A few months ago, I was in yoga class practicing a balancing pose. Normally I find a focal point on the wall to help maintain my balance. For some reason, I became fixated on a crazy design on someone’s shirt. That person fell, and, of course, I lost my balance as well. I felt the Lord say gently to me, “If your drishti is on man, you will fall.”
My family and I moved to a new community about a year-and-half ago. My son was previously at a small private Christian school where there were only about 125 students in the entire academy. Transitioning to a large public school and a new neighborhood has been interesting and has presented some challenges. Over all, it has been a positive experience for my son, especially academically. However, it has not been as easy as I had imagined for all of us to become socially integrated in our new location; I suppose that will come with time.
When a neighbor asked me to join carpool, my initial thoughts were, “wow, this would be a great way to get to know some of the neighbors better, and I could use an extra 45 minutes in the morning!” Continue reading “Why I Opted Out of Carpool”
There are many verses in the Bible about being thankful and living with gratitude. As a regular practice, I try to remember and meditate on a list of things for which I’m thankful, such as family, friends, good health and my beautiful home.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
We are taught to be thankful even in difficult seasons in the midst of trials, knowing that we are being refined in ways that we can not always see. But does that mean that we just accept our “lot” in life and walk around defeated like Eeyore? Honestly (and I say this with love) some of the Christians I know are also the saddest, most miserable people I know.
An acquaintance recently told me she had a great day helping someone with a project. Because she was busy focusing on something else, she said she hadn’t given any thought to her current laundry list of worries. But she followed by saying that she was “sure it would all come crashing down tomorrow.” Seriously?
Eeyore is a character in the Winnie-the-Pooh books by A. A. Milne. He is generally characterized as a pessimistic, gloomy, depressed, anhedonic, old grey stuffed donkey who is a friend of the title character, Winnie-the-Pooh.
Dedicated to my sweet friend who is struggling…
“When he told you you’re not good enough
When he told you you’re not right
When he told you you’re not strong enough
To put up a good fight
When he told you you’re not worthy
When he told you you’re not loved
When he told you you’re not beautiful
That you’ll never be enough
Fear he is a liar
He will take your breath
Stop you in your steps
Fear he is a liar
He will rob your rest
Steal your happiness
Cast your fear in the fire
Cause fear he is a liar…”
By Zach Williams (click below to listen)
My heart is full of inspiration, adventure and stories. Last week I took a trip alone to a yoga and wellness retreat in the Riviera Maya for a time of renewal and rejuvenation. When I initially told my friends and family of my plans to travel alone, I received encouragement from some and fearful skepticism (and truthfully a bit of judgment) from others. As it happened, six of the eight of us at the retreat came on our own, traveling from all over the US – initially strangers and later friends for life by the end of our stay.
Yesterday I was in yoga class and had a great practice. I’ve recently started working out again, and this class was more physically challenging than the classes I have attempted in recent weeks. My practice certainly is not the same as it was 15 years ago and neither is my body. I’ve had a child and a few injuries since then, and I’m not quite as agile, but I do okay. As I was rolling up my mat to leave, feeling very satisfied, I heard the teacher and a student discussing what a “beautiful practice” a particular student had. Enter my ego. My satisfaction with my great practice suddenly disappeared and turned into something that looked a little bit like envy. I thought to myself, “well, I used to have a beautiful practice, and I will again!” Just as I got in the car to leave and turned on the radio, a DJ read a quote about spiritual growth. “When your ego goes away, that’s when growth happens.” Ouch. Okay God. Message received.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
I love my friends. Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been very social and friendships have meant the world to me. My mother swears she put me in preschool and went to work because I cried every day when we passed the school. I longed to be with the other kids.
I am blessed to have a some very close friends and a great sister whom I adore. I’ve known some of the girls in these pics for more than 30 years! We have laughed together, cried together, celebrated birthdays, thrown showers for each other, attended funerals, and held each other’s hands when words were futile. We’ve been mad at each other, sad at each other, but we’ve forgiven and moved on. Our friendships have weathered the storms of life – divorces, miscarriages, illnesses, job losses and moving out-of-state. Each woman brings out a unique characteristic in me — the big sister, the sister in Christ, the fashionista, the jokester, the foodie and wine lover, the adventurer, the yogi… I pray that I have added to the lives of those around me as they have added to mine. Continue reading “Friendship…It’s What You Give…”
On my flight home from vacation, I had a terrible toothache. I decided to order a glass of wine, which abated the pain for about an hour. However, as the soothing effect of the wine wore off, the pain returned. It gave me pause to me think about the things we do to mask pain in our lives and how once those things dissipate, the pain remains, and we are eventually forced to face our problems. If we aren’t careful, escaping can be the norm before we even realize it.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love a good glass of red wine. Years ago, I worked briefly at a boutique wine store that specializes in small production Napa Valley wines. I learned a lot about wine, and It was a fun place to work. Who’s grumpy when they are shopping for wine? My husband and I are foodies; we love to entertain and have taken a few trips to Napa. But admittedly there have been times when I’ve heard that still small voice and had to check myself and my consumption and take a little break.
My family recently took a brief trip to sunny Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to escape the cold weather for a few days. Our main goal was simply to exhale, relax and reconnect. As I mentioned in my last post, it’s been a crazy, stressful year, so it was much-needed — even if it was just a quick jaunt. My in-laws own a condo in Nuevo Vallarta with sweeping views of the Banderas Bay surrounded by beautiful mountains. The property is private, tucked among miles of all-inclusive resorts and condo developments, a perfect vacation spot.
As I write this, I’m reading my journal notes that I jotted down on a gorgeous, sunny day while sitting by the pool overlooking the beach. I’m back in Texas now, and it’s been raining all day. I’m back to my job as Head Manager of Homework and CEO of the Kitchen and Laundry Room…grateful for the break, but wishing it was a bit longer and finding myself still waiting on God to give us direction on the best course of treatment for a family member’s illness. I’ve thought a lot about the times I’ve so clearly heard God’s voice and the maddening times He’s just silent. I do believe He speaks to us through His Word, other people, circumstances or a still, small voice in our soul. Continue reading “Waiting to Hear from God…”
January has passed, and like many others, I contemplated what changes I’d like to see in the new year for myself and my family. For some it’s eating healthier, working out more, drinking less or maybe learning a new skill. While all those things are beneficial, as I find myself in a difficult season, I have thought a lot about how we can become so focused on problems that it can rob us of joy. As a mom, I’m painfully aware that my attitude permeates the atmosphere of my home and profoundly shapes my child. I also know that if I’m miserable on the inside, no exercise program, shopping trip or beauty treatment can fix that. So, the focus for me and for my family in 2018 is joy. Continue reading “Choosing Joy”
She Shares Life 