He is Greater.....John 3:30 says He must become greater, I must become less"

 My 2023 word is Aware.  I am striving to end each month with some awareness to keep myself accountable to my word and also to live presently and reflectively.  March 2023...... 1.  Cliches are there because of their truth  If March comes in like lion, it goes out like a lamb.  This late afternoon of the last day of March is quiet, mild and gentle.  I'll take it. 2.  This month has been brutal with too much snow and cold and wind and clouds....I am aware that we humans need sunshine and fresh air desperately, especially by March in the midwest.  3.  I am aware that as the drizzle and cold rain fell today, green grass started to peek through. 4.  I am aware, and remembering, that when children act out and misbehave, sometimes what they really need is connection and attention and some shared delight.  Painting finger and toenails, planting some things in dirt, letting them have a deep and long bath with color tabs, making french ...

 I'm writing on Thursday night but will likely post on Friday....to be technical.  I'm weighing in some thoughts on foster care tonight.  My new foster care t-shirt is washed and dried and folded to wear tomorrow....and I love it.  I bought it as a fund-raiser donation for my friend Sarah who was helping her daughter raise money to train her therapy dog.....her daughter has spina bifida and this dog will help her get around.  How cool is that!  So yeah....I bought the shirt.  (and maybe a cool bag)   Foster care is a really strange thing.  Unique.  Special and also bizarre and hard.  We have complete control over what our extra kredits eat, wear, and where they go and what they do.....we tuck them in at night and pray with them, we kiss their owies and give hugs and snuggles.....but we have no control or influence in what happens with their lives.  We hear and hold the hard stories....and document and report what we need to....

  I found a few minutes of solitude this morning.  As in so many other households, the mornings are crazy and rushed.....getting all the littles and middles up and dressed and fed, factoring in the extras that are invited in for a bowl of cereal and company as they wait for the bus.....and then realizing we are late but someone has to poop.....and we can't find the sneakers...... I found myself praying into my hands that covered my face, "Jesus please help".....even though it wasn't to save a life or solve world peace....it was just to find the shoes so I could get them all out the door on time.  He helped.  He got in the boat with me and we got the kids launched....and the dogs fed.....and I had some breakfast...and behold.....I had a few minutes to read and pray and worship this morning.   Mark 6:48-51......He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.  About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking ...