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.

i’m not in a hurry...so i can enjoy where i’m at

I love Saturdays.  It is the only day I don’t have to set the alarm clock.  I even take it as far as turning of the display on my clock.  I don't need to know what time it is until I feel like getting up.   This way I don't care if it is "too early" or "too late" but JUST THE RIGHT TIME.  I protect these mornings with full determination to not rush anywhere.


I love to sleep in.  I have ever since I was a teenager and I don’t think I ever grew out of it.  Having coffee and sitting in my pj’s might take hours to move on from.  I think my son doesn’t mind either because noon comes sometimes before he even gets up.  Why not? It’s Saturday! 

Sunday through Friday I have to be somewhere.  Sundays we go to church and this is the most important day to me.  We fellowship with church family, get fed the Word and worship together with other believers.  I also have something to give to the body.  If I’m absent, a part is missing.  That is important. 

Monday through Friday I take my son to school and then go to work.  Day in and day out the routine is the same.  Some days I just feel like a robot.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love being able to bring my son to school every morning and seeing him off each day.  I enjoy my work very much.  I wouldn’t pick any other job to pay the bills. 

Life is pretty predictable though, until Saturday.

Spiritually speaking we have different seasons.  I’m learning and trying to be in a state of “Saturday” wherever I am at or whatever I am going through. Why rush to the next season and miss out on the current one.  So many good things are happening right now and some things you just can’t learn any other way.

BY WAITING…….

I had an eventful morning this past week.  Winter is here in Michigan and that brings challenges.  My driveway requires four-wheel drive whenever there is a decent amount of snow covering it.  Due to the incline, it just doesn’t work with a regular car.  Well, because of an icy layer under many inches of snow I couldn’t get up it at all.  I was almost sideways (not upside down, just turned) two different times.  I called my Dad to the rescue and he came and plowed.  I was on my way after I WAITED for the situation to be resolved.  Then I was onto the highway entrance ramp and without even getting up to 15 mph I was in the ditch from the ice.  Call #2 to Dad within 15 minutes.  He must love me LOTS!  Bryce and I were fine.  My Jeep was fine.  But now I was WAITING for the tow truck.  Within 15 minutes I was having an exciting morning. 

My reaction was just simply sitting still and waiting until I could move forward.  I wasn’t upset.  I wasn’t in a hurry.  To be honest that day wasn’t predictable and I was kind of enjoying it.  When I was on my way, after many thanks to God for protecting us, I just starting smiling and began singing “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”  Really, what would any other response have gotten me?

While I’m in a season of waiting in certain areas of my life, I have purposely tried to enjoy just where I am.  It is a learning process and not every day I succeed.  We all are in multiple seasons at any given point in our lives.  We all experience waiting for something.  For some it might be for a new job opportunity, a big move, a spouse, a healing, to become parents, grandparents.  I could go on and on and on.  Don’t be inactive while WAITING.  There is something you may need to learn until the next step. 

How I have settled my heart and I am learning contentment is by simply knowing that my heavenly Daddy is working.  Just like my earthly Dad came to my rescue quickly at the right time, my heavenly Daddy is working.  He knows what is going on.  He knows JUST THE RIGHT TIME to bless me.  He knows JUST THE RIGHT TIME for inconveniences.  He knows JUST THE RIGHT TIME for lessons that can only be learned by waiting. 

The purpose of your waiting might be just so you KNOW that you KNOW that you KNOW……..you can trust your Daddy.  He’s working.