God's Work Out

Does anyone else have a problem with saying twenty-eleven? My husband corrected me when I said two thousand eleven. Whatever you call it, for some of us it is New Year's Resolution time. I haven't made any, but last September I started working out. I took my husband with me so I didn't break anything or hurt myself.
It wasn't as bad as I imagined but I made my husband try everything first so I didn't look like an idiot getting on or off or setting the machines. It went pretty well except I almost slipped off one deal where you had to lie on your stomach and with my slicky pants, it wasn't working.
Then there was one machine I only have ever seen Marines work out on. But there it was. In our gym. I mean, people older than my parents exercise there. So I tried it. It's the one where you sit and reach up and pull the trapeze thingy down. I told my husband to stay next to me. He didn't of course and the next thing I knew, I was airborne. I didn't want to scream but I am a little scared of heights. My hubby rescued me of course like he often times does. He's always watching, just from a distance.
I keep going about two times a week and try to make it three. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. What I find remarkable is the devotion some of these people have to well, basically killing themselves. And, I'm sure you know where I'm going with this.
What if we all had the same devotion to our prayer life? Or reading our Bibles? Or keeping up with our Bible studies? Or going to church regularly? Or trusting God more and more and more? Now there's a New Year's Resolution we could all sink our teeth into!

God's New Year

Is Christmas really over? Did we really keep our hearts in the right place? Admist the running, shopping, wrapping and baking? Did we really remember our Lord and Savior's birthday? In our own ways I think we did. Maybe it wasn't God's way but hopefully it came close.
And now, here we are in another New Year. As our pastor mentioned, some of us may be glad to see 2010 go. Others may be sad to see it end worrying about the next year and what is to come. With God's peace, our pastor reminded, we have all good things. I've had that peace at times but sadly, let it go more times than I'd like to count.
It's in our human nature to try to run things ourselves. Sure, we can take on another committee. Sure, we can juggle five more activities. Sure, we can. I'm sure about only one thing. We can count on God to let us know when and if we really can. He's going to point us in the direction we should go. And we may never see His plan(s) for us coming.
With God at the healm, we have peace. Everything falls into place for us. We say "no" when we should and "yes" when we can. We don't have those early morning anxiety attacks we've gotten so used to. The acid in our stomachs doesn't rise to unwavering levels of taste testing. We may still worry some but God's simple reminder is a good one: the peace that passes all understanding. Look into it, it's an awesome gift to open any time of the year.

God Gives Us a Wonderful Life

I saw the tail end of "It's A Wonderful Life" the other night. It really made me pause and think about everything. Not just my life, but a lot of things. Most of us are extremely blessed. At times we don't realize it but we are. Why is that ? Why does the "bad" stuff impact us more? Probably because it's bad. When life is good we pretty much take it for granted.
I try really hard to be positive. Since I used to be pretty negative. It's a habit I'm trying to kick. As I went through this holiday season I tried to stay upbeat and focus on the birth of Jesus. Though rushing around, I felt like I did a fairly decent job. While rushing, I noticed a "rash" on one of my daughters feet. Kept an eye on it for a few days and decided to take her in because it wasn't disappearing. The next thing I'm hearing is blood tests, platelet levels and chem 7's. I was terrified. So was my husband. I couldn't sleep. The next day while trying to return the nurse's phone call I was put on hold for ten minutes. I'm ashamed to admit I raged at God and told Him He was cruel. This after having a feeling He'd put on my heart that she'd be fine. Not the positive attitude I was going for.
Eventually, we made contact and all tests were normal. She is fine. I am so relieved I can't even cry. I'm not worried anymore about the fact that not one gift is wrapped. I'm not worried about our Christmas plans that seem to change every other day. Not worried. Just thankful. For my wonderful life given to me by my wonderful Father.

God and Santa

When I was a child, I loved Santa. I loved him even more than Mr. Rodgers. He was a kind man who gave me hugs, ate the cookies I set out for him with lots of love, and gave me awesome presents. I'd like to clarify that Santa did not wrap his gifts for me; they were ready and waiting when I awoke on Christmas morning. He knew I didn't like to deal with paper. I had enough anticipation waiting for Christmas. I didn't need the wrappings.
I knew the real meaning of Christmas. But, I have to admit, Santa was who I concentrated on more as a child. I've learned to not do that with my own children. We talk about baby Jesus. We talk about how Santa is the fun part of Christmas and where his story came from. We discuss how Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas. And we certainly tell His story.
Do we ever blur the lines with Jesus and Santa? I'm sure we all have. How does the song go? "He knows when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake, He knows if you've been bad or good so be good for goodness sake." We all knew that if you were bad, Santa would know. And there would be no presents. I always guessed Santa forgave me for going into my closet when I was mad at my mother and, well, cussing her out. I don't think I've ever admitted that before. I knew God knew too but I worried more about Santa.
It was God though, who forgave me. And God who sent His Son to earth in humble beginnings to one day die for my sins. (This includes aforementioned closet cursing.) That is a gift I do enjoy unwrapping every day, being Christmas or not. Not usually found under a tree, but felt in my heart.

The Patience of God

The Christmas season is upon us. How many times have we heard this in the past week? Or month? Why does Christmas start so early? People say we are greedy. Just look at Black Friday! This could be greed. It certainly smells like it. But, could it also be, (unintentionally of course because why would the retailers do anything considerate or positive?), a way to help people in a financial crunch spread their money out over a few months? Then December is not a time of scraping by and bouncing checkbooks? I'm throwing it out there; do with it what you'd like.
Our pastor is talking about advent. Advent means waiting and preparing for the Christ child. It does not mean waiting in absurdly long lines because you ventured into your favorite (and cheapest) store to buy the bath soap you forgot while making your weekly haul of groceries. Seriously, that's not the point.
If we give retailers the benefit of the doubt and a tired cashier a friendly smile even though we had to wait, isn't that more the point? Being patient with an employee who was hired for the Christmas season and hasn't quite mastered the computer may be hard but their appreciative smile is worth it. Believe me, I've been there.
We wait on the Christ child, don't we? Our children can hardly wait. And, let's face it, as adults there is some satisfaction of ripping open the paper and finding what you really wanted for Christmas!
I think about how God waits on us. We forget Him alot and try to handle things on our own. But there He is, patiently waiting for us to listen to Him so we can learn to open up who He truly meant for us to be. A beautiful gift to others and to Him. Reflecting God's goodness and mercy. Loving unconditionally and forgiving easily. Showing His patience to our children, spouse and others. Giving of ourselves as Jesus gave Himself for us. He really is the best gift of all.

Thankful for the Giving

Well, we survived Thanksgiving. It was a good day but always different doing it at our home instead of going to my Mom's. Needless to say, a nap was in order for all of us when it was over.
I started on Wednesday with a turkey breast in the crock pot. Easy enough. Then, started to make the cranberry dressing and realized we really needed a blender for that. Our little shake maker couldn't quite kick it. I thought I had a blender but no matter how long I looked in the pantry it did not magically appear. Bummer. So, my wonderful husband, who had taken the week off, ran to get one.
I then started the pumpkin pie. I realized again we were missing one of the ingredients for that. I'd just like to state for the record, I really thought I was more organized than this for the big feast. I wasn't too upset until I noticed my husband didn't have his cell. Wow... was this a small picture for what was to come on Thursday?
We overslept on Thursday. Not to worry, it's only us I told myself. I asked my oldest to help with the dressing, my middle the sweet potatoes and my youngest the noodles. My husband babied the rolls so long and so well they had better be good, I told myself. Everyone was giving their time and talents to the family Thanksgiving. I swallowed any annoyance and pushed on patiently.
Finally, everything was ready. We had a great time culminating in learning my middle child's newest talent-balancing a marshmellow on the nose. This was after said child had the traditional cheese pizza for Thanksgiving dinner. My life is never dull. And that's okay. The joy is in the giving. The giving of laughter and memories. It's also okay that some things were runnier than usual and drier than usual. But that's life. And I'm extremely thankful for it.

Giving Thanks

The holidays are here! The holidays are here! Wow! Whether you are feeling panicked or excited it is time to prepare ourselves. Take a deep breath because here we go!
Usually Thanksgiving consists of going to my parents and gathering the family together to eat and have fun. We visit with cousins, aunts and uncles we don't see that often. My mother hosts it and asks everyone to bring something. I remember the last Thanksgiving both of her parents, my grandparents, were alive. I was pregnant and most of the smells I love were not so inviting to my olfactory senses.
I recall most of all my mother's near hysteria. She was worried about everything from the meal to my grandparents traveling alone. After one particularly stressful phone call, I sort of wanted to throttle her, at least verbally. Instead, God touched my heart to lift her up in prayer. I felt God telling me, "Remind her to concentrate on giving thanks instead of the stress of Thanksgiving."
I sent her a religious Thanksgiving card and told her that very thing. I even gave a few hints on what she should be thankful for like the health of all of her family members and the fact she'd be enjoying Thanksgiving with both of her parents. Alot of people don't get to share in that joy anymore. I don't know how much it helped but I tried to bring to light the positives.
Now, I need to remember that advice. I'm fine with Thanksgiving. I like to cook and my husband does too. He's a ton of help and so are our kids. But still, I can run into a panic. So, I remind myself to take more than a moment to give thanks. God is good. He loves us. He has blessed us. Richly. We may not understand Him. We may challenge Him. But He does have a plan. To prosper us and uplift us. We just have to trust Him. Not always easy but always right. Be thankful he's got your back unlike any other. Give thanks for that and everything else He's put on your plate this Thanksgiving. Make no mistake-it's there. Right next to the mashed potatoes.