This was a hard one for me. Hard for me to wrap my mind around the words and the experiences Ann was having. The moon chasing, yeah, I've sorta done that. Grabbed the camera to snap a picture of the storm rolling in, showing God's amazing power, snapped a picture of the sun setting with it's rainbow of color, bathing our countryside in His glorious gift. Captured the moment of my kids enjoying their breathless lives.
As I read though, I struggled to connect to the words. What do I want? What do I want? I want to connect with Him in all that I'm doing. The discussion helped me sort this out. At the end where she writes that the only way to pray unceasingly is to pray with your eyes wide open is what strikes me. It's not just the getting on my knees or finding the quiet times for devotions, it's about being in each moment and acknowledging Him in it. I'm opening up to those discussions with Him while my hands are deep in the dishwater or folding the piles of laundry. I'm becoming more aware of those moments that I can sing my heart out while I'm driving and check the mirror to see my kiddos enjoying the song as much as I am and knowing that in that moment we are seeing the beauty of what He's given us.
It's the connection to Him that's building. The ability to see Him in all that's around me, the stark trees and landscape that go with a true Iowa winter. There is beauty in it all, knowing that spring is coming and with that comes new life. New life that He gives, wants us to see, love and enjoy. It's a circle, a beautiful circle that we might usher one precious moment out so that He might greet us with a beautiful new experience today.
Find His glory in a million ways around you today. Be thankful for the heart with which you can love Him back by enjoying this life. Feel the joy, the joy He gives to you for being so thankful and precious in His sight.
DV - NMV
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
OTG - 5
What a hard moment. To consider the death of a child and try to find the light of God at the same time. How is He a good God in those heart wrenching, earth moving moments? How do you feel the light of His love when you feel so alone?
Feel it by reaching out to Him. Feel it in those dark and lonely moments that He hasn't abandoned you, nor ever will, but that He is there. Just like when the lights go out at home and we have to feel with only our memory our way through the house to the candle drawer, rely on the moments and memories of all the days before. The moments when you were walking in the light of the Lord glorifying in all that was good and beautiful. Seek those moments, remember that while this is a hard time you need not shoulder the burden and hurt alone, He will hold you tight in His arms, sheltering you when you are tired, strengthening you when you are weak. He is always there for us, waiting on us to come to Him.
The HARD eucharisteo. Of course there is hard eucharisteo. The crises in our lives refresh our perspectives. They bring us about face with the reality of life that is. A life that when lived for the Lord can be beautiful. If we had everything we ever wanted and nothing was ever broken or lost to us, we would never know the true value of it. We wouldn't know the worth of two good legs, the love in hugs from toddlers, the wisdom in words from grandparents, the value of true friends, the endless love from God our Father.
Celebrating the eucharisteo today while I'm changing diapers, folding clothes, washing dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, wiping runny noses and cuddling with sick kiddos is what gives me the knowledge that even with these smallest details of life I am so blessed. My cup truly runneth over, onto the floor, soaking the carpet and yet it is the most beautiful thing I've ever known.
Out of the darkness I have come, out of sad and lonely places that I was. He created me, He knows the number of hairs on my head (even the grays), He knows the plans He has for me. I shall let Him use me, guide me and light my path that I might share with others the great plans He has for them. For if God is with me then who can be against me??? Grace sufficient enough for me, even me...thank you Lord for that!!!
DV ~ NMV
Feel it by reaching out to Him. Feel it in those dark and lonely moments that He hasn't abandoned you, nor ever will, but that He is there. Just like when the lights go out at home and we have to feel with only our memory our way through the house to the candle drawer, rely on the moments and memories of all the days before. The moments when you were walking in the light of the Lord glorifying in all that was good and beautiful. Seek those moments, remember that while this is a hard time you need not shoulder the burden and hurt alone, He will hold you tight in His arms, sheltering you when you are tired, strengthening you when you are weak. He is always there for us, waiting on us to come to Him.
The HARD eucharisteo. Of course there is hard eucharisteo. The crises in our lives refresh our perspectives. They bring us about face with the reality of life that is. A life that when lived for the Lord can be beautiful. If we had everything we ever wanted and nothing was ever broken or lost to us, we would never know the true value of it. We wouldn't know the worth of two good legs, the love in hugs from toddlers, the wisdom in words from grandparents, the value of true friends, the endless love from God our Father.
Celebrating the eucharisteo today while I'm changing diapers, folding clothes, washing dishes, vacuuming, sweeping, wiping runny noses and cuddling with sick kiddos is what gives me the knowledge that even with these smallest details of life I am so blessed. My cup truly runneth over, onto the floor, soaking the carpet and yet it is the most beautiful thing I've ever known.
Out of the darkness I have come, out of sad and lonely places that I was. He created me, He knows the number of hairs on my head (even the grays), He knows the plans He has for me. I shall let Him use me, guide me and light my path that I might share with others the great plans He has for them. For if God is with me then who can be against me??? Grace sufficient enough for me, even me...thank you Lord for that!!!
DV ~ NMV
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
OTG - 4
Life is NOT an emergency, God's presence is in the present and we need to live right here in THIS moment. Life as we have it is fleeting. Time comes and goes in the blink of an eye. The life we live can last years, months and even days, some mothers only get their babies for hours sometimes. Live in those moments. Appreciate the fullness of life and the things we have and can do. Attention to the details lets us savor the moments and that's what our life deserves, savoring.
God's gifts to us are everywhere. He gives us so much because He loves us so much. Don't miss out on the love He has because you are running so fast that you don't see the beauty of your life for what it is. Life isn't an emergency, you need not run from the fire into the pan. You're just missing out on the moments when you do. I'm not saying to eliminate all that you're doing, just take the time to enjoy it. These are the things you want to do, so enjoy them. Take in the moments and savor them, enjoy them like the precious and priceless gifts that they are.
Start your list of 1000 things if you haven't yet. Attention to details is what people love about a good job done, love that about what God is doing for you.
DV ~ NMV
God's gifts to us are everywhere. He gives us so much because He loves us so much. Don't miss out on the love He has because you are running so fast that you don't see the beauty of your life for what it is. Life isn't an emergency, you need not run from the fire into the pan. You're just missing out on the moments when you do. I'm not saying to eliminate all that you're doing, just take the time to enjoy it. These are the things you want to do, so enjoy them. Take in the moments and savor them, enjoy them like the precious and priceless gifts that they are.
Start your list of 1000 things if you haven't yet. Attention to details is what people love about a good job done, love that about what God is doing for you.
DV ~ NMV
OTG - 3
Oh how easy it is to fall into living a life of ingratitude. We can talk the big talk about having an attitude of gratitude. Talk is cheap and can be very worthless sometimes. It is also difficult to take in each part of each moment and see it for the gift from God that it is. How easy it is to be in the moment of life with kids on my lap trying to read a story and rather than appreciating their closeness I'm worried about their elbows in my side and bony bottoms on my knees. Gos is good and He provides us with so much. The good, the great and the memorable, including the free will to decide the view with which we look at all of it. God loves us so much He sent His son to pay for our sins and through that experience He has walked the walk we are taking and viewed life on earth too.
Take time to appreciate ALL that life is giving you.
DV ~ NMV
Friday, February 18, 2011
OTG - 2
“One sin brought condemnation on all, and through one death, redemption came for all.” Lisa Easterling - WOW!!!! This is a comment from a gal after the post/discussion of chapter two of One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.
Wow, yep, this book has changed my thoughts so much already! I don't think I ever really listened to what Jesus had to say about me. No, I'm serious. I may have heard it, may have hoped that He acknowledged my work and thought is was good. But I honestly don't think I listened and felt it. The other names have drowned it all out. I remember a day that my dad called me a bitch, told me to go look it up in the dictionary, then proceeded to tell me it meant female dog and for many years I have remembered that moment and wondered why he thought that of me. What did I do to him to warrant such an ugly moment? From here out I will listen to my Father, the one who loves me unconditionally, through all of my life. It is the one thing I need to focus on every day and then give thanksgiving for. Why? Because I am not perfect, I am flawed and I have my own ugly moments, but He loves me anyway. He loves me enough to know the beauty of the whole picture, the dark holes and the bright light, for without the mix of the two there is no beauty in the collage of life.
Today, in this moment is my opportunity to begin living a life of thanksgiving. Eucharisteo - grace, thanksgiving, joy - thanksgiving always precedes the miracle. Follow the example of Jesus.
We may not have everything but God always provides us with enough. It is with that knowledge that I walk this path of life, knowing that I don't have to search for the beauty beyond my front door, I just need to acknowledge that it's right here at my fingertips.
DV
NMV
Wow, yep, this book has changed my thoughts so much already! I don't think I ever really listened to what Jesus had to say about me. No, I'm serious. I may have heard it, may have hoped that He acknowledged my work and thought is was good. But I honestly don't think I listened and felt it. The other names have drowned it all out. I remember a day that my dad called me a bitch, told me to go look it up in the dictionary, then proceeded to tell me it meant female dog and for many years I have remembered that moment and wondered why he thought that of me. What did I do to him to warrant such an ugly moment? From here out I will listen to my Father, the one who loves me unconditionally, through all of my life. It is the one thing I need to focus on every day and then give thanksgiving for. Why? Because I am not perfect, I am flawed and I have my own ugly moments, but He loves me anyway. He loves me enough to know the beauty of the whole picture, the dark holes and the bright light, for without the mix of the two there is no beauty in the collage of life.
Today, in this moment is my opportunity to begin living a life of thanksgiving. Eucharisteo - grace, thanksgiving, joy - thanksgiving always precedes the miracle. Follow the example of Jesus.
We may not have everything but God always provides us with enough. It is with that knowledge that I walk this path of life, knowing that I don't have to search for the beauty beyond my front door, I just need to acknowledge that it's right here at my fingertips.
DV
NMV
Thursday, February 17, 2011
OTG - 1
I have been brought to a book club discussion about the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. So, as I said, the whole handwriting a diary or whatnot does not fare well with me, so here is where I will be capturing my thoughts during this adventure.
This book is already speaking to me. It's connecting with me in ways that have been slowly coming about over the last few months. Reflecting back upon some of the recent posts I have made as of late, these thoughts were tumbling around in my mind before I had the chance to enjoy the words written by Ann. I have begun to see the beauty in a life full of trials and experiences. Life is never promised to be easy, but it is known to be worth it - well worth it. I am hoping to continue to grow with this knowledge and be able to be a compass of sorts for my children as they grow that they may also find their true North in God. For without His guidance where would I be anyway? Any drive through the mountains is full of hairpin curves, steep drop offs and yet the most breathtaking of views. May it be in those moments of my hesitant steps that I remember to glorify Him in the choices that I'm making. Remind me to see the good of God in the good and bad, beautiful and ugly of my every day walk.
Deo Volente
NMV
This book is already speaking to me. It's connecting with me in ways that have been slowly coming about over the last few months. Reflecting back upon some of the recent posts I have made as of late, these thoughts were tumbling around in my mind before I had the chance to enjoy the words written by Ann. I have begun to see the beauty in a life full of trials and experiences. Life is never promised to be easy, but it is known to be worth it - well worth it. I am hoping to continue to grow with this knowledge and be able to be a compass of sorts for my children as they grow that they may also find their true North in God. For without His guidance where would I be anyway? Any drive through the mountains is full of hairpin curves, steep drop offs and yet the most breathtaking of views. May it be in those moments of my hesitant steps that I remember to glorify Him in the choices that I'm making. Remind me to see the good of God in the good and bad, beautiful and ugly of my every day walk.
Deo Volente
NMV
Abundance/Lack
Do you notice how you are acutely aware of one when the other is thrust in your face? Life is like that in so many ways. For many of us it is so easy to be aware of what we're lacking in our lives. Many people live their life that way. Always looking, always wanting. You know, looking for that next thing, achievement or whatever thinking that it's that one that will make them whole and on top of the world. How about wanting, wanting or even coveting from afar because your neighbor, friend, coworker (or whomever it is) has the new house, new truck, new toy, more this, more that. What a waste.
Waste of what? Energy, appreciation. A waste of it all. All? Yep, all of it. All that you have. If you cannot focus and appreciate and voice to the heavens the gratitude for what you have right now, then you will never be happy with the possibility of what's coming.
Change that today. You have so much to be thankful for today. My list? Waking up, sending hubby off to work, watching boys do their chores, sending them off to school, cuddling and making the little ones laugh, starting the washing machine, seeing that I have likely 15 loads of laundry to manage today, getting some kitty love, listening to my 1yo have a chat with the cat, ah, there's so much more as it's only 8:44 and I didn't even hit on everything that happened so far this morning.
Attitude of gratitude, step up and take the opportunity to be grateful for all that you have. In the Lord's name I am here to praise Him for all the blessings He rains upon my shoulders every beautiful day!!
DV
NMV
Waste of what? Energy, appreciation. A waste of it all. All? Yep, all of it. All that you have. If you cannot focus and appreciate and voice to the heavens the gratitude for what you have right now, then you will never be happy with the possibility of what's coming.
Change that today. You have so much to be thankful for today. My list? Waking up, sending hubby off to work, watching boys do their chores, sending them off to school, cuddling and making the little ones laugh, starting the washing machine, seeing that I have likely 15 loads of laundry to manage today, getting some kitty love, listening to my 1yo have a chat with the cat, ah, there's so much more as it's only 8:44 and I didn't even hit on everything that happened so far this morning.
Attitude of gratitude, step up and take the opportunity to be grateful for all that you have. In the Lord's name I am here to praise Him for all the blessings He rains upon my shoulders every beautiful day!!
DV
NMV
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