Monday Motivation: Consider it Pure Joy

Thanks to a facebook friend's status last night, I've been thinking about James 1:2.  The book of James is possibly my favorite book in the Bible.  I have done a couple of studies on it, and am anxiously awaiting a study by Beth Moore on James.  You've got to love James.  He's a straight shooter, and in a world filled with slick talking, that is refreshing.  If you haven't felt convicted about anything in a while, read James.  It's a great book.  Perhaps one of the most difficult verses to swallow in the whole Bible is James 1:2.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds....

What??  I'd rather complain about my trials, thank you very much!  The chapter goes on to say that your trials will develop your faith, create perseverance and help you become mature.  And, if you think about it, if we didn't have trials, how would we learn patience, compassion, dependence on God?  God really can work all things for our good.

Plus, my trials just seem silly when I watch the footage of what is going on in Japan right now, or think about my friends who have suffered incredible losses this past year...jobs, parents, children.  My silly little trials are almost embarrassing to write about when I think about these things.  So, here's a little Monday motivation for you:

I will consider it joy when I have to do yet another load of laundry...my family has plenty of clothes to wear, and enough clean water to drink, bathe and wash clothes.

I will consider it joy when I have to do the dishes, again,...my family not only has nice dishes, but plenty of food to eat.

I will consider it pure joy when my son rips yet another hole in the knees of his new jeans...he is healthy enough to be a rambunctious, active 8 year old boy.

I will consider it pure joy when my daughter wakes me up in the middle of the night and needs me to help her get back to asleep...she is healthy and safe and has a soft warm bed.

I will consider it joy when the car breaks down...because we have not one, but 2 cars that are fully paid for, and we can still get where we need to go...and God will provide some means to get the car fixed.

I will consider it pure joy when the dog is chewing on my ankles and jumping on the furniture and stealing my lunch...because....hmmm....uh...I'll have to pray about that one a little more.  ;-)

And finally, I consider it pure joy that no matter what we go through in this life, we are loved and cherished by an unchanging God and He is all we need.  Even if I lose everything, I still have Him.

God is on the Treadmill

Exercising is a real act of obedience for me.  It is not something I enjoy, or really even think to do, unless I make myself.  But, my 30's have not been kind to my metabolism, so it is a necessity for me.  God has really been dealing with me about my lack of self-discipline when it comes to taking care of myself.  So, this morning, I put aside all the excuses, and hopped back on the treadmill for the first time in a while.  And, to my pleasant surprise, God met me there.  I put Ella in front of a cartoon and cranked my i-pod up, and God just started speaking to my heart.  I love these times...I'm desperate for these times.  Like a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:1-2)


While I was running (and I was able to run like never before, thanks I'm sure to a little help from God...it's amazing how he steps in, when we take a step of obedience), God put it on my heart to share this little story and a song...I hope it does something for you today.

Five years ago, I was sitting in church listening to a sermon on having a vision for your life and for your family.  I was thinking to myself, that the vision I had for my family was that I could be home full time with my kids, have more time with them and spend more time focused on raising them to follow hard after God. I was not very good at being a working mom...some people seem to be great at it, so don't worry, this is not meant to say everyone should be home with their kids...this was just for me.  I always felt like I had to sacrifice work for my kids or kids for my work.  I never felt I could do both jobs well.  Anyway, as I was sitting there, the Holy Spirit gripped my heart in such a way I could scarcely catch my breath.  I felt like my very soul was on fire.  I knew I was supposed to be staying home with my son.  I knew right then that I was in my final year of teaching.  The feeling was so strong, there was no denying it.  When I told Mark, he looked at me like I had 2 heads.  We were just scraping by as it was, and I was telling him I wanted to cut our family income almost in half.  It was his desire for me to stay home also, but we just did not see how it would be financially possible.  So, we started praying.  I prayed specifically that if I heard God correctly, he would convince Mark, so there would be no division on this issue.  God just really spoke to me in this time.  He challenged me to trust him and step out in faith, even though we could not see how it was possible.  He promised that he would provide for us.  So, after months of searching the scripture and seeking Godly counsel on the matter, I turned in my resignation.  I'd like to say I wasn't scared, but I was scared to death.

Since then, God has never been late.  We have always had everything we've needed and then some.  But, it has always been day to day.  We never have a surplus that we can fall back on.  We have not fallen into large sums of money to help us get ahead.  It has not been easy.  There are times, when we have pennies to our name, and it is hard to have faith that God will come through.  But, he always does.  We have never been in want.  Sometimes, my faith is low and I get really worried about our finances.  Like this week...when the car broke down, and the oven went out...or two weeks ago, when we had to buy a new tire, and had no money to buy Ella a birthday gift.  It's times like that when I throw up my hands and say, "okay God, we need you to come through here."  And, he does...an anonymous gift, that is the exact amount we need...a thank you card for a past kindness, with a gift included.  Somehow, he always comes through.  Even though I know that, sometimes, I get really down about the whole thing...wondering why we just can't get ahead.  And, that's where I was this morning when I got on the treadmill.

God came through again.  He could get frustrated with me, or disappointed in me when I get like this, but he doesn't.  God is always tender and understanding with me.  On the treadmill this morning, I just felt like he was pulling me so close to him.  Without words, he conveyed to my spirit, that it's like this, because this is when we need him the most.  Like when he provided manna from heaven for the Israelites...just enough for the day.  This is when we lean on him, turn to him...and stay in relationship with him.  I feel that God is using this to refine me...and sometimes it hurts...but it's a good hurt...like when you're running and your muscles start to burn, but you know it's good because they are getting stronger, able to endure more.  And that is what I am doing too...getting stronger in my faith, pulling close to my God, falling more deeply in love with him, coming to understand his character.  Life would be easier if we had more money sitting in our savings account...my math brain would be more at ease if I could plan it all out to the penny...but that's not what God has for me right now.  Right now, he wants me snuggled up close to him, hanging on with all I have...and trusting Him.

Just as God is laying all this on my heart...this song came on the i-pod.  It was so perfect and worshipful...the only thing that kept me from raising both hands in worship to God was the fear that I would fall and bust my face open on the treadmill!  I do need God...He is all I need.  I am a fool without him.  He is what I'm living for.

Happy 3rd Birthday Ella

Three years ago, my precious daughter was born.  She was beautiful.  After 5 years of being the mom of a boy, I wasn't sure I was cut out for a daughter.  But, it was love at first sight.

"Hmm, wonder which finger I can wrap him around?"

Ella is an odd mix of girly-ness and tomboy.  She loves dolls and pink, but also wants to be just like her brother.  She is equal parts sassy and sweet...sugar and spice for sure!  She is just as comfortable playing monsters and dragons and cars with her brother, as she is playing baby dolls and dancing in her ballerina skirt.  

"As soon as I get my arms unstuck...this hat has got to go."

Ella is always ready to have fun.  She lacks all the first child seriousness and caution of her older brother.  She has no sense of danger, or any idea that there may be some things she is too little to do.  She approaches life like it is one big party.  She'll try anything and talk to anyone.

"Dear God, thank you for giving me so many people to boss around."

But, as sweet and fun-loving as she can be in one minute, she can be fighting mad the next.  And when she's mad, you better settle in for a fight, because giving up is an unheard of concept.  She won't give in, she won't quit, no matter what the consequence.  She will fight to the bloody end.  It makes for some frustrating toddler times, but I know it will serve her well in the world in which she lives.

I could kiss those cheeks all day.

She's an absolutely beautiful child.  With wild blonde hair, big blue eyes, and a smile that will brighten your whole day.  But, don't tell her she's pretty (see "Fighting mad" above).  She doesn't like it.  "I'm not pretty.  I'm Ella Claire!"  Every day when she gets dressed, she instructs me to find clothes that are "Not pretty."  I'm not sure exactly what makes something "Not pretty," but I know for sure, skirts are out.  Unless it's a cowgirl skirt.  

Aidan inspects his new baby sister...they were fast friends.

At 3 years old, she is learning to ride a tricycle.  She is fully potty trained, except for an occasional accident, usually at the most inopportune time.  She LOVES to dance and sing.  She will play with horses all day.  Every night when we put her to bed, she says, "I'm going to wake up the sun and then we will go outside and play in the snow!  and make snow angels and have snowball fights!"  She says "Bump-a-loaf" instead of "buffalo."  She says "Cause-Be" instead of "because," and "pup-cakes" instead of "cupcakes."  She is crazy about every kind of animal and her brother.  She calls all of her little girl friends her sisters.  She loves to read stories and play in her room.  She is learning to write her name, and she can already spell it.  She has a pretty serious cartoon addiction and a MAJOR sweet tooth.  She likes to tell me that we are girls, but "bubba and daddy are stinky boys."  She gives great hugs, and she dances when she sees one of us.  She could win the world title of a stink eye competition.  She captures the attention of everyone we see.  

Since Ella came into our lives, we laugh a lot more, we shake our heads a lot more, we have a lot more tea parties, and we sleep a lot less!  She is our sassy Ella Claire, and we love her to pieces.  

Ella, we adore and cherish you.  You are beautiful, whether you like it or not.  I know God has something uniquely special planned for you.  I am so honored and blessed to be your mommy.

Be "clothed with strength and dignity...laugh at the days to come...Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."  (from Proverbs 31)

Monday Motivation:

It's Monday.  Monday is always a catch up day for me.  After having the whole family at home all weekend, I need a day to put the house back in order, get caught up on some laundry, plan out our meals for the week, etc.  It's my day to get back into the swing of things, and sometimes it's a little hard to get going.  Being a mom is just so constant...and sometimes repetitive.  Sometimes I think if I have to empty and reload the dishwasher one more time I'm going to lose my mind.  So, if you, like me, need a little extra coffee, and move just a little bit slower on Monday mornings, here is some motivation for you:

"Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9


As a mom, I love this verse, because it speaks such promise.  Sometimes, the "good" I'm doing is not very glamorous.  Sometimes, it's washing dishes and underwear and cleaning toothpaste off the vanity for the umpteenth time.  And, here's the kicker: being cheerful and loving while I do it.  Maybe this isn't the "good" that Paul had in mind when he wrote Galatians.  The "good" we do doesn't have to be glamorous or newsworthy to be good.  A big focus of my life right now is to make my home a peaceful place where my family feels cared for and cherished.  I know, this will help my children grow into loving, happy adults.  And, it is my heart's desire, that they will see the love I have comes from the Father, and they will grow to love Him also...and reap a harvest.  So, this week, as you do the dishes and the laundry, cook meals, shop for groceries, and do the dishes and the laundry AGAIN, remember that no act of love is ever in vain.

So, don't grow weary...in your work...in being patient and loving, in restraining negative thoughts and words...in loving discipline...in encouraging...in helping with homework...in being a soft place to land for your family...even though you may not see it now...you are sowing seeds that will some day turn into a beautiful harvest...if you do not give up.  And when you're very tired and you feel like you just can't wash one more dish or read one more story...when every time you sit down, someone needs you to get up...remember you are not alone:

Do you not know?  Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Have a beautiful week!

Exceedingly, Abundantly Beyond

Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all that we ask or can imagine, according to the power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen  Ephesians 3:20-21

This verse has been sitting on my desk for months...since going to a women's weekend at church in October, actually.  I think I've probably read this verse a thousand times, and never thought much about it, until I heard Priscilla Shirer speak on it, via video, on that weekend.  Now, I love it...cling to it actually.  Read it carefully...do you see what it says?  "able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all that we ask or can imagine."  So, when you don't know what to do in a situation, or you think a dream of yours is impossible, think about that.  Think about the best that you could ask for or imagine in your particular situation, and then remember, God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly beyond your best case scenario...and is happy to do it, as long as it is glorifying to Him and does not go against his will for your life.  Exceedingly and Abundantly beyond...I love it.  God is a god of abundance!  Think of how you like to heap good things on your children...so does He, and he has unlimited resources.  Sometimes our dreams are too small for ourselves...because we are limited in what we can imagine...but God can do exceedingly AND abundantly BEYOND what we can imagine.  Words cannot really describe what an awesome thing that is.  And, I've seen him do it too...so maybe that's why I get so excited thinking about it.  It is mind boggling.  To Him be the glory to all generations forever and ever!

I Think:

I think...

God always answers prayers...

at just the right time and in just the right way.

Sometimes, God answers prayers you didn't even know you were praying.


I think while you are waiting for God to answer a prayer, you should pull in close to him and hang on like your very life depends on it.                                                                                                                      

I think when you are in God's word and you start to realize you need it like the air you breathe, that you are in a good place.


I think God cares about the things that we pretend are silly or insignificant, but in our hearts they really matter to us.

I think God delights in providing for us the things that cause longing in our hearts...sometimes we just have to be patient.

I think being able to fellowship with God every moment of every day is an incredibly beautiful and tender  gift.

I think this relationship is like nothing the world has to offer...

nothing as sweet, or honest or open...nothing as stable and unchanging...nothing as exciting, or as breathtaking, nothing as beautiful as walking daily with the one who has loved me with an everlasting love.

I think I am so blessed to be on this journey.

Happy Birthday to the Great State of Texas

I am a Texan.  I don't know why God blessed me in such a way, but I am sure glad he did.  I love to travel; I love the mountains and the ocean, but my heart belongs to the big blue skies of Texas.  If I'm gone too long, my eyes start aching to see Texas.  There's just something about this place.  So, just when I thought I was done with making lists, here is a list to honor my beloved Texas:

Quotes and Tidbits about Texas:

1. "Texas is a state of mind.  Texas is an obsession.  Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word."  John Steinbeck

2. "You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas."  Davy Crockett  

3. The oldest construction in North America is in Texas!  (Bet you didn't know THAT!)  It is a stone floor in a muddy rock shelter.  It is called the Kincaid Shelter and is near Uvalde. 

4.  The least populated county in the United States is in Texas.  It is Loving County and it has only 67 residents.

5. Brewster County is the largest county in Texas.  Connecticut, Rhode Island and Delaware could all fit inside this county.

6. The famous King Ranch is larger than the state of Rhode Island. 

7.  Eighty percent of Texas' land area is composed of farms.

8. Something I did not know...Texas has 90 mountains that are a mile or more high.  The highest peak is Guadalupe Peak.  It is 8,751 feet.

9. Texas has the largest of all state capitol buildings.  

10.  In Texas, it is illegal to put graffiti on someone else's cow.  (great, now I have to think of something else to do this weekend!)

11. DFW Airport has the world's largest parking lot!  

12. Guess where the world's 3rd largest runway is located!  DFW? no  Austin? no...Amarillo!  It is meant to serve as an alternate landing space for the space shuttle.

13. The population of people and cows in Texas is almost even.  There are just slightly more people than cows here.

14. In Texas, it is illegal to curse in front of a corpse.

15. It is also illegal to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel.  (darn, there goes weekend plan B!)

16. "Some folks look at me and see a certain swagger, which in Texas is called 'walking.'"  George W. Bush

17. Texas is the only state to enter the union by treaty instead of territorial annexation.  As a part of the treaty, we retained our right to fly our state flag at the same height as the American flag.  (we're the only state that can!)

18.  The nation's largest herd of whitetail deer lives right here in Texas.  (smart deer)

19.  Dr Pepper was invented in Waco (thank you Waco!...and there is no period after Dr...I did not know that until today!)

20.  More species of bats live in Texas than any other part of the US.

Happy Texas Independence Day!