Little did I know how crazy my life would become.
I posted my last post a day before we were asked to leave our home for over 3 weeks (with very little notice) due to needed renovations and no running water. But, God sure knew. He knew that I would have a mini fit about it and wish my little life would stay status quo. He knew that I would soon realize my blessings and "get over it". He also knew that after going 6 weeks without rain, it would inevitably rain most days we are in this empty apartment :-) He knew I would whine about that. He knew that I would survive just fine with a car load of things and a roof over my head. He knew I could whip up homemade meals with 1 pan, 1 pot and 1 mixing bowl. He knew those things and he knows my future.
I take such rest in the fact that God knows me. He knows that I cry when I leave my screaming son in the church nursery, He knows that He will provide amazing women to encourage and comfort me when it happens. He knows that despite the fact that my brother was given a few weeks to live, we could celebrate his 30th birthday this weekend!! ( A HUGE blessing! ) He knows that I desire to change my heart but often come up with excuses as to why I can't spend time with Him. He knows that the past two weeks of my life have been full of joy, excitement, frustration, "busyness", and encouragement. He knew that he would provide an amazing husband for me to share in our journey of life. I draw close to Jesus because He knows my heart and loves me just the same.
My prayer for you is that you feel the love of God today and rest in the fact that He knows every intimate detail about you- He created you- He knows you- He loves you. Expect big things from God today- his love never fails!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Craziness
Does your life ever feel crazy? Need I ask?
So life for this stay-at-home mom of one can get pretty busy at times (believe it or not) and granted this is probably the busiest week of my year, I'm feelin' it!
I am directing the annual fundraiser of the non-profit where I volunteer and our big day is Sunday. I won't bore you with the rest of the details of my life, but nonetheless things have been "busy" for me and my family since around August 1st.
Normally during these times in my life I push God to the side to focus on the "important" things- really we all know they are not-so-important. But, in the heat of the moment so many trivial things can consume my mind and energy. The older I get the more I realize how important it is to take time out of the craziness and spend a few minutes with Jesus. He's the only one that gets it- He gets what my concerns are, He gets what my needs are, He get's where my heart is, He gets where my mind is, He just gets it! Why wouldn't I ask for His help, His hand, His grace, His wisdom, and His strength? It is just so ironic to me that during the times I need God the most, I often run far from Him. Well, not this time! I need Him more than ever to be the hand guiding me and encouraging me.
Posting a blog was definitely not on my mile-long to -do list today, but hey I thought maybe encouraging you to sit at the feet of Jesus and cast your cares on Him would inspire you to draw closer to your creator and friend. He's here for you always and forever and longs to show His love to you!
Thank you Lord for being so gracious and working such miracles in the lives of my friends and family!
So life for this stay-at-home mom of one can get pretty busy at times (believe it or not) and granted this is probably the busiest week of my year, I'm feelin' it!
I am directing the annual fundraiser of the non-profit where I volunteer and our big day is Sunday. I won't bore you with the rest of the details of my life, but nonetheless things have been "busy" for me and my family since around August 1st.
Normally during these times in my life I push God to the side to focus on the "important" things- really we all know they are not-so-important. But, in the heat of the moment so many trivial things can consume my mind and energy. The older I get the more I realize how important it is to take time out of the craziness and spend a few minutes with Jesus. He's the only one that gets it- He gets what my concerns are, He gets what my needs are, He get's where my heart is, He gets where my mind is, He just gets it! Why wouldn't I ask for His help, His hand, His grace, His wisdom, and His strength? It is just so ironic to me that during the times I need God the most, I often run far from Him. Well, not this time! I need Him more than ever to be the hand guiding me and encouraging me.
Posting a blog was definitely not on my mile-long to -do list today, but hey I thought maybe encouraging you to sit at the feet of Jesus and cast your cares on Him would inspire you to draw closer to your creator and friend. He's here for you always and forever and longs to show His love to you!
Thank you Lord for being so gracious and working such miracles in the lives of my friends and family!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I need to be forgiven
So for the past year of N's life I have really been on cloud nine. Everything he does and says is just the greatest. Besides the lack of sleep, my little angel could do no wrong in my eyes (not counting some behavior issues that come from an emerging independent one year old). I have never taken any of his behaviors personally and understand that all of the good stuff is a blessings and the few issues are because he is human. That is until yesterday....
For those of you who know me, I am somewhat of a clean freak. Yes our small apartment is full of stuff, but I purge things at least once a month, dust faithfully twice a week, clean my floors every other day- now my floors are the clincher. I need to have clean floors especially living with a crawler and owning a hairy cat. I have a sign on our door for EVERYONE to remove their shoes and I admit that I am somewhat neurotic about it. Well my neurosis about clean floors is just not working with a toddler. I told my husband the other day and I need to chill out about having perfectly clean floors or I need to start blending all of my son's food and making him drink it through a straw- I seriously considered the latter option.
Yesterday in particular, he was such a messy eater. Breakfast was messy, lunch was really messy, and dinner was unbelievable messy- dumping ALL of his dinner on the floor. My heart was so angered and I felt as though he was out to get me. Unbelievably, I held it together on the outside and continued with his meal, but my heart was not in the right place.
Knowing this, I decided that I owed him an apology. After our nighttime routine of bath, books, and prayers, I looked him in the eyes of my fourteen month old and apologized for the anger that I had in that moment and asked him for his forgiveness. At that exact moment he kissed me on the cheek and put his head on my shoulder. Oh my word- my tears began flowing like the Nile. He gets it!- yeah I know not all of it- but definitely some of it.
God is working in his little heart and God sure did reveal Himself to me in that little sweet moment. I felt as thought God was reassuring me that I will mess up and the important part is that I recognize it, seek forgiveness for it, and pray for strength to not do it again.
So here is my encouragement especially for all of you parents out there, be quick to see forgiveness when you have wronged your children (or your spouse), you are teaching them so much by doing so. God so graciously forgives us and for this I am forever grateful!
For those of you who know me, I am somewhat of a clean freak. Yes our small apartment is full of stuff, but I purge things at least once a month, dust faithfully twice a week, clean my floors every other day- now my floors are the clincher. I need to have clean floors especially living with a crawler and owning a hairy cat. I have a sign on our door for EVERYONE to remove their shoes and I admit that I am somewhat neurotic about it. Well my neurosis about clean floors is just not working with a toddler. I told my husband the other day and I need to chill out about having perfectly clean floors or I need to start blending all of my son's food and making him drink it through a straw- I seriously considered the latter option.
Yesterday in particular, he was such a messy eater. Breakfast was messy, lunch was really messy, and dinner was unbelievable messy- dumping ALL of his dinner on the floor. My heart was so angered and I felt as though he was out to get me. Unbelievably, I held it together on the outside and continued with his meal, but my heart was not in the right place.
Knowing this, I decided that I owed him an apology. After our nighttime routine of bath, books, and prayers, I looked him in the eyes of my fourteen month old and apologized for the anger that I had in that moment and asked him for his forgiveness. At that exact moment he kissed me on the cheek and put his head on my shoulder. Oh my word- my tears began flowing like the Nile. He gets it!- yeah I know not all of it- but definitely some of it.
God is working in his little heart and God sure did reveal Himself to me in that little sweet moment. I felt as thought God was reassuring me that I will mess up and the important part is that I recognize it, seek forgiveness for it, and pray for strength to not do it again.
So here is my encouragement especially for all of you parents out there, be quick to see forgiveness when you have wronged your children (or your spouse), you are teaching them so much by doing so. God so graciously forgives us and for this I am forever grateful!
Saturday, July 24, 2010
90 %
"I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it." By Charles R. Swindoll
This quote sure rings true many times in our life. It can be so easy to be discouraged, but at the end of day the "big" things seem small and the "small" things are forgotten. Hopefully the story about my day will bring a smile to your face.
Woke up refreshed after son SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT (big news around here!)
Made a 9am doctor apt. for his eye infection.
Asked Nate to meet us near the doctor to drop off car for oil change and then go with us to lab to get son's 1 year blood work (call me a sissy, but I don't want to take him alone!)
Drove to pick up Nate and then go to lab- except lab was not in the location I thought and was across town.
Went to lab, walked the three flights of steps- lab was closed.
Came home then out to get RX filled and buy lots of ingredients for fajitas.
Made all ingredients for fajitas- started to eat, and found out meat was bad :-(
Spent 3 hours putting up baby gate that says "easy to install".
Had another squirrel in our ceiling and dirt was falling all over my just mopped kitchen floor.
Made a new stir fry recipe- didn't really like it, but son loved it (repeated saying and signing more)
While making dinner dropped a Tupperware lid on the hot burner- almost set off smoke alarm in entire building- cat ran to the door :-)
Went to pool to cool off after dinner- wondered why it was so empty- started swimming and lifeguard ran over and said "get out quick- the pool is closed- someone just threw up in there" A sign would have been nice. :-/
Run home to take very long shower.
Put son to bed.
Husband decides to run a cable wire from the kitchen up to our bedroom- thus rodent droppings all over my twice cleaned floor.
Forgot to pick up car.
All in all, I am happy to be sitting on the couch about to watch a movie. And honestly I still consider it a really good day. We are all healthy, God gives us our daily needs, we have a nice place to live, and we have each other. I love my life, really I do.
Hoping you find some joy in your day today! :-)
This quote sure rings true many times in our life. It can be so easy to be discouraged, but at the end of day the "big" things seem small and the "small" things are forgotten. Hopefully the story about my day will bring a smile to your face.
Woke up refreshed after son SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT (big news around here!)
Made a 9am doctor apt. for his eye infection.
Asked Nate to meet us near the doctor to drop off car for oil change and then go with us to lab to get son's 1 year blood work (call me a sissy, but I don't want to take him alone!)
Drove to pick up Nate and then go to lab- except lab was not in the location I thought and was across town.
Went to lab, walked the three flights of steps- lab was closed.
Came home then out to get RX filled and buy lots of ingredients for fajitas.
Made all ingredients for fajitas- started to eat, and found out meat was bad :-(
Spent 3 hours putting up baby gate that says "easy to install".
Had another squirrel in our ceiling and dirt was falling all over my just mopped kitchen floor.
Made a new stir fry recipe- didn't really like it, but son loved it (repeated saying and signing more)
While making dinner dropped a Tupperware lid on the hot burner- almost set off smoke alarm in entire building- cat ran to the door :-)
Went to pool to cool off after dinner- wondered why it was so empty- started swimming and lifeguard ran over and said "get out quick- the pool is closed- someone just threw up in there" A sign would have been nice. :-/
Run home to take very long shower.
Put son to bed.
Husband decides to run a cable wire from the kitchen up to our bedroom- thus rodent droppings all over my twice cleaned floor.
Forgot to pick up car.
All in all, I am happy to be sitting on the couch about to watch a movie. And honestly I still consider it a really good day. We are all healthy, God gives us our daily needs, we have a nice place to live, and we have each other. I love my life, really I do.
Hoping you find some joy in your day today! :-)
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sweet, Sweet Summer
Woah, I am overwhelmed with the feeling that summer is truly here. I am so grateful that the cold, short, snowy days of winter are over and the warm, sunny days of summer are here to stay! Summer has always been my favorite season so here are some reasons why I think it's the best:
1.) My birthday is in the summer :-)
2.) My anniversary is in the summer :-)
3.) My son's birthday is in the summer :-)
4.) Going to the beach on the weekends to gaze in awe of the ocean and listen to the waves on the shore. God seems so present on the beach. The continual tides remind me of His never-ending love and the sand lets me know that although I am just a grain of sand on this earth, God so loves and cares for me.
5.) The pool- much more fun this year with our little one :-)
6.) Cooking on the grill- I wish there was a way to continue to do so in the snow- I just love grilled meat.
7.) The sounds of summer (birds chirping, kids laughing, the ice cream truck, the breeze in the trees, late night thunder storms, fireworks, amusement rides, and the lovely sound of flip-flops!)
8.) The feelings of summer (the warm, breezy air reminds of me a hug from God, the feeling of eating too much water ice too fast, water melon juice dripping down my arm, sunburn, never needed to wear a coat, sitting on our porch late at night)
9.) Daily road trips to places we don't normally go
10.) What I love the most about summer is that it reminds me of life. Nature is so alive in the summer and it amazes me that God continues to bring life to our often broken and sad world. He is speaking so loudly though all of His creation whether it be an intricate flower, the fellowship of friends during a BBQ, or the fact that he allows us longer days to enjoy his creation.
I am so thankful to be able to enjoy such a wonderful season surrounded by amazing family and friends.
What do you like the most about summer??
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Looking at life through Rose Colored (cups) :-)
I love this kid! He's already looking on the 'bright' side :-)
Friday, May 14, 2010
Circle of Life
Well, here is another faint attempt to continue to blog-- I am inspired by reading some of my friend's blogs and I think it's a great way to get some thoughts down, so here we go! :-)
It seems like so much has been happening lately:
- A few weeks ago my grandfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We flew out to see him and say our "goodbye until heaven". It was such a wonderful trip and it brought tears to my eyes to see him play with my son (who doesn't have his own grandpas). Two weeks ago he passed away and we are flying back out for the services. My heart is getting heavy knowing the sadness that surrounds death and knowing that my grandmother is heartbroken. And although it doesn't look like there is much of a silver lining here, we were able to pray with him and I am fairly certain that he accepted Christ into his heart and will be spending eternity with the Lord. Amen! The best silver lining of all!!
- Also, my brother has been back in the hospital and in rehab and we have had the chance to visit with him about once a week. Just for the record, his willing spirit just blows my mind. He manages to have a smile on his face and enjoy our times together. Mind you, he has had over 70 surgeries and his ongoing health issues remind me of Job. Yet, I still believe that he loves Christ - again, the greatest sliver lining of all! Love ya bro!
- I celebrated my first mother's day on Sunday. My, what a blessing to be able to share my time with my boys! Being a mother has truly changed my heart. My selfishness is quickly fading and I realize more and more the importance of "shepherding my child's heart". God has been so faithful in giving us our daily bread so that I can be home with him and for this I am so blessed! Although my grandfather passed away, I can hold tight to the life lessons that he taught me and focus on teaching them to my own son.
- As we embark on our next trip west, I will tip toe around the mess that our kitchen is (they are ripping out my ceiling), try to get the little one to nap in between hammer banging, do laundry and pack, and relish in the fact that Noah just started blowing kisses and will successfully play on his own for 10-20 minutes at a time so I can do things such a post on this blog :-) (or a million other things).
Praying that God will show you the silver lining today. Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Marianne
It seems like so much has been happening lately:
- A few weeks ago my grandfather was diagnosed with terminal cancer. We flew out to see him and say our "goodbye until heaven". It was such a wonderful trip and it brought tears to my eyes to see him play with my son (who doesn't have his own grandpas). Two weeks ago he passed away and we are flying back out for the services. My heart is getting heavy knowing the sadness that surrounds death and knowing that my grandmother is heartbroken. And although it doesn't look like there is much of a silver lining here, we were able to pray with him and I am fairly certain that he accepted Christ into his heart and will be spending eternity with the Lord. Amen! The best silver lining of all!!
- Also, my brother has been back in the hospital and in rehab and we have had the chance to visit with him about once a week. Just for the record, his willing spirit just blows my mind. He manages to have a smile on his face and enjoy our times together. Mind you, he has had over 70 surgeries and his ongoing health issues remind me of Job. Yet, I still believe that he loves Christ - again, the greatest sliver lining of all! Love ya bro!
- I celebrated my first mother's day on Sunday. My, what a blessing to be able to share my time with my boys! Being a mother has truly changed my heart. My selfishness is quickly fading and I realize more and more the importance of "shepherding my child's heart". God has been so faithful in giving us our daily bread so that I can be home with him and for this I am so blessed! Although my grandfather passed away, I can hold tight to the life lessons that he taught me and focus on teaching them to my own son.
- As we embark on our next trip west, I will tip toe around the mess that our kitchen is (they are ripping out my ceiling), try to get the little one to nap in between hammer banging, do laundry and pack, and relish in the fact that Noah just started blowing kisses and will successfully play on his own for 10-20 minutes at a time so I can do things such a post on this blog :-) (or a million other things).
Praying that God will show you the silver lining today. Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Marianne
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