Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Keep It Simple

Keep it Simple
To do just that
is not quite so
well ... simple

Why do I always
seem to pick the
hardest way
to ... live

Smooth sailing
a foreign concept
occasionally
not ... always

Let go and let God
much better choice
He really knows
what's .... best

Challenge for today?
I will select 3 or 4 things that I do that make my life more difficult than it needs to be and find ways to trust God and simplify.


Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I finally get it

It was almost 24 years ago that I made the decision to give my life and my will over to Jesus Christ.
At the time, I really had no idea what it meant, but what I did know was that I was not doing a good job of living my life running it all on my own. I knew I needed help and I had (already by 27) looked for a lot of different people and ways of obtaining that help, none of whom or which had worked. I was still a mess.
On the outside, things didn't look too messy. I was married to a great guy and had just given birth to our second, beautiful, and perfect son. We had family that we loved, friends to hang out with, a home, two cars, and one good job.
As a new follower of Christ, when I heard things like, "crucified with Christ", "died with Christ", and the like, I was so confused. For many years I pretended to understand what it meant. And in some ways, I got it - sort of.
But this past summer, I REALLY got it.
And it is amazing.
That person...the one who was a mess, she really died when I decided to give my life to God. My life is the life of Christ; Him living through me.
Now, I can still choose to act the same way that messy girl acted, to think the way the messy girl though, and to believe the way the messy girl believed. But, that is totally up to me. The power of that messy thinking is gone and I have the power of the Holy Spirit, if I choose to let Him lead me.
It sounds so simple. And so weird. But I am so glad that I got it!
A couple of weeks ago, I heard someone say, "My mess became my message." I totally understood!


Since we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. Romans 6:8




Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Weak vs Strong - which one are you?

Saw this on a new friend's facebook page today and loved it!

"Strong people make as many mistakes as weak people. Difference is that strong people admit their mistakes, laugh at them, learn from them. That is how they become strong."

-Richard Needham, British Politician
(thanks, Jan)



Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Packing and Preparing!

Need to pack
Need to pack

Then why am I sitting here on the computer reading blogs? And now typing a post...for no real reason?

I need to pack!

This upcoming weekend is one of my favorite weekends - ever! It is the annual Heart to Heart retreat in the Ozarks of Missouri! In the past, I have traveled to Tulsa via airplane and then by car with my mom. I will miss doing that this year, but I am taking 3 very special friends with me this year! I cannot even imagine the fun we will have on the road trip there and back! We range in age from early 20's to 50's, we know each other well, and care about each other bunches, which makes the weekend even more inviting! Then, when we get there, we will be with crowds of other women, all from different walks of life - but with one common bond - understanding, peace and love of the 12 step program and serenity.

Already, in my mind, I can hear the laughter. I can smell the musky dorm rooms where we will sleep, and the aroma of the food coming from the mess hall (and it is GOOD food) is already filling my tummy with desire. When I check in, I will receive my "word" - the word that I will ponder as a characteristic of myself, that I will either accept or grow into while there. And the excitement I feel for my friends and wondering what their "word" will be as well. There will be time for celebration, seeing old friends, some time for reflection, time for grieving and letting go, and time for some plain old fun!

I will be stretched, I will grow, and I will leave grateful! Grateful that I have a God who loves me unconditionally, who has my best in mind and will always protect and care for me, and grateful for friends who I can share life with - real life!

Oh, how I love Heart to Heart! My heart explodes at the anticipation...

Okay, I NEED TO PACK!!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

I love today


Today is the first day of September....wow!

Now, I love summer - in fact, I love summer best of all the seasons. I don't know why for sure, but I think it has hung on since my childhood. Summer still represents sleeping in, vacations, weeks with Grandma and Grandpa, homemade ice-cream, and days spent at the swimming pool. Most of those things are not regular parts of my summer schedule now that I am approaching 50. (well, I have a bit to go...but it's coming) I have a job where I leave my house before 7:00 a.m. every morning. That is NOT sleeping in! And my summer vacation? Well, let's just gratefully say it has been postponed to December due to a little airplane in a pond mistake.
So, even though my summer does not look like it did when it became my favorite season, and even though I thoroughly love summer, I am very, very ready for fall. And flipping the calendar today to the month of September, well, it just colors my world orange and gold! And I know that Spring is supposed to be the season of new beginnings, but something about September conjures up the melancholy of a new school year, new clothes, new shoes, new friends, and a new start.

This September 1st is holding true to how I feel about September. I sit in my home office this evening, and it is quiet. A thunderstorm rolled through during my drive home and during the dinner hour. The thunder was loud and constant and the rain was heavy and quickly deep on the ground. And then it stopped. My daughter and I ran outside when the sun popped out (right before it was to set) to view a beautiful rainbow. The air sparkled with the cleansing that the drenching rain had provided. It was crisp, ever so slightly cool and the water ran down the street, taking with it the dust from many hot, dry days. We stand side by side in our front yard, staring at the sky, in silence. I remind her of God's promise and she reminds me she has known His promise since almost the day she was born. Smiling, I tease her 16 year old smart alec-ness and tell her I am glad that she remembers. Sighing, I soak in as much as I can before the moment passes. And it will. In a blink of an eye, she went from 6 to 16. It wasn't that long ago that I was 6 ... and then 16 ... was it??? Oh yes, I must soak it all in, the rainbow, the glistening leaves on the trees, the rush of the rainwater in the street, and the teasing look in my daughter's eyes when she reminds me of how many times I have told her of God's love.

September is here. Wow!