Thursday, May 31, 2012

What is Your One Thing?

This morning I was all dressed and ready to go the gym...

But, when I got ready to leave, my car wouldn't start!

So, I immediately thought about doing this...

Instead, I was determined not to throw a hissy-fit or go back to bed and throw the covers over my head.

Gosh, if it's not one thing it's another!  Is it just me or do you feel that way  sometimes?

I sat for a minute at my kitchen table and as I looked out the window, I realized that my poor plants desperately needed watering. They were all droopy, sad, and craving some attention.
So, I grabbed my watering pitcher and headed outside. As I watered my plants, I could hear the birds singing in my front yard. They sounded so happy and not at all bothered by any unexpected  "one thing" that may have changed their morning plans and left them in a tizzy. 

As the warm sunshine rested on my shoulders, I took a deep breath and inhaled pure gratitude. I realized that what really mattered was not so much the unexpected "one thing" of my battery dying but how I chose to respond to it.

Now, don't think for a second that this comes naturally. What comes naturally is for me to throw a its-not-fair! party or fall into the I-give-up! mode. But, I'm learning that choosing what comes naturally isn't always choosing what's best.

Can I ask you something? What is your "one thing" that might have happened to you today? What was your initial response and how did you react? Did it put a complete wrench in your plans or were you able to make something good out of a not-so-good situation?

Choosing wisely can be really hard at times, especially when it's not the most popular choice from our point of view. But, if we pause in the midst of our "one thing" and determine ourselves to choosing wisely, I believe peace,  inner joy, and God's blessings will follow. 

Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
                                                                                                        Proverbs 2;11 (NLT)  





Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Summer is Calling

Are you planning a family vacation this year? If so, where are you headed? To the beach, the mountains, maybe back "home" for a family reunion?

Can you tell that I've got a bad case of Spring Fever?  My kids aren't even out of school yet, but all I can think about is Summer break. I think it's because we have some exciting plans for next month.  

After four years of planning, saving, wishing, and dreaming, our family is finally getting to take a trip to California this summer!  I'm SO excited and can't wait to see San Francisco, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe with my family.

I'm sure this is going to sound crazy to some of you, but I'm even hoping to get a few good family pictures so that when Christmas rolls around I can actually send out a fancy photo card this year.

I don't know about you, but when we go on vacations, I'm always the one taking pictures instead of being in them with my family. Does that happen to you too?

Anyway, the flights have been so expensive each year, that we could never afford to go. But,  we've saved up enough points through our credit card purchases to get four FREE tickets with U.S. Airways. The best part is that they're non-stop flights!!  Ya gotta love those credit card points that can earn you miles!!

Here's the thing...

I thought it would be fun to hear what other families are planning for this summer. Do you have any summer plans already in the works?  Maybe, you've decided to have a "STAYcation" this year?

We had a stay-cation over Spring Break when several of our friends went on a cruise. Instead of going with them, we decided to save our money for California by staying home and doing a few fun things right here in our local community.   

If you're not planning a vacation right now, then tell me what your DREAM vacation would be. 

I'll start us off...

My dream trip would be a Mediterranean Cruise with an extended stay in Italy.  What about you?

Friday, May 11, 2012

I Give Up!

Do you ever have those moments when you just want to give up? Those moments when you're feeling like everything is out of control and you're frustrated at the world and everyone in it?

I've have so many of those moments this week. Too many to count.

In fact, I woke up this morning determined to have a good day (T.G.I.F.). Then the phone rang. More frustrating news. In a matter of minutes, I found myself back in that pit of frustration.

FRUSTRATION!

Circumstances beyond my control have choked the joy right out of my heart this week.  I've felt as though I've been held hostage by someone else's choices. Someone I really don't even know that well.

Sounds crazy? Yes!!

But... it's true. Or, so I "think" it's true.

A gentle whisper in my heart says "The real Truth is that you are not in control of this situation, I AM".

Let' me repeat that....

"The real Truth is that you are NOT in control of this situation, I AM."

So this morning I'm choosing to GIVE UP!

I'm giving up control of this frustrating situation and I'm handing it over to God.  He is the One who is in control of my life and He is the Only One that can truly do something about it.

I can't change the heart or decisions of someone else I hardly know. The someone who I "think" is holding me hostage today.

But, the truth is that God can.  Here is what He promises us today...

"The king’s heart is like streams of water. Both are under the Lord’s control. He turns them in any direction he chooses.  Proverbs 21:1 (God's Word Translation)

Oh, that gives me hope this morning! 

I'm going to write this verse on an index card and carry it around with me today. That way, when those frustrating thoughts and feelings rise up in my heart, I can focus on the truth that God has this whole situation under His perfect control.



Are you feeling frustrated this morning? Is there someone or something in your life that you think is holding you hostage? 

I want to encourage you to GIVE UP!

Give up control of your situation and hand it over to God. He loves you and knows what's best for you today! He wants to bless you and doesn't want you to be held hostage. We were created to worship Him - not to live in frustration, fear, and defeat. With God on our side, we can't loose.

Let's agree to pray for each other today.  

Let's ask for wisdom to make the right choices. Let's focus on the truth of God's Word that will breathe hope and joy into our circumstances.  Let's believe God's very best for our lives.

Are you with me?  Let's do it!