Trusting In Him

It’s been another one of those weeks, where  I haven't been getting quality sleep and some nights, much sleep at all. I’ve been exhausted and stressing about the fact that I wasn’t sleeping. You know how that only makes it harder!

Was I trying to do all this on my own again? Had I forgotten that I need to leave the worries in God’s hands? To let Him decide how I use my waking or resting hours? Maybe I needed to repent for the things I’d tried to hold myself, when I needed God to be in control. Maybe then, I’d rest better. . . rest with God and in His care.

There’s been so much “noise” in my head, so many things on my mind lately. Had I been taking the time to be quiet before God? Or was I so preoccupied with myself, my pain and my problems ~ that I wasn’t allowing God to direct my thoughts and actions?

Trust is something that God seems to highlight frequently. God has proven Himself worthy of my trust, so many times before. And yet, as a difficult situation comes to mind, I worry, I simply wasn’t trusting as I should? Did I need to let go more and be quieted before God, so that I could trust all to Him?

 

2 Corinthians 12:10 {New International Version {NIV}} reminds us: “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The end of this verse is ‘strong’ ~ not a word I’d use to describe my physical attributes in any sense.

It would be good to think that my life demonstrates a different kind of strength ~ the strength I have available from God, that makes the difference in my life, and certainly helps in the daily challenges of chronic illness.

I need to be quietly trusting in the One who brings me strength, even when I’m weak.

How about you? Are there things you need to hand back, or over to God’s care, so you can rest in Him and trust Him better? What reminds you to do this?

Take Care

Thankful Thursdays

…and so we continue counting the things we are thankful for…

23. dinner dates
24. m & m’s
25. woollen socks
26. finding a new author
27. daily chats with my girl
28. the promises in Scripture
29. dinner invitations

Will you join me as we begin to be truly thankful for each day, and for each opportunity given to us, and who knows? we might just see how truly blessed we really are.

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!

Take Care

On purpose

This time of year it’s so easy to feel bogged down and under the weather. The holidays have come and gone, and the excitement of the season has long since faded, but no matter what life looks like today, there is so much to celebrate. . . even on these cold, wintry days!

I once heard these words. . . We either make ourselves happy or miserable ~ the amount of work is the same.

As I am getting older, {gasp ~ did I just say that?}, life becomes increasingly precious. Each day is a gift in and of itself. Time spent with loved ones more precious.

Just last night, my husband and I spent time together in the hottub ~ and the peace and quiet was as beautiful as the view. Everything seemed to slow down, and the quieter it was outside, the quieter it became inside. My heart rate slowed down, and the mental chatter disappeared.

And all I can say ~ It. Sure. Felt. Good!

We all need to take time to unplug.Unplug, as defined by dictionary.com “to be free from obstruction; to unclog”.

It was simply wonderful to take some time and focus on us ~ not the bills that need to be paid, or the repairs that have to be completed on the house but to talk about us and our future plans, our hopes and dreams ~ life is a gift.

Lately I am discovering how much I need quiet, to just still myself before Him … It’s noisy out there in our big, full lives and while some of the noise can’t be avoided, we do invite some of it in.

How can we pay attention to the important and meaningful stuff, or even discern what is important or meaningful if we are attempting to pay attention to all of it? The short answer is that we can’t. We need quiet time and space in our homes and our lives for contemplation and clarity so we can choose what matters most.

It’s what happens in the quiet times.

What matters most looks different for everyone. My life, and yours too, is going to pass in a flash. We want to live purposefully, keeping our eyes focused on what's truly important. 

So if life has thrown you for a loop lately, or felt like a kick in the face, remember these words:

CHOOSE to be THANKFUL
Because you can

Take Care

mhmm monday

Applesauce Spice Muffins

{photo and recipe courtesy Mennonite Girls Can Cook}

Ingredients:
1 cup butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups applesauce
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts {I omit}

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar.
Add eggs one at a time incorporating well and mix in vanilla.
Stir in the applesauce.
Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices.
Stir into creamed mixture.
Fold walnuts in.
Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups 3/4 full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
Makes 2 dozen.
Enjoy!

These are a very tasty and not overly sweet muffin.

Take Care

Worried...

Worry: To torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.

There is not one positive thing about worry…
Anguish. Misery. Uncertainty. Uneasiness. Woe. Perplexity. Torture. Irritation. Distress.

We worry, we fret, we become perplexed. Mostly about things we have no control over.

We worry about our kids. Our Parents. Money. Jobs. Meetings. About our health, our home, our safety, about “what ifs,” and on it goes…. We have much to worry about. But, most of what we worry about never happens, does it?

Does worrying do us any good?

Worrying takes its toll on our health, our lifestyle, our relationships, and our performance in many areas. And probably even more than we realize.

So, tell me, why do we do it?

Nothing seems to steal our joy quicker than worry. This last month has been stressful to say the least. I couldn’t make sense of it. Ever been there? It’s tough, isn’t it? My circumstances might not change, but I will choose to rise above them.

I’ve heard the saying, “If you worry don’t pray, and if you pray, don’t worry.” Simple, yet easier said than done.

But because God is in control of all things,
and because He will never turn His back on you or me,
and because He is good, even when life isn’t,
we can trust Him.

We can still have joy.

So, what do we do? What can we do the next time we are tempted to or catch ourselves worrying? What do you do?

There will always be opportunities in our lives to worry, but when we find ourselves in those situations let us be reminded of: Romans 8:28 {New International Version {NIV}} “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” and Joshua 1:5b {New International Version {NIV}} “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Today, let’s not let our joy be robbed by anything. Especially worry. And if you catch yourself worrying ~ pray, read Scripture, go for a walk, or do whatever works to stop yourself.

Take Care

Thankful Thursdays

…and so we continue counting the things we are thankful for.

16. reece peanut butter cups
17. phone calls from my boys
18. warm blankets
19. fresh baked bread
20. holding a baby
21. finding and trying new recipes
22. a promise kept

Will you join me as we begin to be truly thankful for each day, and for each opportunity given to us, and who knows? we might just see how truly blessed we really are.

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart!

Take Care

Book Review ~ The Silent Sister

What would you do if everything you thought about your life was based on a lie? What if you spent your entire life living a lie? Diane Chamberlain's The Silent Sister is a suspense novel based on those premises.

Riley MacPherson's entire life falls apart after her father's death when she realizes everything she thought she knew about her family was wrong. While getting ready to sell his North Carolina real estate ~ her childhood home and a trailer park ~ Riley runs across several people who harbour secrets about her family’s past.

Riley was only two when she lost her older sister. She has spent her entire life believing that her older sister Lisa committed suicide as a teenager. And, the entire family suffered in ways that Riley never understood. When her father dies, though, she uncovers evidence to the contrary. Despite her older brother's anger, Riley is desperate to discover the truth.

As Riley works to uncover the truth, her discoveries will put into question everything she thought she knew about her family. Riley must decide what the past means for her present, and what she will do with her newfound reality.

In this engrossing mystery, The Silent Sister has some interesting twists, and is a great suspense novel with a complex web spun from lies.

Take Care