212

Hey, readers!  I'm back!  I took a much needed break from the blog to clear my head.  I'm still "changing directions" but I'm also moving FORWARD.  I've been busy brainstorming some ideas and praying about the direction I'm going to take.  I thought I'd look through my files and see if I had a good favorite moment devotional and I found one.  Enjoy!

 

Game day - heading to a football field.

Favorite moment of the day (January 27, 2010):  being blessed with this day by our Lord.  Even if nothing great, funny, happy, or awesome happened, I still had the opportunity to enjoy it and see my friends and family.  And for that, I am thankful.

                   “…Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”  Psalm 2:12

                  I just realized that the verse I chose for this favorite moment has the number 212.  This was a powerful number for us in 2010.  Our pee wee football team was, and is, a very big part of our lives.  We are such a close knit group of parents because our boys are such a special group of kids.  We adopted this motto in the fall of 2010 for our B Team season.  212 is the number of degrees at which water boils.  The coaches told the boys during pre-season practice how that one number, one degree, makes a difference.   At 211 degrees, water does nothing, but at 212 degrees, water boils and produces steam which can power a locomotive.  It’s all about that extra degree, that extra push to be better than average.  We prayed together as a team that year.  The moms prayed together before each game – not to win, but for the safety of the players, wisdom for the coaches, and good sportsmanship from the teams.  We all put our trust in the Lord.  And we were blessed.   We had several teammates and families come to know the Lord that year.  We all still get together, even though our boys now play middle school ball.  We are a family of Christians, blessed by God, because we put our trust in the Lord.  Even when I can’t find anything specific to call a “favorite moment”, I can always count the simple blessings He gives me because I trust in Him completely.

Changing direction

You aren't going to find a favorite moment devotional here today, folks.  And I realize I didn't post yesterday.  I was in another one of "those" moods.  Today, I'm reflecting.  You see, it's my birthday today, and I've been flooded with messages and hugs and smiles.  It all started with the sweetest message from my middle child just after midnight.  He wanted to be the first to wish me a happy birthday.  Well, my sister actually told me yesterday but we won't tell him that!

Anyway, I've been reflecting, meditating, thinking and praying about what I want my life to be like.  I'm still debating on whether to continue this blog in the direction it was going.  I just have some things I need to sort out and I feel like my posts are not truly conveying what I feel or want to say because my head is so clouded with distractions.

Don't worry.  I still plan to write and post every few days.  It's in my blood to jot down my thoughts, and the idea that there might be someone who has the same emotions or concerns and needs to know she's not alone motivates me to share.  So that will still happen.  I'll probably throw in a poem or short story every once in a while just to shake things up a bit.  God's working on me right now so I'm just going to let Him direct what I do. (That's some of my birthday reflections going on.)  My fortune cookie tonight even said "Your luck has been completely changed today."  I don't really believe in fortune cookies but the message is nice.  And I do believe in the power of prayer and I know that God changes things by changing me.  And that's what I'm reflecting on for a few days.

I hope you loyal, or first time, readers continue to check in and see what's being written.  Just don't get lost "on the line" if I happen to skip a day or two.  Come back and read a while!

It's in the way you greet others

Favorite moment of the day (January 19, 2010):  seeing my little baby nephew jumping up and down for everyone who entered the daycare this morning!  And for saying, "Archer cool" - baby talk for Archer is going to school but we all know he's really saying Archer is cool!

What if we all jumped up and down with excitement at everyone we encountered throughout the day?  What a wave of positivity and confidence that would stir!  Instead of dreading Mondays, walk into the office or school with the biggest smile and excitedly greet everyone you see.  The cheer and positive energy would not only brighten someone's day but also have a positive effect on your own attitude.  Starting the day talking to God can change your attitude too.  He gives us a beautiful sunrise that we can see on clear mornings.  That's his excited "Good morning, my child.  I love you." greeting for us.  What about the rainy or cloudy days?  Maybe that's when He passes the responsibility to us.  Those are the days He wants us to be the sunshine for someone else.  This is something I need to work on myself and I'm making a bit of progress.  I need to be more like my baby nephew (who is a little older now) and be genuinely excited about every person I see. 

Youth retreats

Favorite moment of the day (January 18, 2010):  my boys came home today!

My boys had gone on a youth trip for a weekend.  And by boys, I mean both sons and my husband.  It was just baby girl and me.  I missed them terribly but I knew they were in good hands.  They were spending a weekend in the Smoky Mountains growing closer to God and learning about His plan for their lives.  They still live out God's plan.  They have grown into caring, loving young men who know and believe that God is their savior and that He will take care of them always.  I don't like it when our family is spread out in different places but I find comfort in knowing that God holds them in His hands.

Just breathe

Favorite moment of the day (2010): chillin' with Jessalyn in the chair and she fell asleep in my arms. Sometimes I just need to relax and listen to my children breathe.

Additional comment I made on my status:  Yes, it was a precious moment. And being the always busy, multi-tasking, perfectionist mom that I am, I don't take enough of these moments. But I'm working on that!

I noticed on status updates today that, although not all use the words “favorite moment of the day”, more and more friends are beginning to comment and post something wonderful that happened.  One person called it her “highlight of the day”.  Others are just talking about the moments that made them thankful or happy during the day.  It’s quite interesting.  I don’t think it’s my influence but God’s.  He’s the one who called me to do this and keep track of this.  I am finding that I am awakening in His spirit more and more.  It’s amazing and there is an amazing thing happening here.  I only hope that when this “project” is over in a year, that it will be even better than it is now. (2010)

I have been blessed with three beautiful, healthy children and I thank God every day for that.  My husband and I didn't actually plan any of them.  They were all pleasant surprises!  I feel very deeply for those who have trouble conceiving and want children so badly.    I need to take more time to enjoy these children that God is letting me borrow while they are here on Earth.  Even though they are older now and don't like to snuggle, I still, sometimes forcefully, give them hugs and kisses and pour my love all over them.  As I travel back in time through this project, I am reminded of God's blessings on my family and how He loves us all.  I think we owe it to Him to recall the daily joys and give Him thanks.

Make a joyful noise

My budding actress and singer when she was in a production of The Wizard of Oz.

Favorite moment of the day (January 16, 2010):   Shopping at Hobby Lobby, Ross and Target with my Jessalyn and listening to her sing the whole time.

     "Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!  Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing."  Psalm 100:1-2 New King James Version

My daughter loves to sing.  She sings in her room instead of cleaning it.  She sings in the car.  She sings in the children's choir at church, and sometimes in the adult choir.  I love to hear it and so does the Lord.  He actually requests it.  To me, she has a lovely voice that needs just a little refinement that will come as she matures.  But God doesn't actually care.  He doesn't tell us to come before him with beautiful singing, just singing.  As long as we are singing His praises and glorifying His name, it is a beautiful sound to him.

Dancing away the troubles

Favorite moment of the day (January 15, 2010): Watching the danceline kick some dancin' booty tonight at the basketball games. Those girls did AWESOME!

       "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: ...a time to dance..." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4 New King James Version

I love to dance.  I danced on a college dance team.  I used to coach a high school dance team and I would dance right along with them.  It is my favorite form of exercise.  God tells us in Ecclesiastes that there is a time and purpose for everything, even dancing.  When I get down on myself or depressed, I like to dance.  Like paining and writing, it is one of my creative outlets to which I can let go and give things to God.  I know that the hardships I'm currently going through will pass.  Everything has a season, even the hardships.  So I will continue to dance and praise Him until He sees me through.