not even here in my arms. They will never know pain and never know sin. I will never spend a sleepless night worrying for them. I am not glad to have lost my babies, but I am happy to have them in Heaven with God.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saving Money vs Saving Time
I am still relatively new to the couponing game. And the temptation upon first starting is definately to clip every coupon available and to look for all the deals. That isn't always practical. Is it practical to go to every drug store for their deal of the week---especially when some place like Publix accepts competitor coupons? But then, is it the best use of your money to shop at only one place and just take the deals that they have this week and spend a little extra money on the rest?
Additionally, what is actually "organized" when it comes to couponing? Is oraganizing and compiling a notebook full of coupons time efficient? Or is it better to just break them up in catergories and go from there? Either way, aren't you digging through something at the check-out counter to pull out your coupons? What is orgainzed when it comes to hundreds of tiny pieces of paper?
Then, are you willing to "fervantly discuss" a deal with an employee, or do you let it go when they don't ring you up right? Does it depend on the deal? Does it depend on the amount of money you're now having to spend because of their mistake or misunderstanding?
Finally, how does all of this affect your testimony as a Christan? Or does it?
I guess all of this is to say that I am still trying to find a balance. I'm picking a couple stores to hit each week, and I'm trying to plan my menu around what's on sale. I worry about being healthy, but can only do so much within a budget, so I'm picking and choosing the most important things.
As for organization, I'm breaking things down into catergories and then pulling specific coupons for the store I'm visiting before I get there. Anything else gets dug through at the counter. And when someone messes up my bill, if a simple inquiry doesn't improve the situation, I let it go. More often than not, it costs me extra money.
Finally, I do hope that my being a Christian is something they notice. And if they have and I've argued with them, I feel that I've ruined an oportunity. The employees of the stores I visit most often are getting to know me, and I think I may have an opportunity some day to talk to them about church or salvation. I'm always cautious about jeopardizing that.
So what are you doing? What do you think?
Additionally, what is actually "organized" when it comes to couponing? Is oraganizing and compiling a notebook full of coupons time efficient? Or is it better to just break them up in catergories and go from there? Either way, aren't you digging through something at the check-out counter to pull out your coupons? What is orgainzed when it comes to hundreds of tiny pieces of paper?
Then, are you willing to "fervantly discuss" a deal with an employee, or do you let it go when they don't ring you up right? Does it depend on the deal? Does it depend on the amount of money you're now having to spend because of their mistake or misunderstanding?
Finally, how does all of this affect your testimony as a Christan? Or does it?
I guess all of this is to say that I am still trying to find a balance. I'm picking a couple stores to hit each week, and I'm trying to plan my menu around what's on sale. I worry about being healthy, but can only do so much within a budget, so I'm picking and choosing the most important things.
As for organization, I'm breaking things down into catergories and then pulling specific coupons for the store I'm visiting before I get there. Anything else gets dug through at the counter. And when someone messes up my bill, if a simple inquiry doesn't improve the situation, I let it go. More often than not, it costs me extra money.
Finally, I do hope that my being a Christian is something they notice. And if they have and I've argued with them, I feel that I've ruined an oportunity. The employees of the stores I visit most often are getting to know me, and I think I may have an opportunity some day to talk to them about church or salvation. I'm always cautious about jeopardizing that.
So what are you doing? What do you think?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)