Anna's Baker's Dozen : reset button

On Saturday, we went to get school supplies that we still needed to check off the list before school starts soon. There was some indecision when it came to you picking out a notebook and some frustration from Taylor about negotiating for a few items that he wanted to get. After a bit of prodding in the store, we reached some resolution for you both and talked about better communication that you all could use in the future. As we got in the car, you surprised me by apologizing to me and then giving each other a little tap on the nose and telling me that you had pushed your "reset" buttons. We had an experience like this two summers ago (see below for the post I copied for you), and I love that this has now become part of our family vocabulary. I sure need a reset button at least once a day- so glad that we can help each other begin again, Anna. :)

hamming it up at home when I asked you to push your reset button

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

the reset button

I've had some computer issues lately and have had to simply push the reset button a few times to get the computer unstuck from whatever glitch was going on.

Yesterday afternoon, I was reminded that we too need those restart buttons when things get out of whack.

After a great day with Eva yesterday at Lincoln Park, we had planned to run over to Green Lake for a pre-dinner swim. As we got home later than we expected from dropping her off at her house, it caused a bit of a problem as it was kids' cooking night and Jason had to be somewhere at 8. With the time we had, we knew that we had to figure out some compromises in order to make it all happen. Taylor really wanted to cook. Anna really wanted to go swim. Jason and I were looking forward to the run. After going around a few times, we figured out a plan to make it all work out, but in the mix, there was some tension and stress. I said to everyone at one point that we needed to all begin again and have a fresh start. I joked and asked Anna where her "reset" button was and we figure out that it was on her nose. So, I pushed her nose and we both smiled.

We got the lasagna made, the kids hopped on their bikes, Jason and I put on our running shoes,

and we headed to Green Lake while dinner was cooking.

Running is definitely my reset button, and it was so good for my soul to be out on such a

gorgeous evening running fast with Jason down to the lake.

And there is something about being in the water that is good for my soul too--

refreshing and freeing...

We jumped in and enjoyed a beautiful swim in the lake for a bit and a few leaps off the diving board. At one point, I swam over to Jason, told him about my chat with Anna about the "reset" button, pushed his nose and gave him a hug.

Ahhhh....

it was a big exhale

for us all to have this mini-adventure together

to recharge and start afresh.

And, then we dried off the best we could and ran home. It turned out to be a fabulous evening.

I told Anna and Taylor over dinner that one of the best invitations we have from God is the chance to begin again over and over during the course of a day. The best thing we can do in our relationships is to offer that chance to others to start over and to begin again with grace, forgiveness and love.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases and his mercies NEVER come to an end. They are new every morning.

I am so thankful for the faithfulness that never fails and that gives us the chance to reset

anytime,

anywhere.

(with or without a little touch on the nose....)