Refresh

This Sunday our message was about "Losing your Marbles". A man filled his jar full of marbles and every Sunday he would throw one marble away. This signified his time and how he spent it. He noticed after a year that his jar was almost empty.... he thought for a moment, "man, so much time has passed by. What have I been doing with my life?" So he then did what any normal human being would do... he bought more marbles. =) Now this story stuck out to me because I don't want to just question where I have been spending my time. I want to see my jar half empty and think, WOW I have had such a great year!! I want to be satisfied with how far I have gone and think about my success and happiness from the past year. This message was so refreshing for me because it helped me blink and notice my life in a different way. What shapes me? Am I becoming the woman I truly want to be? Am I spending my time wisely and with important things or just urgent things? You see, Urgent means calling for immediate attention. Important means it's marked by significant worth. There are so many days I think to myself, my days are FILLED with activities and things to do; but, are they urgent things or important things? Lord, I pray that I can start to say no to the things that fill my day with emptiness. I pray that I can put the important things first and never allow the urgent to overrule my life. I pray that I can set the best example for my boys and show them how to spend their time in life wisely. I pray that I am the example of your love and compassion to my co-workers and to my friends and even those that are around me. I want to be different. I want to be that light that shines and people notice and want to know why. I want to prioritize my time accordingly and to your will. I pray that I can trust you with my schedule and know I am not wasting my time. I know my days are numbered by you and I want you to be pleased when I see your face at the gates of Heaven. Thank you for loving me and never failing me. It's funny because I see so much negativity in my life and end up missing the positives. It is said after Jesus was crucified and raised again, He sat at the right hand of God. This symbolizes his "rest" and we seem to forget that. I am so thankful that Jesus shows us how important rest is for our bodies, mind, and soul. Why do I let the negativity get to me? Why do I allow it to take over my time and waste so much just pondering and trying to fix it? I mean, God used the 7th day to rest after creating this amazing universe! Surely I can make time to "sit down" not just for my physical well being but for my mind and soul also. Society has told us that we need to use planners and email and reminders and technology to remind us of all the activities filling our schedules. Can we ever just pencil in "resting period"? Or better yet, PEN it in so we can't erase it and fill it in?! This is my time to REFRESH and REST! Is it possible? Can I do this? If you know me, this is going to be the hardest challenge I ever partake in. I do, however, understand the importance of rest and how my soul will be better because of it. Lord, you are my lighthouse, my footsteps, my every thought. I know you will carry me through and help me continue to better myself and be the woman you want me to be. Check your life and see if you are doing what makes you happy and if you can think, looking back.... can you say you are happy with the way you spent your time? Maybe make a list of the IMPORTANT things and cross out the things you think are urgent; but in reality, it's just taking up your "resting time". =) Today I have taken time to talk to the ones I love, read my daily devotional, and have taken resting time to reflect on my life. Sometimes writing it down just helps solidify these thoughts and even help put them into action. Today is a new day. Let my life be the proof of your love.

Lately

I feel like I have been on an emotional rollercoaster lately. I have some good days and some bad days. I have days where I want to crawl into bed and days where I want to go skydiving. I know everyone has these days and I just want to know what they do. I listen to music and try to stay calm. I try to relax and close my eyes. I like to sit back in my chair with my coffee and just take a moment to breathe. Sometimes, I think as Americans, we forget to breathe. I hear about all these other places and cultures who take time to relax, they don't feel like they are in a rush every day and every minute, and they breathe. Maybe I should go to a monk monastery for a while and learn to breathe and relax. =) If only it were that easy.
I felt the feeling of anxiety for the first time in February. That was a crazy feeling. I thought I was having a panic attack or a heart attack. I feel so bad for people who have that often. I know my life isn't falling a part... it is just changing... a new chapter. I need to start thinking positive. I need to be open and mindful of others. I know there are a lot of other people going through hard times and I want to be there for them, no matter what is going on in my life.
Thank you for the people who have been there for me and no matter how much I try to push them out, they show me that I am still "very MUCH loved". You are truly amazing and such a blessing to me. I know I will get through this.

I will try smiling today. A real smile and not a fake one. =)

Psalms 73

Yes, while reading Psalms 19-22 I just stopped at the end of 22 and flipped to chapter 73 to read for some reason. As I was reading it, my heart just dropped. Verses 21-28 really got to me.
21Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind.
22So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee.
23Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
24Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
26My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
27For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee.
28But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Why is it so difficult to put trust in God? Is it because we can't feel him physically? Is that why I have a hard time? Why can't I have that relationship that my mom always talks about? Lord, help me to reach out to you.

Psalms 18

1-3 "I will love you, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies."

Honestly, I just want to cut everyone off right now. I just want to drown in my tears and close my door. I don't want anyone to check on me and I don't want anyone to care. I just want to feel numb... if I don't feel at all I don't have to feel this pain. God, I need you to give me strength. I need you to help me get through this. I need you Lord. I can't keep putting up this fake act.
I know I have two boys who are counting on me. Whenever I see their face, all the pain goes away. For that time, I know I can get through the day. Lord help me. Please

Psalms 11-16

11:1 "In the Lord I put my trust;" 13:3 "Consider and hear me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes,...5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." 16:1 "Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust."

This week has been hard and it is only Monday. =) I guess I should say weekend. Saturday my mom left back to Washington and I had a little "encounter" with Julius. Then Sunday was nice but ended pretty sad. Now today, even though I was busy and on the go, I find that I can't get this lump out of my throat. Actually, it is in my chest, and in my heart, and in my mind, and it makes me feel sick to my stomach. I recently gave advice on making decisions and right choices. Ironic, right? I know no one ever makes all the right choices... but we must try, yes? I had to make a really hard choice... in fact, many hard choices. They leave me sad and lonely, but in the end it is the right choice. ? . I wonder... how do we really know? How can we make sure that this choice will lead to happiness in the future? We don't. We have no idea what our future holds from next year, next month, not even in the next 10 minutes. We can assume or guess... but we never know for sure. So we make decisions... choices that can lead us down one path or the other. How do we make these choices? Psalms is telling me that we need to trust God.

Why in the world is this so hard?! Why can't I just say, God, here... I don't know what to do so please make the decision for me. Thanks! I am done trying to make decisions on my own. I am really going to pray and seek what the Lord wants me to do. Even when it is the hardest, most difficult, most heart-breaking decision... I just pray it is the right one God wants me to make. I also pray that He will help me get through the day.

Lord, you know my heart. You know my heartache. You know my long nights and my tears that reach my pillow. I pray that you heal me and those broken around me. I pray that you lead me down the right path. I pray you take me on the journey that leads to righteousness and happiness. I pray that I grow closer to you and continue to long for your friendship and love. Please forgive me for trying to do everything on my own. Forgive me for trying to take my life in my own hands and being so hard and cold to those around me. I thank you for all you do. In Jesus name, Amen.

Song of the week: Glad You Came-The Wanted
This song has been on repeat and has been in my head... "My universe will never be the same."

Happy Birthday

Happy 3rd Birthday to my Julius! I love this kid so much. He has so much energy, life, happiness, and always has a smile on his face. I love when he comes up to me and says, "mom, i love you" and gives me a big hug and kiss. Then I see him go over to Justus and do the same thing. He simply melts my heart and I am so glad I was able to give him the birthday of his life.

These pictures are from the party we threw for him at daycare.... Then I will add more pictures from his birthday party at Royal Jumps Inflatables later.


This is what he wanted to wear to school for his birthday. =)


This is the cake and balloons PJ and I surprised him with at his daycare! =) As soon as he saw the Flounder, he tried to grab it. lol

Psalms 8-10

After reading these chapters, I realized I don't want to be sad anymore. I don't want to cry out. I know that God is there for me and we should call on His name... but I am tired and weary. I am exhausted of explaining everything and trying to do what's right from wrong. Whose opinion is it for right and wrong? Why to one person is something wrong but to another, that wrong is something right or they see nothing wrong in it? Why is this world so confusing and empty? How do we just find happiness? Today my heart longs for answers. I guess I am also looking for the easy way. So many times I just want to shut everything out. I want to close my door to everyone that comes to it. I want to shut down and live my own life. I want to get away from everyone and their opinions and "advice". Who are they to tell me what I should be doing or how I should live my life? I am assuming it is God who is trying to get to me and he uses the people around me... but often I feel broken and run over. Is that how I should be feeling? The ones who give me these talks, who gives them their talks? Who tells them about their life? Today is all over the place. My emotions are everywhere... one day, the answers will come.