Learn From Me

The mental list of things to do looms large, until my head feels heavy under the weight of all my thoughts. 102_2188

All the things that need to get done. All the stuff I worry about, stress over.

There is always something more.

Each day adds to the list.

Yet, God tells me not to worry. He is here.  What will worry add to my life?

And I know that, but most days I don’t live it.

Not really.

“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.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

Learn from me…….

Yes, Lord. Yes.

 

 

 

His Eyes Are On Me

I love to listen to my husband sing.                                                                                    IMG_0361

Yesterday he sang, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, at church.

Beautiful song, beautiful voice.

Words that remind me.

A Love that defines me.

No matter how great my problems are, or how seemingly insignificant…

God sees.

His eyes are on me, and He misses nothing.

I am so very thankful for that.

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  1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
    Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
    When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

    • Refrain:
      I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
      For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
  2. “Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
    And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
    Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
  3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
    When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
    I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
    His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

    —  His Eye Is On The Sparrow,  Civilla D. Martin 1905

Early Morning Blessings

The early morning sun shone briefly, before giving way to a steel gray sky. IMG_0187

The wind bit hard, even as I snuggled into my coat. The hood blew back and hair went wild in the wind. I strained to see through the strands blowing crazy.

Oh Autumn, you leave me chilled and chattering.

Faded hues of autumn, framed by gray skies.

Barren branches like gnarly fingers, scratching the sky.

The door, caught in the wind, slams shut. The sound echoes over the roar of the morning wind.

The smell of coffee, and the welcoming warmth from hands wrapped around the mug.

The light pools on the kitchen table as I type out life. What it means to live in this moment. To feel time, just exactly as it is in the now.

So many things to get done, before  true winter arrives. I am not quite ready. The thought crosses my mind, are any of us ever ready?

And yet, time slows as I gaze out my kitchen window. I notice some oranges and reds still clinging to trees across the field.

Fields left scraggly and broken, where summer’s corn once stood.

Those leaves fighting against the wind for their last moments of glory.

Even though there is much to do, and a million things on my list…I stop.

And I realize that I am happy.

I thank God for His blessings…because no matter how busy, or hectic the days may be

He has given me much, so much.

I bask in the warmth of His love.

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There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens… Ecclesiates 3:1 NIV

 

 

Fighting The Battle

I have several friends that are fighting battles. IMG_0253

Each morning they get up, put on their armor, and start their day.

Oh, you’ll not see the armor, it is invisible, but they are fighters nonetheless.

They do hard battle and they are left tired and weary from the struggles.

Early onset Alzheimer’s. How does this happen to a man in his 40’s?  Each day my friend loses a little more of her husband.

She loves in the midst of the battle. She deserves a medal of honor for faith in action.

Another friend, pours over information….searching for the answers.

Mitochondrial disease is a thief that steals a normal life from her teenage son.

Although he has come far, the journey is long. She deserves a badge of courage for never giving up on him.

My brother in law, saddened by the news that his dear friend from college died. At 43, it was way too young.

He went to sleep and didn’t wake up. A wife and a child, and friends and family are left to mourn this life cut short.

Tears flow for the fallen.

Another family constantly on edge as their seven year old, fights for his life. Cancer is an uninvited guest in this family’s life.

Infection rages through his young body and prayers go before the throne for healing and health.

This young boy is a fighter, in the thick of  battle.

Shoulders heavy with the burden, knees buckle under the weight.

Hearts ache, lives are changed.

Life is hard. So hard. And aren’t we all acquainted with grief in some form?

Even those of us that are Christ followers, struggle with the “why me?”. And in the back of our minds, maybe never uttered aloud is  the, “I don’t deserve this. This was not part of my plan. How, God, could You allow this?”

And the brokenness of our world cracks wide open…along with our hearts.

When sin entered this world, it brought with it the pain we all feel.

The tightening in our chest from life tilting us until we are sick.

It is at these times when it is difficult to see God’s hand, when His plans don’t make sense, that we are called to rely on what we do know about God, instead of demanding answers to what we don’t and cannot know.

I remind myself, of this too……

Seek God daily, build intimacy and relationship with Him, so that when the darkest of times come, and they come for us all, we will have the assurance of God’s love and presence…even in the dark….when we can’t see. He will lead us through the darkest of valleys–to the other side.

 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV

 

A Reminder Of His Love

A reminder from a previous blog post….. I’ve been thinking about the wonders of His love lately.

The Wonders Of His Love


The ceramic ornament slipped off the counter and hit the floor hard. Cracked. Broken. In pieces.102_4811

 

A cry escaped, as I stared at the crumbles and bits of what was left on the floor.

 

I had just gotten the decoration that day, from Day Spring…and I was disappointed at where my gift had ended up.

 

My kids helped me pick up the pieces. Super glued it back together. Fixed it.

 

But, the cracks are still visible. The heart is broken.

 

A reminder…

 

For the words on the ornament read, “Wonders of His Love”.

 

Oh yes, the wonders of His love. The words sink into my own heart.

 

His body was broken for me. His heart leaked for me, the sinner. The blood. His blood poured out.

 

All because of His great love.

 

I flipped the ornament over and looked at the spidery crack that ran through the printed verse on back.

 

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 NIV

A New Day

The October, early morning wind blew cold.                                                                                                     IMG_0472

I pulled the warmth from the hoodie closer as I completed my morning chores.

I love the early hours. It is quiet, before the rest of the world has awakened.

The day has a plethora of  possibilities, fresh and new.

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Today I am thankful for:

* a warm bed and rumpled blankets

* kitties that paw at the door

* dog licks

* quiet house

* warm hoodie

* beautiful pink and purple sky

* a slow start to the morning

* watching a favorite show with a friend

* mocha latte

* getting laundry done

* God who wants relationship

 

 

For The Love Of Laundry

I can’t believe it is already Friday…again. The days, they move with lightening speed. IMG_0357

Today’s Five Minute Friday prompt is: LAUNDRY.

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When I first saw today’s prompt, I thought, laundry? Really? What is there to say about laundry?

Stinky clothes. Stained with mud and crud.

Piles of laundry…never ending mounds and pounds of clothes.

Ordinary, mundane, several times a week, laundry.

Have to get it done, not really a choice. A chore that I can do without thinking about it.

But, as I write this, something occurs to me.

Sometimes the greatest things can be found in the most simple and ordinary. (and no, I don’t mean finding change in jeans pockets…although that is a perk)

I am thankful for the family members that wear these clothes.

I am grateful that I have a washer and dryer and don’t have to lug all this mess to the Laund-O-Rama. (been there, done that)

After all, there is a story in my Mt. Washmore.

The story of our lives.

 

 

What Kind Of Impact Will You Have?

We all have an impact on this world. The question is, what kind of impact will you have during your lifetime?       IMG_0162

Don’t we all want to have a positive impact?

Make a real difference?

Know that the world is a better place for us having been here?

I’ve just started reading a series by Dr. Charles Stanley entitled 30 Life Principles. The first life principle is, Our intimacy with God– His highest priority for our lives–determines the impact of our lives.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2  NIV

I don’t know about you, but when I take the time to seriously think about it, I am in awe of the fact that the Creator of the universe wants to have a relationship with me. Me. The one who messes up more than she cares to admit. The woman that gets tired and cranky, can become obsessive over having things done “the right” way, cries at silly commercials, loves old things, talks too much or doesn’t talk enough, lives and loves imperfectly.

Yes, me.

God wants relationship.

I will never fully understand anything, if I don’t grasp that.

I believe that God has a plan for me, as He tells me in His Word. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

If God has a plan, and I want to make an impact, doesn’t it make sense that I would long to draw close to the One who makes all this possible?

Unfortunately, I mess this up. I’m busy, I’m tired, I’m frustrated…..emotions that can make intimacy difficult. And yet, even in the midst of my mess, God reaches out to me.

He never gives up on me.

 

My Cup Overflows

Although life is not perfect, it is good.

Although sadness has left scars, life is happy.

Life is surprising even within the realm of the ordinary.

Each step leads to another. Days become years.                                                                       Road-3-Country-Side

The path is worn with decisions made.

But, You alone know the number of my days. Each one is recorded in Your book.

You knew me as I was being formed in my mother’s womb…

and You will know me on that day, when I finally come home.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  Psalm 23

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Today I have so much to be thankful for:

* being up when the stars still light the morning sky

* birthday parties

* moist chocolate cake

* hanging out with friends

* beautiful countryside

* country back roads

* deer in the field

* husband that goes out of his way to help me

* loving my husband and him loving me

* son that received an acceptance notice from one of the colleges of his choice! So happy for him.

* warm house on chilly days

* finishing staining my daughter’s desk, fixing up her room

* plenty of everything that I truly need

Thank you, Lord.

 

 

 

 

Laugh Your Head Off

Sometimes when life seems crazy and out of control….

When the roof leaks and you notice the water spot on the ceiling, above your bed, growing….

When your elderly cat pees on the laundry room floor and you are the one blessed to clean it up…..

When the dog barks at 3am….again…….

When the to list has become a monkey on your back…..

And all you really want is to take a nap. Or to read a good book. Or enjoy a really rich cup of hot chocolate, but then you remember you can’t drink milk anymore…….

It is at times like these when one needs to laugh.

Laugh hard. Laugh loud. Throw in a couple of good snorts.

Laugh until your sides ache, and your eyes water.

Then laugh some more.

Laughter is good for the body…..and the soul.

God gave us a sense of humor, and we were created in His image.

I think God has a sense of humor too. He must.

On this note, I’ve pulled some funny blog posts from my archives, to hopefully give you some good laughs today:)

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Of Mice and Men…Uh Make That Women Too.

4 Nov

Life is difficult right now for a lot of people. The economy is in a slump, people not being able to find jobs, penny pinching is the norm.  We could all use a good laugh, and because I don’t mind using my own fiasco’s of life to make for a good story and hopefully some smiles….here it is.

Those of you that have been reading my blog for awhile know that my family moved into our new house this past summer. We had built it ourselves (of course with the help of at least a million other people) and are pretty happy with how things have turned out.  Except for the fact that since we built our house in the middle of what used to be open farmland, basically a big field, we have field mice. Okay, so we moved into their territory…..they need to get over it! They invaded our garage in full rodent force.   That was bad enough as I am not friends of rodents named Mickey, Stuart, or Jerry.  Well, really I’m not friends with any rodents. Period.Um….as a matter of fact I am an arch enemy. Just so you know where I stand.

So, the fact we had these furry creatures in our garage was bad enough……but when one escaped into the living quarters of the house…..and by living quarters I mean the master bedroom/bath…..this was all out war! So, here is the story from my point of view, others might say differently (namely my husband) but don’t listen to them…because I’m telling the story here.

The other night I had to use the bathroom before going to bed. (as God gave me the bladder the size of a pea, that is just my burden to bear) It was a little after 10 and I was tired. I trudged into the bathroom and had just sat down when IT ran right under my feet. At this point my brain has not caught up with my vocal cords.  As I lifted my feet straight off the floor I let out a scream. My brain kicked in when my husband came tearing into the bathroom, at my obvious distress. The fact that I’m sitting on the toilet with my legs stuck straight out, pointing at the corner of the room….. he guessed it was the mouse.  He is a smart man.  I, still perched on the toilet, told him “to get it!”  He grabbed a trap we had (since we had been trying to get the fur ball since the evening before) and he cornered the mouse.  Long story short the mouse got his leg caught in the trap and there was a lot of squealing going on. (by the mouse,not my husband) My husband stood there with a wriggling mouse. He was my hero!  The Mouse Master!

So, he wasn’t sure what to do with it since it was still alive. He took it outside where our outdoor kitty saw him and thought to herself, ” Daddy, thank you so much! You brought me a night time snack. How thoughtful of you.” She took off with it and needless to say the bathroom mouse was no more.

As an ending to the story I had to clean up the mouse “remnants” the next morning. Yuck. I know why I hate mice and their little “presents” they leave behind.  I cloroxed everything. Let that clean aroma be a deterrent to any other rodents that get the idea that they can share my house. The only time I’m interested in seeing a rodent is if it’s on TV being chased by Tom.

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Simply NOT Acceptable

24 Jan

Wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) in the Nether...

Last night I was in bed, all propped up with pillows, snuggled in my super soft blanket, hubby by my side.  I was checking out something on my lap top with one eye while I watched TV with the other. (it’s  a gift) Then I saw IT. Well, I thought I saw it. Okay, I sort of saw it, out of the corner of my eye. A small, black mouse. I thought it might be my imagination, or a shadow. I tried to make myself feel better, but it didn’t work. I had hubby turn down the TV volume so I could listen. I have super bat-like hearing. The slightest squeak, rustle, or gnawing and I would hear it. I’m freaky that way. A slight rub on the side of one of my baskets…..a black flash scooted in front of the french doors. AAaaggggh!

Hubby set a trap, and placed it near the wall on my side of bedroom. My first thought was, what if I have to get up to pee in the middle of the night and forget the trap is there and snap my toe off? Stinkin’ rodent, putting me through this turmoil, and right before bed!!!! I finally got to sleep worrying that this mouse would wait until I’m sound asleep and then gnaw my face off. I have a vivid imagination.

This morning I carefully got up (it was still dark outside) and assessed the situation with the light from my cell phone. (didn’t want to turn the light on and bother hubby) I did not see a dead mouse. Ugh. I tiptoed around ( I have no idea why…I didn’t want to disturb the renegade mouse??!!) .

I made my way out to the dining room and kitchen. As I flipped on the light I saw our cat, Nikki, laying on the rug in front of the fire place. Just then—flash—the black shadow ran behind some pictures that I have leaning against the wall. I picked Nikki up and threw her at the pictures. Bless her heart she had no idea what was going on. She had her back to the whole mouse situation and didn’t see it and now her owner is throwing her and telling her to “sic it”.  Poor girl. She’ll need pet therapy.

Then it was 8 am and time to let the dog out. My son’s new little dog is part Fox Terrier/Schipperke. Both these  types of dogs have hunting small animals in their blood. Their ancestors are fox, squirrel,  and rat killers. A small field mouse should be a piece of cake. Alas, he was more worried in going to the bathroom than catching a sly field mouse.He and I are going to have a talk.

Now as I sit here typing, I notice Nikki stalking around the living room. I think she is on the scent. She is intently watching….something. If Lonnie, the wonder dog, sees the mouse it will be toast. He already nearly destroyed the cat’s stuffed gerbil toy. Wahahaha!  House pets, unite!

If this situation is an example of how the rest of the day is going to go, well than I am in trouble.

Lonnie, Nikki, and I are going on a mouse hunt.

It is totally unacceptable to me to have even one lone mouse in the house. I cannot deal with it. Dirty, disgusting, nasty varmint.