Why Eat?

Do you remember what you had for lunch two weeks ago Tuesday? 

Even if you don't remember, do you think that it still had some amount of nutrition?  Do you believe that at some level it sustained you?  Would you admit that it provided energy, strength, and nutrients to get you to the next task on your list for the day?

What if you hadn't eaten that meal?  That day?  Or even for 3 days?  Would you notice?

Just because you don't remember what you had for lunch two weeks ago Tuesday, has that caused you to consider stopping eating all together?  I mean, really, if  a meal can't be remembered... then what's the use, right?  Maybe it's all just a waste of time... this eating gig.

Of course that sounds absurd!

Guess what else is absurd...

I used to excuse the importance of my personal time in God's Word away with that same type of thinking.

"I can't always remember what I read.  I wonder if it's just a waste of my time.  Yeah, I know I should read, but really... who has time for something that can't be remembered later?"

You know what I have found?

Much as the physical nutrition for the moment brings health to my physical body, so the spiritual sustenance and strength I need for the day comes from the Words I read that morning.

Even when I can't always remember the details of each moment at a later date, I am confident that the time spent there meditating and focusing on His Words to me have sustained me more than I know.  More than I would probably even believe were I to know the full impact.

So, although I can't always remember exactly what I had to eat a few weeks ago, I am confident that I did eat.  And that food sustained exactly what I needed for that day.

Confident of this truth - I continue to eat...
  * physically
  * spiritually

Hungry anyone?...

Hands that Shaped are Holding...

I've got some things weighing heavy on my heart.  This morning was a lovely morning (felt very much like fall!) so I decided to grab my ipod with music and take a walk on our property.

As I was walking...
* I was listening to my music.
* I was thinking through some things.
* I was surrendering.
* I was praying...

I've walked the path through our 10 acres many times before.  You would think nothing should surprise me about the path it takes, the forage that lines it, the terrain it contains.

And yet, this morning I rounded a bend, looked up, and stopped in my tracks with a lump caught in my throat.

THIS....

And here's what made this stand out to me...

The song actively playing on my ipod at the time was "Your Hands" by J.J. Heller.  I was singing along, as if also praying, and the chorus led in to... "Your hands that shaped the world are holding me, they hold me still."

I am not even kidding.  As I turned the corner the words "Your hands that shaped the world" played, and in that moment, as if practiced numerous times to get it exactly on cue, I looked up and saw.... 

THIS...

Not broken.  Fully intact.  Almost as if purposely shaped from the trunk, bent over, and even for this very moment with all that is on my heart.... for me to be reminded.  Encouraged.  Bolstered in spirit.

".... are holding me, they hold me still...."

His hands that shaped the world.... are holding me.  If He can do that to a tree? Just sayin'...

And in that moment I stopped and circled back to from where I had just come.  I had climbed down into the middle of this and sat for about 10 minutes...

Thinking. Singing. Praying...

The world that He shaped was literally holding me in those moments as I settled into the middle of that place...

A reminder so tangible that the pieces of bark that had fallen down the back of my shirt scratched my neck as I walked back to the house with tears welling in my eyes in gratitude.

Grateful...

* that He walked with me this morning
* that He met me in such a personal and real way on that walk
* that He shaped this world by His very hands
* that He still holds me in those hands... HIS!

No! Matter!! What!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Friend, does it feel that your world is shaking, that your heart is breaking?  Do you have troubles and unanswered prayers?  Are you tired, and weary, and just plain worn out?  

I offer you this gentle reminder... Heaven Stands!  He heals.  He is still in control!

Friend, the hands that shaped the world are holding you... even still!!

"See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." ~Is. 49:16

 

Happenings...

It's been some time since I've written for a variety of reasons.
- Some schedule related.
- Some "navigating through what's all even in my heart and head" related.
- Some increasing pressures I was putting on myself regarding content, frequency, expectations, etc. related.

I have recently been doing some reading, listening, pondering, and considering.  In doing so, I believe that some of those pressures are lifting, freeing up a sense of the potential of my words being able to flow again. 

And so,
* Since it has been awhile...
* In an effort to catch you up on what's been happening with me...
* To get my fingers typing and my words flowing again...

I decided to share a little bit about the:


HAPPENINGS HERE:

On My Bookshelf:

Recently finished reading:
* If: By Mark Batterson
* Audacious:  By Beth Moore

Am currently reading:
* Prayer:  By Timothy Keller
* The Best Yes:  By Lysa Terkeurst

Books of the Bible:
I have been spending the last few months primarily in the Psalms.  I read through in the Message translation one month, the New Living Translation the next month, and this month in the New International Version.

I've also spent some recent time in Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.  I tried to be more intentional to read through them as a letter that had been sent since that is how they were originally written. They did read somewhat differently to me in that frame of mind. 


Devotionals I'm Using:
* Streams in the Desert: by Jim Reimann and Mrs. Charles E. Cowman
* Jesus Calling: by Sarah Young 


Music I'm listening to: (Current Fav's)
* It is Well:  Bethel Music
* Breathe: Jonny Diaz
* Trust in You: Lauren Daigle


Items of note:
* I'm hoping to have more time to spend here again.

* School curriculum is starting to arrive. This week will be spent getting that all figured out for another year ahead of us.

* Our oldest heads back to college this week to begin his Jr. Year. (Can you even believe it?!)

* We introduced our little guy to "Amelia Bedelia" this week. Oh the laughter...


What I’m looking forward to:

*  Fall.  I've been seeing online and elsewhere some push back from saying goodbye to summer.  But for me, there's just something about the crisp mornings, warm throws, bonfires, and crisp leaves that are so appealing to me.

* Writing again without the self imposed pressures I was putting on myself in the doing so!
  
*******************************
Now it's your turn!  I would love to hear...

What's Been Happening With YOU?

Learning to Embrace the Wait

We have a theme park not too far from our house. We went for opening day of the season.

Which meant we had to stand in lines. Waiting. For our turn.  Watching others board and ride the ride that we anticipated taking.

 As we were standing in line, I glanced down at our little guy as he was leaning against the railing saying repeatedly, over and over, almost as if under his breath, "I hate waiting.  I hate waiting.  I hate waiting."

I interrupted his cycling statement with, "Oh, but waiting is a good thing to learn.  So many times in the Bible God tells us to learn to wait.  It is part of how He created life to work."

And as I was encouraging and educating my son, my Heavenly Father began to point out current situations in my life where I have been standing, waiting, leaning against the railing saying repeatedly, over and over, almost as if under my breath, "I hate waiting.  I hate waiting.  I hate waiting."

And so I am challenged.....

As I was trying to instruct my son in the lessons of waiting... I myself was instructed.

Not because I want to, but rather out of obedience...

Learning to embrace the wait.

My Season of Lilacs

Ah, lilacs.  As I glance through my windows I see that they are almost in full bloom.  Everywhere I go around town I see them... lilacs.  Their scent is even beginning to permeate the air without even necessarily being close to them.

Each year that they come and go, I do a lot of reflecting, remembering, rejoicing, and re-living.

It was this season 10 years ago (but I remember it like yesterday) that I missed the season of my lilacs completely.  It was in that season that our daughter found herself in the hospital facing death for the second time in her life.

We had just moved into our home and I was excited for the first season of my lilacs.  As they started to bloom, we left for what was supposed to be a short trip.  However, our daughter became very ill on that trip and was rushed to the ER as soon as our plane landed.  She was immediately admitted. 

Once she was discharged weeks later... the lilacs were gone.  The season had come and gone, and I had missed it entirely. 

Because of that one season...  Every season now...
* is a reminder to me of God's love
* symbolizes memories of God's mercy
* is a visible witness to me of God's faithfulness, grace and healing power

As I remember that year, I stand amazed at the way God carried us through.

I see His hand so visible in areas that seemed so lonely, frightful and more than I could bear.

If you ask me how I made it through that time, I would have to tell you... it was not by my strength, power or anything of myself. It was by God's very mercy, grace and presence alone that each moment was faced with hope and faith in the sovereignty of my God.

Every year now, their beauty helps to refresh my perspective of what's truly important in life. They serve as an inspiration to count the little things in life as great blessings... to be grateful for the schedules, the tasks needing to be accomplished, the things needing to be done.

These things are stark reminders to me that those demands are needing to be accomplished for one reason... we are living.

Every season, with each glance out of my window...with each fragrant aroma inhaled, I am again brought to a brief quiet moment in my spirit where I realize and remember... I serve a great God whose character and goodness is beyond comprehension.

As we celebrate life being given fresh and anew to us 10 years ago, their season is a heart memory to me of what God walked us through and never left us to face alone.

We are now 3 years past when the doctor said she may need more surgery.  We don't know when... but it will most likely come.

The season of my lilacs serve as a reminder, that regardless of what comes... my God is a grace giving, mercy loving, all sufficient, wisdom containing God who leaves His fingerprints all over every situation that comes my way.

I will forever treasure lilacs and their season in my heart. My "Season of Lilacs" serve as a reminder to me of "A season God alone sustained me."

Seasons

Once again it has been some time since I have been able to come and be in this place.  There was a time in the past that I would feel the need to apologize and rationalize my absence.  And yet, the irony strikes me that it has the name "quiet corner".  I have found that sometimes I need to be even more quiet than what this little corner of the world will allow.

I have also come to understand, and am learning in increasing measure, the lessons and lifestyle of "seasons".  There was a time that I felt to make a change, to have something be different than I had planned, vocalized, or even put plans into place for was negative.  A sign that perhaps I was losing my mind.

But now...I have discovered and am learning that seasons and change should be expected.  That maybe to change and have new seasons is the "normal."

"Maybe our normal is so subnormal that normal seems abnormal.  Maybe we need a new normal.  Bold prayers and big dreams are normal.  Anything less is subnormal. " ~M. Batterson

Various seasons and change represent newness.  Growth.  Rest.

I have also come to be at peace with the fact that to have changing "life seasons" is even biblical!

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.  A time to ....... and a time to....... "   (see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

In fact, God created the world with seasons.  Same... but different.  And when we are nearing the end of one season, instead of complete dread, apprehension, or anxiety... we wait, almost longingly and expectantly, for the next season.

Why would I not also do that in my life?  When a change is coming... eagerly anticipate knowing He has something in it and it is for my good.  Knowing that He will meet me there.

And so, it appears that I may have opportunity to find myself back in this place on a more regular basis once again.

At least for this next season......

 

Where I've Been. What I'm Learning.

Professional Student.  Do you know the term?

When I was in college this was a term used for those who were there much longer than the standard time one would expect for a degree completion to be done.  It may have been because they were part time.  It may have been because they changed major's multiple times.  Regardless, they were "professional students".

I'm discovering that I am one... spiritually.  Just when I think...

* I have learned something.
* I have graduated from that.
* I am ready to move on.

...I discover there is a "next grade"...

That is where God has had me.  Instead of being close to done in certain areas as I might have thought, I have found that I am only advancing to the "next grade".

Some lessons have me on the same topics and subjects, just more complicated lessons with deeper contexts.  Some lessons are new topics and subjects altogether.

Here is a snapshot of what I have been being challenged with and growing in... (in addition to the foundation and starting point being the Bible!)

From recent sermons at church:

*   Tension is something to be managed not a problem to be solved.
*   Obedience is not done when we feel like it, it's done when we're told to do it.
*   Small daily decision for Jesus unlock eternity.

From "Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge" by Mark Batterson:

*  "If you establish a prayer routine... You don't need to seek opportunity.  All you have to do is seek God.  And if you seek God, opportunity will seek you."

*  "Sometimes the purpose of prayer is to get us out of circumstances, but more often than not, the purpose of prayer is to get us through them."

*   "Most of our prayers have as their chief objective our own personal comfort rather than God's glory."

*  "Crazy Faith:  Crazy is normal.  Maybe our normal is so subnormal that normal seems abnormal.  Maybe we need a new normal.  Bold prayers and big dreams are normal.  Anything less is subnormal.  And when bold prayers become the norm, so do the miraculous breakthroughs that follow."

And from My Own Thoughts:

* This came the morning that I was doing a little "self preaching" about a major step I was to take but I couldn't see how it was going to end (and even though the step has been initiated, I still don't know the end).

"God, I know you to be the God of the Old Testament and the New Testament.  You are still that God today!" and in that time a question came to mind that said, "You're right.  I am still that same God.  But how is it that you expect me to be the same, but that I would expect any less faith from you than that required of the Old Testament and the New Testament?"

I then thought of Noah, Abraham, Esther, Joshua, Moses, Daniel, and on and on the list went... and the levels of faith they stepped out with... not knowing the end of the story, just believing God to be who He said He was and that He would do what He said He could do.

Their stories are serving as mentors to me in what "faith walking" really looks like, regardless of the response in my own mind or of those around me.


That's just a brief snapshot of what I have been learning. 

These haven't been just nice, little, challenging quotes and thoughts.  Rather, they are compelling me to move forward in intentional and life journey directing decisions once again.  Living it out.

Just as any grueling and strenuous learning assignment, it has been difficult and exciting.  It has left me teetering between grief of what I am giving up to the thrill of what I am pursuing.  It has left me questioning.  It has left me confident.  It has left me... well, frankly feeling like I've lost my mind. 

I sure would love to hear what your heart has been learning in recent days!  Share in the comments below and let's encourage each other with stories of what we are processing and how we are growing to become more and more the men and women that God created us to be!

 

Rate Your Marriage

I was posed with a question from my husband and it was my turn to answer. I could have just as easily been the one to ask him, but that isn't how it played out this time. He asked first...

"How would you rate our marriage?"

My husband and I have a practice that we have implemented in our relationship from the very beginning. It has helped us to keep a pulse on how things really are.

The guidelines are that either one is allowed to ask the question at any time. The one who was asked must respond first and then is permitted to ask the spouse the same question.

 "How do you rate our marriage?"

The numbers we use are on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being fighting for survival and 10 being absolutely heavenly.  I have learned to keep the following guidelines in mind. Without them, this practice would be not be a successful, beneficial, or helpful experience.

Guidelines when Rating:

1. Be Honest: Do not answer how you think the other person wants or expects you to answer. Be honest. It is only in the honesty (hard to swallow at times... I know from experience) that the low rating has a hope of rising to a better rating.

2. Accept Spouses Appraisal: Whatever their response, do not argue, become defensive, or rationalize why they have responded the way they have. Accept it for what it is.

3. Be Willing to Talk: Ask how or what you could do better, or differently, or stop doing to increase the rating. Again, refrain from arguing, defending, or rationalizing why you may or may not have been responding in the way that they are suggesting.

4. Be Willing to Work: Whatever was communicated in #3, if it is something you can affect or change... work on it!

 5. Smile and Be Cheerful: As you are working on improving any areas that came up, do not become angry or bitter. If you do, your next "rating" session may reveal that a positive and happy attitude would be something you could work on to improve the rating.


Sometimes when we have asked this question of each other, we discover that the biggest thing to work on at the time is that life is in a busy season making it difficult for us to connect... to have time for us!

 When we discover this to be the case, we talk about what is making this season in life so busy, and when it is expected to end. If it is caused by things that have no end date, then we decide which thing or things have to go so our relationship can be restored to greater health.


The best times are, of course, when the question is asked and a very positive rating is received. The response is to "just keep doing what you are doing." A response like that makes for a very good day.


What communication methods have you found useful to implement in your marriage? Your friendships? Any relationship with other people?

 

Where I've Been & A Look Back

WHEW! So how can it be February 2015 already?!  I had intentions of being back to this place sooner, but due to a variety of circumstances, we have been without internet in our home for the last few weeks.  Needless to say that left me in more of a "read only" mode using the limited data available on my phone.

With internet at home back up and running, I couldn't be more delighted as that allows me the opportunity to once again come to this place to be with you!

I stumbled on a list of posts visitor's to my blog have most often read in the last month or so. I thought you might enjoy a look back as well while I regroup with posts to come for the future.

Most visited posts recently:

5th- Precious Promise #8: Isaiah 49:15b-16a

4th-Beer-lahai-roi

3rd- How to Help Others Memorize (without them even knowing it)

2nd- I'm Not Who I Was

And the most visited since it originally posted and still remains at the top of the list is:

Drumroll please..........

1st- Bible in 90 Days: My Personal 10 Tips


 

Word of the Year Goes To...

There are just hours left in this year in my part of the world, the year of 2014.  Not days...

Only hours.  And minutes.  And seconds.

The fire is built, attempting to take the chill out of the air these last cold days have brought.

 I decided to steal a few of these last moments to come sit here in this place with you.

Remembering.
Reflecting.
On where I have been...
And where I am headed...

Each year I ask God to show me a word to focus on for the coming year. Since I have started this practice, I have been amazed at the events that my life encounters directly related to the word of my focus. For example...

Generosity
2009 found this to be my word. I felt a selfishness buried deep in my soul that I knew I needed to work on. I wanted to learn to give more of my time, possessions, money, and my very self.

When I selected this word, I had no idea we would be asked to take in our little guy, let alone adopt him.

What God has taught me about my own selfishness has not been easy but oh so necessary. What God has shown me in the Bible and in the world around me about the blessings of generosity has been so revealing and affirming.


Grace
When I began 2010 with this as my word, I was sure my main focus would be learning to extend grace to others. Little did I know that God had plans to venture to the very depths of my soul, and that in those hidden places I would need to learn and be willing to extend grace... to myself.


Discipline
This was my word selected for the year of 2011. As I began praying about a new word for 2012, this word continued to come to mind. I soon realized I was not being released from this word. It was my word of the year demanding intense focus for two years in a row!


Intentional
This was my word for the year of 2013.  On this side of it, I have no doubt that the focus on this word carried me through many days.  To not just let things happen (or not), but to be intentional and purposeful.
  
And the Word of the Year for 2014 Goes to.....


Faith
My oh my, if I were to have any idea of what this last year had in store for me/us, I may have been a bit more hesitant to have so eagerly stepped over the threshold welcoming it.  This last year required me to dive into a place of faith, trust, and belief in God and who He is in a whole new way.

Through a variety of circumstances that all seemed to happen at once (coincidence?  I think not!), it was very clear to us that God was directing me to step away from my career of 20 years and my more recent title of the last 13... completely.

My/our time, energy, focus, and skill sets were to be used in other ways that would directly pour into others (starting with my children) and extending that out to meeting with other young women and couples, to joining the team at church in a supportive role, to opening my schedule to whatever He may have for it at any given moment in time for people.  Relationships.

As wonderful as this all seemed, it caused me to realize that I would have to develop really living out my faith in a new and real way when we realized that, not only would I need to work through all that came with stepping away from something (at least for a season) I had spent so long building, but to follow these steps of what we clearly believed God was leading us to would decrease our income by more than 60%. (Never mind the fact that our oldest was heading away to his first year of college.)

I can honestly say, though not every moment and decision has been so easy, since having taken the initial step of faith and continuing to walk in ever increasing faith every moment of every day, I am not the least bit sorry nor do I have any regrets!

(More to come in the days ahead of what God has and is teaching and showing as we have taken the steps He has placed before us this last year...)

I will readily admit that just because I focus on a specific word for a year does not mean I have mastered it when the year is up! Far from it.

I could still use work in all of these areas... and every other word I have ever chosen as a focus for a year.

What it does mean is that I have many situations experienced, lessons learned, and Scriptures revealed that have molded that word deep into my memory and my heart. I have a greater sense of the true meaning of that word and how it should apply in my life.

Although I do believe I have been given my focus for 2015, it has not been my practice to share my current word of the year. I leave it between me and God alone. I feel that this allows for a more objective application of it into my life.

Variation

My style is to find Scriptures that apply to my word. I have heard of some people that choose a Scripture to focus on for the year.

Either way, I find it a great exercise in personal character growth. To have something that is a specific area of focus keeps me aware of the situations around me and chiseling away at the debris in my heart that needs a bit of attention.

Have you ever tried a similar thing before? Do you have a similar practice?

If you don't and would like to give it a try I would encourage you to go for it!

The Perseverant

Perseverant. Is that even a word?
  
(My definition) Perseverant: One who perseveres

Persevere:  maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

The following recently came into my life to encourage me to persevere in moments when it seems I needed that encouragement the most...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This little guy lost his mama.

He made our yard his home.  He would come regularly morning and night.  Sometimes he would spend whole days "with us".

He tried to connect with other deer that would come through, but they would always leave him behind.  He was too little to keep up and they would not wait for him.  A few of the bucks even chased him away from them.

 It would have seemed easy for him to give up. 

But he continued....  A Perseverant!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 I looked down and noticed this between our patio bricks still to be cemented in place.

One little flower, growing all alone.  In a harsh, dry, difficult, rough place.

Closer examination revealed it's lack of exquisite beauty.  No breathtaking awe to consider.  Instead, a sickly, spotted, uncared for little thing.   It would have seemed easy for it to just die.  Or to have never have gone through the effort of growing in the first place.

But it grew, raising itself out of the cracks and dark.  Almost proud as if to reveal what it had become... A Perseverant!

James1: 2-4  

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (NIV)

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." (MSG)

I want to be a Perseverant! 

What is encouraging you to persevere today?...

 

Who Am I Kidding... A New Normal?

When I close my eyes I envision:
~ set schedules
~ planned agendas
~ words to write
~ times to post
~ things we can share

Oh how often I have come here to this place vowing to do just that.  And intentions start good.  But it doesn't take but a few weeks, and sometimes days or even moments, when life once again takes over.  As much as I'd like to promise and even complete those things, other things find themselves rising to the top of my lists.  Things like...

~ our oldest making college decisions and leaving home in just 3-4 short months (be still my mommy heart)
~ continuing to navigate the growing and learning and needs of our other two and all that encompasses their days
~ doors being opened to pour out of our lives into those of others
~ and realizing that some days 4 hours spent over a cup of coffee with a single mom speaking life and encouragement into her soul is the best use of my time in that moment
~ or accompanying my husband to the auto parts store and then to the home of a single woman who has no money to fix her car or have it fixed.  Yes, another chunk of my time gone, but better spent no other way.

And then I close my eyes and envision:
~ set schedules
~ planned agendas
~ words to write
~ times to post
~ things we can share 

Who am I kidding?

As much as I remember the days that allowed me to spend more time here, those days were yesterday and today is a new day.  As much as I'd like to spend more time here, that time finds itself wrapped around my children, my husband, those God is placing in my path who just need a little lovin' on for His sake.

Now, don't get me wrong!  I still close my eyes and dream of quiet moments spent here to get the thoughts that constantly whir through my brain into some formalized and thought out pattern on a page.

And they will come!

However, what I am learning is that I can't promise when that will be.  Or how often that will be.  Much as my heart would love to do that, my reality is causing choices to be made, and life finds me in the midst of change...

Again.
Still.

I am finding that consistency and sameness can be promised to nothing and no one.  I dream of returning to some sense of normalcy.

But then I realize that the more I pray for God to teach me how to love Him and others and to use me to be "dangerous" for Him and His Kingdom, the farther away I get from my plans, and my routines, and my schedules, and my agenda... my sense of normalcy. 

And somehow, I am becoming more and more at ease with that...

And maybe, just maybe, that is becoming my new normal?  Being comfortable in His agenda, and all the bends, curves, and changes that His path includes.  Not knowing what my next step will look like.  Just having the faith and courage to push forward and take it...

 

Accompany? Or Lead?

I had started a practice as I would drive to work each morning.  I would envision Jesus sitting next to me in the passenger seat.  As I was driving, I would pray about the day ahead and ask him to come along and join me.

One morning things distinctly changed.

I was on my way to work.  I envisioned His place next to me.  But it became clear to me that I was approaching it all wrong.

When asking Him to join me in my day, it was still leaving the plans and all it encompassed... about me.

This particular day, my request changed.

Instead of asking Him to join me, I asked Him to lead me.

I began to envision the plans that He might have for that day.  I asked for a sensitive spirit to be aware to what plans He had, and what direction He wanted and needed to take each moment.

No longer is my request that He accompanies me, but rather that He would lead me.

My prayer is a request to join Him!

(Note:  I intended to post this yesterday.  However, a phone call first thing in the morning completely re-arranged my schedule.  Nothing like a prayer (such as I posted about above) being answered so clearly and waiting for my action.)

One of My Life's Theme Songs

I don't know about you, but so often a song becomes like a "theme song" for me at a certain point in my life.

When I hear various ones, I can tell you exactly what was happening in my life and why that song had so much meaning. Just listening to music is becoming more and more an exercise in remembering God's goodness, faithfulness, and continued challenge and calling in my life.

This song has been that song for me in recent months. And in a very literal way.

When I found myself beginning to waiver in the decisions we were to make, when I began to question whether this was really what we were supposed to be doing... I'd turn on this song and it would help me to re-focus my heart, soul and mind.



I Refuse
By Josh Wilson

Sometimes I, I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not
This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong
 But I refuse

Chorus:
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
 Oh, I refuse
To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God
 So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

CHORUS

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well
 I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

CHORUS

~~~~~~~
Is there a song that is keeping you challenged and encouraged all at the same time right now?

 

FFF: Small? or Favorite?

My schedule has been such that it is difficult to consistently get to this screen to post my favorite five's weekly.  But Susanne's practice of pointing us there weekly is never far from my mind even if my fingers don't make it to this keyboard.

Thank you Susanne for the weekly reminders!

This week, I do have a minute to join in, and so I am!  :-)

It has been a very short time since we found ourselves moving.  The house we are in the middle of moving into is about half the size of what we were living in.  That has left us with some big changes.  Some of those changes are quickly becoming favorites.

1.  Instead of the "s" word small, I have found a different "s" word come to mind... SIMPLIFY!  It is definitely forcing us to do that.  I mean, who needs 16+ coffee mugs... really?  And that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the number of pieces of furniture and bags being filled with items in preparation to find their way to other homes.

2.   Another "s" word that comes to mind is SPACE.  Even with this house being only about 1/2 the size, we have agreed that we will not fill it wall to wall and corner to corner with stuff.  We are intentionally leaving visible space.  And strangely it seems that I can be more relaxed with even less than what this house would potentially hold.  *Inhale deeply*   aaahhhhhh......

3.  Amazingly enough the house seems to be staying so much more picked up.  Perhaps it's the less stuff to begin with and the allowed empty spaces that help contribute to this?  Whatever, I'll take it!

4.  Cleaning is not nearly as laborious of a task.  With only 1/2 the house to clean... it takes only 1/2 the time. Yep, favorite!

5.  And perhaps my most favorite of all... no matter where my chidren/family are in the house, I am aware of them and can hear them!  In the bigger house each one could make their way to different corners of the house and unless intentional effort was put into thinking of where each one was, it wasn't so obvious.  Not so here.

For instance, right now sitting here typing in the living room I hear music coming from the little guy's room as he is down for bed.  I hear the occasional cough and sniffle from my daughter's room as she is resting. (and not feeling so well at the moment poor girl!)  I hear my husband and son laughing downstairs at whatever it is they are watching.  And occasionally I even hear their discussions back and forth in conversation. 

FAMILY!  This smaller house has brought us that much closer together... just in the living day to day and moment by moment in this place.  That is a a favorite of mine indeed!

What have been favorites in your week?

 

A Letter To You

My dear friends,

How patiently you have waited for my return to this "My Quiet Corner" which has, over the years really become "Our Quiet Corner".

I had no idea with my last post that life would get all crazy like as it did.  But then, I guess that happens to all of us from time to time.  It just felt like the crazy of my world was added to the already crazy of my world.

And during this time I have considered.  Wondered.  Evaluated.

This place found itself as one of the things wrapped up in all of that considering.  Wondering.  Evaluating.  I thought perhaps it was time to turn off the coffee, fold the throws, close the blinds, and say goodby to this corner.

However, as I continued to consider, wonder, evaluate... and pray... 3 things came into my life that have led me to believe that my time spent here is not yet done.

Words and feedback given...

*  with my recent evaluation for work
*  on evaluations from recent new employees in my class
*  in an e-mail from one of you

Not all of them likely places to see a confirmation.  But the common thread woven through these unlikeliest of places encourage and prompt me to put more coffee on.  To bring out the throws.  To open wide the blinds and sit to pause and spend time here... with you!

I don't know if anyone has even stayed around.  I don't know if you want to continue on with my sporadic, crazy and most of the time seemingly upside down world.  But it has been confirmed that I will still be here.  However sporadic, crazy and seemingly upside down I feel or think I may appear.

Someone recently ended an e-mail sent to me with "You must be exhausted."  And I thought, yes, actually I am.

But God is sustaining...

Isn't that just like Him?!

"For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing."  ~Nehemiah 9:21 (NLT)

Jeho'Ahaz...Jehovah: Our Sustainer.

May you find Him being your Jeho'Ahaz in your sporadic, crazy, and seemingly upside down world as well...

Friday's Favorite Five: Perspective

It's another week of recognizing and sharing our favorites hosted by Susanne.   She's posting her 200th Friday Favorite Five today!  Wow Susanne!  Thank you for faithfully inviting us each week to pause and consider favorites in our weeks!  

Feel free to head on over!  

 I found my five favorite things of this last week to be all about perspective.


1. Rain: We went camping last weekend with a group of friends from church... family really. :-) Our first night there we experienced one of the worst thunderstorms I have been in for quite some time. 

The lightening was bright.  The thunder was loud.  The rain was torrential.

In the past I might have become quite frustrated at the mess we were going to encounter come morning.  But instead, as we were in our tent, my thoughts wandered to a place they would not have even weeks ago.  I found my heart swelling in gratefulness as my thoughts drifted to my new friends in Guatemala.

This is their rainy season.  Many of their homes have dirt floors that turn to mud when it rains.  They don't always have warm food to wake to in the morning.  They don't necessarily have a change of warm, dry clothes.  Somehow, during this long, wet night I felt an unexplainable kindred spirit with them... and I found myself so very grateful.

Perspective in the rain.

2. Fresh Cut Grass at the end of a long day:  I was driving home from a long, grueling day at work.  My drive takes me past a few large fields and grassy areas.  It was then that I noticed it.  I slowed my car a bit.  I rolled down the windows.  I inhaled deeply.  The smell of fresh cut fields and grass filled my car. 

I am convinced that so many other times I have probably whizzed right past without even noticing.  That day... I noticed.  You know that sweet, fresh, hard to explain but so wonderfully beautiful smell?....yeah, that one!

Perspective at the end of a long day.


3.  A Sticky Mess:  We had a family ice cream treat earlier this week.  The little guy was given more than we had envisioned it would be when ordering, but we decided to let him go for it.  What a sticky mess!  Hands, face, clothes...

I could have been frustrated at the mess on him, me, us... but I began to think of how grateful I was that we had the funds to buy the treat.  I was mindful that we even had access to the treat.  And that we were all able to enjoy the time of having a treat together, as a family. 

Perspective in a sticky mess.

4.  Exhaustion:  I have been feeling the effects of the last weeks mounting in recent days.  One night this week my husband began to ask me about it.  To learn what I needed.  To ensure that I was "okay".

As I pondered on this the next morning driving to work, I was overwhelmed.  By his recognition of where I find myself.  By his concern.  By his wanting to help me to navigate this if he can.  By his wanting to be available for what I need.  By his love for me. 

The exhaustion led to this, allowing me to be reminded of how very blessed I am with him in my life.  I told him later that night, "Thank you for marrying me."  And I meant it!! Yes, so blessed indeed!


5.  A Long Drive:  We were on our way home.  It was late.  We were tired.  We were ready to be home, but we still had a ways to go.  Had we been closer to home, we may have missed the moments to just sit and take this in.  God's way of saying, "Hello.  Be reminded that I am here."...

Perspective during a long drive.

Gifts...Grace... Perspective!

I could have so easily missed each one of these.  I cringe to think of how much I have missed in the past.


O Lord, help me learn to live more and more with my eyes wide open...

What became favorites in your week?