Love is patient, love is kind. . .

I Corinthians 13:4-8 was the passage we chose to put on our wedding programs nearly nine years ago. At the time, I mainly viewed those verses in light of loving my then to-be husband. How interesting that it has now come to be a major theme for how I need to love my son! "Love is patient, love is kind. . . " has become my constant mantra ever since my baby boy turned into a rambunctious toddler. When I ask him several times not to do something and he still does it, I need to tell myself that "love is patient, love is kind." When I ask him to actually do something and he chooses to just sit there, I need to remind myself that "love is patient, love is kind." See what I mean?

It's funny because I love my son to death! I know I would willingly die for him, yet I struggle with the duty of living to serve him in love. I know this is because I have failed to walk by the Spirit. When I am walking in the flesh, my love for my son is weak and shallow. I am easily annoyed and offended. I am angry and impatient. I probably can't even call it love in the biblical sense. But when I walk in the Spirit, what a difference! I am able to love my son with the love of God, for it is only by God's grace that I can then have a love that is both patient and kind. More and more, I am seeing how important the ministry of the Spirit is in the lives of believers. Truly we can do nothing apart from Him!

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways. . .

• Perhaps with some hot chocolate?
  
• Maybe even some cupcakes?
• How about a love note?
• Even better, dinner for two!

Just thought I'd share some fun and creative ideas for Valentine's Day; for those of you who celebrate it. . .

I wanted to share this beautiful and serene wintery image I found online. I go ga-ga for stuff like this! Wish I could think of a poem to go with it. . .

photo courtesy of Victoria

The Pilgrim Mindset

Back in October 2007 I bought the book "Life As A Vapor" from John Piper's conference. It's a book of thirty-one meditations for the Christian faith. In one of the meditations, Piper highlights a sermon preached by Jonathan Edwards titled "The Christian Pilgrim." These are the points he touched upon:

• Pilgrims are not diverted from their aim. Their journey's end (heaven) is ever on their minds.

• Pilgrims are to hold the things of this world loosely. They are not distracted by the things nor cares of this world. They are able to cheerfully part with such things whenever God calls.
  

• Pilgrims become like what they hope to attain. The closer they get to heaven, the more they should be growing in likeness to the inhabitants of heaven.

• Pilgrims will not be satisfied with anything less than God. The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children and friends, are but shadows. God is the substance.

• Pilgrims are not grieved by their arrival at the journey's end. They ought not to fear death. Does the traveler think of his journey's end with fear and terror? Is it terrible to him to think that he has almost got to his journey's end? Were the children of Israel sorry after forty years' travel in the wilderness, when they had almost got to Canaan?

• Pilgrims ponder what they pursue. We need to labor to be much acquainted with heaven. If we are not acquainted with it, we will not be sensible of its worth, nor will we long for it.

• Pilgrims travel together. Company is very desirable in a journey, but in none so much as this. Let them go united and not fall out by the way. This will ensure a more successful traveling and a more joyful meeting at their Father's house in glory.

Just wanted to share this reminder and encouragement to my fellow travelers!

Mamma Mia

Today was Miss Mia's third birthday party! Apparently, by this age she knows who her friends are. Andre was one of the few boys who made the cut. Above are some pictures from her celebration at Jungle Tots.

Dinner with the Ferrers

We had the privilege of dining out in S.F. on a Friday night (nearly unheard of for parents with young children!) with Junior and Arlene at Ana Mandara, a contemporary Vietnamese restaurant. It was their nine year anniversary dinner and they allowed us to tag along. Thanks guys! What are we doing for your ten year?! Seriously, though, it was a good time of good food with good friends.

Any Spiderman fans out there?

Why Winter Monologues?

Some of you may be wondering why I would choose such a title for my blogspot. Simply put, the other titles I came up with were already taken. I had to think of something different yet still relevant. Winter monologues came about because I happen to be starting this blog in winter and also because my birthday falls on February, which is considered a winter month. So there it is. . . .

The New Year

Lately, each new year has been more of a solemn rather than celebratory occasion for me. When I muse upon the events of the past years, I find myself humbled by the things that transpired--the prayers that were answered, the blessings that were graciously granted, and the trials through which we were sustained by our loving Father. I think to myself, "Wow, I made it through the year!" Not that I live in constant fear of peril or death. I am merely in awe that, fragile as life is, God graciously granted to me that one particular year. And so I view each year that has passed. At the same time, I look forward with hope and anticipation as I wonder what the Lord will bring for the future. . .