What about me??!!

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

How many ways do you tell your kids you love them? We have many, but one that has been passed down a generation is "All the Ducks in the World". As we were growing up my dad would often say "I love you more than all the ducks in the world" to which we would come back with "I love you more than all the ________ in the world"! It would go on and on with whatever we could come up with that we thought would beat the previous line! Of course when we were kids we kept it simple with animals, trees, sand, water, etc. Now all grown up my dad still tells me this and of course we quickly jump to stars, galaxies, asteroids, universe, and finally infinity!

We've always enjoyed this little expression of love and the other night as I was laying down with our youngest, Jakey, we were sharing how much we loved each other. I usually say "I love you whole bunches" and he repeats. Then (with actions) "I-Love-You-THIS MUCH!" Finally I said "I love you more than all the ducks in the world" and his response was so serious and sorrowful, "Why you wuv all da ducks in du woyold, Wha 'bout me?" His voice was sweet as can be as he was trying to figure out why in the world I would love all the ducks and not him! I couldn't stop laughing and as I was trying to reassure him. Then of course I had to call my dad right then and tell him!! He thought it was very sweet as it reminded him of the silly things we would say as little ones.

However you tell your little ones you love them it's always fun to have your special way that they'll remember for years to come!!

The Broken Heart

Looking at my life from the outside I don't feel I have much reason to have a broken heart. I could make a lengthy list of the many blessings I have been given, but looking into my heart it's obvious. If I don't consistently examine my heart and my place before a sovereign God I can easily keep focused on the many blessings God has graced our family with and forget to praise the one whom all praise is due! I read through the prayers of puritans in Valley of Vision almost daily and sometimes I'll read the same one for many days in a row if it touches or stings my heart. This particular one tugs at my heart, this line(though all are great) really jumped out at me tonight: I am guilty, but pardoned,

lost, but saved,

wandering, but found,

sinning, but cleansed.

Give me perpetual broken-heartedness,

Keep me always clinging to thy cross,

Here it is in full, enjoy and may your heart be stirred to cling to Him in good times and bad:

The Broken Heart

from Valley of Vision

Or LORD,

No day of my life has passed

that has not proved me guilty in thy sight.

Prayers have been uttered from a prayerless heart;

Praise has been often praiseless sound;

My best services are filthy rags.

Blessed Jesus, let me find a covert in thy appeasing wounds.

Though my sins rise to heaven thy merits soar above them;

Though unrighteousness weighs me down to hell,

thy righteousness exalts me to thy throne.

All things in me call for my rejection,

All things in thee plead my acceptance.

I appeal from the throne of perfect justice

to thy throne of boundless grace,

Grant me to hear thy voice assuring me:

that by thy stripes I am healed,

that thou wast bruised for my iniquities,

that thou hast been made sin for me

that I might be righteous in thee,

that my grievous sins, my manifold sins,

are all forgiven,

buried in the ocean of thy concealing blood.

I am guilty, but pardoned,

lost, but saved,

wandering, but found,

sinning, but cleansed.

Give me perpetual broken-heartedness,

Keep me always clinging to thy cross,

Flood me every moment with descending grace,

Open to me the springs of divine knowledge,

sparkling like crystal,

flowing clear and unsullied

through my wilderness of life.