Early in 2012 I began a count-up to one thousand gifts. As Ann Voskamp encourages, I recorded at least three things every day I was thankful for. Of course when I started this "personal challenge" my life was an absolute mess with my husband still out of work, a book God led me to write but I was freaking out about self-publishing, and a heart filled with overwhelming emotion and feelings of despair.
Still, I knew God expected me to live ...
Between the blessings of warmer than usual Spring temperatures and precious moments to spend with my children and husband, I'm starting the week off by continuing to count my gifts, recognizing just how much God loves me and provides every need.
#160 - The gorgeous flowering trees that bloom during Spring time here in Pennsylvania. God provides such beauty in our surroundings.
#161 - Those bright, eye-catching, blue wings on the Bluebirds living in the trees behind our house. They are seriously breathtaking!
#162 - The clean scent of rain.
#163 ...
By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. ~Exodus 13:21
Wouldn't it be awesome if God revealed Himself to us in the form of something visibly substantial, such as a pillar of cloud or fire, so we would know where to go or what to do? This way, we would never question if the decisions we were making were God's will or our own selfish desires, because ...
I am blessed.
You are too!
So many days have come and gone where I didn't feel like life was treating me fairly. Hard times seem to happen more frequently, the older I get. Sometimes I find myself so upset over something that I could literally vomit. What's worse is looking back over it later on realizing I was an emotional wreck over something that wasn't really worth getting all fussed up about.
Yes, it's real life. Not always easy to face. Often times scary, as we wonder what 's next. It's easy to become consumed in ...
I'm fairly certain my mom gives the best hugs around. I miss her so much. Miles of land and lack of travel funds separate us, so it's been at least two years since I've felt the warmth of her hug. As a child I remember always wanting to crawl into her lap for snugly hugs.
No matter how busy she was, she always stopped what she was doing to welcome my hugs, never missing an opportunity to hug back. This was a sensitive subject for her as she had always been pushed away by her mother. She swore ...
I can't believe it's the end of February and we are putting homemade bird feeder crafts from our last Daisy Troop meeting in the trees around the backyard. Only 48 hours ago we were under a lake effect snow warning. Today, it's in the high 40's and sunny. On the way out to the gym earlier, Abby asked, "where's all the snow, Mommy?" I wish I knew. We've had such a mild winter that we haven't even pulled our sled out of the basement yet. Not that I'm complaining...in fact, I'm continuing to count my blessings.
Today ...
Every once in a while I like to share reflections from my heart, from my life, and from my thoughts.
Today my thoughts are on flowers.
Because my birthday is in May, I was always taught that my birthstone was an Emerald and my birth flower was Lily of the Valley.
The beautiful green stone I loved! The flower...not so much. See my favorite flower was always the Rose. Rose is even part of my name.
In fact, I was named in part, after my sweet great Grannie, Rosella Smith. As a child, I hated my name, always ...
Funny, how God works in our lives, isn't it? When He wants us to move on something, He knows exactly how to get our attention.
Whether it's in that still, small voice inside, gnawing at us about a particular area of life needing some adjustments, or whether He simply flashes obvious smack-us-in-the-head signs to convict us into action, God speaks to all of His children in the exact way He knows we will listen.
Maybe His message is spoken powerfully in a church sermon or you read it on a blog or in your favorite book. Perhaps you ...
In the darkness of early morning, I struggle to open the overflowing drawer of workout clothes. It's fullness demonstrates my lack of exercise in recent weeks. I may strive to be a supermom, but I'm not that good at keeping up with the laundry.
The truth is, I haven't opened that drawer in far too long. Instead, I've made excuses and let other things become the priority.
And emotionally, I've felt the difference.
That's the spiritual battle I've been fighting lately. One could label ...
10 Ways To Cope Through The Emotional Impact Of Unemployment In Your Home.
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