China. Crafts. Carpet. Christmas.

I’m struggling.   I mean deep down inside struggling.  Things, items, stuff......they just seem silly lately.

I have a beautiful china cabinet in my dining room.  I bought the cabinet to contain & display all of the items.  It’s full of lovely china, crystal & silver items.  FULL.  Not one of the items contained in the cabinet did I purchase.  It’s not necessary and it sometimes it even seems silly.  I appreciate and even love the gifts.  But, they are just things.

I have a great craft/scrapbooking room that is amazing.  Truly. Amazing.  I’ve bought LOTS of those items.  It’s not necessary and it seems silly.  

I have four bedrooms, a hallway & stairs, living room and a family room that got new carpet three years ago.  I lived just fine without carpet while we remodeled too.  It’s not necessary and it seems silly.

I have 15 storage bins that contain Christmas decorations. They take up lots of space for 11 months out of the year.  They aren’t necessary and they seem silly.

These all seem silly when I think about those who don’t even own a cupboard to put everyday plates in, let alone know where their next meal might come from.  It seems silly when I think about people who wouldn’t have the time for a hobby to make crafts let alone spend the money on a hobby.  I’ve met ladies in another country who are content to “sweep” their dirt floor.  So, I felt guilty complaining about the plywood boards through my whole house I “endured” for an entire year before I purchased carpet.  At least I had a floor.  I have Christmas decorations for what?

What if we all lived simple on purpose?  Downsized instead of upgraded.  What if we gave others as much as ourselves?  You know that verse where Jesus says “love others as yourself?”  (Luke 10:27)  That would mean 50% others and 50% us. 

If you have ever attended a church service in your life I know you heard them talk about money.  You’ve heard them ask for that portion God commands us to give if you are His child.  However, I heard a great sermon once about what does God think about how you spend that other 90% of your checkbook that is His. 

HIS

You mean it all is His?  Yup.  I have to answer for 100% of what He blessed me with.  The point is have I been faithful with what He has given me and asked me to do with it? However, I want to clarify gifts from our heavenly Daddy there are nothing wrong with.  He delights in running us down with blessings. (Matt 7:11)  It’s a matter of the heart.  Contentment. Greed. Thankfulness. Gratitude.  I’m just more concerned with being obedient to the Giver of all good things and not keeping up with the Jones’ to impress them. 

We work more so we can “afford” more.  We charge more so we can “have” more.  We go on extravagant vacations so we can “relax” right?  What is enough?  Fancy cell phones just seem silly.  I’ve never paid more than $50 for one.  Mine calls people.  It even texts.  That’s enough.  Salon nails seem silly.  I like them.  They are prettier than mine.  Mine are enough.  I made a choice to not have a car payment.  My car drives, it’s safe.  It’s paid for.  It’s enough. 

Being rich is truly just having more than enough. 

why the why?

Do you ever notice that?  Why do we ask God “why” when something tragic happens?

Let me tell you a story.

When Bryce was young our family went on a road trip.  We were on our way to the annual Strickler family camping trip up north for more memories.  It was a long car ride for a little one and he started asking fairly soon into the trip if we were there yet.  I’m sure we’ve all done that.  I know I did.  His Dad had a great answer that I will never forget.  As we were driving down the highway, he answered, “Yes.”  This puzzled Bryce because it was obvious even to a little tike we weren’t stopping.  In his wisdom Bryce asked, “Then why aren’t we stopping?”  Dad answered something like this, “If we aren’t stopped then we haven’t arrived there yet.”  After a few more times, it finally sunk in to Bryce’s mind that asking the question over and over didn’t get him the result he wanted.  It didn’t get him to his destination any earlier.

His Dad was teaching him a lesson.

P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E.

Your Daddy might be trying to teach you the same lesson. 

To answer my opening question, I forget He’s proven Himself trustworthy.  In that moment anyway, I forget.  I come back to reality and tell myself I know that I know that I know He is trustworthy.  If I see Him as trustworthy I wouldn’t even care what the answer was, would I?

Jesus never asked in scripture His Father the question why He had to die on the cross.  The only request He had was if there was another way out but even so let His will be done. 

He didn’t demand an explanation.  God doesn’t owe us one.  He’s God.  He knows the beginning from the end.  He created the beginning and wrote the whole story since then. 

He’s in control.  He’s got the whole world in His hands.  Man chose sin and therefore this world became corrupt, period.  God didn’t make us all puppets and force us to love Him and obey like robots.  Why don’t people get mad at the source, which is our enemy but instead shake their hand at God and become angry? 

It works.  Getting mad at Satan and relying on your Daddy.  I know.  Just recently Satan was out to kill, steal and destroy an area in my life.  You know what I did?  I got on my face, laughed at Satan and told him to watch out and see God be my source.  Do you believe within less than 24 hours MY Daddy did just that?  Yup.  He’s never late. 

So, this ‘road trip’ you are on, try just resting in God for His faithfulness.  His timing is perfect and never late.  His reason isn’t your concern, just your obedience.

true love isn't blind

Once upon a time there was a man and a woman.  They fell in love.  They got married.  The end.

Huh?

Fairy tales pretty much portray love with most of the story being the courtship and “They lived happily ever after.”  ANY of you who have been married before or are married know the courtship usually is the part where you are on your best behavior.  Your “love” is blind as the common phrase says.  I put love in quotation marks because at this point you are only going on few facts that you love this person. 

What I want to focus on is the continual CHOICE to love a person after you truly SEE all their faults, all their mistakes and when the years change them.  True love isn’t blind at all.

What if someone wrote a fairy tale about after you say “I do?”……………

Let me tell you one.

The husband is a real life hero in my book.  He is the true expression of a servant.  You know that phrase in vows at most weddings where it says “In sickness and in health?”

How many of you truly think sickness is going to require your sacrifice?   It may be weeks, months and years of serving your true love.  You said, “I do” to it, remember?

When a physical condition altered his wife’s lifestyle, he chose to stay with her and stick by her side.  He serves his wife on a daily basis.  Somehow daily doesn’t even describe it.  Most days it is moment by moment.  I have seen him give his time, money, talent, etc. to bless her.  Could you alter your lifestyle, your home, and your heart for another human being for the rest of your life? 

Let’s give her some credit too.  She has to truly trust her husband.  She relies on his faithfulness to her.  She continually needs him. 

Making a sacrifice for another person requires you to see what they need and acting on it.  

Why cheapen love by being saying it’s blind?  I think it’s a better picture of true love when someone sees you in the worst of the worst and loves you in spite of it.  Sometimes this is a physical condition.  Sometimes this is a heart condition.  They may even truly love you enough to speak the truth to you in love about some changing you might need to consider. 

That’s what my Savior did for me.  He knew I needed Him.  He knew I was a wreck without Him.  He knew I’d live for eternity separated from Him and gave Himself COMPLETELY to me.  He sent his own son to die on my behalf.  He sees me and loves me in my selfishness. 

He isn’t blind at all. 

What if you approached love this way?  Will you choose to see someone’s faults and make another choice to love them still?

my father, my friend

So I didn’t get my Dad a Father’s Day card this year……….because I couldn’t fit everything all in.  So I dedicate this blog post to him. 

My hero.  Co-worker.  Elder.  Sushi partner.  Neighbor.  Shopping buddy.  Counselor.  Mechanic.  Rescuer.  Comedian……but the most dear to me, my friend.

I don’t know how I got so lucky being born to an amazing Dad, but I’m thankful God picked me to fulfill this role, his daughter. 

I have had some great memories with my Dad.  Things like on my 16^th birthday in Chicago eating at the Hard Rock Café and he leans over to some guest and asks, “Pardon me do you have any Grey Poupon.”  (as there is one on every table & acting like the classic commercial.)  Or the time him, my brother & I were at Wendy’s and he didn’t get any hamburger on his sandwich and he walked up to the counter and said, “Hey, where’s the beef?”  A certain car we had contained eight speakers and a great sound system and he would always roll down the windows and blare the music (as I would sink into my seat) and say, “Hey, I don’t want to just listen to the music, I want to BE THERE!”  I owe him a thank you for not getting easily embarrassed because, well, I overcame it in my childhood. 

One “date” he took me on when I was little I’ll never forget is at Kmart.  He bought me the coolest gloves and each finger had a different little puppet on it and I thought they were so cool. 

As an adult your relationship changes with your parents.  Some people run far away from their parents and their relationship dies.  Others become distant, as it is an easier way to have a relationship.  And others draw closer to them because a deep friendship can now grow.  I had an amazing childhood but as an adult I realize how blessed I am to have him as a father but more importantly a dear friend.

We have gone shopping together and out to sushi, just the two of us.  We go to lunch on a regular basis because we work together.  Dad and I occasionally carpool to work together as we are also neighbors.  All of these are great moments in the simple day of an ordinary life.  I wouldn’t change a thing.  Great conversations happen.  Great laughs.  Great advice given.

I’ve had the privilege of going on a mission trip with him and we’ve gone on some great vacations together as a family.  My Dad was my roller coaster buddy as a kid because that isn’t Mom’s thing.  From Wisconsin Dells go kart racing to Disney World, Bush Gardens, Cedar Point & Six Flags Great America, we’ve ridden a few together. 

I also get to watch him be one awesome Grandpa to a great kid.  This is beautiful because He is my son’s only Grandpa in his life and he’s right next door to us. 

I love you Dad. 

a tale of two drawers

A friend commented on my nicely organized kitchen drawer one day while I was making soup for the both of us.  BUT, I confessed I also had a messy one right next to it.

Let’s start with the small drawer.  This drawer is doing what it was created to do.  It takes time to find what I’m looking for.  It isn’t as nice to open & look at.  It is wasting a lot of space it was given.  Much more could be stored in here if a little time was taken, organized the drawer and maintained it. 

Now let’s look at the large drawer.  This one contains a lot of items.  At one glance I can pretty much see everything in it and know where everything is. It is easy to reach in and get just what I need.  It is nicely fulfilling its purpose isn’t it? Its well taken care of.

This got me thinking how many different kinds of kitchen utensils there are out there.  Kitchen gadgets are numerous and how many different gifts and personalities are in the body of Christ.

Jar opener:  Some of you need help getting your “lid” opened so others can enjoy the benefits of what has been contained inside, sitting on the shelf collecting dust.

Strainer:  Sometimes we need help sifting out the unwanted.  Unless you practice using your gift you never get to the good stuff.  Perfect it.  This takes time.

Sandwich press:  This one seals two pieces of bread together and contains the contents inside.  God has given us the pieces to put everything together BUT without the Holy Spirit it doesn’t stay intact.  We absolutely need Him to be a part of it.

Oven thermometer:  This one tells us we are right on.  We’re ready.  It is the word of God.  He will never contradict again his word.  If it is edification or a correction (which I see as an edification too) it will always line up with God’s word.  If you receive something for someone the most faithful thing you can do with it is to test it and bring it before God.  Don’t quench the spirit by disobeying Him and delivering something but you can also quench the spirit by ignoring a word for yourself.  You just might miss out.

Broken pitcher plunger:  This one has been broken. It isn’t fulfilling its purpose.  It needs the other pieces to function, to do its job.  I think this is one of the most important.  If it is all alone what good is it.  It really is useless.  Why do I have it still?  I can order replacement parts.  You can get plugged in again.  There is hope. 

Pie/cake server:  Be the gift of a servant to someone else.  When it cost you something.  Love others more than yourself.  It’s hard to love others more than us.  I’ve been working on just trying to love others 50% of the time as much as I love me and have failed. 

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Mark 14:3-5

Another piece of advice that is important is to ask God yourself and seek out from Him what you are to be faithful with.  Don’t let others alone tell you what you should do.

As a younger Christian I attended a church where I was told where to serve, what my gifts were and how they should be used. AKA what areas of ministry needed filling.  I listened to man and not God directly.

Romans 8:28

I am called according to God’s design and purpose.  NOT other’s purpose.

For me gifts are about a deeper relationship with God.  When I started talking to God and seeking Him for how He desired me to further His kingdom is when I started really growing in my relationship with Him.  I had much more peach and joy as well.  Don’t get me wrong, others should see be able to acknowledge and even encourage you what your gifts are but don’t let them alone tell you.  Ask God for yourself.

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The point is, do something.  Use what you have.  I can’t do your part.  You can’t do mine.  I answer for me.  You answer for you.  Tell the jar opener to sift.  It can’t.  Tell the thermometer to seal the items together.  It impossible.

Luke 19:26

………if you want to increase your drawer capacity be faithful with what you’ve been given.  If you want it taken away don’t listen. OUCH.

premature enjoyment

God’s timing is the best, period!  When you try to enjoy something premature, you don’t get all of the benefits. 

I was so excited when construction on my deck began I could hardly stand it.  Now, let me explain so you understand my excitement.  I lived in a house for three summers with a beautiful backyard and a space where an existing deck used to be.   It had to be torn down because of poor planning.  All of that work, time and money – WASTED! Getting ahead of God and not letting Him direct your steps will cost you lots of work, time and money.  We don’t plan near as well as God does.  “Unless God builds the house, they labor in vain.”

A huge slider door was off the family room waiting to be used with no deck to walk out on.  How sad.  The view looking out the sliders I thoroughly enjoy.  God and I have had many conversations overlooking my beautiful back yard.  I’ve spent many hours, laying on the floor in front of these sliders reading books, having coffee with God and reading my Bible.  I could have enjoyed so much more with a deck there. 

….Back to the deck construction.  About half the boards were across the width of the deck big enough for a lounge chair.   I was so excited I couldn’t stand it.  Yup, you guessed it, I got up there to enjoy the partial deck.  I had my fan out, lounge chair, book and a big glass of ice tea & a beautiful hot sun just waiting to give me some vitamin D.

While I’m enjoying the view from a whole new angle, God speaks to me and says, “When you try to enjoy something premature, you don’t get all the benefits.”   Immediately I think oops, what have I missed out on?  Are there areas in my life I have rushed into and thought was so exciting I just jumped ahead of God.  Now, I’m not saying I didn’t get a nice tan, have a relaxing afternoon by myself or enjoy the view.  What I am saying is, it took a little more effort to enjoy the partial deck, since there were no steps to it yet.  The boards weren’t close enough to the house to walk out onto from the sliders yet.  There were no planters with beautiful flowers out yet, no rails, no table & chairs.  Just a partial deck in very early construction was all there was.  There was way more work to be done to enjoy all the benefits.

lessons from singleness cont.

6.) Buy yourself presents. Because it's fun. Because you can.

I have a habit of doing this. I'm making up for lost time. I don’t know why but I use to feel guilty for buying myself things. I would always spend money on the house, husband, son etc. Very rarely did I buy myself a present. Not clothes or something to use in the kitchen but just because I wanted it. My scrapbook room proves otherwise now.  It’s the first hobby that I’ve seriously had. Only I use it in the house and do it simply because I enjoy it.

7.) Go on dates with God.

I've booked a date with God on my calendar many times. He's the perfect match. He never stands you up. He keeps His word. His gifts you never want to return. They are perfect. He is faithful. He's committed to you for eternity.

8.) Help someone. Help many.

News update: you aren't going through a circumstance or have gone through something just for yourself. I was amazed how quickly God brought me women to help go through the same situation I was going through. I started opening up and sharing with people while I was going through my divorce and was amazed how many women sought me out for help, advice, prayer and just input.

Satan tries to make you isolate yourself with depression. You turn inward. When you help others you aren’t focused on yourself. Serving others helps you heal. It’s a beautiful thing all the way around. Try it.

9.) We are a family.

It took me a very long time to get this. Maybe it's not hard for you. It was for me. I couldn't think of my son and I as a family. It was broken. For the longest time I had a scrapbook album to fill and the cover said “Family” on it. I avoided using it because I didn’t feel like we were a family. It now contains vacation pictures Bryce & I took with friends to beautiful South Carolina.

10.) It's not a disease.

People will constantly try to set you up. They mean well. Dating to fill up an evening or get a free meal isn't for me. My time is valuable. Some may not understand being content single. You CAN go to an event alone. It’s okay.

story facts. (an oxymoron)

I was a senior in high school and got in my first fender-bender on the way to school.  I was turning left onto the road and another lady was turning right and BAM, we hit.  I still remember it to this day.  What I remember the most about that accident was that the officer interviewed the lady first and then came over to me and started writing out the ticket to me.  It was my fault.  I’ll take the blame.  It was an accident totally and that’s just a part of life. 

What I discovered was life isn’t fair.

The officer never bothered to ask me my side of the story, EVER.  He just wrote out the ticket and it was done.  I remember being upset, not that is was going down in history as my fault, but that he never even asked my side of the story. 

How many times do we make a conclusion about a person, situation or “story” without talking to that person directly or hearing both sides of the situation?  I admit I do it much more than I should.  This experience came back to my memory after I drew a conclusion about a situation without knowing all the facts.   How unfair that was.  Assuming can get you into a lot of trouble.  It can also make you look really, really silly. 

Whoops.

I’ve heard someone say “It’s easier to be the first to speak up than to defend something later.”  However, if you hear someone’s side of the story first it doesn’t make it the truth.  

We all know what it is like to be on the receiving end of being misjudged.  We all have been accused wrongly of something I’m sure.  It doesn’t feel the best. 

Love does not have to prove itself right.

Let them talk.  Don’t talk about them.

It amazes me how quick we believe something because we were told this is how it is.  One of the most important lessons I believe my parents taught me when it came to Christianity is to do my own research.  Don’t take any preacher’s word, youth pastor or guest speaker as “truth” without consulting The Truth.  Find that verse for yourself.  Dig and then dig some more.  “Be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you.”  This doesn’t mean your Grandma’s hope or your Dad’s hope, but your OWN hope.  One of my new favorite lines from a book I read is “God doesn’t have any grandchildren, only children.”  

Investigate.  Do your research.

my hero

Esther is my girl.  She got it.  I hope to master it in every area of my life.  It's good to have goals at least, right? If there is one thing, and one thing only, I want my life legacy to be it would be this:

To only desire what the King desires.

I don’t just want to talk about it.  I don’t just want to desire it.  I want to live that way.

This takes practice……

I have begun evaluating my most cherished prayer requests and consciously starting out with one phrase that changes the whole moment.  Esther said it well, “If I have found favor in the King’s eyes, and if it pleases the King to give me what I ask of him.”

I think I finally figured out that this kind of prayer always wins.  If God delights in my request He grants it to me.  If God has a better plan, I win by being spared circumstances that weren’t for my good. 

Our lives don’t belong to us if we have surrendered our heart to God.  True surrender shows by your requests.  Are they driven by selfish motives?  Mine sure have been.  True surrender shows by your reaction when God gives you the answer you might not like.  I’d like to say I’ve always reacted perfectly.  I’d be lying.  You’d quit following my blog.  (or at least you should)

Psalms 37:4 Says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  God isn’t a genie.  You don’t rub a magic lamp, God pops out, you make a wish and it comes true.  Why do we treat this verse this way?  I believe a person truly delighting themselves in the Lord has the desires of their heart planted in them by God.  The last handful of years I have tried so hard to just focus on the first part of this verse. 

We were bought with a price.  Blood.  It can’t be undone.  It’s forever.  My desires sacrificed are so mild in comparison. 


♪♫♪ "Teach me to love like You.  Break my heart for what breaks Yours"  -Hosanna by Hillsong United ♪♫♪

Proverbs 3:5-10 (MSG)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   He's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
   Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
   your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
   give Him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
   your wine vats will brim over.

The above verse I know to be true.  No one could convince me otherwise.  I challenge you to experience the same.  It’s worth it. More than you can imagine.

Just ask Esther.  She went from an unknown orphan to a famous queen in history. 

lessons from singleness

I’m not an expert and in the grand scheme of life I haven’t really been single that long.  Seven years and counting.  It’s a miracle I can even write that because some days, it feels like forever.  Good thing emotions aren’t true reality.  Thankfully circumstances are temporary.  Here’s some random lessons I’ve learned.  However, I’ll start with the most important of all.

1.)  God is enough.

He HAS to be.  A husband and a baby or kids aren’t everything. You see I was lost in my identity in being a wife and mom.  I was consumed.  From a little girl it was all I wanted to be when I grew up.  It was an idol.  I have a purpose greater than those two titles in the world.  To further the kingdom of God!  However He sees best for me to do that I faithfully need to do.

2.)   Alone time is priceless; it’s productive; it’s necessary.

Do you hear that?  It’s quiet.  I’ve grown to LOVE it.  It’s one of those things that I would redo if I could.  Get more alone time.  My personality is a sanguine (outgoing and social).  Man do I love hosting people over, attending a party or just hanging out with family or a girlfriend.  I book up quick!  The younger me was never alone.  I was afraid to be alone.  The new me has gone to a movie alone & enjoyed it.  Not because no one was available but because I wanted to.  I’ve stayed in a hotel room away just for me.  I’d say I’ve made progress. 

3.)   I don’t need a husband, but I would like one.

I have an amazing church, job, house, land, car, scrapbook room……you fill in the blank.  I am extremely blessed.  I can make it on my own.  To be honest from the material things perspective I’ve done better single than when I was married.  The only debt I have is my mortgage.  I’m in the biggest house I’ve ever lived in. ETC ETC.  I would gladly give it all up tomorrow if saying “I do” required it.  However, Mr. Right is going to be worth it.  I bring a lot to the table. This brings me to the next point.

4.) Know your value

I know my worth.  I’ve worked hard at it. I don’t mean in a conceded or prideful way.  Please don’t take it this way.  I just mean don’t settle for just a man (or woman) just to be blessed married.  It’s not worth it.  I’ll stay single until God calls me home or comes back Himself.  Marriage is tons of work and I’ve said all along, the man I marry will be worth all that work.  Instead of making a mile long list of what he should have, I’ve put more energy into what I should bring.  It’s more rewarding that way. 

5.) Don’t wait around until “then”

Check things off your “bucket list” now.  Don’t sit around for him/her.  Buy that house.  Go on that vacation.  My next to do item is a missionary trip with my teenager.   Those plans are in the works.  Find your individual purpose.  I promise you it’s not just being a wife/husband and/or a parent.  I can’t tell you how many times I have said to my girlfriend or have thought to myself, when would I have time to date?  Time flies when you’re having fun.  Don’t waste today dreaming for “when.”

Being single has been worth every minute.  I’m convinced I could have never grown any other way.  God is good like that.  He knows just what we need to go through.  Trust Him, right where you are at.  Right down the path you are on.  Trust me, there’s a bend or a new road soon.  For me, as long as I’m not going backwards then things are looking up.

……….to be continued.

no vacancy

Boundaries are healthy.  Boundaries are necessary.  Boundaries are no good unless you enforce them.

Once upon a time there was this girl.  She wasn’t liked by a certain few and their mission in life seemed to be to make her life miserable.  What a sad state of purpose for someone’s day.  They said cruel things behind her back.  They said cruel things to her face.  They purposefully thought of ways to make her day hard.  Words hurt more than sticks and stones.  She took a lot of verbal abuse. 

One of my all time favorite movies is Pretty Woman.  I could probably recite a great deal of the movie if I really wanted to.  It’s the ultimate story of girl gets rescued by a boy and her life is truly changed.  Why I like it so much is that the underdog wins.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Richard Gere is telling Julia Roberts that she is very bright and very special. She is says, “People put you down enough, you start to believe it. The bad stuff is easier to believe. You ever notice that?” 

Satan is the perfect liar.  He’s determined to convince you to believe the “bad” stuff about you.  If you listen long enough and entertain him, you’ll start to believe it. 

Healthy boundaries are life changing.

The girl in my story got some very sound advice and someone asked her why she rented space in her brain to those mean girls.  That is pure wisdom right there!

Don’t give in!  

Satan is out to kill, steal and destroy.  Don’t rent any space to him.  Don’t even entertain the thoughts he throws at you and dwell on them.  Go to the Word, see what God says about you and remind Satan what your creator said about you. 

God designed you, He knows the real you.  See what He sees in His love letter to you.

If you don’t know your value, you’ll believe anything.

Remind yourself that you were His idea……..

lawn maintenance & other failures of mine

Fail.

I’m pretty sure I get an “F” in the yard maintenance category of life.  My yard is a hot mess. Yard work is not my favorite thing to do.  My motto is if you water the lawn you have to mow it so don’t water it. My yard is natural. Whatever God placed here is all I need.  I even gave away my lawn mower after it sat idle for three summers.  This way I figure I guarantee I’ll never get the bug to have any grass.  I have no lawn mower.  I like flowers and I can manage perennials.  Some landscaping is in my future with rocks and some bushes but I’ll keep it pretty simple.

I’ll save my time for other things in life that are more important to me.   I’m happy with my yard.  After all it’s mine.  Some people are just blessed with a green thumb and it is a beautiful hobby.  It’s just not mine.

Spiritually speaking……

“If the grass is greener on the other side, it’s time to start watering your own lawn.”

I’m not exactly sure where I first heard this phrase or I would give credit to the author. 

I LOVE IT. 

Why do we compare our “lawns” to everyone else’s?  Whether it is stuff, a job, position, ministry, car, spouse, etc.  Discontentment is complaining about what you do have and also complaining about what you don’t have.  Take a step back and listen, really listen.  Before you desire a new this or that ask yourself,  “Have I been faithful with what I have been given?”  “Have I been thankful for what I’ve been blessed with.” 

Before I purchased my 3600 sq ft house with 7.5 acres and more toilets than I’ve ever had, I came from a tiny rental house.  It was maybe 900 sq ft.  There were only 4 rooms.  Kitchen, living room, bathroom and I shared the bedroom with my son.  Now we have 4 bedrooms alone and there’s only 2 of us.

What these two houses have in common, I was just as content there as I am now. Sure I’m excited I have more room to have more friends over and host more parties.  And let’s not forget my scrapbook room.  BUT, I was just as thankful in that tiny precious house that was all mine that God provided for us as I am today.  (and no, I didn’t water the lawn at the small house either)

What I can tell you is it is just stuff.  God has entrusted me with it and while I have the blessing of taking care of it, I will.  If I move in future, all that will change is my address.

Be content.  Learn it.  Strive for it.  If you need to, apply some Miracle Grow.  Just work at it. 

Matthew 5:5 (MSG) - You're blessed when you're content with just who you are-no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought."

i can see clearly now

A little light on the subject sure does help a girl out.  Let me tell you about my procrastination and how simple the remedy to my problem really was.

The home I purchased had a refrigerator that came with the house.  This refrigerator had no light bulb inside so when you opened the door to the fridge it was completely dark.  This made it difficult to find what you were looking for.  It also hid the cleanliness of my glass shelves.  This wasn’t so bad during the day but at night it required an extra step to turn the main kitchen light on.  It also required extra electricity.  

Embarrassingly enough I have procrastinated fixing this for 3.5 years.  Silly.  In my defense I purchased a light bulb once and it ending up being the wrong kind.  So, I guess I gave up again.  Still so silly why it sat unresolved.

Fast forward to when I purchased an antique china hutch from an auction for my formal dinning room.  The previous owner included a spare light bulb in one of the drawers that fit the upper section.  This looks so beautiful at night when it is turned on and makes my china and crystal sparkle. 

The sad part……..

A friend came over and went to put something away in my fridge and asked if it wasn’t working because no light came on.  I said something to the sound of “It’s not broke I just haven’t replaced the bulb.”  This made me realize how silly this was of me. 

As one of my favorite animated characters, Gru, would say “LIGHT BULB.”

I got a “bright” idea.  I should try the extra light bulb from the china hutch on the fridge and see if it works. 

Guess what?  It sure did.  A little light on the subject sure is nice.

God so gently reminded me of the importance of consistently reading His word.  It is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. 

Psalms 139:23 & 24 [MSG]

Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I'm about;
See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong—
then guide me on the road to eternal life.

The heart is very corrupt.  We are liable to deceive ourselves.  We have a conflict of interest when we leave it to ourselves to search our own heart.  If we let God thoroughly search our hearts it is for our benefit, not His.  He already knows what is contained in there and loves us unconditionally. 

Sometimes God may use a close friend, family member or a spouse to reveal to us a condition in our heart.  Test and try this before the Lord for yourself.  If He confirms it in you then your best bet is to correct it .

A little light on the subject matter of the heart sure exposes what is on the “shelf.” 

convenience will cost you

 So I was in a hurry.  I paid way too much!!!!  I had an honest motive but I was in a hurry.  I wanted to bake a dessert for homegroup and I was tired.  I was home from work at 5:45, dinner cleaned up by 6:30.  I was searching through the cookbooks for ideas, list made and off to the store. It was 7:30.  I just wanted to relax and usually baking is relaxing for me…..normally.  But, I was in a hurry. I paid way too much for premade cookie dough.  I had no coupon & it wasn't on sale. Let me truthfully tell you all these ingredients I had at home.  They were ready and waiting, they just needed to be combined together in the proper order, a little time and I would arrive at the same result as that package of dough from the store. 

As I was unpacking the groceries, eager to get the dough baking, the Lord speaks to me, "Convenience will cost you."  Why did I do it……..pay that much?  I used tiredness as an excuse. I really did want to make a dessert for homegroup.  I was just going about it the lazy way.  I would have had to clean up the kitchen again and I just wanted the easiest path to arrive at the same promised destination. Convenience will cost you.  Did I end up with a dessert? Yes.  Could I have arrived there with less of a price tag? Yes. 

I even bought other products that trip on a whim, no forethought.  Items I could have clipped a coupon for and didn't. Or waited till they went on sale.  Why, too much time…… Did I have the money, sure.  I didn't bother to simply wait AND the items cost me MORE!

I joke about cookie dough…….I don't joke about sin.  Are you guilty of rushing the Lord's plan for your life?  He might have cookie dough for you (i.e. job, spouse, home, dream) and you might rush it too quickly.  Will it cost you?  Just ask King David.  Did God bless him, sure.  Did it cost him? Lots!  Pray for wisdom, guidance and God's timing most of all. 

Nobody signs up for a commitment and says "Yes, I can't wait for the really hard part where my patience and dedication are tested. Oh, I can't wait to see how much I can endure."  No we say, "Where is the short cut?  Where is the convenience of the microwave?" Or store bought cookie dough.

Oh, and I'd bet the quick, store bought, cookie dough didn't taste as good as the homemade recipe would have.  Enjoy God's recipe, it's worth waiting for. 

what does love look like?

I don’t have all the answers, not even half of them.  However, two people who taught me what the very word LOVE means, what it looks like and how they showed me love have a pretty good idea.  So I’ll share some of their wisdom that they lived out and I was blessed to witness. 

What my momma taught me……..by eliminating words?

Respect (honor) your husband.

This one alone is so priceless, I can’t even begin to thank my Mom for showing me what respecting your husband looks like, sounds like and should be lived like. 

I’m just going to be bluntly honest ladies - we need to just learn to keep our mouths SHUT!  So I haven’t had the practice in respecting a husband for quite some time now.  I realize this.  I also think since I have been single I have been more aware of how women talk about their husbands.  It’s a pretty sad score I have to admit.  I realize I don’t know all your husbands faults (he’s human, we all have them).   But, it is heartbreaking to see a good husband be so disrespected.  The Bible doesn’t say we are to love our husbands.  That tends to come easy for us women.  What they need from us is RESPECT.  I think God also knew this would be a challenge for us.  He’s so good at growing us.  Complaining about your husband is just disrespectful.  Padding it with a prayer request, well, check your heart first.  God knows.

What my daddy taught me………by not defending himself?

Love does NOT have to prove itself right.

My Dad has verbally repeated this phrase over and over and over to me throughout my life. He also has showed me by example that proving you are right is not love.  Having to be right isn’t love.  Having the last word in isn’t love.  Having to defend yourself isn’t love.  In other words, love doesn’t insist on it’s own way. 

I have wanted to scream at others on behalf of my Dad when he has so quietly kept his mouth shut.  The strength in his stance on not having to prove himself right is remarkable.   

I know I haven’t past these tests yet, so I guess I’ll get to retake them.  That’s the beautiful thing.  God doesn’t give up on us.  He doesn’t grade on a curve though, we each have to stand before Him and answer for our test grade.  Not anyone else’s. 

So whether your husband needs respect or you have been wronged and don’t deserve it, remember what love LOOKS like and SOUNDS like.

i feel the need…..the need for speed

True confession, no lie, I like to drive fast.  Not only could this mean the maximum number on the speedometer but also might mean how quick can I get to that number.  Really, I’m telling all my business with this one.

Anyone who has known me for any length of time knows I love cars.  I have for a long time.  Even back in my upper elementary years I owned a Lamborghini sweatshirt.  Back in the day my brother and I had many discussions about Lamborghini vs. Ferrari and which one was better.  He was the Ferrari fan.  Boo. 

Horsepower!!!!  My true love is a Shelby Mustang.  A five speed, black Shelby with either flat black racing stripes or faint hot pink flames is my goal to own someday.  Choosing which year to get is the toughest decision.  Of course with a pony interior and a good amount of chrome.  My license plate will read ESTRGIN.  J  As you can tell I’ve thought a lot about this. 

When I owned my first car that had a V6 engine one of my first comments to someone about it was, “Finally I have a car that can keep up with me.”   My Dad pointed out while I was shopping for a car and was looking at this V6 that it wouldn’t get as great of gas mileage that I was use to.  I replied, “Good gas mileage isn’t any fun.” 

Let me clarify though, I don’t try to intentionally speed.  I never on purpose set my mind to go a crazy number of miles per hour over the speed limit.  HONEST.  Now, I’m not saying my foot doesn’t get heavy, especially if I’m jamming to some really great music. This doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy going fast, I just know it isn’t wise and it is illegal.  I like my insurance rates and I really don’t like the consequences of getting pulled over.

One day I was accelerating ever so quickly on the entrance ramp onto the highway and my son says to me, “Mom, this isn’t a NASCAR race.”  Isn’t he funny?  I said back to him that I wasn’t even up to the speed limit yet.  I also commented to him that I don’t try to intentionally speed.  I inadvertently said, “This is why I use the self-control button.”  What I meant was the cruise control.  Quite honestly though, for me the cruise control is using self-control. 

Don’t you wish it were just that easy?  I mean if I could set the “self-control” button in every area of my life that needed it, my flesh wouldn’t be a problem.  In a sense we have access to a self-control button with our lives.  Galatians 5:22-23 says when the Holy Spirit controls our lives (this is a choice) he produces this kind of fruit, self-control.  We all can ignore the Holy Spirit’s prompting.  He will never over-ride our choice but rather we need to make a choice to use His guidance. 

So remember, this isn’t a NASCAR race and set your self-control.  If you can help it you can avoid the consequences of getting pulled over. (Maybe I should learn to drive like it's "Saturday" - read previous blog)

are you lost in a maze?

Fall is my favorite season of the year.  My son and I started a new tradition two years ago to do together every fall.  Actually it was his idea.  There is a farm close by that I love to visit regularly during the fall.  They have cider, donuts, fudge, a petting farm, pumpkin patch, apple orchard and among many other things, an eight acre corn maze.  I love being on the farm.  Deep down I just know I could’ve been a farm girl if life would have gone that direction. 

The corn maze is so much fun.  The stalks are super tall and it takes a map to successfully navigate through the maze.  It takes a good 45 minutes to an hour to complete it.  Within the maze there are 10 poles, each with a different paper punch.  Attached to your map is a punch card with the numbers 1 through 10 to use with the correct paper punch.  This proves you successfully completed the maze. 

Bryce has proven that he is much better at reading the map than I am.  Guys usually are great with direction.  At least this girl isn’t so savvy.  So, this year I told him that he was my guide.  I wasn’t even going to look at the map for the corn maze and just follow him.

This can be good……..this can also be bad.

It takes complete trust to let someone else lead you around.  Or, you might just be lazy and want someone else to do all the work.  I knew, for me, I could figure it out and eventually find the exit.  I also knew if I let someone lead who is better with directions it wouldn’t take as long to complete the maze.  I also saw this give Bryce such confidence when he saw I trusted him and was depending on him.  (Ladies, maybe your man needs to really know that you trust him.  Tell him and show him by following when you should.  Okay, that’s a whole other blog post someday).

Relinquish control.

Well, at one point in the maze, I became distracted.  When I finally got around to looking up, I realized my leader was nowhere to be seen.  Not good.  I got out the map to try to figure out where I was at first.  This didn’t help much because I didn’t know where I was at.  Now what?  I waited for a little bit and Bryce came back for me once he realized I wasn’t following.  God spoke to me right then and there and said let this be a little lesson.  Ouch!

In reality life really is a whole lot like a corn maze when you think about it.  We can all wander around and get somewhere somehow if we want.  We also all have “poles” we are destined to be at in life as well.  Divine appointments.  You have a choice to let your Maker guide you through your “maze” and complete the work He gave you to do.  Not everyone thinks they have a purpose.  Some know it and choose to be distracted.  That is honestly what distractions are, just a choice. 

How’s your “punch card” look?  Are you where you need to be?  Don’t get lost.  Don’t take your eyes of your leader.  He knows what is best.  He also knows the path you need to be led down and He’ll direct you.  You only have to ask but then you need to obey. 

Psalm 16:11
MSG – Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face.  Ever since You took my hand, I’m on the right way.

NKJV – You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasure forevermore.