14, 240 days….or you can call it 40, that’s how old I’ll be this August and quite honestly, I’m super okay with it. I come from a large family and I’m the youngest of 12 so turning 40 feels like a rite of passage into something special. Ultimately, I’m blessed and that’s the bottom line.
In preparation of the upcoming festivities, I’ve decided to start compiling a list of to-do’s that seem like good things to put a check mark next to….nothing fancy, just good things…so here it goes:
1. Plant more perennials – they just make sense…work smarter, not harder
2. Pray more, eat less – my new lifestyle slogan…I figure it’s worth a try
3. Write more letters- yes, I’m talking about the pen & paper kind
4. Relish relationships – remember that large family I mentioned before?
5. Make more tea – having tea around just seems hospitable
6. Be the cool mom – not sure yet how I’ll achieve this, I think it involves cookies
7. Let my husband open the car door for me on dates – how romantic
8. Get up earlier – this definitely involves more coffee but I love coffee
9. Take tap lessons – my mom still taps & she’ll be 80 in October, no excuses
10. Pull out the tiara from time to time – it’s okay, I’m a daughter of the King
I’m sure I will add to this list as the big day approaches and I’m planning on laminating it and sticking it somewhere fabulous, like the laundry room…I spend a lot of time in there these days...maybe that's where I'll put my "Forty & Fabulous" sign as well.....
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Rinse and Repeat...
Feed, burp, change diaper, play, nap, change diaper, feed, burp, change diaper (again), play, nap....you getting the picture? Oh, and throw in a constant stream of make believe play with a 4 year old and you've got yourself an action packed day! Don't get me wrong, I do love being a stay at home mom and I consider this the highest privilege by far. Sometimes though I feel as if my life is running on auto pilot and what I'm doing is not as significant as I'd like it to be. While we're being honest here, (well, at least I'd like to think I can just put this out there without being judged), I feel as if the very things that should be at the center of my attention, i.e. kids, household matters, are the things that I consider "interruptions" in my pursuit of what I have often mistakenly called priorites or even worse..."ministry." Yikes! Anyone feel the same way, anyone? (don't leave me hanging here!)
There is a lesson that God has shown me time and time again over the years and it is this: Be faithful and obedient to tend to the things that are inclusive of the season I am in and He will be faithful to open the doors that are supposed to be opened at the appropiate and divine times. Easy enough? I think not, otherwise the lesson would have been learned the first or even fifth time around. As someone involved with leading worship and ministry, I have had to bite the bullet many times on this one....ouch indeed. Recently at our church's womens' conference, our speaker Deanna Allen proposed this question: "Are we doing good things, great things, or God things?"
There is a worship song that we often sing at our church called Center by Charlie Hall and Matt Redman. The words of the verse are "You're the center of the universe, everything was made in You, Jesus, breath of every living thing, everyone was made for You.You hold everything together, you hold everything together"
I like this song because first of all, it's a very simple yet clear message of what or more appropriately, Who I am to be focusing on and secondly, it reminds me that as I make Christ the center of my universe, He will hold me together. I honor Him and He holds me together....seems like a tremendously fair deal, don't you think?
So as I close, my son who is now 5 months old, is napping, my 4 year old daughter is happily amusing herself with her toys and my list of to do items is steadily growing...but you know, I think it's time for a tea party with that spunky preschooler and I can guarantee you there will be a diaper to be changed in the very near future. I will take a deep breath and "serve wholeheartedly as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 6:7) and I will get up tomorrow morning and rinse and repeat...amen :)
There is a lesson that God has shown me time and time again over the years and it is this: Be faithful and obedient to tend to the things that are inclusive of the season I am in and He will be faithful to open the doors that are supposed to be opened at the appropiate and divine times. Easy enough? I think not, otherwise the lesson would have been learned the first or even fifth time around. As someone involved with leading worship and ministry, I have had to bite the bullet many times on this one....ouch indeed. Recently at our church's womens' conference, our speaker Deanna Allen proposed this question: "Are we doing good things, great things, or God things?"
There is a worship song that we often sing at our church called Center by Charlie Hall and Matt Redman. The words of the verse are "You're the center of the universe, everything was made in You, Jesus, breath of every living thing, everyone was made for You.You hold everything together, you hold everything together"
I like this song because first of all, it's a very simple yet clear message of what or more appropriately, Who I am to be focusing on and secondly, it reminds me that as I make Christ the center of my universe, He will hold me together. I honor Him and He holds me together....seems like a tremendously fair deal, don't you think?
So as I close, my son who is now 5 months old, is napping, my 4 year old daughter is happily amusing herself with her toys and my list of to do items is steadily growing...but you know, I think it's time for a tea party with that spunky preschooler and I can guarantee you there will be a diaper to be changed in the very near future. I will take a deep breath and "serve wholeheartedly as unto the Lord" (Ephesians 6:7) and I will get up tomorrow morning and rinse and repeat...amen :)
Friday, March 5, 2010
In Every Season
Spring time is right around the corner. I can smell it. I can see it. I am ready! This has got to be one of my favorite times of the year in North Texas. It's that "I want to skip school and play hookie" kind of weather that makes you want to take a walk and breathe in God's creation.
Speaking of spring, my daughter's 4th birthday is right around the corner. She was actually born on the first day of spring in 2006. I remember the sweet season of enjoying her as a newborn in spite of the sleep deprivation and self-doubt I felt as a new parent. Many of my women friends would tell me, "Enjoy this while it lasts, it's a sweet and short season." Well, here I am again with a baby boy, trying to remember to "enjoy the sweet season" with him as well (and not wish away the sleep deprived nights!) This is my life now...raising two kiddos and celebrating all of the ups and downs that come with the territory.
Another huge component of my life is leading worship at my church and writing praise and worship music. I have to admit that I have had to majorly scale back on both of those areas right now and quite honestly, I miss them both...terribly. But on the flip side of the coin, I know that God has me in this season and He has blessed me beyond belief. One of the best pieces of advice I got from another female worship leader was this, "Be obedient to the season God has you in. He will reward you and give you the desires of your heart if you stay faithful to where he wants you to be."
That has been hard but I believe it with all of my heart. I know that if I try to run ahead of God or make my own plans, both my ministry and my family life will be watered down and my efforts futile.
What season are you in now? Are you itching to move on to something else? Are you questioning whether or not God has forgotten about you and your dreams? Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Trust God. He knows the plans for you and they are full of hope and an abundant future. Praise him now in the season you're in and I know he will fill your heart with his everlasting hope and joy.
Blessings!
Rebecca ><>
Speaking of spring, my daughter's 4th birthday is right around the corner. She was actually born on the first day of spring in 2006. I remember the sweet season of enjoying her as a newborn in spite of the sleep deprivation and self-doubt I felt as a new parent. Many of my women friends would tell me, "Enjoy this while it lasts, it's a sweet and short season." Well, here I am again with a baby boy, trying to remember to "enjoy the sweet season" with him as well (and not wish away the sleep deprived nights!) This is my life now...raising two kiddos and celebrating all of the ups and downs that come with the territory.
Another huge component of my life is leading worship at my church and writing praise and worship music. I have to admit that I have had to majorly scale back on both of those areas right now and quite honestly, I miss them both...terribly. But on the flip side of the coin, I know that God has me in this season and He has blessed me beyond belief. One of the best pieces of advice I got from another female worship leader was this, "Be obedient to the season God has you in. He will reward you and give you the desires of your heart if you stay faithful to where he wants you to be."
That has been hard but I believe it with all of my heart. I know that if I try to run ahead of God or make my own plans, both my ministry and my family life will be watered down and my efforts futile.
What season are you in now? Are you itching to move on to something else? Are you questioning whether or not God has forgotten about you and your dreams? Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." Trust God. He knows the plans for you and they are full of hope and an abundant future. Praise him now in the season you're in and I know he will fill your heart with his everlasting hope and joy.
Blessings!
Rebecca ><>
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