Month: February 2017

“Be careful, little eyes, what you see…”

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Remember singing this little song in Sunday school?  Sometimes we compartmentalize things like this and label them “For Children”.  We have a saying in our house, ‘If it’s not okay for the children, it’s not okay for the adults.”

We utilize review sites to help guide our choices.  Reviewers usually rate on three fronts:  language, mature content, and violence.  Looking at what has been noted allows us to discern for ourselves.  I want what ‘goes in’ to be worthy of our time and money.

Bottom line, what ‘goes in’, stays in.  What’s “popular” probably won’t describe what I prefer. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

http://www.imdb.com/ (below Storyline, look for Parents Guide. Suitable guidance for all ages.)

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

http://www.compassbookratings.com/

Bee Nice

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Just a little reminder … as Spring begins to arrive so do pesky insects, like aphids.  Ug! Those stinkers suck the life out of plants.  Last year, I was lucky enough to find ladybugs in the yard. (I was on my hands and knees pulling weeds, okay?)  I rounded up as many as I could find and released them on my suffering Quince bush.

Backyard rodeo not for you?  There are other less unusual methods of controlling pests.  Research your options.  Keep in mind, even organic pesticides, like Neem Oil, need to be applied in the evening and not directly to the flowers.  Our little pollinating friends, the bees, will thank you.  Gotta keep THEM alive if WE want to stay on the planet.

https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/pollinator-risk-assessment-guidance

http://www.planetbee.org/natural-pest-control/flower-pollination

‘Glorious Intruder’

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Isn’t that a compelling title?  It’s the title to one of my morning devotions by Joni Eareckson Tada. God “broke in” this morning.

Today’s reading contained this Scripture from II Corinthians 5:14 (KJV), “For the love of Christ constraineth us …”  A pastor was likening ‘constrained’ to a river that had its banks reinforced which, in turn, caused the flow of water to be ‘constrained’ and pushed forward.  [Transparency.  I’ve climbed those banks. I’ve built bridges.  Internally, I’ve said, ‘I can’t go that way!’  ‘I don’t know what will happen.’ ‘I’m fine right here.’ ‘I’m unsure, so I just won’t move.’]

The pastor went on to say that ‘Sometimes God in His love brings about circumstances which seem to press in on every side — walled situations or high hedges where we feel closed in. [He’s been closing in the last couple of weeks.] Yet God allows these crushing pressures to ultimately push us forward and make us more effective, more productive.  Though we may not like it, the trials press us and push us in a better direction — a direction God wants us to head.”  [Oh, man. This gives me the feeling of standing in line for a ride at an amusement park.  Half terror and half elation.]

The reading concluded with, “Your circumstances — even the pushing, squeezing, distressing ones — are part of His plan.  It’s a plan to make your life more productive than you ever dreamed possible.  That’s divine engineering at its best.”

Frankly, I’m tired of constraining myself.  What, exactly, have I been holding myself back from? Or, more importantly, why?

God spoke the word ‘grow’ to me as my word for 2017.  [Knew there was more to that innocent little four letter word.]  I’ve decided to stop being afraid.  No more riding in the third row [scrutinize the photo below]. No more allowing distractions to side track me [see fourth row].  I want to throw off anything that is hindering what God has in mind for me (Hebrews 12:1).

So, that is going to be me, in the front row.  Fully engaged, no more holding back; having the time of my life. How’s God going to use me?  What doors is He preparing to open? That’s His business. I’ve purchased my ticket.  I’m getting on that ride.

ladies-on-roller-coaster

Priorities

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Every morning, while my son works on his schoolwork, I read my devotions.  I consider this time WELL spent.  My thoughts turn away from my own little bubble and focus on others.  So, I had this thought…I need to prioritize my devotions reflecting who takes precedence.  I realized that my relationship with the Lord should come in the first position.  No matter who else is in my life, at any stage of my life, it’s my relationship with the Lord that centers me; listening for and hearing that still small voice. 20170131_092930_burst01

Next, my husband.  God mysteriously brought this man into my life, to walk my days with, to raise a family with.  Finally, my ‘littles’.  These children are indeed a blessing from the Lord.  Just because they are such a blessing, does not mean that they can usurp the place of their father or THE Father.  We’ve all experienced times of illness or discontent where you can feel the scales tipping out of balance.  Make one little change. Keep your priorities in their proper order.  It’s amazing how much peace you will feel when you do.