I don't do Black Friday. Or Black Saturday, purple Sunday, and Cyber Monday. Nope. I pay full price happily. Well, of course I like a sale, and when I can get one, it's great! However, I won't go out of my way for a bargain. I either wait for it or I don't get it. Simple simple.
I've learned in my 42 years that certain things just aren't that important, like having this or having that. Lately we've just been more focused on the status of our families, all of our health, and what we can do together with the time that we have. I guess Best Buy just doesn't figure into that, nor does x-box or any other "thing". I'm not against having or getting things, but it's the way people go about it that bugs me.
I don't do crowds, either, as you may have guessed. I tend to have bouts of anxiety brought on by my heart rate, so I try to keep it down! I try to find peace and keep peace wherever I can. I can't always be successful, but I've found that by avoiding certain situations, i am just much nicer to be around.
So, it somewhat disappoints my friends when they learn that while I don't mind a little shopping, I am NOT a shopaholic. I don't like long lines, crowds, too much noise, endless loud store music, crabby people, bad drivers, and sore feet. I also don't like an empty pocketbook! I don't even enjoy grocery shopping! It's tedious, it's annoying, it's a necessity. Not fun. Aren't I just a joy?
So, this anti-shopping girl is now facing the holiday season, in which I must shop. What? Do I like to shop online? Not with my dial-up, that's for sure. And so I must put on my armor, my ear plugs, my blinders, and my smile, and go out "there".
And my biggest wish of all? That Christmas could be just what Christmas is and nothing else. The birth of our Savior. And did He get an x-box for his birth? Did the angels worry about what time the sales started? Did people tase each other to get a glimpse of Him in the manger? Did the shepherds go into debt just to get their sheep the latest and greatest nose hair trimmer? No! They focused on Him, that babe in the manger, and that's where I would rather be!
Happy Shopping anyway....and Merry Christmas a bit early.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Blessed Weekend
We had a pretty fun weekend starting with last Friday night. Our friends invited us to a "mystery dinner" at their home with their "Reach" group from church. While we were at their house, their kids were at ours being watched by Natalie. I'm not sure which group had more fun! So, the mystery dinner was interesting....you had to pick 4 numbers out of each "course", and then you were served the item that corresponded with the number for that course. For my first course, I received 2 mint oreos, 4 carrot sticks and a spoon. Steve received no silverware and a pile of spaghetti with no sauce. I then got my sauce in a bowl, a breadstick, and a pile of fruit dip. So, the idea was to see how creative we could be while using what we had to eat our dinner. I ate my spaghetti with "celery chopsticks", and Steve at his with his fingers! There were about 16 of us there, and we of course, knew only 2 people there! They were a really fun group and made us feel like they'd known us a long time. It was such a blessing!
On Saturday, the girls and I headed into town to help with the Thanksgiving baskets being distributed by our church. The girls got to help pack them and then we were asked to deliver them too. Nat went with her small group leader and I took Serena with me. After getting lost, I stopped and picked up my GPS...Steve. I can tell my girls about real "need", but sometimes they need to see it for themselves. We were very blessed by that day too!
On Sunday, Steve's sister came for a visit with the now 14 year old triplets! While she had a visit with her brother, I took the teens out for a photo shoot. It was cold and a bit windy, but we had such a fun time! They are such beautiful kids--one boy and two girls, and their personalities are so much the same as when they were born! They had brought a buddy with them to the house, and so I had 5 teens and a preteen and what a blessing it was to have so much fun and laughter in our home! And the pictures blessed their mom, who can't get them to go to a studio anymore. Lucky me, I will get to do it again!
While the weekend was full of blessings, it was also full of sadness in a couple of ways, and Monday brought even more sadness. It reminded me that we really need to hold onto and focus on those blessings, because if we focus on the bad stuff, we just might miss the good stuff. I have to believe that God is working in all of these situations that aren't so good, and I have to focus on being a positive influence wherever and whenever possible. Light shatters darkness, right?
Get out there and be a light and count your many blessings...one by one!!
On Saturday, the girls and I headed into town to help with the Thanksgiving baskets being distributed by our church. The girls got to help pack them and then we were asked to deliver them too. Nat went with her small group leader and I took Serena with me. After getting lost, I stopped and picked up my GPS...Steve. I can tell my girls about real "need", but sometimes they need to see it for themselves. We were very blessed by that day too!
On Sunday, Steve's sister came for a visit with the now 14 year old triplets! While she had a visit with her brother, I took the teens out for a photo shoot. It was cold and a bit windy, but we had such a fun time! They are such beautiful kids--one boy and two girls, and their personalities are so much the same as when they were born! They had brought a buddy with them to the house, and so I had 5 teens and a preteen and what a blessing it was to have so much fun and laughter in our home! And the pictures blessed their mom, who can't get them to go to a studio anymore. Lucky me, I will get to do it again!
While the weekend was full of blessings, it was also full of sadness in a couple of ways, and Monday brought even more sadness. It reminded me that we really need to hold onto and focus on those blessings, because if we focus on the bad stuff, we just might miss the good stuff. I have to believe that God is working in all of these situations that aren't so good, and I have to focus on being a positive influence wherever and whenever possible. Light shatters darkness, right?
Get out there and be a light and count your many blessings...one by one!!
Monday, November 21, 2011
It's A Party or World War 3
Thanksgiving is upon us, and where are your thoughts? Food? Family? Football? Antacids? Well, mine are all over the place! I have an extremely full month ahead of me, beginning with Thanksgiving. Steve's birthday is a few days after, then I will be planning a very large party for Serena. It wasn't my idea at all. It wasn't even Serena's idea! Let me begin at the beginning...
Serena was born 2 days after Christmas. While we've never forgotten her birthday, we can't always have a "friend" party because of the holiday. We not only can't find the time to do it, but we don't like asking friends to bring gifts when they should be saving money for their Christmas giving. We tried "gift-free" parties in January, and even had a swim party once. However, we now play basketball every Saturday in winter, so the non-birthday parties continue once again.
There have been a lot of social issues in Serena's class this year. The girls just don't seem to all get along, and it's silly really, because individually, the girls are nice to be around for the most part. Hello, they're 11 and 12. What do you expect, right? Well, Serena has always been a peacemaker. From the time the child could talk, she was always trying to smooth over problems for others, helping other kids to share, and trying to include other kids. Sometimes her efforts to be a peacemaker are not only unnoticed, but they are unwanted by those who would rather be unkind! Welcome to the real world, dear one. Anyway, we found a solution, we hope.
I had really been praying about this situation at school, since even some parents were getting overly involved and actually causing more problems with the girls! The situation was getting out of hand, and Serena was really feeling pressured and didn't want to go to school. In fact, we had some serious talks about finding a new avenue for her education. So, something had to be done, and I was talking to God about it daily. One day, I believe He gave me a challenge. "Why not invite ALL of those girls to a party?" What? Are you kidding me? World War 3 at my house? My basement is not set up for parties anymore! What about all the fighting parents, let alone the girls? Will there be mayhem? I have too much going on and what about cost? Are you sure this is a good idea? That was my response, and I'm sure you moms can relate!
I'm sure now that God is behind this party. When I mentioned the idea to Serena, she said, "I think it's a good idea, mom. Maybe it will show them that we can be a team and not be so divided. No one will be left out, for once!" Well, except for all the boys. Forget that!! So with my daughter's blessing, we set to planning a non-birthday party. Not only did we not want people bringing gifts, but a classmate's religion prohibits it, so she even gave up the birthday idea so she could come. Wow, is all I could say to that. Good girl.
Serena handed out her invitations at school and had mixed reactions. She was very hurt and disappointed when 2 of her friends suggested she not give out certain invitations and not to tell her mom and no one would ever know. Really? And these are your friends?? Grr..Serena stood firm and said, "everyone is invited. Everyone. and how do you think those girls would feel?" She later told me, "I should have asked for their invitations back just to show them how really mean that was." So, the girls replied, 'well, i just might not be able to come." the other one said, "i will hide in your room the whole time'. Serena just said, "If you don't want to come, don't come", as her heart cracked just a little bit more.
It makes me more than angry what has been going on, and yet all I can do is just continue to help Serena be who she is no matter what. She told me she may lose a couple friends over this party, and we both agreed that real friends will let you be yourself, and maybe it's not such a big loss if that were to happen. I know how much it hurts her, and that's the part with which I struggle.
So, a party. Lots of cheet-os, punch, and noise. Lots of girls. Some oil. Some water. Some fire. Sounds like fun, right?? This whole month has been a wild ride and we're just getting started. I can't wait to see where we're going next!!
Serena was born 2 days after Christmas. While we've never forgotten her birthday, we can't always have a "friend" party because of the holiday. We not only can't find the time to do it, but we don't like asking friends to bring gifts when they should be saving money for their Christmas giving. We tried "gift-free" parties in January, and even had a swim party once. However, we now play basketball every Saturday in winter, so the non-birthday parties continue once again.
There have been a lot of social issues in Serena's class this year. The girls just don't seem to all get along, and it's silly really, because individually, the girls are nice to be around for the most part. Hello, they're 11 and 12. What do you expect, right? Well, Serena has always been a peacemaker. From the time the child could talk, she was always trying to smooth over problems for others, helping other kids to share, and trying to include other kids. Sometimes her efforts to be a peacemaker are not only unnoticed, but they are unwanted by those who would rather be unkind! Welcome to the real world, dear one. Anyway, we found a solution, we hope.
I had really been praying about this situation at school, since even some parents were getting overly involved and actually causing more problems with the girls! The situation was getting out of hand, and Serena was really feeling pressured and didn't want to go to school. In fact, we had some serious talks about finding a new avenue for her education. So, something had to be done, and I was talking to God about it daily. One day, I believe He gave me a challenge. "Why not invite ALL of those girls to a party?" What? Are you kidding me? World War 3 at my house? My basement is not set up for parties anymore! What about all the fighting parents, let alone the girls? Will there be mayhem? I have too much going on and what about cost? Are you sure this is a good idea? That was my response, and I'm sure you moms can relate!
I'm sure now that God is behind this party. When I mentioned the idea to Serena, she said, "I think it's a good idea, mom. Maybe it will show them that we can be a team and not be so divided. No one will be left out, for once!" Well, except for all the boys. Forget that!! So with my daughter's blessing, we set to planning a non-birthday party. Not only did we not want people bringing gifts, but a classmate's religion prohibits it, so she even gave up the birthday idea so she could come. Wow, is all I could say to that. Good girl.
Serena handed out her invitations at school and had mixed reactions. She was very hurt and disappointed when 2 of her friends suggested she not give out certain invitations and not to tell her mom and no one would ever know. Really? And these are your friends?? Grr..Serena stood firm and said, "everyone is invited. Everyone. and how do you think those girls would feel?" She later told me, "I should have asked for their invitations back just to show them how really mean that was." So, the girls replied, 'well, i just might not be able to come." the other one said, "i will hide in your room the whole time'. Serena just said, "If you don't want to come, don't come", as her heart cracked just a little bit more.
It makes me more than angry what has been going on, and yet all I can do is just continue to help Serena be who she is no matter what. She told me she may lose a couple friends over this party, and we both agreed that real friends will let you be yourself, and maybe it's not such a big loss if that were to happen. I know how much it hurts her, and that's the part with which I struggle.
So, a party. Lots of cheet-os, punch, and noise. Lots of girls. Some oil. Some water. Some fire. Sounds like fun, right?? This whole month has been a wild ride and we're just getting started. I can't wait to see where we're going next!!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
The Sweet Spot
It's that time again where I tell you about the latest book I'm reading! I always give you that warning to choose to tune out. Some people just aren't readers. That's okay with me. Maybe you're a talker, a doer, a street smart kinda person. It's all good, but I gotta have me some books!
So, this title jumped out and grabbed me, as well as the beautiful golden retrievers on the cover...."Cure For the Common Life", by none other than Max Lucado. I just started the book a few days ago, and already I'm thinking of my life in a whole new way.
I get all tangled up in my daily life, as far as my chores, my errands, the lives of my girls, where we have to be, what we have to do, what's due, what's late, what stinks, and on and on. Somewhere in all of the whoopty doo is my life. Somewhere in there is a gifted woman, trying to get out. That woman is me!
I met her today, as she answered some of the pertinent questions in this book. Here are just a few:
1. What have I always done well?
2. What did I enjoy doing as a child?
3. What is it that creates pure energy in me?
4. What do I love to do?
5. What makes me say, "YES! This is what I was made for!!"
It forced me to take a minute and take some inventory. It's been awhile since I've thought about those things. Somewhere in my wifely motheringness, I forgot there was someone else in there. Someone who was created for a specific purpose. Am I out there being "me"? According to Max, the world misses out if I'm not.
Without quoting the whole chapter, I think it's important to understand that my "being me" has less to do with pleasing me and more to do with pleasing God. We are created to glorify Him, not ourselves. Having said that, picture 3 circles. One says, "My everyday life", another says, "God's Glory", and the last one says, "My strengths". Where these three circles intersect is called your "Sweet Spot", where all of these things come together and work as one.
This is what Max defines as the "cure for the common life". When we realize that our uniqueness, being used in order to glorify God in our everyday lives,using the gifts we were given, is all we need to live our lives to the fullest.
I hope I've intrigued you enough to give this book a try. One thing I always do when starting a new book is I always start a notebook. In it, I answer the questions presented in the book, write down the scriptures, and copy down pertinent quotes or ideas. It helps me to take the knowledge a bit further and actually use it.
It was no surprise that I used that practice as the answer to one of my questions, "what do you love to do?" Read and study!! Maybe I'm meant to be a perpetual scholar. Who knows? Maybe by the last chapter of Max's book I'll have it all figured out!!
If you're a "bookie" too, share your favorite titles with me!
So, this title jumped out and grabbed me, as well as the beautiful golden retrievers on the cover...."Cure For the Common Life", by none other than Max Lucado. I just started the book a few days ago, and already I'm thinking of my life in a whole new way.
I get all tangled up in my daily life, as far as my chores, my errands, the lives of my girls, where we have to be, what we have to do, what's due, what's late, what stinks, and on and on. Somewhere in all of the whoopty doo is my life. Somewhere in there is a gifted woman, trying to get out. That woman is me!
I met her today, as she answered some of the pertinent questions in this book. Here are just a few:
1. What have I always done well?
2. What did I enjoy doing as a child?
3. What is it that creates pure energy in me?
4. What do I love to do?
5. What makes me say, "YES! This is what I was made for!!"
It forced me to take a minute and take some inventory. It's been awhile since I've thought about those things. Somewhere in my wifely motheringness, I forgot there was someone else in there. Someone who was created for a specific purpose. Am I out there being "me"? According to Max, the world misses out if I'm not.
Without quoting the whole chapter, I think it's important to understand that my "being me" has less to do with pleasing me and more to do with pleasing God. We are created to glorify Him, not ourselves. Having said that, picture 3 circles. One says, "My everyday life", another says, "God's Glory", and the last one says, "My strengths". Where these three circles intersect is called your "Sweet Spot", where all of these things come together and work as one.
This is what Max defines as the "cure for the common life". When we realize that our uniqueness, being used in order to glorify God in our everyday lives,using the gifts we were given, is all we need to live our lives to the fullest.
I hope I've intrigued you enough to give this book a try. One thing I always do when starting a new book is I always start a notebook. In it, I answer the questions presented in the book, write down the scriptures, and copy down pertinent quotes or ideas. It helps me to take the knowledge a bit further and actually use it.
It was no surprise that I used that practice as the answer to one of my questions, "what do you love to do?" Read and study!! Maybe I'm meant to be a perpetual scholar. Who knows? Maybe by the last chapter of Max's book I'll have it all figured out!!
If you're a "bookie" too, share your favorite titles with me!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Unpredictable Me
Call me indecisive. Call me impulsive. I call me "unpredictable". Always keepin' 'em guessin at what I'm going to do next. The 'em is mostly my family, because unpredictable me in other circles would just be "crazy lady", so I don't go there.
So, here are some of the "strange, but true" things I have done recently that showcase my unpredictability. Names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.
1. I met a stray cat the other day. I watched him with my binoculars awhile to try to figure out what he was eating. I decided to take the poor dear some chicken. As I walked toward him, he took off like a you know what out of you know where. I called after him,"kitty! kitty!" He was having none of that. So, I named him. He is now "Bill Murray Slash Stripes." Or just "Slash" for short.
The other day he brought his friend "Bootsy Boots". I fed that one some ham. Did I mention I'm not that into cats? I am a dog person. Those kitties don't have a future here at all. I almost-never-unless-i'm-sneaking feed strays.
2. After watching a TLC show last night, I dressed up as one of the reality characters and made a spectacle out of myself. My kids cracked up. I cracked up. Steve gave me "the look". He didn't get it. Apparently I'm not as funny to him.
3. I had already purchased my mom's birthday gift, but decided to stop at the dollar store on the way to her house. We needed some "unmentionables", but on the way, I saw a cool decorated box. I picked it up, and proceeded to fill it with all kinds of neat stuff I found. Happy Birthday again, Mom. She's lucky I'm unpredictale, wouldn't you say?
4. I have been doing push ups every day, and I keep pushing myself to do more and more. Well, we were having sort of a push up party in the living room one night and I decided to try to do a "clap" pushup. I didn't do one. I did four!! I should probably add that I was doing a modified push up. But still....back flips may be next. I'm pretty sure I can do a triple sow kow (phonetically speaking) too. Just gotta get me some skates.
Have fun being all predictable, but once in awhile, just let it rip. Keep 'em guessing. And never ever tell anyone what you're really doing. Then you'll always be a big surprise. Or a shock. Oh well, have fun either way!
So, here are some of the "strange, but true" things I have done recently that showcase my unpredictability. Names and places have been changed to protect the innocent.
1. I met a stray cat the other day. I watched him with my binoculars awhile to try to figure out what he was eating. I decided to take the poor dear some chicken. As I walked toward him, he took off like a you know what out of you know where. I called after him,"kitty! kitty!" He was having none of that. So, I named him. He is now "Bill Murray Slash Stripes." Or just "Slash" for short.
The other day he brought his friend "Bootsy Boots". I fed that one some ham. Did I mention I'm not that into cats? I am a dog person. Those kitties don't have a future here at all. I almost-never-unless-i'm-sneaking feed strays.
2. After watching a TLC show last night, I dressed up as one of the reality characters and made a spectacle out of myself. My kids cracked up. I cracked up. Steve gave me "the look". He didn't get it. Apparently I'm not as funny to him.
3. I had already purchased my mom's birthday gift, but decided to stop at the dollar store on the way to her house. We needed some "unmentionables", but on the way, I saw a cool decorated box. I picked it up, and proceeded to fill it with all kinds of neat stuff I found. Happy Birthday again, Mom. She's lucky I'm unpredictale, wouldn't you say?
4. I have been doing push ups every day, and I keep pushing myself to do more and more. Well, we were having sort of a push up party in the living room one night and I decided to try to do a "clap" pushup. I didn't do one. I did four!! I should probably add that I was doing a modified push up. But still....back flips may be next. I'm pretty sure I can do a triple sow kow (phonetically speaking) too. Just gotta get me some skates.
Have fun being all predictable, but once in awhile, just let it rip. Keep 'em guessing. And never ever tell anyone what you're really doing. Then you'll always be a big surprise. Or a shock. Oh well, have fun either way!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Heart Control
I find it interesting how many times I've been in a group, and something someone is going through is exactly what I've just struggled through myself. I also find it interesting how many times we keep situations to ourselves, thinking, "I really shouldn't share this...maybe I did something wrong..." What a lie that has turned out to be EVERY time. It's a lie that keeps us blaming ourselves, stewing in the problem, and not being able to help someone else. It's a waste of time, and it's not of God.
The truth is, when someone hurts us, we are shocked. We are stunned momentarily. I know for us it was a matter of, "wow. You thought so terribly of us right off the bat? You didn't even ask us to clarify what was said before you fired off your many attacks? You really wanted to believe the worst? You really wanted to think we would be so insensitive and unfair? Wow. You must really be screwed up. You must not respect us at all.You didn't use any of your past knowledge of us to make a determination on the 5 minute conversation that was had. You reacted out of pure foolishness and emotion and basically shot off your own feet. And sadly, if you really believe that,then you don't know us at all. Wow."
This is why the Bible warns us so many times not to keep company with corrupt people. Not to spend time with fools. Eventually, they will use you as a target because they are miserable, unhappy, and living entirely in the flesh. And somehow, it's everyone else's fault. Particularly yours if you get too close. Wow. It's been a couple of months, but the shock is still fresh. No pain, no loss. Just a bit of shock. We realized quickly that to feel loss, you would have had to have actually had something real and of value. We saw immediately that apparently we didn't all along. Sad to be disappointed with the truth this way, but Steve and I understand. We knew there was nothing we were going to be able to say or do to help. We tried. Sometimes people just want to be hurt and angry. Not helped or changed. Sometimes the wall is so thick that no person can get in.
Well, as much as I'd like people like that to know the peace that I have, I am not willing to be used as a target so it can happen for them. I will pray for that couple, but we will not get that close to the fire again. I will pray for the light to come on so that one day, they can find peace and begin to reflect light the way they were created to do. Because truly, we don't want anything bad for this particular couple. We want them to be happy and at peace. Just not at our expense.
See, this is where God comes in. He knows the situation and can see exactly where it's headed. I do believe that although these people do not follow him, He is still there, waiting for them to turn to Him. He may be making life a bit uncomfortable for them right now so that He can shine a bit brighter and they will begin to see His face. He may be taking things and people away so that they have to depend on God and God alone. Who knows? He works for the good of those who love Him, we're told in the Bible, and it's all for His purpose.
We are ALL created in His image and for His purpose. Even the mean, the miserable, and the fools. We are all given a future, a hope, and endless amounts of love. It's all there. We just have to either accept it, or continue to thank Him for it and use it all for His glory.
And to the person who just tried to obliterate you, whether by a mean email, as mine came, or a mean text, glance, or gossip....please concentrate on those who DO love you and add to your life. Let those who don't honor you not have so much power over your life. And know that if you have a good friend, you will never be alone. If you have God as your friend, you really are never alone. Never! And remember, he will pay back trouble to those who trouble you! (2 Thessalonians 1:6)
Be blessed...you know Whose you are! Keep your heart full of Him, not your hurts.
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19,20 (NIV)
The truth is, when someone hurts us, we are shocked. We are stunned momentarily. I know for us it was a matter of, "wow. You thought so terribly of us right off the bat? You didn't even ask us to clarify what was said before you fired off your many attacks? You really wanted to believe the worst? You really wanted to think we would be so insensitive and unfair? Wow. You must really be screwed up. You must not respect us at all.You didn't use any of your past knowledge of us to make a determination on the 5 minute conversation that was had. You reacted out of pure foolishness and emotion and basically shot off your own feet. And sadly, if you really believe that,then you don't know us at all. Wow."
This is why the Bible warns us so many times not to keep company with corrupt people. Not to spend time with fools. Eventually, they will use you as a target because they are miserable, unhappy, and living entirely in the flesh. And somehow, it's everyone else's fault. Particularly yours if you get too close. Wow. It's been a couple of months, but the shock is still fresh. No pain, no loss. Just a bit of shock. We realized quickly that to feel loss, you would have had to have actually had something real and of value. We saw immediately that apparently we didn't all along. Sad to be disappointed with the truth this way, but Steve and I understand. We knew there was nothing we were going to be able to say or do to help. We tried. Sometimes people just want to be hurt and angry. Not helped or changed. Sometimes the wall is so thick that no person can get in.
Well, as much as I'd like people like that to know the peace that I have, I am not willing to be used as a target so it can happen for them. I will pray for that couple, but we will not get that close to the fire again. I will pray for the light to come on so that one day, they can find peace and begin to reflect light the way they were created to do. Because truly, we don't want anything bad for this particular couple. We want them to be happy and at peace. Just not at our expense.
See, this is where God comes in. He knows the situation and can see exactly where it's headed. I do believe that although these people do not follow him, He is still there, waiting for them to turn to Him. He may be making life a bit uncomfortable for them right now so that He can shine a bit brighter and they will begin to see His face. He may be taking things and people away so that they have to depend on God and God alone. Who knows? He works for the good of those who love Him, we're told in the Bible, and it's all for His purpose.
We are ALL created in His image and for His purpose. Even the mean, the miserable, and the fools. We are all given a future, a hope, and endless amounts of love. It's all there. We just have to either accept it, or continue to thank Him for it and use it all for His glory.
And to the person who just tried to obliterate you, whether by a mean email, as mine came, or a mean text, glance, or gossip....please concentrate on those who DO love you and add to your life. Let those who don't honor you not have so much power over your life. And know that if you have a good friend, you will never be alone. If you have God as your friend, you really are never alone. Never! And remember, he will pay back trouble to those who trouble you! (2 Thessalonians 1:6)
Be blessed...you know Whose you are! Keep your heart full of Him, not your hurts.
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19,20 (NIV)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
AWESOME
I use my time in my car to pray, particularly after dropping my girls off at school for the day. One day last week we had an especially beautiful sky. For some reason, I looked up at that sky (yes, while driving) and said, "God, you made the sky, and thank you for that. It gives me hope, that the place where storms threaten is the same place that rainbows appear. That's pretty cool, the way you blend those two together, much like our lives down here. Full of storms, but full of rainbows. That is just so AWESOME!" And then I said out loud to myself, "Wow. That came out of nowhere. I need to blog that!" Yes, I sometimes converse with myself. And you don't? Oh please! :)
I am a chronic skywatcher, and I like to think that God speaks to us in nature more than anywhere else. Yesterday while working outside with my family, I looked up and went completely speechless. Flying just low enough for us to get a close look, was an eagle! I am such a nerd about these things and blurted out, "OOH! It's an eagle. It's so, so, regal!" The girls just laughed at me and said, "regal? really, mom?"
Yes, regal. And so was the young eagle it was training. I was amazed and completely mesmerized by the sight, as I often am in nature. An eagle is a rare sight here, though neighbor Bill talks about seeing them all the time. And each time he sees them he is marveled by the sight. Neighbor Bill is amazed by God too!
And on those cool mornings where the sky is a brilliant pink for just a little while, and the birch trees stand out against it....breathless. The days I see Mama Doe and her kiddos....precious. The wind whistling through the white pines, and the sounds of birds singing at the first sign of dusk. Those are beautiful things, and they are all because of God. His idea. His creation with His hands. AWESOME. Are there any other adequate words to describe that?
Probably not, but I am grateful for the many ways God uses nature to take my breath away. For the times nature comforts me in ways people never could. For making this world with all its ills a very beautiful place to spend our time. For soothing a bad day with a sunset, and for the laughter only chipmunks can produce. For all the grains of sand in the ocean and for the stars in the sky. Grateful and amazed. Entertained by and loved through nature each and every moment of our lives! He did it for me and He did it for you just because he loves us!
Thank you, God for your AWESOME creation. I can only imagine just how beautiful Heaven will be....
I am a chronic skywatcher, and I like to think that God speaks to us in nature more than anywhere else. Yesterday while working outside with my family, I looked up and went completely speechless. Flying just low enough for us to get a close look, was an eagle! I am such a nerd about these things and blurted out, "OOH! It's an eagle. It's so, so, regal!" The girls just laughed at me and said, "regal? really, mom?"
Yes, regal. And so was the young eagle it was training. I was amazed and completely mesmerized by the sight, as I often am in nature. An eagle is a rare sight here, though neighbor Bill talks about seeing them all the time. And each time he sees them he is marveled by the sight. Neighbor Bill is amazed by God too!
And on those cool mornings where the sky is a brilliant pink for just a little while, and the birch trees stand out against it....breathless. The days I see Mama Doe and her kiddos....precious. The wind whistling through the white pines, and the sounds of birds singing at the first sign of dusk. Those are beautiful things, and they are all because of God. His idea. His creation with His hands. AWESOME. Are there any other adequate words to describe that?
Probably not, but I am grateful for the many ways God uses nature to take my breath away. For the times nature comforts me in ways people never could. For making this world with all its ills a very beautiful place to spend our time. For soothing a bad day with a sunset, and for the laughter only chipmunks can produce. For all the grains of sand in the ocean and for the stars in the sky. Grateful and amazed. Entertained by and loved through nature each and every moment of our lives! He did it for me and He did it for you just because he loves us!
Thank you, God for your AWESOME creation. I can only imagine just how beautiful Heaven will be....
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The World of Worry
I don't think I worried about much at all before I became a parent. I was happy to be married and living with my beloved. I was carefree, going to work and coming home each day, worrying only about hitting a deer on the way home. Together we didn't worry too much about our bills, in fact, we didn't even have a credit card for the first few years of our marriage! Unheard of now, I would guess. We had a nice home with plans to fill it with children, plenty of time to do whatever we wanted to do, and a healthy family around us. Our biggest "worry" was what we were going to do that weekend!
How things would change over just a few years! When we decided to plan our family, the worries started. We couldn't conceive for a long time. We decided to do all kinds of rebellious things, like get a dog, get braces for me, and maybe get a jeep and have fun with that. We even toyed with the idea of white carpeting! No kids, no mess. OOps....forgot about that dog we got..
So with our wait for children, we worried. Then she blessed us, and we worried. She arrived. We worried. And worried. And worried. Every fever, every rash, every cry, every everything. Worry worry worry. And it wasn't much fun at all! The worrying, I mean, of course.
Child number two came and brought us new worries. Would we be good parents to two now? Could we give them enough? And on and on the worries came. If only I knew then what I know now....can't we all say that?
My worries are so much more based in reality now. Our parents are getting older, our dog has passed. Our kids are growing up. Can we do this? Are we messing it all up? Will we look back at these days and tell our young selves we were being silly just like before?
I have many well-meaning and wise friends tell me not to worry about anything but to pray about everything. Philippians 4:6,7, I believe, said it first. As I get older, and life gets harder, it is harder to worry. Yes, I just said that! I'm not saying I don't worry. I'm saying I know better now. I do better now. Worrying says I have little trust in the God who is taking care of it all. If I look back at the past, worrying didn't serve me or anyone else well. If I use what I know, then I should know not to worry. Right?
As with anything, it's easier said than done. It's not so much that I worry about what God is doing. It's more that I worry that I won't accept it as quickly as I should. I guess that's a normal human response. I sometimes equate a no worry attitude with a lack of concern. I suppose it takes a delicate balance, and I trust God is going to help me through that. After all, if I trust Him, then what do I have to worry about?
How things would change over just a few years! When we decided to plan our family, the worries started. We couldn't conceive for a long time. We decided to do all kinds of rebellious things, like get a dog, get braces for me, and maybe get a jeep and have fun with that. We even toyed with the idea of white carpeting! No kids, no mess. OOps....forgot about that dog we got..
So with our wait for children, we worried. Then she blessed us, and we worried. She arrived. We worried. And worried. And worried. Every fever, every rash, every cry, every everything. Worry worry worry. And it wasn't much fun at all! The worrying, I mean, of course.
Child number two came and brought us new worries. Would we be good parents to two now? Could we give them enough? And on and on the worries came. If only I knew then what I know now....can't we all say that?
My worries are so much more based in reality now. Our parents are getting older, our dog has passed. Our kids are growing up. Can we do this? Are we messing it all up? Will we look back at these days and tell our young selves we were being silly just like before?
I have many well-meaning and wise friends tell me not to worry about anything but to pray about everything. Philippians 4:6,7, I believe, said it first. As I get older, and life gets harder, it is harder to worry. Yes, I just said that! I'm not saying I don't worry. I'm saying I know better now. I do better now. Worrying says I have little trust in the God who is taking care of it all. If I look back at the past, worrying didn't serve me or anyone else well. If I use what I know, then I should know not to worry. Right?
As with anything, it's easier said than done. It's not so much that I worry about what God is doing. It's more that I worry that I won't accept it as quickly as I should. I guess that's a normal human response. I sometimes equate a no worry attitude with a lack of concern. I suppose it takes a delicate balance, and I trust God is going to help me through that. After all, if I trust Him, then what do I have to worry about?