Find it Joyous

I am melancholy. Most of you who know me know this. I tend to be a perfectionist. But on the same token, I am also phlegmatic; not a ton, but enough where I get lazy and just do NOT want to clean. I get overwhelmed and don't know where to start. I get frustrated and grouchy. Then I start the blame game in my head (sometimes it slips out of my mouth as well!). "Why can't he just pick up his clothes instead of leaving them on the floor?!" (while my clothes sit on the bathroom floor....) "If He would just...." "I could keep this house clean if He would just!" And on it goes. Then not only am I frustrated about the mess, I get bitter and resentful in my heart which yep you guessed it, seeps out in my actions.
Before I begin to talk about how I can change my actions, I need to realize the root of this issue....pride. It's as simple as that....though not as simple as one might think. By being prideful I am being selfish, I am spitting in the face of God and telling Him that the way He ordained my life and my days is stupid and wrong and I could do a way better job. Hmph! Sounds goofy doesn't it? It's like I am pitching a fit at the throne of God telling Him that He is mean and doesn't know what He is doing. If anyone had the right to do that, it would have surely been Job. He had everything stripped from him; he wasn't just dealing with socks on the floor or a broken mop. His family died, all but his nagging wife. All of his wealth was stripped away. His health was so bad his friends and wife told him to just curse God and die. When he did start to doubt, God gave Him quite the talking to. What did He tell Job? He didn't say you are right you deserve better, you have been so faithful. You are just awesome Job, you rock buddy and deserve better. Poor thing, look at the way I have been treating you. No, this is not what the mighty God of the universes who is sovereign over all says to Job. Let's take a look:

38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

“Or who shut in the sea with doors

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,

“Have you entered into the springs of the sea,

“Where is the way to the dwelling of light,

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,

“Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain

“Has the rain a father,

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades

“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,

“Can you hunt the prey for the lion,

But wait, God's not finished yet. He continues: 

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?

“Who has let the wild donkey go free?

“Is the wild ox willing to serve you?

“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly,

“Do you give the horse his might?

“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars

40 And the Lord said to Job:

“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?

³ Then Job answered the Lord and said:

“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?

Oh that I remember, even though it is something as insignificant as a clean house or organized bedroom, God is sovereign. Instead of being prideful and bitter, causing me to disrespect John (which is yet ANOTHER sin!). My prayer is that God helps me to fight my prideful self. A great book on Pride is "Humility: True Greatness" by CJ Mahaney. It is an amazing book that I think I need to read again!

Christmas Lights!!

Hi Everyone!
So a quick date night idea/update. I am taking John (and of course Levi has to come, but we can still smooch!) on a date tonight. I looked up houses that will have synchronized Christmas lights and music and we are going to be going to see them tonight. I am going to be making hot chocolate and popcorn for us. I may even dress in comfortable pjs. :) It is something simple, but something fun to do .It's somewhat free (just gas) and a great way to spend time together. I'm hoping we can read from John Piper's Advent book tonight as well as we are looking at the lights. :)

What are some free, creative date nights you guys do? Have a fantastic night. I'm going to go make homemade hot coco and popcorn. :)

Quietness

I am sitting here trying to figure out what to write. I will have blog post ideas pop into my head almost daily, but it seems when I go to actually write something.....nothin'. lol But then I decided that I am grateful for the time in the evenings to actually be able to sit here and have my mind quiet.



A quiet mind can be such a blessing. One doesn't have to have a quiet mind when everything around you is quiet, it is possible--difficult, but possible-- to have a quiet mind in the midst of the craziness of every day life.

Some examples of how I've striven--okay not striven  I was anything but intentional about it today, but still God blessed me--to have a peaceful and quiet mind today. I carved out time for devotions. I got a tall glass of white grape and raspberry juice, sat in John's massage chair (boy is that thing amazing, we are selling it because it was an unwise emotional financial decision to buy it, but if it doesn't sell I won't be sad either lol), with pandora playing softly in the background reading God's amazing and wonderful word. Later, as I nursed Levi, I sat in that amazing chair again, once again listening to pandora this time also listening to God's word on audio. Able to sit there relaxing, spending time with my heavenly Father and share God's word with my son along with some giggles as the massage chair made mommy shake. lol He enjoyed that a lot.

It felt good to get my to do list almost accomplished. There are still things needing to get done (for example, the dishes! Always dishes! lol), but knowing that it's okay. They will get done.

What are some ways that you can think of to have a quiet mind? Maybe it is sitting back while the kids play loudly in the background, cause yourself to just observe and thank God for them. Thank God that He has blessed you with those sometimes very loud and sinful children and that you get the chance to strive to fight back against this sinful world and hopefully--Lord Willing--bring up children who will be a witness and a light in this dark world. Even in the stressful times, I pray that both you and I are able to sit back and have a quiet and peaceful mind. So, tonight, strive to have that. Cuddle with your husband, hug your kids, drink a nice warm beverage of some kind, play some soft relaxing music (I highly recommend the George Winston station on Pandora), maybe light some candles. God is good and gracious. I am thankful for this quiet mind. :)

Faith like Abraham...What Does That Mean?

I was reading today in D.L. Moody's book "Spiritual Depression" on the chapter entitled plainly "Trials." First off, this book is absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend it. Yes, it is a challenging read and I have been slowly trodding through it for....well over a year. I started it when I was pregnant with Levi. Anywho, it's awesome. Don't be intimidated by how long it has taken me to read it. That is just my laziness and yet I'm thankful that it has taken me this long. It seems like each time I pick it back up, it is at just the right time.

As I was reading today, something brought to my attention Abraham and how he was very faithful. He trusted God....he really, really trusted God. His faith was real. God asked him to kill his only son!  Now, I know we have all heard this story, but let's think about it a bit more. For those of you with kids, what if God told you to kill your son or daughter? To make it even more significant (as if killing own of your own children isn't enough) let's say that you struggled to get pregnant and have children to begin with and it would be very unlikely that you would conceive another child. You were told my medical professionals that you would have no more children. This was basically their case. Yet what did he do? He trusted God. Now obviously, God probably isn't going to tell anyone to kill their children......but, what about families who have lost little ones "too early?" Or any situation really, whether it is the death of someone we love dearly or financial troubles, or the fact that all of a sudden your child refuses to eat anything at all (our minal trial at the moment), do you trust God? Obviously, that doesn't wipe away the pain, but knowing that we have an amazing God who is in control is so comforting.

If any of you are going through trials, no matter what they are, remember that God is there. Just as He was there with Abraham. Let us strive to respond as Abraham did. Let us trust our amazing God and praise Him through our tears and fears. Stay weak my friends knowing God is strong. :)

I found this poem in a book I read while still single and it really hit home. Ladies, I hope you take this to heart. Your heart is precious. Men, this isn't something to be toyed with for your own pleasure and pride.

"A Woman's Question

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing Ever made by the Hand above? A woman's heart, and a woman's life--- And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing As a child might ask for a toy? Demanding what others have died to win, With a reckless dash of boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out, Manlike, you have questioned me. Now stand at the bars of my woman's soul Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot, Your socks and your shirt be whole; I require your heart be true as God's stars And as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef, I require a far greater thing; A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts--- I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home, And a man that his Maker, God, Shall look upon as He did on the first And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade From this soft young cheek one day; Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves, As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and true, I may launch my all on its tide? A loving woman finds heaven or hell On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true, All things that a man should be; If you give this all, I would stake my life To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and cook You can hire and little to pay; But a woman's heart and a woman's life Are not to be won that way." — Joshua Harris (I Kissed Dating Goodbye)