The natural beauty of flowers can truly captivate your attention. Perhaps the intense color, uniqueness or fragrance of a flower will cause you to take a moment and gaze upon it's beauty. Walking home, a slight movement caught my eye, and I instantly watched as a bud burst open to reveal a beautiful flower! Just as this flower instantly opened, you must maximize the moment that is presented. Some decisions need much consideration while others just need a quick response. Maximize each moment that comes your way. "If we will maximize our moments, we'll experience the breakthrough that God has for us." (M.A. Pryor)
Friday, July 27
Thursday, July 26
Can You Dance On Your Potato Chips?
This is worth your time to read:
"Not too long ago I had 'one of those days'. I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times.
I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner. Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans.
I grabbed a Tupperware from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned. My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated, now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened.
I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty. It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. 'I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!' My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help.
Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process! I stared. I fumed.
Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess I've made of things. What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all.
Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way He did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond. Do I trust Him? Even when He's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when He's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping? Can I embrace what He's offering?
Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancin' with my needs in mind? I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.
Come on, dance on your potato chips!!"
http://www.cairforyou.com/potato.htm
"Not too long ago I had 'one of those days'. I was feeling pressure from a writing deadline. I had company arriving in a couple days and the toilet was clogged. I went to the bank, and the trainee teller processing my deposit had to start over three times.
I swung by the supermarket to pick up a few things and the lines were serpentine. By the time I got home, I was frazzled and sweaty and in a hurry to get something on the table for dinner. Deciding on Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, I grabbed a can opener, cranked open the can, then remembered I had forgotten to buy milk at the store. Nix the soup idea. Setting the can aside, I went to plan B, which was leftover baked beans.
I grabbed a Tupperware from the fridge, popped the seal, took a look and groaned. My husband isn't a picky eater, but even HE won't eat baked beans that look like caterpillars. Really frustrated, now, I decided on a menu that promised to be as foolproof as it is nutrition-free: hot dogs and potato chips. Retrieving a brand new bag of chips from the cupboard, I grabbed the cellophane and gave a hearty pull. The bag didn't open. I tried again. Nothing happened.
I took a breath, doubled my muscle, and gave the bag a hearty wrestle. With a loud pop, the cellophane suddenly gave way, ripping wide from top to bottom. Chips flew sky high. I was left holding the bag, and it was empty. It was the final straw. I let out a blood curdling scream. 'I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!' My husband heard my unorthodox cry for help.
Within minutes he was standing at the doorway to the kitchen, where he surveyed the damage: an opened can of soup, melting groceries, moldy baked beans, and one quivering wife standing ankle deep in potato chips. My husband did the most helpful thing he could think of at the moment. He took a flying leap, landing flat-footed in the pile of chips. And then he began to stomp and dance and twirl, grinding those chips into my linoleum in the process! I stared. I fumed.
Pretty soon I was working to stifle a smile. Eventually I had to laugh. And finally I decided to join him. I, too, took a leap onto the chips. And then I danced. Now I'll be the first to admit that my husband's response wasn't the one I was looking for. But the truth is, it was exactly what I needed. I didn't need a cleanup crew as much as I needed an attitude adjustment, and the laughter from that rather funky moment provided just that.
So now I have a question for you, and it's simply this: Has God ever stomped on your chips? I know that, in my life, there have been plenty of times when I've gotten myself into frustrating situations and I've cried out for help, all the while hoping God would show up with a celestial broom and clean up the mess I've made of things. What often happens instead is that God dances on my chips, answering my prayer in a completely different manner than I had expected, but in the manner that is best for me after all.
Sometimes I can see right away that God's response was the best one after all. Sometimes I have to wait weeks or months before I begin to understand how and why God answered a particular prayer the way He did. There are even some situations that, years later, I'm still trying to understand. I figure God will fill me in sooner or later, either this side of Heaven or beyond. Do I trust Him? Even when He's answering my prayers in a way that is completely different from my expectations? Even when He's dancing and stomping instead of sweeping and mopping? Can I embrace what He's offering?
Can I let His joy adjust my attitude? Am I going to stand on the sidelines and sulk, or am I willing to learn the steps of the dance He's dancin' with my needs in mind? I'll be honest with you: Sometimes I sulk. Sometimes I dance. I'm working on doing more of the latter than the former. I guess the older I get the more I realize that He really does know what He's doing. He loves me and I can trust Him. Even when the chips are down.
Come on, dance on your potato chips!!"
http://www.cairforyou.com/potato.htm
Tuesday, July 17
How Do You Treat The Ones You Adore
There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Why is it that we flatter our guests but debase the ones dearest to us? If you knew that someone was videotaping an evening in your home, you would not dare act up. The fuss that you may normally engage in would not be near as intense. Perhaps, it would not even happen. If you can be kind and thoughtful to your guests, co-workers, friends or complete strangers, how much more should you be to your own family? "Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns." Your love and kindness will yield great dividends. Treat those closest to you as if they were a priceless jewel worthy of honor. Refrain from harsh words and love them unconditionally because your "family is a haven in a [sometimes] heartless world."
Saturday, July 14
Saturday, July 7
Triumph in a Moment
Days like today are priceless. Saturday's are reserved for our family day. We always strive to do something special together, and today was no exception. Sheldon and I decided that we would go on a bike ride. We rode around the neighborhood, stopped at a few garage sales, and headed home.
I was so invigorated about riding my bike that I decided I would find a family trail. So, armed with a bottle of water and a sense of adventure I set out to find the perfect trail. Ten minutes into my ride, my enthusiam began to wane and I even considered turning back. Just about this time, two riders passed by. I immediately got back on my bike and thought I would just follow behind the riders. Sure enough, they turned on a picturesque road. I soon began to enjoy the scenery and rode on.
I finally arrived at a street that I recognized and headed up the hill because I was certain there should be a bike trail there. For me, riding up hill is very challenging. Once again, I considered returning home, but I continued on. Like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I found the perfect trail! I rode on for about ten minutes more. Thankfully, the trip back home was down hill. Sailing down the road was fantastic! One exhilerating hour later, I bounded through the door and told Mark and Sheldon that I found a trail that we could ride our bikes on!
The moral of this story: keep going on even when you feel exhausted. Sometimes the journey is tough, but "by prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination." (Christopher Columbus)
I was so invigorated about riding my bike that I decided I would find a family trail. So, armed with a bottle of water and a sense of adventure I set out to find the perfect trail. Ten minutes into my ride, my enthusiam began to wane and I even considered turning back. Just about this time, two riders passed by. I immediately got back on my bike and thought I would just follow behind the riders. Sure enough, they turned on a picturesque road. I soon began to enjoy the scenery and rode on.
I finally arrived at a street that I recognized and headed up the hill because I was certain there should be a bike trail there. For me, riding up hill is very challenging. Once again, I considered returning home, but I continued on. Like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, I found the perfect trail! I rode on for about ten minutes more. Thankfully, the trip back home was down hill. Sailing down the road was fantastic! One exhilerating hour later, I bounded through the door and told Mark and Sheldon that I found a trail that we could ride our bikes on!
The moral of this story: keep going on even when you feel exhausted. Sometimes the journey is tough, but "by prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination." (Christopher Columbus)
Wednesday, July 4
Happy 4th of July
Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have.
I am glad that I expereinced another memorable Fourth of July. We had a great time playing volleyball and hanging out with everyone. Much to my amazement, we were even able to catch of firework display!
I am glad that I expereinced another memorable Fourth of July. We had a great time playing volleyball and hanging out with everyone. Much to my amazement, we were even able to catch of firework display!
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