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.

a fruit inspection.....what do we got here?

--> When you buy fruit at the store, do you look at it first?  Do you just throw it in the plastic bag and take a gamble on what you get?  If I’m spending money on it (investing it in) I always like to know what I’m getting.  I’m just bummed when I get a tomato home and it has mold on it because I didn’t take the time to look at it thoroughly.  I once bought some produce that was wrapped up and you couldn’t SEE the mold growing inside.  YUCK!  I took it back to the store and exchanged it.  I didn’t buy it to throw it away; I bought it to use it. 

The year is wrapping up here in a few days.  This time of year I find myself doing a personal fruit inspection.  If I don’t look thoroughly there may be mold growing in an area of my life and it will affect EVERYTHING.  Mold always spreads.

My life: the talents, gifts, parenting, assignments, projects, time, money…..fill in the blank.  How have I been using them?  Is anything starting to smell?  Produce mold. 

Inspection.

It is a costly process.  The time it takes to be thorough always pays off, always. LACK of inspection is an even more costly result.  You end up not being able to use the area that was neglected.  OUCH.  Don’t bury your talent, gift, time and money….USE THEM for His purpose He has asked you to do.  If you don’t know the answer to that question, take the time to ask.  LISTEN, WAIT for the answers.  Embrace them.  Cultivate them.  Be found worthy of being entrusted with them.  How pleasing it would be to hear when it is all over,  “Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant!”

I have multiple things the Lord has asked me to do.  I know you do too.  To be faithful with those things honor Him.  I fail but I try my best.  As TobyMac sings, “It’s never too late to get back up again.”  Anne of Green Gables says, “Today is a new day with no mistakes in it.”  Or one of my favorite quotes is, “Don’t look back, you aren’t going in that direction.” 

It’s a new year soon.  Ask Him what is my purpose?

For me, personally……I’m fighting the good fight.  I’m not giving up. I feel like I’m just beginning.  He’s got good plans for me.  I’m rising up to the challenge. I feel like Rocky Balboa in training and getting ready for the biggest fight of my life.

Move on…..GO for it.  Inspect.  Start something new.  BEGIN. 

i give selfishly.  yup, you read that right.

Why do you give? 

I love giving gifts.  I love giving to meet a need.  I love giving in general.  It’s one of my “gifts” you might say.  Hopefully this can be an inspiration or thought provoking for you to think about why you give. 

Many people I have known that are givers find it hard to receive.  I am not sure exactly why this is but it can be difficult.  My great aunt, who was one of the most humble and giving people I have ever met, taught me an invaluable lesson.  She was trying to bless someone and they wouldn’t receive it and she told them “Don’t rob me of the blessing of giving this to you.”  That stuck deep within me.  Giving is more of the blessing than receiving.  So true!  I have had so much joy and fun blessing people. 

So I really give selfishly, I guess.  WAIT!!  Let me tell you about my favorite way to give.  The most fun and joy I’ve had in giving is when I do it in secret.  Yes, the recipient has no idea where it came from.  I love getting creative to be so sneaky.  A favorite Little House on the Prairie episode of mine is a Christmas one.  Everyone has to hide what he or she is making or buying someone for Christmas that year.  There were so many little white lies or secrets being kept just to bless someone else.  Between the barn and the little house they had to be creative with such a large family.  I love that episode. 

I have gone out of my way to be sneaky.  I’ve anonymously mailed a money order to someone so they didn’t know where the cash came from.  I even sent someone something from another town so they wouldn’t know it was I.  I’ve had someone else write a note out and given a gift so I couldn’t be identified.  It is so much fun.  It is also fun in the store or restaurant blessing someone and they don’t know who the heck you are.  I have had someone else deliver a gift for me so they could just be blessed and not know where it came from.  I have walked through a store before with the only purpose to seek out someone whom God leads me to and bless him or her.  The best part about it is being able to just say, God loves you and be blessed.  They don’t know me from Adam. My Bible says every good and perfect gift comes from above.  God can have all the glory.

Definition of the word give:

to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow:

Another thought.

Have you ever met someone who seems to keep track of their giving?  If they help you out, then you owe them help back.  If you received something from them, you owe them back.  According to the definition, that isn’t giving.  Think about why you do, what you do.  What is your motivation?  Does someone owe you because you have done so much for them?  In all brutal honesty, I have quit letting certain people help me because I don’t want the “pressure” of having to owe them anything in return. What a relief.

My Heavenly Father is the greatest example.  As I celebrate this season as the birth of Jesus, I reflect more on the fact that He didn’t stay a baby.  His whole purpose on earth was to be born to die.  A sacrifice was made so you and I would have the GIFT of eternal salvation.  Nothing can be done to earn it.   That is what a TRUE GIFT is.

If you have any sneaky giving ideas, please share.  I’d love to hear some creativity…..I’m running out.