Posts

Posture of Peace

 This past week I have several friends reacting to a post on social media. It looked like an innocent enough picture, but “the powers that be” chose to censor the picture for potentially offensive content. As I read comments, and saw increasingly more people commenting on the post, or sharing the post it led me to think, well that algorithm or plan worked. I have revisited the posts on multiple pages several times to see if it is still in censored mode. I even considered reposting it myself.  I consider this plan then ask myself, why am I choosing this, why am I invested in this picture, or any post, or the reactions it generates within me? What do I gain by giving my time to social media? Social media is a means to advertising dollars, and income is best generated in an environment of discord and discontentment. This picture that had no obvious reason to be censored and likely would have been easily passed by as a lovely statement and picture soon forgotten. However, the act of cens
1 comment
Read more

Obedience: my act of love

     My hands were raised this morning while worshipping. I felt bathed in grace and surrounded by love. Our family has the privilege to worship among like-minded believers, each walking through their own journeys. I can lift my hands in praise and with joy. Eyes closed, arms up, as if reaching for my father, for my daddy. Abba, a tender word, an acknowledgment of Father's power and role of power in my life. We sang and I felt the tears of surrender resolutely press against my eyelashes and spill down my cheeks. Tears wash my cheeks as my hands remain lifted, like a gentle rain pouring out His acceptance, His tender calling me; by name, the name He knew before I was even born. Joy filled tears that nothing I can do, that I have done, or will do will separate me from His love for me. Abba, Father, Creator, Provider: He loves me, with depth, with resolution, with sincerity, and with depth.       As this love washes over my being, as I am surrounded by what he offers, my follow up r
Post a Comment
Read more

Praise, Faith, Grace: And the meaning of names

       After having our first two girls I was convinced, when we had out third child she would also be a girl . Thankfully, for the love of sanity through hormones, God blessed us with a boy .  Once again, my opportunity to say, I am so thankful He know better than me what He is doing.  Yet, even as I went into the delivery room, I had a girl's name picked out, it was Kennedy Grace. Before the year was out, Hannah had conceived and given birth to a son. She named him Samuel, explaining, "I asked God for him." 1 Samuel 1:20          I had a boy, we named him Brice, because it means "leader of men." His father bears this middle name, and it was a way to honor this amazing man, and to rest confidently through the trials of growth, in what God will do in our son's life. I bear witness to B-boy as I watch him wrestle with many emotions, and struggle at school, and still, this young leader, has his heartbeat set to his Father. I see his compassion for y
Post a Comment
Read more

Even in the little things

I was pulled over today.  I was driving, admittedly distracted, thinking about what had just happened at the store, and composing my "this is not right" email.  I came down the hill, I saw the car sitting there, then watched him turn around, wondered, then assuming he was there for me.  So, I switched lanes, so did he, and then those red a blue lights of shame begin to spin. I came to an easy stop, because, of course, I was doing the speed limit now anyways.  I pull out my wallet, see my (expired) insurance card, and just sigh.  Oh well. So, this officer collects my information, thankfully trusts I really do have insurance (I DO), and eventually comes back with my ticket.  As I sat there, I stewed, and these negative emotions just swirl, and I am floored that he pulled me over, I mean really, me...  I don't speed, I don't, if he only knew.  If he had just been at the last place, if he had known what my weekend had included, if he knew I was a good person just doing
2 comments
Read more

My husband married a gypsy

I have said many times, “ My husband married a gypsy.”   I see this as a great thing, most of the time.  Let me tell you   “ being a gypsy”  paints a beautiful story, filled with twists and turns.  I see it through this lens of beauty and excitement, and FULL OF COLOR. Wide Roots: I have been blessed to live in 5 different states around the continental US.  I attended 8 different schools from Kindergarten to High School. I remember at least 10 different homes, and when my parents said “we’re moving”, it usually meant across the country, not just to a new neighborhood. When we moved from Texas to New York I was thankful to move into an apartment complex, and I went up to the manager of the property, asked her where some kids my age lived, and, to my surprise, she actually told me.  So, I took my tiny tan self, embraced the southern twang, and marched myself to this girl’s door, before I lost my Texas sized courage, and introduced myself to her.  While I don’t know what went thro
Post a Comment
Read more

I want to write

A long term dream of mine is to write a book.  It is part of why I have a blog!  I've put this off with the ideas that  1. Other people are so much better,  2. I'm too busy, maybe later, and  3. Of, course no one would read it.   In July I turned 35, and it was great!  It was nothing spectacular, but I believe in using the excuse of my birthday, anytime within the month of July, to get what I want, do what I want, o go where I want.  (All within moderation f our family, budget, time, etc.)  What it meat this year was getting a trainer and from my 90 days with him: I have learned to work out (and to love it).  I have learned to enjoy running, (or real though, walking at a weird and awkward pace), I have re-found my desire to read, and I am expanding my reading list, even more, I remembered my desire to write! Fast forward to February, two dear friends introduced me to The IF Gathering  and this led me to Jen Hatmaker, Anne Lamott, Angie Smith, and quickly to Jamie Ivey.
4 comments
Read more

#livewithless

Image
The new year has been BUSY .  So busy that I have not had time to come back to this since I posted last November. The irony being that I intentionally scheduled NOTHING for the month of January .  We took a break from classes, volunteering, and I worked on my need to "say yes" to everything.  Going into February we did a few scheduled things, but life, at the pace it goes, just kept coming at us, day by day.  Finally March did just as it's name says, it M...A...R...C...H...E...D us forward to Easter.  This pace is too much.  My children are growing older, the days keep passing, and what I noticed, as I picked up books I had reserved in February from the library,  I have a theme. In every part of my being, I am searching fo r simplicity , for less of all of this consumer driven crazy,  for less stuff.  In fact, the majority of my first Facebook posts of the New Year have been dealing with just such truth #livewithless An yet, I ended up with this  It is a phys
Post a Comment
Read more