This Year... Go Ahead and Adopt Somebody !

    Hebrews 13:1-  Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. ( NIV )
                 
          It's December 31st, I'm sitting on my couch with my feet up and enjoying a cup of coffee and the sound of two girls laughing while playing Yahtzee at our kitchen table. The snow is falling ,  the air is cold outside, but my heart is warmed by the sight in front of me. Two young girls without natural sisters by birth, yet they took on one another.Loving each other as sisters.
        My daughter has longed for a sister for some years now. Sandwiched between two brothers, she often has voiced her desire for a major need for "girl time." Last summer was my daughters first year at camp. She was entering her freshman year in high-school and bravely took on the endevour to go to a  youth camp in California. There is where she met a Senior girl from her youth group.
        My daughter laughs now at how they never knew each other before camp. Even though they both attended the same church . The beautiful senior  that week painted my daughters nails, braided her hair the whole trip and trailed her along wherever she went. As the week ended at camp this beautiful 18 year old told my 14 year old, " I have always wanted a sister, you are like the little sister I never had."
       Since the summer these two girls have called each other back and forth, gone to the mall, taken hikes together, and done sleepovers, even taken her caroling with the college group at church. This young gal has become to my daughter like the sister she has never had. I tell my daughter quite often , "Sometimes when we don't have family members in life we long for , we adopt them!" It is a great reminder that God see's and knows just what we need.
        Today I asked the girls to remind me how many years they were apart. They told me there is four years between them. I then told the girls,"when I was just my daugher's age,I also had a 19 year old at the time adopt me too. She was my neighbor across the street who had grown up with since age 4. For some reason in my teens we bonded like sisters. She adopted me and I adopted her. We are like sisters to this day, calling each other every other day or so and getting together when we can."I don't know if she will ever truly know how she helped me as a young teen. I was lonely and there she was, treating me just like the sister I needed.
             Sometimes life gives us sisters by birth, sometimes it doesn't. But there is always someone out there who can use one, who knows it may be you! I am so thankful for my friend/ sister who adopted me as her own in my teens. I am so very thankful for this beautiful senior in high school who has adopted my daughter as if she was her very own sister. 
             My question this new year is who needs me ? Who needs you? You could make a huge difference in someones life.Someone younger than you or older.An elderly person who has lost a spouse, or a child who has lost a parent. Before you panic, say you don't have money or embrace legal paperwork, don't worry. It is an adoption of the heart to love as brothers.
            Even in church we can be lonely, and why? If we each take the time to invest in one lonely brother or sister, what difference would that make? I can only encourage you by saying there is a 14 year old girl in my home that it has made the world of difference to. There is a 18 year old young woman in my home who is modeling a beautiful example to me this new year.There are too many lonely to not adopt someone. So this New Year, Go ahead and adopt somebody !

Romans 12:10

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

In Real Life... There Will Be a Remodel

            Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
            My husband occasionally has a side job of putting finishing trim in newly built houses. He had just such a job on a house a couple months ago. I was with him on the run for the day and got to see the brand spanking new beauty. I walked in and my jaw dropped.It was not too large, not too small, just perfect. I, being woman, immediately pictured myself , my three kids and husband in it. Living , loving, Ah life ! It was just the right space. It was perfect ! However the price was not perfect, and when the job was done we headed back to our little fixer upper, AKA "our cottage!"                                                               My husband asked me right away on the drive home what was wrong? I guess it showed all over my face. I wanted perfect. I wanted that perfect home, new, bright , fresh. Not one thing to do in it but decorate, decorate , decorate!  But I knew it was about two doctor careers out of our budget. I sulked a little and then we returned to the home the Lord has blessed us with. I picked my pouty heart up and thanked the Lord for our little cottage. Then I think I began doing the dishes :)
            Now, two months later, we have begun a remodel. You see our home is far from perfect,but we do have a vision for it. So three weeks ago my husband did the first major task of taking a hammer to a wall that separated our kitchen from our living room. The dust was everywhere. 1100 sq feet and broken dry wall and sawed off 2 x 4s can make any woman want to scream. However as the wall came down my vision became broader. I could see it now. It was like an IKEA living room /kitchen model before me that they set up in their stores to envisions small spaces. Could it be too, with the wall gone, we can have more people over and not be cut off by this wall that made it hard to move. I was so excited! 
           The next week my husband tore down our upper kitchen cabinets. They had been built under a box that went all around our kitchen. Our need for space, space and more space drove him to smash the box down too, leading him to cutting electrical wires and re-wiring and then reconstructing the wall. We are now into the third week. So here I am , my vision is there but frustrated,. My upper cabinets  are in the back ready for the dump and the new are still in boxes. My kitchen table is covered in glasses, cups, vases and cookware. Did I mention we live in 1100 sq feet. I sweep, I mop and then I do it again as my husband puts up dry wall and sands down dry wall mud making things just right. Meanwhile we live, breath and eat in a mess of tools, bits of wood and dust, dust , dust.I know someday this will all be a bad memory, but today it is very real. We are remodeling. Our home is far from perfect. Our home is not the brand new model home I was ready to move into,Our home needs work.
           Did you know God is working on us too. Just as my husband is working on our home. God has a vision for you and for me. We are a new creation, no doubt. A gift from God is that He now sees us through what Christ did for us when we accept Him as Lord and Savior. But that does not mean there is not work to be done. Philippians 1:6-being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
 He is working. I still remember the Sunday school song I loved to sing sitting with my Grandma on her couch. " He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. It took him just a week to make the  moon and the stars. The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be. He's still working on me.
             I know there is a change immediately with salvation. Then the Holy Spirit moves in and begins working. He is knocking down a wall of unkindness and rebuilding it. Tearing down cabinets that harbor unforgiveness and replacing them with something more beautiful. Taking a hammer  that blocks me in , that isolates me to self. He opens up my heart like my husband is opening up our little space and makes it what He envisions. I often think I have done better only to meet another challenge. " God ?", I ask, " I thought I did this already?" I see the dust again, the imperfections of my heart as I read His word. I realize there is more He longs to do. I still am not as quick to forgive as I thought. I still am not merciful and kind as I dreamed. God is still in a remodel of my heart.
            Remodeling is never fun. Often times God brings to light something ugly in our heart. He holds a hammer ,His active Word (Heb 4:12-For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. )and says," Okay ready for the remodel?Will you be inconvenienced by the dust, debris, and allow me to make something more spacious and beautiful?" I hope I say," Yes Lord, Yes! Take that away and work on me!"
            I love our cottage, but I do not want it to stay the same. Sure it will take time to make it more lovely, more open , more welcoming. I love knowing Jesus too, but I don't want to stay the same. It may take time and His wise hands working,molding, building on me through His Word. But I hope in time to be more forgiving, more kind, more joyful, more welcoming. God promised that he would finish that work until the day of Christ. 
           Isn't it encouraging to know that God has a vision for us?
           Do you hate remodels? Not just your physical homes, but remodels of the heart. Let's trust God together that He's got this. He only see's the best for our lives. He has good gifts to work in our hearts if we hand him the hammer and say, " Do it Lord!" I know that model home will never be ours. It was perfect yes. But we are keeping our cottage remodel and all. Be encouraged that God keeps His kids too, remodels and all. Have any doubts look in the Bible, it can only encourage you that he worked in some of the most imperfect people. He who began a good work in you, WILL BE FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE IT IN YOU ! HAPPY DEMOLITION ALL ! 

Here are some things our home remodel will do...

- I can now cook in the kitchen and be a part of my family at the same time, or whoever else is in the living room.
- We have more room to move and breathe, creating more patience with eachother.
- We have more light in our home now that the wall is down . The windows from our kitchen illuminating the living room as well.

Here are some things Gods remodel can do in our hearts...

-He can take down those walls of bitterness and unforgivenss, so we can fellowship with one another, taking away hostility.
-He can create more space in our lives for the fruits of his spirit, love , joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self control.
- He can continue to shine His light in the dark areas of our lives, Showing us our error and His solutions. Walking in the light as He is.

 Have a beautiful day !

In Real Life - God Can Use Even a Bird to Remind You to Ask

           This summer my husband and I went to a marriage retreat. While the whole weekend was refreshing and the teaching great, there was one simple thing that touched my heart the most in such an unexpected way. My husband and I sat outside that Saturday morning for breakfast. To our surprise quite the little character of a bird hopped on top of our table out of nowhere. He was brown, white chested and had almost dark rings around his eyes. He reminded me of a little bandit. He sat there in confidence in front of my husbands plate, cocked his head to the right and gave a tweet. 
          I looked at my husband surprised , the tone of his tweet was asking. It wasn't reserved but it wasn't demanding. It's like he was simply saying, " here I am , please !" My husband kindly tore off a bit of potato and put his hand out to the little bird. He took it in his beak confidently and flew off. Not but two minutes later he was there again perched in front of my husband, cocking his head to the side and giving his one confident tweet of request. He was like no other bird I have ever seen. I sat back in my bistro chair chuckling with my husband over our sweet little visitor at breakfast that morning.Something about him stood out above the rest.
          I looked around our table. There were other birds there too. Most of them were hopping on the ground picking up fallen pieces of other people's breakfast leftovers from the morning. A few sat in the trees not even bothering to try. And of course there was a bigger bird squawking at the others and chasing them off, rudely cutting in front to get the best for himself. But our little bird simply asked. 
         Walking back to our room I was really touched by such a simple but memorable example to ask. Our sweet little bird was reminding me of a scripture I have known for many years Hebrews 4:16  " Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need." I can still see his little bandit mask, his head cocking and hear his sweet, but expectant tweet. He somehow knew that my husband would not deny his request. How much more will our God hear when we ask. Not shyly, but not demanding just assured that he hears us, that he will answer us in His perfect way 1 John 5:15  " If we know that He hears us in whatever we ask we know that we have the request that we have asked of Him"
           Our little bird had a need that morning and he asked my husband to meet it, unlike all the other birds ,he asked. Mat 7:7 " Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you"    I looked for our little bird the next day at breakfast, but he was nowhere to be found. He was only a demonstration and a reminder to me about bringing my needs before a loving God.
           Do you need a reminder to approach Gods throne with confidence and trust. I know I did that morning. You know God is so faithful to us. What a loving God that he would beckon us to ask. I can take a lesson from that little bird,I don't need to scurry on the ground begging for something, anything dropped down, leftovers.Or not to be lazy and perch up in a tree pretending my needs don't exist. Also to not be a bully and push others out of the way that I might get the first and best, caring for only my needs and belittling others. The lesson he gave me was to remember Jesus said ask. Plain, simple, to the point. If you happen to be eating breakfast outdoors one morning and a little bird perches on your table, cocks his head to the right and tweets one simple tweet. Do me a favor, thank him and give him a potato from me.

In Real Life , What Are You Doing REAL BIG For God ?

              I understood what he was saying. I had asked myself the same question just a month ago. He stated it so clearly and with conviction as he began, " What have I done with my life ?  I mean really big. You know something big for God. Sure I am here visiting my mom. I am here for her. But what else have I done?"  I stood there listening. I knew the feeling as I'm sure a lot of us do. As the years march by, the days, the hours. As we work, raise our kids, pay the bills and complete the tasks of life. We can all ask ourselves, "What am I doing BIG for God?"
            I was so thankful that about a month ago God encouraged me, THROUGH HIS WORD, with my questions, "What am I doing for you God, I mean BIG ?" I began reading that day and came across a passage I have read a thousand times, but this time it seemed to answer my big questions in a real simple way. I read of Jesus's comments to those waiting to enter heaven and it astounded me. Sometimes what I view as big , like I don't know..... traveling the globe, preaching the gospel in a amphitheater, leaving all and living in a tiny village among the poorest of the world, is my view of Big. A big thing for God. But Jesus says something really mind baffling to me.  Would you care to refresh your memory with me? Mathew 25:31-40

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,^f you did it to me.’

            When I read this passage I was shocked. I guess that is why all the sheep asked," WHEN? When did we do this? We didn't think we did much Lord, When ?" He said, "When you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." I am astounded to think a cup of cold water has significance to God.That such a small act would be such a big deal. I know those who have done the big things have a big reward, but I was touched that Jesus named these simple acts of love as well. I was encouraged the day I was asking God to use me in a big way about a month ago.

              I was encouraged that he didn't say to the sheep on his right. You who preached to the masses, set up  orphanages all over the globe, traveled where they wear loin clothes and point spears at your throat , or were world renowned by televisions and books. You the big ones, come on in here ! He never said that to the sheep on his right. You heard what he said, and they were shocked, they didn't even know that they had done those thing, they simply said, "When? "
              I love my missionary stories, I love tales of heroes and adventures and I always will . I admire people that do those bold, daring, deeds that hardly any of us do. But I also love that God sees big different than me. He sees those deeds in everyday life, the cup of water, the visit to those who are sick, the hot meal you give to a widow or neighbor, or as I told this man," visiting your mom!"

         I was so thankful that I had this in my heart ready to share with this man. That what he was doing for the Lord had value, this small act of visiting and sitting with his sick mom. I don't think Gods word would tell us the words of our amazing God if it wasn't true. If those small acts of kindness didn't matter he would have said so.
          I will still ask God to use me. I would still love to go to a distant land and a great adventure. I would hope if God said, " Hey go here or there , do this or that ,that I would." But it doesn't mean there aren't people to visit  and cups of cold water to give out . It is really a matter of our heart in the task. Our heart that is overwhelmed and flowing out with love for a great BIG God. He is the one who does BIG things in our everyday life. He is the one who is the BIG deal. I love how God always brings real life home in a Big way. How amazing is He ?
What do you view as big ? What would you consider a big task for God ? Did this make you think of his heart for those everyday people around us? I hope you were encouraged by Gods words, "Enter in, when you did it to the least of these you did it to me ! " Have a blessed week everyone.


 A simple girl with a great big God , Danielle

Deep Breaths: Psalm 123: The Good Master

Deep Breaths: Psalm 123: The Good Master: Welcome to Day #27 of the Psalms Series ! It is a privilege to invite Danielle back to be a part of another blog series. Let's di...

Nothing

                                                   Todays writing prompt  NOTHING


Nothing is impossible with me. Nothing is too high, too deep, too wide for my reach. Nothing is too far. Nothing is impossible.Nothing is too hard for me.
Nothing is hidden from my sight. Nothing is too dark.  Nothing is impossible for me. Nothing is too hard for me.
Nothing is too small for me to use. Nothing is too big for me to reduce. Nothing takes me by surprise. Nothing is impossible.Nothing is too hard for me.
Nothing in time restricts me. Nothing in the depths confines me. Nothing in the heights causes me fear. Nothing is impossible.Nothing is too hard for me.
 Let it go. Stop looking to yourself. There is nothing that can separate you from my love.You can do Nothing apart from me. But there is Nothing I cannot do.

IN Real Life People Are Watching, Like ...Two Sons, Hunters and the Game and Fish Dept.

Whatever you do, do as unto the Lord, ( Even skinning an elk I suppose )
 I Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

             The Guys Headed Out , my husband and 15 year old and my ten year old sons.. The truck was full of warm coats, even warmer socks , an ice chest packed with food to last the winter, two rifles, and a backpack full of trail mix. I watched through tiny slits of eyes as they pulled out of the drive at 4am. Full of excitement and anticipation to shoot their elk and bring it home.The guys checked in every night. Calling me over bitter cold toes and in between taking turns in hot showers.They had spotted an elk here and there the past few days, fallowed tracks and even taken a shot and missed. With every new call they had anticipation of the next day.

              On the last day of the hunt at 5 am the blessed moment came. My husband and sons sat in silence on hilltop as elk calls filled the air, fallowed by a big group of elk walking out in the valley below. My husband and 15 year old son zeroed in on a female both took aim and both fired, they had done it. The elk dropped before their view and they headed down their little hill to claim their prize. But as my husband approached his long awaited winters dream with a cheerful hunters glow his countenance quickly changed to one of sadness. As he spotted two small antlers. He had shot a young male and did not know it. He toyed with the thought of what to do as he just stood in shock and  said to the boys," I am going to be in so much trouble."

               He continued to struggle with the idea of what to do. Should he take it and go ? It was his last day, it was an accident. He stopped his thoughts in the frigid air and later told me he asked himself what kind of example he desired to be to our sons.He finally told the boys after much thought and a jab of conviction," I am going to call the game and fish dept. Even if I took this meat boys I couldn't enjoy it." When the officer arrived my husband admitted" this was my mistake I couldn't see the antlers" . The officer agreed they couldn't be seen behind the ears they were so small, it looked just like a female. The officer made some calls to see what he could do, but to no avail. The lady on the other end of the phone would not allow it. She demanded his license be revoked and the elk be taken by the game and fish department.

                When the officer came back to tell my husband,  he found a skinned and quartered elk.my husband and boys had done this for the officer. " Why did you do this? " He asked my husband. " I wanted to do it for you officer !" My husband declared with our boys standing in the snow helping him, " I told you it was my fault" The officer piped up almost shocked," Usually people would take off by now. Most people would have just taken this elk !" He turned to my boys and said, " I hope you know what a great dad you have ?" My boys stood quiet as the officer loaded up the elk and sadly left.Taking the last hope of the hunt with him.

                 In real life we have hard decisions to make. It would have been great to fill our empty freezer with elk meat. It would have been easy to reason, why we should keep it. It would have been easy to grab it and take off. But with our decisions comes a fallow up of events. Guilt maybe, the inability to enjoy what we have gotten away with, and more importantly two boys who were watching their dad and learning from him. To try and tell his boys to do the right thing in life, meant him doing it as well. 
             I was glad to see my boys back at home. I was glad to see they were not down at all. They were not complaining that they didn't get their elk this year.They were laughing, dirty and smelly. But I was even happier to see the bond they had gotten with their dad on this trip.The lessons they had learned. I was also thankful that they did not come home with a tale of how their dad tossed an elk in the truck and bolted down the dusty road in hopes no one would see.  It is so hard to think through our choices and do what is right at times, but well worth it. We as a family as a whole and as individuals do not always make the right choice. We miss the mark a lot actually, We fall short and loose sight of the target. But I hope in life to put God in the center and aim, like a hunters rifle on its target toward the Lord.You never know who is watching. On this real day, my two sons, other hunters and the game and fish department were all watching. It is always a joy to put the Lord in the center of our decisions. To do whatever it is we are doing as unto Him. Sometimes when we do we might loose something we really wanted. But God gives us in return the things that really matter. Enjoy the Hunt !

Titus, Jonnethen and Antonius hunting 2013

  I Corinthians 10: 23-24 , 31 -33 -  “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,  just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

In Real Life , Stop Treading Water so Hard and Float a Little.

                I don't know about you, but I often feel like I am falling short as a mom. My to do list is long.The things I would love to do for my kids is even longer. My desires for their lives and my husbands life is even longer. I regularly feel as though there is no way I, as one person, one wife, one mom, can ever fill the gaps. Sometimes I feel as though I am drowning.  Drowning in a pool of to do's, to be's with no life preserver to save me. Last week was a week I almost let the deep issues cover me.

                 This weekend we had a small family get away. We spent most of our day in the pool. I enjoyed having this time to relax and reflect. But also while surrounded by water and flying bouncy balls, I felt the pressure of my tasks looming in the week ahead. I know the things I missed this week. I know the work I had left undone. I knew the areas I had probably let my kids down. The feelings ran over me just like the water around me as I sunk underneath. I felt my duties as mom and wife were deeper than the water beneath me.
               As I treaded water  I looked at my husband while he began swimming. I can read him like a book. I could almost look in his heart and see his desire. He desires to be a better swimmer. I think he is swimming wonderfully. He has come such a long way. Having never swam as a kid, he has grown by leaps and bounds as an adult, or should I say strokes and dives. I suddenly realized while watching him plunge beneath the blue water that really I have one very important task as a wife and a mom everyday. To be a supporter and encourager to my family. The weight I had just moments earlier began to ease a little. Instead of  intensely treading water I felt as though I were floating on my back, releasing my heavy load." I can do this God, I can be an encourager. Show me what my husband needs. Show me what my kids need. Show me how to build them up."
                  When my hubby popped up out of the water I told him, " So when are you going to sign up for those swim classes? You can do this honey. You can take your challenge and grow and become the swimmer you want to be. I will go with you, we can do it as a family if you want!" " Yes, we need to do that."  My husband replied.
 I hope to sign up soon for classes spurring him on toward the butterfly stroke, the breaststroke, the side stroke, back stroke, and any other stroke he wants to do.
                In the pool I let go of some very high expectations of myself. I looked around from my husband to my kids and just prayed. "Show me what they need and help me to spur them on toward that Lord." I still don't know what a couple family members need, but I am asking God  to help me and show me. To take this mom and wife thing one day at a time. To give myself grace in the gaps I leave and like my husband, to learn to stroke better and better every time I get in the water.
                Lord, I cannot do this mom thing, this wife thing without you. I desperately need you. There is so much to do and the clock seems to tick everyday. Instead of feeling like I am drowning, show me to glide toward you on life's water. Help me to flip over on my back from time to time and relax and get refreshed. Help me to see the needs of my family so I can spur them on toward their goals and dreams. So I can be their encourager. I am already in the pool, so give me the ability to swim well, Amen.

In Real Life - Don't Let a Bee Ruin Your Day

           The smallest thing can cause fear in my life, how about yours? I will shamefully and honestly admit to you I am afraid of one of natures smallest creatures, the bee. It finds me wherever we go, and whatever month we go in. It seems to tease me, whizzing by my head or chasing me down a trail. Oh no, really chasing me down a trail, just ask my kids they have watched me run. It's a very good way to get exercise, but not a great image builder. My youngest son knows my fear, he often says, " Mom, watch out a bee!" Then when I jump, duck, or take cover. He laughs at me saying, " Just kidding mom, geez!" The most embarrassing though is when I am in adult company. I have covered my head, jolted to the right or left, and the worst made a fast mad dash in the opposite direction. People are gracious yes, but I know they are thinking, " What is this weird lady doing?"
            We were taking the most beautiful hike along Hopi Indian ruins last weekend. The weather was perfect, and we as a family were laughing, taking in the sights and enjoying one another.We were half way through the trail when my daughter turned around, looked at me and said, " Now mom, I just want you to know, I saw a bee back there. Don't freak out okay mom and start running. It is steep here and you will fall right off this cliff !" Her comment made me laugh. Boy did she know me, and know me well. She knows my silly fear is a yellow and black striped, fuzzy bug with wings. I have to admit I was just a little more on guard during our beautiful hike though. But I have been learning to not let it control me. Go ahead and laugh, they all do !
             My husband often reminds me when I am looking at flowers to plant in the spring or lovely rose bushes, " You know bee's love those , don't you honey? Are you sure you want to plant that?' Yet I purchase it anyway and I plant overcoming my fears a little more. Accepting there will be bee's and telling myself again, " Learn to live with it girl, they aren't goin anywhere !" I kept hiking that day too with my family, reminding myself it is just a bee, a little bee. I am not going to let it ruin my hike, my beautiful day.Really running was not an option anyway, it would be fatal on the trail we were at. Such a small thing can hinder us , if we make it a giant fear in our lives. Fear can ruin the beauty right in front of us, or the beautiful work that God is trying to do in us.
            Wherever I go in this life there will be bee's. Yes those tiny little things that buzz around my head and make me want to run and scream. But has my greatest fear ever stung me, nope. I am simply afraid of the possibility of getting stung by one. I could avoid them by never stepping out, by never taking a hike, or enjoying a picnic, by never camping. But that is not life. Fear in the same way can hinder me, from enjoying the beauty God has planned in our lives. I can say, " Oh not there God. There might be this, there might be that, there might be a fierce, dreaded, monstrous bee, that is out to sting me!"
                God has things for us to enjoy . Beautiful things and opportunities, but fear will always be buzzing around the opportunities he brings. Thoughts like,"What if I get rejected, what if this doesn't work, what if no one likes me, what if I'm no good, I can't do that",  and on and on. Fear is a killer to beauty. I had a choice on our hike that day. To let the bee ruin my hike. Or to just simply acknowledge one will be on every hike,( even in February I am not safe :) and fear will be in every opportunity, every new step I take with the Lord, ever new trail he leads me on. There are things to be afraid of in Real Life, but I pray I do not let it stop me from beauty.The beauty God has planned for us to enjoy.
               I love how my husband handles my fear, the bee. On picnics and camping he simply flicks the bee that won't leave me alone. With one quick, flick of his fingers, it is dead. I jokingly call him," my hero!" in those moments. But God is even more powerful when it comes to our fears, here are some scriptures He gives to remind us that fear is not bigger than Him.




Psalm 23:4- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me
Psalm 27:1 -The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 118:6-The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
2 Timothy 1:7-For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Deuteronomy 31:6- Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

                I hope one of those scriptures encouraged you. Might I just encourage you to go look up the many more that are available to you in scripture.

Don't let a bee ruin your day. Don't let fear ruin that next step with God. That next adventure he has called you to, or that next challenging step he has asked you to take. There will be bee's, they will buzz, whiz by you, taunt you and even swing their little stingers at you. Even if it stings you remember, it won't kill you. Enjoy the view, the view God has given and don't let the fear of a little bee ruin your day !

In Real Life - Enjoy the Muffins !

      Psalm 34:8-Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

  I clocked out  by swiping my badge, sort of sighing in relief that the night was over. I flung my purse across my shoulder and headed out to the parking lot. There was my husband smiling at me from the driver seat of the van, ready to pick me up. I got in  and he graciously asked me how my night went. “ It was okay”, I half heartedly said. He looked at me reading me like a book. “ What’s wrong?”, he replied, knowing something was up. “ I am just tired. I have all these goals honey and I just don’t have enough time to meet them. I just wish I could be home. It just seems so hard sometimes.” Of
course I went on with a few other complaints. One thing about my husband from day one of our marriage is he has never really allowed me to have a full blown pity party. He has a habit of nipping it in the bud. I have often found this annoying,because, well I like having pity parties on occasion. But I also count this my greatest blessing.

           My husband being the straight shooter that he is, took aim at me and fired. Hitting the bulls eye. He simply but firmly replied to my pity party sentences, “ You know what your problem is honey ?” I kind of looked up as if I were surprised, had I not been married to this guy for sixteen years. “ What ?”, I very hesitantly answered. “ You don’t enjoy your muffins, you just want the cake !”  I didn't even have to ask what that meant,  I knew. With one slogan he had silenced me.

                I sat there thinking. Then I sat there convicted. God has given me so many good things, or muffins according to my husband. I stopped my long list of complaints and self pity sorrows and tried to look over my shoulder so to speak. I could see what my husband was talking about. God had given me so many little adventures, so many opportunities, so many undeserved gifts. He had handed me muffin after muffin to taste and see that He is good. Here I was again, complaining that I had not received the cake, as my husband had so well put it.

                I stopped right there in the van and asked God to forgive me. Then I decided to thank Him for all the muffins. Too many to count really. He had been so good to me , in so many ways. Here I was complaining that He had not been good enough to give me the cake I had hoped for. I am so thankful that my husband opened my eyes through pastries, ( which by now he knows is the way to my heart.) In his simple terminology, he stopped what had become a complex pity party  ( one that didn't taste very good either) . I was on a quick road to oogling over bigger and better, instead of gazing down to what was right in front of me , just like a pastry shop display case. There they were , all the beautiful muffins God had given for me to enjoy all these years. Step by step along life's way, right in front of me.

                Sometimes God doesn't give us the BIG right now. He knows us, just like we know our kids. We would eat the whole thing and end up sick. Instead with His wisdom, love and grace He gives us what we need today. Those little tastes of His blessings richly given to us for our enjoyment. Not because we are good, but because He is. I love my husbands slogan,” Enjoy the muffins!” I have adopted it and I am using it in our home. Yesterday Titus was complaining about something he didn't have. I quickly said, “ Your not enjoying your muffins!” “ What does that mean mom !”, he quickly asked. I told him in love just like his dad did to me. I will keep using this slogan as my kids grow, and I will say it to myself when the next pity party blows it's horn, throws confetti and sends me an invitation.

                We can all use a straight shooter in our lives. We can all use a reminder to look back over our shoulder and see all the goodness of God toward us in the past years, months and days. Muffin after muffin. We can complain about not having the cake, or we can rejoice in all the sweet small gifts He has given us . There are so many as I discovered that day in the van. I hope that you see it too. You may not have the cake you think you need, but God has surely given you a multitude of muffins. Do you need to hear it, I did,   “ Enjoy the muffins !”

Deep Breaths: Love & Marriage: Laughter & Contenment- A Great Pa...

Deep Breaths: Love & Marriage: Laughter & Contenment- A Great Pa...: Welcome to Day #2 in the Love & Marriage mini-series! Danielle is my sweet friend from Arizona.  We did not have nearly enoug...

He Hears Me, Even in the Bathroom

                 1 John 5:14-15 -  And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.

                The sun was just setting as the waitress showed my friend and I to the table next to the window. I think we both heaved a sigh as I threw my purse over the edge of the chair letting it sort of swing there before it stopped. It had been a long week and looking in my friends eyes I knew it had been one for her as well. " Coffee please !" were the first words out of my mouth. My friend echoed the same. I would be lying if we both didn't say it with some urgency. We both just kind of sat there and took it in before we started talking. The silence was golden.When the coffee arrived and we had a few sips our hearts began to open up. We shared about our week, our month. Things we were concerned about, things that had gone right. Our kids and the fun things they did or said, and also the behaviors that was challenging for us as moms.
                 I began to share how God had just answered a prayer of mine that I had been desiring for a long time. One I had been praying for for months. My friends face suddenly dropped as she said, " Oh! How did you do it, find the time to really get down and prayer over your issue?" My heart broke for my friend.  If she only knew how hard it has been for me to carry this and find those moments to let God take it. She was looking at me like I was a spiritual giant. Like I had a key she didn't. Like I prayed a pray she couldn't. I sat there watching her look at me like I had it all together. I kind of laughed looking at her look at me like I had done something amazing, when I knew I hadn't. I made a joke, put my hands together tight, furrowed my brow and bent over the chair. " It wasn't like this !" I said. I wish I had time to pray like that, but to be honest it wasn't like that at all." Oh, okay !" she giggled her features resting and sipping her coffee again she just relaxed. I began to share with her, that I prayed in my day to day life. I prayed as I did dishes, washed clothes or any other tasks. Whenever this issue weighed on my heart I inquired and asked God to help me. Mostly I prayed in the car alone when I could cry and no one could see. When I could talk to God on the way to work without being interrupted by kids or needs around me. I told my friend I prayed , but believe it or not I pray mostly during my 12 hour night shift.
                  Sometimes the issue was so heavy, whenever I could I would run to the bathroom and ask God for help.Then I would wipe my tears before going back out to work. I prayed under my breath while caring for patients.I prayed in medical closets before stocking rooms. My friends face lightened, as she saw I was not some super prayer warrior, but just a real girl , with real issues , in this real life. I am so thankful that God hears us when we pray and where we pray. He see's the attitude of our heart and that is a comfort. He doesn't wait for us to find the perfect spot, sit in the perfect chair and say the perfect prayer, he hears us.There is no place in this life we cannot call out. If it's over our work desk, over a sink full of dishes, or in the car running errands. That can give any busy mom hope !
                   There are still issues that weigh on my heart and I still lock myself in the bathroom at work from  time to time.The issues of my home and all the needs I cannot meet, often hit me when I have to go to work.You see there are things I long to do at home. Things I feel I miss. Work is the place God hears my heart though no on else can. There are times at my job I look up and talk to God. There are times I am praying and no one knows. There are nights my cheeks are tear stained. God may not answer now, but I know He hears me, even in the bathroom. He hears me  in the only solitary place I can find as the words come out, " Jesus, I need you !"
               
 Is there something you are holding on to because you don't have time to find a place to pray. Don't let that stop you. The confidence we have in Him is that He hears us. He hears us when it is in accordance with His will. He doesn't say where He hears us, just that He hears us. If you have time to pray alone in silence , do it ! Enjoy that season of your life and take advantage of it. But if you don't have loads of time don't let it stop you from praying. Remember He hears you wherever you pray. How do I know? He heard me and answered me in the bathroom :)

Real Life Glimpses of Conversations Between Father and Son

                    I often these days hear knock, knock, "Can I talk to you dad ?"  Those words are common around here. " Sure !" My husband will reply and they will disappear behind our bedroom door and talk and talk. Sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for an hour or so. My husband holds in confidence what my son confides in him.He bears his heart to his dad and I love it. Tonight I was getting ready for bed in our bathroom and I heard it,  knock, knock," Can I talk to you dad?" They started talking and I felt trapped, so I sat and I heard for the first time what may go on in their conversations. 
                 " Dad, something has been bugging me. These guys I know keep flocking to this popular guy. Dad they all talk like him and copy him. I hate it dad it bugs me. I just want to tell them all to be themselves !" I ALMOST felt guilty for being stuck there and hearing what he was confiding in his dad. But the more I heard the more my heart swelled. I was so blessed with the words being passed back and forth. I heard my husband reaffirming him to be who he is and that the only person he needs to copy is Christ. " I know you son, I know who you are !" my husband said.

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                   I heard my husband tell my son about integrity,honesty and humility. “ You know Jonnethen I cannot give you money, fancy cars and expensive stuff to show off and be popular with, but what you can have son is integrity.  That is really the best gift you can have. Integrity son, is what makes you a man, not all that other stuff. “  As I listened to my husband remind, exhort and encourage my son and as I listened to my son pour out, share and confide in his dad, I desired to be no where else then on the cold bathtubs rim sitting like a spy. I listened as my husband told my son about being a good husband someday, doing what is right at work, standing up for truth and being who God made him to be.
                    I know my son will make mistakes in life.This is real life. Let's be honest we have all made mistakes. Including me my sons mom. I know he will not always make the right decisions. I know he may fail in life. But I also know that what came out of his heart blew me away. It reminded me, this is all worth it. It made me proud that my son is learning to be a man and that he is going to his dad for advice, listening , and love. I am so glad that God gives us parents, the same parents that have made mistakes, wisdom. He is the one that can help us advise our kids in a good way. It is not that we have done it all right, but that we know the Lord that makes the difference.

                   Thank you Lord. Thank you that I got to peek behind the door for once. Thank you that I got to hear things that are so often said between two men in my life. I heard your name Lord, I heard about friendship, marriage, doing what is right, working as unto you alone and more. I am so blessed this night as I lay my head on my pillow. Our home is NOT perfect Lord. We are not perfect. But we have you along every step of the way.I am so glad I got a glimpse. But I promise next time Lord to take my quick exit and not listen in ! Unless ofcourse I am trapped in the bathroom :)

               

Pro 4:1  Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, 

                Pro 4:2  for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. 

                Pro 4:3  When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, 

                Pro 4:4  he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my             commandments, and live.