Month: March 2019

Do you remember or know of the show, “Thomas (the Tank Engine) and Friends?”

I was thinking about them this morning now that my son is so into Mario and wondered where the time had gone…

It’s sad sometimes to watch him grow up so fast.

But I remember Thomas always being concerned about whether or not, he was “useful.” I thought of this this morning when doing my daily devotionals and wondered: Am I a devoted Christian? Am I useful?

Right now I have my son who woke up early literally hanging over the keyboard watching me type.

“Are you spelling?” he asked.

“Yes,” I told him. And he easily lost interest in me.

He sees me “spelling” like this every morning now and has started to (sometimes) call it blogging.

I think it’s great that he sees me spending time with the Lord and then blogging as for me it is (I’ve decided) what makes me a devoted Christian, one that is useful by sharing their words with God and His world. The world wide web. And you can’t get any bigger than that! It’s what makes me feel useful.

I started to worry yesterday about this blogging business though and whether or not anyone would ever read it anyways. But now after contemplating it, I’ve decided to go on doing it every day because it’s what I have to GIVE to God and that’s all that matters. In the long run, even if my service is small, it is what I have been called to do. So in that way, I will be diligent.

Do you have anything that you feel you give to the Lord daily?

It’s not meant to make you feel guilty. Any type of service harbors a more intimate relationship with God and helps you throughout your day. It could even be what you do for a living, I don’t know. But either way with the intention comes big rewards. And Amen to that!

I pray today that you are feeling holy, joyous and free and that God directs your day with whatever service it is that He needs from you—because you are special to Him and truly one of usefulness. Amen.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you as my chosen instrument and before you were born, I separated and set you apart, consecrating you; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Jeremiah 1:5

This morning I woke up late…I mean really late. Some may even call this afternoon. I don’t know.

I haven’t been feeling well lately and I’m still on those darn antibiotics. Yesterday, in fact, I was down all day long so I’m trying to look at today as some type of feat. At least I got up for some of it.

I hate staying in bed all day sick, don’t you?

They say that sometimes it’s God’s way of telling us to slow down, to take a break, (being sick), but either way I find it hard. Especially when you battle depression the way I do and anxiety as well.

Today, is St. Patty’s Day and probably the most sober I’ve ever been for one. It hasn’t been such a bad day, all in all, when I consider that I’m out of bed, on my feet, and even though I’m counting my blessings late today…that I AM counting them at all.

I used to be someone much different than I am now.

I used to have…bad habits.

I didn’t know this about myself at the time though, and I think that for the most part my innocence got me into trouble. I used to hang with some rough crowds back in the day, and this didn’t help me either.

Today though, with God’s help, I am living a completely different life and one that I am proud of. I am happy, joyous and free because of Him.

Today even though I woke up late, I feel much better than yesterday. I give myself credit for doing my blog and waking up to face the day at all. Sometimes we need to love ourselves…more.

God loves us and He wants us to love ourselves too. So whatever you end up doing on St. Patrick’s Day, please know you are loved, and blessed—not lucky—but blessed. And Amen to that! Here’s to the holiday and another day living joyous and free. Amen.

“For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!

Isaiah 41:13

My computer is giving me slow mode this morning, meanwhile, I’m in fast mode (for what reason I have no clue). Either way, this morning I jumped out of bed and took off doing my daily morning tasks like it was a race.

A race is sometimes to beat my five year old to the punch. Or, in my case, the coffee…

He slept in this morning; however, and it gave me just enough time to get ready and start this blog post. Until…

My computer stopped responding. The whirling little circle kept telling me it needed more time. To be patient. Thank you for holding…you know the drill. When you are in (what feels like a race), and obstacles are in your way? It seems to make you grow even more impatient.

This morning I must remind myself that there is no race.

In fact, any time I feel pressured or pushed, it is time to cool down. Slow it down. Take a deep breath and think of those people who drive 5 miles per hour to the store. Be like them. Because meanwhile you’re behind them, can pass them quickly, and somehow you both pull into the store side by side anyways.

It doesn’t always pay to rush and I’ve learned over the years that rushing can cause pain in the long run. Things come with due time and in God’s hand—His time (for me) will always be the right time. And Amen to that!

Today Lord, remind us that life is not a race, but a journey. Help us to enjoy each and every moment. And to look to You for our direction throughout the day. Amen.

“My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.” Psalm 62:5

Now, it makes no sense to me to take medicine that makes you sick in order to get better.

But that’s what I’m doing.

Doctor’s orders.

Have you ever taken an antibiotic that makes you have…bathroom issues? (I sound like a commercial), but that is my current situation. Between snotting all over the computer and running to the B-Room, this blog will be as good as it gets.

Today though, is such a glorious day outside that I HAD TO—I mean HAD TO pull up my bootstraps and get out of bed already so I could enjoy some of it. The sun is shining, and it is nearly tee shirt weather out there.

The Grandparent’s Tea I talked about yesterday was a total and complete hit and I can’t tell you how blessed this family is to have the family that we do. My father was unable to make it do to Florida’s bike week, but my mom, and mother and father in law were in attendance, as were all of the kid’s in my son’s class and his teacher as they performed the greatest tea time hits, including “I’m a little tea pot.”

It was so cute.

Do you ever marvel at some of the cutest things that God gives us and wonder…? I marvel at the fact that my five-year-old is even mine and wonder. I am so blessed. God must love us more than we could ever understand. And all we can do is bask in his sunlight and be grateful. “Jesus loves us” was another song that the kids sang, and it would so awesome to see.

I hope you get moments of awesomeness in your life too, but more so, I hope that you can really “see” them and learn to appreciate the little things in life. It is God’s plan for us all to search for Him and I can see Him in so many things around me. He has blessed me, and it has made me whole. And Amen to that!

This scripture comes from Joyce Meyer from her devotional book, “Starting your day right: Devotions for each morning of the year.” It’s from July 27^th. The devotion is titled, “God Works While You Rest.”

“Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]. Ephesians 3:20

Well, friends, today is over the hump day and also a day my mom is coming for my five-year-old for a sleep over. Yay!

I’m hoping I can get this blog out and done by the time we have “Grandparent’s Tea;” a thing they are doing at school this morning, but I don’t know.

We woke up later today at the sound of the alarm instead of my five-year-old yelling “Mommy” at the top of his lungs, so today we are pressed for time.

I still made time for Jesus and meditated, but blogging will always come second when it comes to prayer and getting my life in order beforehand.

Do you have things you prioritize in your life in this way?

I have found that if I don’t wake up and do my certain routine, God included, that my days don’t go as well.

Grandparent’s Tea is the cutest thing. It’s an invite for all of the grandparents to come to the church and share tea, brunch items, and for the kids to sing and do skits in appreciation of their grandparents. I think it is lovely and my five-year-old is so excited about it all. Mainly because WE are excited.

Have you ever noticed that when you get excited about something, that it spreads?

I love this part of life. It’s part of what makes me a promoter I guess, but I love to get excited about life and celebrate it as much as possible.

Today we woke up to a day without sun, but we know that with the Son, today will shine. I pray you have a great day and celebrate life today too—sunshine on your shoulders or not. With God’s help, you got this! And Amen to that!

“For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9

My computer has a security feature through its camera lens that gives it the ability to screen shot you and “know it’s you” in order to let you into the computer. Isn’t that fancy?

Each morning it says: “Looking for you…”

It makes me feel so important.

But, I can’t tell you how sad it makes me when it doesn’t recognize me.

Normally, all I have to do is smile though and then it unlocks, but for the most part, it got me thinking about my face and how holding my face in a “smile” must somehow make me…well, me. And that’s a good thing.

At least I think…

Do you ever keep a “face” on throughout your day in order to feel more like yourself?

I do, and this morning my meditation centered around perfection and how so many times we “act” a certain part or play a certain role, even if it’s only for ourselves. Unlocking a computer screen using my typical “face” taught me something though. It showed me that for the most part, I am someone who “looks” happy. Someone who likes to spread this happiness around. But is that real? Is it the truth, I wondered…?

For the most part I am happy. But that is only because I choose to be happy (as I said yesterday). I will admit to you though, that sometimes at night I feel somewhat empty. It can have me feeling deflated. Do you ever feel this way? I try to keep my prayers into consideration and think of good things before I go to sleep though, regardless, because I want to have good dreams. Thinking of good things, (I think) helps with dreaming good things too. And typically, after my nightly prayers I feel somewhat refreshed and it helps with this draining feeling that the day sometimes brings on.

I’ve had my fair share of both good and bad dreams, but have you ever had dreams that were so good that when you woke up you were disappointed with real life? I’ve had TONS of these dreams. Once I even dreamt (most recently) that we had tons of money, lived in a castle, and that McDonald’s started selling customizable cupcakes. It was glorious!

But then I woke up.

And I was still me. In the same house, without pastries around the corner.

Dreams…they are such weird things. Some would suggest feelings of disappointment in waking up from good dreams like this, but it’s taken me nearly forty years to feel grateful instead. It’s something I work on, but I love my every day REAL life. Sometimes it sucks, but at the end of the day, even when I’m feeling drained, I love my small house and living on a dime and being in love with my husband and having a small child that delights me every day. When I count my blessings like this, I “smile” without having to. And my computer unlocks on its own.

Do you ever have dreams that you remember? Most of mine vanish after I wake up. I don’t want to dream my life away and some days seem so hard enough on their own that it’s okay with me if I don’t remember them. So until my next day dream, here’s to putting on a good face and pretending that it’s all okay. Because in God’s hands, we know that it is. And Amen to that! I pray today that you have good dreams both day and night and allow yourself that feeling of smiling without it being forced. I pray that you are smiling because you are truly happy. Amen.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

My son is complaining this morning about his legs hurting.

“They hurt when I move my feet,” he said.

“Well…then don’t move your feet,” I said.

In all actuality, I know why his legs hurt. He was up at one of his grandparent’s houses yesterday playing and bike riding with the neighbor kids.

“Your legs hurt because you aren’t used to bike riding yet,” I told him. “The muscles you aren’t used to using got used, and now they are sore and are causing you some pain. But it will be okay.”

Such is life.

He didn’t seem to take heed, but I knew that eventually this summer once we get him built up that he would be happy to ride his bike and the soreness (like anything in due time) would diminish.

It all got me thinking metaphorically about life though and how if we don’t exercise our certain abilities or muscles, or anything that it might cause us pain upon first starting out again. Maybe that’s why they say it’s so hard to fall “off the wagon” because getting back on can seem even harder.

Do you have anything that you haven’t exercised in a while?

I know for me it is definitely physical exercise and I’m not looking forward to the strain when it gets nice out again. I (was) in the habit of walking what I called, “the line” each day. It was merely a sidewalk in a local park that I used to get some fresh air after talking with the Lord each morning. That part I do look forward to, but this summer I plan on taking my bicycling kid along with me too. Together we can put an end to our muscles that ache and build up ones that are strong. If we find trouble we will call upon the Lord; because we know he will always fix our flat tires. And Amen to that!

And just because we are pained today doesn’t mean we can’t be happy. It is a joyous occasion to feel pain that tells us we are getting better and not worse. And in that way we can count our soreness as a blessing, not a disdain. We can take it as a good sign. We are getting stronger.

I hope that even though you might find troubles today, that you can choose to be happy. That is what we are doing here. It may be rough, but it’s the one of the best decisions you could ever make. Choose to be happy and overall, things become fresh and new. Even with sore muscles! Amen.

“My mouth shall praise You with joyful lips when I remember You upon my bed and meditate on You in the night watches. For You have been my help.” Psalm 63:5-7

 

I was dizzy yesterday.

I mean, so dizzy that I felt like someone knocked me over and I was staring at the ceiling, the world spinning around me.

I’m hoping I don’t have a sinus infection but for now I am praying it’s just allergies.

Have you ever been knocked down by something so hard you felt like the world was spinning?

I have.

I was married once before. Have I told you this yet? Anyways, the divorce (and unfortunately the marriage), was brutal. It broke me into a million pieces and I never thought I’d get back up again.

With God’s help though, my heart mended and then I met the love of my life—my husband now. We share a five year old son together and my life is better than it’s ever been. I could not have dreamed for something better.

So if you have been knocked down, don’t give up hope. There may be a reason you’re currently on the floor. Look up. God is there for you. He is waiting to hear from you and loves to give you His responses.

I pray today is a good one full of family and love for you, as that is what we are planning on here. Everyday I wake up and want to blog. So, this has made me very happy. I know it is God’s calling for me but it has taken decades for me to figure this all out. When I was going through my divorce, I started talking with God in the early mornings…then I started talking to Him all the time. It helped. It’s the only thing that did. I relied on Him with my life, and he pulled me through and has since during many sticky situations.

It took me a while to figure out this correlation but truly, my “God time” in these early mornings and afterwards is when I write. And I always feel better after my time in God’s presence. I’m pretty sure that’s why I love blogging so much. Do you have something you love doing? What is your passion? Do you feel your passion is Godly?

God bless you. And have a good day.

“Blessed is he who considers the weak and the poor; the Lord will deliver him in the time of evil and trouble.” Psalm 41:1

 

 

Good morning and welcome to March 8^th. Today is International Women’s Day.

I am late today in writing my blog because I just had to color today’s graphic in order to include it. Don’t you think it’s pretty?

Every day the app called, “Happy Color” gives us four or so new colorings and sometimes (I’ll try to be honest without being mean), they are slim pickins.

Anyway, I wanted to write today about what a privilege it is to be a mom but mostly what a blessing it is to be one that can choose to stay at home.

Money is tight. And things can get rough sometimes around here, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being a stay at home mom these past five years has been my biggest blessing and one I’m so thankful for; however, sometimes I think going to work would be easier. And some days I question my sanity. Mainly these moments are brief though, and just times I’ve yearned for more adult interaction.

Adult interaction is key in maintaining stay at home mom sanity. And luckily, that’s why there is a local mom’s group that meets twice a month at a local church nearby. For all of us that stay at home or are on mom journeys of all kinds. It’s a wonderful community of women and one that I visited for the first time (in a long time) yesterday.

Long story short, there I was enjoying the conversations and atmosphere when I started feeling sick.

You know that feeling in your stomach when you know you’re going to throw up and you look around and do the quick math…that’s what happened to me. Where’s the bathroom?!

I was mortified. At least I made it to the bathroom, but for no reason at all there I was sick in the middle of a room full of fun.

My son was so upset we had to leave and just didn’t understand any of it, but I’ll tell you one thing: we will be back! I decided to not be ashamed, (because it could happen to anyone), and I’ve decided to make it a point to return to this mom’s group and show face even though my last experience proved gross and embarrassing. And that to me is gutsy. Call it little…call it what you will…but for me I’m proud of this courageous choice. The puke girl will show her face once again!

Choices like these: ones that avoid isolation is what keeps this stay at home mom feeling alive and free. It’s what makes a mom that stays at home sensible and collected instead of one that suffers in isolation. And Amen to that! Happy International Women’s Day!

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” Psalm 37:3

 

Yesterday, for no reason at all, I decided to bake a cake.

To be specific a chocolate cake with white icing and sprinkles on top.

However, while at Walmart going through the self check out, I must have somehow forgot to check out the two mini tubes of icing because when I got to the car they weren’t in a bag. It made me suspicious that because they weren’t bagged, that maybe I forgot to check them out.

Now…tell me how certain you are that you would or would not have gone back into the frigid air and back into Walmart to see if you paid for them or not?

Right now it sounds like a no brainer, but yesterday for five seconds I was on the fence. I didn’t want to go back and knew that this simple purchase probably didn’t matter in the long run anyway. At one point I even rationalized “what” Walmart probably owed me over the years…but…

I went back in anyways.

Turns out, I had not paid for the two icings. They ended up totaling $2.37. The cashier didn’t seem surprised and acted like it happens all the time. And that’s what got me thinking…

I’m not owed anything and my so called “good will” was only doing what I should have done in the first place. (Granted later in the day I did get a check from Walmart from a class action suit totaling $137.00, but that’s besides the point, and probably a huge coincidence). It doesn’t matter.

Doing the “right thing” should be the “only thing” that we do, and not for any other reason. Being nice and doing the right things and NOT expecting anything in return is what God would want us all to do. And it’s (obviously) something I need to work on.

The comforting part of the whole story is this: the woman wasn’t surprised. The cashier simply checked my receipt, saw I didn’t have two Fun Fetti icings on my slip and checked me out. Because she must do this all the time, tells me that most people do the right thing. They come back. Pay for their items. And are on their way. That is settling. And I’m sure it makes God happy.

Have you done anything lately that you are especially proud of? The so called, “right things” when given the chance? I’ll tell you one thing, I was proud of the cake that was made from the icing I bought! We ate the Fun Fetti with no guilt attached too! And Amen to that!

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9