Now that TI30 is over, I don't really know what to write about? What did I write about before TI30??? ... Oh yeah, not much of anything.
This week has been fairly calm-thanktheLord. After a chaotic past few weeks (no, mom & dad, you didn't make things chaotic), I'm ready to be back in my routine. Isn't that funny? How most of the time, we long for something different, something exciting and then when something different and exciting happens, we want things to get back to "normal"? Ok, maybe you don't feel that way but I do. I am a closet creature of habit. :) That's just my personality-perhaps because I'm a planner and want things mapped out. So when something throws a kink in the plans, I get a little uptight.
I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately. Trying to figure out what the next step is for me, where my future is headed. I'll admit, I've wandered around a bit attempting to create my own path myself but I've recently rediscovered the Way and am learning to embrace His plan and His will. It's not easy for someone like me to trust. I don't suppose it's easy for any of us to trust a Being we've never seen, never touched. But I believe that's the purpose of faith. If we had seen and had touched our Creator, how hard would it be to trust Him? But our beliefs are tested by the challenge to put our hand in His and take the next step with each new day.
I'll also admit I haven't done so great with taking His hand every day here lately. It's seemed so much easier to walk in front of Him, me leading as He follows and watches. That's my comfort zone-me taking the lead and being in charge and letting Him just observe. Even though I know that's not the intended plan for my life, it just seems to come so naturally-as I guess it should since He created us to be beings of choice. But you know what has happened? Sure, I've been happy during the process with being able to lead myself and make my own decisions. But I've been very dissatisfied with the end results. At the close of every day, I long to see an area where I made a difference or truly accomplished something of worth. But I have nothing to show for all my toil. Why? Because although I did everything the way I wanted to, I did it my way-instead of under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
So I'm working on that-taking time to hear direction from God and then acting on it rather than taking action and hoping it fits into God's plan for me. I believe I will feel a greater sense of purpose and accomplishment-not that I should boast anyway. It's not I who lives, it's Christ in me. (Galatians 2:20) So as I seek to correct my mistakes, please show a little grace with me. It will go a long way. And the amount of grace that you show to me, I'll be happy to return.
Here's to praying the Lord will lead you instead of just observe you.
Blessings,
B
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
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Birthday Blast
I am officially old. Or at least I feel old.
When I celebrated my quarter-century birthday Wednesday, I was still pretty sore from my fall at Grandmother's. So I felt a little older than I actually was. But in spite of my body making promises it couldn't keep, the birthday was FABULOUS!
Yes, I showed up to work late. But that didn't deter the celebration. My co-workers had decorated my work space and had red velvet cake waiting. YUM :) They even bought me some pink tulips that were beautiful. Not to mention, the 2 people I work with in commercial lines were gone to CE so I had the back office to myself. (I had told the girls I wished for a day of peace and quiet and I acutally got it.)
Mom, Dad & Grandmother showed up at my office with 25 pink balloons and a birthday brownie.
Not for me but for my co-workers (the brownie that is).
Dad toured the office while Mom & Grandmother sampled the brownie and then we came to my house. They unloaded the car and checked out the place and we just kind of hung out for a bit. Z showed up and we headed to lunch. 24th Street was great-as usual and afterward we picked up the cake. It was sooo pretty-I just adore A Piece of Cake! Definitely the best bakery in town.
After coming back home, we spent the afternoon just chatting and spending time together. Since Z was just meeting the 'rents for the 1st time, we thought it would be good just to take it easy. So while Grandmother napped, we talked. Then Dad, Z & I headed to Wal-Mart and picked up a few things. After we got back, Mom prepared the biggest birthday spread I've ever had. We had breaded chicken, hash brown potato casserole, steamed broccoli, butter beans, fried okra, crescent rolls, and strawberry pretzel salad. It was all SOOO tasty and I am just finishing up the leftovers today. Afterward we enjoyed cake and Braum's chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream and just relaxed. I took Z over to Dustie's, where he would spend the night, and Dad & I went and saw the church as he hadn't seen it post-renovation. We returned home and headed to bed.
Well, I was headed to bed until Matt called. We talked for a couple hours and it was so good to catch up. Though I know I'll never go back to the Cleveland area, I sure do miss him. We had such good times together and I'm grateful for our friendship. Hopefully a reunion is in the near future for us-Texas style. :)
*************************************
I'm sad for Mom & Dad to return to NC today but know that change is in store for all of us. More on that in a later post. It was such a refreshing time to have them here. And they officially have won the Best Parents of the Century award. I mean, do you know any other parents who would take a week of vacation to drive halfway across the country just to celebrate their daughters' birthday? Even if you do, they aren't 1/2 as cool as my parents. :)
*************************************
Z's birthday was yesterday. He had put in to be off from work from the 1st through the 4th and so he was able to stay here until early yesterday morning. I love him so much. After meeting my parents, I can't tell you the relief I felt and definitely feel things are heading in the right direction. We have some praying to do about the future but I trust the Lord has a divine plan for both of us.
Reasons # 5,814,927 & 5,814,928 why I love Z: his ipod tutor session w/Dad, he & Dad doing the dishes from dinner...
I dare you to tell me I don't have a perfect boyfriend! Love you Z!
Ok, I absolutely MUST sign off. I have a Sunday School lesson to prepare, nails to manicure, gifts to prepare, and a house to straighten. My prayers are for the Lord's blessings to overflow on each of you tomorrow as we gather in our individual houses of worship to praise the Ancient of Days. To Him be all blessing and honor and glory and power forever!
~B
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2
When I celebrated my quarter-century birthday Wednesday, I was still pretty sore from my fall at Grandmother's. So I felt a little older than I actually was. But in spite of my body making promises it couldn't keep, the birthday was FABULOUS!
Yes, I showed up to work late. But that didn't deter the celebration. My co-workers had decorated my work space and had red velvet cake waiting. YUM :) They even bought me some pink tulips that were beautiful. Not to mention, the 2 people I work with in commercial lines were gone to CE so I had the back office to myself. (I had told the girls I wished for a day of peace and quiet and I acutally got it.)
Mom, Dad & Grandmother showed up at my office with 25 pink balloons and a birthday brownie.
Not for me but for my co-workers (the brownie that is).
Dad toured the office while Mom & Grandmother sampled the brownie and then we came to my house. They unloaded the car and checked out the place and we just kind of hung out for a bit. Z showed up and we headed to lunch. 24th Street was great-as usual and afterward we picked up the cake. It was sooo pretty-I just adore A Piece of Cake! Definitely the best bakery in town.
Well, I was headed to bed until Matt called. We talked for a couple hours and it was so good to catch up. Though I know I'll never go back to the Cleveland area, I sure do miss him. We had such good times together and I'm grateful for our friendship. Hopefully a reunion is in the near future for us-Texas style. :)
*************************************
I'm sad for Mom & Dad to return to NC today but know that change is in store for all of us. More on that in a later post. It was such a refreshing time to have them here. And they officially have won the Best Parents of the Century award. I mean, do you know any other parents who would take a week of vacation to drive halfway across the country just to celebrate their daughters' birthday? Even if you do, they aren't 1/2 as cool as my parents. :)
*************************************
Z's birthday was yesterday. He had put in to be off from work from the 1st through the 4th and so he was able to stay here until early yesterday morning. I love him so much. After meeting my parents, I can't tell you the relief I felt and definitely feel things are heading in the right direction. We have some praying to do about the future but I trust the Lord has a divine plan for both of us.
Reasons # 5,814,927 & 5,814,928 why I love Z: his ipod tutor session w/Dad, he & Dad doing the dishes from dinner...
I dare you to tell me I don't have a perfect boyfriend! Love you Z!
Ok, I absolutely MUST sign off. I have a Sunday School lesson to prepare, nails to manicure, gifts to prepare, and a house to straighten. My prayers are for the Lord's blessings to overflow on each of you tomorrow as we gather in our individual houses of worship to praise the Ancient of Days. To Him be all blessing and honor and glory and power forever!
~B
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2
A Re-Cap: Part V
THE GRAND FINALE
Tuesday, September 30, Day 30
The last day of TI30 and even though I didn't have time to post (I mean, my parents were coming the next day and my house was nowhere near being ready for them not to mention I had NO groceries and also need to pick up some birthday items for a certain someone) I definitely reflected over the past month. I'm SO, SO, SO glad that I took the time to do Thankful in 30. I've learned that some days, life will abound with things to be grateful for and God is good and you really feel that He's on the throne and you just want to say 'thank you' to everyone you meet everywhere you go. But other days, life is lemons and it seems impossible to find the water and sugar to make the lemonade (aka it seems impossible to find even the smallest thing to be thankful for).
Regardless of whether the day is good or bad, a life of thankfulness is a choice. As I'm learning with a lot feelings. But the 2 that I am really working on are joy and gratitude. A life of joy is a choice-I must make the choice to live in joy every day. I must make the choice to be thankful-for whatever God has blessed me with-every day. The gifts of breath and life are the very least that I can be thankful for-not to mention all the things above and beyond those that God grants me. And so, as I conclude my month of TI30, while I may not continue to physically write 3 things each day that I'm grateful for, I will attempt to continue this attitude of gratitude well into the future.
1. I am thankful to the Lord for the gift of each new day, for the life and breath He provides me, for the opportunity I am given to live for His glory every day. While I haven't been very faithful to taking advantage of those opportunities in the past, I really have a desire to do so from here on out. I know that each day that God leaves me on His earth contains a task for me to complete while I'm here.
2. However, to know the task I am to complete for God, I must know Him. And so, I am thankful for yet another chance to restore my relationship with Him. I have a lot of personal issues to work through but I can't forget that my relationship with Him is just that-me & Him. Noone else. And so, Lord, help me to trust You-even when I don't want to, even with things I want to fix myself. You are in control and I am not the general manager of the universe. (But if you ever have a vacancy, let me know. I'd love to apply!)
3. Lastly, I'm so, so, so thankful for the fabulous family, friends, and boyfriend that surround me each day. From church, to work, to home (TN, NC, VA, TX, GA, etc.), I am definitely blessed and consider myself favored by God for such great gifts of friendship and family. He is so good to me even though I am EXTREMELY undeserving. I only pray I can be as much of a blessing to all of my loved ones as they are to me.
And with that, TI30 is finished.
Now it's your turn to count your blessings & name them one by one...
Blessings innumerable,
B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Tuesday, September 30, Day 30
The last day of TI30 and even though I didn't have time to post (I mean, my parents were coming the next day and my house was nowhere near being ready for them not to mention I had NO groceries and also need to pick up some birthday items for a certain someone) I definitely reflected over the past month. I'm SO, SO, SO glad that I took the time to do Thankful in 30. I've learned that some days, life will abound with things to be grateful for and God is good and you really feel that He's on the throne and you just want to say 'thank you' to everyone you meet everywhere you go. But other days, life is lemons and it seems impossible to find the water and sugar to make the lemonade (aka it seems impossible to find even the smallest thing to be thankful for).
Regardless of whether the day is good or bad, a life of thankfulness is a choice. As I'm learning with a lot feelings. But the 2 that I am really working on are joy and gratitude. A life of joy is a choice-I must make the choice to live in joy every day. I must make the choice to be thankful-for whatever God has blessed me with-every day. The gifts of breath and life are the very least that I can be thankful for-not to mention all the things above and beyond those that God grants me. And so, as I conclude my month of TI30, while I may not continue to physically write 3 things each day that I'm grateful for, I will attempt to continue this attitude of gratitude well into the future.
1. I am thankful to the Lord for the gift of each new day, for the life and breath He provides me, for the opportunity I am given to live for His glory every day. While I haven't been very faithful to taking advantage of those opportunities in the past, I really have a desire to do so from here on out. I know that each day that God leaves me on His earth contains a task for me to complete while I'm here.
2. However, to know the task I am to complete for God, I must know Him. And so, I am thankful for yet another chance to restore my relationship with Him. I have a lot of personal issues to work through but I can't forget that my relationship with Him is just that-me & Him. Noone else. And so, Lord, help me to trust You-even when I don't want to, even with things I want to fix myself. You are in control and I am not the general manager of the universe. (But if you ever have a vacancy, let me know. I'd love to apply!)
3. Lastly, I'm so, so, so thankful for the fabulous family, friends, and boyfriend that surround me each day. From church, to work, to home (TN, NC, VA, TX, GA, etc.), I am definitely blessed and consider myself favored by God for such great gifts of friendship and family. He is so good to me even though I am EXTREMELY undeserving. I only pray I can be as much of a blessing to all of my loved ones as they are to me.
And with that, TI30 is finished.
Now it's your turn to count your blessings & name them one by one...
Blessings innumerable,
B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
A Re-Cap: Part IV
Monday, September 29, Day 29
1. I'm oh-so-thankful for birthdayweek month. It excuses me from eating anything healthy and I don't feel quite as bad for not working out.
(At the time I'm writing this, I really don't remember all that much about Monday. But I'm trying here, folks.)
2. I'm very thankful for my car. Since I mailed off my car payment Monday, it reminded me to not resent writing that check out quite as much if I remained thankful for the ability to even have that car. I'm truly blessed.
3. A clean house is definitely something I'm thankful for. With Mom, Dad, Grandmother, & Z coming, and with having been so out of it last week, I'm glad I even have the energy to clean. It will be so nice to sit back and relax in a clean house.
Blessings,
B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
1. I'm oh-so-thankful for birthday
(At the time I'm writing this, I really don't remember all that much about Monday. But I'm trying here, folks.)
2. I'm very thankful for my car. Since I mailed off my car payment Monday, it reminded me to not resent writing that check out quite as much if I remained thankful for the ability to even have that car. I'm truly blessed.
3. A clean house is definitely something I'm thankful for. With Mom, Dad, Grandmother, & Z coming, and with having been so out of it last week, I'm glad I even have the energy to clean. It will be so nice to sit back and relax in a clean house.
Blessings,
B
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
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I apologize now for the varying text sizes & fonts. I'm not sure how to fix it as I've tried all I can but please keep reading. I'll try to keep working on it. Thanks!
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