Walking it Away

When we were dating, my husband and I went on several walks together. Of course, we both love nature and being out in it, but the main reason, I think, was that we didn't have a lot of money to do much else.

Still, those walks generated some deep and meaningful conversations--deep theological discussions, whether we'd celebrate Christmas or not, and how many children we wanted to have. Relationally, walks developed who were were as a couple.

Spiritually, walking allows me to process and pray my thoughts to God. I can eliminate some pent-up anger, and expel my frustrations as I open my eyes up to the glory around me. There's nothing like a wide-open swath of billowing white on blue to help me gain some perspective.

And I need that constant reminder of my life, my purpose and what doesn't matter. For me, God uses walking to get me back to His place.

~a moment~

If you're anything like me, sometimes you just need a "get-lost" moment. No, not the kind where you tell someone off--although that feeling will arise at times too. :)

The kind of moment where you forget as you get lost in a memory, a beautiful image, an artistic creating, a molding...

Still lost?

Let me give you a few ideas:

*Find your old scrapbooks and look through those photos--laugh, cry, and let it go.

*Pull out the acrylic paint and brushes and go to it. Better yet, ask your child to join you.

*Plant some flowers in the yard.

*Watch the sun set over the lake.

*Write a couple letters to people that matter to you, and tell them why they do.

*Sit down with a favorite magazine.

....okay, your turn. Go do it!

book giveaway

I'm going to give away another book soon, probably at the end of the month, but I'd like to hear a little feedback from you all--just to know my audience a little better (If I can presume to have one). :-)

First off, what book(s) has influenced your life the most? I realize that question can raise a brow--after all, who could narrow it down... unless we all say The Bible. God's Word would, of course, be at the top of the list, but here are a few of those powerful reads that have changed me.

The Robe -- Lloyd Douglas

One Thousand Gifts-- Ann Voskamp

Same Kind of Different as Me--Denver Moore and Ron Hall
Gift from the Sea--Anne Morrow Lindbergh

If God is Good--Randy Alcorn

Sacred Parenting--Gary Thomas

A Mother's Heart--Jean Fleming

Calm my Anxious Heart--Linda Dillow

Safely Home--Randy Alcorn

This short list came off the top, but numerous others abound. How about you?

What do you worry about?

Nothing robs peace quicker than worry. And boy, do I have an abundance of it. Some days are heaped over, mounded, suffocating with anxiety. I'd like to think I've found a way to move past the piles that nag for my attention, and on a good day, I have. But the old still creeps in sometimes.

Doesn't it?

Last night I felt so overcome with... I didn't even know what, that I had to take up my journal and verbally vomit to God. Through writing, I realized fear had been gnawing at me, slowly eating me alive. I thought about sharing my prayer with you, but realized it would be TMI--I don't have the cleanest filter.

It was just too raw.

So, I'll give you the jest of it.

I'm a fearful person. I'm not afraid of death, but I am afraid of loss. I'm not afraid of loss, but I am afraid of pain. I'm not afraid of the different, but I want to prepare for the unknown. What it all boils down to is control. I don't like to be caught of guard by the unpleasant.

If I'm going to endure something horrendous, I can handle it, God, but at least give me heads up, okay?

Okay...

For what purpose?

So I can plan?

So I can finagle my way out of it?

So I don't have to trust you.

As I've shared with you before, I'm somewhat of a hypochondriac...

Okay. Okay.

I'm a big one, actually.

People everywhere around me are falling prey to cancer's ravenous claws, and yes, I know it sounds pitifully self-absorbed, but I'm afraid I'm going to get it too. I've never had a super-strong immune system and the last 14 months have left me wondering if my body is ever going to get it together again. I have all these mysterious pains and well... I'm afraid I'm going to be like this dear sister (only 35 years old, mind you) who has been given a month to live.

What's going to happen to her boys? What will her husband do?

How do you even prepare for something like that?

I don't know, but I'm a trouble -shooter... and a little dramatic. As a child/teenager, I was convinced that I'd live a short life, never knowing what it was like to have a family of my own. I think it was easier to "accept" the worst than hope for the best--it felt safer. Less disappointment that way.

But I wasn't putting my hope in the right place. Just like I wasn't last night. I was so consumed with the what-if's that I was tormenting myself out of the joy of today. God never promised us tomorrow, but He did promise to never leave us. And that should be enough, shouldn't it? The Creator and Sustainer of the Universe and the Savior of my soul says He will always love me.

And for today... and tomorrow...

That's enough.

Because of Jesus...

Today's post link

Give me a word...

...on a heart that gives

The work we do is only our love for Jesus in action. If we pray the work... if we do it to Jesus, if we do it for Jesus, if we do it with Jesus... that's what makes us content. ~Mother Teresa

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

How far you go in life depends on you being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.
George Washington Carver

You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late. Emerson

And my favorite for today...

Spend the whole of your one wild and beautiful life investing in many lives, and God simply will not be outdone. God extravagantly pays back everything we give away and exactly in the currency that is not of this world but the one we yearn for: Joy in Him. ~ Ann Voskamp

Flipping It

Thankfulness is a choice. Because if you're like me, it's a whole lot easier to focus on what is not going right than what is. After all, the problems are what need the attention for a solution. And I'm a fixer, people.

Today, I felt more than a little grumbly (yes, it's a word now: a cross between grumpy and grumbling). The nasty wetness was interfering with my morning grocery shopping plans. Landon and Maddie were attempting a new form of communication with one another--screaming. And I had to fill out jury duty forms for the third time since I've been married; that's just ridiculous.

My foul mood was taking over and needed some discipline. So, this is thankful Thursday... think. Flip it around.

I'm grateful for the rain that is nurturing the daffodils and pear blossoms.

I'm thankful for my two healthy kids who can speak, hear, see, and run.

I'm thankful for money to buy food--and lots of it. We've never gone hungry.

I'm thankful for a toasty warm house and a heating system that requires nothing on my part (except an exorbitant electric bill... Oh yes, ahem... gratitude)

I'm thankful for a hard-working husband who takes so much weight of responsibility off my shoulders--financially, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually (what a true leader of our home!)

I'm thankful for brief moments of peace where I can catch my breath, focus my thoughts, and rest my feet.

I'm thankful for a God that never grows tired, fatigued, or impatient. He's always listening, always loving, always giving me strength.

Fighting for Perspective

Keeping our sights on the eternal and remembering our true purpose takes effort. In fact, for me, I have to fight to remember every single moment of the day--what is important and what is not. Aside from Christ and His light shining through us to others, everything else is superfluous. Although we can honor God through these venues, ultimately none of it matters by itself: having a fulfilling career, saving money, keeping a clean house, completing my to-do list, preparing dinner on time, having down time, exercise, etc. Not bad stuff obviously, but all of it (and so much more) can get in the way of me loving God and others. And I can so easily get wrapped up in what it means to be a privileged (aka spoiled) American, entitled to live a certain way.

Ultimately, we've been promised nothing in Christ other than His abiding love and our eternal security. I'm not promised comfort (just the opposite if I'm really pursuing His glory).

How easy it is to forget the answer to the question, "Why am I here?"

Life is about daily sacrifice, service, giving, praying, remembering, and being an overflowing vessel of His love to others. We are here because we are supposed to be His light.

So fight with me today (Mondays seem to be especially hard, don't they?) to remember and to chase after His purposes and not our own.

Matthew 5

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Friday Fun

After finishing my grades for this session's class, I've been enjoying a little spring break before my next class starts on Wednesday. Usually one to guilt myself out of a vacation at home (I always tell Aaron I have to get away from the house to appreciate a guilt-free vacation), I'm trying to be better, b/c one week every other year isn't going to cut it, especially with the emotional stress of raising two spirited kids and working from home. So, here I am, trying to take a break in the midst of clutter (tangible and mental).

My pleasures this week?

This

And this...

And this just makes me laugh:

And this, because I can never get enough of Brian Regan: