God – Long walks and dark chocolate

Daily Prompt: Un/Faithful

December 29, 2012 9 Comments

The Daily prompt was “Tell us about the role that faith plays in your life — or doesn’t.”

I can say without a moments hesitation and with complete assurance that my faith is my everything! It’s who I am, how I love and live and exist.

My life is based on and around what I believe about how God knew me while in my mother’s womb and how even then, there was a plan for my life. There was already a purpose and it’s my desire to live that out to the fullest. This purpose is what motivates me, compels me to move forward, and learn more about what that will of God is for me. Each and every one of us is precious to God and He has a plan for all.

If not for my faith in God, in the belief that His Son, my Savior, died on a cross to redeem us all, I would not have the hope, joy, peace and love that resides within. I’m deeply grateful for that love, that peace that surpasses my understanding.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christianity, Christianity for Seekers, Ernest Becker, Evangelism, Evangelistic Pages, God, Religion and Spirituality, Sigmund Freud

Daily Prompt: Immortalized in Stone

December 27, 2012 2 Comments

Today’s challenge from “The Daily Post” reminds me of the scriptures in the bible about the potter and the clay.

The question was: Your personal sculptor is carving a person, thing or event from the last year of your life. What’s the statue of and what makes it so significant?

The sculptor in my life would be God and the carving would be me. My hopes would be the following scenario. My expression would be one of awe and reverence. My position would be a yielded and submissive one. My heart would be visible for all to see and somehow carved to show an openness, a place to give and receive love.

My hands would be shown as doing and my feet also in motion, on their way to help. There would be stages shown in this carving as I change and grow. There would always be room for improvement. It would somehow express the spiritual side of me because the physical isn’t what is important. If the carving were just to depict this past year, it would look the same as many prior years; there would be growth and change and failure and successes; all moving me towards the final me that God created me to be.

I am very thankful for this “prompt” today because it has caused me to think and reflect and meditate on this past year. I’m grateful for the positive growth in my life and the wisdom that comes with age.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Arts, Christian Living, Christianity, Crafts, Daily Post, Daily Prompt, Devotionals, God, Religion and Spirituality, stone

Wrapping up the 25th of December

December 25, 2012 Leave a Comment

Merry Christmas!

For most families, by this time on December 25th, there isn’t anything left under your tree, unless it’s that straggler present for someone who didn’t show up. Your outdoor trash can is full of boxes and wrappings and the bags and bows that got through the unwrapping chaos unscathed, you have stashed to use again next year.

The kitchen is clean and all the leftovers have either been shipped home with family and friends or they are nestled tightly against each other in a refrigerator full of them. If you are like my family, you won’t have to cook for at least a couple of days, but you will end up doing it anyway because you will be tired of turkey.

Most likely you are full and lazing around on the couch wishing you wouldn’t have had seconds (or thirds), or that piece of pumpkin pie. Some of us are sitting around chatting, reminiscing, and making more plans to get together more often. For others, a long drive home looms ahead.

Hopefully wherever you are and whatever you are doing you are in possession of some new, warm happy memories. We need to remember if we got only one gift or have a full belly tonight, we are more fortunate than a large percentage of the world. Count your blessings; don’t go to bed mad, lavish forgiveness and mercy, and love, love, love. Peace and Blessings!

Christmas treats

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, Christmas Eve, God, Holiday, Literature, Merry Christmas, Opinions, Pumpkin pie

A little thought before the words might do wonders

December 21, 2012 3 Comments

“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.”
― Emily Dickinson

In my morning devotions, I was reading in the book of James about the tongue and how difficult it is to bridle, how it’s so small, yet can set a forest to blaze, so to speak. Since I try to not only read, but meditate on these truths, I started pondering some daily scenarios regarding our speech. Our words really are so powerful and the minute they leave our mouths, can set forth producing good or evil.

Think about your morning. If you were kind, encouraging, kissed your spouse or children goodbye covering them with words of love and blessing, you set the course for a good day. On the other hand, if you grumbled and complained, argued or belittled, and didn’t bother to say goodbyes because you were just being stubborn (or whatever the case may be), the day started on a sour note. I remember back in the days when I actually had to take a child to school and they would get out of the car angry with me, I would always say, “I love you” anyway, whether they responded or not. I wanted them to know my love was unconditional. I’m very blessed that my husband will not leave in the morning without kisses, hugs and “I love you”.

I’m not saying any of this is easy; we all have our bad days, the mornings when we wish the house was quiet and we could drink our coffee all by ourselves. Maybe you don’t feel well (which I’ve struggled with the past few mornings), or you couldn’t sleep or you have worries that are plaguing your heart. However, the first step to making things better is realizing there is a problem. Maybe we can all reflect on our words this morning and set out to produce change.

We can look at Facebook posts and see how people set the tone for their day and those around them by their words. We can be positive and try to say something useful, or we can offer negativity, hatefulness and bitterness. I cringe when I read some of the posts because I know the power that words have to bless and heal, but also to hurt and destroy. I love the saying of Thumper in the Disney movie, Bambi; “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nuthin at all”. My kids heard that over and over again growing up.

I also believe that if we sit and listen to the gossip and ill-will that is spoken against others, we become partakers. People might stop talking so much trash if we simply refused to listen to it. Let’s think about our words before they pour forth from our mouths. Are they daggers or arrows, headed off our tongues to offend or hurt? Or are they more like honey? Do they soothe and comfort, bringing happiness and peace?

Blessings on this beautiful Friday morning!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Bambi, Blessing, Epistle of James, Facebook, God, Thumper

Let love abound

December 20, 2012 1 Comment

Some of my Christmas ornaments

I’m not sure why I always look forward to Christmas so much, but I do. As the calendar rolls forward and the day draws closer, I want to put time on hold and continue to bask in the season. I love the decorations, the scent of sumptuous feasts cooking, the Christmas plays featuring children, the get-togethers, the gift giving and the way that people tend to come together and lend a hand to one another.

I know there are many out there who don’t share my opinion of Christmas. There are those who are grieving because they are missing someone, those who are hungry and can’t pay their bills, much less think about gifts, some are filled with bitterness and can’t find it in their hearts to celebrate much of anything. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could collectively reach out and hug them all, somehow make the season brighter for them? That’s not possible, but we can do something, even if it’s something small. It’s up to each and everyone of us to find out what that is; how we can help.

For me, Christmas has always been about the birth of our Savior and all that this event represents; the love, joy, hope and peace that seems to be shared more greatly among all during this season. We tend to be more generous, show more compassion and make more time for one another.

I pray that this won’t change just because the season passes. I pray that goodwill not only continues to abound, but that it increases, that we will persist in our efforts to “pay it forward” and that our lives will manifest love, patience, mercy, and grace.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, God, Pay it forward

Sissy, I love you to the moon and back!

December 11, 2012 7 Comments

My sis and I

This post will be dedicated to my younger sister, Deanna, who will be a year younger than me tomorrow.

My sister has been my biggest fan from day one. As soon as she was able to walk and talk she also deemed herself my protector. The sad thing about this is that I didn’t have sense enough to appreciate it until we were older. I saw her love, adoration and desire to protect me as an intrusion for many years. As mom was sewing matching dresses, I was striving to be different and separate, having little recognition of the little redheaded treasure I had by my side. Without getting too personal, can I say that I failed so many times? That instead of showing appreciation, companionship and love, I often took the low road and belittled her. Maybe I am being too personal, but it’s the truth and I think it happens all too often. Maybe if I share my regret, someone will read and apologize to their sibling or refrain from demeaning them to begin with.

We’ve always been close, but I had created a distance in those early years, that had to be righted. I’m extremely grateful to be able to say that my sister forgave me for all of my evil ways. There is nothing broken between us anymore, hasn’t been for years, no hovering darkness, and I praise God for that! But, I can’t help regret the situations that I could have handled much differently.

If I could give her the birthday gift of my choice, I would take back every unkind word or look that I ever said or gave. She never deserved anything less than my undying love and support. My sister isn’t just a wonderful sister, she is a great friend to anyone and everyone who has ever had the privilege of knowing her. She has this God-given ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world and she has mastered the gift of putting others first. She is strikingly beautiful inside and out and talented in too many areas to mention. She is a gift to our family and our community, bringing hope, inspiration, laughter and love to all. I am so blessed to have the most amazing sister that God ever created and I just want the world to know that I love her so much!

This Christmas season, if you have any words you’ve left unsaid or apologies that need to be given, give yourself the gift of delivering them as soon as you possibly can. You won’t regret it.

HAPPY, Happy Birthday, Dee – I love you!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Family, God, relationship, sister

Can you really hear me?

December 10, 2012 5 Comments

English: Noblemen conversing. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Chinese proverb says, ““To listen well, is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well, and is as essential to all true conversation”.

Why is it then, that when someone needs to talk to us, we automatically assume we have to have an immediate response to everything they say? Now, obviously, in a normal conversation, more than one person is speaking, thus the term conversation.

But, what about those instances when a friend or family member comes to you and shares something personal or intimate? Why don’t we realize that we don’t always have the answers and that there are times when silence truly is golden? Often people just need to vent or even just hear themselves say something out loud. There is nothing more frustrating than when you just want to share something and the person you are conversing with has to have solutions to everything. Sometimes they are truly just trying to help, but often I think we are just so sure of ourselves and prideful that we think we really do have all the answers.

The art of conversation is grossly lacking in our modern times, largely due to the rapid increase in technology in recent years. Doesn’t it seem like we talk more in different arenas, but we actually say less? Abbreviated words and slang don’t seem to hold the same meaning as some of the older words did.

However, I think the area most in need to an overhaul as we communicate with one another, is the ability to listen. How often do you feel like you are competing with a cell phone? The most atrocious example of this is when I see parents doing this to their children. When your children want to speak with you, listen. There is a time for work and a time for them. When it’s their time, give them your full attention. I can assure you that when they have left the nest you will regret every moment you missed or neglected.

Personally, I want to be more aware of this lack of common courtesy for others, mainly in the “listening” department, and remember to check myself in conversations to assure that I am attentive. Can I be blatantly honest here? I know how often I find myself preparing what I am going to say before the other person is finished with what they are saying. I feel myself almost rushing them in my head, so that I can speak. That must mean I think what I am going to say is more important or offers more in some way. God help me to change this!

When I do challenge myself to be silent more often and just sit back and listen, I learn so much more about my fellow-man. This is a necessity if I’m sincere about my efforts to put others first, to honor others before myself and to learn more of their plight, that I might find a way to help. Hmm…something else to ponder if you will. Blessings!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Chinese proverb, Communication, Conversation, God

Sometimes time is more than money

December 4, 2012 4 Comments

On this beautiful fourth day of December,as you prepare for Christmas what are your plans for giving this season? I’m making a conscious effort this year to think seriously about this question. Of course, we all buy for our families and friends.

I know that I need to make a list for who I am buying for, decide on price limit for each gift and make sure that when I total this, it doesn’t exceed my budget. What? A budget for Christmas? Yes, if you don’t want added stress in the new year!

The thing I don’t want to forget or put off is the other giving I want to do more of this month. It truly is a time of year that either thrills people or greatly saddens them. I sincerely want to reach out to those who are alone, sad, or maybe they recently lost someone and this is going to be a particularly rough Christmas. Yes, I have already given money to charity and want to do more in that arena as well, but sometimes our time, a smile, freshly baked cookies, or just randomly doing a chore for someone is just as important.

I met a woman this week who doesn’t need anything monetarily and she looks fine and smiles a lot. What I found out though is that her husband recently left her and she’s alone. My first thought would be that there isn’t really anything I could do; after all she isn’t local. However, I WILL find a way to somehow make her holiday brighter, even if it’s sending a note. It’s easy to overlook needs if we aren’t looking at people and situations with love and open hearts.

Will you partner with me and search out some of these needs in your community? If you already do, God Bless You, you rock! I think most of us have good intentions, but sometimes the busyness of the season wears us down until we don’t even enjoy it. We will enjoy it most when we give most!

Have a great night!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, God, Holiday

Words like silver

November 22, 2012 2 Comments

So tonight as I sat here in my jammies, typing away at my computer, trying to learn how to import my old blog, add tags and install widgets, I heard a knock at my door. My first inclination was to ignore it. After all, I’m in my jammies! But the windows are open and I had heard the heels clicking up the sidewalk so I knew the visitor was a female. Well, whoever she was would just have to be greeted by a pajama wearing, naked faced, messy haired, me.

Let me tell you, I am so glad I opened that door. One of my dear friends from the East coast stood there looking like she stepped off a magazine cover. She apologized for dropping in on me unexpectedly, (because obviously I wasn’t expecting visitors) and I invited her in. We’ve seen each other sans makeup, so I was okay with all this.

We caught up for a bit and then I told her of my new blog and she said she could feel the excitement I had for this adventure! She began to encourage me about blogging, writing and even offered support since she knows this program so well as it’s all her company uses for publishing. She also offered some suggestions for my future book and is in a position where she can provide resources. My friends, this was a God thing. I just switched to this site today and it’s the one she knows like the back of her hand.

Three hours later, she got up to go and both of us feeling refreshed and encouraged in spirit, hugged our goodbyes. Tonight I am thankful for God’s providence and for the wonderful people He places in my life in His perfect timing. Sometimes an encouraging word is all that is needed to catapult us headlong into our dreams and goals. Be an encourager, always my friends- Good night, dream of turkey and dressing 😉