The "Busy Nothings" of a Blessed Life

Friday again! I don’t mean to sound redundant, but isn’t it crazy how fast the weeks are passing? At least in my happy little world. Today I am linking up with Darci over at the Good Life Blog and the rest of the ladies, to talk about five current things in my life. Sorry if they do not seem all that interesting, it is just the little “busy nothings” that are the making of a wonderful, blessed, and happy life. 

1.    This beautiful place we live in. I mean wow. The sunsets have been amazing lately. My memory card is packed full of the beautiful colorful sky. This is my favorite view from my deck. Amazing. I know. (With everything that can be done on the computer these days, I feel the need to point out that this picture is straight off camera, the colors are not enhanced, and there were no filters on my lens. It was just that amazing.)

2.    I am reading through the Bible this year and this week I happened upon one of those obscure scriptures that you wouldn’t necessarily think would be… what you needed per se. And yet, it hit me so hard and I was like “thank you, Jesus.” Exodus 14:15 “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘why are you crying out to me?’ Tell the Israelites to move on.” Sometimes I find myself praying and asking God for all of the answers and specific direction… and sometimes it is just time to make a decision and move forward. As long as I am continually seeking Him he will direct my steps. He will use his word to do so, and this time, I believe He did. 

3.    I had my two nieces and nephew over for a tea part yesterday. They are so cute. Whenever we have tea parties the girls suddenly develop British accents and start calling me “mother.” So funny. 

4.     The Cheesecake Factory. I don’t know how this happened but Cory and I just went there for the first time and oh my goodness, it was amazing. I am on the New Year’s eating plan where I don’t eat bread, or pasta, or cheesecake…. Yeah that was all thrown out the window in a hurry. It was so delicious. I have this issue with becoming obsessed with the same meal at the same restaurant for a long time…. And then I get sick of it. It is weird. But right now it is all about the Cheesecake Factory. 

5.    I am having such fun with my new lens. My wonderful L series 70-200 that Cory gave me. I don’t know how to truly utilize it yet, but every picture I take with it is just so lovely. Could be in my head, I don’t know. But I am really enjoying playing with it and trying to figure it out. 

So there are the five little bits of my week. Hope you all have a wonderful Friday and happy weekend!

Encouragement for an Autumn Tuesday

October already. Where does the time go? Sometimes I wish I could just slow things down a little. 

I decided to postpone my weekly bit of encouragement for today because I was finishing up Blogtember yesterday. So I hope you are having a wonderful Tuesday on this beautiful autumn day. 

With my hubby working up north (only two more days woohoo) I have been spending a lot of time over at my parent’s house. A few nights ago I pulled a late night with my two younger siblings (side note, sisters and brothers have to be one of the most wonderful things in the world). 

We were talking about life and about goals. Some advice that my sister was giving my brother reminded me of something I used to, and occasionally still, struggle with. 

When I was growing up my parents always told me how smart I was. As a homeschooled student, I didn’t feel that I could properly gauge that for myself. I got straight A’s but my parents, the ones who cared most about me, graded my work. I distinctly remember thinking, “does my dad really think I am smart? Or is he concerned that I am not too bright and that is why he tries to encourage me?” I struggled with this question until I got out of high school, feeling uncertain about myself and my abilities. It was a legitimate fear that I had. In retrospect, I know where the thoughts came from, and it wasn’t from the father of the heavenly lights. 

After I began my first semester in college I realized that I had been listening to a lie for years. Why would I ever doubt myself? Why would you ever doubt yourself?

I know there are some scriptures that you have heard a million times. “Yeah, yeah, I know I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13)…. I know I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)… I know I have a spirit of power and of love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).” But do you really know?

I know for myself, if I could really grab a hold of these truths I wouldn’t doubt myself any longer. These are only a few passages that I thought of off the top of my head. There are so many scriptures that affirm God’s promises for your life; so many truths that really need to be imbedded in your mind. 

So if you ever struggle with doubts or thoughts that are not lining up with the word of God then cast them down. Stop listening to those lies of the world and of the devil. Find some scriptures for yourself that reinforce your faith and encourage you in all of your endeavors. 

He said you can do ALL things! 

P.S. Isn’t my niece the most beautiful little six year old in the world?

A Little Monday Boost

Happy Monday everyone! I feel so refreshed after church on Sundays. Ever feel like Monday comes crazy quick? Sometimes the weekend come down starts for me before I am even in bed on Sunday night. However, the name of the day of the week should not dictate our attitudes :)

Therefore I have decided that I am going to begin each week on a very positive note. I am going to make a habit of jotting down a post for a little spiritual boost as we trudge on in this great thing called life. I may share something I have been reading, learning myself, or simply a scripture that has been particularly impactful.

Without further ado here is my little “devotional” for this fabulous Monday.

Jeremiah 1:4-9

The word of the Lord came to me saying, “before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nation.” “Ah Sovereign Lord,“ I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me.  “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth.”

What an amazing passage! 

When I was a teenager I was not a very outgoing individual. Frankly, I would rather have stayed at home all day and read. One year I read 87 books. Extroverts just don’t make time for that much reading… but I digress.

Because it was such a struggle for me to get out of myself, I often wondered how I was going to make an impact for Jesus in the world. At that time I distinctly remember reading Jeremiah 1:4-9 and it drastically changed my outlook and level of confidence. I remember thinking I could exactly relate. I felt as if I were only a child! And yet God had formed me for a purpose; A purpose which I would fulfill because he would direct me every step of the way. What a God!

Yesterday morning I think the Lord wanted to remind me of that. Quite by accident I opened my Bible up to this passage and as I began reading, the familiar words jumped off the page and into my heart. It was not as if I had forgotten that scripture or how powerful it was for me and my life; but perhaps I had not been walking in the specific facet faith which this scripture should bolster.

So be encouraged today; in whatever goals you have set or challenge you are facing. You may feel totally ill qualified, as a child would feel, and yet God says “go” and he will guide you. More than that, he will put HIS words into YOUR mouth.