Is This For Us?

Mid week baking does not usually happen in my home.  Between work, church, homework and nightly chores there isn't usually time for cookie baking.

When mid week baking does occur, almost always someone strides into the kitchen to ask "Is this for us?"  You can see the anticipation of eating a home made chocolate chip cookie on their face, but you can also see the hesitation of reaching for the chocolate chip cookie on the cooling rack in fear of getting their hand smacked.  Because more often than not, the chocolate chip cookies on the cooling rack are going to a bake sale, a special event at work or a school function.

My family deserves the best.  My children are awesome and they deserve to have a choloate chip cookie in their lunch box instead of a snack pack or a Little Debbie.  However, more often than not I save my best baking skills for others.....I'm working on fixing that!

God also deserves my best.  He deserves to have a moment of my time each day, for me to be in his word and to talk to him.  God wants to spend time with me each day, but unfortunately I put him aside.  Just like my children's requests for home made chocolate chip cookies.  I make excuses such as "I'm running late this morning" or "It's Sunday and I'll get my dose of Jesus there".

For me, my best for God is waking up earlier than normal and devoting the first part of my day to him. The time before I check my facebook page, my checking account or my email.  The time before I start to pack lunches or to switch the laundry over.  It seems that when I postpone my devotion time, I get sidetracked and God does not get the quality time that he deserves.

It is truly a sacrifice to get up earlier to spend time in God's word.  Everyone who has ever spent any morning with me understands that I am NOT a morning person. I like to sleep as long as I possibly can in the mornings. However, I know that God sees my sacrifice of getting up earlier to spend time with him.  I also know that he will bless my time with him and I will be blessed in return.

 

In the morning, LORD you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait

expectantly.

Psalm 5:3 NIV



Inspiring person of the week: Miss Norma

What would you do if you found out that you had terminal cancer 2 days  after your husband of 67 years had passed away?

I'm not sure what many people would do, but I would probably sink really low.  I hope that even in those challenging moments that I would still cling to my faith and know that God still hasn't put an end to my life and that I could still be an encouragement to others.  I hope that I could spend my final days making sweet memories with those people that mean the most to me.


Meet Miss Norma, she is 90 years old and she was in this very situation.  Instead of becoming depressed or overwhelmed with treatment options, she looked up at her doctor and said "I'm 90 years old and I'm hitting the road".  Her doctor then replied with "Right On!"

Miss Norma then hit the road in an RV with her son, daughter in law and their poodle.  They have traveled to many national parks, Disney World and even took a hot air balloon ride!  They are documenting their entire journey on Facebook on a page called "Driving Miss Norma". 

Since hitting the road six months ago, Miss Norma's symptoms of cancer have decreased and she is doing well.  I cannot wait to see where she goes next!

Read the entire article about Miss Norma here.

Clean Sheets

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Each week, like clockwork my family knows that after waking on Sunday mornings, the one thing that I like them to do before leaving for church is to take their dirty sheets off of their beds and place them in the washing machine.

Honestly, the beds are usually bare while we are at church (whoever wrote the song "Easy Like Sunday Mornings" most likely didn't have kids, because getting kids ready for church is challenging).  So, of course we put the sheets back on our beds at some point on Sunday afternoon.

On this particular Sunday, Finn took it upon himself to attempt to put clean sheets on his bed by himself.  Most likely, because Addison has recently learned how to put the sheets on her bed by herself. When I went into Finn's room,  our conversation went like this:

Me: Hey Finn, Can I help you put your sheets on your bed?

Finn: No, I got it!

Me: Are you sure that you don't want me to help you?

Finn: No, I got it...I help myself.

Me: Okay then!

2 minutes passes by...

Finn: Moooommmm..... you help me put these sheets up here?

Of course, I smiled to myself as I walked down the hallway to Finn's room.

How many times do we do this with God? 

As I have faced trials in my life, it seems that many times I have tried to make the decision myself.  I have tried to tackle the project, jumped the hurdle...only to find myself on the ground.

However, when I have asked for God's guidance in the situation, I have found myself on the other side of the hurdle without scraped knees and with a better attitude.

Why do we do this??  You would think that after failing time and time again without God, that I would lean on his trust and understanding that things go a lot smoother when God is in the equation.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

 

Matthew 19:26

 

What we cannot do in life, like putting sheets on our bed...God CAN do.  In Ephesians 3:20, he says that he can do more than we can even ask for or imagine. All we have to do is ask him!

 

Oh Father,  I come to you this evening.

Thank you for guiding me through each situation.

Help me to remember that you are with me and your words says that you will never forsake me.

Through good times and through the trials.

Please do not ever take your hand off of me as I travel through this life.

Amen



 

Addison, Finn and the Chicken Casserole...

It was a Tuesday evening, and we were having chicken casserole.  It wasn't anyone's favorite meal (including mine), but we had all of the ingredients, it is somewhat healthy and that's what we were having.  I knew that Addison and Finn weren't going to be happy when they saw the serving of chicken casserole on their plate.

However, they knew my rule.  They had to at least try it.  Addison has never been in love with chicken casserole (it is usually a battle to get her to even try something) but she really impressed me this Tuesday evening. The beginning of our dinner went something like this....

Finn: (seeing the chicken casserole on his plate) "Oh yuck, I don't like it".

Addison:  "It's good Finn, it's chicken casserole."

Finn:  "I don't like casserole".

Addison: "It's good Finn, just try it....see, watch sister"   (Takes a huge bite of chicken casserole)  "Oh, it actually is really good."

Through this dinner time conversation,  I heard God speak to me.  Of course, God wants me to always be a "good Christian".  He wants me to read my Bible, speak positively, love others, go to church...be a good person.  It's for my own good.  When I don't do those things, I fall down a slippery slope.  After not reading my Bible for a few days, I get anxious, my mind starts to wander & I'm not the best witness for Christ.

However, when I do walk closely with God, it's an example to others as well.  Others see my desire to follow Christ and to long to be with him.  Other people may be more inclined to read their Bible after seeing the fruits of it in my life.

Sort of like Addison and the chicken casserole.  There are obvious reasons why I wanted her to eat her chicken casserole that evening.  It will fill her with nutrients, it will help her to grow, it will fill her need of hunger.  However, in doing all of that, she's teaching her little brother a good example to eat what is on his plate.

We should always strive to be Christ like because that's what we're supposed to do and it teaches others a good example.

The best days are spent with dirt stains on our knees...

This weekend I left my dirty house and my to do list and made memories with my family.  Aside from God, the people that mean the most to me. 

We drove over 2 hours to a drive thru zoo that we have visited several times in the past.  It is one of our  "happy places".  We love this little place.  It's located in a small little farming town in the middle of our state. 

This little day trip, was a spur of the moment kind of thing. We woke up, realized that the weather was half decent and decided to hit the road.  So, I didn't prepare for it as I have in the past.  I dressed the kids in comfy clothes, grabbed a change of clothes for Finn, and a box of goldfish and a roll of paper towels.  I threw on a hoodie and put my hair in a pony tail and hit the road.

Prior to having children, I imagined that family days would be spent at a play, getting my nails done with my daughter or shopping.  I never invisioned that I would leave the home in a sweatshirt and my hair in a pony tail to eventually ride in the bed of my husband's truck to have wild animals come up to our vehicle and demand food.  However, God sometimes changes our plans for  the better!

I love road trips with my husband.  Our kids usually drift off to sleep shortly after we leave our house and it gives us the opportunity to talk.  I love hearing the stories of him growing up in South Georgia, where his Dad was a football coach.  I love hearing him tell of the fond memories that he shared with his Dad at games and practices.

After we got off of the interstate and entered the small little farm town, we loved driving by the old farm homes.  Being that we're addicted to the HGTV show "Fixer Upper", we sometimes drove by some of the houses realllyy slowly and talked about what we would do to each home. We passed a couple of flea markets and wanted to stop in, but couldn't because a) the kids were asleep and if we woke them we would end up coming home with a ratty old toy or b) someone would need to go to the bathroom, or get a snack or need to find the perfect rock from the parking lot to take home. So we continued to drive.

The zoo is terrific!  We drove up to see llamas greet us at the main gate, we paid our admission and purchased 4 buckets of food (for the animals).  On the way, we did prepare for a picnic and got subs and chips from a sub shop.  I prepared our picnic while Addison and Finn played on the most gigantic Noah's Ark playground.  I may or may not know from experience that it's the best playground because the slides and swings are wide enough for adults!

After our late lunch, we drove thru the zoo.  And because this is a journal of my families adventures (and hopefully because everyone who is reading this is over the age of 13) I can safely say that it was Mating Season at the zoo!!!  Yes, live edition of National Geographic right before your eyes!!!  Luckily, Addison and Finn were oblivious to this and thought that the animals were getting piggy back rides from each other (they came up with this on their own). 

Anyway, my favorite part was the sweet giraffe's.  I loved being able to stand up in the bed of the truck and have the sweet giraffe come over and eat from our food buckets.  We loved seeing the sweet baby giraffe that was only 6 days old and his mama so tenderly caring for him.  Soo sweet!



On the way home, Spunky wished to eat dinner at a "nicer" restaurant.  I chuckled and said "Look at me, I am covered in animal feed, my shoes are muddy and I'm pretty sure that some of the long horn cows licked me.  I don't think that they will serve us at Olive Garden."  He agreed and we settled on McDonalds (yuck!).

I am so glad that God had better plans for me than the fine living lifestyle that I thought that I always wanted.  Even though my life is often filled with stress and chaos, he has given me immeasurably more that I could have ever dreamed.  I am blessed with the dirt stains!

Thank you!

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:4

 

 

 

 

This is a difficult post to write.  I have struggled with the decision to even post what I am about to say.  However, ultimately I want this blog to be a journal for my family to read in the future and also a witnessing tool.  Please know, as I write this tears are streaming down my face with gratitude for you.

 

 

 

Only people who are truly close to me know that my family and I have been going through a challenging time since December.  I do not want to go into details of the situation, but know that it has been a huge challenge.  The "situation" has caused so much pain, tears and sleepless nights. Which has resulted in lots and Lots and LOTS of stress on my marriage among other things....

 

However...

   God won!  We prayed, he answered and HE is getting the victory!!!!

 

 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13

 

 

Was this "situation" stressful?  YOU betcha! 

 

However, I have learned so SO much through these past few months. 

 

 

Why couldn't God have had me learn this in a different way?    God needed to get my attention!  God got my attention by putting me in this situation and thus, I cried out to him. 

 

 

God also needed to test my faith. 

 

I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime.  Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.  When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory.

 

1 Peter 6-9 The Message

 

 

God also needed to "prune" me.  When pruning, God cuts dead out of us, so that other areas of our life can thrive.  God cut out my desire for nightly tv and facebook time, thus turning those areas into time to journal and read his word.  (I still have tv and facebook time, but not as much as in the past). I learned that I am more stressed when I am consumed by facebook, and when I am stressed I need to bring it to The Father.

 

 

I have learned first and foremost to put my faith and trust in God....he's got me all of the time.  My relationship with Christ has flourished over these past few months.  I remember when all of this started in December, I was unnerved one Sunday evening.  Stressed out beyond measure.  All I could do is sit and cry. During my tears, I heard God's voice saying "Call out to me".  So, I sat down and got my journal out, I wrote and wrote pages full...over the next few days we got pieces of the puzzle.  I knew after that week that everything would eventually turn out okay, but it still wasn't over.

 

 

I have also learned not to let situations become a "joy thief".  This situation has unnerved me to the core, however I am blessed with SO much.  First of all, Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins, I have a husband who loves me, 2 healthy children, an awesome church, amazing parents and an awesome sister.  I am too blessed to be stressed and I do not need to be unjoyful during challenging times.  My joy affects others around me.

 

 

I have also had to learn to accept things from others-- this has been hard for me.  I LOVE helping other people.  However, it's different being on the receiving end.  There are several people that I want to thank for your support during the past few months.

 

 

To my parents--who listened and taught me that God is bigger than any problem. 

 

 

To my sister--who prayed, genuinely cared and listened to me sob for over an hour that Thursday night.

 

 

To my new friend A at church with the tall black boots--  Thank you for leading my small group, thank you for reading my email on that Wednesday during my lunch break and for responding with the words that God put on your heart.  Thank you for praying for me, encouraging me and passing my request to your prayer warriors.

 

 

To my "coffee girls"--  Even though you did not know the very details of this situation, thank you for giving me an outlet every other week.  Thank you for giving me something to look forward to.  Thank you for listening to me, crying with me and laughing with me.  I know that God has blessed me with you for many different reasons.  Please know that I am here for you whenever you may need me.

 

 

To my friend at church who was standing in the lobby on "that" Sunday--Thank you for giving me that big hug, telling me that you have been there too.  Thank you for allowing me to cry on your shoulder.  Thank you for sharing your son's toys with my son--they provided an afternoon of laughter and tension relief in my home.  Thank you for the special text that you sent me later that afternoon, your kindness will never be forgotten.

 

 

To the men that prayed with my husband on "that" Wednesday evening--  Thank you!  My husband came home and told me that everything was going to be okay.  My husband needs Godly men in his life and I appreciate you.

 

 

To the girl that was walking down the hall of my office and asked me if I was okay--Thank you!  When you spoke to me on that day, emotion clogged my throat.  I know that you saw the tears come to my eyes as I pushed the x-ray button.  In part, I felt guilty when you told me with a cheery "I'm praying"!  For I know that you have many problems as well. I felt your prayers that day friend. Friend, please know that I dearly love you.  You are such a precious child of God and please please allow me to pray for you.  I will do anything in my power for you.  You, my friend are a blessing in my life.

 

 

To the sweet sweet lady who was standing at the computer "that" morning--Thank you for your sweet agape gifts that you secretly placed for me.  Thank you for praying for me.  I felt your prayers. Thank you for being a light of Christ in my life.  As I told you before, "you never know where you're planting seeds".  Thank you for listening to God's still voice.  Please know that you asked me to pray for you as well & I still am.  I am honored to pray for you.

 

 

To my friend who gives me hand me downs-- Thank you for clothing my son...and now my daughter.  When you gave me those hand me downs that day, it was such a blessing!  You clothe my kids....how can I ever repay you?  Trying on hand me downs that evening provided joy in my home and my daughter was thrilled to have new pj's to wear to the special event at school, because her mother was so stressed out that she forgot to purchase new one's on her lunch break.  How blessed we were when you provided fun new jammies....just in time.  I've always heard that God's never late, seldom early, but he arrives....just in time!  Thank you for allowing God to work through you to bless me.

 

To my older lady friend who said that she's been there-- I don't even know how I could ever repay you for our conversations and that you noticed the need that my husband and I have.  You my friend, are just what I needed on that Friday.  Thank you for allowing God to work through you to bless my husband and I.  I know that your blessing will bless others and our children.  Your sweet blessing overflows.  We cannot wait until November!

 

To my small group leader on Sunday mornings--Thank you for stopping our Galations series on that Sunday to do a lesson titled "What to do When God is Silent"--WOW!!  You will never know how much I needed that, that week. For it was only the week before that I screamed at God "Do you even see me down here?"  He did, and I received a bread crumb size puzzle piece that day--and it was enough!  Thank you for saying "sometimes when God is silent, he is testing us".  I do hope and pray that I passed the test!

 

To my friend "D" who emails me--Thank you for your sweet words, they encourage me.  Thank you for being a part of my life.  You are such a blessing to me and I am so thankful that our paths in life have crossed!

 

To those of you who read this blog--Thank you for reading each post.  Thank you for praying for me and telling me that you enjoy the blog.  It is a blessing to me to see that my bit of rambleness can bless your life.

 

Love you friends!





Joy Thieves...

This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you.  Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you.  Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

John 16:23-24 MSG

I work in the city, but I live out in the country.  When I am in "the city", I am more aware of my surroundings.  I keep my guard up.  My doors are always locked.  I carry my purse tightly under my upper arm.  When I am walking to my car, I always have my keys pointed in between my index and third finger (something that I learned in a self defense class years ago) so that I can jab their eyeballs out if they try to attack me.  I don't want anyone to take anything from me that does not belong to them.

However, there is something that Jesus gave me that always seems to be taken from others....my JOY!

It seems that my joy is often stolen from the people closest to me.  People that I have known for many years, people that usually add to my joy can often times steal my joy.  However, I (usually) know that their intention is not to steal my joy and to discourage me.

So many times, I am excited about doing things for God.  Big or small things, and many times I am met with opposition from other people.  Words such as "are you sure that you have time for that?" or "Are you crazy?"

Often times I can also take my own joy and throw it to the wayside.  It can only take a nanosecond for my joy to take a nosedive after checking my facebook page first thing in the morning or to check my checking account after all of the checks clear.

The next thing I know, I'm grumy, mad and not trusting God. When my joy disappears, it does nothing for others.  It does not point others to Christ. When my joy disappears, the task that God placed on my heart falls to the wayside and becomes impossible.

However...

As my friend Beth Moore once said "no one has the authority to take my joy from me".  They cannot have my joy, unless I give it away to them. (Not Gonna Happen)

My friend's if God has place an idea on your heart, he will make a way for you to do it. 

God can do anything, you know- far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Ephesians 3:20

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

See....God said so!  Don't give your joy away to those who do not support the dreams that God has placed on your heart!  God placed those dreams on your heart for a reason!  He's the author of BIG dreams because he is a BIG God!

P.S....If someone around you has BIG crazy dreams, do not discourage them....encourage them!





Sharpening the saw...

At Addison's school, they have a wonderful program called "The Leader In Me", the program is based on the book "The Seven Habits of Happy Kids" by Sean Covey.  The seventh habit is to "Sharpen the Saw", which basically means to make time for yourself so that you can become stronger--to renew yourself.

On Saturday, our family needed to "Sharpen our Saw", our family has been through some trials since December and we were thankful to have been given the opportunity to step away from our home for a day.  We drove a couple hours southward (where it was about 20 degrees warmer) to support our Clemson Tigers!  We were all so excited to haven been graciously gifted these basketball tickets from our Uncle Riggs.

 

 

 

 

 

Addison has been to several sporting events and always does well, but I wasn't sure how Finn would behave since this was his first collegiate sporting event.  He did really well, even falling asleep on my lap during the middle of the game.  I was so happy to hold him while he slept (those sweet days of him falling asleep on me are getting fewer and fewer since he will be 4 in May).  He woke up shortly after Clemson won the ball game!

 

When we got back home later that evening we all felt refreshed and renewed.  Spunky and I stayed up late on Saturday night talking and laughing and ready to face the trials that have come before us.  Since stepping away our home feels more peaceful and we just feel that God is holding us in his hands, preparing us for our next steps.

 





Papaw & Nanny...

We love because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was blessed as a child to live next door to my grandparents.  Naturally, when I was younger I would visit them sometimes frequently throughout the day.  They were always happy to see me.  I was always happy to see them, or to get Velveeta cheese out of the refrigerator  (because my mother usually didn't purchase Velveeta cheese).

 

 

Anyway, if you were to visit their home around 5:45 each evening, the scene was always the same in their small white 2 bedroom 1 bathroom home.  The home would smell of Folgers coffee because they drank coffee with each meal, you would also smell the delicious aroma of fresh biscuits and whatever they had for dinner (it was always sooo good).  After dinner they would help each other clean the kitchen before the 6:00 news.  Papaw would be wearing blue or grey coveralls and he would stand and help Nanny wash the dishes until every last dish was washed.

 

 

Papaw and Nanny helped each other, the complimented each other.  You never heard them say a harsh word to one another, or in fact about anyone.  They were always there to help out anyone, after my Papaw retired, he became a handy man.  He could fix anything!  People would call him all of the time asking him to fix this and that...and he would go and do it, day or night!

 

 

They may not have had every material possession that they ever needed or wanted, but they had love!  One of my most favorite occasions was Christmas of 2002.  Papaw had never gotten Nanny an engagement ring, but he had always wanted her to have one.  On Christmas day of 2002, while surrounded by 3 daughters, 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, Nanny received her engagement ring after 60+ years of marriage.  There was not a dry eye in my parents living room.

 

 

Above everything, my grandparents loved Jesus.  When I think of a Christ - like marriage, I often think of my grandparents.  They loved Christ first and each other second.   They always sacrificed their needs to fulfill the needs of each other.  My grandparents were married for over 60 years until my Papaw passed away in 2005 in the arms of my Nanny on a warm June evening.

 

Papaw has been gone for almost 11 years now, but Nanny still misses Papaw.  She longs to have conversations with him again.  He was her best friend and her love.

 







"Alligator Juice"

This evening was so much better than I anticipated when I woke up this morning.  From my last post, you could probably tell that I was at my wit's end from my busy week!  Tonight was supposed to be another busy night...chaperoning a sock hop (think junior high dance, but with lots of Kids Bop and elementary school kids).  While I love love love sock hops and getting my groove on to some Kids Bop, however I was ready for a calm evening at home with my 2 pairs of little feet.  I love that God knew that I needed a calm  evening at home, so he sent some snow.  Not too much snow, just enough!  Enough snow so that school was dismissed early(thus cancelling the sock hop), but travel was not a problem from the city where I work, to the country where I live.

Tonight was the calm evening that I had longed for.  Lots and lots of hugs and kisses from the 2 pairs of little feet, snuggles from the man with the big feet and paws on my waist when I came through the door!  Coming home is so much sweeter on the weekends, I love spending weekends with my people.

Friday nights are deemed "Fun Dinner Friday".  This week was no exception, french bread pizzas and pineapple for the win!  Addison and Finn love making their french bread pizzas, trying to see who can put more pepperoni on their pizza.  I love seeing their faces when the pesto comes out.  I've head them call pesto slime, yucky stuff...however, I liked Finn's the best when he called it "alligator juice".  He was certain that he saw an alligator in the pesto jar.

Friday nights at home usually involves a new craft project, a movie night or board games.  Tonight, we talked about using our resources at home to bless other people. We noticed that we had 4 speckled banana's on the counter, just waiting to be transformed into banana bread.  I explained to Addison and Finn that we should make 2 loaves of banana bread.  One loaf for our family and that we would gift the other loaf to our neighbor.

I'm not sure who will ge the bigger blessing of the banana bread, our 70 something widdowed neighbor, or me!  I so enjoyed my children taking turns to pour the ingredients into the bowl, discussing fractions with Addison and seeing both of my children eagerly cleaning up our mess afterwards.  Addison has such a gentle spirit and is so calm with Finn.  She always puts his needs or wants ahead of her own. 

Sweet little hands mixing banana bread!

After making banana bread, I snuggled with 2 sweet pairs of little feet and watched our favorite pig, Peppa.  Since my children are almost 6 years a part, it's challenging to find tv shows that they both enjoy.  Peppa is one of the shows that we can all watch together!

I am so thankful that God knew how much I needed this sweet evening at home.  I hope that I am blessed with many more calm Friday evenings at home. 

Looking back, this was not the life that I had planned for myself.  It's 10 times better than I would ever have imagined.  I was never certain that I wanted children.  I always thought that I would be very career driven.  My plan was to live in a big city and to travel A LOT!   I wanted to run away form the "boring small town" where I grew up and never return! At one point in my life, I even considered becoming a  flight attendant.  However, I am so glad that God knew exactly what I needed and changed my dreams.  I could not imagine living without these little feet in my home.  What view compares to the sweetness of my two children?



Just Breathe...

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matthew 11:28-29 NIV

 

 

To say that this has been a busy week would be an understatement.  This week has been filled to the brim with something to do every night.  I won't go into details of my crazy week, the activities have been "good things".  Events at school, things at church, things that improve our relationships with God and with Addison's school. 

 

However, it has left me stressed out, tired out, frazzeled and feeling like I'm constantly running. 

 

As I sit here at 10:30(still in dirty scrubs from the day), surrounded by the dirty contents of an elementary school child's lunch box.  I'm curious....did God intend for my life to constantly be running?  I've done the things that God would want me to do....going to church, supporting my child's education.  Of course!  Those are all really good things, however God also does not want me to feel frazzeled, stressed out and over tired.  What good am I for his kingdom if I am like this?  I cannot serve his kingdom well if I am over stressed.

I am also a people pleaser.  In my small group on Wednesday evenings we are doing a study called "What On Earth Am I Here For?"  by Rick Warren.  Last week, we discussed that people pleasing is acutally a sin.  I need to learn to say NO if I am over stressed or  if I am filled to my limit. 

 

Even though this week has been filled to capacity, I could have handled it better.  To be honest, I've focused all of my attention on the craziness of this week and I haven't lived for each moment.  I haven't made time for God during the craziness of this week.  When I don't have time for God, the peacefulness of my life goes out the window!  I know that if I had worried less about the cleanliness of my home this week and spent more time in his word, my world would be much easier to handle this week. 

 

 

The mess of my home will still be there on Saturday morning, but these moments are getting fewer and fewer....

 



 





 

 Big feet reading to busy little feet while I type out a blog post...

 

I don't believe in circumstances.  I know that God has me to be in the right place at the right time.  I believe that sometimes God even plays the exact song on the radio at the very moment that I need it.  It was not a coincidence that this song came on the radio as I made the last leg of my journey home this evening.

 

Just Breathe - Johnny Diaz

 

 

Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor

It's off to the races everybody out the door

I'm feeling like I'm falling behind, it's a crazy life

Ninety miles an hour going as fast as I can

Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand

So muchc to do in so little time, it's a crazy life

It's ready, set, go it's another wild day

When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel you say just

 

(Chorus)

Breathe, just breathe

come and rest at My feet

And be, just be

Chaos calls but all you really need

is to just breathe

 

Third cup of joe just to get me

through the day

Wanna make the most of time but I feel

it slip away

I wonder if there's something more to

this crazy life

I'm busy busy, busy and it's no surprise to see

That I only have time for me, me, me

There's gotta be something more to this crazy life

I'm hanging on tight to another wild day

When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear You say just

 

(chorus)

Breathe, just breathe

Come and rest at My feet

And be, just be

Chaos calls but all you really need

 

(bridge)

is to take it in fill your lungs

The Peace of God that overcomes

Just breathe

Let your weary spirit rest

Lay down what's  good and find

what's best

Just breathe

 

(chorus)

Just breathe, just breathe

Come and rest at My feet

And be. just be

Chaos calls but all you really need

is to just breathe

Just breathe

 

 

 

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peacce at all times and in every way. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16

 

 



Is there anything that you need to praise God for?  Do you have a prayer request that I can pray for?  Please feel free to share it below or to email me at imaginehisblessings@yahoo.com

 

 

 



I fell in love with my husband in Chick Fil A

My husband is amazing!!  I love him so very much.  He has always worked so hard for our family to ensure that we have all of our needs met.  He is also the encourager of the family, alwas encouraging me to keep my faith in difficult times.  He's amazing!

I've always loved my husband, but I fell head over heels in love with him on Saturday evening.  Our children chose to eat at Chick Fil A for dinner on Saturday.  Being the awesome parents that we are, we agreed!

We always have the routine that "Spunky" takes the children to the playground first, I order the food and set the table and then we eat (usually followed up by more playground time after dinner).

Saturday evening we chose a table near the playground and we noticed an older man with a lot of dirty bags around him.  He did not have a heavy coat, some of his clothes were tattered and he did not have any socks.  It seemed that he had come into the resturant to warm up for a bit.

My husband, could not sit and eat comfortably knowing that this man did not have socks for the cold winter evening.  He put down his half eaten sandwich and announced that he was walking to the grocery store next door to purchase socks for the man.

Sadly, Harris Teeter does not sell socks, but my husband was not satisfied just leaving the man without at least a word of encouragement.

Spunky proceeded to offer to purchase food for the man, and then sat and talked with the man for close to an hour.  He may not have all of his earthly needs taken care of this evening.  However, I have confidence that has a large dose of encouragement this evening and that he is covered in prayer.

I fell in love with my husband during the hour that he spoke with this man.  To see that most people would have avoided or ignored him, "Spunky" chose to forgo his dinner with his family to meet the needs of another human being.  My husband may not have given me all of the material posessions that I have ever wanted, but he encourages  my soul every day!

Grace stopped by....

It was a very bad day... a Monday nonetheless.

A Monday, that my husband had off with the kids, but I was at the office (in a really bad mood).  I'm not sure what exactly set this day off so bad to begin with, but it was something along the lines of the alarm clock didn't go off, and I ran out of the house without a kiss from my husband or my beloved coffee.  So, I was at the office stewing over all of my problems with a major caffeine withdrawl headache.  Even though my husband (people call him "Spunky"...it's a long story that I'll get around to at some point) was clearly not to blame for all of today's problems, somehow I felt that he was to blame.

During my lunch break, my mood did not improve.  I still blamed "Spunky" for the problems of my day.  During our lunch break phone call, he admitted that his to do list for the day had not been started.  THAT my friends was the icing on the cake!  I calmly hung up the phone and said goodbye.

My friends, I wish that I could have been calm, cool and collective.  However, all of the problems of the day continued to stew in my mind.  Around mid afternoon, I couldn't take it any more.  I felt that my husband needed a "come to Jesus meeting" via text message.  I went to my phone and my fingers flew as I typed out sentance after sentace blaming my husband for every problem in my life since we were married in 2003.

After work, I looked at my phone and found no response from "Spunky".  Who generally replies to text messages quickly (especially if they are in all caps).  Interesting....  I started on my 40 minute commute down the interstate waiting his daily 5:15 phone call to me.  Nothing....the entire commute!  "Well, I guess I showed him" I thought to myself as I continued to drive with my Nickleback CD blaring (that's what I play LOUDLY when I am so mad that my nostrils flare). 

I parked my car in the garage and heard the innocent laughter of my 2 babes okay, so my heart was softened a teeny bit.  I stormed up the stairs, opened the door and was greeted with a huge hug and kiss from my husband. I could hear the soft music playing in our home, the table was set with a lovely dinner ready to be eaten, fresh flowers were placed on my large farm table. The house smelled of fresh flowers, bleach and looked beautiful.

I was so taken back...."Hey, I said....I was really speechless. Wow... Did you get my text message earlier?"  Spunky's eyes grew wide "Oh, you sent me a text?  No, I'm sorry.  I've been so busy, that I haven't looked at my phone. Did you need something?"  "No....nothing I mumbled."  As I went to drop my things off in my room and to wash for dinner, I noticed my husband's cell phone.  As I swiped the screen, I noticed that my text message was indeed....unread.

Grace.  Grace my friends, was at my home that August evening.  Did I deserve this gourmet dinner, a sparkly, shiny, clean home?  Nope.  Absolutely not!  From my actions on that Monday, I didn't even deserve to eat dinner. 

Grace is getting what we simply do not deserve...at all! 

Jesus is the author of grace.  John 3:16 states that he died for our sins.  Jesus, perfect Jesus died on a cross.  Jesus took the blame of all of the world's sins, suffered and died so that we don't have to spend an eternity in hell.  All we have to do to receive his grace, is give him our lives.

If you're not sure how to do this, all you have to do is to ask him into your heart.  Pray with me :

Sweet Jesus.  I love you, I know that I am a sinner.  I am coming and asking you to come into my heart this day and to please forgive me of all of my sins.  I want to spend eternity with you in heaven.  Amen

If you prayed that prayer, please email me.  I would LOVE to talk with you and help you along the way.  If you have any questions, please feel free to email me as well.

Until next time...

Hello & welcome

Hello!

Welcome to my little corner of the world...or internet! 

I'm not sure what brought your here, but I hope that while you are here that you will be encouraged, lifted up and  that we may share some laughs & happy tears!

First of all, please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Keisha, I am in my early thrties, I am a mother to two great energetic kids (who have drove me to drinking coffee daily). I am also married to a wonderful (also very energetic) man who loves Jesus, loves me and our children and who loves Jesus, but hates spiders.

I spend my weekdays from 8:00-5:00 looking at teeth.  At other times, I can be found surrounded by my little people, my husband, our animals or my church family. Some people would probably say that I live in a box.  From the outside it would appear that  I am always at home, at church, at work, at the grocery store or the monthly PTO meeting.

My life may "look" perfect from the outside, but on the inside you would see that I am far from perfect.  I only serve a perfect savior, named Jesus who I strive to be like more and more each day.  I've failed at that millions of times, but Jesus continues to pick me up, brush me off and shows me that I am his each and every time I fail, no matter what.

I also strive to get out of that little box that some would say that I live in.  I want out, so that I can reach out to others and show them the love that Jesus has shown me.  He's pretty amazing!

So, join me on this adventure!  Hopefully there will be fun times ahead!

Please comment below so that I know that you're here.  Feel free to leave a prayer request, or to email them to me at imaginehisblessings@yahoo.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time!

Keisha
Ephesians 3:20