Five Minute Friday: Fly

I think of the way a bird glides through the air.
Freedom is what "fly" makes me think of.

Such a peaceful view- it seems nearly effortless as a bird flies over head.
How wonderful it is- that feeling of freedom.

As I get older I have to fight more for this freedom.

Interesting how we can get stuck in a rut, and find we've bound ourselves either by hurts we have had or rules we think we need to follow. There are many other reasons we stop living in freedom-

but we must remember
we must remind each other

We are free! We have Jesus and he came to set us free. We can fly like eagles or waddle like ducks- it is our choice.

So lets fly in the freedom of Christ and enjoy each day in His freedom. He wants that, I want that, don't you?



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The Honey Jar...

It isn't that I have overlooked the fact that I have guarded this honey jar. It is a silly thing- I know. Yet it seems to be so important to me and as it is nearly gone- I just have such a sadness in me about it being emptied.


Honey isn't necessarily my most favorite thing. I like it mixed with butter for rolls and I love it in tea when I have a sore throat. I have kept this jar and held it back as much as possible. I have even prayed that it would never run out. It is though. In fact the jar is nearly empty and even as I type that my heart aches.

My girls have been sick over the past two weeks and so we have made a lot of tea and used the remainder of the jar of honey. As I scoop up a spoonful for their cups, I talk it out, "It is ok Rose, this isn't what you are really missing. Let it go." And I will, I know.

It disappearing is just another part of what once was, still slipping away.

See it isn't about the honey really. It is about what it means, or rather where it came from. It was given to me by my mom and it belonged to my brother. So it is like a piece of him that I still have had. We would talk about teas and make a cup when he would visit. And so my heart grieves some more as the last bit of his honey is being used up. He would have used it up months ago- he didn't savor things for later.

Though I would never have thought a jar of honey could be so valuable to me, I have to say with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat- it has been a prized thing in my home and this week it will be in the trash- empty and no more.

In all my self-talk to help me through the down moments, and my silly attachment to a honey jar,the truth of it all is- I just miss him so much. I know so many of you have someone you miss too. Praying God's healing hands on our hearts today.

Weeds sprouting...

I am no where near a gardener. I have a couple of friends that are amazing at growing gardens and beautiful flowers and I LOVE all of it, but I am not a "green-thumb" at all. Right now my back yard is dead grass because I don't have the ability any longer to set a timer and have the sprinklers do their thing. I go through and weed a couple of times through the season and I try and keep some flower baskets alive around my front and back doors. I do love a manicured lawn though. In fact a fresh cut, green yard is a beautiful thing to me. :)

Well I have been living on an extended weekend. Everyday has seemed like a Saturday (except we have no soccer games to run off to). Between family camp and a wonderful trip to Hawaii and the recover time from all the planning and packing to unpacking...well...life has seemed to be on one big long weekend. It has been great too, a much needed time of relaxing and rejuvenating.

However, things still pile up and weeds still grow!

So this fine Saturday morning, I thought I should get to some of those overgrown weeds out back. I had noticed some growing in my blueberry bush in June and had thought, "Ah I will get to those soon." Here is it nearing August, needless to say, they had overtaken the plant.

As I pulled- I had to dig down and some of those roots seemed to have made their way all the way down to the bottom of the barrel. It was surprising how big they had gotten and as I yanked and tugged and flicked soil up all over me in the process, some things stood out that relate to life. Nothing profound, but just some gritty little truths.

First off as I tugged on the weeds and realized how set those roots were- I was reminded about the ways of this world and how we can start off with just a little seed- if you will- and once the seed is set it can implant itself so deeply that it begins to look like more of who we are and distort us. For we are children of God, to be filled with joy and hope of what is to come, but we can so quickly start to look like those who have no hope- wandering through life aimlessly- too focused on the moment at hand.

I also saw as I tugged those big weeds out that some soil was lost with it. Soil giving life to the plant as the Word is our nutrition for living-and at first I was like- geesh- that stinks, but then realized how easy it is to refill. I have a bag of fresh soil in the garage waiting- just as we always have the Word at our fingertips to refill our needing souls.

Lastly, I rejoiced in two things-
One- it cleaned up pretty quick. See the blueberry plant was well established and maybe had it not been being nurtured a little over these past couple of months it may have not made it- but it had faithfully been watered and it really was pretty healthy in spite of the overgrowth of weeds that had taken root.
 And this was a sweet blessing for me to take in. For I have been established but the hard knocks of life have overtaken me. I have had some big obstacles I have been up against and am still up against. However, the Holy Spirit has nurtured me- though at times I have been just sustaining- He has kept me watered enough. And so seeing how beautiful the blueberry bush looks now with that rich soil and the lush leaves and the fruit that is growing on it- it is a picture of hope this morning for my soul.

The second awesome part of it is that it is free again to just focus on doing what it was created to do- bear fruit. It has been freed from the things beneath the soil that has been battling with its root base. Those things are pulled out now and so it is free to do what it is suppose to do. That is a marvelous thing! For many things cause battles inside of us- grief, addictions, hatred, selfishness- the list could go on and on- but what an amazing thing to be freed.

I just read Galatians this past week and it all just ties in so perfectly (so like God). As the book talks much about our freedom. O I pray we walk in the freedom we have in Him, that we understand really what that means (for our society has a misconstrued definition of freedom), and that we are full of love and joy and hope- for those are the most precious possessions we can have.

Blessings on your day today!



A new season begins...

As I reach for plates to set the table I grab five- out of habit- then release the last one because we are now a table of four. My heart sink down a bit...

It is not that I have never set the table for only four before- but I know that this is the new normal for our home and it will take some getting use to.

My oldest moved out while the rest of us went camping. It was best that way, but we come home to an emptiness and I have to say it isn't the best feeling. I keep reminding myself that parenting is for a season and kids living at home well past the time they ought to is not really such a blessing. However, in this moment it brings that familiar friend I have had with me for far too long...sorrow upon my heart.

I recently read a little story* about Mr. and Mrs. Sparrow as their little sparrows had flown the nest and Mrs. Sparrow was having her tears with it (as all us momma's can understand) and Mr. Sparrow though understanding, prods the Mrs. on to fly on to the next adventure. Anyway it was so precious to my heart at the crossroad I am at- not coincidentally I wake one morning and my girls discover a nest out back.

So I have watched these birds over the past few weeks and have seen how fast they have grown- doesn't our time with our kids go by so fast.

The first period of time all they did was sit there with their mouths open, waiting for food to be fed to them. Those were physically exhausting days as a new momma- long nights at times too. I remember feeling like I couldn't see the light at the end of that season and it seemed overwhelming at times.

Very quickly, the birds grew from these featherless, helpless little creatures to looking like they are content, eyes opened wide, and resting in the nest- but not for long. I think of Mary and the treasures she stored in her heart through Jesus's childhood- I too am full of treasured moments with my girls.

I see now that the birds are so big they are scrunched up in the nest and I know too soon they will take that first flight and then venture out on their own. This is the place I experience today.

It is what is suppose to happen- we know this- but o it is a hard one.

Anyway, these are things on my heart tonight as I return home...



A little blessing and lesson from the Lord. :)

 

Us with our little "sparrows"

* "Feathers From My Nest" by Beth Moore is the book that story is from.

Five Minute Friday: Rhythm

GO...
A consistancy is in rhythm- a beat of music or the beat of a heart or the beat of living. A routine is formed through it...
The thought of this brings security to me.
When we are in good rhythm life seems good. We can feel like we are on top of the clouds at times.

I have always been fond of music. In fact growing up- my dad use to tell me he could tell what type of day I had by the way I played the piano after school. Now I am a mom and I see too- how my girl's face looks as she gets in the car- how the beat of their day went.

Life can be out of sync at times too and those times are not as good, but obvioulsy necessary for our good. Through these times just our faith will keep us moving and how good it is to have faith.

I heard something earlier today that I wrote down because I thought it was worth remembering...
It was  teaching about perservering with joy and remembering Who we serve through the tough stuff and he said, "What you got in your hand will always be enough when God is the One aiming your sling."

I love it! Even when our life is off beat, not in rhythm- our God is always keeping the beat and He does not lose sight of His masterpiece He is writing in each of our lives.

So Lord, help us hold on to that when everything else seems off. Help us hold on to You and to keep believing You are holding on to us.

"I will never leave you, nor forsake you." Joshua 1:5

STOP

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Five Minute Friday: Comfort

GO

It is a longing in me- to have comfort. Not necessarily the kind that is about the physical- though I would like that too. I am talking more the spiritual comfort that we get from the God of peace and love. Comfort from the King of kings that everything is going to be ok. That is what I am desiring today.

So many things can give false comfort and all too soon we find ourselves in lack of the real thing. I desire the Lord's comfort in grief and in trials and in tough times. Don't we all? How do we truly rest in it. For many years in my past, I would dish out counsel about how to get that comfort, but as the rubber meets the road in my life- resting in God's comfort is a difficult thing. The heart still aches, the sleepless nights still exist, and I sit before Him asking for comfort and His peace and come up empty.

I want to be set free from this- I want the comfort of the Lord that is life changing good and yet my DNA seems to be tied up in so much fretting. I don't have the answers. I mean I can say the answer is- more of Jesus- but I sit still with Him each day and ask for His help and yet no deliverance. So I will trust Him even without the comfort and maybe, just maybe it is on its way...


STOP

All I can do for him now...

One year has passed since our dear friend, brother, son, uncle has left us. It has been the worst year of my life. Not a day goes by without my thoughts being consumed for at least a time- I have learned to fight it off better, but still find it difficult. It consumed me so much that I had an emotional breakdown in August and I have only made it through from being in the Word of God and much prayer from faithful friends.

As I drove home tonight thinking about my brother- it just sank in- there is nothing more I can do for him. There is nothing more to be done. Yes his ashes sit in a jar and his belongings were just moved from one place to another- but for him, personally, there is nothing more I can do for him. Nothing more any of us can do for him. It is a hopeless feeling, so what can I do in memory of him. I will stand up and speak out truth- for he has seen it fully now. Truth that there is life after death; Truth that heaven does exist. And though I cannot make anyone choose it- I can at least present it once again. So that is the purpose of this letter. To once again ask all who miss Chris to consider this statement. The soul lives on- where- is the question to seek answers to.

Do not allow the shallowness or failures of other people that go by the name Christian to keep you from investigating. For, we are all far from perfect. Jesus Christ is the one to research and seek. I do believe with all of my being that I will enter the gates of heaven when I leave this earth. You can read this and think I am crazy, but someday you shall see. Faith believes in that which we have yet to see. One day we shall see, but today my faith is the one thing I have that is not able to be removed from me. I have seen my views of many things change this year. I have desired distance from the very people I have adored. I have faced the truth about people’s choices and there is no denying that others choices deeply affect those who care. I believe influence is the single most important factor we hold as we walk on this earth- in regards to other people. I desire to be a person of great influence. I don’t want to be ashamed of my choices. I want to walk in truth and integrity, but most of all I want to be a person of love. My brother truly was an example of this. He followed those he looked up to though and he chose bad decisions that led to terrible suffering on our part. He was influenced poorly. He had so much potential- he was always a smart kid- talented as a musician, a heart of gold, and full of kindness.

So in honor of my brother- who did accept Jesus in 1999- I share the only thing I think is worth sharing: the opportunity for eternal life. It is as easy as asking the Lord Jesus into your heart and then desiring to learn, grow, and live for and in Him. So as I miss him so stinking much it hurts and I so wish I could hug him and listen to him play his guitar- this is the best thing I can do because everything else has been taken away.

Please know that I realize I have lacked love and I have struggled with judging others and I am truly sorry for this. I hope to live the rest of my days differently. I wrote a song to my brother and I still cannot sing it all the way through without breaking down but here are the words.

“Over the Rainbow”

 

Some time has passed by, don’t know how to deal with the pain inside

Still at times it takes my breath away.

I know that God heals and is near to the broken-hearted, but the sadness

Seems to find its way.

CHORUS:

You are forever in my heart. A piece of me has left with you.

I hate that you left the way you did, but that you’re waiting there with Him

The day I’m over the rainbow, I hope I see your face again.

Over the rainbow- I pray you’re standing there with Him.

VERSE 2:

 All that’s left behind is a whole lot of precious memories,

 that I cling to day by day

 I lay awake at night struggling with where and why o why

Trying hard to fight the pain

VERSE 3:

 I miss you more each day, people say I’ll get use to the pain

 But my heart just keeps aching. In time I may heal and God is my strength and my

 shield, but the tears keep flowing.

 

 

Much love and working through the grief moment by moment… still,

his one and only “Sissy”

 

His last day...

One year ago today was the last day my brother would be alive. I sat for my quiet time this morning and as this sunk in- I asked myself- what if this was my last day. How would I want to spend it.

Right away I thought of the things I wouldn't care about- these are the things that consume so much of my thoughts and actions on a daily basis:

clean house, money in savings, retirement, health insurance, new clothes, my agenda for the coming week...

Of course-
I would want to be with my family. Mainly my girls and husband. And really more than just hanging with them because I would definitely want to be wrapping them up in my arms and holding them tight- but even more than that I would want to speak truth out to them one last time. I would want them to know that this world is not all there is. To encourage them to run their race with purpose and focus- keeping their eyes firmly set on the prize.

Life is full of trials and sorrow. I have learned that on a much deeper level this past year. It is hard to keep hope alive at times. However, when we feel overwhelmed or like life is so complex- find a place where you can be still- seek the Lord- and truly ponder- if today was my last day- what would I want to be doing...what would be my focus.

My brother lived his last day most likely enjoying his life. He just chose poorly and paid a great price for it. He had so much going for him one year ago. His future was looking bright- had lots of cash in the bank, had a great job, moved out of mom's house and was finally getting going on things. A year ago today- people would have been saying- right on man- you are doing great! And he had so much to look forward to. However, he would not live to see another day.

I want to live in such a way that if today was my last day that I would have accomplished that which I was here to do. I hope to truly love God and love people fully, sincerely, unselfishly. I have a long ways to go, but this is my desire as I reflect and work through the season I am in presently.

I pray an abundance of love to each of you who read this- I do pray that we would live more and more through the Lord's eyes- that the things that matter less- will not consume us and the things that matter most will be where we exert our energy. We are not promised past today- so lets live like it could be our last. I do believe life will be more meaningful if we do.

Five Minute Friday: Friend

Just writing the word "friend" brings a thrill to my heart. I have had such amazing friends in my life. I am truly blessed in this. Friends are that extra sweetness in life and I truly don't think I would be where I am at today without them.

What is a friend? A friend is someone who loves you despite your failures and who will be honest with you- even when it is tough, but who truly cares for you and you for them. It takes knowing how to be a friend to have a friend and I have found that this is a continual growth process. I am embarrassed of the type of friend I was years ago and thankful for the grace shed on me. Works in progress- always! :)

I have felt the lonliness of life too though. I had no sisters growing up and never had any really close connections with women through my early years. However, I have been blessed with three daughters and I look forward to a friendship with them in years to come. I do hope and pray each of you get to experience true friendship. It is such a treasure.

Much worth the effort! :)

Five Minutes done! (I did have to fix my grammar though, so technically not "unedited"- haha)

In the Name of Love...

We can convince ourselves at times that we are doing things "in the name of love" but could it be a phrase that is said too flippently? Is it a way to cover up the real motives behind what we are doing? Stick with me here...

As a mom, we absolutely love our children and the majority of what we do is out of love for them. However, we must check ourselves because "in the name of love" we can also cover other things that are- lets face it- not love- moreso personal gain. So have you read the definition of love recently? I spent all last week reading it and let me just say- I am pretty convicted.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1Cor 13
 

The first sentence brought me to a screeching hault. Lover suffers long and is kind. Not really desiring to suffer long, nor is kindness on the tip of my tongue these days. So I have been sitting and praying through the situations in my life and walking this road trying to readjust some things in me and seeking the Lord's help for without Him I will not be able to walk in any lasting victories.

These are things I have seen as I have meditated on these words. We (I use "we" cuz I know I am not the only one) do a lot out of selfish desire- even if it is for the common good of everyone else. We operate a lot out of fear or control. Especially as mom's or women for that matter.

Truly though, this definition of love- we gotta remember- who are we to love? Even our enemies right? (Math 5:44) So that removes the justification of being rude or sassy to someone who ticks us off (cuz we know they so deserve it), but love doesn't behave rudely. O and if we are fearful- well- "There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear." (1Jn 18)

You with me on all of this. The greatest commandment- to love- Love the Lord with every part of us and love our neighbors as ourselves. It is all about love and we know this and we can try to walk in this, but as I have been reminded (and now so have you) love is so much more than a warm fuzzy feeling inside and opposite of our self-seeking nature. Victory is not in making it through a day without biting heads off- well it is a start, but there is so much more to it than this.

So I share first for myself (I already told you I am self-seeking at the moment haha) to be reminded, but also to encourage you (see I am a work in progress) because we need to get this in our lives. Without it we truly are nothing. Love is hard. That is my addition to this definition, however, it is good and so I pray the Lord helps each of us to increase in pure love for others.

Anyway, this is where my journey is presently and I welcome your feedback.

Harsh...

Shyla, Keira, Marisa
2002

Since when did my voice get so harsh? I remember when they were little and each day would begin with sweet affection and lovies. Even after a long night, my voice would be kind to the girls as they woke.

When did my tone change to that of frustration and disapproval? It has been a slow fade. And you know as I sat and thought about it- I could chalk it up to the "teen age years" and say they are just harder times, but really- I have grown a bit weary. I have stopped putting forth the effort in my tone at times. And time is passing so fast I feel I barely have time to keep up. My girls are great. They are not perfect and we have our moments, but they are such a blessing in my life. When did my voice stop showing that?

It is interesting how little by little bad habits come upon us and if we don't take time to sit and think- we can spend a lot of years getting crabbier and crappier and not even realize it. As I think on why I am in this place- I know it is linked to fear. Fear of their choices, fear of the unknown and YES I am aware that we are not to fear- but as a mom- let's be honest- it is there. We work on the surrender of it, but it seems to be one of the endless battles in our hearts.

The days go so fast. I remember when they were babies and I would hear it all the time and I would take it in and try and savor the moments because I knew it would be this way. I wanted to glean from those words because I knew the time would go by like this. Here we are though, already- young adults being formed before my very eyes. It makes me get a bit welled up with tears. "Slow down!" my heart screams, but all that comes out is harsh words- a mixture of fear and sadness and wanting to hold on to the time that is gone.

So I choose- each time I find myself in this place- to remember that the Lord has a plan in all of this. I know this is the way life goes and I want to embrace each moment, each change, each season. This is good even if I am struggling through. I talked with my sweet friend going through the same thing presently and we are like these momma octopuses with our suctions on these kids we have loved so much for all these years and we don't want to let them go as they are prying themselves away. :) We don't want them to see us as crazy women, so we gotta release. Lord help us release. And in the process, help our voices, our tones, truly express what is in our hearts toward our children- such adoration, excitement for the Lord's plans, and truly so proud of each of them and where they are at today.

Keira, Marisa, Shyla
2012

 

Lord thank you for our children. They have been the biggest blessings on this earth. May they stay near you all the days of their lives.

Five Minute Friday: Home

GO

Security, comfort, love, laughter- all things that come to mind right away. Home is where so much takes place- the people we really are, shows through best- and hopefully it's a place of refuge from the struggles of the world.

Reality is it is not all these things all the time, but we desire it to be this way. We long for more joy and fun memories...maybe what we are ultimately longing for is our eternal home. This is where we truly long to be.

I am so thankful to live in a nice place to call home. I am thankful for the Lord's blessings of family and the memories we make living under the same roof. I am thankful for the husband I have, who works so hard to provide a home for us. He is so good to us. :)

I pray today that each of our homes are filled with the Spirit and we choose unity and peace. I pray we would be overflowing with love and gratitude for the things we have and put aside thinking on the things we don't.

STOP

Geesh, this five minute thing goes by in a blink of an eye. I love it though-  it gets your mind going in a new direction. :)

Blessings in your home this weekened!!

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