Luck? I Don’t Think So

March 1, 2013 By 8 Comments

It’s March. It’s the month when some people focus on luck.

As a believer, however, I don’t really believe in luck.

I believe in a heavenly Father who holds all my moments in His hand. I believe that nothing that occurs in my life is out from under His knowledge and control. I believe He is always before me, behind me, and standing alongside me.

This has become my new favorite worship song. I hope you will take a few minutes and let the words and images encourage your heart today.

Luck? I don’t think so!

 

Filed Under: Spiritual, Thought for Today Tagged With: , , 8 Comments

Those Pretty Pansies

May 2, 2012 By 8 Comments

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Creative Commons License photo credit: bobosh_t

Pansies are my favorite flower. They are delicate, and come in such a variety of beautiful colors.

Here’s another little tidbit for you: I am a terrible gardener. Which is why pansies are the perfect flower for me. Why is that, you ask?

The word “pansy” in its non-flower definition has connotations of weakness. The flowers themselves, however, are anything but. These little guys will survive through some tough weather conditions, pop back up after dying off during the harshest part of winter, and reproduce even when neglected. They are hardy, cheerful, and beautiful, and with a minimum of care will last for a long time. They are the type of flower I can actually grow.

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Creative Commons License photo credit: steevithak

I want to be like a pansy.

I want to brighten the world around me. I want to bring joy as I bloom in a variety of circumstances. I want to be known for growing no matter what. I want to not be “high maintenance.” I want to “reproduce” my faith even when things going on around me aren’t optimal.

If you could be a flower, which would you be…and why? Would you share your answer to that in the comments?

Filed Under: Balance, Spiritual Tagged With: , , , , 8 Comments

Running in the Rain

April 18, 2012 By 2 Comments

 

It’s raining. Not pouring, but raining enough to make it not much fun to be outside.

However, it’s also a run day. The 5k is less than 3 weeks away and I need to stick to my running schedule so that I’m ready. I really want to be able to run the entire race.

I have run in the rain before, and while I don’t particularly enjoy it, I have captured a couple of lessons because of the practice. I wanted to share just one of them today.

 

  1. The discipline is more important than feeling uncomfortable.

Does it feel good to be chilled with wet hair and clothes? Nope. Is it fun to have people look at you like you’re nuts to be out at all? Well, truthfully, that part is kind of fun. Is it enjoyable to blink raindrops away in order to see? I know, wear a hat. But I hate hats!

My point is that running in those conditions is not the optimum. But, those conditions are also temporary and are far outweighed by the benefits of exercise and a consistent running schedule.

As in running, so in life.

It doesn’t always feel comfortable to get out of bed in the dark and stumble to the coffee pot so I can be up and ready for time alone with the Lord. But the benefits outweigh those extra minutes of sleep.

It is not always fun to severely limit my computer time for the benefit of my home and family. But that discipline is more important, by far, than my temporary loss of connection with the online world.

It is uncomfortable to approach and befriend a person whom I don’t understand or relate well with, but who needs to see Jesus’ love lived out in me.

You get the idea.

Filed Under: Battles, Physical, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , 2 Comments

Appraisal

February 18, 2012 By 9 Comments

 

We are currently going through the process of refinancing our house.

My husband informed me one day recently that someone was coming the next day to do “The Appraisal.”

Of course, my first response was one of grace and decorum. “What?! He can’t come! The house is a mess right now!” Truthfully, I don’t know whether a messy house can affect an appraisal, but I didn’t want anyone coming through our home either way!

The situation got me thinking about “appraisals” in general. By definition, an appraisal is:

an act of assessing something or someone; an expert estimate of the value of something.

When we make an appraisal of ourselves, how do we do it?

Often, I believe, we compare ourselves to others. We tend to base how well we’re doing in certain areas of life upon what we see others doing or being.

  • “I’m not leading a Bible study like she is–am I not as spiritually mature?”
  • “Should I be homeschooling since so many of my friends are doing it?”
  • “I don’t read…write…run…study…exercise…etc., like (fill in the blank) does.
  • “I’m not quite as overweight as her, so I’m doing ok.”
  • (Fill in your own comparison example)

Is this a healthy way to “appraise” ourselves? Pretty obvious answer. So, how should we evaluate? That’s probably pretty obvious too, but let me share a thought from Scripture anyway:

As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning:  Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body…God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well… (Romans 12:3-6 NLT)

It might seem intimidating, but in truth it is freeing to measure ourselves by God’s standards rather than looking at everyone else around us.

First of all, our heavenly Father has given us such unique gifts and abilities, and he expects us to use those to please Him. Think about that! We are called to please ONE, to measure up to that ONE’s standards, not the many’s.

Secondly, our worth is based on the value our Father has given us–because of HIS great love. Our worth is not based on how much we do or don’t do compared to others.

 

Housing appraisals are based on things like the current market, similar houses, the neighborhood, size, land value, etc. etc. Comparison with others–maybe necessary in the housing market, but unhealthy in our personal lives.

One final thought:  When we rightly appraise our lives by God’s standards and call for us, and find that we are not measuring up, there is incredible HOPE!

He knows, He sees, He disciplines, but he never stops loving, forgiving, renewing and restoring.

By what, or who, are you “appraising” yourself?

Filed Under: Mental, Spiritual Tagged With: , , , 9 Comments