Tuesday, October 6, 2009

If you give a mom a muffin…

If you give a mom a muffin, She’ll want a cup of coffee to go with it. She’ll pour herself some. Her three-year-old will spill the coffee. She’ll wipe it up. Wiping the floor, she’ll find dirty socks. She’ll remember she has to do laundry. When she puts the laundry in the washer, She’ll trip over boots and bump into the freezer. Bumping into the freezer will remind her she has to plan for supper. She will get out a pound of hamburger. She’ll look for her cookbook (”101 Things To Do With a Pound of Hamburger”). The cookbook is sitting under a pile of mail. She will see the phone bill, which is due tomorrow. She will look for her checkbook. The check book is in her purse that is being dumped out by her two-year-old. She’ll smell something funny. She’ll change the two year old’s diaper. While she is changing the diaper, the phone will ring. Her five-year-old will answer and hang up. She’ll remember she wants to phone a friend for coffee. Thinking of coffee will remind her that she was going to have a cup. And chances are… If she has a cup of coffee, Her kids will have eaten the muffin that went with it.
by Kathy Fictorie

This was posted by a friend on another blog and I couldn't resist anymore...I love this and how closely it mirrors my life!
Hope you enjoy it!

Monday, October 5, 2009

What glasses are you wearing?

Yesterdays sermon impacted me and I want to share it with you!

Pastor spoke of glasses and the ones we wear or don't wear effecting the way we see everything. It make me think of any one of my days, how I view people I come in contact with, how I see them graciously or judgmentally.

1 Samuel 16:7 says..."The Lord does not look at the things man looks at . Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
I am thankful He looks at me this way...the heart and not the outward appearance cause frankly I can look quite ugly sometimes. Shouldn't I too then look at others this way? Occasionally, I find myself giving others the grace and acceptance the Lord gives me but much less often than I should expect from myself.

I have often found myself saying to husband or kids," be nice, who knows what is going on in their life right now!" Then other times, in my own conscience it doesn't register. I surely expect others to see me as God sees me, then I don't do the same for them.

What's the answer to the dilemma you ask?
To wear the right glasses. It's a choice...like loving those who are difficult to love. It's a choice...to put on the glasses of grace and humility.

So I ask you...Do you see clearly?

...For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:35-40

Lord, open the eyes of my heart that I might see others the way you see them! And Father, when they look at me let them see You!

I'm thanking in advance for...

116. clarity in my vision
117. challenges to grow me deeper
118. opportunities to give a God kind of grace to those around me
119. check ups for my character
120. sermons that make sense
121. prayers with touch
122. growth you can feel

Friday, October 2, 2009

I get to choose?

Today started out pretty rocky. I woke up late, we clamored out of bed, choked down cereal and hurry, hurry, hurry we have to go... I began the day the way I never want to!

We made it through our morning lessons in the nick of time, but not before I found myself in tears and kneeling by my bed...this was huge, I rarely see what I need in the moment and this time I knew what I needed to do. I was just there waiting for Him to help me help myself...God why? Why do I always mess it all up? Help me, Help me do your will and not my own.

The day took a turn for the better...I dropped all things seen and headed for the unseen. We had a relaxing afternoon sewing with my dear friend and I left with a lifted spirit and for Faith, a homemade treasure. God is so faithful if we will just trust Him...really trust Him!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and he will make your paths straight
.
Proverbs 3:5-6