Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

Back to School, Bad Movies and Martin Luther

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Photo by Kelli Tungay on Unsplash

It’s that time of year.  I keep finding myself singing, “Gotta go back [guitar riff], back, back to school again.”  from Grease 2.  Please don’t close your browser over my bad taste in movies.  Over-the-top musical numbers aside, I do have a point.  Despite the miasma that is Texas in August (really, we are melting down here), it’s book hitting and bus riding time.

Watch the school zones, pack the lunch boxes and hold onto your graphing calculators.

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As we gather supplies and get our schedules in order I’ve been thinking a lot about my girls and all those they will encounter this school year.  I’m particularly cognizant of my little one.  At 5’9″ she’s not so little anymore.  High school and friends and new challenges beckon; much louder than I will in these next several years.  I know I haven’t always spoken kindly of my strong, stubborn girl.  Since my oldest is developmentally delayed, I’m in virginal territory parenting a typical teen girl.  And although some days it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do (at the start of summer I wasn’t sure we would both survive to this date), I now find I’m a little sad to think about being home without her in the middle of the day.  Well, with two part-time jobs I’m not home a lot in the middle of the day, but it was nice to catch up with her or sneak in an episode of 90210 together when I was.  I miss her already.

 

But it’s once again time for both my girls to shine their lights in bigger spaces.  And as preparation, God drew me back to a passage I prayed often over my bonus son during his formative years.  Philippians 1:9-11 NASB   “9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may [d]approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless [e]until the day of Christ;11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”  It’s always a little scary to send them out, but I have a promise from God that what He started in my girls, He will complete.  His purpose for them will be accomplished.  Look back at the same scripture passage linked above.  It’s all there.  

 

As we turn our thoughts toward academics and extracurriculars, I pray that I will keep first things first.  As important as classes and clubs and activities are, the most important growth and knowledge is spiritual in nature.  What my kids believe about God and their place in His plan supercedes all else.

 

I’m praying and planning all the things.  Praying for positive friend experiences, praying for opportunities to share the gospel, planning to be the biggest fan and cheerleader, and praying above all to extend love and grace to my girls in the same way God lavishes me.  Praying for the Holy Spirit to remind me that God is patient with me so withholding patience from my girls is not an option.  This is another year for maturation, not perfection.  Martin Luther described this better than I ever could:

This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise.  We are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not yet finished but it is going on; this is not the end but it is the road.  All does not yet gleam in glory but all is being purified.  

 

Whether you are a student, have a student or love a student, I pray you THRIVE in Him.

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of sharing it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to make sure you don’t miss anything, subscribe!

 

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

 

 

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It Must Have Been the End of July

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Teach us to number our days,
     that we may gain a heart of wisdom.Psalm 90:12 NIV

 

How is another month already drawing to a close?  Before you know it, the kids will be back in school.  (Shhh.  I whispered that last sentence as not to accidentally cast my youngest into the pit of despair.)   I started the month off by gettin’ my hair did.  If you don’t think that’s blog worthy, then your beauty operator (oh I’m giggling at myself now.  That’s what my grandmother used to call herself back in the day.) isn’t as good as mine.  I shouldn’t brag – or maybe I should.  She’s the talented one.  Not me.  And I am so fortunate that she is also a sister in Christ and a fabulous friend.  So appointments are anointed girl time.  I look AND feel good afterward.

 

The same day (a day of appointments)I had to start a brand new professional relationship.  A doctor I have been with for 16 years moved out of state.  She delivered Allie, she operated on me and Shelby, she went through breast cancer the same time I did and gave me the good advice.  Sigh.  Sad to see her go, but I’m starting over with one of her partners and praying for a fruitful association.

 

My little family celebrated our country’s independence with my in-laws.  My husband’s parents have a great house and property on a lake where the kids enjoyed skiing and tubing.  We ate good food, had great conversations with Chuck’s brothers and wives and played games.  The best part, though, is the fireworks show over the lake.  We can sit on the back deck or even in recliners in the air conditioned living room and watch the spectacle.  No heat, no crowds, no crazy drunks.  Just the show.  God Bless America.

 

Spider-Man:  Far From Home and Toy Story 4 drew us into the theater.  I give two thumbs up to both.  Or certify them fresh or whatever.  At home we watched A Little Bit of Heaven with Kate Hudson.  I had never heard of it. Probably because it has a few really cheesy scenes of an imagined heaven.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen this done well in a movie.  But it made me laugh and in the end bawl like my heart was broken.  So I guess it’s not all bad.

 

Our oldest baby Shelby turned 19.  My parents, sisters and their families came to celebrate with her and a Minnie Mouse cake.  I’m not sure how she has blessed this earth for that long already, but we don’t take it for granted.  Every time I hear of another child losing their battle with Dravet Syndrome I’m thankful for each and every day we get with her joy and laughter.

 

As a couple, Chuck and I are usually pretty socially lame, but we had 2 double dates this month.  Two!  And from one of them came this nugget:  “When your teenager comes home, always be happy to see them.”  You may be thinking that sounds simple and maybe even – duh.  But it was such a good word that I needed.  My friend also told me about complaining of  her teen’s attitude to another friend once who said to her, “Oh.  I didn’t know she was pregnant.”  My friend said, “Say what?”  The reply – “I didn’t know your girl was hooked on drugs.”  The point?  So your teenager has an attitude?  Whose doesn’t.  There are bigger fish you could be frying.  So I can be happy to see my girl.  Attitude or not.

 

I’m so thankful for new friends and growing friendships and wisdom and laughter and sharing. 

Community in Christ is where it’s at.

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It’s not always easy to come by and have time for.  So I’m eternally grateful.

 

I am currently reading free kindle books of funny memes because that is the extent of my current mental capacity.  My husband has worked a lot.  And I have worked a little for pay and a lot as volunteer uber and family activity coordinator (come quickly school year, come quickly).  Chuck is getting some intensive training right now for his new job and Allie is fully immersed into tryouts for high school volleyball.  May we all survive both and find ways to glorify God along the way.  Love you, thank you, and pray August treats you well.

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