I Choose Joy!

This morning, in our bible study, Dr. Catherine Hart admonished us to combat the stresses of life by laughing a lot. I immediately thought of the Gaither Children's video, where George Younce sings, "The Laughing Song" ("Oh, hahahahahahahahah.....) and found myself singing it most of the day. I believe being able to truly laugh, comes from having a heart full of joy!

Life is tough. Life hurts. Life is not fair....that is just the way it goes. Barbara Johnson authored a book years ago entitled, "Pain Is Inevitable, Misery Is Optional...Stick A Geranium In Your Hat and Be Happy" I read the book, and the message has stuck with me since. Although life hurts, and pain comes unbeckoned, we can either choose to be miserable, or we can choose joy.

I choose JOY!

Webster gives joy, three definitions, and they are as follows:

1. the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires

2. a state of happiness or bliss

3. a source or cause of delight

In my life....

I deal with the stress of being a supportive wife to my wonderful husband. I deal with the stress of raising three children, in this crazy world. I deal with the stress of parents and grandparents who are fighting physical issues. I deal with the stress of loosing loved ones. I deal with the stress of meeting the needs of my family and friends. Cars break down, tires blow, keys get lost, toes get stubbed, or in my case, broken. I burn my arm on the stove, my kids get sunburned when Mom forgets to apply enough SPF 50, and the grass burns brown when we don't get enough water on it.

My heart breaks with hurt, misunderstandings and unforgiveness. I say things I regret, and don't say things I should. I fall....I get back up....I go on. It's life.

But also in my life...

I find a love letter from the man who chose me above all others, to be his wife. I hear the sweet words from a child of mine, saying, "Hey Mom, you are the best!" I sip my coffee from a mug that says, "Lord, You fill me with JOY in Your presence." I walk outside and hear the sounds of morning, and smell the freshness of growing tomato plants and heirloom roses. I open my Bible, and read God's words to me. I witness the first breath and cries of a newborn baby, and feel the closeness of God in that very moment. I spend precious time with friends, laughing and encouraging each other to keep going. I hear my children pray. I have a personal relationship with my Father God. I sing His Praise, I worship, I love, I delight....I laugh!

Ralph Waldo Emerson said,

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is success!"

In the end, I know that success is not measured in things or accomplishments, but in how we lived and loved, how we impacted the lives of others. I want to be remembered for loving well, and laughing a lot...not for being the most stressed out woman on the planet!

Empty Cups and Early Morning Prayers

Picture in your mind with me...

You awakened this morning in your warm, comfy bed; you stood up, stretched, and reached for an empty cup that sits on your nightstand. You walked out your bedroom door and into your day...with your empty cup. You walked downstairs and your husband is sitting at the kitchen table, eating his breakfast. You went to him and said, "Is there anything you can put into my cup?" He smiled at you, and said, "Good Morning, Sweetheart!" (and dropped a coin into your cup) You walked away, happy that your cup had something in it.

You got into the car with your kids, to take them to school, and asked, "Can you put anything into my cup today?" They smiled and said, "Bye Mom! Love you!" (and each dropped a coin into your cup)

You called a friend on the phone and in your neediness, you asked, "Can you add something to my cup today?" and your friend told you what a good mom you are, or how adorable your new haircut is. (and dropped her coin into your cup)

You opened the fridge and ask the food to fill your cup...or in my case this morning, I asked the coffee-pot.

The rest of the day went along much the same, and by the end of the day, there were a dozen or so coins rattling around in the bottom of your proverbial cup....but your cup is far from full, and you ended your day, unsatisfied and empty of soul. Tomorrow morning, you will start all over again, with the begging; hoping for a fuller cup.

Humans can't stand a feeling of emptiness...we will find one way or another to satisfy our souls."

In Luke 4:18, Luke states that "I have been sent to preach the good news to the poor..." This word "Poor" has the meaning, "Subsisting on the alms of others"

He was sent to tell those who are going around with empty cups, that the good news is, there is only One who can fill their cups to satisfaction!

"Until we find satisfaction in Christ, we will wear others out with our needs."

When I heard this, I thought of all the people in my life, whom I have drawn all my satisfaction from, and worn completely out! Poor people...God bless them for sticking it out with me...and for those who gave up, Bless them too, Lord!

I wake up every morning, with human needs. I need to feel loved. I need to feel significant and like I matter in this world. I need to know that what I do is noticed. I need, I need, I need....and much to often, I go around hoping that I will have those needs met by other humans...flawed and just as needy.

Psalms 90:14...Satisfy us in the morning, with Your unfailing love (love that is not given according to how I lived my last 24 hours), that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Psalms 63:1...."Oh God, you are my God, early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You..."

This is what I pray will soon by my reality...

I wake up and before I even get out of bed, I pour out my heart to God. Emptying myself of foolish thoughts, bad attitudes, selfish needs---myself. Then ask him to redeemingly fill my empty cup with His unfailing love--so as I go about my day, my cup will be so full of Christ, that any affirmation my family and friends shower on me, becomes the overflow of a truly satisfied soul...a full cup!

"Yes, we are meant to AFFIRM one another, but we cannot FULFILL one another."

Did you just hear all the people who know me, breathe a sigh of relief?? I did.

All quotes are from Beth Moore's teaching on "A WOMAN'S PRAYER LIFE...THE SACRED ROMANCE"

Let The Camping Begin!

One of the best things about living in Idaho, is the opportunity to go camping in some of God's most gorgeous creation! We were invited to join friends for a Memorial Weekend Camping trip, to Stanley Lake, Idaho. I had never been there before, and was stunned at the beauty!

We arrived on Friday night, in a heavy snow/rain storm, but woke up Saturday to a beautiful, chilly, mountain morning. The air was fresh, the snow-covered peaks were showing their splendor, and the coffee and pancakes tasted better than ever!

While all seven boys and Nikki grabbed their guns, to go out into the forest to fight off enemies, the rest of us relaxed, played games, and enjoyed the time together. The men kept the fire going, while the girls played many rounds of Dutch Blitz. The next day, the Pa French, Pa Taylor and Pa Renfrow helped the warriors build a log-fort for a day-long game of Capture the Flag.

Evening found us sitting around the campfire singing funny songs about swimming pools and bears in Tuallome's, while we enjoyed S'mores.

We hope this is the first of several camping trips this Summer. Great memories!

Gold Stars & Gray Dots

There is a children's book by Max Lucado called, You Are Special. I have never read that book to my kids, without tears streaming down my face. I would recommend it to anyone of any age...timeless truth!

In this story, Punchinello, a Wemmick (wooden boy) from Wemmicksville, is struggling with his identity. He spent much of his time looking around at his fellow Wemmicks, thinking that everyone was better than him. (sound familiar?)

Although his maker, Eli, the Woodcarver, reminded him frequently, that he was special, just the way he was made to be, he listened to the voices telling him he wasn't.

The Wemmicks spent their days doing the same thing, They gave each other stickers. If they did something amazing, or if they were particularly beautiful, they would get gold star stickers. If they tripped on their feet, said something silly, or just didn't have their act together, they got gray dots.

This practice left Punchinello covered with gray dots, because he was a clumsy Wemmick, who frequently forgot his hat, or scratched his paint.

After awhile he didn't want to go out in public because he had so many dots! (yep, this is sounding like my life. What about yours??)

One day, Punch goes to talk to Eli, the Woodcarver, about his dots.

This is how the conversation went:

"Hmm...looks like you have been given some bad marks, Punchinello."

"I didn't mean to Eli. I really tried hard."

"Oh you don't have to defend yourself to me, child. I don't care what the other Wemmicks think."

"You don't?"

"No, and you shouldn't either. Who are they to give stars or dots? They're Wemmicks just like you. What they think doesn't matter, Punchinello. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special."

Eli goes on to explain to Punch that he was made to be special for who he was. He tells Punch that the only reason the stickers stay on him, is "because they only stick if you let them."

Punch didn't understand, and asked how to not care what others think about him. Eli told Punch that he needed to walk up the hill everyday and visit His maker. The more time he spent talking to the One who made him, the one who thought he was special, the less it mattered what the other Wemmicks think.

I share this, because it is so similar to our lives...my life.

Instead of stars and dots, we give and receive "labels". We get up in the morning, look in the mirror and label ourselves as "Fat/Skinny/Cute/Ugly". We go to work, school, to Bible Study, and say something we regret, and we label ourselves as "Stupid/Ignorant" or on the flip side-we are praised for giving a good speech, and we label ourselves as "Brilliant/Smart". We bump into someone as we walk out of a door, knocking their coffee everywhere, and we label ourselves as "Clumsy/Accidental". Or we are complimented on those cute shoes we are wearing, and we label ourselves as "Adorable/Fashionable". We find out that someone we hung the moon on, has let us down, and we label ourselves "Abandoned/Unlovable/Rejected"

We spend much of our time walking though life, giving and receiving Gold Stars and Gray Dots.

My stars say things like, "Creative, Wordy, Happy, Likes To Have Fun, Caring, Merciful, Hospitable (Betty Crocker)...."

My dots are, "Chatty Kathy, Procrastinator, Fat, Terribly Clumsy, Misunderstood, Unorganized...."

Some dots and stars are self-stuck...meaning that I give myself plenty of the labels to carry around. But I am consumed way too often, with the dots and stars that others stick on me.

I am reminded that in order for me to not "let them stick", I have to walk up the hill, and get on my knees before my Maker, and Redeemer. I have to talk to him about my dots and stars. I have to get quiet, and let Him tell me that He finds great delight in me...and then it starts to make sense.

What if instead of Stars and Dots, when others look at me, they were to see God's Truth? What would my life look like, if that is all I sought after...what God says about me?

I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am forgiven (Eph. 1:7-8)

I am complete (Col. 2:9-10)

I am secure (Rom. 8:31-39)

I am free (Rom. 6:18)

I am sheltered and protected ( Col. 3:3)

I am dearly loved (Col. 3:12)

I am God's treasure (1 Peter 2:9-10)

I am God's friend (John 15:15)

and last but not least....

I am God's Workmanship-Ephesians 2: 10

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

I think it is high time, that I live and act (and believe) as if I am God's Masterpiece! Does anyone care to join me...it could be an adventure!

"You Are Special" by Max Lucado, 1997

Spring into Everyday Living!

I am always looking for new ways to enjoy God's world and creation, that are simple and can be enjoyed over and over again. I found these in my Life: Beautiful Magazine and thought my blog friends might enjoy them as well.

BRINGING SPRING INTO EVERYDAY LIFE:

*Plan an outdoor sunrise breakfast and Bible reading for yourself and one or two others.

Pack a wicker basket with fresh fruit and cheese, a thermos of tea or coffee, bottles of juice and water, a few croissants and a blanket or two, then head to the beach (I wish) or park. Share what God is doing in your life, currently!

*Go for a leisurely bike ride or walk on a path lined with blooming flowers and trees.

*Fly a kite with your kids and don't worry about what time it is.

*Sort through your closet and sell, donate or discard what you don't use or need. Then organize the rest by color, style, use, ect.

*Plant a garden. If you don't have space, plant a window box or patio planter.

* Visit farmers' markets for locally grown produce. Pick out a bouquet of fresh flowers while you are there.

* Take a trip to a local nursing home or assisted living center. Make someone's day with a pretty bunch of tulips or daisies.

*Sample new vegetables and fruits. Check farmers' markets for food you have yet to try, and ask the seller for ideas in perparation. Jicama, artichokes, various peppers and a host of heirloom tomatoes may be a few taste pleasers you have yet to enjoy.

*Learn a new sport or craft.

*Re-arrange your furniture for a fresh new look on a limited budget. Switch furnishings from different rooms for a more dramatic effect.

*Host a neighborhood seed exchange.

*Send and email or note to someone you haven't talked to for some time. Let them know they are in your thoughts.

*Go for a walk to clear your mind and enjoy the moment. Make this a daily habit.

*Go to a local park and play a pick-up game of basketball or H-O-R-S-E. The kids would love this!

*Start a daily journal.