It has already been one of THOSE days, and it's not even 8:30 in the morning for heaven's sake! D had a major project of which he lost important information. He needed to get to school early, but you guess it, we were running very late. He made it to school in time, but not in time to go beg for mercy from the teacher. I don't even want to talk about the main reason we were late...it'll just make me angrier! But one side reason, was that my coffee mug spewed coffee all over a new WHITE blouse I have yet to wear. Add to that the fact that we still have septic tank problems, and you have a glance at my day ---- one anyone would envy.
So here's a warning to anyone who knows me...you might want to steer clear of me today. I'm a woman with an attitude and I'm ready to use it! Pray for me!!!!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Get me through the normal!
We are blessed with a great 15-year-old son. He is responsible, respectful and thoughtful. But still the normal teenage issues can be enough to blow your mind! Knowing when to say "yes", when to say "no" and when to say "Let's just wait and see." Things could be so much more difficult, and I don't mean to complain, but sometimes this old brain just can't take another request.
I was that way last night. After I picked him up from yet another night away from home, here come two more requests, and I hit overload. I did have the presence of mind not to make an issue out of it right then - pick your battles. But as I said my prayers last night I said, "Lord, get me through the normal." It's normal requests, normal growing up and away things, normal tough for parents to let go things, normal difficult to understand where the time has gone things. For heaven's sake, he was just 5 years old a couple years ago!
K and I have both gone through these same emotional upheavals this weekend. At least his was Saturday and mine was Sunday. I tried to boost him up on Saturday, and he boosted me up last night.
So, today I thank God for "normal" issues...for a husband who can relate and nourish...for a son who is thoughtful and tries to understand...as I pray for strength to get through the normal.
I was that way last night. After I picked him up from yet another night away from home, here come two more requests, and I hit overload. I did have the presence of mind not to make an issue out of it right then - pick your battles. But as I said my prayers last night I said, "Lord, get me through the normal." It's normal requests, normal growing up and away things, normal tough for parents to let go things, normal difficult to understand where the time has gone things. For heaven's sake, he was just 5 years old a couple years ago!
K and I have both gone through these same emotional upheavals this weekend. At least his was Saturday and mine was Sunday. I tried to boost him up on Saturday, and he boosted me up last night.
So, today I thank God for "normal" issues...for a husband who can relate and nourish...for a son who is thoughtful and tries to understand...as I pray for strength to get through the normal.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Women!
That phrase can be said in all kinds of ways...exasperation, wonder, mystery, questioning. I say it with excitement because I love the women with whom and to whom I have the blessing to serve. With the Marketplace Bible Study, I have had the pleasure of meeting new people...and expanding on former relationships in new ways. Women who are new friends, yet, have some of the same struggles as older friends. We can all find common ground through our God.
On Sunday, our pastor quoted someone who said (and I'm paraphrasing), "You don't just listen to the Word, you listen for the Word." That struck me as so true. We can listen to God's Word, but are we listening FOR God's Word to speak to us? Many times, that happens for me through other women. Through our differences, I hear God speaking. Through women who see things differently than I do, who have different struggles than I do, who face obstacles differently.
Different faces, different eyes, different backgrounds, different jobs, different experiences, different families, different churches. Matters not. Women!
On Sunday, our pastor quoted someone who said (and I'm paraphrasing), "You don't just listen to the Word, you listen for the Word." That struck me as so true. We can listen to God's Word, but are we listening FOR God's Word to speak to us? Many times, that happens for me through other women. Through our differences, I hear God speaking. Through women who see things differently than I do, who have different struggles than I do, who face obstacles differently.
Different faces, different eyes, different backgrounds, different jobs, different experiences, different families, different churches. Matters not. Women!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Only Your Mother
Today I had a great visit with my mom. We laughed about things maybe others wouldn't find so funny. Like the fact that after trying to diet to get my cholesterol down - it went up 20 points. Or that after Mom was put on vitamin D, her level went down! Or the fact that even though Mom's a great nurse, doctors don't want to listen to her until she gets highly sarcastic. How about burying my grandmother on the opposite side of my grandfather than where she wanted to be buried. Although it really didn't make sense the way Nanny wanted it.
Sometimes only your mother can understand you, and you her. I saw afresh some of the same traits I have, and came away with a little better understanding of myself. In fact earlier today I wondered why I acted a certain way, and as I sat there in my mother's house, the why hit me between the eyes. And I lightened up on myself some.
Don't get me wrong, I'm close to my dad, as most girls are. But it's something about the "sisterhood" that connects mothers and daughters - if you can get past the competition, hard feelings, teenage memories and letting each other down. Mom and I have had our differences...I was a VERY moody teenager, and she was an overprotective mother. We both went through her mid-life crisis from two different sides, and survived. We experienced my first serious boyfriend together, and survived. And divorce...there is life and love after divorce.
Yes, it was a good visit. I saw the reason I do some of the things I do, and didn't resent it. I saw the woman who loves me more than any other woman I know...who I can connect with...who understands me...who I love more than any other woman I know. Only mothers...
Sometimes only your mother can understand you, and you her. I saw afresh some of the same traits I have, and came away with a little better understanding of myself. In fact earlier today I wondered why I acted a certain way, and as I sat there in my mother's house, the why hit me between the eyes. And I lightened up on myself some.
Don't get me wrong, I'm close to my dad, as most girls are. But it's something about the "sisterhood" that connects mothers and daughters - if you can get past the competition, hard feelings, teenage memories and letting each other down. Mom and I have had our differences...I was a VERY moody teenager, and she was an overprotective mother. We both went through her mid-life crisis from two different sides, and survived. We experienced my first serious boyfriend together, and survived. And divorce...there is life and love after divorce.
Yes, it was a good visit. I saw the reason I do some of the things I do, and didn't resent it. I saw the woman who loves me more than any other woman I know...who I can connect with...who understands me...who I love more than any other woman I know. Only mothers...
Monday, February 2, 2009
A Bright Future
Yesterday was just an awesome day with Youth Sunday. We have the best group of kids, and I am so proud of our seniors for hanging in there with us this year. Our main leader is just so awesome. (I know I'm using that word a lot...but can't think of a better one!) And the kids just love her so much. The Holy Spirit pulled it all together - the theme, the scriptures, the skits, the music, the solo, the hymns, the participation. We just sat back in wonder!
A few of the wonders that came to me yesterday as I watched the kids:
1) Never stop planting seeds in all kinds of ways. You never know when a seed will take in a youth...or which seed. Maybe it's just a word in a prayer, a verse of scripture, a video, a smile, letting them be them instead of holding the reigns too tightly, fellowship between services, giving them ownership. As adults, we want them to get it all...but it's OK if they just come away with one seed. God will do the rest.
2) I love to watch them grow. When they come into the youth group as 6th graders, they get on every last nerve of the older youth. But as they continue to participate and grow together with the whole group, pretty soon you see those same 6th graders taking responsibility as high schoolers. Maybe the same one who would have acted up during Youth Sunday is now the one reigning in the new 6th grader who just cannot help him/herself. Watching them grow and mature is oh so fulfilling and brings tears to my eyes.
3) Let them have fun with it. It's OK if they make a mistake...move on...it doesn't have to be perfect. It just needs to be THEM. They have a love for God that may look and sound different from our generation. That doesn't lessen it or make it wrong. In fact, I think God smiles down on our differences and how we incorporate Him into our lives in our own ways. Like David, we don't need an armor from a Saul, we just need our own slingshot and stones.
4) Be flexible. If someone wants to do something...let him/her. If it makes someone else uncomfortable, let them be just part of the group. If someone wants to change up the script, go with it. If someone comes in at the last minute, include them. If you cry, let the tears flow. Because time goes by too fast.
I love our youth...they are our future. And may I say, our future is bright! Grab your sunglasses and go with the flow!
A few of the wonders that came to me yesterday as I watched the kids:
1) Never stop planting seeds in all kinds of ways. You never know when a seed will take in a youth...or which seed. Maybe it's just a word in a prayer, a verse of scripture, a video, a smile, letting them be them instead of holding the reigns too tightly, fellowship between services, giving them ownership. As adults, we want them to get it all...but it's OK if they just come away with one seed. God will do the rest.
2) I love to watch them grow. When they come into the youth group as 6th graders, they get on every last nerve of the older youth. But as they continue to participate and grow together with the whole group, pretty soon you see those same 6th graders taking responsibility as high schoolers. Maybe the same one who would have acted up during Youth Sunday is now the one reigning in the new 6th grader who just cannot help him/herself. Watching them grow and mature is oh so fulfilling and brings tears to my eyes.
3) Let them have fun with it. It's OK if they make a mistake...move on...it doesn't have to be perfect. It just needs to be THEM. They have a love for God that may look and sound different from our generation. That doesn't lessen it or make it wrong. In fact, I think God smiles down on our differences and how we incorporate Him into our lives in our own ways. Like David, we don't need an armor from a Saul, we just need our own slingshot and stones.
4) Be flexible. If someone wants to do something...let him/her. If it makes someone else uncomfortable, let them be just part of the group. If someone wants to change up the script, go with it. If someone comes in at the last minute, include them. If you cry, let the tears flow. Because time goes by too fast.
I love our youth...they are our future. And may I say, our future is bright! Grab your sunglasses and go with the flow!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
My Passion
For those of you who may not know me, my passion is women's Bible study. There is no feeling quite like taking the Word of God to the People of God and being able to interact with that group. And after it's over to know that God was there and He blessed it! I love my WOW ladies here at the church, but now I am also blessed to be able to do this through a community Bible study. On Wednesdays from 1:00-2:00 I meet with ladies from the community to discuss whatever the Lord has in mind for us.
Last Wednesday was my first time with this group, and boy was I nervous! But today...oh, today was wonderful and God was awesome. We talked about Ruth after having discussed Naomi last week. Ruth has some wonderful character traits for us. Loyalty - humility - self-starter - patience - hard worker - bold actions! We talked about how we can be both - Ruth or Naomi - given whatever kind of day we may have had. And that we can live with both! Real life - real problems - real situations - real God. Now that's a passion worth our time!
Last Wednesday was my first time with this group, and boy was I nervous! But today...oh, today was wonderful and God was awesome. We talked about Ruth after having discussed Naomi last week. Ruth has some wonderful character traits for us. Loyalty - humility - self-starter - patience - hard worker - bold actions! We talked about how we can be both - Ruth or Naomi - given whatever kind of day we may have had. And that we can live with both! Real life - real problems - real situations - real God. Now that's a passion worth our time!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Much Needed Girl Time
This weekend was so much fun! Ten of us girls headed to Folly Beach for a WOW Bible study retreat. The time with these nine wonderful women was everything I hoped it would be - fun...fellowship...sharing...caring...Bible study...relaxing... peaceful...we watched movies (chick flicks)...ate great food...snacked ALL the time...sipped on wine...stayed up until 3 AM...watched the sun rise...laughed... cried...hugged...cared.
It never ceases to amaze me how ten women with such different personalities can gel so good together. We each have our own likes, dislikes, causes, talents, strengths, weaknesses, irritating habits and caring hearts; we agree, we disagree, yet we remain true to each other all the same. Brought together by Bible study, kept together by love. A feat only God could accomplish.
It never ceases to amaze me how ten women with such different personalities can gel so good together. We each have our own likes, dislikes, causes, talents, strengths, weaknesses, irritating habits and caring hearts; we agree, we disagree, yet we remain true to each other all the same. Brought together by Bible study, kept together by love. A feat only God could accomplish.
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