{run}

don't walk.

If you don't have a copy of The Resolution for Women - get one. 

Or, I'll get you one because this is one I can't lend out. 
Next to my Bible, it has become my daily go to.

It has saved me from myself.  It has likely saved my family

from me and my craziness most days. 

It is AAAAmazing. 

LOVE.

I have a small library of my own of so many great books that

I love and will read and refer to over and over.  This has trumped them all. 

It is to be savored, not devoured, if that makes sense.

I wish they had written it years ago. 

As always, I have been struggling with getting back on track

with everything near and dear to me after my stent of working

away from home and sickness for myself and the boys.  

ALREADY today I had vented to two friends over the fact

I am so exhausted, can't keep up, not sleeping, etc. etc.

Since I have already read through the book, now I randomly

open it and study it from that point.  Today was....

Anything, Everything and Whatever

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do,

do everything for God's glory.  {1 Corinthians 10:31}

I will be perfectly honest.  I read that at least 4 times.

I couldn't get past the EVERYTHING.  I had been

stewing over a matter and had basically got the point I

was wallowing in it and I wanted to be upset over it

to be brutally honest.  BECAUSE, I felt I had the right

to be upset over it.  Ever been there?  So, I had a little

come to Jesus moment because my attitude was not

something that was doing anything for God's glory.  Period.

Ugh.

Sometimes, I hate that....but, today it was a relief. 

"Whatever you do...."

Hmmm.....

no way around it really.

I know I've read that verse so many times in the past.

But, what a great filter.

The perfect filter. 

Whatever.

It narrows things down very quickly doesn't it?

The particular study went on to even get more specific with me.

"One of the richest blessings that come from making the tough decisions

we've been talking about in this section - decisions to shift some things

into the background for this season of life so you can focus on what 

currently matters more - is that it unlocks your ability to finally do things

well, to do them in a way that magnifies and honors God.  Perhaps like many

women, you constantly feel like you're failing.  You end most days with the 

sense that you're inadequate, that you don't have what it takes, that you just

don't have it together like everybody else seems to."

This resolution is actually encouraging you in the opposite direction of 

perfectionism.  It's encouraging you to cut back {which goes totally against

the grain of the world view}to engage in only those activities in which God's

glory will be seen in this season of your life, and then apply yourself more 

fully to those.  

Don't save your best for later. 

Bring your best. 

Bring your best - all your gifts, skills, talents and abilities to the task

at hand - in this moment, for His glory.

Without a martyr complex.

Even if no one notices. 

{hmmm.....the laundry, anyone?}

Even if they notice but don't appreciate your efforts.

Do it anyway.  For His glory. 

In anything, everything, and whatever you do. 

Period. 

{woo-hoo!}

I get to buy a new dishwasher!!

Not.a.happy.camper.

{woo-hoo!}

I get to buy a new dishwasher!!

Not.a.happy.camper.

{trouble}

First, you need to know that our house is rarely quiet.

It was quiet before kids - and we hated it.  And, we know

it will be quite after kids - and, we'll hate it.  So for now...

it is usually loud and as I would prefer to refer "full of life"..

sometimes, maybe a little too full. 

So.....the other day with the music on in the kitchen and the television

on in the living room, the washer and dryer going...I did not hear

the cries of "help, help!"  Then, I happened to turn off the music

and finally heard.  Poor.little.guy. 

But, apparently this has occurred before; he was just able 

to unlock it the last time.   

{our verse this week}

At the rate this week has gone, this may stay up multiple weeks.

Lots and lots of squabbles. ;)

{all this time}

Even though yesterday was a beautiful day in comparison to

today's gloomy, cloudy day - it felt like the later yesterday. 

March 7.

To be honest, I hate seeing that date on the calendar.  And,

even if I were to attempt to ignore, the budding and blooming

trees and flowers always give it away to me that it is coming.

The day my daddy died. 

I did find comfort in this song by Britt Nicole

 {which also happens to be my sweet niece's name}

All This Time

I remember the moment
I remember the pain
I was only a girl
But I grew up that day
Tears were falling
I know You saw me

Hiding there in my bedroom
So alone
I was doing my best
Trying to be strong
No one to turn to
That's when I met You

All this time
From the first tear cry
To today's sunrise
And every single moment between
You were there
You were always there
It was You and I
You've been walking with me all this time

Ever since that day
it's been clear to me
That no matter what comes
You will never leave
I know You're for me
And You're restoring

Every heartache and failure
Every broken dream
You're the God who sees
The God who rescued me
This is my story
This is my story

I hear these people asking me
How do I know what I believe?
Well I'm not the same me
And I saw the proof I need
I felt Love I felt Your grace
You stole my heart that day 

I could never explain how true those words were and are to this day.

Maybe someday I will.

I remember the moments I wish I could forget, I remember finding God

in a way I had never known him before despite the shock and pain....

as painful as the day was, it forever changed me in a good way.  

It was a day that faith intertwined with every fiber I was.  And, am.

{wow.}

I think the fatigue of the past few months has settled.

I recovered from my bout of the tummy bug last week.  

Took Scott to the MD this morning with the upper respiratory

stuff that is taking so many down; praying the remainder of us escape.

But, my fatigue level is beyond belief.  So much to do and absolutely

no energy to do it.  I just may settle in for the night and try again 

tomorrow.  I have miles of to-do's {some are actually fun} but, 

I suppose they will continue to wait.  Now, I will go put 

away the groceries that have been setting on the counter for oh, 2 hours.