Where...

... has God taken a dandelion from you only to replace it with a rose?

Today I realized that I recieved a rose when I was drivng home from a Dr's appointment on a beautiful stretch of highway.

A few weeks ago I was lamenting on how I missed the open country roads I would drive on when we still lived at our old home. My parents live in a very populated area and unbuilt on land is all but extinct.

However there are two major highways that they live near. One is in constant gridlock for the most part. The other is a absolutely beautiful highway that cuts through the last of the open land in the area. Guess which highway I get to use when driving to the Dr's office?

Now that might be looked on as stretching it a little, but I have come to truly believe in my heart that God delights in the little as much as He does the lavish.

Where in your life has God taken something small that you enjoy and replaced it with something even more special that what was lost?

Sillyness and Some Seriousness Too

My hubby has a cool photo booth app on his iTouch and I used it to take some silly pictures on the way home from church. Fun, we've been using this one quite a bit.

I'm blogging this from Hubby's laptop, where I don't have access to any pictures so I don't have a whole plethora of pretty images to include along with my post. So I am sorry if this is a bland, wordy thing to look at.

The past few months have definitely been an adjustment for me. In some ways, very easy and in other ways not so much. My life is much different than it was a few months back.

On one hand, I am busier now that I was then. Then in some ways I don't have nearly as much to do as I did before. I know, it probably doesn't make much sense. It doesn't always make sense to me either. I've been praying for awhile now that God would ease my burdens, to take the stressful and difficult things and make them easier.

I guess you could say He did, but then other things replaced what I then felt was the overwhelming and difficult things I was facing at the time. Problems I had been praying would just take care of themselves didn't go away, but intensified. Things that I didn't know how to or more honestly, didn't want to deal with became front and center and became unavoidable.

My time has become much more of a precious commodity to me. I know that this time that I am going through is another opportunity for me to lean on God to get me through.

I can't fix it, I can't make it better, I can't ignore it and make it go away. Escaping to a computer or a scrapbook or a tv show or a bowl of ice cream won't magically fix my woes. Making a pretty for the house or trying to knock off the latest "it" thing from my favorite store isn't going to fix that nagging, persistent and debilitating place in my heart.

Leaning on God to get me through the day is the only way I've been able to do it so far.

Not fixating on the long term, but getting through the next few hours has been able to move me forward.

Not being distracted by the other things that I've used as distractions before forces me to look at my issues head on and realize that the distractions don't fix, but God heals.

Realizing that my timetable isn't God's. I look at things from a minute, hour, day, week, month, year perspective. He looks at things from an almost incomprehensible eternal clock.

Playing the "Woe is Me" game is futile, because I will never win. All it does is get me further in my self dug hole and make the sides even more slippery.

All that I know is that prayers said through tears and from a place of no where else to turn is both heartache and music to my Heavenly Fathers ears. He doesn't want me in that place, but He wants to be there with me.

So, with all that said it's not that I'll never post another project or tutorial or recipe or craft I've made. It's just that some long overdue work that I can't do by myself has been happening and that is by far more important than anything else.

I'll get back to that other stuff when time permits. It'll get there, as each season passes I know that this one will too.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who has promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

"A Life So Full It Seems Empty"

I read this passage today from the book I started awhile back, One Thousand Gifts . It really struck me, I can completely relate to what the author, Ann Voskamp is saying. A life so full it seems...empty. Monatonous. Predictable. Busy. Routine.

I think as a mother, my life tends to be pretty much on "auto pilot". It starts and ends the same pretty much every day. The fullness of each day is lost on me, because I tend to just go through the motions as a Mom so much of the time. Feed. Bathe. Instruct. Clean. Organize. Cook. I tick off the things I do every day in my head, my mental list of what I accomplish in a day. Since I think it's so "no brainer", I don't put much thought into it.

However, my life, it is so full.

My life is so abundant.

My gifts from God are lavishly given, I lose track of them.

My blessings are so many, they meld together and take a shape I don't choose to recognize.

My cup overflows so much that I don't realize it's past capacity and I see what can't be contained as opposed to the full reservoir I already have been blessed with.

My God loves me so much. He will provide. More. Abundantly. Every. Single. Day.

What I have is exactly what I need. He will give me just what I need. When I don't focus on what I don't have, and instead focus on what I already have, I will see what I already have been given. It's enough. It's a gift, given with purpose. Given from my God. Given. Not earned. A gift.

Sharing my thoughts today at Blessed Little Nest. Go check out her blog, it's worth the click!

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Thoughts on Thankfulness

I know to be "thankful in all things", but treat it more as a sweeping "thank you" than as a intimate, intentional, specific thank you for the multiple, easily overlooked and daily things that God puts in front of me each and every moment of each and every day. I can honestly say that I do have moments where I am thankful for little things, but a continual, regular state of thanksgiving for all things? No, not even close. I'm too busy nit-picking out what I am not thankful for instead of wrapping up the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the mundane and the glorious. I am expending WaY too much energy trying to extract out what I don't like instead of taking it for the whole, entire gift that God places before me.

For me personally I think that gratitude forces me to look at the good, the happy, the realness of something. When I'm not grateful, I am really negative for the most part and tend to pull out things that are sad, depressing, angering or frustrating to me. I then tend to dwell on those things, ruminate on how they make me feel. When I'm not grateful, I am very self-involved and selfish, and I tend to look at things through the "me" filter. How does it make me feel? How does it affect me? What can I do to change it? How can I make it go away?

By being grateful for things, and especially if I focus on the small, simple and real ways that God shows me His love for me (my kids laughter, my purring kitty wanting to sit on my lap, the unsolicited "I love you" from my hubby), how can I not be taken aback by the sheer volume of His love? If I focus on all of it, how can I not focus on any of it? If I can look at the blessings for the simplicity of what they are instead of waiting for the knock me over the side of my head "miracles", how can I not feel anything by abject love and pure devotion for my Heavenly Father? He delights in using the everyday to delight me, not just the pull out all the stops fireworks show once a year. He wants me to delight in the small of each opportunity of thankfulness, for that is a way to have open communication and communion with Him.

I'm Going to Open my Blinds

"If I am ruthlessly honest, I may have said yes to God, yes to Christianity, but really I have lived the no." "Now everywhere we look, we only see all that isn't...holes, lack, deficiency." "We don't see the material world for what it is meant to be, as the means to communion with God."

I started reading the book One Thousand Gifts this week. The above are a few lines that I highlighted from what I've read so far. I'm only done with chapter one and I can't even put into words how much it has already resonated with me.

If you've not heard of the book please find out about it. If you've heard of it but don't plan on reading it, I wholeheartedly ask you to reconsider. I truly believe it has the ability to be life changing.

My personal relationship with God the last several years has been very still. I love God, I know He loves me, but I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. For the one thing, the one catalyst, the proverbial ball to start rolling. I'm holding out for the "thing" that will just get my life, my relationships, my happiness to the next level. I've been treading water for a long time.

I love my family and my life, but I've been waiting for the "awakening" that will bring me the true joy that I've been waiting to feel. For the vest of shame and guilt and grumbling to be lifted off. I intellectually know that God is the only one who can do that for me, but I've been waiting and it hasn't happened yet. I've been waiting for something to happen to me, instead of opening myself up and letting go so that it can happen.

I think after reading the first chapter of this book, the one thing that I've walked away with is that God has done all the things that I've been waiting for Him to do. He's already done it. He has given me all I need to experience true joy, and still does. I've lost site of it from the moment I decided not to feel it anymore. I am waiting for something that isn't going to happen, because it's been happening all along.

I'm going to open my blinds, so that I can take in all that God has been doing for me, for mankind, from the moment He created it all.

"His secret purpose framed for the very beginning [is] to bring us to our full glory." 1 Corinthians 2:7, NEB

A Must Read

I just read this book to my daughter this morning, what a good one. It's hard to go wrong with Dr. Seuss, right? I have read many of his books, but since he's written so much I haven't read them all.

Seriously, this is a great book. If you are in a funk, feeling down or sorry for yourself, not loving your "season of life" you're in, then you should read this book. It's obviously for children, but as you know most Dr. Seuss books have a "lesson" that is applicable for children and adults alike.

Check it out from your library if you've not read it, you won't be dissapointed. Sharing my find today at Blessed Little Nest:

I've Got a Suitor...and it's not my Husband

So I have a confession to make. I've got a suitor. Yes, I'm married already. 10 years, going on 11. Fabulous man, heaven sent, a true blessing and my best friend. However, there is someone else who's trying to win my heart.

What can I tell you about this other suitor? Let's see, so much to share...where to begin? We'll let me start of by saying he's a sweet talker. He knows just how to wiggle his way into my thoughts. He'll whisper something in my ear, and days later I'll catch myself thinking about what he said. He knows exactly what to say and when to say it, his timing is perfection.


He is also very courteous. He is always thinking of me. He will pop by to say hi, just to let me know that I am in his thoughts. He consistently lets me know that he is trying to win me over.


He admits to me that he's a jealous type. That he so wishes that my husband was out of the picture. That he wishes he was my one and only. He tries to get me to shift my eye away from my betrothed quite often, he knows how to get me to question myself and my decision. He's always telling me the grass is greener on the other side.


He can also be very stoic. He will tell me that even though he and I aren't together that he'll be okay. He can wait for me, as long at it'll take for me to realize that I should be with him. He says he wants to be with me for all of eternity.

His motives are manipulative. He loves to catch me when I'm confused or questioning things in my life, my relationships. He really thrives on getting me to the point where I feel utterly defeated. He tells me that even though it seems hopeless, that if I just go with him then it'll change everything for my betterment. I'll get to do what I want when I want when I'm with him, and what could be better than that?


He will make me feel like I'm the only person in the world that he wants. He will try time and time again to win me over...wait, wear me down. He showers me with compliments as often as he will berate and belittle me, trying to make me feel that he is the only one that would love me. He's hell bent on becoming my one true love, at all costs.

Oh, and he's also told me that he's a polygamist. So he's not only courting me, but countless others as well. He's going to court as many as he can, he'll court you too. He's looking to amass as many significant others as possible. He told me that he'll never stop, that his ultimate goal is to have a commune of souls, all of which are completely enslaved to him.

Obligation vs. Desire

I distinctly remember the first time I tried to have a conversation with God. I was 6, maybe 7. We were running late, so my Mom had me finish up breakfast in the station wagon on the way to school. I was drinking orange juice out of my favorite Sesame Street glass, and as I finished I wanted more. As you can imagine, that wasn't going to happen on the ride to school. I really wanted more. "God, if you are real, fill up my orange juice glass with more juice." "God, if you really love me, fill up my juice glass, please?" I bet you can guess what happened.

That was the first time, as a child, that I remember asking God to do something for me. It was the first time I had a conversation (albeit one sided) with Him. It was different than praying, that I did everytime we ate and before bedtime. This was different. This was telling Him what I wanted, and waiting for a reply.

I have been a "Christian" since childhood. I went to parochial school from second grade 'till high school. I memorized many verses, read many bible stories, performed in many Christmas plays. We've always attended church, my parents raised us in a Christian home.

Here's the thing though, you can have all of that, and more, and still not have conversations with God.

My relationship with God has been a up and down one. I try to live my life the way He wants me to. Try is the operative word there, because as we all know we can have the best of intentions and still fall flat. I have felt that much of my relationship with my Creator as flat, one dimensional. Doing things just because you "should", not because you want to can leave you uninspired and feeling obligated. I felt obligated to God.


When God doesn't feel welcome, He doesn't force Himself in. He is the God of the universe, and we are but a speck in it. God will shine through cracks and show Himself in ways to remind us that we need Him, but He won't come in shouting demanding attention. He wants us to seek Him.

So when I walk around feeling obligated to Him, like I have to do these things to please him, how is that going to look to Him? Like I'm seeking Him? That I want Him around? Or that I'm just doing these things on auto-pilot because it's expected of me? Praying before eating, check. Making my monthly donation to church, check. Doing things out of obligation, when your heart isn't in the right place, is nothing but checking off boxes off a list.

But when I seek Him, things are different. When I am quiet and just listen, I can hear. When I clear out the junk in my head and open up space, I am making room for Him. When I desire to grow, to get out of my funk, to break patterns, to live for something other than myself, the obligation that I feel subsides.

God wants us to desire Him. He wants us to ask Him to come. He won't force us to submit to Him, that isn't how he works. He loves us enough to let us get to the place where we realize we need Him. He will let us go through our motions, our obligations, our flat places. He knows that in order for us to truly seek and ask for Him, we have to come to that decision ourselves.

Does that mean He won't court our hearts? No, He's courted me since I can remember. But God isn't like some overeager teenage boy fixated on me. He's not going to throw candy, love notes and flowers at me until he makes me like him. He's going to love me and pursue me as my heavenly father. Let me make mistakes, let me skin my knees, let me cry some. He's going to let me come to the decision to love him, not make me do it. He'll let me come to the realization that I need him, that I can't live another moment of my life without him. That it doesn't matter what I do in life if He's not alongside of me while I do it. That is the true love that God courts us with, and that is the true love that He wants from us.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

My "It" Word for 2011

Awhile back I wrote about how starting last year, I was introduced to the concept of picking a word that I wanted to focus on for the new year, you can read more about that here.

This was an awesome thing for me, I truly found myself revisiting that word over and over again and really applying it in my life. It made a big difference, I saw a lot of growth in my personal and spiritual life because of it.

I wanted to put some real thought into my "it" word for this year. I had a few things swimming around in my head, but wanted to wait to commit to something until I felt it was right.

This past weekend, a situation arised and it was really clear to me what word should be my focus for this year. "Meaningful".

How many times have we done something just because we're supposed to, without really thinking about how we're doing it? Made a decision about something and just went with the flow, not thinking about what the ultimate outcome would be?

I don't want to sound like you can plot and plan out every aspect of your life, because as we all know that isn't possible. Or that we have to make every decision we make into an monumental one. However, personally I know that many times AfTer a situation has happened I'll wish I had put more thought into it.

Experiences, we have them everyday. From the mundane to the extraordinary, we definitely can say that our entire day is full of them. The experiences that we have, they have the ability to shape our characters. To leave lasting impressions. The experiences that we create impact people under our roof, in our community, in our churches. They can shape, mold and form the children we raise and the family we love as well as those we don't even know.

If I take the time to make sure that the experiences that we have are meaningful, think of all the opportunities that I've made to show and model to my children what I'm called to. That doesn't mean that everything has to be a holy experience that unveils a bigger picture. However it does mean that what we do, how we spend our time, what we do with what we've been given...those decisions can make meaningful and lasting impressions.

How can you make more meaningful decisions and choices? What is an "it" word that you can focus on this year?

Peace on Earth Begins at Home

So here we are, another new year. I feel myself both excited at the prospect of a new year beginning and a bit sad that one has ended.

When I was younger, I was always excited that a new chance was beginning, a year to go on to bigger and better things. Things to look forward too, things to leave behind.

I still feel that way somewhat, but I definitely find myself a bit nostalgic for the year that I'm leaving behind. The memories that were made, the stages of life that are sometimes left behind.

I also find myself feeling guilt and frustration over things that I didn't accomplish in the previous year. Vowing that this year will be better, I will finally do those things that I've vowed to do in years past but not accomplished. Less yelling, less swearing, more patience, more self control, being more intentional.

But lately I've really been trying to think things a bit differently. I don't have to do those things that I want to or think I should. Yes, it would be nice to do some if not all of them, but I don't have to. I am loved just the way I am. My husband loves me just as I am, my family loves me just as I am, my children love me just as I am, and most importantly God loves me just as I am.

I remember a message from an old pastor quite awhile back on the subject of God's grace, and he explained it this way; "There is nothing you can do to make God love you any more or any less, that is the grace of God." I remember hiding that away in my head, but I don't find myself hiding it in my heart.

I am VeRy hard on myself, I am great at listing all my shortcomings. Those shortcomings that keep me back, that make me say to myself that I must remedy them before I can more on. Things will get better once those go away, the guilt that I feel will clear up once those "weaknesses" do.

When I remember that I am loved by God just as I am, and my favor with Him does not rest in how I feel about myself I feel the guilt subside. I feel that He will use me in spite of my weakness and my failures. That I can fulfill my purpose here no matter whether or not I have my act together. Not only do I not have to have it all together, I can use my brokenness to God's glory.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9


I am excited to see what the new year holds for me, for my family and those I love. I'm excited to see how my walk with God will deepen. How my transparency can lead to greater peace and less guilt. I am praying for peace, in my head, in my heart, and for this world in the upcoming year.

Intentional Intelligent Design

So looking back on the year, I was reminded of a woman's tea I went to earlier this year. The hostess asked us to come with a word that described our previous year and another word that we wanted to represent our intentions for the year ahead.

My word that described the year before was "chaos", because honestly it described the year perfectly. Overcomitted, overwhelmed, overstressed and overworked I was and my life felt chaotic.

In thinking of a word that I wanted to represent the upcoming year, I wanted a word that would force me to think things through before making decisions. Decisions I make as a mother, a wife, a friend, a ministry worker. Intentional was the word I chose.

I also saw other things happen as I started being more intentional. I began to see God differently. I started to notice small things I've never really payed attention to before. For starters, I began seeing His creation with a whole new appreciation.

Why would anyone doubt the existence of a creator when you look at His creation? His beauty is astounding, His fingerprint is on everything he has made if you take the time to look for it.

I have found my walk with God deepening over this past year in ways it never has before. I believe in part because I have been intentional in seeking Him and quieting myself to see and hear what He has to say to me.

I found that I've seen Him more in his creation than I ever have before. I've found myself seeking out His word more as I've been inspired by his handiwork. I feel myself praying more after being convicted by his fingerprints on creation.

Try looking for his fingerprints, look for how He shows himself to us in unexpected and intentional ways.

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:20

Remember...

Take time to be still during the busyness of getting ready for Christmas.

"He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.'" Psalm 46:10

A Dirty Little Secret About Blogging

I really enjoy blogging. It allows me the opportunity to express myself, get the creative juices flowing. To look at things from different perspectives, to see things outside of my own four walls.

However, I feel that blogging also has along with all those great things I mentioned above a dirty little secret. If allowed, blogging can tear one down just as much as it can lift one up.

While I love seeing a beautifully designed blog with all the graphics and buttons one could dream of, it can also make me feel like my little cookie cutter blog is just the opposite of that, plain jane and average.

I can be inspired by all the beautiful homes I see, decorated so tastefully and painstakingly planned and executed. Then I can go from being inspired to being resentful over my little two room duplex with just a little over 725 sq feet with old drab white walls and yicky brown carpet.

I look at the delicious, nutritious recipes that are being created. With exotic spices and organic ingredients all wrapped up in a full serving of perfection beautifully photographed on transferware that's to die for. It can make our lunch of peanut butter and jelly on melamine plates look downright unpalatable.

I see the beautiful family portraits of everyone in white shirts, perfect hair and makeup on Mom and everyone is looking at the camera and smiling. Then my favorite family photo of us sitting on the lawn at the park with three kids looking in three different directions seems like just some random picture.

I read about women who have felt led to add to their families by adoption. I hear the yearning in their words as they pour out their hearts about the journey that God is taking them through in the process. I then look inward and feel guilty, why don't I feel this way? Am I cold hearted because I don't feel that same pull to adopt a child?

I truly feel that blogging can be a cathartic experience. It can challenge us to think outside our box. It can inspire us to create, to nest, to reside in a home that we truly love. However I think that if not careful in our intentions that the exact opposite can happen and what once brought positive can instead bring negative.

We don't need blogging to feel accepted. We don't need yet another yardstick by which to measure ourselves to the world's standard. The amount of comments, followers or page hits we get doesn't determine our mark on this world. It doesn't matter whether or not our posts are featured or liked by others. While it's nice to be recognized by others for our contributions it is not a marker of who we are and it doesn't gage our success. Blogging can both welcome us into a body of others as well as make us feel alienated and unworthy.

Guard your hearts and minds while online, be mindful of what you are reading and posting and why you are doing it. You know what you struggle with, what your triggers are. You know what inspires you and what causes discord. Be watchful of what you allow in. Even words written with the best of intentions can bring upon unintended feelings if they focus on things that cause you to focus elsewhere.

"And he said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' " Luke 12:15

Thankful Thoughts

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I know that most of us are in busy mode right now. Lots of cleaning, shopping, planning, and cooking going on.

However, I hope that we are taking the time while busily preparing for Thanksgiving to remember to thank God for our blessings. Not just a quick "Thanks" while we pray before eating our feasts, but a true thankful spirit.

As we all know, the degree of thankfulness that inhabits our hearts is in direct correlation to our mindset. You can find a way to be thankful about pretty much anything, if you go about it from the right direction.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Thank you Lord for the ability to procure all the groceries that we'll need to feed our family this Thanksgiving, even though it means busy stores and long lines.

2. Thank you Lord for our family. For all the disagreements, advice and rudeness that sometimes comes with them. For it means we are surrounded by our lineage and we're not spending the day alone.

3. Thank you Lord for our messes. For the dust, the dishes, the dirty bathrooms that we'll be cleaning. For we have a roof over our heads and shelter to protect us from the elements. You've blessed us with a place to call home.

4. Thank you Lord for your word. For all the analogies and hidden meaning. For it means we must earnestly seek to understand and hide it in our hearts, not just read and memorize.

5. Thank you Lord for our testimonies. For the bumpy roads and really hard trials. For all the suffering and hurting, for it makes us long to be with you in our eternal home.

6. Thank you Lord for our salvation. For the grace you extend to us and the way you court our hearts. How you allow us the decision to follow you and how you place situations in our lives to make us accept you over and over again. You make your path clear and straight, even though each of us travel a different road to get to you.

May you all have a blessed and peaceful thanksgiving.

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2

Sharing my thoughts today at Blessed Little Nest:

What's Your Motivation?

Initially I was going to write a lengthy, wordy post about getting ready for Christmas and what it means. Similar to what you've probably read in the past. Remembering the real "reason for the season" and stuff like that. However, I think that I'm preaching to the choir somewhat as most of us do understand (at least intellectually) what that means.

I was sitting down the other day mentally going through my list of stuff I needed to do, preparing to make my annual preparation "list". I'm sure you all make a similar one too. Who to buy for, what your buying, the cost, etc.

Also thinking about the crafting to do, gifts to make. Looking in my "stash" boxes to see what I have squirreled away for gifting this year. Lamenting on my lack of items and thinking about how I was going to compensate for it.

Thinking about the traditions that we do as a family. The ones that we truly enjoy and are fun for us. Remembering what I needed to buy in order to do these things that we look forward to.

Looking at my boxes of holiday decorations and thinking about how I'll be pulling them out soon. Starting to make room in the house, paring down existing decor to make room for the onslaught that will soon be coming.

Thinking about wrapping and presenting gifts, one of my favorite things to do at Christmastime. I'm a gift wrap/ribbon/presentation junkie and I always get extreme joy out of having perfectly presented presents.

As I was sitting down thinking of these things I felt a slight stirring in me. A question quietly emerged as I was mentally making lists and plotting plans. Why do you do what you do? What is your motivation? Is it for others, or yourself? Think about that for a bit.

All the planning, shopping, procuring, presenting, wrapping, cooking, preparations that you do annually...is it for yourself to show what you can do, or for the recipients that receive? Is is for the kudos you'll receive for a job well done or is it for the joy and benefit of others? Do you do it because of the sacrifice or so you can say, "I did it faster/better/cuter/cheaper/smarter..."?

Think about it, honestly for a bit. Then think about why we celebrate Christmas. What was our Father's motivation for sending His gift to us? So we could tell Him "Good work, looks great!" or was it for our benefit of salvation?

I personally knew the answer for myself, and it's causing a shift in my perception of what needs to be accomplished. I found a bible verse that I personally know that I will be focusing on this year, as I make that mental shift.

‎"... I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind." Ecclesiastes 4:4.

A great verse to store away as we prepare for the upcoming Christmas season. What is your motivation for what you do, and what are you striving to accomplish as you prepare for Christmastime?

For His Purposes

‎"We are such a throw-away society, but God is in the recycling business. He finds a use for all our broken pieces, shattered promises and crumbled relationships".

Such a true statement. How has God taken the hurt, the disapointment, the lies you've been told and used them to fulfill His will in your life?

You Are More

I heard this song on KLOVE today, and it immediately spoke to me. Usually it takes me a few times of really listening to a song to hear the lyrics and get meaning from them. Not this one. Take a listen.

What are you more than?

Me....let's see, where to begin.

I'm more than an impatient person. More than a mother who loses her cool too easily. More than a wife that speaks ill towards her husband. More than a gossip. More than someone who easily judges. More that someone who doesn't exercise self control.

Sometimes it's not the huge sin that makes us feel far from God, although many times it is. Sometimes it's the stuff we struggle with for years, the stuff that wears us down, the stuff we almost become immune to.

Sometimes it's the stuff that we earnestly want to lay down and give to God, but we take it back on when the situation presents itself. And trust me, a situation will arise where we will pick it back up and carry it around some more. The enemy will make sure of it.

>"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ Jesus was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a NEW life. Romans 6:4

A new life, every day. We don't have to do anything to claim it, and there is nothing we can do to have it revoked. It's new for us each morning, each day a fresh start. The power of Christ's death and resurrection brings new believers into His fold everyday, and that same power allows those who've already joined Him the ability to stay in His presence. For we are more than the sum of ourselves, our deeds and actions nothing in comparison to His restoration.

Perception vs. Reality

I've been praying and working on making a shift in my thought process about things that irk me. The stuff that tends to rub you the wrong way, things you'd rather not do, situations that cause you stress. Mostly the little, mundane things that we all do, all can relate to on some level or another. Shifting focus away from the negative and what you don't like to what you've been blessed with instead.



Designing and building a supposed "kid built" project is spending time with your child.

Listening to yet another "play" by ... is an opportunity to watch your child use their mind in an audible and tangible way. You can actually see the way their little minds are working.

Figuring out where to store all you kid's crap I mean stuff means you've been blessed with the ability to provide fun activities for your children.

Sticky, sugary gingerbread houses are family traditions.

Messy painting in the backyard is a chance to watch your child create and make something.

Cleaning up a messy toddler after a meal means they have the ability to feed themselves.

That clingy child that never leaves your lap is a few more moments of cuddle time before they are too old to cuddle anymore.

Those forsaken 20,000 little pieces of stuff all over the house are ways to develop fine motor skills in your child.

More, you say?

Those dirty undies on the floor that NEVER, NEVER EVER make it to the hamper belongs to a husband that comes home to you every night.

Those dirty dishes in the sink waiting to be washed means you have running water in your home.

The dirty bathroom that needs to be cleaned means you have indoor plumbing.

That filthy car that needs to be detailed so badly means you have your own personal means of transportation.

The 20 plus pounds you need to lose means you are in a season of plenty.

The dinner you have to make that you don't want to make means you have the ability to feed your family.

The house that will never stay clean means you have a roof over your head.

The same bedtime story your child asks you to read every night means you can read.

The guilt you feel over not being good enough, worthy of God's love or an adequate mother means you have the ability to think.

The fights you have with the kids over clipping fingernails means they have the ability to be mobile.

The laundry that is constantly in your baskets, hampers, on the floor means you have clothes on your back.

The "mommy burnout" that we feel means we are able to stay home with our children.

I could list more, but I think we all get the point. Switch your thought process a bit. Think about how that "curse" is actually a blessing from our Father. He has given us all that we need, I for one need to start seeing it for how He sees it.