Taxes

Around this time each year, I begin the task of putting together my tax return. As the various tax documents trickle in, I stuff them into a folder until I have an unexpected day off work or I decide that I'd rather work on my tax return than clean my house. (Even doing taxes ranks above cleaning my house.)

It never fails that when I work on my taxes I always think about the question that the Pharisees asked Jesus: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

Matthew 22:21b And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 

I've read the verse, quoted the verse and often don't finish the verse. I get the taxes part, no problem there. But what about the end of the verse? "Render to God the things that are God's." I've often substituted the word 'pay' for 'render', but what am I paying to God?

I looked up the word render and found another definition that makes more sense to me. Render - give in acknowledgment of dependence. So here's my rephrasing of the second part of the verse.

In acknowledgment of dependence on God, give to God the things that are God's. We give to God our time and abilities because we want to say thank you to God for allowing us to depend on Him.

Tweens

Monday my baby turned 10, that age when you are not a kid but still like to play and not a teenager but wish you were. We had 5 girls join her for a Spa Party, complete with appointment cards (the teenager part). The girls changed into robes and I played a CD of relaxing music. My mom and best friend helped me out with managing the beauty stations. We each took two girls at our station. My best friend manned the avocado/yogurt facials with cucumbers for their eyes. My mom kept the foot baths going and I helped them make foam flip flops. After 1.5 hours, all of the girls had been thoroughly pampered. The other adults escaped and I set up the food.

After food, gifts and cake, it was time for manicures and pedicures. Since I was alone, I used their appointments to take the girls one at a time. We put on a movie, but they were really just all over the house. I painted 80 nails over the next 2 hours. Then it was time for me to clean up and get the room ready for a sleepover. For the next hour, the girls played hide-and-seek (the kid part). Calming them down was no easy task. By 1 a.m. everyone was finally settled, but in 3 different rooms.

As I drifted to sleep, I thought about the previous 9 hours. These were good friends and good girls. They didn't act like it was unusual to pray over supper and one even volunteered to do the honors.  They listened, they minded and there were no major disagreements. They had fun.

Psalm 144:11-12 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners...That our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style.

My baby woke me at 6:52 a.m. to tell me she was about to turn 10. We watched the clock turn to 6:53. I gave her a hug and told her to go back to sleep. It wasn't long until the house was buzzing again.

Drill Meet

In the fall, my 15-year-old son joined the Air Force JROTC program at a nearby high school. By day two he voluntarily began the after school drill practice. He's participated in a few drill meets, even placing in one event. Yesterday I took the opportunity to attend my first drill meet.

I was clueless, but fascinated (mainly because my child was out there performing). These teenagers are in full uniform, being inspected for appearance, knowledge and precision when moving through various commands as a team. They are very serious about making a good show for the school.

There were twelve teams, three of which were from one high school with a long-standing program. Our team, in only its 3rd year, was the only team that stood in the way of a full sweep of 1st place trophies by that single school. Our group won the Armed Color Guard 1st place trophy and the top spot for the IDR, an individual contest for all cadets to test their ability to follow marching commands. Individuals on our team placed 1, 2, and 3 in IDR. My son was even in the top 10 of the 200 cadets that participated. They are going to become a great team.

My son wants to be a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. It seems like he has made a good start. He's very competitive and I can hardly wait to see how much he is able to achieve. I want him to soar, but stay grounded in Christ.

II Timothy 2 (v.1) You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (v.5) And also if anyone competes in atletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Struggles Lead to Success

I made it through the first full work week since mid-December. It was tough getting up an hour earlier and actually leaving the house. It was tough getting the young one up and to school on time. It was tough getting all of our ducks in a row to begin a new semester at the college. It was tough trying to get back to a healthier diet. But there were successes to match each struggle.

I got to talk with my workmates and share stories about our time away from work. My child was never late for school. I evaluated students for HOPE Scholarsip eligibility and got to add the award to over 150 new students. I took my lunch three out of five days and gave up sweet tea all five days, before caving yesterday.

Proverbs 13:4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothin; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Overall, it was a good start for the new year.

The Floor

My big project over the holidays was to put in a new floor for my utility room, closet and carport entryway. I chose a floating floor of vinyl that was laid out in planks. I purchased the supplies before Thanksgiving in hopes that Dad and I could get the project done in two days. Notice that I said 'hope'.

Day 1: pulled up the old carpet and linoleum; pulled up carpet tack strips, which left holes in the cement :(

Day 2: used cement to fill in the holes; vacuumed and swept; waited for cement to dry

Day 3: Dad and I began the installation, with Mom assisting; 4.5 hours later the closet and hallway were complete; worked a couple more hours alone to get through the utility room doorway

Day 4: Dad, Mom and I worked 4.5 more hours and completed the utility room
Day 5: rolled a 75 lb weight over the joins to seal it properly 

I Kings 6:15c and he covered the floor of the temple with planks of cypress.

Well I used vinyl instead of cypress, and though not as beautiful it should be functional. It took seven years for Solomon to build the temple, so I won't complain about the five days it took us to install about 200 sq ft of flooring. I'm just very thankful that Dad and Mom helped me and the job is done.