I'm flossing. I'M FLOSSING!!!

(Can I make up for 6 months in 3 days?)

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." 1 Peter 1:15

This verse kept coming to mind this morning. (As I brushed my teeth diligently!)

I tend to guess that most people think that what will speak to others around them about their faith in Christ is their morality. And while I think the way we choose to live certainly does speak to what we value most, God tells us here that it's our hope that will cause people to look at us and wonder what's different about us. It's our hope that will open an otherwise closed door to talk about Christ.

So I have to ask myself, "How is my hope speaking to the world around me?

Do I look so different because of my hope that people ask a question about it?

Or do I blend in with the rest of the world with it's complaining, hopelessness and cynicism and because of it actually camouflage the effect Jesus has had on my reality?

I'm glad His Spirit brought it to mind. He disciplines those He loves...

Look! A post!

I've been drinking so much sweet tea, I can't eat food of any temperature or even breathe without pain in my teeth. Do you think that's a problem?
Worse- I have a dentist appointment Monday.
Even worse - my dentist is my friend. And I haven't flossed except twice since the last time his hygenist told me floss daily. (I know everyone says to, but she MEANS it.)
On top of that, I can't lie about what I've been doing.
AND, my kids will be in the room when I have to admit it.
Not gonna be good...

In other heartwarming news...
My kids got in trouble tonight. In adult terms... Julia started it, Eli kept it going, so they both got in trouble. What was fascinating was that after a series of apologies and make ups, Eli sweetly invited Julia to sleep with him, and even got an Elmo CD for her to listen too. As they crawled into bed together, I told him I was proud of him. He said "Why? She's my sister!"

Then he turned to her and said:
"Julia, I'm your brother. I will always be here for you and will protect you. And when I get a little grumpy, just remember tonight and give mercy to me."

I told him I'd always wanted to hear something like that growing up, and that I thought that was pretty cool.