Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Choices


I saw this photo today on Pintrest and boy did it strike a nerve. You see originally it said "You were given this life because you are stong enough to handle it". The lines through the last part are mine.

Can I just say that it struck a nerve. I don't mean I got a little riled up. I mean I was A.N.G.R.Y. I was angry for several different reasons.

1. You are given this life because YOU MADE CHOICES.

2. Why does today society refuse to take responsiblity for those choices?

3. It is so unfair, not to mention wrong, to blame God for what is going on in your life. Maybe it wasn't YOUR choices that put you in your situation but it certainly wasn't HIS.

This may be more of a rant than a blogpost because I am finding that I am passionate about this.

I think about my life and some of the choices that I have made and all the people I could blame for my place in this journey but you know what???? I CHOSE to take this road. It was my CHOICE. I can promise you that God never intended for me to struggle financially, look shame in the face and take it on, feel rejection all the way to my core and he certainly did not give me a time of sorrow because I AM STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE IT. No, my choices gave me those times in my life but because of my FAITH in GOD I was strong enough to handle it. Because I knew that he never left my side no matter how low I sank, I was able to rise up out of that.

I know it is easier to blame someone else for where you are. I know it is a whole lot less painful to point the finger and say that it is "God's Will" for you when you mess up. I know that sometimes playing the martyr feeds the ego but I also know that NONE of those things will create an overcomer! None of those EXCUSES will bring you to a place of joy. You will continue to struggle. You will continue to go around and around and around the same issues! Let's be the conqueror's we are called to be people!

I would bet my life, yes MY LIFE, that GOD does not get his way all the time. He is NOT in control of everything. If that was the case do you really think that EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON wouldn't be saved? That is why he sent his son. Don't believe me? Read John 3:16 for yourself. It doesn't say so that a few would know his son...he said so that THE WORLD would know his son. Pretty sure that means EVERYONE. Do you think if God controlled all of our actions that the abortion clinics would still be killing babies EVERY.SINGLE.SECOND.? I don't think so. There would be no children starving, no women raped, no men murdered, no tornados, hurricanes, tsunami or any other natural disasters...life would for sure be unicorns and rainbows.

So, before you think that picture that was posted on pintrest is cute, before your repin it, before you buy into that prideful statement... you need to remember that you are given this life because you chose it not because you are stong enough to handle it.

I think it should read "I was given this life because of the choices I made. I am conquering my mistakes because I know Jesus!"

Just sayin'




Monday, January 28, 2013

Pantry Make-Over

Well...I am not really sure why I am blogging about this.

Maybe because everyone else does? Maybe because I am proud of my pantry and the work I put into it? Regardless, I am posting pictures and telling how I did it...just for me!

About 2 rent checks ago we moved into an old farmhouse out on the Ridge in Baxter. This house is very cramped for my family of 5 but I love it. It is quaint. It is cute. It is charming. It is OLD. I don't think it has been updated in 15 years so I am starting with a bare slate to say the least.

Since we are digging out of a money hole I have limited resources to update this house and don't want to dump money into something we don't own.

I had noticed a post about organizing pantries from A Bowl Full of Lemons and thought WHY NOT?

I am taking ideas as I need them.
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Now I am not nearly as extravagant as she is but here it goes...

BEFORE is kinda sad and blah huh?

But AFTER is cute and sassy (at least I think so)

All I did is throw some contact paper used for shelving up in the back and used things I had at the house! Didn't cost me one penny. Now that is redecorating on a dime!

If I could just get the hubby to agree to remove the doors I would be happy! It still needs a little work but Hey, gotta start somewhere :)


Redo yours and share the pics with me...



Friday, January 25, 2013

Again...

Five Minute Friday

Come blog with us! Five Minutes to type! A couple mintues to link up! A day full of interesting reads! A lifetime of lessons!

Let's Go...

I discovered that Kim Walker-Smith has a new album out.

I think it called "Still Believe". Anyway, there is a song on this album called "Healing Oil".

I have listened to it again and again and again.

I discovered it Wednesday and am sure I have listened to it 6,897,654 times.

"I can feel your healing oil running down my brow. I wouldn't trade another lifetime for how I feel right now".

Here is the thing...I don't feel his healing oil running down my brow but I want to.

I long for that feeling again. I listen hoping that maybe I will feel it. What will it feel like?

Will it feel like a bug crawling down my face? Will it be an emotion in my heart? Will it be tears streaming down my face? Will it be uncontrollable shouting? Running?

Maybe it will be a silent whisper. A still small voice?

I will continue to listen. Again and again until I feel that healing oil. It brings such peace to me. Just listening to the words. Closing my eyes and getting lost in the voice reminding me that he is the miracle maker.

Perhaps that in itself is the healing oil. The knowing that he is the miracle maker. Knowing that he holds my heart in his hand. That is wants to be in my presence as much I want to be in his.

Yes, I will listen again and again...

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Emotional

Broken, Beat down, Defeated

Heartache, Confusion, Chaos

Loneliness, Finality, Torn

Loss, Disappointment, Depression

Rejection, Unhappiness, Abandonment

Burden, Relief, Deception

Harrassment, Torment, Fear

Adoption, Divorce, Freedom

and none of this is my burden to bear


Monday, January 21, 2013

Failure-Covered in Grace


How do we really measure either one?

What if we never really fail but only find ways that don't work.

What if everything in life is viewed as a success just a different levels.

I honestly feel like failure is a state of mind and in my mind I am ALWAYS most times a huge success in all things!

That is only true because I am COVERED.IN.GRACE.

Happy Monday!

Covered in Grace

Sunday, January 20, 2013

C.O.U.R.A.G.E.

I have been thinking about, praying about bravery and courage for the past couple of days. This has been on my heart because I came across a blog on Friday while participating in Five Minute Friday with Lisa Jo Baker! It's such a fun thing to do. You should check it out.

Anyway, I came across this blog called Black and White With A Little Bit of Pink. The author of this blog is an amazingly courageous lady named Jess. Her daughter (step-daughter) has down-syndrome and she discusses very openly about the joy and her daily struggles with her (daughter's) disability. I strongly suggest that you hop over and check out her blog. All I could think of was the courage it took to be brave enough to open yourself up people you don't know. To put your heart out there so raw and exposed for the world to stomp on if they feel that she is wrong.

Such a courageous woman! There is a world full of courageous women if we look hard enough. I am not talking about the courage to jump from an airplane. I am not talking about the courage and bravery it takes to stand on the enemy lines and fight for our country. I am talking about silent courage. The courage that isn't obvious to us on the outside. The courage that only you know about.


courage is facing everyday knowing that you are raising a daughter while your husband fights for our country.

courage is listening to that still small voice and believing what it is saying to you.

courage is walking into a room full of women with the intent of leaving with a room full of friends.

courage is a 14 year old girl walking into a highschool with a smile on her face knowing that all she will face on the other side are strangers.

courage is making the next right choice when it is not the popular one.

courage is looking your past square in the face and taking it on like a beast!

courage is a woman pooring her life savings into a business that she has dreamed of for years not knowing if it will fail or succeed.

courage is a teenage girl walking up to a teenage boy and inviting him to a Sadie Hawkins dance (especially if he isn't part of the "group").

courage is bloggin your heart out knowing that you may never have a follower ever.

courage is saying YES to something new when your mind is screaming NO.

courage is NOT going with the flow just because everyone else does.

courage is looking the future square in the face and taking it on like a beast

Mostly, courage is knowing who you are in Christ and accepting it whole-heartedly without reservation. Courage is knowing that no matter where you have been in life and no matter where you go GOD is there. Courage is allowing him in your heart and letting him do the work. Courage is knowing that YOU ARE ENOUGH.

I personally know women doing the things above.

I have some B.R.A.V.E. ladies in my life. These ladies are full of courage. They are full of love. They are full of life.

They are full of C.O.U.R.A.G.E. Funny thing is, I don't know if they even know it.





Friday, January 18, 2013

5 Minute Friday-Cherished

Let's go...

Cherished are the moments of solitude I have experienced as of late.

Cherished is the moment I realized how awesome the solitude has been. A refreshing solitude that has allowed me to overcome some insecurities.

Cherished is the moment I realized that longing for solitude is ok. It does not mean there is anything wrong with me.

Cherished is the moment my heart felt ok with being content in my home with my family. A contentness that the 4 walls of a house has not been able to provide for a long time. Cooking supper, laughing in the kitchen while dancing in socks.

Cherished is the moment that I can't wait to leave the place that provides me a paycheck to get to the place that provides me with happiness! The place where 4 hearts are entangled with mine to produce a love that is unspeakable. A love that fills me with joy.

Cherished are the moments. Cherished is my family. Cherished is my life!

Stop!



Come on over and blog with us!!

Five Minute Friday

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Empty

Ever have those days when you just feel empty.

I am having a day like that today. In fact, I have been having weeks like that. Weeks of feeling empty.

Weeks of feeling as though I have nothing to give. I have nothing to share. I have nothing to say.

I long to start pecking on the keys. I long to upload a cute little picture to go with my story but I have no story to tell. I feel alone and empty in this place.

I long for conversation but have nothing to say. I long for togetherness but have no desire to entertain. Is this a normal thing?

In a room full of people, I smile and I laugh but on the inside I feel like my words are echos. The sounds are echoing on the walls of the empty space inside. It's not genuine commraderie I feel. It's a toleration of the time I have to spend away from my solitude.

I.FEEL.EMPTY.

Then I think of "The Desert Song"

This is my song in the harvest-where favor and providence flows-I know I'm filled to be emptied again- this seed I've received I will sow.

Is that what this is? Have I sown seed for a season and now I wait to reap the harvest?

Am I at a place where I am waiting for God to fill me up again? Shouldn't I be more like Jesus? Jesus cherished being with people… He enjoyed social occasions … He was a much sought-after dinner guest. Most people were very comfortable around Him and He was comfortable around them. Did he ever feel empty? Did he ever long to be around people but just didn't have it in him to do it?

Am I alone in this? Does anyone else have these experiences?

Empty...


Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Things aren't always what they seem...

Everyone seems to be doing the whole resolution thing but unlike everyone else I have none. There are things that I would like to do more of...be more organized, drink more water, eat healthier, drink the green smoothy thingy for 30 days, say "I love you" more, mend fences with my dad (for real), etc. Fact is, I may do some of things for a few days or even weeks but more likely than not, I will give up, quit, forget or just not want to do something and not do it.

Therefore I do not make resolutions.

However, I do like to look back at the past year of my life and see how it has changed and see how differently it looks. See what I have done to make a difference in my life and the lives around me.

I must not have done much because I can't remember a whole bunch of stuff but I do know that whether I did one thing or 50 things;I have a life to celebrate and that is what matters!

Let's see...what did I do in 2012?

Took a REAL vacation with my family. One that included an itinerary and everything.

Celebrated my 1 year anniversary.

Got fired from my job (the first time ever)

Landed a sweet job that is much better than the one that I was eliminated from.

Strengthened some relationships with some awesome ladies.

Swallowed my pride and let those ladies inside to my ugly areas so we could let some healing begin.

Ran a 5K...that's right RAN a 5K...from beginning to end.

Discovered a sweet relationship with my sister in law. One that I have longed for for such a long time.

Moved into a cute little farmhouse.

Discovered a love of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson and all those laid back easy listening guys! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them all.

Found my crafty side.

Grew so much closer to my God that I can't explain it in words.

Took the advice of a super awesome drama mama about my kiddos and have the sweetest relationship with them now.

Went to see Jesus Culture! They totally rocked it.

Lost a sweet friend in a car accident.

Graduated from bible school and taught on a subject that is the foundation of our church (gulp)

I am sure there is so much more but it's hard to remember! One resolution I will make is to journal more this year. Only so that I can look back and remember what my life was like.

I like to think that looking at your life year to year should be like looking at a remodeled house. It was ok and liveable the year before but it sure does look improved now. If it doesn't, perhaps you should buy a hammer and some nails and get busy.

Make your 2013 a year of remodeling!