841. The plaintive bleating of a flock of lambs
842. Shoebox dioramas
843. That my hand is only sprained and bruised, but no broken bones
844. Helping my husband on a project and gaining a new understanding and appreciation for how hard he works
845. Free espresso as part of a local bank promotion
846. Fragrant flowers
847. Daffodils trumpeting the arrival of spring
848. A chorus of croaking frogs at twilight
849. Watching sheep be unloaded from a big semi truck
850. Standing among 20 children, noses pressed to the fence, watching the sheep be unloaded
851. Watching the sheep literally jump and leap down the ramp into the pasture
852. Children squealing with delight when a sheep would leap down the ramp
853. That my son did an excellent job helping me grocery shop...
854. ...and did so with a happy heart
855. Sitting on the front porch at daybreak
856. Hearing the fluttering wings of two ducks as they flew overhead
857. Birds singing to their Creator
858. The long, slow, rhythmic croak of a frog
859. Rest
860. The look of confidence in her eyes when she told me she got 100% on her spelling test
861. Ice cream cake
862. Old movies that make you laugh
863. My daughter being selected for the Wall of Honor at school
864. How much she admires her brother
865. A new yummy quiche recipe
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Friday, March 15, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Rest
A lot can happen in five minutes.
I did something I never do, and took a few moments to sit on the front porch this morning and listen to the neighborhood wake up.
In that time, I:
* heard five different types of birds singing to their Creator
* heard the long, slow, repetitious croak of a frog
* heard the wings flutter from two ducks that flew overhead
* heard the street lamp click off for the day
* heard a dog bark
* felt the cool morning breeze on my face
* saw a flock of birds forming a V
* noticed that the neighbor’s tree is beginning to bloom
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Weary and heavy laden? Yep, that’s me! He knows that I have been struggling with my health. He knows that I am entering a crazy, hectic weekend. He knows my mind is a blur with details. He knows that I need
Rest.
As I thought about that verse, the word that stuck out was “give.” In order to be given something, we have to receive it. I’m so glad I took the time to receive His gift this morning.
I did something I never do, and took a few moments to sit on the front porch this morning and listen to the neighborhood wake up.
In that time, I:
* heard five different types of birds singing to their Creator
* heard the long, slow, repetitious croak of a frog
* heard the wings flutter from two ducks that flew overhead
* heard the street lamp click off for the day
* heard a dog bark
* felt the cool morning breeze on my face
* saw a flock of birds forming a V
* noticed that the neighbor’s tree is beginning to bloom
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Weary and heavy laden? Yep, that’s me! He knows that I have been struggling with my health. He knows that I am entering a crazy, hectic weekend. He knows my mind is a blur with details. He knows that I need
Rest.
As I thought about that verse, the word that stuck out was “give.” In order to be given something, we have to receive it. I’m so glad I took the time to receive His gift this morning.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
One Thousand Gifts
[Life has been busy and I have gotten behind on posting, but I'm still counting!]
826. Homemade valentines
827. Listening to her chatter while we made valentines
828. Googly eyes
829. Cupcake liners
830. Sunny vacation days
831. Chocolates on the pillow
832. Family pictures with Mickey Mouse
833. Fireworks over Disneyland
834. Making our flight connection
835. Ibuprofen
836. When the doctor's office calls back in a timely manner
837. Making brownies for him and his classmates
838. His 13th birthday
839. Being okay with realizing I'm now the mom of a teenager! (lol)
840. Lively discussion in a Bible study
826. Homemade valentines
827. Listening to her chatter while we made valentines
828. Googly eyes
829. Cupcake liners
830. Sunny vacation days
831. Chocolates on the pillow
832. Family pictures with Mickey Mouse
833. Fireworks over Disneyland
834. Making our flight connection
835. Ibuprofen
836. When the doctor's office calls back in a timely manner
837. Making brownies for him and his classmates
838. His 13th birthday
839. Being okay with realizing I'm now the mom of a teenager! (lol)
840. Lively discussion in a Bible study
Friday, February 15, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Beloved
Beloved.
A person who is greatly loved; dear to the heart.
As I was putting laundry away the other day, I noticed the current state of my children’s closets. Clothes hanging precariously by one shoulder off of hangers, clothes that are too small or don’t fit are shoved in the back, toys tossed in a jumbled pile on the bottom shelf, random candy wrappers on the floor.
Scripture tells me that I’m my beloved’s and He is mine. (Song of Solomon 6:3)
It is easy to accept that He is mine.
I have gratefully accepted His sacrifice for me.
I love Him.
He is perfect…holy…worthy…Love.
I’m not.
He can see into the closet of my mind. He sees thoughts and ragged emotions hanging on precariously by a thread. He sees the struggle with thoughts and tendencies that don’t fit that of a child of God, and should have been discarded long ago.
Scripture tells me that He loves me.
And not only am I loved, I am “so loved.” (John 3:16)
I am His daughter who is greatly loved; dear to His heart.
Beloved.
A person who is greatly loved; dear to the heart.
As I was putting laundry away the other day, I noticed the current state of my children’s closets. Clothes hanging precariously by one shoulder off of hangers, clothes that are too small or don’t fit are shoved in the back, toys tossed in a jumbled pile on the bottom shelf, random candy wrappers on the floor.
Scripture tells me that I’m my beloved’s and He is mine. (Song of Solomon 6:3)
It is easy to accept that He is mine.
I have gratefully accepted His sacrifice for me.
I love Him.
He is perfect…holy…worthy…Love.
I’m not.
He can see into the closet of my mind. He sees thoughts and ragged emotions hanging on precariously by a thread. He sees the struggle with thoughts and tendencies that don’t fit that of a child of God, and should have been discarded long ago.
Scripture tells me that He loves me.
And not only am I loved, I am “so loved.” (John 3:16)
I am His daughter who is greatly loved; dear to His heart.
Beloved.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
One Thousand Gifts
811. Reading on the plane
812. Flight attendants with a sense of humor
813. Fragrant orange trees
814. Seeing him honored and appreciated by his peers for all of the hard work he has done over the years
815. Hanging out with an amazing group of artists
816. Talking late into the night
817. Finding her "I love you" note in my suitcase!
818. Listening to his music while driving along the ocean
819. Sandpipers scurrying along the sea foam
820. Pelicans flying low, wing tips skimming the water
821. Dinner with a view of the ocean
822. Birds' nests perched high in barren branches
823. Thermometers
824. Flexible straws
825. When he notices the little things
Friday, February 8, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Bare
I travel through quite a bit of countryside to take my children to school each day. Each season offers a beauty of its own. During the winter months, as I cross the river, I enjoy looking at a certain bank of trees with their barren branches scribbling at the sky. Unmasked of their leaves, I see several birds’ nests nestled high in their branches. The nests seem so exposed and vulnerable in the bare landscape, and yet their height speaks of security and they are snug and secure in the arms of the tree.
These nests remind me that the Lord lifts us high, and we are secure and safe in His arms. Each nest represents a home, life, a haven of rest. Sometimes in the winter seasons of life, we feel vulnerable…exposed...bare to the world. The “leaf cover” of happy times and good things are stripped away, and we sometimes plod through the trial in silent pain. We tend to wear masks when we are hurting, and shy away from baring ourselves to one another, for fear of seeming weak or vulnerable. It’s hard to admit your struggle, when everyone around you seems so “leafy.”
During the summer months, when the trees are lush and green, and the nests are hidden from view, I’m sure those birds are aware that there are other nests in the near vicinity. As believers, we need to be aware of those around us and reach out. Do you know a friend who is in a winter season? Can you see their nest?
**********************
“Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NASB)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB)
These nests remind me that the Lord lifts us high, and we are secure and safe in His arms. Each nest represents a home, life, a haven of rest. Sometimes in the winter seasons of life, we feel vulnerable…exposed...bare to the world. The “leaf cover” of happy times and good things are stripped away, and we sometimes plod through the trial in silent pain. We tend to wear masks when we are hurting, and shy away from baring ourselves to one another, for fear of seeming weak or vulnerable. It’s hard to admit your struggle, when everyone around you seems so “leafy.”
During the summer months, when the trees are lush and green, and the nests are hidden from view, I’m sure those birds are aware that there are other nests in the near vicinity. As believers, we need to be aware of those around us and reach out. Do you know a friend who is in a winter season? Can you see their nest?
**********************
“Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NASB)
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB)
Friday, February 1, 2013
Five Minute Friday: Afraid
I struggle with fear.
One thing I have learned during my battle with it, is that it is insidious and relentless.
It steals my joy.
It clouds my thoughts.
It’s exhausting.
I know what Scripture says about fear. I know that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline. I need to stop looking at the waves crashing around me and walk in faith.
The battle rages on. I wrestle with what I know versus what I feel. Too often, I give my feelings the upper hand, and I find myself afraid…again. My mind reels, my feet begin to sink. I reach for His hand once again and cling to His words.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God [is] with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NKJV)
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, NASB)
“In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11, NASB)
One thing I have learned during my battle with it, is that it is insidious and relentless.
It steals my joy.
It clouds my thoughts.
It’s exhausting.
I know what Scripture says about fear. I know that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline. I need to stop looking at the waves crashing around me and walk in faith.
The battle rages on. I wrestle with what I know versus what I feel. Too often, I give my feelings the upper hand, and I find myself afraid…again. My mind reels, my feet begin to sink. I reach for His hand once again and cling to His words.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God [is] with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NKJV)
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7, NASB)
“In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:11, NASB)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)