A Smattering of Thought

Marriage.  It has been on the forefront on my mind for several weeks while helping a friend with final wedding prep.  I've always thought and looked at marriage as a unique, special and amazing way to represent the reign of God!  On Friday the Supreme Court made a monumental decision...on Saturday, two believers entered into a covenantal union as husband and wife in one of the most Christ-centered ceremonies I've attended {not surprising since the bride's father, a pastor, officiated}.   Over the course of Friday and Saturday FB exploded.  Some good, some bad and some just not sure what to think or how to respond.   My heart aches for those who struggle with knowing who and Whose they are.  My heart aches with those who want a relationship.  My heart aches with those who want to love and be loved.  I get it.  I really do.   I resonate with Benjamin Watson ​ as he says,  "Today, I am not disappointed because of the p...

  “Do not let your adorning be external— the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry,  or the clothing you wear—   but let your adorning be   the hidden person of the heart  with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,  which in God's sight is very precious.”  I Peter 3:3-4 “a gentle and quiet spirit”…what does this really mean?  Do I need to be a silent doormat?  Does God wish for all women to just be idle next to a husband?  What if they never get married, will no one be their voice? Phew…this verse could be taken down so many painful and hurtful paths, but I’d rather look at what it is actually trying to say…which is powerful and amazing! The Greek word for “gentle” is praus   which at best means “God’s strength under His control, meekness, demonstrating power without undue harshness.” {www.biblehub.com} In Priscilla Shirer’s book Resolution for Women she gives some additio...

Life can knock the wind right out of you at a moment’s notice. Life can even kick you when you are already down. Life can break you of your desire to love and be loved… BUT… Life is also filled with amazing moments of laughter, joy and hope. A baby’s cry. A hug from a friend at just the right moment. A note of thanks “just because”. A walk down the beach with a friend as you share your hopes and dreams together. An afternoon of baking sugary treats, just for fun. A long car ride with a friend to a destination undetermined, just driving. A coffee date with someone who just wants to listen, no judgment. A giggle fit with your best friend over absolutely nothing {and everything}. And so many more… So, how are we to maneuver through this messy life?  Do we ignore the hardships and choose to relish in only the good?  Do we wallow in the hardships while overlooking the joy?  Dare I say we need a little bit of both, well, maybe not the wallow part?...

Dear Single, February is almost here and yes, that means  - - - Valentine’s Day !!  You can’t run from it… You can’t hide from it… BUT… You can {and should} embrace it! Even if you are not dating someone, you do have people to show love/concern/care for rather than wallow in pity.  Life is too short to be sitting at home, eating chocolate while watching sappy chick-flicks bemoaning the fact you are alone. Get out there.  Meet up with some friends.    Bring someone an unexpected bouquet of flowers (great deals on roses). Help a married couple by hanging with their kids so they can get out.  Host a dinner party with friends {married or single}. Just.   Do.   Something. Oh, and another thing, since marriage/dating will be on your mind and you start to wonder about why you are still single… DO NOT SETTLE ! Never!  Ever!   I don’t care what media or psychologists say about lower your standards...

The new year came in pretty quiet but for the roar of panic in my heart for what is to come.  I hadn't realized I was dreading this year until January 1st arrived and the roar in my heart got even louder {like Boeing 757 loud}. Main reason...I will turn 40! However, now a few days into 2015, the roar has quieted.  I realized I will not instantly grow an enormous amount of wrinkles and the grey hair is still covered, so I now to breathe, rest, and anticipate.  Rather than anticipate with dread, I'm choosing to anticipate with joy and excitement. I will never have this year again I will never turn this age again I will never be in this stage of life again So, I will embrace it fully and entirely...good and bad. My desire is to relish in each day and make memories! A list of 40 things I will make,    some silly,    some serious,    some ambitious,    some easy But none the less, it will be a list to spring me into the next dec...

I want… I need… How would you finish these beginnings of a sentence?  How do you think your neighbor would finish the sentence? What about the person on the other side of town? The other side of the state? The other side of the country? The other side of the world? We live in a country where the majority of us would probably finish those sentences with… …a new car. …a new, higher paying job. …a new house. …more education. …a spouse. …new clothes/phone/TV/etc. What if you lived in such a place where you finished the sentence with… …clean water. …fresh food. …medicine for simple illnesses. …two sets of clothes. …basic education. Beyond how we finish the sentence, maybe our shift needs to be on how we begin the sentence.  What if we began each sentence with… We want… We need… In the USA, we have much more than we really need.  Yes, I know we pair back and purge our things, but even then, we still have more and have access to more things that...