Ending 2015 and Reflecting with Thankfulness

This morning my husband and I had a very pleasant morning, one of the most pleasant mornings I have had in a while. We arose at a good hour to venture out for some errands, a quick trip to the grocery store, and a stop at a, new-to-us, local doughnut shop so we could bring home some sweet treasures for our sleepy household. I was happy to be with my husband and feel at peace. We weren’t feeling rushed. The roads and stores were still quite empty. And best of all, we were together.

When we came home, our crew was still asleep, so we settled on the couch together for a morning rest. As I sat there thinking about the end of 2015, I felt so thankful… so thankful to the Lord for what I have in life…

• My family and friends, all of the people in my life who love and support me. 
• My husband who is my best friend and beloved partner in life.
• My children who fill my life with purpose and joy.
• My church family that encourages and upholds me.
• My house, a place I can call home, a place my family and I have cultivated and cherished.
• The privilege to homeschool my children and be with them every day.
• For this blog, a place for me to write and influence others and for my readers who make it worthwhile.

And the list goes on…

Sometimes life feels hard. Even the other day my husband mentioned how immensely blessed we are yet how difficult life can be! Unfortunately, that is the case this side of heaven. Life will always have its challenges and continual struggles. However, there is always much to be thankful for.

As you end this year and start a new one, I pray that you are able to have some time to reflect. I pray you are able to stop life for a moment and just think about all of the ways you are blessed.

May we enter 2016 with gratitude
and may it fuel us in the year ahead.

Happy New Year!

Where is Your Focus This Week? Let Go of Perfection, Expectation, & Comparison and Celebrate!

The other day I posted the above picture to my personal social media. I loved it. My dog was still. The house was cozy. My tree was lit up and showing forth its splendor of red and gold. Everything seemed wonderful, until someone pointed out the bottom of my tree. Yes, if you didn’t see it before, you see it now… the bottom of my tree is not decorated!

When I realized that, I immediately thought of quickly grasping my photo from the realms of public notice and keeping it only for my own eyes. I felt embarrassed. I thought of some of my friends and their trees and knew that the bottom of their trees would never look so bare! I hate to admit that I even looked up one of my friend’s trees on Facebook, and sure enough, her tree was full – to the hilt!
Nonetheless, I did not remove my picture from Instagram and Facebook. There were some who loved the picture as well.

They weren’t focusing on the lack in the picture,
but the beauty.

They weren’t comparing my picture
or my tree to anyone else’s.
They enjoyed the scene for what it was.

This week, as you are finishing your preparations for Christmas, let go of some of the ideas of perfection, expectation and comparisons you have in your head.

Everyone’s situation is different. Don’t compare your tree, your gift-giving (or receiving),  or your celebrations to the gal next door.

Focus on the Lord and His goodness
and live this week with joy!

Celebrate the Lord and His birth.
Celebrate the gift of Jesus and all of the good gifts He has given and continues to give us.

Merry Christmas!

... and when you feel discouraged,
just remember the bottom of my tree. ~wink~

Chocolate Crinkles

If you are still looking to bake some delicious Christmas (or whenever!)cookies, try these Chocolate Crinkles. I have blogged about these before, but did not lay out the recipe for you, so I’m doing that now.

The main thing you have to remember when you make these is that the dough has to sit for a few hours before you make the cookie balls. Otherwise, they are fairly simple and very tasty!

Chocolate Crinkles
Original recipe found here
Printable Version

1/2 cup veg. oil (I use coconut oil)
4 – 1 oz. squares unsweetened chocolate, melted (I use a double boiler)
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
2 t vanilla
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 cup powdered sugar

Mix oil, chocolate, and granulated sugar.

Blend in one egg at a time until well-mixed. Then add vanilla.

Stir flour, baking powder, and salt into oil mixture.

Chill for a few hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350.

Drop by teaspoonful (a melon scooper works well) into the powdered sugar.

Roll and cover in sugar. Shape into balls and place on a greased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. 

Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake.

Be Others-Focused This Christmas Season

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…

Philippians 2:3-5

As I consider Christmas, the manger scene, and the blessing of Jesus, I am reminded of God’s gift to us. I am reminded that Jesus came to earth as a human, as a baby. He emptied and humbled Himself because He was looking out for the interests of others. He was looking out for the interest of humankind. He came to seek and to save that which was lost, to redeem mankind, and to remind it of its great purpose in God.

When Jesus was on the earth, His ministry was full of healing and love. He sought to touch the hearts of men and provide hope for them. His desire was for all to know the Father God. He acted out of true love and thought about others’ needs continually.

During this Christmas season, let us remember to do things in line with the true Christmas spirit, in line with the Spirit of Jesus Christ, giving of ourselves for the sake of others.

Through our decorating and baking and gift-buying and celebrating, may we keep the focus off ourselves and seek to please God first and foremost and also to touch the hearts of men, bringing light and hope with a sprinkle of peace and joy!

For some people the Christmas season proves to be difficult as they juggle heartache over lost loved ones, ruined relationships, empty bank accounts, and more. May we remember those who struggle and seek to bless them in a special way this season.

Small gestures go a long way,
and a little bit of kindness brings gladness.

Prayer is Never a Waste

Have you ever prayed for something or someone and felt like your prayers fell dead?

Perhaps your prayers felt like they were never answered.
Perhaps you saw little to no change in the circumstance or person.
Perhaps you felt discouraged to pray again.
Perhaps you felt like your prayers were just a waste of time and energy.

When we think about prayer, we can’t just think about it as if it were a financial transaction. I spend = I get. I pray = I receive … and now!

Prayer is much more than that. Prayer is the means God established for us to commune and connect with Him.

Prayer is never a waste.

It chases the heart of God, changes the hearts of men, and challenges our priorities.

• Prayer chases the heart of God.

When we pray, we pursue God’s purposes. We humble ourselves and say, “God, here we are. God, please move in this situation. God, have Your way.” The act of prayer puts running shoes on our feet and sets us into action with God’s heart. Praying people chase the heart of God!

• Prayer changes the hearts of men.

Sometimes we pray because we want to see other people’s hearts changed, and that is good and proper, lining up with God’s desires. However, in the process, our own hearts are changed as well. Prayer changes the hearts of those who are prayed for, in addition to the hearts of those who pray. Even though it may take a while for us to see someone else’s heart change, our own hearts can be conformed and transformed in an instant when we avail ourselves to prayer. All the more, our hearts are changed long term as he fashions us into His image.

• Prayer challenges our priorities.

Life is full and busy, and it can be easy to get caught up with the activity of life, leaving the precious gift of prayer in the background. Choosing to pray tells the rest of our lives that God and His kingdom are important.

But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Prayer helps us to keep our priorities straight, seeking first God and His will for our lives. Prayer helps us to embrace the things in our lives that are good and meaningful and get rid of the fluff that exists.

If you have felt discouraged about your prayer life,
lay your discouragement aside and pursue God.

Chase his heart. Be changed. Be challenged.

Prayer is never a waste.

It chases the heart of God, changes the hearts of men, and challenges our priorities.

Living Through Difficult Times: Remembering God Has a Plan and a Purpose!

I was dragging a bit today. My mind was mulling over the past month’s difficulties and feeling a bit discouraged…

• My pastor’s wife passed away.
• A loved one was in the hospital.
• I came down with pneumonia and am still fighting it.
• Due to the pneumonia, I missed traveling out of state with my family to watch my son play in a national homeschool soccer tournament.
• My father-in-law was rushed to the hospital yesterday, just as we were preparing to celebrate a wedding, and is now in critical condition.

I feel a bit worn out – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

I was trying to rest and regroup, as I usually do on Sundays, and needed to tackle the bills. As I stepped into my role of responsibility, a thought came to me:

God has a plan and a purpose for you right now, and that is what you need to focus on.

It’s so true! In the midst of all of life’s icky, sticky messes, God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, and that is what we need to cling to.

“For I know the thoughts (plans) that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11

We have to remember that GOD has plans for us. He always does. No matter what life looks like and what is going on around us, GOD has a plan for us, and it is His plan that will prevail and weave through the fabric of life.

God has a plan. He is not surprised by the mishaps and bumps in the road. He is prepared. He knows just how to help us. He is able to strengthen us. He desires to carry us and fill our hearts will peace and fullness of joy.

Not only does he have a plan for our lives, actively working with us and through us in all circumstances, He has a purpose for everything.

“And we know all things work together for good to those who love God.”
Romans 8:28

God has a purpose for ALL THINGS. He is working it all for good.

We only see a slice of the cake, a piece of the puzzle, but God… He sees it all! He sees the whole picture, and He creates His masterpiece with every little bit, with a perfect purpose in mind!

When life is difficult, we have to get our minds off of the natural and dig deep into our souls, reminding us of these precious truths.

God has a plan and a purpose!

Parenthood: Standing in the Gap with Grace for Your Children

Many times we have expectations for our children. Many times our children fall short. They are human after all, just like us.

We want them to be able to do certain things and achieve certain goals, and sometimes it is easy to focus on what isn’t getting done rather than what is getting done.

In the end, we have to accept where our children are in life and make up for their lack with the strength, wisdom, love, and knowledge we have.
That, my friends, is parenthood.

God the Father is a great example of this. All He asks is that we do our best, that we follow Him the best that we can, that we love Him the best that we can, and He makes up for the rest. He asks us to trust, rest, and lean on Him.

He fills in the gaps of our lives with His grace and mercy and helps us succeed in life.

That is what we must do for our children.

I realize how much I need the Lord to fill my life with His grace. I realize how much I lack and need Him to carry me. In the same way, I want to support my children.

They may take longer to grow into certain habits that I desire for them, and I want to have the endurance to walk alongside of them patiently -- teaching, training, and loving them into maturity.

They may be weak in some areas where I wish they were strong. I pray I may be strong for them, supporting them and loving them as God fashions them and shapes their weaknesses into strengths.

They may need extra assistance and extra tender loving care. I hope that I will be a gracious and generous mother, giving from a heart of abundance.

The true nature of good parenthood is to give. It is the heart of a good parent to give fully to her children so they may benefit and grow up well.

May God give us the power and strength to fill our children’s lives with His grace and mercy, just as He so lovingly does for us.