Some thoughts on Better Together

One of the chapters in the book I'm reading (Better Together) talks about how as Moms we do things differently.  This does not mean our way is the only right way of doing something and everyone else is wrong. It just means they may do things differently than we do.

I was thinking how this could apply to any relationship. When my son was cooking supper, I came behind him and stirred the meat. He had the skillet turned with the handle opposite of how I place it on the burner because he is left handed. It didn't mean it was wrong to do it that way even though I would never do it like that.

As I stirred the meat I thought back to this quote and how easy it is to criticize something that someone does differently than me.  Why did you do it that way?  Why would you think that was a good way to do that task?  I may not say these things out loud, but I do often have these thoughts.

This has been a good reminder to me to realize that doing something differently does not make the other person wrong.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Something to think about...

Last week at the food pantry, one of the tickets had "homeless" written on it. When I took out the buggy of food I had to ask the man if he wanted the bag of frozen items he had received and could use them. I've been thinking a lot about this man in the past few days and realizing all the blessings we have.

I received this in an email recently and thought I'd share it with you. Sometimes it helps to change your perspective when you are feeling down.

Today before you say an unkind word -
Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food -
Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife -
Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life -
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children -
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house
someone didn't clean or sweep -
Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the
same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job.
Think of the unemployed, the disabled,
and those who wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another -
Remember that not one of us is without
sin and we all answer to one MAKER.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down -
Put a smile on your face and thank
GOD you're alive and still around.
Author Unknown

.

Have a day of blessings!

"While I'm Waiting" by John Waller

I know I've posted this song before. Since it came to mind as I was reading about Joseph (more about that in another post, probably on Friday), I thought it would be a good one to share this week for my song of the week. I went and looked up the previous post I wrote when I posted this song and read it to see what I said then and if my thoughts were the same as they've been now. They aren't really so I'll add to what I said then. I'm glad I read it because I needed to read what I wrote back then.

Right now I feel like we are in the waiting stage. Waiting is so hard for me. I want to be patient, but at the same time I want to know what's ahead. I feel like God has been showing me lately though how He is with us and we just have to take one step at a time. I think I've mentioned before there are specific things we are praying about right now. We don't know what's going to happen. We don't know how long we'll be waiting. But as the song says we can be patient, bold, confident, obedient, faithful, and serving during this period of waiting. (and just an FYI for those of you who are guessing what we are waiting on....I'm not talking about waiting to have another baby right now!! It's big but not that!)

I hope this song encourages you today.




Have a day of blessings!

Making a Difference for Others

I got this in an email a while back. I thought it was so true and made me think what I can do to show others I care. Hope you are having a nice weekend!

Make A Difference For Others

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones
With the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They are the ones who care for you.

Only those who care, make a difference.
To make a difference to others, care for them.

~~unknown

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"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." James 1:22

Are you enjoying today?

Do you or your children enjoy the Berenstain Bears? Caleb got a "Berenstain Bears" movie for Easter. Lately he always wants to choose one (or two!) Bear books from the library every week, and I thought he'd enjoy a video. I got him one called "Fun Family Adventures." The new video has six different stories. He watched a couple more today. One is called "Bears for all Seasons." I was listening with him as I fixed up supper in the kitchen. I really loved the message of the cartoon and wanted to share it today.

The Bears didn't think they had anything to do one day but learned that really wasn't the case after they had a great day swimming. They wanted to swim the next day, but it turned cooler. After that they wanted to enjoy a nice fall hay ride together, but the next morning snow covered the ground. They enjoyed the day of snow and planned to go skiing as a family the next morning, but all the snow was gone so they spent the day indoors together.

Mama Bear gave the cubs some wise advice in the beginning when they were disappointed they couldn't go swimming again. I tried to write it down as she said it and think I got it right. She said-- "Instead of wasting today wishing it was yesterday, go out and enjoy all today has to offer."

I thought this was such great advice. How many times do we get up in the morning and have grand plans for the day and then something happens to mess up our plans causing us to get upset because things didn't happen as we'd hoped? Either the weather is different than we expected or a child is sick or the keys are lost or the car won't start or some unexpected event comes up. Instead of wasting away the day pouting and with a bad attitude because we can't do what we wanted to originally do, we need to find the good God has given us in THIS day. Every day He gives is a blessing and we need to enjoy what each day has to offer.

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"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

What is your song?

It was a blessing to hear Sandi Patty sing as well as share from her heart at Women of Faith.

One thing she spoke about keeps playing over and over in my head. She talked about the role music has always played in her life. As a child it was something that brought her attention and made people like her. Eventually she realizes she lost her song though. She continued to share about a scientist, Dr. David Deamer, and his research with DNA. She compared the DNA to a slinky. The waves of the DNA strand make music. My simple brain doesn't understand it, and I'm probably not even explaining it clearly for that matter. But I do know that every person has a different, unique DNA strand. So that means each one of us have DNA that is a different song. Isn't that wonderful! We aren't all the same, and God never intended for us to be like everyone around us. (In trying to figure out how to put this into words, I found a site that has examples of DNA music. Interesting!)

What is your song? Are you proud of that song that is you, or are you trying to copy someone else's song because you think they sound better? You are special. God made you for this time and place for a reason. You have been put here on purpose. Do you realize there is no one else like you and no one else can do the role you are doing? You may feel insignificant or feel that your song doesn't matter. God gave you your talents and abilities to use for Him to fulfill a purpose. Have you lost your song? Have you been hurt and aren't even sure what your song is? God can renew you and help you find the song He gave you again. Are you sharing your song with others? The song you've been given needs to be shared. The people in your lives may be able to hear and receive your song when others have been unable to reach them. Live your life in such a way that others can hear the song God gave you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Waiting...

The song I loved in the movie "Fireproof" is called "While I'm Waiting." I was so excited on the way home to find out my husband has the CD. He recognized the singer as John Waller. I guess I haven't listened to that CD much because I didn't even recognize the tune or any part of the song. You can read the lyrics here. Also I found a video of John Waller speaking about the song
and why he wrote it. You can watch a clip from the movie that includes this song below.



This song made me think of so many different situations. What are you waiting for? A new job? A new house? To finish school? A baby to make his or her appearance? Your "special someone" that you can spend the rest of your life with? Healing from your pain? Secruity? Financial peace? Good news from the test results from the doctor? To hear from someone you love? For God's direction? To see a family member turn to Jesus? For Jesus' return?

Each of us are waiting for something. We wait for things all the time. Maybe right now you aren't waiting on any big, life changing answers, but I'm sure you have to wait for little things on a daily basis....waiting in lines, waiting at stop lights, waiting on elevators, waiting on children, waiting on a phone call, waiting on meals, waiting for an appointment, waiting.....waiting......waiting.

The question is what are you doing while you're waiting? Are you so worried during the waiting that you aren't enjoying life? Are you caught up in all the things that need to be done before the event that once it happens you feel drained and don't even enjoy something you've put so much time and effort into making just right? Do you feel like you're life is too busy to wait, that you don't have time to wait for anyone or anything?

This song reminds us how to act as we wait. For the big things we need to remember His timing is very rarely our timing. For the daily tasks we need to pray for patience in waiting that we have a good attitude while we wait. While we wait we need to be confident He is working and He is answering our prayers. We need to continue serving Him and giving Him our all. It is hard in our natural selves to wait and we must rely on Him for His help and peace during those times as we continue to serve, love, and worship Him as we wait.

I hope this song blesses you today! I have been excited to share it here because it blessed my heart tremendously. Have a wonderful day!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." Psalm 27:13, 14

Today's prayer for the election:
Pray for the Republican party, its members, its leadership, and its candidates

Talents

Talent does not mean that you have to be an artist who paints masterpieces, or a gymnast who does flips. Talent resides within you right now, in many different ways.

Caring for others is a talent, teaching is a talent, making people feel welcome is a talent, solving problems is a talent and parenting is a talent.

Never underestimate your talents and try not to compare or wish for the talents of others. Focus on and accept the talents you have, and you will find great fulfillment in life.

(Author Unknown)
---------

I received the above in an email last week. It blessed me to read it and I wanted to share it with you. I do not know the author and the person who sent it did not know either. I thought it was good though and worth sharing this reminder.

Consider how much happier you'd be if you used your talents right here right now instead of trying to be someone you aren't with talents you don't really have. God has a purpose for the talents He gave to you. He put you in the place you are today for a reason. No one else can take your place. Seek Him and see how He wants you to use those talents. You will be blessed and you'll bless the lives of others.

~~~~~~~~~~~
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." I Corinthians 12:12

Today's prayer for the election.....
Pray for the Democratic party, its members, its leadership, and its candidates.

Inspirational speaker

I got this speech today. It is the Dallas ISD keynote speech. This little guy does a great job! Be thankful for teachers!

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"The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD." Psalm 34:10,11

Freedom Isn't Free

I read this poem in an email today.

"Freedom Isn't Free"

Encouragement

I wanted to share this poem with you that I received yesterday from one of my email groups. As you read it think about who you can encourage today!

Our Gifts Are For Encouraging by M.S.Lowndes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." I Thessalonians 5:11

"God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen." I Peter 4:10, 11

Think about this....

I read this in an email today. I wanted to share it here. I hope you enjoy it as I did.

VERY POWERFUL!


A blind girl hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend.

He was always there for her. She told her
boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I would
marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her.
When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything,
including her boyfriend. He asked her, 'Now that you can
see the world, will you marry me?'

The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he
was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She
hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the
rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later
wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your
eyes, my dear, because before they were yours, they were
mine. '

This is how the human brain often works when our
'status changes'. Only a very few remember what
life was like before, and who was always by their side in
the most painful situations.


Life Is a Gift!

Today before you say an unkind word -Think of
someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food
- Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife -
Think of someone who's crying out to God for a
companion.

Today before you complain about life -Think of
someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children -Think of
someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house someone
didn't clean or sweep -
Think of the people who are living in the
streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive
-Think of someone who walks the same distance with their
feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your
job -Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who
wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or
condemning another -Remember that not one of us is without
error and we all answer to the Divine. And when depressing
thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face
and Thank the Divine you're alive and still around.

The Power of One

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true.
One life can make the difference,
You see, IT'S UP TO YOU!
~~author unknown