I love "perfect timing" stories - I personally believe they are the actions of our personal and loving God interacting with us in the most intimate of ways - showing us He's involved in every part of our lives! My relationship with my Sweety is full of these stories - we love sharing them with people and marveling at God's goodness! God is so good - all the time! He takes the crazy things that happen and turns them into something wonderful. He also takes the good times, and makes them even better! :) Speaking of, I had a "perfect timing" story yesterday...
We are getting a new business started locally here, and had a Holiday Shop/Grand Opening for it yesterday. As I was getting ready, I stood in my closet and realized that I have NOTHING that portrays "holiday" or "Christmas" other than some satiny tops that don't really work for a casual business setting. I resorted to a fuchsia button down with dress jeans - festive color was the best I could do.
About 15 minutes before the event was to start, the doorbell rang. It was the postman with a surprise box from a friend - my Atlanta Angel. I opened it with eager anticipation, and quickly realized the perfect timing of the situation! It was a button down overshirt in black and white plaid, with Santas and wreaths embroidered in the squares! :) Can you say "holiday" and "Christmasy?" PERFECT!
It turns out she had purchased the shirt for a dear friend, but her dear friend passed away before the gift was given. It was my size, and when we talked the other day, my Atlanta Angel put it in the mail for me. Knowing it was originally for her dear friend made the shirt even more special to me, as I knew her dear friend as well. :)
I promptly changed clothes with the new shirt over a tank top, put on my jingle bell earrings with red cords, switched to white sandals with my jeans, and I was ready to go - NOW with a holiday theme - perfect for the event!
As I was reflecting on the perfect timing of this gift, I was reminded of how many times I had good intentions of doing something but didn't get it done in a timely manner, if at all. When my friend and I were speaking on the phone last week she asked for my address, not in an email (she had that) but right then and there. She was addressing the box. Right then and there.
If my Atlanta Angel would not have put it in the mail when she did, the perfect timing opportunity would have been missed. Granted, I still would have been blessed when I recieved the package even if it had arrived a week later. The shirt is beautiful, and I love that it was intended for our dear friend who is no longer here on earth with us. But because she acted when prompted, she not only blessed me with the shirt, but the unexpected blessing of perfect timing! :)
When the Holy Spirit nudges you to do something, please do it, then and there. We never know how we may bless not only by our action, but by the unexpected blessing of God's perfect timing!
Blessings to you! And thank you again my Atlanta Angel!
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
hardship - when the AC is out....
I've discovered in the last week that hardship is a relative thing - our air conditioning has been out since last Tuesday (over a week) and you'd think we were dying! We get crabby with each other, complaining (me mostly) and don't want to touch each other - we do "virtual" hugs! LOL! The funny part is - we were only here 2 1/2 days without the ac, then we left town. Got back yesterday, spent the night at a friends (with working AC) and spent the day in the heat here. The AC guy is now here - at 9:30PM, fixing it. Thank you Jesus! What an awesome AC repair guy! :)
I seriously cannot even imagine how people can live in this weather down here in SE Texas, without air conditioning. But you know - many many people do. They don't have $300-$500 a month to pay for electricity to run their air. Many elderly people actually die in the heat down here because they cannot afford to pay the electirc bill.
While we feel we have been living with a hardship for the last week - we also know we are TRULY blessed - blessed to have the abilty to pay for electricity period, blessed to be able to pay to get the AC fixed when it needs to be, and blessed to have friends and neighbors that will take us in when we are uncomfortable!
I have been made keenly aware of these blessings, and am asking God to share with me opportunities to help those who need it. Whether it is financially, or with time, or whatever way it may be, my prayer is that I will be aware of the need when I see it, and that God would provide a way for me to fill that need. :)
Thank you Father God, for the outpouring of your blessings, so that we can turn around and bless others. Thank you Lord Jesus for the example of how to be a blessing to others. :) Amen!
I seriously cannot even imagine how people can live in this weather down here in SE Texas, without air conditioning. But you know - many many people do. They don't have $300-$500 a month to pay for electricity to run their air. Many elderly people actually die in the heat down here because they cannot afford to pay the electirc bill.
While we feel we have been living with a hardship for the last week - we also know we are TRULY blessed - blessed to have the abilty to pay for electricity period, blessed to be able to pay to get the AC fixed when it needs to be, and blessed to have friends and neighbors that will take us in when we are uncomfortable!
I have been made keenly aware of these blessings, and am asking God to share with me opportunities to help those who need it. Whether it is financially, or with time, or whatever way it may be, my prayer is that I will be aware of the need when I see it, and that God would provide a way for me to fill that need. :)
Thank you Father God, for the outpouring of your blessings, so that we can turn around and bless others. Thank you Lord Jesus for the example of how to be a blessing to others. :) Amen!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Dreams
Dreams are peculiar things. I'm talking night dreams - especially the ones that happen in the hours right before I wake up. I seem to be powerless over the content of these dreams, or even if I will have them, but they can profoundly effect my state of mind when I wake and for hours after. My emotions can be stirred so much by a dream, that just thinking about it even days later can bring back those feelings. How can something that never even happened in reality, create such havoc in my emotions?
I am fortunate that rarely do I need to wake to an alarm, so my dreams are allowed to play out until my body wakes up. Usually my dreams end with some sort of conflict that wakes me up. This morning it was the act of opening my wallet to pay for my groceries, and realizing that ALL of the cards were gone except my identification card that I wrote my name/phone number on. All debit/credit cards. My insurance cards. Even the loyalty cards from Office Depot, etc. I was startled, then tried to think when this could have happened and when I was in my wallet last. Then I woke up.
My friend asked me this morning, "did you check your wallet when you got up?" Nope. I've learned that, while dreams make perfect sense while you are dreaming them, they make very little sense when you try to reconstruct them in the light of consciousness. Things that happen in dreams, should stay in dreams!
I was also taught many years ago to NEVER trust your emotions/feelings. I'm not talking about your "gut" feeling - which I believe is actually intuition, or spirit guiding. I'm talking about trusting your feelings. Emotions are fickle - they change frequently and often for no reason. Dreams are a perfect example of this. Ever woke up mad as heck with your spouse/significant other/friend, for something they did in your dream? I know I have! And you know what - it takes hours to get over it sometimes. My poor sweety - he tells me he gets in enough trouble on his own, he doesn't need my dreams helping him out! LOL! But there you go - emotions, strong emotions, founded on absolutely nothing concrete. How crazy is that?
I dream often and love it. Sometimes I come up with great ideas in my dreams - although usually they don't hold up to the scrutiny of reality. But they can be fun, funny, strange, crazy, and even sad. Enjoy them for the "movies" they are, don't put too much stock in them, and please, don't hold a grudge based on something that never happened! :)
I am fortunate that rarely do I need to wake to an alarm, so my dreams are allowed to play out until my body wakes up. Usually my dreams end with some sort of conflict that wakes me up. This morning it was the act of opening my wallet to pay for my groceries, and realizing that ALL of the cards were gone except my identification card that I wrote my name/phone number on. All debit/credit cards. My insurance cards. Even the loyalty cards from Office Depot, etc. I was startled, then tried to think when this could have happened and when I was in my wallet last. Then I woke up.
My friend asked me this morning, "did you check your wallet when you got up?" Nope. I've learned that, while dreams make perfect sense while you are dreaming them, they make very little sense when you try to reconstruct them in the light of consciousness. Things that happen in dreams, should stay in dreams!
I was also taught many years ago to NEVER trust your emotions/feelings. I'm not talking about your "gut" feeling - which I believe is actually intuition, or spirit guiding. I'm talking about trusting your feelings. Emotions are fickle - they change frequently and often for no reason. Dreams are a perfect example of this. Ever woke up mad as heck with your spouse/significant other/friend, for something they did in your dream? I know I have! And you know what - it takes hours to get over it sometimes. My poor sweety - he tells me he gets in enough trouble on his own, he doesn't need my dreams helping him out! LOL! But there you go - emotions, strong emotions, founded on absolutely nothing concrete. How crazy is that?
I dream often and love it. Sometimes I come up with great ideas in my dreams - although usually they don't hold up to the scrutiny of reality. But they can be fun, funny, strange, crazy, and even sad. Enjoy them for the "movies" they are, don't put too much stock in them, and please, don't hold a grudge based on something that never happened! :)
Monday, June 21, 2010
The Ocean of Relationships
As I was thinking of my friendships this morning - I couldn't help but be reminded of the sea, with it's ever changing and evolving waters, shoreline and beauty.
The ocean is incredibly powerful, as we have witnessed many times with hurricanes and floods. Relationships are the same way - the people we let in our lives will highly influence who we become. I've been told that the person we will be 5 years from now, depends on the books we read and the people we associate with NOW. And I truly believe it.
Some friendships are moved by circumstances - they seem to ebb and flow like the tides, in and out. These friends are your best buds for a time, and you see them constantly. Then, as the tide retreats, that time becomes fewer and farther between. Sometimes it's a gradual tide pull, and other times it happens as an undertow - one minute they are with you and the next they are out to sea. The interesting thing about these relationships, is that they may very well return to your life once the tides of circumstance turns.
Imagine the tide rolling in and out - can you see the sand near the shallow water being churned up and "muddying" the water? This occurs in these relationships as well. When we have periods of time where we are not invovled in each others lives, things happen and people change in ways we might not expect. When the tide comes back in - our lives collide and can "muddy" the relationship waters, as we expect things to be status quo as before. With these relationships, we must expect to work harder to clear the waters as the tides return, so we can enjoy the occasional unique shells of this friendship brought in with the tide. Usually you will have to work to find them, and it will take effort and patience, but once in a while, you will be rewarded with a whole sand dollar, or a beautiful complete sprial shell.
Like a small tidal pool in a reef - some friendships are always there, at an essentially constant level. That is not to say that you see them daily, but you will find you usually have some sort of consistant contact.
There are times when the water is higher, and times when the level dips, but for the most part, these are the friendships that are closest to your heart. You can count on them to be there when you need a place to go and just be. A place where you will be accepted for who you are, and the waters are calm and peaceful.
If you get your snorkel and look just below the surface, you will find many treasures in these friendships. The brilliant and beautiful colors of honesty, kindness and caring will thrill you! Encouragement and grace are abundant and provide the safety of the reef. This type of relationship will withstand the test of time, and will become your one of your favorite spots to stop and reflect.
I've been personally grieving the loss of a friendship, and with it, finding anger and frustration in how much power this relationship seems to have over me. Now I understand that the relationship may or may not be over, only the tides will tell. It's not for me to determine, but for me to find the good in it. Friendships may come and go, some will be deeper than others, but every person we come in contact with can be a blessing in our lives if we look for it. Know what to expect and you will be ready for the loss that comes when the tide heads out with your friends on it. Know that the cycle will come around again, and look for the beauty mark they have left in your life. Then smile at the power of our relationships to shape and grow our lives!
The ocean is incredibly powerful, as we have witnessed many times with hurricanes and floods. Relationships are the same way - the people we let in our lives will highly influence who we become. I've been told that the person we will be 5 years from now, depends on the books we read and the people we associate with NOW. And I truly believe it.
Some friendships are moved by circumstances - they seem to ebb and flow like the tides, in and out. These friends are your best buds for a time, and you see them constantly. Then, as the tide retreats, that time becomes fewer and farther between. Sometimes it's a gradual tide pull, and other times it happens as an undertow - one minute they are with you and the next they are out to sea. The interesting thing about these relationships, is that they may very well return to your life once the tides of circumstance turns.
Imagine the tide rolling in and out - can you see the sand near the shallow water being churned up and "muddying" the water? This occurs in these relationships as well. When we have periods of time where we are not invovled in each others lives, things happen and people change in ways we might not expect. When the tide comes back in - our lives collide and can "muddy" the relationship waters, as we expect things to be status quo as before. With these relationships, we must expect to work harder to clear the waters as the tides return, so we can enjoy the occasional unique shells of this friendship brought in with the tide. Usually you will have to work to find them, and it will take effort and patience, but once in a while, you will be rewarded with a whole sand dollar, or a beautiful complete sprial shell.
Like a small tidal pool in a reef - some friendships are always there, at an essentially constant level. That is not to say that you see them daily, but you will find you usually have some sort of consistant contact.
There are times when the water is higher, and times when the level dips, but for the most part, these are the friendships that are closest to your heart. You can count on them to be there when you need a place to go and just be. A place where you will be accepted for who you are, and the waters are calm and peaceful.
If you get your snorkel and look just below the surface, you will find many treasures in these friendships. The brilliant and beautiful colors of honesty, kindness and caring will thrill you! Encouragement and grace are abundant and provide the safety of the reef. This type of relationship will withstand the test of time, and will become your one of your favorite spots to stop and reflect.
I've been personally grieving the loss of a friendship, and with it, finding anger and frustration in how much power this relationship seems to have over me. Now I understand that the relationship may or may not be over, only the tides will tell. It's not for me to determine, but for me to find the good in it. Friendships may come and go, some will be deeper than others, but every person we come in contact with can be a blessing in our lives if we look for it. Know what to expect and you will be ready for the loss that comes when the tide heads out with your friends on it. Know that the cycle will come around again, and look for the beauty mark they have left in your life. Then smile at the power of our relationships to shape and grow our lives!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
sleepless nights
Well - my goal was to write daily here for 21 days... I guess today counts as day 1 again? :)
Last night was a rough night. It always is when Grady is gone. I have the hardest time getting to sleep! We are late nighters anyway, but it takes me another 2-3 hours to get to sleep when Grady isn't here. Sometimes I just lie in bed tossing and turning, sometimes I get up and do something, and sometimes I do a little of both! Most times I end up reading a book or watching tv trying to unwind. I'm tired, but just can't get to sleep!
Now if I had been married since I was 20, and always had someone around in the evening, this would make sense. But I wasn't. I slept on my own most of my adult life (and ALL of my childhood!). So truely, it's only been the last 3 years that I've gotten used to having someone next to me while I'm sleeping. Grady is gone about 1/2 of the month, which means I should be used to sleeping alone part of the time... ? Very strange.
The only thing I can come up with is our nightly routine of snuggling before sleep. It is my favorite part of the day - wrapped up in his arms feeling safe and secure. We always say that no matter what is going on, when we have our nightly snuggle, all is right with the world. <3 When he's not here, I miss out on that part of our evening, and the "signal" that it's time to sleep. I've tried snuggling with pillows but it's not the same... so I will continue to get to bed late, and thankfully have the ability to nap during the day if I need to! Or I can use an XS Shot in the afternoon. And in a few days, Grady is home, and life is back to normal!
Last night was a rough night. It always is when Grady is gone. I have the hardest time getting to sleep! We are late nighters anyway, but it takes me another 2-3 hours to get to sleep when Grady isn't here. Sometimes I just lie in bed tossing and turning, sometimes I get up and do something, and sometimes I do a little of both! Most times I end up reading a book or watching tv trying to unwind. I'm tired, but just can't get to sleep!
Now if I had been married since I was 20, and always had someone around in the evening, this would make sense. But I wasn't. I slept on my own most of my adult life (and ALL of my childhood!). So truely, it's only been the last 3 years that I've gotten used to having someone next to me while I'm sleeping. Grady is gone about 1/2 of the month, which means I should be used to sleeping alone part of the time... ? Very strange.
The only thing I can come up with is our nightly routine of snuggling before sleep. It is my favorite part of the day - wrapped up in his arms feeling safe and secure. We always say that no matter what is going on, when we have our nightly snuggle, all is right with the world. <3 When he's not here, I miss out on that part of our evening, and the "signal" that it's time to sleep. I've tried snuggling with pillows but it's not the same... so I will continue to get to bed late, and thankfully have the ability to nap during the day if I need to! Or I can use an XS Shot in the afternoon. And in a few days, Grady is home, and life is back to normal!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
irony
I recently have been enjoying some friends' blogs, and had to ask myself, why have I not kept up with blogging? I love sharing life with others! So why....? No good reason. Laziness? Low priority? Lack of interest? Perhaps all of the above.
So I decided to pull up my blog site and add a new entry. As I was reading the LAST entry - from about 18 months ago, I found it very ironic it was all about consistancy! I had just read the book "The Slight Edge" that discusses how the little things we do (or don't do) consistantly will make the difference is how your life develops! Obviously, I'm still dealing with lack of consistancy... but working on it every day! I'm proud to report that I am getting better at being consistant... slowly but surely!
So here's my new challenge to myself: consistantly blog for the next 21 days. I've read that 21 days makes a habit... can I make this my daily habit? I think I can! Join me on this journey! Love your feedback!
Blessings!
So I decided to pull up my blog site and add a new entry. As I was reading the LAST entry - from about 18 months ago, I found it very ironic it was all about consistancy! I had just read the book "The Slight Edge" that discusses how the little things we do (or don't do) consistantly will make the difference is how your life develops! Obviously, I'm still dealing with lack of consistancy... but working on it every day! I'm proud to report that I am getting better at being consistant... slowly but surely!
So here's my new challenge to myself: consistantly blog for the next 21 days. I've read that 21 days makes a habit... can I make this my daily habit? I think I can! Join me on this journey! Love your feedback!
Blessings!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
The Slight Edge
Looking back on my entire life (all 39 years of it!), I've come to one conclusion - consistancy is key. Anything worthwhile that we want to accomplish or attain - takes consistant effort. Losing weight, being fit, buying a home - all require a consistant effort - controlling eating habits, exercising the muscles, putting away money for a down payment - these are the things that will bring those goals to fruition.
It has become glaringly evident to me that the only thing I am consistant at is being inconsistant! I have a few routines in my life, which help me immensely - puts those parts of my life on auto-pilot so I can LIVE the rest of it!
Recently I read a book called "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson, and he talks about this exact thing. The slight edge is always at work in our lives - either with a positive or a negative outcome. That 30 minute walk I take today won't give me a fit body - today. But combine it with a 30 minute walk tomorrow, and the next day and the next, and just like compound interest, it starts to add up! And it goes the same for the super greasy bacon cheeseburger I eat today - it won't kill me - today. But if I eat one today, and tomorrow and the next day - perhaps even one this week, one next week and one the week after - it can easily add up to a heart attack down the road.
So my challenge is this - to pick one thing - this week - and be consistant. It takes 21 days of consistancy to make a habit.... so every 3 weeks I will pick a new "one thing." One thing is hard - I want it all and I want it now... then I get overwhelmed and don't do any of it! So, one thing....I'll have to get back to you on what that one thing is! :o)
It has become glaringly evident to me that the only thing I am consistant at is being inconsistant! I have a few routines in my life, which help me immensely - puts those parts of my life on auto-pilot so I can LIVE the rest of it!
Recently I read a book called "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olson, and he talks about this exact thing. The slight edge is always at work in our lives - either with a positive or a negative outcome. That 30 minute walk I take today won't give me a fit body - today. But combine it with a 30 minute walk tomorrow, and the next day and the next, and just like compound interest, it starts to add up! And it goes the same for the super greasy bacon cheeseburger I eat today - it won't kill me - today. But if I eat one today, and tomorrow and the next day - perhaps even one this week, one next week and one the week after - it can easily add up to a heart attack down the road.
So my challenge is this - to pick one thing - this week - and be consistant. It takes 21 days of consistancy to make a habit.... so every 3 weeks I will pick a new "one thing." One thing is hard - I want it all and I want it now... then I get overwhelmed and don't do any of it! So, one thing....I'll have to get back to you on what that one thing is! :o)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Desktop of Life
If you are a PC user - you will totally be able to relate to this - if you are a MAC user - I have no idea if you'll get it or not.....
Mom and I were takling tonight about getting rid of things - releasing things from our past. Mom had kept my first gray hair, my pay stubs from every job I've had when I was younger, and on and on. She finally released it - to the trash and the shredder! Friends just sold their fishing boat - they had if for quite a few years and had lots of memories on it. Mom commented that a chapter in their life was closing - how sad.
I got to thinking - it's not always a sad thing when a chapter closes. Closes one chapter gives us the ability to open another! It's like windows on your desktop - you can only have so many open windows at one time. It seems as if you can have as many as you want... but the reality is - if you have too many open it overloads the system and it crashes! It's best to only have a few open at one time.
Same with life - if you never release your past - you can't move forward. And sometimes - having too many things open in your life at once can make you crash as well!
I'm not saying to DELETE your past - but file it away. Close the chapter, file it on the hard drive, and move on to the next great adventure in life! Blessings to you!
Mom and I were takling tonight about getting rid of things - releasing things from our past. Mom had kept my first gray hair, my pay stubs from every job I've had when I was younger, and on and on. She finally released it - to the trash and the shredder! Friends just sold their fishing boat - they had if for quite a few years and had lots of memories on it. Mom commented that a chapter in their life was closing - how sad.
I got to thinking - it's not always a sad thing when a chapter closes. Closes one chapter gives us the ability to open another! It's like windows on your desktop - you can only have so many open windows at one time. It seems as if you can have as many as you want... but the reality is - if you have too many open it overloads the system and it crashes! It's best to only have a few open at one time.
Same with life - if you never release your past - you can't move forward. And sometimes - having too many things open in your life at once can make you crash as well!
I'm not saying to DELETE your past - but file it away. Close the chapter, file it on the hard drive, and move on to the next great adventure in life! Blessings to you!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Art of Listening Prayer
I've started reading a new book by Seth Barnes - "The Art of Listening Prayer." What a blessing this book is! Interestingly enough, in 2003 I started reading "How to listen to God" by Charles Stanley. I was at a crossroads in my life, and I learned so much about how to hear God's voice and the many different ways he speaks to us.
"The Art of Listening Prayer has a similar tone, but gives the practical how-to's of conversing with God. Not just talking to him, but actually conversing with him. Talking then listening. Asking questions and listening for God's answer. Then responding.
I'm only on day 2- journaling, but wow! I've been practicing a form of listening prayer on and off for a long time, but I haven't ever journaled my questions, responses or prayers. I did today, and it was very powerful! Just to put God's words in a different color pen, and see them in my journal - along with my questions, impressions and prayer back to God... I really had a wonderful quiet time with him this morning! 45 minutes went by in a snap! I was amazed!
God has blessed me with time - I don't have to go to a job every day, I have no kids, and my husband is home much of the time for me to enjoy him. It's time for me to start returning some of that time to God - the form of conversation. Prayer. Adoration. Love. I'm so looking forward to spending more time with the God of my ancestors, and the God of my life!
Monday, July 21, 2008
a servant's heart
Lately I've been so unsettled, feeling like my life is stagnant - and I'm working on doing things to change that. Years ago I would have blamed Grady or been mad and frustrated. However, after lots of books and training , I now know it's up to me to make my life fun and exciting - and fulfilling. I need to take my eyes off myself and help someone else - that is where our joy comes from. It's good to know and realize that - and to know that I can change my situation. It's funny how we as humans think that when we are lacking or unfulfilled, we need more self time and time for pleasure - tv, books, movies, etc. But the reality is - God wired us to be fulfilled when we are helping others - not helping ourselves. So as we are more and more self centered, we get more and more discontent with life, and try to fill the hole with more and more of self....! It's a vicious cycle that doesn't work! Others is where we will find our joy - pouring ourselves into others. Giving of ourselves - time, money, expertise... the things that God has equipped us with, is where we will ultimately be filled with the joy we are seeking!
Having a servant's heart is what God ultimately desires for us.
Mark 10:43-45
Having a servant's heart is what God ultimately desires for us.
Mark 10:43-45
"... Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
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