embracing 2014

Happy 2014! It hardly seems possible that 2013 has come and gone, yet here we are in a brand new year. I hope and pray that 2014 has wonderful things in store for us all. 

I don't really make resolutions, but I have started choosing a word of the year. Last year's word was SHINE, which worked out pretty well. After much prayer and soul-searching,  this year's word is EMBRACE. I chose embrace because it really encompasses everything I want to do and be this year.  In every situation, the good and the bad, I want to EMBRACE it and be joyful.  Embrace and give God the glory in all things. Sometimes, in today's world, it's easy to get caught up in comparisons, desiring more, dreaming of more... Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with wanting more, but there's something to be said for being content with ~ and embracing ~ what you already have and saying  it's enough. 

I'm not sure exactly what this year will be like. I do have some plans and hopes but I'm going to embrace whatever God sends our way and trust Him completely for all our desires and needs. 

Cheers to 2014! 

 

jesus, be near

My thoughts are with the people of Oklahoma today. Jesus, be near and let them feel the presence of Your peace amidst the sorrow and destruction.

being humbled

Sometimes God has to humble us by showing just how we're wrong when thinking we are so very right. I'm thankful for His gentle direction. This came to me yesterday in a situation where I was certain I was right. And when I searched out answers affirming my  position, God gently showed me the reality of the situation. After a bit of reflection, I immediately started praying - asking for forgiveness for my selfish {and self-serving} behavior, for strength to stay strong and the desire to let God lead.

No matter the exact situation, I'm sure we all find ourselves feeling this way from time to time. Isn't it wonderful the way that God can reveal Himself to us?!  And that we can simply ask for forgiveness, strength, etc. to carry on? That we can lay our burdens on God's shoulders, knowing He's more than strong enough to see us through?

Yes, indeed His grace is sufficient. Isn't that amazing?

Faith Believing

We learned some sad and scary news last Monday.  My father-in-law has been diagnosed with cancer. It's a type of skin cancer that was discovered from a lump in his inner thigh/groin area. We're slowly learning more about his diagnosis as he continues to have testing done and his doctors come up with a treatment plan. We're praying {and believing} that it's been caught early enough that it's easily treatable. 

I feel terribly sad for my husband. He's been incredibly calm through this and I'm the one who has shed a few tears. Mike is so very strong and doesn't cry until there's a solid reason to do so. I cry because I hate that ugly "C" word so very much.  I cry because with that one word, lives change in an instant. I cry for my mother-in-law because I see fear in her eyes and because I love my husband so much I never want to feel that kind of fear for him. And while I do believe that my father-in-law will be just fine, I hate all the fear and uncertainty that go along with just hearing that word.

I've realized that along with the joys of raising my own family, I still long for my younger days. I want to go back to being the younger generation...back to the days when my cousins and I were the kids and my grandparents were still here and enjoying life. I don't like being "in the middle" and watching our own parents age. Can you tell I'm a little emotional today? 

But I will claim victory. Because in the midst of all this fear, crying and uncertainty, there is joy and faith. Ephesians 3:20 is my favorite scripture. It brings a peace and calmness and reminds us that God is in complete control.  ~ God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. ~  Please keep our family in your prayers. 

Stand Still

...and let God move. Just like the song says, it's very hard to do. We all want things on our own time. It's hard to wait for God's timing, even though He always knows exactly what He's doing. There are two things on my heart right now and I know God has a plan for our little family...I just have to have the patience {and faith} to stand still and allow Him to work in our life and also remember to be thankful for all the blessings I already have.

As a treat for my followers today, I'm offering a special on digital prints. If you buy "Stand Still" 5x7 for $5, you'll also receive "Thy Word" candle silhouette for free. Just leave your email in comments and I'll send you an invoice.

Friday Ramblings

I was feeling the need for a little praise & worship this morning so I turned to Shout to the Lord. Seriously, if you ever feel the need for a song that lifts you up, this is the song. I instantly felt better & refreshed. And that is the awesome power of our Lord & Savior. 

Landon & I spent last Saturday with my mom & niece. We went treasure-hunting at the flea market, stopped by JoAnn Fabrics, etc. It was a great day. We ended it with lunch at Applebee's. Landon adores pasta as you can plainly see {and making a mess with it}. He's turning into such a big boy.

I'm so excited about tomorrow night. Mike & I are going out to dinner with two other couples we know {and love}. There will be no sippy cups, high chairs or crayons!  I'm looking forward to a night out on the town. Ha ha

Have a great weekend!

Facing Your Giants

I'm so happy to be joining our book club again on Thursdays. I miss that time of learning & fellowship. I still feel very anxious am feeling a little anxiety about leaving Landon, but I know he'll be just fine with daddy. Someone please tell me that leaving him for a few hours gets easier. Landon will be thrilled to have a "Daddy & Me" evening.

We're reading Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado & I'm so excited about it. Just reading the back cover brought me a sense of peace... " Focus on giants - you stumble. Focus on God - your giants tumble."  How much more simple can it be? And with all the pressures we have on us today, we definitely face a lot of giants. But just think of how much easier those giants are to face when you're on God's team.  I'll be doing weekly posts on Fridays to let you know what I learn from reading this book.


Have a great Wednesday!

Stand Still

Stand still and let God move

Standing still is hard to do

When you feel you have reached the end

He’ll make a way for you

Stand still and let God move

Oh, what sweet words. So simple, yet so hard. The words are actually the chorus to one of my favorite songs. And it's my hope that in the new year, I will be able to do just that. As a self-proclaimed control freak, it's especially hard for me. But I'm hoping...and praying. God can do amazing things; all we have to do is allow Him to lead us.

I am definitely looking forward to 2011. 2010 has been a hard year for my family. We have had joys, but we've also had sorrows. My dear sweet mama passed away in February and thoughts of her have haunted me the whole year. How I love that woman. Her death made me realize how precious time is. I long so much for more time with her and other family members that are gone. It's also made me put more thought {and effort} into the relationships and friendships I have now. When time is gone, it's simply gone. There are no second chances...

It's also been a year of financial struggle for us. Due to the economy, my salary has been almost cut in half. We've had to take a hard look at our spending & where we want to go financially. It's been harder than I could ever imagine. For someone used to spending freely without really thinking about it...that's just not possible now. Lessons learned - oh yes, but it's not a course I wanted to take. But you know what...God is in control here too. I've definitely learned the price of material possessions and how little they really matter, so maybe it's not been such a bad thing.

God bless you all. I hope 2011 brings you more joy, love & successes than you've ever known.