Well I have not been in a blogging mood lately, but nonetheless I'd love to share what's been on my heart!
Recently I have been asking God to really work in my heart and examine what things about me need to change/grow/mature/ you get the idea... And wow- He has spoken and continues to do so! Just ask, my friends, and you will receive. I find myself "holding my ears singing 'la la la'" at times because I don't feel like changing things that I know I need to change, but the joy and peace that comes with walking closer to Him makes it all worth it! People often feel like they really "become themselves" when they turn 40- 50- 60- or days before their death. (Think the Oprah philosophy) I dislike this! I want to know myself and live an awesome life today. I'm not guaranteed tomorrow and I don't want to just put my nose to the grindstone and wish away these hard-working young years of our life. To be honest, those retirement days of laying on a beach and buying everything I desire will probably never happen ( :) ) But, what is happening is even better than I could have ever hoped for!
I don't want to take anything for granted anymore. I am so blessed in so many ways and I want to embrace those blessings even though trials sometimes accompany them. So although I was thrown up on yesterday, spent two hours rocking a congested baby, cleaned my floors 3 times, and did 2 loads of laundry (the day after laundry day)- I am beyond blessed! I did it all for our little child who truly is a miracle- he is healthy, happy, and beyond chatty. Spending much of my childhood in a hospital room with my amazing brother I do not take one day of health or happiness for granted!
So whatever you age, I encourage you to give it all God. Our days are short and numbered and to be honest not one of them is promised. I know this all too well and determined to make the most of today- not tomorrow or the end of the week- but today. Some days hide and seek are more of a priority than dishes and a movie night with the hubby is more important that working on taxes (lol)- I pray that God gives me wisdom to make these choices each day and that at the end of every night I can say that I am His and He is good! Thankfully a little 20 month old voice reminds me of this each night in the rocking chair as I hear a full rendition of "Jesus loves me" with an addition of "they are weak but He is strong! Jesus has muscles! :)"
Hoping your week is full of God's presence and grace!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
A Christmas Reminder
Hi everyone,
This is a Christmas reminder that I need every year- multiple times throughout the year actually. It is written by Renee Swope- her blog is wonderful! :0)
Merry Christmas!!
The Manger of My Heart
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with your presence, from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays, and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave,
when you sent Your Son from Heaven.
The first Christmas gift, the greatest gift ever,
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Search me and know the most intimate parts.
Reveal to me if I have ever hung a sign within,
Claiming it off limits, implying “no room at the Inn.”
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven
and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Emmanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
As angels announced, “Into your darkness,
God brings His Light.”
“Do not be afraid,” they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to your call.
Casting distractions and worries aside,
to You I surrender them all.
Surround me with Your presence, Lord,
I long to hear your voice.
Clear my mind of concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning,
I want to feel Your hush.
This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me,
as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Jesus.
It’s in your wonderful Name I pray.
© 2010, Renee Swope ~ www.ReneeSwope.com
This is a Christmas reminder that I need every year- multiple times throughout the year actually. It is written by Renee Swope- her blog is wonderful! :0)
Merry Christmas!!
The Manger of My Heart
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Fill me with your presence, from the very start.
As I prepare for the holidays, and gifts to be given,
Remind me of the gift You gave,
when you sent Your Son from Heaven.
The first Christmas gift, the greatest gift ever,
You came as a baby born in a manger.
Wrapped like the gifts I find under my tree,
Waiting to be opened, to reveal Your love to me.
This Christmas, Lord, come to the manger of my heart.
Search me and know the most intimate parts.
Reveal to me if I have ever hung a sign within,
Claiming it off limits, implying “no room at the Inn.”
Restore to me the wonder that came with Jesus’ birth,
when He left the riches of Heaven
and wrapped Himself in rags of earth.
Emmanuel, God with us, Your presence came that night.
As angels announced, “Into your darkness,
God brings His Light.”
“Do not be afraid,” they said, to shepherds in the field.
Speak to my heart today, Lord, and help me to yield.
Make me like those shepherd boys, obedient to your call.
Casting distractions and worries aside,
to You I surrender them all.
Surround me with Your presence, Lord,
I long to hear your voice.
Clear my mind of concerns and all the holiday noise.
Slow me down this Christmas, let me not be in a rush.
In the midst of parties and planning,
I want to feel Your hush.
This Christmas, Jesus, come to the manger of my heart.
Invade my soul like Bethlehem, bringing peace to every part.
Dwell within and around me,
as I unwrap Your presence each day.
Keep me close to You, Jesus.
It’s in your wonderful Name I pray.
© 2010, Renee Swope ~ www.ReneeSwope.com
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thankful
Time to take a break from cooking our pre-Thanksgiving meal to share with you all some silver lining moments we have had...
Wow- to think about all of the things that my family has experienced since the last blog post and the emotion of thankfulness runs over me. My family went through a rough few weeks... during this time God held us tight. Initially I thought - well here we are, I need to decide if I want to be angry with God and my current life circumstance or if I want to embrace Him and trust that he knows me and will get us through this. There have been times in my life when I have chosen the first option and frankly distancing myself from Jesus makes my heart bitter and my mind cloudy. SO in this case my husband and I did what we are called to do and we clung tight to God's Word, love, and faithfulness. By doing so, my soul was flooded with peace and my mind was made clear to the BIG picture- the picture that consists of God creating the world- I come into play years later and am on earth for a blink and then continues loving on humans and eventually makes his return. Yes, my life is very important and God cares about every detail. But it's way bigger than me.. and you. God was here long ago and he created all humans to be in relationship with him- when we are we are doing what we are created for and the love and peace that fills our souls is priceless.
It seems ironic to me that our family's hardship occurred a few weeks before thanksgiving. And initially I wanted to be mad that it happened around the holidays- I did not want to be thankful! But with the support of my amazing husband, friends and family God has opened my heart to trust him more, to be thankful for all that I do have, and to understand that although my little life is important here on earth- it's the eternal life and holds the most weight. And oh boy, on that day that I meet Jesus face to face you bet I will be thankful and rejoicing!! So why not start now-- why not count our blessings every single one of them- there are many friends!
SO this thanksgiving season I am working on preparing my heart to welcome the Christmas season with open arms, to share what we have, to enjoy those we love, and to love on those we don't "enjoy" :0) God has amazing plans for you this holiday season- what do you think they are?? What has God been putting on your heart lately? What are some silver linings that you have been experiencing??
Blessings to you for an awesome Thanksgiving full of gratefulness for our Lord's wonderful gifts!
Wow- to think about all of the things that my family has experienced since the last blog post and the emotion of thankfulness runs over me. My family went through a rough few weeks... during this time God held us tight. Initially I thought - well here we are, I need to decide if I want to be angry with God and my current life circumstance or if I want to embrace Him and trust that he knows me and will get us through this. There have been times in my life when I have chosen the first option and frankly distancing myself from Jesus makes my heart bitter and my mind cloudy. SO in this case my husband and I did what we are called to do and we clung tight to God's Word, love, and faithfulness. By doing so, my soul was flooded with peace and my mind was made clear to the BIG picture- the picture that consists of God creating the world- I come into play years later and am on earth for a blink and then continues loving on humans and eventually makes his return. Yes, my life is very important and God cares about every detail. But it's way bigger than me.. and you. God was here long ago and he created all humans to be in relationship with him- when we are we are doing what we are created for and the love and peace that fills our souls is priceless.
It seems ironic to me that our family's hardship occurred a few weeks before thanksgiving. And initially I wanted to be mad that it happened around the holidays- I did not want to be thankful! But with the support of my amazing husband, friends and family God has opened my heart to trust him more, to be thankful for all that I do have, and to understand that although my little life is important here on earth- it's the eternal life and holds the most weight. And oh boy, on that day that I meet Jesus face to face you bet I will be thankful and rejoicing!! So why not start now-- why not count our blessings every single one of them- there are many friends!
SO this thanksgiving season I am working on preparing my heart to welcome the Christmas season with open arms, to share what we have, to enjoy those we love, and to love on those we don't "enjoy" :0) God has amazing plans for you this holiday season- what do you think they are?? What has God been putting on your heart lately? What are some silver linings that you have been experiencing??
Blessings to you for an awesome Thanksgiving full of gratefulness for our Lord's wonderful gifts!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Irony
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!
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!
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! :-)
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