This is the Stuff



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Standing barefoot in the kitchen.

Eating burned toast; drinking yesterday’s leftover coffee.

Running late for work; gulping down the last few drops.

Lean forward so the coffee running down my chin lands on the floor and not my white shirt.

Last night’s dishes piled in the sink.

Grocery bags scattered all over the floor.

The alarm went off too early.

Allergies are running me ragged. I sneeze as if right on cue.

It’s easy to forget but I need to remember.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

Maybe Francesca Battistelli had days like this.

I like the way she said it:

This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed

I choose to have my glass half-full today....despite the burned toast.

The Flag

Hello. Remember me?

Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your flag, the flag of the United States of America.

Something has been bothering me, so I thought I might talk it over with you — because it is about you and me.

I remember some time ago, people would line up on both side of the street to watch the parade, and naturally I was leading every one, proudly waving in the breeze.

When your Daddy saw me coming, he immediately removed his hat and placed it against his left shoulder so that his hand was directly over his heart — remember?

And you, I remember, were standing there, straight as a soldier. You didn't have a hat, but you were giving the right salute. Remember your little sister? Not to be outdone, she was saluting the same as you with her right hand over her heart — remember?

What happened? I'm still the same old flag. Oh, I've added a few more stars since you were a boy, and a lot more blood has been shed since those parades of long ago.

But now, somehow I don't feel as proud as I used to feel. When I come down the street, you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. You may give me a small glance, and then you look away. I see children running around you shouting; they don't seem to know who I am.

I saw one man take his hat off, then he looked around, and when he didn't see anybody else take off his hat, he quickly put his on again.

Is it a sin to be patriotic today?
Have you forgotten what I stand for, and where I have been?
Anzio, Guadalcanal, Korea and Vietnam!

Take a look at the memorial honor rolls, and see the names of those patriotic Americans who gave their lives to keep this republic free. When you salute me, you are actually saluting them!

So when you see me, please stand straight and place your hand over your heart, and I'll know that you remembered. I'll salute you by waving back!

"The Flag"

- Anonymous

To workout or not to workout. That is the question!

Does anybody else struggle with staying motivated to do their workouts?

Seriously.

Sometimes it’s sheer torture trying to drag myself into the gym.

Ugh.

I’m usually ok once I’m there, but so many times I’m exhausted after work
and then my car just steers itself home instead of to the gym.

Yes, it steers itself home.

Workouts seem highly overrated when I just spent
eight hours in the office and am tired and hungry.

Any tips to make that better?

Wonderfully Made

In my last post I mentioned that at times I feel like a bit of a contradiction.
Could that mean that I have *gasp*… quirks?
Indeed I do. (Just ask my husband!)

But you know what? I’m okay with that.

Also in addition to quirks, I have insecurities. Big. Time.

I hate being the center of attention or being up in front of people (even if it’s only going around the room and everybody having to say their name – hate that!).

I don’t really like ‘friendly’ social gatherings because I would much more prefer a quiet chat over a cappuccino than a high-energy party where I have to mingle and come up with cutesy small-talk chatter.

I spent a long time not feeling brave enough to step out of my comfort-zone and try new things, even if deep down I wanted to. (My husband is amazing at helping me with this one!).

I constantly struggle with feelings of failure and inferiority. Often scared of trying something because I’m afraid I’ll fail at it.

But guess what?

Regardless of the quirks or insecurities I may have, I am so glad that I am created in God's image and am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14) He knew me before the foundations of the earth, and He chose me to be His own. He loves me, quirks and all, and delights in the fact I am His child. Each day He is working on me, working in my heart, on my attitude, and leading & guiding my life. This work of sanctification won’t be completed until He calls me Home, but I’m so glad He doesn’t give up on me while I’m here. I get scared and insecure, and all I want to do is retreat into my “bubble” or comfort zone (or crawl under my desk…) but that’s when I have to remember that I am a child of the Most High God and that is where my confidence will come from, must come from, and does come from. The ‘confidence’ the world offers us isn’t the real deal. It comes with strings and no sort of lifetime warranty. It’s a teaser, often with consequences…but I’ll save that for another post.

So reach for Truth – God’s truth, and that is where your strength will come from.

Checkin' The Attitude at the Door!

Life swirls around at an alarming rate, leaving little time to sit and organize my thoughts in a semi-interesting way. Writing has become little more than a fleeting thought these days.

Lately I have been reminded that the people I come in contact with are often fighting a harder battle than I am. It’s pitifully easy to get caught up in the frustrating circumstances a day might bring, yet so easy to overlook the beautiful moments given to us, and the grace of God that surrounds those frustrating, hard or painful times. Discouragement may creep in, but I need to start remembering to head-it-off-at-the-pass by clinging to the hope He has promised to His children.

It would be easy for me to whine about the things in life that weren’t going quite as I might like them to at the moment, but maybe I’d be better off coming up with a list of things God is doing and what is right in my life. And guess what? That list is a whole lot longer.

God has promised me life everlasting, love unbounded, correction, direction, and protection. When everything is spinning and I don’t know what direction is up, God is still constant and stable, just wanting me to take a deep breath and trust Him. I can’t fix things myself, I don’t have the answers for my future, I don’t know what tomorrow holds, let alone a year from now. I do however, know that God is in control of my life, that He will faithfully guide my footsteps, and that no matter what, I will never be alone. I also know that He has given me an amazing husband, and side-by-side we get through this life one day at a time and everything is better because we’re together, and no matter what, it’ll be okay.

I have talked to people(either in person or through their blogs) who are struggling with the death of a spouse or baby, living with life-altering diseases, been kicked out of their homes, lost jobs, or worst of all, people who are living with no hope because they are without the salvation we’re given through Jesus Christ.

Compared to all that, I’m ashamed that I whined about the fact the power in our house went out this morning and I had to move all our food to my parent’s house until it comes back on. Minor inconvenience, but definitely not life altering. I should instead have been thankful that I had food in my freezer to move and a family who is always there to lend a hand.

Life is good; I am blessed beyond measure; there is a joy in my heart & soul that goes beyond words. Lord, help me to live out that joy and not just talk about it being there.

How’s your attitude? I know mine needs some work at times. Or maybe a lot of the time. :-) "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."