A HEART INSPIRED

Well, its Thanksgiving week. Hence the title. I know I'm usually positive and inspiring, uplifting and motivating....today, right at this very moment, though I am not seeing a lot to be so energetic and upbeat about. Ever have those days? But, since its time for another entry and I'll call it 'Protocol', I have to believe that by the time my fingers are done swiping and tapping at these keys, I will have managed to not only lift your spirits and make you smile, I will have walked away blessed as well. Many of you have been deliciously covering your FaceBook  pages and statuses with fantastic, moving notes of "Thanks". I have enjoyed reading them. I have laughed, nodded in agreement, teared up. I have even sighed with envy! I find myself so grateful for every small thing in my life that I feel as though they are not worthy or enough to grace the "Thanksgiving Page of Thanks" that is deserved. I 'll just go ahead and mention my 'smal...

We made plans three months ago, and the excitement was overwhelming! The day could not get here fast enough. My in-laws blessed us with a visit.                                        It was wonderful having them, we even had the opportunity to show them around a little. They got to see the kids schools and the beautiful town we now call home. We enjoyed dinner together, Grandmom helped the girls with their school projects, Pop~Pop tossed the ball around with the kids, it was a really nice evening. The next three days were filled with adventure, as it was our very first time to Disney! We got to go on all the fun rides, enjoyed amazing weather and had plenty of laughs. Stories were shared. Some old and familiar, some new. Plans were made for more visits and most of all our hearts were warmed and ...

Tomorrow, I will be graced with the gift of another year lived. Another candle  blown out. Another mile travelled. Another year survived. Another opportunity to make a difference. Big or small the opportunity is mine. I cannot fathom how the years continue to zoom past me as if I weren't even participating in them. Maybe, when I make my wish as I blow out my candle, I can ask for the next forty years to go by a little bit slower. I think its time I start enjoying this precious gift of life and my time here on this earth. I think its time I start celebrating.  I think its time I stop worrying about tomorrow and the troubles it may bring. I think its time I stop complaining. I have spent my whole life, as many of you have, running and racing toward this troublesome tomorrow, even though it is uncertain. Never really stopping to revel in today. Always on the move, hurling ourselves toward the next best thing. Today, however, I want to strive just for...

Funny little kids, they think they're so cute woke mommy up, playing the flute Trying to make breakfast, amongst the clutter silly little kids, slipping on the butter The pancakes, they're flying big brothers lying Blaming the chaos, on little green men sissy thinks he's mean, she's clucking like a hen Things were much simpler, when they were in the womb kids, they think their so clever. Ha! I'll just send them to their room Hurry get dressed, we're running real late please use your fork, keep your food on your plate The toothpaste is gone, the toilet is clogged now we'll never get there, the place will be mobbed Hair brushed, shoes tied, turn off all the lights cramming into the mini-van, mom rips her tights The gas tank is empty, there's a stinky kind of smell who didn't wash their feet, no one will tell Stop throwing gum, and pulling hair keep your hands to yourself, sit in your chair They smile so innocently, cros...

Early one morning, his little face shined he lit up her world, her heart it defined A baby boy, all sweet and new her joy was glorious, how it grew and grew New territory for a mom, used to pink ribbons and all she trips over Lego's, cars and a ball Early one morning, a new day has begun she arose to the task, she arose with the sun She sang her way to the kitchen below he came dashing in, with toy truck in tow Slobbery kisses and fleeting hugs their day has started, she grabs two mugs Hot chocolate and Cheerios, a breakfast of champs mommy and her little guy, buddies and vamps Dashing and handsome, already at two, dreaming of the fun things he'll say and do Early one morning, the time it did fly here comes her teenager, she tries not to cry He, standing taller than her height in full growing up so handsome, he's anything but dull His atte...

Recently, I asked God to reveal to me an answer to a question I have had for a long time. A question I could not sum up the courage to ask. Even God. An answer that would take the strength of kryptonite to contain it. An answer that would surely swallow me whole. Well I worked up the courage. So I asked him, quietly one day. Like a little girl...."Dear God..." And I believe he revealed the answer to my question to me in a dream. I did not like the answer. I knew that I was not going to like the answer. Which is why I could never bring myself to ask it in the first place. It was a question, that has been lurking in the bleachers, waiting, hoping for the day it could escape. It was not a plea. And, it did not involve the question "Why?" No, I did not ask why. I did not think I would get the answer to that question here on earth. So, I did not ask it. I can imagine you are wondering what the big question was. What t...

I have indeed, fallen in love...with a word.A glorious word. PROVIDENCE .                  Yes, I know, I know. The title. Its catchy. Its misleading. You all thought there was going to be some juicy reveal. And there is. Its just a little different that a trashy summer novel, where I fall for the wrong guy and get my heart broken, just to find out that my quiet, shy, neighborhood butcher is the most amazing guy, and to  top it all, he's been in love with me the whole time. It would be nice, but there is something much better that I am leading up to. ...I have fallen in love with a word, people! PROVIDENCE. Say it with me. Say it out loud. Providence. I love how it sounds; Majestic and Regal. Strong and Heroic. Sure and Definite. It embraces me, consoles me, makes me feel loved. I can't help but love it back. To me it sounds like the sweet destination, after a long, long journey. I haven't...

~ 2 Corinthians 5:17 ~ Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come The kids and I are getting Baptized on Sunday. Our spiritual date of birth will be September 25, 2011. I love that we all get to do this together.The kids are so excited. Opportunities to do so have come and gone and yet, here we are in Florida, away from family and friends, making this very public declaration with our new church family. The Baptism will  be held on what our church calls "The Land". A beautiful grapefruit orchard, with a "Florida Lake" which is the future home of an expanded building for The Crossing Church and will be preformed by our Pastor, Kendal Anderson. The lake may or may not be available, however if it is, I'm in. Now, bear in mind we are talking fish, turtles, alligators and snakes.There will also be a kiddie pool, as a viable option.  We have travelled so far, almost 1200 miles...

                                                                        I never get around to eating breakfast; Too busy, not hungry, can't decide, always on the go. But, on this dark stormy morning, with the chores finished, the kids off to school, the resumes sent out and a movie I just had to watch one more time...I cooked me up some eggs. So, there I was.., a cozy candle to warm up the darkness that had settled in my living room, the dishwasher running, the dryer humming, the rain pounding, a cup of tea and my omelette. I slipped the DVD in. Bridget Jones's Diary. I've seen it few times. I always get such...

Imagine if you will, a world in which every thought were audible. A world where not one single thought went unheard. Would you choose your hearts expressions more carefully, would you spew the ugly truth, share the horrid lies? I ask this because there have been so many moments when I have had words; beautiful, gentle, loving words. Words that would lift up, bless and encourage one. Yet, I kept them. For what reason I wonder? For fear that they would be dismissed, difficult to accept? I ask this because there have been so many moments when I have had words; ugly, harsh, unkind words. Words that would tear down, curse and discourage one. Yet, I let them escape. For what reason I wonder? For fear that they would swallow me up, had I kept them? In my life I have lost friendships with my words. The ones spoken and the ones not. In my life I have birthed friendships with my words.The ones spoken and the ones not. Imagine if you will, a world in whic...

The other night I watched  Rob Reiner's Film, The Bucket List , starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. Two older, ill, very different from one another,  gentlemen facing the end of their existance, form a friendship and they head off to fulfill some heartfelt adventures. Of course this got me thinking...We all do it. Dream . I dream with my mom, my girlfriends, my kids. It creates euphoria, which, for me lasts and lasts . My family...we dream on our car rides, at the dinner table, on the sofa. We're always making plans. Sighing deeply , breathing out slowly...ahhh, someday. So, what are these things that I want, need, dream of accomplishing before my demise? It is a grim thought, I know and I'm not in a hurry to go, but in a perfect world, if given the opportunity to get it all in before the curtain draws its final wisps.., what does my spirit long to achieve? Well, certainly the basic good-will deeds apply, like feeding the hungry, cr...

~ Isaiah 43:1~  {NIV}" Fear not," says the Lord..."for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name and you are mine." Perspective. It changes constantly. Remember when you were a teenager? If you were anything like me, you were so sure you knew everything you would ever need to know about yourself, about life, about everything and everyone else. The choices, the regrets. The judgments, the mistakes. The achievements, the failures. They are what shapes us. If given the opportunity, most of us would choose to have done at least some things, a little differently. We've all heard of that really fun idea where we sit and write THE letter to our younger selves. That 'Oh so very important letter'. I have found myself wanting to do that, often. I'm thinking it's that whole 'getting older' thing. And the whole, 'raising teenagers' thing. And the whole, 'man, if I only knew' thing. I find myself contemplati...

I find myself comforting others about my life  a-lot , as of late. In sharing some of the everyday difficulties of single parenthood, I am privy to the anguish and hurt, which these confidants are experiencing on my behalf. Sighs are breathed, fists are pounded, teeth are gritted, in sheer exasperation. It brings me to tears just thinking of it. So much more than an actual remedy, these shared expressions of concern are truly, very comforting...at the same time I find it incredibly necessary to extend comfort in return. "We'll be fine, everything will be okay, God is good." My repeated mantra goes. And I believe every word. We WILL be fine, everything WILL be okay. GOD IS SO GOOD. This brings me to the place of recognizing that every circumstance does not necessarily require a solution. The human, God given , display of empathy, in itself provides ample sustenance. We all feel and wish that we could fix all of our loved ones angst's and fears. We ...