The Verdict is in

For those of you who have been checking in by the hour to see if the verdict came in, ahem... the case has been solved.

It was little Miss Havyn,

In the living room,

with her ever growing curiosity and toddler hands.

(a game of Clue anyone?)

Thank you for playing along with us- my kids had a blast and loved it every time someone voted for them. :)

Around our house things getting broken, dirty or missing are pretty much an everyday occurrence. With nine children- what else could one expect? But Todd and I didn't go into having a large family with blinders on- we don't expect for our house to be a museum or for our children not to be children. Now don't get me wrong- respect in our home in a huge deal. Respect of others property, respect of each other, respect of ourselves- and most importantly- respect of our God. But the truth is, we are all humans and we will all make mistakes. Broken things can easily be replaced- broken relationships sometimes cannot.

Yet often we live as if it's the exact opposite. We place so much importance on our 'things' and not enough importance on the people in our lives. Most of our time and energy are poured into working to obtain more 'things'- while relationships with the people in our lives and relationship with God often get the least of our attention.

When we look at the world around us there are hurting people everywhere. Hurt by mistakes people make. Hurt that people have put 'other things' before relationships with God and His people. Marriages are split apart, families struggle to get along, children are abandoned and friendships end. I cannot help to think that if each of us truly lived the life God intended for us to- loving the way he loved, forgiving the way he forgave, giving the way He gave- this world would be a much better place.

So what does all of this have to do with Havyn breaking a decorative piece in our home?

Nothing- and everything.

Because you see, as I picked up those pieces to throw into the trash and swept that baby girl into my arms snuggling her warm little body next to mine- this incident once again reminded of where the material things in our lives will once day end up... in the trash.

Lord help us to never ever put things before people. Help us not to let our desire for what money can buy come before serving you and loving others. Help us not to become so chained to our material possessions that we forget the real blessings in our lives- our children, our spouses, our friends and above all else- YOU.

Thank you Havyn for your helping me de-clutter our lives as we walk towards full time missions leaving our things behind. Lord, as this precious baby girl grows and becomes drawn to the things of this world -help me to show her what really matters- you Lord, only You.

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15