A Down to Basics Life

I just noticed that the last time I posted was January 23rd???  What's up with that you might be saying.  Just life.  Some wonderful things.  Some not so wonderful things.  Lots of new situations and God teaching me lots of things.

He is at work in my life.  He is doing some serious pruning.  Gone are fluff things that won't last into eternity.  He is asking for sacrifice and I'm learning to do that with joy.  He is asking for me to be clay, so He can mold me into a woman of His design.  He is asking me to suffer heartache so I can be more like His beloved Son.  He is asking me to pursue righteousness.

I'm thankful for His patience with me.  I'd love to be able to say that I fully cooperate with all the changes He is requesting of me but to be honest, I pout, I argue, I dig in my heels until He convinces me gently.

Training Your Eye

Before going to garage sales or thrift stores, I like to "train" my eyes on what to look for.  So I peruse magazines and catalogs for items that will fit in nicely with the decor of my house.  Two of my favorite catalogs are Pottery Barn and Victorian Trading Company.  Right now my current passion is glassware.  Two recent purchases include 6 footed Fostoria tumblers and 4 footed coffee mugs $3+ for all (I saw similar ones at Crate and Barrel).

So as you window shop retail, take note of what appeals to you by taking a picture with your cell phone or creating a PinInterest board and before you go secondhand treasure shopping, review your pictures and that will "train" your eye to spy those things you are seeking.

Long Distance Parenting Stinks!

One minute they are a baby cuddled in your arms looking up at you adoringly.  Then, before you can even turn around you are attending their high school graduation.  Now the little baby that made you a mother is living 2 1/2 hours away and bruskly reminding you often that although they need your money, they can run their lives without your input quite nicely... so stop it with the unasked for advice already.

Recently, I have been through such an experience.  My daughter transitioned to her new role quite nicely.  Me?  Not so much.  For the past two months, I've been worrying, praying, snooping, facebook stalking, relentlessly questioning, nagging and anything else I can think of to be in the know about every single detail of my child's life without seeing her every day.  Let me tell you, it was exhausting!

Thankfully, my best friend of 33+ years put it in perspective for me.  She laughed at me!  She also reminded me of our freshman year in college!  Which then got me to thinking about God's grace and mercy.  Although, I lived at home during college and commuted, I too thought my parent's rule over me was over and I could run my own life and didn't have to tell them every single detail.  I did mess up some decisions.  I made mistakes.  I tried new things.  I dated a few boys until I found the one for me.  All things my girl is going through now.  My friend is right...it's genetic!

But here is where I was failing at trusting the Lord.  He loves my child more than I do.  He is watching over her.  He cares for her.  He will lead her.  He will convict her when needed.  All my worrying was for naught.  Whatever His permissive will allows in her life is for her good to train her.  If she makes a mistake from a poor decision, she will be learning a lesson that He needs her to know.  As humans, I believe we learn more from our mistakes because they humble us before Him.  He may have adventures planned for her that He would never have for me because I'm a big, old scaredy cat but my daughter has a zest for life in that she craves new experiences.

I had the breakthrough though in what the Lord was trying to teach me.  Surrender my child to His care!  And since doing so, there has been peace in my soul.  I still pray for her daily, not with tears and anguish as before,  but now with a quiet confidence.  And the blessing is, I'm no longer exhausted with my fruitless efforts but now have a rested spirit that is waiting on the Lord for my next assignment in serving His kingdom.

I need to figure out who I am

With all the changes that have taken place over the past couple of years, I'm not sure who I am.  To ask a question asked in a movie "what are my tastes, my passions and my pursuits?"  Beats the heck out of me!  I haven't asked myself for years now.  Self-examination has never been an enjoyable way to spend time for me but I think I'm ready to face some hard truths and ask some hard questions to arrive at what I want my life to look like for the next 20-30 years.

I know I want a deepening relationship with my Lord and Saviour.  I know I want to be my husband's wife for the rest of my days.  I know I want to see my children finish growing up, establish themselves and have their own children at the right time.

I dream of a more rural life but that probably won't happen because it isn't my husband's vision.  So I'll settle for a simple life which has similarities to a rural life.

I wish to embrace more creative activities and try new things.  I've been in a rut and I'm quite bored somedays.

I hope I can have pondering time.  So much of my life has been snap decisions and by the seat of my pants planning.  I want to have purpose in everything that occupies my days.

I want to never reach the end of my life and look back and have regrets because I settled for sameness day after day. 

But I'm SPECIAL

We all know people like this.  Or we are like this.  People who think they are superior to those around them.  People who think they are the exception to the rules.  People who think the world owes them respect and more.  People who think others should accomodate them 100 percent of the time.  People who think others do not matter, not one little bit.  We see this all the time in the world.  But when it is most disappointing is when we see this type of behavior within Christian circles.  Here are some recent examples I have witnessed that have caused a check in my spirit and serve as reminders to evaluate myself constantly in this area:

• people who think they have NOTHING to learn from someone else.  I see a deplorable lack of respect for older women's advice because it's old-fashioned or not relevant and not modern like the internet.  Truly, it is a blessing that they wish to have you benefit from their experience.
• people who think they do not have to abide by the speed limit.  Just this morning, two different people tailgated me and gave me those universal hand signals when they passed me because I was going the speed limit.  But they are the ones putting others' lives at risk with their erractic driving.
• people who think they can treat servers at restaurants anyway they want to because hey that's their job--to serve ME.  You know what, you deserve it when they spit in your food!
• people who expect everyone else to rearrange their schedules to accomodate their schedule (there is always one in any particular group!)  You are not the only busy one...trust me!
• people who refuse to believe that their children would do anything wrong (come on...you live with your children.  You know they try and pull stuff all the time).  If someone has the gall to alert you to bad behavior committed by your child, you should be thanking them.  They have done you a great service.  It's not fun to hear but sometimes it is necessary to hear the truth.  When you resent it, that's just your pride making an appearance.  Take it humbly because God gives grace to the humble.
• people who wouldn't take an opportunity to assist a fellow human being because it was not on their to do list for that day.  I am convinced that God hands us multiple opportunities per day to help others and we are blind to them or refuse to recognize them.

What about you?  What behaviors like those described above get on your nerves?  Go ahead and describe them in the comments because you never know, God may use your words to convict someone of their selfish behavior.

Always faithful...a tribute

I am a blessed woman.  I am married to the most noble of men.  As we approach our 23rd anniversary, I wish to pay homage to this wonderful man:

• He is a servant leader
• He is thoughtful
• He is self sacrificing
• He puts his needs last
• He isn't particular; setting some impossible standard
• He holds those he's responsible for accountable
• He works hard everyday without complaint
• He has a great sense of humor
• He is not daunted by hard times
• He is encouraging
• He is ingenious
• He has no bad habits
• He is a fabulous father who has tied heartstrings
• He overlooks his loved ones' faults
• He takes his many responsibilities seriously
• He picks out the best cards for special occasions
• He asks me everyday "how is my wife today? is there anything I can do for you?"
• He kisses me everyday without fail
• He takes care of his mother and my mother equally
• He is dependable and trustworthy
• He is handsome *blush*
• He is kind...to everyone
• He is humble

He thinks he is nothing special...that most guys are like him but I remain unconvinced.  I choose to believe that he is God's gift to me.  Besides, God knew no one else would put up with me!

So my dearest husband, I wish for nothing but another 50 years of life by your side.  Love, Your Wife

On my mind

...are the traits of gratitude and contentment.  I see very little evidence that it is common in our society any more even within Christian circles.  So many of us focus on what we do not possess.  But in reality if we have food, clothing and shelter...we have more than enough.  But instead we chase after fancy cars and fancier homes (complete with granite countertops and travertine floors), luxury vacations, designer clothes, shoes and handbags and when we finally obtain our goal we are satisfied for about five seconds and then we are devising schemes to obtain the next thing we want.  It makes me sick that we are willing to enslave ourselves and our husbands to debt to get stuff that we will be selling at a garage sale for 10 percent of what we originally paid for it or come to resent because we can't truly enjoy them because we are making payments on it for years.  Also, we pay for it more dearly than we can ever imagine.  How many marriages have been sacrificed because there is never enough money?  How many people in poverty could have been helped had we been just a little less selfish and far more generous?  How many of our children will have silently observed and picked up the ungrateful attitude from their parents and taken it even farther, because hey, kids love to outdo their parents.

There is a better way:

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content. Phillipians 4:11

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Timothy 6:8

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  Hebrews 13:5

I will be crying out to God to heal me in this area.



I guess I've got the wrong opinion!

Although, I find it absolutely ridiculous to have 8 people participate in a debate at one time, I do admit watching some of the Republican debate last night.  Now the media says Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich "won."  But I have to say just watching a portion of the exchanges, I was more impressed with Herman Cain and Ron Paul.  Why you ask?  Because they were "real."  I didn't feel I was being sold an image that a bunch of handlers came up with.  They were who they are without apology and were not just spouting off talking points.  And just in case you were interested, here's my opinion "tongue in cheek" of all the candidates:

Mitt Romney - He's slick and hasn't aged in years...how is that possible?

Newt Gingrich - He's all superior and pompous

Rick Santourum - I've always admired his morality and principles but he strikes me as gullible

Michelle Bachmann - a female Obama; not that they agree on anything but on the issue of experience

Tim Pawlenty - kind of a bully the way he picked on everyone

John Huntsman - unknown (he's got a lot of experience!) but I'm willing to learn more

Herman Cain - I like that he's a Washington outsider with real world experience

Ron Paul - one kooky libertarian but I like that.  Government is much too involved in our lives. 

There you have it...the opinions of a nobody from the midwest!

The Last Time

You never know when,

you will speak to a loved one

for the last time.

My time was a Monday evening,

Things were said, comfort given

for the last time.

His body complete with battle scars

fought once more for a few days

for the last time.

His funeral arranged, the sea of faces

with stories galore, many to be heard

for the last time.

Now the real work begins,

Life without him and his irreverent humor

A unique creation that God made

for the last time.

But go on we must,

whether we want to or not

In the next world, he waits

to see all of us and

this time we will never be seeing

each other for the last time.

I don't know if I am ready for this....

the girl who made me a mother is leaving in 10 days to begin her adult life.  No longer will I see her everyday and know most of her business.  No longer will I be able to just utter my unwanted advice and guidance (much to her relief).  No longer will I see the daily miracle of her life and that sets me to wondering...

Have I done a good enough job of parenting her?  Is she prepared to live in peace with college roommates?  Will she be up to the job of time management and handling her responsibilities (laundry, cleaning, meeting homework deadlines, etc.) without my reminders (she would say constant nagging!)?  Will she hold on to her faith?  Will she still need my presence in her life? 

I predict the first couple of weeks, I'm going to be one big worry wart.  But as she enjoys her new adventures and adjusts to her new situation, I'll be seeking to fill large gaps of time and the huge empty space in my heart.

Finishing up Thanksgiving

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 19. I'm thankful that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 20. I'm thankful that my life has a purpose...to Love the Lord my God with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength. Deut. 6:5

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 21. I'm thankful that nothing about me is hidden from my Lord. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Luke 8:17

30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 22. I'm thankful for conviction...it assures me of the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: John 16:8

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 23. I'm thankful that I am not now who I was then. Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 24. I'm thankful that God is so very patient. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 25. I'm thankful for a husband with a great sense of humor. On burning the ham, he said "We just made a great holiday memory!" We? I did the cooking but he didn't want me to be alone in the blame. Isn't he something?

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 26. I am thankful that I survived Black Friday shopping with Darcy!

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 27. I am thankful that my children are healthy and happy.
‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 28. I am thankful that Christ is the solid rock on which I stand.

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 29. I am thankful for abundant blessings. Truly my cup runneth over.

‎30 Days of Thankfulness: Day 30. I am thankful for lessons learned during these 30 days. My eyesight has been extended beyond my selfishness and life has been more joyful by looking for the good instead of focusing on the worrisome.