The Serious Business of Heaven

As you've probably noticed, I don't really write serious stuff.  It takes too much time, effort and wisdom.  I lack all of the above.  However, a friend of mine recently asked me to write an encouraging note for a friend of theirs who recently moved to a new town, has few friends and is morning sick.  Here is what I came up with.  Since I'm super lazy I thought I'd get a two-fer-one deal and post it on my blog as well.  

I used to think that I was a sacrificial person…and then I had kids.  Before kids you selflessly drink your coffee every morning, before you selflessly drive to work in total peace and quiet, and then you selflessly eat a meticulously prepared dinner with your spouse before you selflessly go to bed whenever you feel like it.  It isn’t until after children that all those Bible verses about sacrifice and loving others really come into play. 

            Whenever you’re feeling worn out, tired of being a parent, or maybe just annoyed by the other human beings around you, stop and think about yourself.  I know that sounds like strange advice coming from a Christian writing about sacrificially serving others, but just trust me for a second.  Think about who you are and who Christ is. Think about how the King came not to let you serve Him, but so that He might serve you.  All of the troubles, aches, and pains that you are going through are nothing compared to what Christ went through for you. Just in case you are tempted to think for a second that you somehow deserved all this, think about how Christ died for you when you were still His enemy as a free gift for you.

            Look around at those troublesome things and people surrounding you, Christ was willing to give up kingship in heaven for you, how much more should we be willing to sacrifice a few small things.  If Christ is willing to be born in a barn why am I complaining about giving up my nice flat abs to make a room for my baby?  And if Christ is willing stay up all night praying before his betrayal and death, why am I throwing a fit about getting up to nurse my baby in the middle of the night on a nice comfy couch while I watch the next episode of Sherlock?

I have a natural inclination to do whatever I feel is my duty to do but this doesn’t mean that I’m always happy about it.  I was having a few days like this not too long ago.  I was annoyed with my husband so I decided to give him the silentish treatment while I sacrificially made him his breakfast before work.  My kids were being their usual needy selves so I sacrificially tended to them while I barked out orders like a drill sergeant.  I was miserable and I was doing a pretty good job of making sure my family felt miserable as well.  Then I happened across this quote from C.S. Lewis, “Joy is the serious business of heaven.”  Jesus didn’t endure the shameful death on the cross just because He had to but rather because of the joy that was set before Him.  When I decide to put off all my grumpiness and smile, laugh and express gratitude, I’m giving Satan a big ol’ kick in the pants.  When I can puke my guts up again and again but still thank God for the life He has placed within my womb, God is glorified.  When I can serve my husband eggs and a genuine smile even when I think he doesn’t deserve it, Satan gets really nervous.  When we joyfully and sacrificially serve others, we are storming the very gates of Hell. 

                                                                        

DIY T-Shirt Cloth Napkins

For some reason it was really bothering me that my kids were obsessed with wiping off their fingers.  One would get the washcloth and wipe off their face for 0.2 seconds and then suck all the dirty water out of the washcloth.  Ga-ross!  The other would go through about 3 paper napkins per meal and since I store them too high for my children to reach (on purpose), I would have to get up multiple times per meal to help them. About this time, I remembered that I'd been meaning to keep an eye open for cloth napkins at garage sales and thrift stores but I always forget.  I looked into buying cloth napkins but they are kinda expensive especially since I don't do laundry every day and I wanted to have enough for every meal if need be.  Finally, I decided to make some of my own.  I scoured pinterest and found these adorable ones.

I liked the idea (check out the tutorial) but I didn't want to have purchase a ton of fabric for every day use.  So I decided to make some upcycled napkins. The best part about this whole project is that my closets are getting cleaned out and junk is actually going to get used! I decided to create a short tutorial.  These things are easy-peasy especially when I got my system down.  This is the perfect project for sewing newbies or to use to teach your children how to sew.  

DIY T-Shirt Cloth Napkins

Materials - fabric (I used equal parts old t-shirts and leftover quilting cotton but you could use just about any type of fabric that makes you happy) 

Sewing machine 

Thread 

Sewing scissors

1. Start by cutting your fabric into a rectangle or square.  Since these are more "family" napkins as opposed to "company" napkins, I didn't make them all the same size.  I just cut as many as I could out of each t-shirt.  They all ended up being around 8in x 12in.  I think it works the best to use a rotary cutter but you could use scissors. 

2.  Also cut a rectangle of your quilting fabric to match the size of your t-shirt rectangle.  Pin these together with the front of each fabric facing each other.  

3. Sew all the way around the edges except for one 2 in opening on the side of your choosing. 

4.  Cut the edges and turn your fabric inside out.  Then iron it so that it lays flat. 

5. Top stitch around the edges of the napkins and you are done!  

Seriously.  That is it.  I made 9 of these yesterday. Today I want to try and make some with left-over flannel instead of the t-shirt material.  We all love them.  I put them in an easy to reach spot so that Kira can help herself and also set them out as she sets the table.  

Crunchy mama for the win!