Do you ever have those days when you feel...like you are walking across the Grand Canyon on a cable holding onto a bar that weighs who knows how much?
Do you even know what I am referring to?
This past week, Coach and I watched a man cross the Grand Canyon on a cable wearing no safety harness. It was the longest 22 minutes...for real. Watching this man walk across a giant canyon on nothing but a cable almost did me in. Heights are one of my biggest fears. I get nauseated climbing a ladder to get something off the shelf in my kitchen. Not a fan of heights at all. As I watched this man, my first thought was he was crazy. My second thought was that he was insane. My third thought was how on earth is he doing this? The cable was swaying...the bar was swaying...the wind was blowing...and all he had to hang onto was a cable...with his feet. I mean...thinking back to it makes me as nervous as when I was watching it. Twenty-two minutes. That's how long it took him to cross the canyon. He talked about how the optical illusions were more than he was prepared for...and I can imagine. Just seeing it through the lens of a television camera was enough for me to cling to my bed.
So today and in the past few days, I've had a similar experience. I did not walk across a canyon on a cable. I didn't even climb a ladder. What I did and have been doing all summer is a balancing act to say the least. And I'm having one of those moments much like when the man on the cable asked Jesus to calm the cable. He spoke to Jesus all the way across the canyon asking him to calm the winds and slow the cable. I get it...I do. There are moments in my day when I am begging Jesus to calm the wind. I say this like I have been in great torment. I have not. I am just a little overwhelmed and under prepared for life with teenagers and a six year old. We are in the car more than we are at home. We are taking and picking up every 45 minutes...or so it seems. I am trying to do some much needed upkeep to our home and trying to prepare a classroom and a class for my first year of teaching. Coach is busy teaching driver's ed. to help support our baseball habit and Brady is just trying to enjoy his summer as a six year old. Big has a mowing job, but isn't a driver yet. This leaves him in a position to need help getting to his jobs and getting this done. Middle has a very busy social life and needs to be driven all over the town for his social needs. (much like his Momma)
As most of you know, I struggle to finish tasks that I start. Not because I don't want to finish, but because someone needs something that prevents me from finishing what I'm doing. I found my phone in my refrigerator the other day. IN THE FRIDGE. No doubt someone needed a drink as I was going to hang it up.
Jesus...calm the winds.
I may have mentioned that I washed and washed and washed a load of laundry because I kept forgetting to move it to the dryer before it got yucky and mildew-y. (That is my own made up word)
Jesus...calm the winds.
I turned the wrong way out of my neighborhood on the way to get Middle from basketball camp. It took me until I got to the bank to realize I wasn't going to the bank and that I should have turned right. Middle was less than pleased when I pulled up and he was standing in 102 degree temperatures.
Jesus...calm the winds.
Sometimes...I feel like I am walking on a cable over a gaping hole in the earth. I can't let anything drop because I'm the mom and that is what we do. We perform an amazing balancing act with life. Five schedules...one mom. What seems like seventeen different activities in 24 hours...one mom.
That man made it across the canyon because he had been preparing for that moment (22 to be exact) for a long time. He had faith and he had skill. He moved slowly and gracefully. He spoke to the Lord at times when he was unsure. He kept his eye on the prize and he didn't fall.
He had faith that the one who made him would deliver him safely from one side to the other.
I think he is crazy. But I also think his faith is amazing.
If I could rely on God from sun up to sun down and move slowly and gracefully, perhaps I wouldn't have those ugly moments of motherhood.
Sometimes...life can give us more than we can handle....alone. But that is the beauty of loving God. We never have to handle the craziness alone. We can walk the tight rope battling the winds and the optical illusions of life...knowing we do have a safety net.
Whatever is moving your cable or shaking your faith...stay strong. Take it one step at a time knowing you are not walking your tight rope alone.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
Referee of 3
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
It's Okay
I decided it was time for another It's Okay list. I'm doing this to justify the things I've done over the past 72 hours. :) Here you go...
1. It's okay to wear navy shorts with a grey and green Mulvane baseball shirt to small group because you don't have anything else that is clean/comfortable.
2. It's okay to buy potato salad from the local grocery store and put it in a presentable dish to take to your small group BBQ.
3. It's okay to take a picture with your son after he lost his tournament even though he is extremely unhappy because if you don't, you won't remember to do it and you'll never forgive yourself for forgetting the annual pic that no one but you enjoys.
4. It's okay to buy a rolling cooler at Kmart even though you have three perfectly good rolling coolers at home. When you have carried the football (yes...I carried the football cooler to the baseball game because it was the only one I could carry) cooler up a hill and through the woods twice, you decid it is worth the $20.00 and losing the space in the garage.
5. It's okay to eat two...(yes two) boxes of Good and Plenty's at a ballgame because you are stressed and calories don't actually count when you are burning them pacing behind the bleachers.
6. It's okay to come home and clean your bathroom and bedroom because you can't lay down and take a nap until you remove all of the clothing from your bed and you can't shower until you clean the filth from the previous night of after ballgame showers.
7. It's okay to take your hair out of a ponytail holder, wash it, and put it back in said ponytail holder because the wind is blowing 9,000 mph. (I might be over exaggerating, but you get it).
8. It's okay to eat both ice cream AND a piece of Boston Cream Cake in the same day. Because the ice cream was a must and Granny bought me the cake. So..really, I had to. Right?
9. It's okay to re-wash a giant load of clothes because you forgot to move them over before the game earlier today.
And finally...
10. It's okay to be excited that your small group is cooking dinner for you tonight because you couldn't find your kitchen counter if your life depended on it. :)
And to add to the enjoyment of this list...a lesson I learned...again.
You never know how bad your comments to the umpire/other team/anyone in earshot sound until your child repeats them. I've been a little heated over some crazy calls... but when my child acts the way I'm acting and I have to tell him to stop...I suddenly remember that my example is very important. Oh...and it's okay to try to cure anything with blueberry french toast. :)
Life lessons...by Amy Nelson.
Have a Blessed Day!
Referee of 3
Amy Nelson's Top 10 It's Okay List for the past 72 Hours
2. It's okay to buy potato salad from the local grocery store and put it in a presentable dish to take to your small group BBQ.
3. It's okay to take a picture with your son after he lost his tournament even though he is extremely unhappy because if you don't, you won't remember to do it and you'll never forgive yourself for forgetting the annual pic that no one but you enjoys.
4. It's okay to buy a rolling cooler at Kmart even though you have three perfectly good rolling coolers at home. When you have carried the football (yes...I carried the football cooler to the baseball game because it was the only one I could carry) cooler up a hill and through the woods twice, you decid it is worth the $20.00 and losing the space in the garage.
5. It's okay to eat two...(yes two) boxes of Good and Plenty's at a ballgame because you are stressed and calories don't actually count when you are burning them pacing behind the bleachers.
6. It's okay to come home and clean your bathroom and bedroom because you can't lay down and take a nap until you remove all of the clothing from your bed and you can't shower until you clean the filth from the previous night of after ballgame showers.
7. It's okay to take your hair out of a ponytail holder, wash it, and put it back in said ponytail holder because the wind is blowing 9,000 mph. (I might be over exaggerating, but you get it).
8. It's okay to eat both ice cream AND a piece of Boston Cream Cake in the same day. Because the ice cream was a must and Granny bought me the cake. So..really, I had to. Right?
9. It's okay to re-wash a giant load of clothes because you forgot to move them over before the game earlier today.
And finally...
10. It's okay to be excited that your small group is cooking dinner for you tonight because you couldn't find your kitchen counter if your life depended on it. :)
And to add to the enjoyment of this list...a lesson I learned...again.
You never know how bad your comments to the umpire/other team/anyone in earshot sound until your child repeats them. I've been a little heated over some crazy calls... but when my child acts the way I'm acting and I have to tell him to stop...I suddenly remember that my example is very important. Oh...and it's okay to try to cure anything with blueberry french toast. :)
Life lessons...by Amy Nelson.
Have a Blessed Day!
Referee of 3
Friday, June 21, 2013
Remembering Grace
I was listening to the radio on my way to Wichita this morning. I was flipping between country, rock, and K-Love. I was rather annoyed that all stations had gone to a commercial so I stopped on K-Love to see what they were talking about. I'm really...really glad I did.
There was a woman that had called in to talk about something she had discovered through her faith. Something we can all relate to. I decided I would share what she said because I think it is relevant to so many at this point in our lives. The woman was talking about how she is very strong in her faith, but has a hard time quieting the memory of some of her sins. She talked of quiet time she spent with God and how those memories would come rushing back at a time when she thought she had peace with who she was and how she was living her life. One night, she asked God why she was forced to remember her poor choices. She asked why she had to constantly be reminded of the pain that those choices caused or the struggle they brought about in her life. Remembering the sad times can be so difficult as the pain always comes back with as much force as it gave from the get go. In asking God why she had to live through those memories, she finally heard an answer. She said (paraphrase) that God told her if she didn't remember the hard times and struggles in her life, she wouldn't remember his grace either. The words that she used were that God told her when she asked why..."Because you wouldn't remember my grace."
Those six words have been hanging on me ever since.
Of course. If we didn't remember the bad, we would also forget the beauty of grace and healing that follows the hard times in our lives.
There are times when it feels like I have lived a lifetime of regret regarding some of my choices and my actions towards others. I get to a place where I feel good about my life and those in it. And then the memories come with a vengeance. Things I've done or words I've said that have hurt others. I too have thought "why can't I just forget?"
God doesn't want us to live in a state of regret. What he wants is for us to remember the moments of grace we received after we stumbled and fell. And Lord knows I've fallen. He's right too. If I didn't remember those bad times, I would struggle to give him credit for the good as well. They went on with the radio segment to say that it is like a scar. We can look at a scar and remember what happened to put it there. The pain is gone. What we can see is how our bodies healed with a memory of the incident. Maybe we remember how bad it hurt and we choose not to make that choice again. Maybe we remember the tears...the struggle...and movement toward healing. Whatever we remember...we can look and know that we don't have to still be in pain.
I just thought it was an amazing thought. So many times I've wondered why I can't let things go. And in 45 seconds of a radio broadcast, he spoke. It is in times like today that I remember how this works. He is God...and I am not.
I want to remember His grace. So I will try to look at those struggles in a different light from this point on. It is about looking beyond the memory to see His grace.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
There was a woman that had called in to talk about something she had discovered through her faith. Something we can all relate to. I decided I would share what she said because I think it is relevant to so many at this point in our lives. The woman was talking about how she is very strong in her faith, but has a hard time quieting the memory of some of her sins. She talked of quiet time she spent with God and how those memories would come rushing back at a time when she thought she had peace with who she was and how she was living her life. One night, she asked God why she was forced to remember her poor choices. She asked why she had to constantly be reminded of the pain that those choices caused or the struggle they brought about in her life. Remembering the sad times can be so difficult as the pain always comes back with as much force as it gave from the get go. In asking God why she had to live through those memories, she finally heard an answer. She said (paraphrase) that God told her if she didn't remember the hard times and struggles in her life, she wouldn't remember his grace either. The words that she used were that God told her when she asked why..."Because you wouldn't remember my grace."
Those six words have been hanging on me ever since.
Of course. If we didn't remember the bad, we would also forget the beauty of grace and healing that follows the hard times in our lives.
There are times when it feels like I have lived a lifetime of regret regarding some of my choices and my actions towards others. I get to a place where I feel good about my life and those in it. And then the memories come with a vengeance. Things I've done or words I've said that have hurt others. I too have thought "why can't I just forget?"
God doesn't want us to live in a state of regret. What he wants is for us to remember the moments of grace we received after we stumbled and fell. And Lord knows I've fallen. He's right too. If I didn't remember those bad times, I would struggle to give him credit for the good as well. They went on with the radio segment to say that it is like a scar. We can look at a scar and remember what happened to put it there. The pain is gone. What we can see is how our bodies healed with a memory of the incident. Maybe we remember how bad it hurt and we choose not to make that choice again. Maybe we remember the tears...the struggle...and movement toward healing. Whatever we remember...we can look and know that we don't have to still be in pain.
I just thought it was an amazing thought. So many times I've wondered why I can't let things go. And in 45 seconds of a radio broadcast, he spoke. It is in times like today that I remember how this works. He is God...and I am not.
I want to remember His grace. So I will try to look at those struggles in a different light from this point on. It is about looking beyond the memory to see His grace.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Fresh Paint
Warning...
What you are about to read is a sappy, sentimental post written and served with a side of crazy.
Today...I'm painting my hallway. We have a hallway that leads to the bedrooms in our house. This hallway has been used and abused to say the least. The carpet has more spots than Big's freckled face and the halls have a dark line down the middle from the hands that drag down it daily. I'm pretty sure we "cleaned" them last summer (and every summer before that), but the hand prints just keep coming back. Along with the carpet spots.
As I'm painting the walls today, I've noticed a large amount of what I like to call character on our walls. This character can be defined as dings and dents from who knows what. Mostly balls being thrown down the hall or trucks being pushed. Any given day you can come in our home and see this hall lined with laundry hampers as our laundry room is upstairs as well. Five hampers...all in a row...all FULL of clothing, towels, uniforms, etc. The kids like to think of this as an obstacle course.
I have been trimming out the walls and it looks so nice already. But here is where the sentimental with a side of crazy comes in. As I'm painting, I start tearing up. Out of nowhere tears are streaming down my face as I cover the dings and painted dents from the Little People school bus that was so gently driven down the hall. I'm sad to cover the dirty hand prints. WHY? Because I'm crazy...and emotional...and my babies are growing up.
I dropped my almost 8th grader off at weights today. WEIGHTS. He is lifting for football. Ugh. He used to drive big Tonka trucks down the hall and run them into the doors. I would tell him to slow down and he would grin a cheesy grin as he clipped the corner of the hall with the truck.
I then drove my almost 6th and almost 1st grader to Summer Rec. This will be Middle's last year at Summer Rec. because he too will start "lifting" weights next summer. This child spent many days racing down the hall and flying into the walls with his bat cape and his bat mobile. I would yell as he slammed into the closed doors as his baby brother was napping.
My Little...my sweet, sweet Little is getting big. So far this summer we have mastered bike riding, swimming, and swinging by himself. He actually told me the other day he didn't...wait for it...NEED me. I said okay and walked away. As I walked away I could think of nothing other than the day we brought him into this world. Our lives have been forever changed by this baby and now he is a big boy who hits "soft" balls down the hallway. We have many a mark from these types of games.
I'm not crazy. I'm not THAT crazy. I'm just a Mom. And a woman. And things are changing faster than I can keep up.
I realize it is just a hallway with fresh paint. But it is also the fact that these boys are growing and it won't be long before their hands won't be here to touch my beautiful hallway.
Why can't women just be like men? When Coach paints a room...he simply paints the room. No tears...no memories...just paint.
I guess I'll just keep painting and maybe have a little cookie dough with my coffee. Today has helped me to see that even though I would love to have a perfectly clean and beautiful show house...I'd rather have our home. Thankfully a fresh coat of paint can't cover the sweet memories I have of these crazy boys. Someone remind me of this post next time I've had enough of them.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
What you are about to read is a sappy, sentimental post written and served with a side of crazy.
Today...I'm painting my hallway. We have a hallway that leads to the bedrooms in our house. This hallway has been used and abused to say the least. The carpet has more spots than Big's freckled face and the halls have a dark line down the middle from the hands that drag down it daily. I'm pretty sure we "cleaned" them last summer (and every summer before that), but the hand prints just keep coming back. Along with the carpet spots.
As I'm painting the walls today, I've noticed a large amount of what I like to call character on our walls. This character can be defined as dings and dents from who knows what. Mostly balls being thrown down the hall or trucks being pushed. Any given day you can come in our home and see this hall lined with laundry hampers as our laundry room is upstairs as well. Five hampers...all in a row...all FULL of clothing, towels, uniforms, etc. The kids like to think of this as an obstacle course.
I have been trimming out the walls and it looks so nice already. But here is where the sentimental with a side of crazy comes in. As I'm painting, I start tearing up. Out of nowhere tears are streaming down my face as I cover the dings and painted dents from the Little People school bus that was so gently driven down the hall. I'm sad to cover the dirty hand prints. WHY? Because I'm crazy...and emotional...and my babies are growing up.
I dropped my almost 8th grader off at weights today. WEIGHTS. He is lifting for football. Ugh. He used to drive big Tonka trucks down the hall and run them into the doors. I would tell him to slow down and he would grin a cheesy grin as he clipped the corner of the hall with the truck.
I then drove my almost 6th and almost 1st grader to Summer Rec. This will be Middle's last year at Summer Rec. because he too will start "lifting" weights next summer. This child spent many days racing down the hall and flying into the walls with his bat cape and his bat mobile. I would yell as he slammed into the closed doors as his baby brother was napping.
My Little...my sweet, sweet Little is getting big. So far this summer we have mastered bike riding, swimming, and swinging by himself. He actually told me the other day he didn't...wait for it...NEED me. I said okay and walked away. As I walked away I could think of nothing other than the day we brought him into this world. Our lives have been forever changed by this baby and now he is a big boy who hits "soft" balls down the hallway. We have many a mark from these types of games.
I realize it is just a hallway with fresh paint. But it is also the fact that these boys are growing and it won't be long before their hands won't be here to touch my beautiful hallway.
Why can't women just be like men? When Coach paints a room...he simply paints the room. No tears...no memories...just paint.
I guess I'll just keep painting and maybe have a little cookie dough with my coffee. Today has helped me to see that even though I would love to have a perfectly clean and beautiful show house...I'd rather have our home. Thankfully a fresh coat of paint can't cover the sweet memories I have of these crazy boys. Someone remind me of this post next time I've had enough of them.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Where have you been???
A friend of mine asked me the other day why I haven't been posting on my blog lately. So I thought to myself...
I should blog.
So here I am. Blogging. I wanted to tell you and show you what I've been doing with my time. It seems like the last time I blogged, I had just graduated college. So...without further adieu...I'd like to present to you...
Why I Haven't Been Blogging Lately...
By: Amy Nelson
I graduated from college. I may have mentioned this already, but I thought maybe you should see the look on my face in this picture. As you can clearly see, my eyes are closed and my mouth is open. I have no idea what I was doing here, but I can only assume that I was saying "Yay!" to the president of the university.
For graduation, I received a camera as a gift from my parents and my in-laws. I cried when I opened it because, well...what else would you do when you get a camera? I want you to know that Little informed a classmate of his that carrots with ranch would "change their life" if they just tried it. I'm not a huge fan of carrots, but this smart camera changed this dumb photographer's life. Hence the tears. And Hence the string of pictures you are about to see.
This is our dog Baily. She is little and gets through our fence. I used her as my first picture model. She hates me. And photographing her was a big mistake. I should have picked a non-moving target.
This picture made me feel like the Pioneer Woman when she takes super cute upside down pictures of her dog. Even though my dog didn't cooperate and it is out of focus.
This is an action shot. No...really...she just moved. But calling it an action shot makes me feel better. Because I'm a photographer now.
I decided at this point, I was not cut out for pet photography. Isn't she precious? I started taking pictures of my neighbor's house...and flowers...and plants. As it turns out, none of those things move so there is no need for action shots and "cyclopes" like shots.
Once I figured out some of the benefits of my new "smart" camera...I moved on by taking pics of my kids at their games.
This one is of my Middle...crossing home plate. I cut off his head. I'm that good.
This one is just near perfect of Little. I like the tire rim in the background. You just really have to know your shot...you know?
I thought I'd try my hand at pet photography one more time...and as it turns out, I'm still going to pass on that job. Isn't she a doll? Sheesh.
I have been spending most of my time at my "home" away from home. I took this picture of a sign on a dugout because I thought it was cool and it made me think I could do something really photography-pinteresty with it. So far, it remains on my hard drive.
I've been taking lots of self portraits with my kids because I love them and we like to play photographer with Instagram edits. They have stopped complaining and just smile when I turn my phone around. I have issues. I know...but, I also have some great pics of the boys.
See how they respond? They love me...I think.
Back to why I haven't been blogging...I've been attending many...many...many baseball games. Here's a little baseball photography with my "smart" camera. I'm telling you...all I do is push the button. It takes the pictures and I'm so thankful.
Sahwing Battah!
When this picture was taken, I hadn't quite figured out the zoom. I hope you enjoy looking at the upper half of my child in the on deck circle.
I attended our very last Kindergarten Graduation. I only cried once...(inside the gym).
I attended more baseball. I also failed to get the dirt out of these pants. I quit trying. I tried it all. And then I quit caring. I started a new club called the I can't get my son's baseball pants clean...who's with me? I have a few members and we are gaining momentum.
More self pics. With my kids. I know...I have issues, but I love their smiles. I can't help myself.
I've been spending some time in my new classroom and even more time on Pinterest coming up with new ideas for my school year.
I attempted and failed in teaching Little how to ride his bike.
I cried behind the lens of my "smart" camera watching him face his fears and get back on the bike with Dad as his teacher.
I tricked Big into looking at me so I could get a picture of his precious freckled face. I love him so much.
I then was very sneaky and got a picture of Middle when he wasn't looking. I love him so much too.
Next, I became this guys BIGGEST cheerleader as he rode his bike all by himself. It was a great moment and I'm so glad we got it all on film. They aren't glad...but, I am.
I decided that I would also become a gardener and take pictures of my new flowers because that is what ex-pet photographer/sports photographers and ex-bike riding teachers do. They take pictures of flowers and then smile when they aren't blurry. :)
I took more pics of my kids in all of my spare time.
I painted my kitchen and broke a bowl in the process. This very same day, I smashed another bowl in the driveway with the truck tire. Corr-ell is pretty indestructible...unless of course you run over it with a truck.
I tried to teach this guy how to swim. And he learned. With the help of a friend and patience of his Father. Thank goodness I'm a good cheerleader.
I loaded these boys in my van...took them to an ATM to get $20.00...and dropped them off at the ice-y stand. They begged me not to drive away. I thought about staying for a second...and then I peeled out. In my mini-van. I bribed them out of my basement with money. Because I'm a good parent. And that's what good parents do.
As you can see...I've been very busy. Life has been overwhelmingly good and crazy busy. As some of you saw earlier, Little has decided to move out and get a department of his own in a few years. Big is well on his way to moving out sooner than later if he keeps spending his summer days throwing my exercise ball around with friends. And Middle has quite the tan going on from all of his trips to the pool.
I've missed blogging, but am very busy being a dumb photographer with a smart camera, almost new teacher, mom, cheerleader, baseball fan, and dog trainer. If anyone needs lessons on pet photography...or people photography, I know a good "photog". It isn't me. It's my sister.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
I should blog.
So here I am. Blogging. I wanted to tell you and show you what I've been doing with my time. It seems like the last time I blogged, I had just graduated college. So...without further adieu...I'd like to present to you...
Why I Haven't Been Blogging Lately...
By: Amy Nelson
For graduation, I received a camera as a gift from my parents and my in-laws. I cried when I opened it because, well...what else would you do when you get a camera? I want you to know that Little informed a classmate of his that carrots with ranch would "change their life" if they just tried it. I'm not a huge fan of carrots, but this smart camera changed this dumb photographer's life. Hence the tears. And Hence the string of pictures you are about to see.
Once I figured out some of the benefits of my new "smart" camera...I moved on by taking pics of my kids at their games.
As you can see...I've been very busy. Life has been overwhelmingly good and crazy busy. As some of you saw earlier, Little has decided to move out and get a department of his own in a few years. Big is well on his way to moving out sooner than later if he keeps spending his summer days throwing my exercise ball around with friends. And Middle has quite the tan going on from all of his trips to the pool.
I've missed blogging, but am very busy being a dumb photographer with a smart camera, almost new teacher, mom, cheerleader, baseball fan, and dog trainer. If anyone needs lessons on pet photography...or people photography, I know a good "photog". It isn't me. It's my sister.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Sticks and Stones
James 1:19-20
I can remember saying things like..."sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."
As a child, I believed this when I shouted it across the playground. As an adult, I know better. Words can hurt.
Here lately, I've seen them hurt a lot. And I just wanted to put out a little reminder.
We are all guilty of saying things that are less than kind. We do the exact opposite of what this verse tells us to do. We choose only to "listen" to bits and pieces of what is being told. We are quick to speak and quick to anger. We are quick to react and slow to forgive. In these actions, we are doing the exact opposite of what we are to do in living as a reflection of Christ.
I was talking with a friend just the other day about how we are only responsible for ourselves. We cannot control the actions of those around us. We can only control ourselves and how we react and respond to sticks, stones, and words. We can be quick to anger or we can be gracious and loving. We can know that we know that we know...or we can show that we show that we show His love...His grace...and His mercy.
Sometimes this is easier said than done. I want to react like no one's business when my feelings are hurt. I want to correct those who give false information. I am tempted to "unfriend" those who disagree or speak out of turn.
And then...as I'm talking with Coach this morning, he reads a tweet written by a student athlete of his...and it is this bible verse.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Words can hurt...yes they can...
But THE WORD can heal and restore. So can a cup of coffee and blueberry french toast. And today...they did.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
I can remember saying things like..."sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."
As a child, I believed this when I shouted it across the playground. As an adult, I know better. Words can hurt.
Here lately, I've seen them hurt a lot. And I just wanted to put out a little reminder.
We are all guilty of saying things that are less than kind. We do the exact opposite of what this verse tells us to do. We choose only to "listen" to bits and pieces of what is being told. We are quick to speak and quick to anger. We are quick to react and slow to forgive. In these actions, we are doing the exact opposite of what we are to do in living as a reflection of Christ.
I was talking with a friend just the other day about how we are only responsible for ourselves. We cannot control the actions of those around us. We can only control ourselves and how we react and respond to sticks, stones, and words. We can be quick to anger or we can be gracious and loving. We can know that we know that we know...or we can show that we show that we show His love...His grace...and His mercy.
Sometimes this is easier said than done. I want to react like no one's business when my feelings are hurt. I want to correct those who give false information. I am tempted to "unfriend" those who disagree or speak out of turn.
And then...as I'm talking with Coach this morning, he reads a tweet written by a student athlete of his...and it is this bible verse.
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Words can hurt...yes they can...
But THE WORD can heal and restore. So can a cup of coffee and blueberry french toast. And today...they did.
Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Just one of those days...
There are those days...
You are familiar with them, right? Where everything and everyone seems to offend you in some way, shape, or form?
Well today was one of those days for me. It started out fine, but just kept getting worse. I posted on Facebook about a lady that yelled at me while I was chasing my dog down the street. You can see from that sentence where this is going.
I was home doing yard work all day. No one was here to upset me or offend me. But from the end of school until now...I've been offended and down right ugly several times. To several people.
I hate days like this. To be honest, it started last night and I believe followed me right into today. Hmph. (insert arms crossed here)
I'm pretty sure if I took a poll of people I talked to today they would agree with my bad day attitude issue. So I won't be taking any polls as I would find this offensive as well.
I could say it is because the bag of mulch I bought was not full and had been returned and taped shut and I didn't notice until I was loading the what seemed to 50 ton bag into my car. I could say it is because I chased my dog down the street not once, but twice and was reminded by a kind woman about the importance of a leash. I could say it is because my six year old chose not to listen more than I prefer. I could say it was because Big broke Coach's weed eater which put Coach in a super swell mood. I could say it is because I sat down to do our next few months schedules and it upset me how much "busy" we have on the calendar for summer.
Or...I could be honest and say it was simply a bad attitude.
Guilty.
As charged.
I wish at this point I had something inspirational and wonderful to say. I wish I could write something uplifting and amazing.
I wish I had cookie dough and a cleaning fairy. And one of Ree's (my good friend who doesn't know she's my friend) brownies.
What I know that I know that I know...is that God loves me even on these kinds of days. He is probably shaking his head at me right now...but, he loves me anyway. I do this with my Big from time to time. I get it.
We all have these kinds of days. And we all have the opportunity to forgive ourselves and move on towards a better and brighter tomorrow.
THANK GOODNESS. Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
You are familiar with them, right? Where everything and everyone seems to offend you in some way, shape, or form?
Well today was one of those days for me. It started out fine, but just kept getting worse. I posted on Facebook about a lady that yelled at me while I was chasing my dog down the street. You can see from that sentence where this is going.
I was home doing yard work all day. No one was here to upset me or offend me. But from the end of school until now...I've been offended and down right ugly several times. To several people.
I hate days like this. To be honest, it started last night and I believe followed me right into today. Hmph. (insert arms crossed here)
I'm pretty sure if I took a poll of people I talked to today they would agree with my bad day attitude issue. So I won't be taking any polls as I would find this offensive as well.
I could say it is because the bag of mulch I bought was not full and had been returned and taped shut and I didn't notice until I was loading the what seemed to 50 ton bag into my car. I could say it is because I chased my dog down the street not once, but twice and was reminded by a kind woman about the importance of a leash. I could say it is because my six year old chose not to listen more than I prefer. I could say it was because Big broke Coach's weed eater which put Coach in a super swell mood. I could say it is because I sat down to do our next few months schedules and it upset me how much "busy" we have on the calendar for summer.
Or...I could be honest and say it was simply a bad attitude.
Guilty.
As charged.
I wish at this point I had something inspirational and wonderful to say. I wish I could write something uplifting and amazing.
I wish I had cookie dough and a cleaning fairy. And one of Ree's (my good friend who doesn't know she's my friend) brownies.
What I know that I know that I know...is that God loves me even on these kinds of days. He is probably shaking his head at me right now...but, he loves me anyway. I do this with my Big from time to time. I get it.
We all have these kinds of days. And we all have the opportunity to forgive ourselves and move on towards a better and brighter tomorrow.
THANK GOODNESS. Have a blessed day!
Referee of 3
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