Shine Today

This picture speaks volumes about my life right now. Specifically that a grandchild played with these, which happens a lot. All of my grands have liked playing in the kitchen drawers and cabinets. It's not unusual to see canned food displayed on the tv stand, and the occasional pot laying around too.  Sometimes it causes an issue when I need something and cannot find it.  Back in the day i would have told my kids to put it away. But there's a huge difference being a grandma.  I have stopped begin so quick to "put their imagination away". Thats the best way I can describe it. Instead I have stepped back and watched more. Wish I could have done this as a parent. There are plenty of other things to worry about, and for now, silverware, measuring cups, pots & pans, and food containers are not one of them. And I'm ok with that.

I just plugged in my outside Christmas lights. It's September 30. And yes, the lights did not get taken down last year (or the year before- Whatever ). I always enjoy looking at Christmas lights. Something about the colors and brightness. It doesn't even need to be a big display, simple is just fine. All the colors glimmering just captivates me. After I plugged mine in, two people text me about life being overwhelming. It is.  I text them back and said  to hold on to the truth that even when you can't see or feel it, God is right there. He is. The bible says He never leaves us. Knowing this doesn't make sense though as life often doesn't seem fair, and sometimes it's just overwhelming.   One person mentioned not knowing who they are anymore and the other said they will just stay in a cave. You know what?  It's ok to stay in your cave, be there until you can be somewhere else. Keep a light with you though, so you don't stay in the dark. And if that means ...

I really love thunder and lightening, i mean REALLY love it. I actually get bummed when the weather says "chance" and it passes me by. But this morning, i heard a soft rumble. so i stepped outside. Clouds covered the morning sky but i didn't see anything. and then, a flash. and a very soft rumble in the distance. and then another flash followed by a soft rumble. I stood in my front yard staring at the sky and a breeze picked up. I waited. Another flash. Something about the soft distant ruble, i don't even know how to explain it. And then off to the right, a long bolt flashed across the sky as if to "close the show". The wind kept blowing and some drops of water fell from the sky. I could have stood there longer, waiting. There was just so much peace. It was a great start to the day. Psalm 29:3, 7

The title of this post is what my uncle wrote on my cast when I broke my foot in 4th grade (in a swimming pool, WITH water in it). Clumsy much? You could say so.  Pretty much my entire life I have been a clutz. From tripping over nothing to getting hit with a basketball and even running into a fire hydrant. Let's not stop there--slamming my own thumb in my car door, sewing my finger, walking into door jams, I'm always dropping food on myself, always drop the drink container I use, stubbing my toes, dropping cups & bowls, running into people, knocking things over, walking into our tv stand...I know there's more. Oh and let's not forget I naturally walk crooked.  But, this last week for some reason there was more emotion about it. First I bumped a lid to a pot and it shattered, then 2 days later I dropped a plate with food on it and it broke (see my pics on my facebook). Honestly I wanted to cry. Not because I broke things, but because I broke things, make sense? Whe...

Recently I was asked to share a thought to be used as a devotional. At first, I panicked because im not good at it. There's so much going on it's difficult to find a space, and I have a hard time being consistent. Just because I work at the church office doesn't mean I've got it all figured out, I still struggle. I don't always find the space or time to just sit with God and listen.  The great news is God is not disappointed in me and He doesn't love me less. So, I have two things I'd like to share- a verse and a song. The verse is Habakkuk 3:17-19, you can read it yourself, but it says how all these things aren’t going right and then he says  “yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength;” I call it my “yet” verse because even if things are not going the way I think they should, I will still rejoice in the Lord. Then there is this song, “Goodness of God.” I play this on repeat often. There are a few ve...

It's been a bit since i've written. Life just flies by. I think part of the reason i havent written is i find myself wondering what to share. So I'm just going to be real. Life has been hard these past few months. Actually, a few years. The most challenging is my inability to get my house in order. I want to be able to get to the place to have people over again and they have a place to sit. I want to be able to have dinner at the table, or play games, or build a puzzle. But theres just so much stuff, everywhere. And then we got a puppy, because having a full house with two children isn't enough. My husband brought her home. I get it, i've done it. but we weren't ready for a puppy. In the middle of all this, my sister-in-law died from a complication during surgery. The reality of grief has hit a whole new way, and all the "firsts" without her were immediate, like the next day! Oh and don't forget, menopause arrived! And then another grandbaby was bo...