Grains of Sand

Our small group has been doing a video series called Deep Forgiveness .  As the title suggests, this series is on forgiveness.  (Something which God and I have been working on for a long time!)  One question from our last episode was, "Why does Jesus want you to take the hit?"  This is referring to the moment in which you've been hurt or wronged by someone and you should "take the hit."  Take one for the team, overlook the offense or turn the other cheek. Taking the hit is a crucial point for me.  I have a hard time overlooking the offense.  But I do have a God who forgave me of my sins.  Who sacrificed his one and only Son, for me.  Who takes the hit for me when I stumble and fall. Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11 ESV) Why would Jesus want me to take the hit?  Because He did and because it's just good sense. My action plan next time I'm wronged:  ...

For today January 25, 2010 Outside my window.... gray and overcast with snow in the forecast. I am thinking..... that I wish I knew God's plan for me. ;) I am thankful for..... a warm cozy house. I am wearing..... stiped pajama pants with an old high school sweatshirt over the top of my Reeses Peanut Butter Cups t-shirt. (what a sight!) I am hearing.....  the furnace running and the birds chirping outside. I am going.....  to enjoy having my husband home today. I am reading..... Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I am hoping..... the sun will shine one of these days.  It's been gray for too long. I am creating.....  a lovely pile of laundry that needs attention. On my mind......  a checklist of chores for today. From the learning rooms..... reading, writing, arithmetic and art. Noticing that.....  the snowbanks in the yard are about 1 foot smaller because of all the rain we had yesterday. ...

Some of you may remember seeing my whispered word in previous posts.  Well, it's high time I share what in the world that is. Last year in January, I got the idea (I can't remember where) to have a word for the year.  I asked God to give me a special word that I could meditate on.  I asked Him to share with me the things that are important to him about this word for me.  I prayed and seemed to have a few words that would be worthy enough to be The word for the year.  After praying about it and throwing out a few words to my good friends, who also happen to be part of my wise council :D, we came to the conclusion that peace would be my word of the year. About halfway through the year, I heard about another friend who was participating in a word of the month .  Hmmm?  I wasn't sure I would be able to discern a word from God every month.  I mean, every month?  So I tested the waters and began to pray...

As my daughter and I were playing together, she started to bring over all of her friends (stuffed toys), and pile them up on my lap.  After all were gathered on my lap she began to describe each one and give me their names.  "This is Pink Poodle, she has curly hair."  "This is Spots, he has a red collar."  "Here is Ashby, she is a white lab."  When we were close to the end she picked out a little multi-colored bear, gave it a hug and said, "This is Sammy, he's made of rainbows."

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17) Gifts straight from God's hands: 20. Campfires in winter 21. Bright sunshine sparkling on the snow 22. Homegrown vegetables 23. A working washing machine 24. Sun-dried sheets 25. Early morning frost on trees 26. A roosters crow 27. Sorrows that come to stretch out places in the heart for joy 28. Books in all shapes and sizes 29. A camera that captures lifes little moments 30. Eastern bluebirds frolicking in the birdbath 31. One nation under God 32. A snowman made with children's hands 33. A nice hot shower to soothe weary muscles 34. Tears 35. Radiance of the rain 36. The creativity of nature 37. Fields of wildflowers as far as the eye can see 38. The warmth of a fire on a cold day 39. A box tucked away in the closet, full of old family photographs 40.  Rosy winter smiles Gifts every...

For today January 18, 2010 Outside my window....  beautiful sunshine and mild weather. I am thinking..... of a weekend spent with friends snowshoeing. I am thankful for.....  the fact that God works for the good of those who love him. I am wearing.....  black pants and a gray sweatshirt. I am hearing.....  a conversation that took place yesterday, replaying in my head today. I am going.....  around and around on the tilt o' whirl of life and enjoying the ups and downs. I am reading..... Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. I am hoping.....  we will boldly walk through the doors the Lord will open for us. I am creating.....  a new schedule for the learning rooms and a list of ideas for next years school curriculum. On my mind......  I'm prayfully considering whether or not I should confront a friend who said some very destructive things. From the learning rooms.....  reading, wri...

For today January 11, 2010 Outside my window.... the land has been covered with a light fresh layer of snow and the skies are overcast. I am thinking..... of a weekend spent with friends. I am thankful for.....  on call nurses to answer a concerned parents questions. I am wearing.....  loden green pants with a blue shirt. I am hearing.....  the furnace running and coffee pot percolating. I am going.....  to clean the mess we made over the weekend. I am reading..... Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall and The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer (just started). I am hoping.....  we are over the worst days of children with colds. I am creating.....  a gift for a friend and a birthday gift list for E whose birthday is coming up in 19 days. On my mind......  wondering if I can drastically decrease my sugar intake?  I'd have to give up my Mountain Dew! oh my. From the learning rooms..... devotions, handwriting, spel...

While in the car today, I sneezed.  From the backseat little M said, "What do I say Mama?" For a minute I was perplexed.  Then it dawned on me that she wanted to know what to say to me because I sneezed.  I told her, "Bless you". From the backseat, a sweet almost 3 year old voice warmed my heart with, "Bless you Mama."  :: sigh ::

I have had a lot happen to me in 2009.  Things that have tested my faith time and again.  I have had to relinquish control of my life time and again and give that control Him.  It hasn't been easy, in fact it is an ongoing challenge.  Sometimes I need to remind myself to give "it" to God every day.  Sometimes every minute. When I encounter a trial, my first inclination is to deal with it...fast, in any way I can.  After this fails, (as it usually does) I seek Him and wait.  Oh the wait.  While I wait I have hope, then the doubts come and I begin to throw myself a pity party.  I am learning to change these reactions.  I am getting better at seeking Him first.  My hope is holding out longer and longer with every trial.  But the self-pity is sneaky and tenacious.  Just one little pitiful thought can pull me perilously close to that pit. My desire to change and get...

For today January 4, 2010 Outside my window.... the sun is shining and it's downright cold. I am thinking.....  it's nice to be starting a new year. I am thankful for..... a family who is tolerant of all my quirks.  :D I am wearing..... a gray shirt and blue pants with cozy socks.  No black athletic pants today! (they are in the laundry basket). I am hearing..... a spoon scraping a bowl as my daughter quietly eats her cereal. I am going..... to purchase a few books today. I am reading..... Total Forgiveness by R.T. Kendall and a "cookbook" by Alton Brown titled, "I'm Just Here For More Food", it's very informative. I am hoping.....  that our first day of school this year, goes well. I am creating.....  a more organized household, slowly but surely. On my mind...... I'm wondering how to stop being a procrastinator. From the learning rooms..... devotions, handwriting, spelling and an essay about Christmas 2009. Noti...