Where has the time gone?

Where has the time gone?

I’ve asked myself that question too many times this week

·      during my daughter’s last Mother’s Day Program at school

·      while snapping photos of my son & daughter in their “dressy” clothes both ready for a date night with me & my husband

·      while making my daughter’s lunch for her class picnic

·      while helping my son carry in his class project he & his daddy worked on

·      when I woke up this morning & realized my baby is graduating from Kindergarten tonight.

My mind replays so many moments of their young lives from birth to their first steps, their first days in preschool to ballgames, spontaneous hugs & kisses to cuddling in bed for movie night.

But in all of the replays I find myself beating myself up for the brush-offs when I’ve been “busy” and pushed aside a child who wants attention. I feel guilty for not being patient enough to answer a curious question. And I regret losing my temper when a deep breath and calming hug would have been the best response.

That’s when I’m reminded to Refocus. Refocus my mind & heart on God and let Him lead my responses and my actions. And I need to remember to give myself grace because there may be days when I don’t get it all right.

I will make mistakes and become distracted. I will become impatient and react the wrong way. But, as long as I stay focused on the plans God has for me each day He will direct my actions & my thoughts.

When I begin to beat myself up I need to remind myself that there will be days when I have things that must get done & it’s ok for the kids to entertain themselves.

When I feel guilty for losing my patience I need to tell myself next time I will thank God that my son is so curious and help him learn by answering his question.

When I start to lose my temper I will remember Psalm 19:14

“May the words of my

mouth and the meditation

of my heart be pleasing in

your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

So, tonight as I cry through my daughter’s Kindergarten Graduation I will take in each and every moment of this gift from God. I will live for the moment and thank God for the honor of raising my precious children.

In His Calm,

Mary

Loving those who hurt us

-->

Have you been hurt by someone close to you? Have you felt the sting of betrayal from a close friend? Have you heard the lies whispered behind your back or felt the blows of venom & hate as you were attacked by those who only thought they knew the whole story?

I dare say there isn’t a person who hasn’t at some point & time experienced pain from betrayal, gossip, & lies. In the midst of that pain it is natural to want to lash out & retaliate for the wounds that have been made.

Normal human self-preservation drives us to want to hurt those who hurt us or speak up to defend ourselves when doing so would hurt others.

But Jesus in His Amazing Grace & Love gave us an example of how we are to treat those who hurl accusations, betray, mock, slander & hurt us.

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:34

I imagine Jesus up on the cross as

·      soldiers laughed & mocked him & fought over His clothes

·      the criminal who hung next to Him insulted Him

·      the crowd stood by watching & not doing anything to help

and then instead of becoming angry & yelling back at them or wanting to hurt them, He cried out begging God to forgive them. He loved His Father so much that He chose to do God’s Will over His own comfort.

Could you do that? Could I do that?

When those around you hurt you, do you pray for them instead of returning the anger with more anger?

In Matthew 4:43-48 Jesus tells us we are to love our enemies.

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44,45a

Jesus tells us we are to love and pray for those who hurt us.

You may be thinking, “but you have no idea how much I have been hurt, there is no way I could pray for the person who has hurt me.”

Believe me, I know it’s hard; I’ve been there. And when I’ve been there this is what I’ve done:

·      I’ve asked God to soften my heart for them. I’ve asked Him to reveal one way I can pray for them.

·      I’ve prayed Psalm 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

·      I’ve stayed focused on Christ and His Love for me on the cross.

When I’ve kept my eyes & heart focused on the Cross, my heart & my mouth have stayed in line with God’s Will.

My prayer is that you too will stay focused on the Cross & Jesus’ example of how to love those who hurt you.

Continuing the Joy Dare #1120 - #1132:

• beautiful day at the zoo
• overcoming my fear of heights with my daughter
• hike in the woods with friends
• popcorn, icees & cotton candy
• oreos on the way home from the zoo = happy kids
• Life is Good! God is Good!
• working in the yard as a family
• kids playing in the sprinkler
• playing baseball as a family
• frozen yogurt to cool off on a warm afternoon
• grilled bratwurst after baseball practice
• all 4 of us snuggled up in bed watching The Lion King
• sleeping in

In His Calm,
Mary

Thankful Thursday - despite the pain

When you get right down to it pain hurts but, can we see beyond the pain and find a reason to be thankful?

When a friendship dissolves can we see beyond the pain of rejection and be thankful for the support that was given during the hard days?

When trust in a marriage/dating relationship is severed can we see beyond the pain of heartbreak and be thankful for the ability to love?

When a father walks out on his family can we see beyond the pain of abandonment and be thankful for the memories when we were too young to know the truth?

When your boss calls you in the office and says your position is cut as of today can you see beyond the pain of worrying how you will support your family and be thankful for the experience gained that will help you in the future?

When the dream that was so close to being realized gets blocked without notice can you see beyond the pain of denial and be thankful for the dream God gave you?

There are times in our lives when something happens beyond our control that takes the very breath out of us. 

Those times are excruciatingly painful - but can we, for just a moment - dig down deep and find one thing to be thankful for? 

It may be one thing today but tomorrow it may be two. With each passing day it will get easier. 

It may not feel that way as we struggle through the fresh pain but eventually we will come out on the other side. And when we come out on the other side we will see God's Strength as we found something no matter how small to thank Him for each day.

What can you thank God for today?

Continuing to count the Joy Dare #1082 - #1090

• birds singing their good morning song
• fresh haircuts for my guys
• breakfast for dinner
• the miracle of life
• leaning on God & the promise of His Healing
• excitement in starting over
• following God when it doesn't make sense & watching Him make sense of it all
• family time watching shows I watched when I was my kids age
• spring cleaning in the garage

Linking today with Ann at A Holy Experience.

In His Calm,

Mary

Thankful Thursday ~ Under the raindrops

Rainy days...

When they come we duck & cover our heads in protection from the falling drops that mess up what we spent so long perfecting that morning.

We run for cover to get out of the soaking, cold rain instead of standing under it & allowing it to seep into the deepest parts of our shoes.

When the rainy days of life come do we duck & cover our heads protecting ourselves & our lives from what's sure to topple our perfectly put together lives?

Do we run for cover to get out of the soaking, cold rain that will shake us to our very core...or do we reach out for God's Hand of Protection?

• the hand that lovingly reaches down to guide us to His Path and His Protective Covering

• the Hand of The Potter that Molds us and Makes us.

"But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me: 'O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?' declares the LORD. ' Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.'" Jeremiah 18:4-6

God brings rainy days into our lives that topple the idols we build.

God brings rainy days into our lives to melt our hearts of stone.

God brings rainy days into our lives in order to strip away the barriers that keep us from seeing Him and reaching out to Him.

Sweet sister won't you see these rainy days as God's way of reshaping you...reshaping you into the woman He knows is best.

Reach out to him in the rain and grab tight to His Hand of Protection and Grace.

Continuing the Joy Dare #1051- #1059

• an afternoon of fun at the park & playing in the woods with friends
• the season of life when I can sit on a park bench & catch up with a friend while the kids play
• baseball & softball signups
• crisp, cool winter mornings
• unexpected phone calls
• following God in the midst of the unknown
• the hope of something new
• discipling a sister in Christ
• moving on despite the pain of loss

Taking the Joy Dare of counting 1000 gifts with Ann at A Holy Experience 

In His Calm,

Mary