strength of my life...

this song has been one of my go to songs for so so many years...it continues to soothe, encourage, and help me to press on...

strength of my life - leslie phillips

i open my eyes to the sound of morning news...
and wish for ten more minutes left to sleep...
and as i get into the shower...
the thoughts of facing one more day...
overwhelm me...and i begin to weep...
and i've never felt...like i needed your help...
so bad...

well my tears are pushed away now...
for the sake of morning rush...
till the bible on the table catches my eye...
and i read that You are near to
the hearts that break with grief...
and i realize that i don't have to try...
to live life myself...
because You're ready to help me live...

and everyday i look to You
to be the strength of my life...
You're the hope i hold onto
be the strength of my life...

be the strength of my life...
be the strength of my life...
be the strength of my life...today...

each day has its problems...
its troubles and its tears...
and it seems i'm always anything...but strong...
when i learn to know my weakness...
i understand Your strength...
and even when the hard times last so long...
i won't try by myself...i'll just ask for Your help...
each day...

and everyday i look to You
to be the strength of my life...
breathe on me and make me new...
be the strength of my life...

be the strength of my life...
be the strength of my life...
be the strength of my life...today...

seriously...is it any wonder why He is the first one that i speak to in the morning...and the last one i speak to at the end of the day?

on the edge of sin...

"you play with fire you are going to get burned" is something i heard all the time growing up...it was my parents' way of warning me of potential danger when hanging around with the wrong crowd...or going places i should not go...of course i thought my parent's advice was outdated and out of touch with my generation...i had no idea how wrong i could be...

in my devotional this week i was reading about lot...
"abram settled in the land of canaan...while lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as sodom." genesis 13:12

i don't believe lot intended to fall into the immoral activity and evil practices taking place in sodom when he chose to set up his tent in the valley...the valley near the cities of sodom and gomorrah was lush and beautiful...lot chose to live in the area because it was a wonderful place to raise livestock...

sodom and gomorrah became so infiltrated and consumed with evil...war broke out...lot and his family were captured and taken prisoner...when rescued by his uncle abraham...the Bible tell us that lot went right back to the "edge of sin..." although the bible does not give specific evidence of any immoral activity by lot...i wonder if something about the area...other than the lush green beauty...fascinated him...why would he return there after coming so close to losing his life?

unfortunately...i can understand lot and his decision to stay near the "edge of sin," and to return to the "edge of sin..." i have camped on the edge too often in my life and find myself going back to the same campsite over and over again...why? sin feels good...if it didn't...we would not keep going near it...

i believe this is how the enemy traps us...if you play with fire...you are going to get burned...sometimes you only get singed, or you may only come away smelling a little smoky...but you are tainted nonetheless...

God loves us so much...He doesn't want us anywhere close to sin...He will bring destruction – sooner or later – to the means of the sin in our lives...He did this for lot...God set out to destroy sodom and gomorrah...abraham begged God to save lot and his family...because of God's love for abraham...and i believe for His love for lot too...He sent angels to rescue lot and his family...as they were leaving...God sent destruction to sodom and gomorrah...

it is easy at this point of the story to judge lot...but there is a lot to learn from him...

when you are too close to sin:

• you are bound to get seduced...sometimes we like to live right on the edge of sin and flirt with it...the enemy entices us while on the edge...hoping we will cross over and stay a while...

• God will give you an opportunity to be rescued...the rescue might not look like a "typical" rescue but nevertheless He will provide a way out...

• it is hard to reach out and accept the rescue because the grip of the stronghold of sin becomes tighter and tighter with each passing day on the edge...

• once you are rescued...don't look back...the first time lot was rescued...he went back to the "edge of sin..." in the second rescue...his wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt...don't look back...but look toward your freedom...

so...what about you & me? have we chosen to set our tents in an area that seems lush and green? perhaps it is at the water cooler where workday conversations are not appropriate...or maybe we are looking in the wrong place for "mr. right." has the mommy-and-me playgroup become too gossipy? are we "too close" to the edge of sin? do we need to be rescued? if so...we need to cry out to be rescued and when we leave...don't look back...

back to the basics...

there are times in life as i spin full force down various roads of discovery and adventure...i silence myself long enough to quit the energized activity i feel compelled to fill my life with...i do this intentionally to allow myself to live completely in the NOW! at these observing times i come to realize that in some instances the randomly old...the forgotten...often times even the discarded have a certain honest beauty to them...behind the dust...rust and awkward brokenness...shines a certain charm...an unpretentious regal quality that few fully perceive...

it is important that we HONOR the tried and true...that which has been reliable and served us well...even if they are a bit bedraggled and in need of some tender loving care...move on to the bright, new and shiny by all means...but never forget that which has brought us to the place where the bright and shiny is easily attainable...

i am not only speaking of material things...i am talking about old relationships...friends...and belief systems that in the past helped us grow...

desperate enough...

in times of desperation...what do you do? there is a story in the bible of a woman who was deperate enough...this story has always intrigued me...

"she came up behind him and touched his cloak and immediately the bleeding stopped..." luke 8:44

thousands of years ago there was a woman who was just desperate enough to get help...she had been bleeding for 12 years and no one could help her...but when Jesus came to her neighborhood...she was ready to try anything...i imagine she was embarrassed...and weakened because of her bleeding...she must have gathered every ounce of energy and courage to get to Jesus...

the bible tells us there were crowds following Jesus that day...yet somehow...this determined woman navigated her way through the rush of humanity to touch the cloak of Jesus...and the bible tells us she was healed immediately...in spite of the people pressing around Jesus...He knew someone had touched Him...as He stopped...the people stumbled into each other...turning their heads to determine what happened...in a gentle voice...Jesus asked..."who touched me?"

after everyone denied they had touched Jesus...the woman came trembling before Him...she told Jesus and the assembled crowd why she had touched Jesus...Jesus then said to the women... "daughter, your faith has healed you...go in peace..."

wow...

desperation causes people to do different things...some people make wrong choices...believing their backs are against a wall...some people go into hiding...hoping a problem will go away...yet others are desperate enough to do something risky and full of humility to get help...sometimes God uses other people to help us...and sometime He is the only One who has the answers...

in the difficult times we face...many of us have problems that push us to the point of desperation...it is my prayer that instead of desperation defeating me...it motivates me to seek help...whether God Himself provides my deliverance...or He uses someone else...i trust He already has a plan to help...

only God truly knows the desperation i feel right now...or that you feel at this moment...only He can see the troubles that weigh us down...i confess that i don't have the strength or wisdom to find an answer...however...i trust that He is already planning my deliverance...i trust in His perfect timing...my prayer is that He shows me what to do next...and direct me to the source of help...

inspiration...

love this...

why lie?

have you ever noticed you never hear the exact advice twice? as much as i would like to help people with their problems...before i do i get every detail I can...

details...those tiny miniscule things that can change an entire perspective of a problem...figuring out people from their own truths and lies is probably one of the most complicated scenarios life has to offer...yet...that questioning of others' motives and true feelings...creates all the relationships we as humans have...


i personally try to never lie...i know...it sounds cliche...and you are probably thinking "yea right...everyone lies." you are probably right...when my friend is upset and her cheeks are all puffy...i will tell her she is still as gorgeous as ever so she can get up and feel better...however...when it comes to emotions...to feelings about something...i never lie...

it is so easy when someone does something that bothers or hurts you...to go tell someone else...but imagine if instead...everyone's first response was to go to the person directly...for them to know...instead of everyone else...

in the last few years...i think i have experienced more lies and contradictory actions then ever before...that just really makes me sad...yes...i was hurt...but moreso...it makes me wonder how people are living...imagine if we each started to be more honest and straightforward...maybe that trait would start to pass down...children see lying constantly and are bred for it...i think...we can make a difference...

when people sit up and take notice...

i have been a seller on ebay for quite a few years now...on any given day...you'll find me wrapping clothing in tissue wrap or writing up a shipping label...i'm a stickler for customer service because i know the woman (or man) ordering online needs someone on the other end of the computer making sure she has a high quality product...

even with the utmost care...every once in a while i make a mistake...like overlooking a small flaw...such was the case with the woman who ordered a pink silk blouse...when she opened it...she was disappointed to see a tiny spot with the sheen of the silk looking more like a matte finish....i must have missed it...when photographing the blouse...otherwise i would never had shipped it...yet alone...never listed it...she emailed me and asked what she could do about it...as i clearly state that i do not take returns...i told her to ship the blouse back to me...and upon receiving it...i would credit her account...

the next morning she emailed me saying that she felt she would be able to work something out with me...based on all the feedback she had read on my page...she realized that the damage was so small...but knew she wouldn't wear the blouse because of it...i didn't give the incident further thought until i received her feedback on the order...that was about to be canceled...

i was shocked when i read this woman's response...i wouldn't have been surprised to see some negative comments about shipping an inferior product...but that's not what happened...she responded giving me "excellent" ratings for everything...then proceeded to comment on how i handled her problem and how impressed she was by the service...i was touched by the kindness and grace she showed me...

this isn't the first time something like this has happened...i try and run my business smoothly...get everything out in a timely manner...ship product that's in perfect condition...and everyone is pleased...but not terribly surprised...but when i handle a problem in a manner that's respectful, prompt and shows i take responsibility...people sit up and take notice...

making a mistake isn't the end of the world...in fact...i've noticed it's actually an opportunity to be a witness for God...people notice how you handle mistakes much more than how you manage success...admitting mistakes is hard...it always takes me swallowing the pride that threatens to surface...but people are always watching to see what i do...

i'm so relieved i don't have to do everything right...i tried that life for many years...and ended up discouraged...this incident reminded me once again...that even in my weakness...God can still use me to touch another person's life...or reflect His character...

i will probably never meet this customer who purchased from me...(yes...since then...she has bought other items...) but i pray she knows there is a God who stands for honesty and justice...and that there are people who are trying to follow Him...who stumble...yet keep pressing on...

"who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?" 1 peter 3:13

50 years together...

saturday nite we celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary...my first thought of course...was just how blessed i was to still have both my parents here...many...do not...second...the example they have shown me about love & sacrifice & that "working at it" attitude on their marriage...i know it wasn't all a bed of roses for them...i know that there were many times that they went through some hard times...but they always worked on these hard times together...as a team...

i have never heard my mom or dad speak ill of the other...i have never seen my mom or dad bring the other down...and i think it is this love and respect that they have had...that has made this beautiful union last...in a day and age where marriages are falling apart left and right...

the most special moment of the evening...was when the cake arrived...i told my mom & dad to make a wish...before blowing out the candles...my dad...looked into my mom's eyes...and said..."what do you say...another 50 years?" it was a moment between the two of them...that i just happened to hear...it melted my heart...

i am not married...i don't know if i ever will be...but if it were to happen...my parents have shown me a beautiful example of what a solid Godly relationship looks like...what a gift they have given me in showing me that...

i love you mom & dad...more and more each day...

to my dad on father's day...

Daddy's Girl

When you were young, pony-tailed,
face full of playful freckles,
were you a daddy's girl?
I was. I still am.

Did you look to him for your security,
for love and attention,
for the understanding, and the patience you lacked
as a child?

My daddy was the center of my small world,
the focus of my affections,
the star that lit my life, shining bright.
Shining still in my heart.

The years have led me here,
weathered with maturity and responsibilities,
and I see more clearly now.

The hardships, burdens of love,
and all the small sacrifices he made for me,
for our family.
He created stability, a place to call home.

All the photographs I browse through
of a child long forgotten, scarcely remembered
smiling, so happy and so loved.

The mere thought of becoming that role model
is enough to send me cowering, afraid...
looking for guidance.
Turning to my father for support,
advice, wise counsel, and for approval.
Grown up, I see differently now...

A new perspective of a man I have always known.
My heart is full, my emotions overpowering
just in the certainty of that bond.

He's been there for me through all the conflicts
helping me over the rough, ragged stones of growing up.
My respect for him is unending,
faith is unbound, and love is unquestioning.

Even in the midst of all my imperfections, he is lenient,
ignoring the pitfalls, the downfalls, the shortcomings,
he just accepted me as I am.

The sheer purity of it leaves me awe-struck
and it lifts me up, it holds my head a little higher,
it keeps me in balance,
harmonizing with the world around me
beautifully, like an inspired masterpiece from the soul
of an honest man.

I am honored to know him, to love him, to be of him.
He's my hero, and I am his daughter, his little girl.

author unknown...

i love you dad...thank you for all you've done...and continue to do for me...i am blessed to have gotten you...

i believe she's amazing...

i was surprised how emotional i got watching this video...i think every woman should feel amazing...and celebrate in our uniqueness...each one of us...all shapes & sizes...

have you told the women in your life how amazing they are lately? whether it be your wife, girlfriend, sister, daughter, friend...pick up that phone!

memories from a picture...

it is amazing what memories pictures can turn up in us...i found some old pictures this last week...in my quest for simplicity...things have been turning up...such as pictures...that were well hidden...of years past...

as i was going through these pictures...in old folders...holding old memories that are taking up precious space i need now...i came across a few photos...i found myself staring at them for longer than the rest of the memories that were decidedly going to remain in their old folders or get tossed in the trash for eternity...

i may not be alone in this but i find that photos that have been taken throughout my life carry & hold more of my memories than anything else...when i look at them...a little movie plays through my mind of the life i led...in a way...it helps me see my life in blocks of time...seems easier for my head to compartmentalize that way i suppose...

after staring for a while longer...eyes glazed over as memories washed over me...i then...of course...analyzed why and what those memories meant to me now...years later...

they brought me back to a relationship that was so convoluted...seen so many ways...by so many people...including me...it was one of the most confusing times in my adult life...

it is interesting to look back at a relationship...thinking back on all the things that tore us apart ...but looking back throughout our relationship...we were never really together...

and as my past life movie played in hd through my mind...i realized how removed i was from it now and how it no longer defines who i am...my present identity is not emotionally attached to those events any longer and they have been compartmentalized to the "who i was" folder...

i remember how devastating those times had been...how i thought i'd never move past it all...and here i am now...in a new life...as a new woman...completely removed from it...i wondered to myself how i got over it without knowing...as i was holding onto the anger so tightly and for so long...and then i realized it wasn't so much of a "getting over" as much as a "going through" process and coming out on the other side...in a new life...

there are plenty of "pearls" i kept from that life...little bits of wisdom here and "what not to do's" there which to grow & avoid repeating unhealthy patterns...is a necessity...when i think back now...unattached...i'm much more compassionate for my old self rather than angry at her for being so dumb when i thought she should have known better...i want to say it was because i was young...but the truth is...love can hit you at any time...where you give yourself to someone...thinking they are doing the same...and as cliche as it sounds...you live and you learn...and i definitely learned...and to throw another cliched quote into the mix...i am definitely stronger because of it...

wanting to be held...

remember as a child...with limited vocabulary...how quickly we learned that anytime we wanted to be picked up...we could simply raise our arms...wanting to be held...and were quickly picked up? sometimes as an adult...i want to do just that...

when hard times hit...as you know they will...i find myself pleading with God for help, healing...or at a minimum...for an understanding of the hardship...during one of these times of doubt and worry...the song “held” showed up unexpectadly over my ipod...which was set on "shuffle" christian gospel music...the words pierced my heart...i quickly switched my ipod setting from "shuffle" to "repeat"...and as i listened...God comforted me with natalie grant's words...

the lyrics of the song say...“who told us we’d be rescued? what has changed and why should we be saved from nightmares? we’re asking why this happens...to us...who have died to live...it’s unfair.”

that is exactly how I felt...as somone who loved the Lord...i thought God should be taking better care of me...i doubted His reasons for the hardship...i continually cried out to Him...questioning why this was happening...why the suffering? it‘s not fair Lord!

have you been there?

the chorus of the song goes like this...“this is what it means to be held...how it feels when the sacred is torn from your life...and you survive...this is what it is to be loved...and to know that the promise was when everything fell...we’d be held...” through this simple song...God reassured me that His ways are not for me to understand...but i can trust that He loves me...His child...and is holding me close...now...every time i hear that song...my heart literally flutters...and i am gently reminded that God sees me...and loves me...despite the circumstances...

this last month has been a difficult one...for many reasons...but just yesterday...as i had my ipod set on "shuffle" christian gospel music..."held" came on once again...(completely not a coincidence...i know) the words washed over my soul as tears came to my eyes...and a peace came over me...i knew that song was God’s way of reminding me that He was still holding me tightly in His arms...it was only then...that i knew i would be okay...God was here...

if you are like me...despite our level of faith...there are times in life when we doubt if God is really watching over us or our loved ones...we question why things happen that seem unfair...we wonder what glory He could possibly derive from painful circumstances...

it takes great faith to believe that God does understand...and He wants us to know that He is always there...a song on the radio...a note from a loved one...a smile from a stranger...a powerful sermon...an applicable bible verse...God could use any method to reassure us of His love...and His omnipotence...and His desire is to hold you and me close to His heart...we merely need to raise up our arms...look into His eyes...He will...

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.” psalm 18:16

think before you react...

“sometimes life throws you a curve ball and sometimes life throws you a straight ball...but you make the decision to swing or not to swing, which will determine if you will have consequences or not...you don't get three strikes because life is not a baseball game...so take just a second to think before you react...”

not sure who said this...but always a good rule to live by...i have reacted before thinking...and those were usually the times that i wish i could take something back...

who i am makes a difference...

one of my all time favorite movies is "pay it forward" with helen hunt, kevin spacey & haley joel osment...if you haven't seen it...i highly recommend it...one of those movies that is a clear reminder of how our actions can affect the lives of others...by paying it forward...

i saw this beautiful clip this morning...another reminder...of how our words can greatly affect the lives of others...the thing is...it doesn't take some grand action...a smile...a kind word...even to those who are well...a little less then kind...

may your weekend be fabulous...let's see what we can do starting today...who can you honor as someone who makes a difference in your life...

disclaimer: have tissues ready... =) click and see the power of our words...

"who i am makes a difference"

life...and what to do...

apparently it is sister's week...who knew? or maybe it was last week...not sure...but i got this email...in celebration of sister's week...so whether it is...or isn't sister's week...i still like the poem...

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right..
Love the ones who don't just because you can.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly.
Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy.
He just promised it would be worth it.

surprise visit from my old friend herb...

ok ok...i know you know that i love surprises...and i got one...another one...yesterday...back in march of 2009...i wrote about my cherished times of coffee with herb @ 5pm...you can click and read it...it is actually a sweet story of how we met...and our wonderful talks over coffee...

it has been well over a year since herb moved away...and he is quite happy in his new home...wheich makes my heart happy...his home is huge! the nice thing is that we have kept in touch...a phone call here and there...just to catch up...although it is not over coffee...our relationship has really grown...i know he sees me as a daughter...and cares for me...and my life...as i do his...

so imagine my surprise...when i get a knock on my door a few days ago...and there is herb...standing at my door...he wanted to surprise me...and didn't tell me he was coming into town...well actually he was traveling to southern california...but felt he couldn't be that close...and not come visit...can you imagine how warm my heart feels?

so...after a year of no coffee time with herb...we met at 5pm at il fornaio...had coffee...AND dinner...it was like old times...

on a side note...herb was here in caifornia to compete in a weight lifting competition...he called and told me that he came in first place for his age division...AND beat his own record...i'm proud of you herb...

and thankful for your friendship...

what have you done for me lately?

there have been many times that i have been accused of being a "glass half full" kinda girl...and i have to say...i'm ok with that...although at times when this accusation was delivered...it wasn't delivered with the nicest of sentiments...do i try to see the good in every situation? yes...does it annoy people at times? yes...do i care? yes & no...

is the glass half full or half empty? is it partly sunny or partly cloudy? perspective makes all the difference....

even for strong christians who are grounded in their faith...discouragement can easily sneak its way into hearts and minds as life deals us chaos...as we struggle with the challenges and difficulties of everyday life...or things that happened to us that were unfair or unwarranted...it is easy to get pulled into a habitual mindset of negativity...just like that old song from the ‘80s says (yes...i realize i am dating myself here...) we may find ourselves asking God..."what have you done for me lately?"

our answer to that question will depend entirely upon our perspective...God does more for us each and every day than we deserve...but it's so easy to lose sight of the good...because we are caught up in the reality of the bad...how do we combat this perfectly human attitude?

for me...it all comes down to prayer...and resolving to have an attitude like Christ...but believe me...i am no where close to that...but that is always my ultimate goal...

and then...i start to take inventory of every blessing...this is where at times of hardship...it is hard to focus on the "what you have" vs "what you don't have"...

so what do we have?

life... your every breath...your every heart beat...a spouse or loved one...children...clothes that need to be washed because God gave you clothes to wear...and a way to wash those clothes...good health to help those whose health is failing...trusted and educated doctors to treat you when you are facing health challenges...a house that needs cleaning...a car to drive...the ability to purchase gas for the car...a job to go to...the ability to be a stay at home mom or wife...healthy kids who can play music or sports...friends...family...freedom...Jesus...eternal life...

what is on your inventory list today? if you were honest with yourself...would you say you have been looking for the positive aspects of the situations in your life? are you considering how God could be using those things to draw you closer to Him? or have you been primarily focused on the negative?

during times of negativity...we actually become our own enemy...we wage a battle in our mind because we look at our situation from our own perspective...instead of what God may be doing through our situation...so in order to change our minds...we have to choose to change the way we think – our perspective...attitude is a choice...

winston churchill said it best..."a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity...an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty..." what do you usually see?

to quote an old cliche...today is the first day of the rest of your life...and it is never too late to become an optimist...they say it takes 21 days of doing something for it to become a new habit...the more you practice challenging your thought patterns...the more automatic it will become...changes may not take place immediately...but over time...the challenge gets easier...and optimism becomes the norm instead of the exception...

i will tell you...the rewards of looking for God's goodness in every situation will leave you with a healthier and happier heart.

thought of you today...

had to share an email i received this weekend...from a dear dear friend...it made me laugh...it made me feel so loved...but most of all...it reminded me of the wonderful friends i am blessed with...

a perfect example how a simple email/call/card...can be the one thing that lifts a persons spirit...

have you let someone know today how much you love them?

the names have been blocked to protect the innocent (as i didn't have permission to post this...but i think the parties involved will be ok with me posting...)

here is the email...

Hi hotstuff!

J and I went on a road trip today to Oroville (just because). We stopped to eat at Denny's. I was looking at the menu and saw the Super Bird, thought of you, almost got it but then something else caught my eye. While we were waiting for our food this odd frumpy man came in and sat in the booth next to ours. He was quite be-jeweled, literally a ring on every finger, had multiple chains of various lengths and styles, some with pendants. To top it off, literally, he had a cap on; it was covered with cameo brooches, about 10 different ones. I asked J to tackle him so that I could take his hat. Well maybe not his smelly looking hat, but the cameos would have more than completed your bracelet. J didn't think it was worth committing a felony just so I could have his hat. I thought he loved me, but it sounds like there might be a limit to his love. Later that day we were in historic little old down town Oroville and stopped in a antique/vintage store. could have spent much more time there but they were about to close. I saw more cameos and had the saleswoman pull them out of the display case for me. They were beautiful. Although I love you, I couldn't afford the price tag. Sorry I guess there's a limit to my love as well, at least while I'm unemployed.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know that while J and I were having a really, really nice day, I kept being reminded of you. Love you and hope your weekend is splendid!

isn't that the sweetest? totally warmed my heart...and kind of left me craving a superbird from denny's...oh how i used to devour them in my youth...

in the midst of uncertain times...

when i started my business in 2005...i didn't have a lot of support from family...or for that matter...some friends...but i knew in my heart...it was something i always wanted to do...had a passion for it...and also thought of ways that it could even be used as a ministry...so...depite all the nay-sayers...i moved forward...with my dream of wardrobe consulting...but much more then that...helping women feel good about themselves...no matter their size...i prayed and took steps to make my dream a reality...in the midst of this new business...the economy began a downward slide that i never could have anticipated...so what was already a risky endeavor has become even riskier...

as i watch the news...it's easy to feel fearful and to think...am i crazy to continue to pursue this business of mine?! people ask me if i'm afraid...and just their questioning leads me down a road of thinking that i should be more afraid than i am...others express their skepticism...and then it's easy to wonder...should i just bail out and cut my losses now?

when i take my eyes off my circumstances or stop focusing on what others say...my perspective changes...then i can say to myself and others..."i'm walking in faith as i set my eyes on God...i'm trusting Him each step of the way...and i'm trusting Him with the outcome...whatever that may be...."

as you read today's post...i'm sure you have some worries also...you worry about losing a job...paying bills...or medical problems...you may be worried about a wayward child...aging parents...or a crumbling marriage...it's so easy to let our circumstances determine our thoughts and feelings...isn't it?

i read this verse today...that i've read so many times before..."set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth" colossians 3:2...this verse tells us we have a choice about what we choose to think about...in other words...do we set our minds on our circumstances or on God?

it's also easy to listen to the lies of this culture...lies that say that faith is really impractical...don't be deceived by this wrong thinking...in the midst of a whole lot of uncertainty...set your mind on the one certainty in life...and that is that God loves you and He is in control...

i am thankful that in the midst of uncertain times...fearful times...and heart-aching times...He is the One i can be certain of...that He is a "sure thing"...for now and always...

i am thankful that He will strengthen me in this trial...and during it...and for those that are to come...and that He causes my heart and my mind to continue to turn to Him...

we have a choice...do we allow a hard times to cause us to be bitter...or instead...do we come out of it on the other side with a stronger trust in Him...

He knows...

have you ever gotten to a point in your life...where the stress is so high...the problems so big...

i think about the times we don't believe we can handle any more stress...the pressure seems overwhelming and we cry... "time out...i can't take any more..."

and then God responds..."trust Me...you will not be destroyed...i know your pressure points...i know how much stress you can take...i know how i designed you..."

it amazes me sometimes...that during the most stressful times...i have felt at peace...where i had NO idea what was coming next...but i did know...that He was with me...it doesn't come from me...because left to my own devices...i would be a wreck...when things look bleakest...that is usually the time when we as humans start reacting...and doing...whatever it is we think we should be doing...the hardest part is to stop...listen...take a deep breath in...and whisper...God...i know You are in the midst of this with me...

does it come easy? uh...NO! but i have learned...that the times i reacted...trying to "do" something to "fix" something...were the times that my situation grew worse by my doing...it is hard when you see nothing in front of you that looks remotely close to being resolved...or taken care of...this is where faith steps in...am i going to believe that the Father of all is watching me...my situation...my "chaos" and knows what i need...and how much i can take...

the bottom line is...that i know that He knows how much i can take...after all...He is my Creator...the One who fashioned me with His hands...He's the one who knit me together in the depths of my mother's womb...the One who is called the Potter...

He knows the exact temperature needed in the kiln to create the perfect clay vessel...He knows how hot the fire must be to separate the dross from the silver and gold...He knows how much pressure a diamond or emerald must withstand in order for it to come forth solid and brilliant...He knows how long the irritant must sit in an oyster before it becomes a pearl...

my Father knows exactly how much i can take...He knows because He designed me...with that realization i am able to trust Him and smile at the future...no matter how hard life is today...

sasha and the sandbox...

i've written a few times about my cat sasha and his many quirks...he is not a normal cat...he is a dog in a cats body...his latest quirk? this has been going on for a few months now...

so...as all cat owners know...one of the "fun" chores of owning a cat is cleaning out the kitty litter...i don't really think about it...takes a few minutes...and it is done...

well...i have noticed...that when the kitty litter box has just been changed...sasha is standing near by...why??

well...his latest obsession seems to be...playing in the sandbox...

yep...you read that right...he follows me up the stairs...and as i set the kitty litter box down...he jumps in...and plays in the "sand" for about 10 minutes...then does his business...i guess kind of like preparing the space...haha...and will do the same thing in the following week...

i guess i should be glad he doesn't choose this odd activity during the week...you know what i mean? i'm sure i don't need to explain =/

i'm thinkin...do i need to buy him a sandbox?

weekend full of my favorite things...

ok...i'll admit...i have a lot of favorite things...but i have to say...this weekend...i hit a lot of them...

most important...and first on the list...always...is family and friends...which i had...mix in some spectacular weather...sun sun and more sun...well there was a semi-cloudy day...and it did drizzle a bit when we were eating lunch...but even me...who doesn't like clouds and rain...didn't care...why? because of my family and friends being around... =)

as the weekend progressed...i added in eating...which is another favorite thing...and since it was a long weekend...it consisted of good old barbeque hamburgers, corn on the cob...and macaroni salad...

there was pool time...sunning & chat time...and can't go without mentioning the watermelon granita (think shaved ice...oh so yummy)

um...there was dessert & coffee...shopping...thrifting...jewelry...laughter...and more laughter...

and some special time spent with the most adorable chocolate lab ever...she just got out of a week long "boot-camp" so i got to see her show-off her new tip-top obedient self...we played catch and she got lots of belly rubs...her "fave"...

for the first time in a long time...i felt like i was on a true vacation...just fun in the sun & relaxation...