Comments on A Little Corner of My World: That Continuous Balancing Act

Well said.

2008-10-22T14:27:00.000-05:00

Well said.

I loved Bri's post, too. The question posed to Dan...

2007-07-17T23:00:00.000-05:00

I loved Bri's post, too. The question posed to Daniel really challenged me, and Ryan, too. There really has to be a balance. Family is important, but the reason it's important is because we want to have shaped, true arrows. And that's what this comes down to, isn't it? How are we shaping those arrows? Do they know -- from watching, from example, and from experience -- that they are being shaped to serve God?

This made me excited all over again to raise children who will learn to serve right next to me. It reminded me right away of how many church workdays we all would participate in as kids. I remember comet and sponges and scrubbing scuff marks off the walls! Our whole family would be there, and enjoy our bag lunch together when we were all done!

And that's the kind of stuff I can't wait to do. To make sure our calendar includes lots of days that say "CHURCH", and make it a whole-family affair. It's worth sacrificing the stability of routine -- the ease of which I already find myself clinging to! -- to teach our children that we live and die for the Kingdom. And they can, too!

Sorry this is so long. But thanks, Mom, for working so hard at that balance, for teaching that the Lord was important enough to put school on hold once in awhile and go fold bulletins -- or whatever! I haven't had to ever, not once, work at convincing myself to make serving the Lord and the Church a priority, because just always was. What a blessing!

This reminds me of a period of time after Avery an...

2007-07-16T09:18:00.000-05:00

This reminds me of a period of time after Avery and Riley were discharged from Crouse... We had soooo many people coming over to "see" the boys...people who had been faithfully praying for them and were anxious to hold the little miracles. Well, just imagine me- who had been away from the older three for quite some time- trying to keep things in order for the two (still four pounds, sick and on oxygen) babies at home while trying to entertain these guests. It had never occured to me that some people (not always deliberately) could be so needy. Even when they knew I was busy and super tired, people would drop by and ask for this or that and want to just stay around for hours and chat with us. At this point, I was pumping my milk and bottle-feeding it to the boys. Avery would take 30-40 mins. to drink one ounce because he didn't have the suck/swallow thing yet. They were both eating every two hours. I was totally sure of two things- The Lord wanted me to share these precious miracles who had been covered and lifted in prayer by all these caring friends. BUT- the way it was happening was not ever going to work. Being young and not-so-full of wisdom, I got on my knees and prayed for direction in this very specific area. Not even an hour later I saw my good friend, an older and very wise woman, (who, by the way, I had never shared my trouble with)taping a big sign to my front door. It read "The Criscitello's are thankful for your prayers and are excited that you have come to see the boys! Please feel free to come in, wash your hands, change a diaper, feed a baby, or maybe do some dishes while you visit. Make yourself at home, stay as long as you like, but until the boys are off oxygen and monitors, Eric and Lisa will be busy with their care." She said she had seen what was happening and was worried because I wasn't doing anything about it! :~)
I was a bit uncomfortable with the sign at first- until Eric came home and read it. He got a big smile and commented that it was great- just what needed to happen! No one was offended by it, and after that- no one asked me for ice water or tea...they just sort of helped themselves. Phew! It was amazing how I grew through that trial. Still growing from it as I look back. Thanks for sharing on this topic. I have also learned to remember who we are accountable to. I used to concern myself with the feelings of others- sometimes more than what Eric had asked of me or even what I knew God wanted from me. Now I'm learning to heed that Voice and put hubby's requests first- and I've seen time after time how the blessing quickly follows. It's so much better to be in His will- and it's just so awesome to know how to find it! If you are truly His and willing to obey and follow Him 100%, you can never be "held back" or "over-do it" in this area. Thanks again-

Your title says it all-yes, it is a continuous bal...

2007-07-16T09:08:00.000-05:00

Your title says it all-yes, it is a continuous balancing act, for sure! I wanted to add that a "safety net" that I have grown to appreciate and cherish in this balancing act is the input from my husband. It has been such a blessing for me to submit commitments that I make outside the home to him. When I do this the times of "sacrifice" do not become times of "neglect."
Judes :-)