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My Coffee CupBrews of my Journey 8月26日 Great is the LordI've been listening to Starfield lately, specifically, the album "Beauty in the Broken". Although there are a quite a few songs that speak to me -- Son of God, Captivate, Unashamed, Glorious One -- there's this one that just brings my selfish heart front & center and I am rebuked every time I listen...Great is the Lord. Here's a little summation on what's been happening in my head the past few weeks: Within myself I long to make a difference. When I see areas of ministry in which I can help, I want to help! Seems like the place (church) God has put us currently is a little hard to jump in, but I'm learning to wait...but that doesn't come easily to anyone, does it? I had a bit of emotional culmination on the Sunday before VBS started. I was put in charge of a few things, but just felt so alone in it all. My sister called while I was in Wal-Mart getting last minute things at 10pm and standing in the dry erase marker aisle, I just started crying. I'm so tired of trying to "fit in", to help in even small ways...I decided that after I was done helping at VBS, I would just stop trying, stop giving ideas, stop and just pew sit. My attitude didn't really straighten out until I was running the next afternoon and was listening to Starfield...and my merciful Father just broke me, set my selfish self before me and asked..."What's really important in this life?" That I was able to run some helpful programs in a church? That I was able to help others be organized to further the ministry? If I can do nothing, does it make Him less great? Less graceful? Less merciful? Do I worship Christ b/c of what I can offer Him? I am but dust and HE chose to love me...not b/c I earned it. I lift my praise to my Great God and will give my life to Him no matter how little or much I'm able to do at my church. I will not let my circumstances dictate my worship...I worship my Saviour because of who HE is. Great is my Lord! If all I've done At last should come to nothing And all I love, like sand be washed away Still I will sing Of Your unfailing glory On bended knee I'll lift my voice and say
Great is the Lord 8月9日 My GenerationMy neighbor is amazing. I mean, really...here's a quick list of how his day will go:
6:30 am - Watering Flowers in the Yard, probably doing breakfast
7:30 am - A bit of yardwork, weeding or whatever it might be
8:30 am - He & his wife are greeting someone that just arrived for a visit
10:00 am - Mowing the yard
11:30 am - Lunch with his wife before she leaves for her part time job
1:00 pm - Weed Eating
2:30 pm - Must be taking a break from the heat b/c I don't see him
4:00 pm - Finishing up the weed eating before his wife gets home
5:00 pm - Getting the grill set up so he can get supper going
6:30 pm - More people have stopped by to visit
7:30 pm - We'll stop as we pass by on our nightly walk
8:30 pm - Wrappin' up for the night
Now, you've just said to yourself, "That's not really that amazing." And I would agree with you, but here's the deal. The man is 83 years old, mostly blind, partially deaf, and has trouble walking. Everyday he puts me and most of my generation to shame. I'm just putting the coffee on at about 8am, and he's already got most of his morning out of the way. He can mow the yard in one block of time b/c it's a rider lawnmower, but he'll weed eat for HOURS. Do a small portion, take a rest, do another small portion, take a rest, repeat, repeat, repeat until the job is finished. He probably hasn't had the easiest life...in fact, I know he's been a VERY hard worker and has put much sweat into every penny earned. But, he never complains. He is the kindest, most gentle man. His lungs have been damaged (and not from smoking), and he has a hard time speaking clearly with enough breath. But, he always joins in conversation and always has something good to say.
Here's what I'm getting at...when I watch him day after day, season after season...it makes me wonder what they think of my generation. We haven't had to scrounge too much, and if life has gotten too tough...we go to the government to bail us out. If a task is undesireable to us, we either pay someone else to do it or put it off until we HAVE to get it done. We protest war and don't stand when the flag passes us at the parade. We stumble our way through the National Anthem and are really just waiting to yell, "Play Ball!". We complain about what the government is doing (or not doing as the case may be), but when it's time to vote...most of us have other things that are more important than getting down to the polls. We don't correct or train our children and don't think twice when they speak disrespectfully to their grandparents or other adults...we just make excuses for them.
What does the Greatest and Silent Generations think of Generations X, Y, & Z? What are we going to leave for Generation I and those following? Will patriotism, Loyalty to Family, Moral Values and a nation built on God just continue to fade? I don't have the answers...I'm just putting it out there. Let it take up some space in your brain for a little bit so you can consider how you want future generations to view ours. So...am I the only one with a neighbor like this? Doubtful...they truly are the Greatest Generation. 7月23日 Rambling Thoughts...A couple of things have hit me the past few months that I've been meaning to blog on...nothing big, but blogworthy! ;o)
Contentment: Did you ever get in the middle of the "Comparing Game" without really meaning to. And before you know it, everyone has it better than you do. I got there a while back after talking about the $600,000 house that the people were building...and how most of the funds had come from government b/c of subsidies. I was standing outside my house looking at it and thinking, "Man, we live in a structure of nothingness compared to that." Can you imagine going to high end stores for your kids clothes that they'll grow out of in a year or less and not blinking at the $1,200 receipt? Or only getting 12 miles to the gallon, but still driving the car cross country b/c it's a luxury car and you'll be able to pay for gas no matter how much it is... After dwelling on all those thoughts for a while, I was able to bring myself out and really look at how blessed I am. Our house might not be new (built in 1913), and it has a ton of work that needs done to it (think kitchen remodel and LOTS of retexturing walls & skim coating), the landscaping is way less than desirable, the paint is peeling and will have to wait at least another year...but, we have a roof over our heads, a place to stay warm in the winter, a place to call home...humble as it may be. We don't go grocery shopping worrying if we can purchase enough nutritious food to help Olivia grow strong, although I like coupons, I don't have to pinch pennies as closely as I once did. I am able to stay home with Olivia each day and the Lord has still seen fit to help us climb out of some debt we had acquired while we were single and in our very early married years. Who am I to compare my circumstances with others? Our needs have been supplied far beyond our expectations. We are so blessed. Our families are healthy, we have clothing, we don't go hungry. So even though we've never been on our honeymoon, and have to install window unit air conditioning every summer, and Olivia's bedroom STILL isn't finished...I'm content knowing the Lord will continue to take care of us.
Song from the Heart: Last Sunday morning one of the men in our church sang "Crucified with Christ". I love this song b/c the words are so powerful and so true of my own life. You could tell it touched him too as he sang...there was a moment he had to stop to regain his composure. What a blessing! He wasn't just singing words, he was singing his heart to the Lord in worship. The song moved me and I wanted to put the words here. The first verse almost always brings me to tears...it reminds me that what I thought was "living", was no life at all...and He loved me through it and loves me still. Verses & Chorus as follows: Sang by PCD if you want to find it on iTunes.
As I look back on what I thought was living
5月24日 SeekingMy mom asked me to speak to a group of ladies while I'm home. I said "Yes", b/c I knew I should take the opportunity...but for the last 3 weeks, I have been wishing I would've made the opposite response. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to talk about...and it's starting to wear on me a little. Several people have mentioned what they thought would be good topics to bring up...I've not had peace about any of them. Do you ever seek the mind of God on a particular matter and just don't seem to "get" anything spectacular? I'm a little reluctant to share what I think I've been shown...was it my idea? or has the Lord really answered me and laid this on my heart? Friday is the day. It's getting close. I'm still seeking...asking...how will they be encouraged from that? I've only been a mom for 18 months, and I won't be homeschooling for another 3ish years. The phrase my husband often repeats comes to mind: "God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called." 4月15日 New BlogI love coffee and I love baking...so I've started another blog to dwell on the two. I'll bake and post anything that can accompany coffee...because baking and coffee are such happy things to experience. If you want to drop by, the address is www.thecoffeediva.com
This blog will return to interesting (and not so interesting) musings and family affairs! 3月19日 New EditionsBig congratulations to my friends Autumn & Kelli...both had babies this week! Autumn & Jon welcome Peyton Jonathan and Kelli & Al welcome Nella Jo. We are so thankful for safe deliveries and healthy babies! Wishing you calm adjustment and much sleep! ;o) 2月8日 You've Got to Try This!I just baked the best banana muffins! I've tried sooooo many recipes and this one literally takes the cake! My mom bought me a Taste of Home cookbook for my birthday and I thought I'd try something out today. I emulcified the eggs until they were fluffy, then added the sugar and butter and blended until it was frothy. Not sure if it made a difference, but the muffins turned out great...bake for 20-22 mins if you choose to do the muffins instead of the bread. Took a pic...please excuse the fact that I didn't stage the food. Recipe Here ;o)
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