Israel vs. the Palestines

So I just caught up on the recent Israeli/Palestinian events and I'm torn between outrage and sorrow for the injustices. I've been finding many things that tear me in these directions lately and it has required, on occasion, conscious effort to get past the outrage and into the sorrow--which leads me to prayer rather than rampages.

This is yesterday's article in the NY Times, here. The UN is debating whether or not to quantify recent events as war crimes. At this point in my research, I would say they are. I agree with Lisa Schirch in her article I found at worldpress.org.

I thought of the situation today as I tried to convince my young children to share and play nice. I imagine that's similar to how the UN feels sometimes. Times like these strengthen my fervor that Christ brings peace. Peace, for which I am ever so grateful. Meanwhile, I pray for that peace and the coming of our Lord and I try harder to maintain the peace in my small corner of the world.

Why I do what I do

For Christmas Brendan gave me Garth Brooks' Ultimate Hits! I know nearly every word of every song on that 2CD set. Garth Brooks' made "the twang" of country a top seller. Some of his music is also added proof that songs that are inspirational, spiritual, uplifting--of God--can be number one songs. Today, The Elephant, Giraffe, and I were jammin' out in the kitchen to Garth and a song came on that inspired an "A-Ha" Moment. The song was this:

THE CHANGE

One Hand
Reaches out
And pulls a lost soul from harm
While a thousand more go unspoken for
And they say what good have you done
By saving just this one
It's like whispering a prayer
In the fury of a storm.

(CHORUS)
And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know that it will not change me.

I was holding The Giraffe and waltzing around the kitchen, singing at the top of my lungs (serenaded by The Giraffe). As I laughed at my baby and thought about the words of this song, I rejoiced in the understanding I have of why I do what I do. I'm home with my children so I can be the best dog-gone mother they will every know. So I can end my life knowing I gave them the very best of me. I am determined of that. After all, what else ultimately matters? Being a stay home mom is not a job for which there is any monetary and very little temporal reward. But the rewards of the spirit, the joys, the knowledge that I am living a commandment and fulfilling promises and keeping covenants and doing all I can to ensure that these precious little ones return to The One who loves them Best... NOTHING could be more Rewarding!

This hear still believes
That love and mercy still exist.
While all the hatreds rage and so many say
That Love is all but pointless in madness such as this
It's like trying to stop a fire
With the moisture from a kiss.

I do what I do to ensure that my children know that love and mercy still exist! That within the walls of our home you will feel these virtues permeate!

I do what I do because parenting is not about me, it's about them! Just like marriage is not about me, it's about my spouse!

I do what I do because The Elephant and The Giraffe deserve it, and they are so SO worth it!

And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's stilll that same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know that it will not change me.

I've been asked why?, told that I'm crazy, and, my favorite, that I'm wasting away my life. Really? Is that how you'd explain it to my children? Is that how you explain it to yours?! That they are a waste of our lives?

I do what I do because in all reality, family is what this life is all about. At the end of my life, it will be completely irrelevant what things I've done if I let my family suffer for it!

I do what I do because I want my children to learn and grow because I raised them, not because I paid someone else to.

I do what I do because I will held accountable for God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ for what I don't do.

As long as one heart still holds on
Then hope is never really gone.
And I hear them saying you'll never change things
and not matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know that it never changes me do

I do what I do because it is unimportant to me, that the world views my choice (CHOICE!) as an action of ignorance or the result of a domineering husband (which is a ridiculous presumption).

I do what I do because social norms do not determine correct/good behavior.

I do what I do because I WANT TO and I LOVE IT.

I do what I do because it is the best job in the world.

I do what I do because I have been greatly blessed with children and I will do all I can to return the favor.

I do what I do because it is worth it.

What I do is so

This world will know
That it will not change me

Querk #1

Post-Christmas has hit my house like a hurricane. I've reverted back to my childhood--shoving stuff under the furniture and in drawers, feigning cleanliness. Amid this process, I discovered that I own a minimum of 4 world atlases, both children's and adult versions. I'm pretty sure I can think of a 5th but I haven't located it yet. This doesn't include any of the maps from my National Geographics. Craziness, eh? who owns 5 (at least) atlases!?... The history major and geography minor that's who. Next, I think I'll count the number of books that are history related...that will be an intimidating number, we own a lot of books...