Today I came to a realization: I am too good at saying no. I often have my hands full feeding Nathan or changing his diaper when Drew or Gracie ask me to do something that requires supervision, but I think that "no" has become my automatic answer lately.

This morning Gracie asked, "Mommy, can we paint?" I started to say no. Inside I was groaning. It's too hard. It's too much work. It's too messy. Paint gets everywhere. It takes effort to get the paints and paper out, clean up, and get everything put away again. And what if Nathan needs something while Drew and Gracie are painting? Can a two-and-a-half-year-old boy be trusted with paints, even washable paints, without supervision for a minute?

Then I stopped to think: What else do I need to be doing this morning that is more important than letting Drew and Gracie paint? The dishes are done. The laundry will wait. So now Drew and Gracie are painting. Drew has paint on his nose and one cheek, and on the backs of both arms up to his elbows. Gracie has splashed little puddles of water all over the tablecloth. There is a smudge of paint on the door frame and on the light switch because Drew went to wash my hands before I caught up with him to help him. But the paint will wash off, and they are having a wonderful time.

This week I want to look for more opportunities to say "yes."

Tough Times

A review of:

For These Tough Times:
Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing
by Max Lucado

I have enjoyed reading books by Max Lucado in the past, and this little book was no exception. Mr. Lucado is a master with words and uses simple language to paint word pictures showing how much God loves and cares for us. This book encourages readers to focus on God and to trust that the one who rules the universe is not affected by our problems. It reminds us that although Satan is powerful, he is not as powerful as God, and only has the power that God permits. It emphasizes that God listens and acts when we pray, and reassures us that when our loved ones die, they go to be with God. The book ends with a prayer citing examples from the Bible of good things that God made come from bad situations and the plea to God to “Do it again.”

The copyright page of this book states that “Most of the material for this book has been adapted from America Looks Up, The Great House of God, In the Grip of Grace, and When Christ Comes.” I have not read some of these books, so I cannot comment on how much of this book contains ideas repeated from the other books.

At first I was surprised at the small size of this book, but I realized that when I am experiencing tough times I don't always have the time or energy to read a lot. This little book is the perfect size to slip in my purse for a quick dose of encouragement when I need it.

I gave this book four stars out of five on Amazon.com.

Book Review Bloggers

I read on a friend's blog recently about the Book Review Bloggers program that Thomas Nelson has. If you sign up to be a Book Review Blogger, you can choose a free book from a limited selection of books. (I could choose from three different books for my first review). Once they send the book to you, you must read the entire book and post a 200-word review on your blog and on a retail site such as Amazon.com.

Since I love books, and especially free books, this is the perfect program for me!