don't rob me of my blessing!

Romans 1:12...that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

With groceries pile high, full to the brim of all things good, she stared me straight in the eye, with finger pointing as she reprimanded, "Don't rob me of my blessing."

For me, that was the beginning of a long lesson that I continue to learn and refine, to this very day.

This soccer mom's high school daughter was on my husband's team.  And after hearing us pour out our hearts in celebration over the blessing the Lord had just given us concerning a large amount of grocery store gift certificates being mailed to our house, she felt compelled of God to pay for all the items in our grocery cart.

As difficult as it was for this "self-sufficient" girl to accept, I released control and allowed myself to receive.

Some of us believe that it's godly to give, but we balk at asking.  It feels uncomfortable being on the receiving end...[but] we have to understand how to give and take [as] a part of growing spiritually.  We actually give others joy and strengthen their faith when we ask for and then gratefully accept their help.  -Joan C. Webb

It's humbling, no doubt, to accept help.  Yet it's one of God's methods of sanctification.  It's His way of reminding us that He's in control and how He desperately wants to take care of us....if we let Him.  ..."How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!"  {Matthew 23:37b}

God has fashioned the body of believers to help each other.  Because, contrary to popular belief, sometimes he does give us more than we can handle.  If He didn't, then what's the purpose of Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ"?  Isn't it safe to assume that sometimes life becomes so consuming and overwhelming and "too much" to take, that dependency upon another's faith is actually needed?

And once you relent; once you accept, there is a duplicity of encouragement.  Faith is grown.  And God is glorified.

Joan C. Webb suggests to make it personal:  What family, work or personal concern are you facing this week?  Ask at least one caring friend to support you in prayer for
this specific issue.

I'm linked up here:

my fluctuating "best"

This morning I said to Mike,

"Have you ever woken up feeling defeated before you even start?"

My long list of chores and to-do's is overwhelming today!

Last week I was unprepared to take a week "off" so that I may recover from a root canal procedure that became infected.  This has left the organization and cleanliness of my house with MUCH to be desired.

The laundry piles are high.

The Christmas decorations mock me.

And then my devotions bring me here ---->  Philippians 4:12...

I know how to be brought low, 

and I know how to abound.

In any and every circumstance, 

I have learned the secret of 

facing plenty,

and hunger,

abundance

and need.

God is so good.

So loving.

So interested in my life.

Joan C Webb says,

Like Paul, sometimes our best results in poverty, other times in prosperity.  Learning to be content with both our best performances and our could-have-been-better times will lessen our anxiety and help us live more peaceful and accepting lives.

I confessed to Mike that I don't know why I feel I have to "do it ALL" all of the time.  Why must excellence be my only option??  It can be exhausting!

I need to learn to be content with my fluctuating "best."  Because working hard does NOT always result in  SUPERB results.  Sometimes, mediocre is all we have to offer.  And that's OK.  

STOP being hard on yourself and your circumstances and START allowing God's grace to wash over you.  What is it that HE wants you to accomplish today?

Linked up today with...

where is the place of understanding?

I read Job 28:20, 23, 28.

I realized that sometimes life can get confusing.  Deciding which "paths" in life to take.  What is God doing?  Why? Which way is even up, at times??  But when we are in the "dark", frantically searching for wisdom can most of the time be futile.  All that is really required is to WAIT.  "All insight originates with God"  -Joan C. Webb.  It's probably more productive to just step back, relax, calmly ask for wisdom and then wait until God sheds His light on your life.   After that?  Move forward with joy-filled confidence.

It's so liberating to not have to "know" because God already does.  Trust in His perfect sovereignty.  And maybe that's what wisdom truly is....simply to TRUST in God.

Christmas peace? is it even possible?

Today I read 

John 16:33:  I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Having "peace" doesn't mean the world around me is under control.  {Especially during the holidays.}  

This is a foreign concept to me.  

But the Lord is graciously showing me that IN HIM is where I find my peace despite my hectic circumstances.  Peace IS attainable!  Praise the Lord!  But how?

All I have to do is recognize that the LORD is the one in control.  He reminds me in this verse that, He is so much in control, He has even "overcome the world."  The entire WORLD!! {past, present and future}!  My victory, my hope, my {Christmas} peace is in CHRIST.  I pray He helps me to surrender to that truth today.

embrace the camera: sept. 29

This is the three of us...

on a normal weekday morning...

We are all still in our PJs.

We just finished eating freshly made banana bread topped with peanut butter.

JD has spit up all over the side of his shirt.

The living room is covered with toys.

The sink is full of dishes.

A load of laundry sits next to the washer, waiting for me to do something, anything, with it.

Ants have, yet once again, started taking over my kitchen.

The cat has, thoughtfully, left tufts of her long, thick, white hair on every carpet in every room.

I haven't showered since Tuesday.

My cup of coffee sits alone, cold and half-finished.

Our office floor is strewn and covered with my craft supplies.

My bed isn't made.

And the reason for the pouty face below is....  

..."Finding Nemo" is playing on our TV

and Annaleigh would rather be watching that than taking a picture.

And probably nothing much will be accomplished today other than
full bellies
clean diapers
and a whole lot of kissing.

All that to say:

I'm not perfect.

I'm not superwoman.

 I don't have it all together.

But...

...I'm happy.

I am blessed.
And I think my life is pretty much spectacular.

fresh from the Word

Titus 1:7-8  For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach.  He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.  

It's amazing how the natural mind and spiritual mind are at constant war against each other.  Even more so for a perfectionist (although, by saying that, I fear sounding naive).  The battle, for a perfectionist, like me, can be exhausting!  Why do we use scripture as a self-masochistic tool?  We use it to beat ourselves up:

"You don't trust God enough."

"You shouldn't feel sad."

"You - lazy!  Get with it."

"God expects more of you."

The scriptures are not our personal "cat-of-nine-tails."  It's our guide.  It's the way in which we can know God.

Scripture is a gift. 

Yes, we are accountable for our actions.  We are to do and be what the verses in Titus instruct us to be.  Which should ultimately result in a reflective and corrective-type manner.  But sometimes the question should be, "What do I need to support and help myself?"  The answer may sometimes be:

a hug

a break

a word of encouragement

a visit with a friend

a cup of coffee

or even a nap

It's true that we are to be "one" way and not the "other", as Christians.  But that does not give you the right to beat yourself up.

Serving/living this Christian life should be a JOY, not a burden!  

But don't take my word for it....

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

*a few ideas in this post originated from

It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life

by Joan C. Webb

Today I'm linked up to...

Do you have any ideas that will encourage women to joyfully live out their roles as wives and keepers of their homes?  If so, come on over and link up with the rest of us!