Torn

every morning, when i'm getting ready, i have a decision to make.

either put on face lotion with sunscreen in it or use regular lotion.

on the one hand, i could save myself wrinkles and have gorgeous skin when i'm in my 60's.

on the other hand, i could have a slight tan and pretty color on my face in my 30's.

it's a big decision.

right up there with whether or not to put sugar in my coffee.

extra calories and great taste? or staying trim and drinking crappy coffee.

as many mornings as i can manage, i make a less difficult decision.

the decision to make the boys stop playing for 15 minutes and sit down for devotions.

people have asked in the past what we do for devos.

i've never gotten around to saying :) but it's not complicated.

i'm a bit anti cheesy themed kids devotionals.

they don't seem to hold their attention, they don't retain much and honestly it's usually just a battle i don't find worth fighting.

so what do we do?

i set a timer for 15 minutes and, while i read my Bible, the boys all look through children's Bibles or jack reads his real Bible.

everyone chills on the couches and chairs in the front living room snuggled under blankets.

i usually light candles and drink coffee.

the only rules are no talking and you must be reading Bible-based literature.

15 minutes is manageable.  long enough for me to actually read something, but not so long they lose interest.

we're more making a habit than cramming them with information.

all of our kids Bibles and story books live permanently on the coffee table.

this is what's left of our "jesus storybook bible"

nobody usually fights me on devo time.
they all start saying how much they love me intermittently while we're quietly reading.
it's awesome.

QUIP O'THE DAY
when i was a kid i would climb up in the door jamb while my mom was using the restroom so i could scare her when she came out.  like, with barefeet all the way to the top of the door.  just hovering there...waiting.