The title of this blog refers to thinking on positive things. That being said, I need to be honest about life's ups and downs. In the previous post I mentioned God pulling us apart for His glory. Tonight I have to be honest and tell you that I feel like a plate of Authentic North Carolina BBQ, pulled apart into strands and glopped on the plate in a heap.
What does God think when I raise my fist to Him in defiant anger? Or two minutes later hears me call for Him with arms raised just wanting to be held in His loving arms? What does He think as my attitude slides southward, my brain realizes it and for the moment my heart doesn't care?
How blessed I am, that forgiveness from Him comes quick and true when I confess the sin. I am trusting that joy will come in the morning and that this too shall pass.
LORD, I confess my stubbornness in holding on to the hurt, and the anger in my heart. Please wash away any seed of bitterness before it can grow bigger. Please cover me with Your peace.
Amen.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Blessed Beyond Measure
I'm not quite sure where to start on this one, there have been so many changes in our lives in the past few years that have all led up to this point. I am amazed at how God uses events in our lives to pull us apart and bring us back together, all for His glory.
Family, marriage and life in general for me are all a major miracle...still in progress, but a miracle of grand proportions.
I once heard it said that for something to be a huge miracle, there must be insurmountable, impossible circumstances. We seem to fit that category, and I am no longer of the belief that anything is impossible.
Mark 10:27 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
YES and AMEN!
Family, marriage and life in general for me are all a major miracle...still in progress, but a miracle of grand proportions.
I once heard it said that for something to be a huge miracle, there must be insurmountable, impossible circumstances. We seem to fit that category, and I am no longer of the belief that anything is impossible.
Mark 10:27 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
YES and AMEN!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
'Tis a Gift to Live Simply
The Shaker song is heavy on my brain at the moment as 3/4 of my family prepares to relocate to the other side of the globe again. Trying to fit everything into 6 bags for 3 people has become something of a chore. There seems to be much sentiment to consider, and of course the books must come. TAPM will ask about something and my reply is "It is somewhere in the bags." The look on my face must have been horror or dread as the last time he asked, he quickly said, "That's ok, leave it in the bag."
I am happy to report though, that many of the books that made their way to NZ on the first flight will not be going back on this next one. However, we seem to have picked up many miscellaneous bits and bobs that now "need" to come with us and weigh just about as much.
What a great part of our adventure this has been! I am amazed how God brought it all together in the end, and I am so very thankful. It is a gift to live simply, but I am not living as simply as I would like. This move is proof of that! :)
I am happy to report though, that many of the books that made their way to NZ on the first flight will not be going back on this next one. However, we seem to have picked up many miscellaneous bits and bobs that now "need" to come with us and weigh just about as much.
What a great part of our adventure this has been! I am amazed how God brought it all together in the end, and I am so very thankful. It is a gift to live simply, but I am not living as simply as I would like. This move is proof of that! :)
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A Day of Many Gifts
This day has been a full one, and ran the gamut of emotions. Didn't quite go as planned, but the piano lesson that got postponed will hopefully happen tomorrow. The kids and I were out the door in time to hear three college groups perform Kapa Haka at the Te Papa Museum to celebrate the Maori language. It was quite exciting, and I especially enjoyed the loud hakas. They seemed to be good stress relievers. :) The gift of music.
After the performance, we went upstairs to one of the galleries to see the exhibit on Pounamu (Greenstone/NZ Jade) which is found on the South Island. It is one of my most favorite stones and I love the idea of being able to find one in a mountain stream even though that is probably not going to be my experience. Having been a rock hound from my earliest days, it evokes strong feelings for me, especially when I get to touch it, bringing back many memories of picking other rocks at the lakes in Minnesota, in the creeks of Virginia, in a parking lot in India, in a stream on the North Island...I wonder where it will be next?? The gift of sight and touch.
Whoops! Time to head for the bus so we can get to the pool in time for swimming lessons! While waiting, the North Island had an earthquake of 6.5 up near Taupo. It was 150 km deep but people here said they felt the ground sway. I think I noticed it in the swinging of a sign in the shop I was standing near, but didn't pay it any mind. The gift of safety.
At the pool, I had the pleasure of talking with a new friend from Thailand who is married to a Kiwi. Her son and my children are in the same swim class this time. She and I struck up an inevitable friendship - she was knitting and I was crocheting! I will be sad when this set of lessons is finished as the kids and I are switching back to the pool that is closer to our home. Hopefully we can keep in touch with our new friends. That would be nice. The gift of relationship.
Home again, home again...Miss A made delicious soup and I tried to make bread. I think the bread lump heard me say that I really hoped this time would be different, as it looked so beautiful on the outside, but inside was still gooey. My solution?? Eat the crusts, scoop out the innards and make bread sticks from the goop! Not too pretty, but it was edible and the kids didn't complain. The gift of taste.
On to the time in my day when I did not check my thoughts and they came flying from my mouth, to my surprise and someone else's frustration and hurt. Oh, if I could have just sucked them right back in. It was as if they were slippery jelly and mad such a mess before I even realized they were out. Not a good gift. Hopefully forgiven? That would be a good gift, for sure!
Time for bed and I would like to know when did my little son grow into such an encouraging young man? Could it happen overnight? It seems that just yesterday I was the one giving out encouragement for something that was hard to do - a math problem, to be precise. And now tonight he sends me from his room at bedtime with two words and a hug. "Be strong." he says. I thank him and quietly close the door, whispering thanks to God for encouragement in unexpected places.
Wow. What a gift!
After the performance, we went upstairs to one of the galleries to see the exhibit on Pounamu (Greenstone/NZ Jade) which is found on the South Island. It is one of my most favorite stones and I love the idea of being able to find one in a mountain stream even though that is probably not going to be my experience. Having been a rock hound from my earliest days, it evokes strong feelings for me, especially when I get to touch it, bringing back many memories of picking other rocks at the lakes in Minnesota, in the creeks of Virginia, in a parking lot in India, in a stream on the North Island...I wonder where it will be next?? The gift of sight and touch.
Whoops! Time to head for the bus so we can get to the pool in time for swimming lessons! While waiting, the North Island had an earthquake of 6.5 up near Taupo. It was 150 km deep but people here said they felt the ground sway. I think I noticed it in the swinging of a sign in the shop I was standing near, but didn't pay it any mind. The gift of safety.
At the pool, I had the pleasure of talking with a new friend from Thailand who is married to a Kiwi. Her son and my children are in the same swim class this time. She and I struck up an inevitable friendship - she was knitting and I was crocheting! I will be sad when this set of lessons is finished as the kids and I are switching back to the pool that is closer to our home. Hopefully we can keep in touch with our new friends. That would be nice. The gift of relationship.
Home again, home again...Miss A made delicious soup and I tried to make bread. I think the bread lump heard me say that I really hoped this time would be different, as it looked so beautiful on the outside, but inside was still gooey. My solution?? Eat the crusts, scoop out the innards and make bread sticks from the goop! Not too pretty, but it was edible and the kids didn't complain. The gift of taste.
On to the time in my day when I did not check my thoughts and they came flying from my mouth, to my surprise and someone else's frustration and hurt. Oh, if I could have just sucked them right back in. It was as if they were slippery jelly and mad such a mess before I even realized they were out. Not a good gift. Hopefully forgiven? That would be a good gift, for sure!
Time for bed and I would like to know when did my little son grow into such an encouraging young man? Could it happen overnight? It seems that just yesterday I was the one giving out encouragement for something that was hard to do - a math problem, to be precise. And now tonight he sends me from his room at bedtime with two words and a hug. "Be strong." he says. I thank him and quietly close the door, whispering thanks to God for encouragement in unexpected places.
Wow. What a gift!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Monday, Monday
La la, la la la. I don't know the rest of the song, but that part is in my head at the moment.
It has been a bit of an odd day here today. I had a good start but let the kids sleep in because of a late night the night before. It was nice to have peace and quiet to myself for a bit. We seemed to be at a snail's pace for the rest of the day, but oddly enough, it wasn't the usual harried snail's pace, which was a very good thing. Usually when we get a slow start, the day is full of "HURRY UP!" and frustration. Somehow we avoided all of that stress and actually had a really good day.
I recently read somewhere out there in blogger land about people putting on a mask and only writing about the good days. Hmm, perhaps I have been guilty of that at times. Guess I need to be honest and tell you that I have had many days in the past 2 years of real struggle, wanting to hang it up and run away. That being said, I am so glad I am right where I am. I'm still unsure of how things will turn out - there are so many unspoken variables - but I am certain that I am in the place that God wants me to be in right now. Uncertain certainties or certain uncertainties...not sure which one makes better sense.
It has been a bit of an odd day here today. I had a good start but let the kids sleep in because of a late night the night before. It was nice to have peace and quiet to myself for a bit. We seemed to be at a snail's pace for the rest of the day, but oddly enough, it wasn't the usual harried snail's pace, which was a very good thing. Usually when we get a slow start, the day is full of "HURRY UP!" and frustration. Somehow we avoided all of that stress and actually had a really good day.
I recently read somewhere out there in blogger land about people putting on a mask and only writing about the good days. Hmm, perhaps I have been guilty of that at times. Guess I need to be honest and tell you that I have had many days in the past 2 years of real struggle, wanting to hang it up and run away. That being said, I am so glad I am right where I am. I'm still unsure of how things will turn out - there are so many unspoken variables - but I am certain that I am in the place that God wants me to be in right now. Uncertain certainties or certain uncertainties...not sure which one makes better sense.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Negative Positives
I have heard it said that every choice to do something is also a choice to not do something else. That being so, I would like to list some things that I do not do.
- I do not get enough exercise or rest.
- I do not take enough moments in my day to say "Thank You" to the people who make a difference in my life.
- I do not hit the computer "off" button often enough.
- I do not call my mom as much as I think I should. (I'm sorry Mom.)
- I often do not plan ahead.
- I do not practice my music as much as I would like to.
- All of these and a hundred more!
- Have a scheduled time for movement and rest. Go to bed at a decent hour.
- Practice an "Attitude of Gratitude" every day. Share it with others.
- Re-evaluate why I have a computer. Set time limits for usage.
- Call Mom.
- A quick planning session twice a day will eliminate a majority of hassle and make life smoother for all of us.
- These things will help to free up the time in my day to be used for other things. Things like music, reading with my children, playing with my children, adding serenity to my life so that I can be a blessing to others.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Sing and Not Be Silent
What a morning!! I have come back from the weekly woman's Bible study with my heart full of thanksgiving - It is appropriate that today is a Thursday. Many prayers have been answered this past week in the lives of the ladies around me.
Please understand, we have had our share of stress and sorrows recently, but God is turning our mourning into dancing and I must stop to give Him praise. He is our Provider, our Comfort, our Way in the Wilderness and Path through the Desert. He is our Wisdom, He is our Peace. In some cases answers have come over time, yet in others we give praise for sudden and surprising answers!
For those prayers that have yet to be answered, I claim His promises to "never leave or forsake" us. He is working in places we cannot even see, and loves those who are dear to us with a love that is fiercer than our own. His plan is good, and waiting is hard. Let's keep our eyes on Him and see what He will do.
Psalm 30:12 "That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you..."
...thanking God for many answered prayers and eager to see what He has for us in coming days and months.
Please understand, we have had our share of stress and sorrows recently, but God is turning our mourning into dancing and I must stop to give Him praise. He is our Provider, our Comfort, our Way in the Wilderness and Path through the Desert. He is our Wisdom, He is our Peace. In some cases answers have come over time, yet in others we give praise for sudden and surprising answers!
For those prayers that have yet to be answered, I claim His promises to "never leave or forsake" us. He is working in places we cannot even see, and loves those who are dear to us with a love that is fiercer than our own. His plan is good, and waiting is hard. Let's keep our eyes on Him and see what He will do.
Psalm 30:12 "That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you..."
...thanking God for many answered prayers and eager to see what He has for us in coming days and months.
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