"Not what I will, but what You will"

Reminding myself today that His timing is PERFECT!

I read a passage that spoke to me about interfering with God's plan and His will. About how one can force a rosebud open, but in doing so spoils the flower. Oh and what a waste of the complete beauty it would have been had it been allowed to open in it's due time! Realizing, at least in my head, that the only answer is to leave everything to Him, without exception, to bloom in His perfect time. I know this should offer peace and rest....and though slow, I am hopeful that my "head-knowledge" will develop into "heart-knowledge" as well!

Mark 14:36 "Not what I will, but what you will"

Wow. To really LIVE the words of this song...

To Have Discernment

"No desire will ever be placed in you by the Holy Spirit unless He intends to fulfill it. So let your faith rise up and soar away to claim all the land you can discover. ~S.A. Keen

Having one of those days where I'm questioning the purpose of dreaming. Is it simply useless or even worse, a guarantee for disappointment? Is dreaming a waste of time? A distraction from the purpose and reality at hand? Is it a path to inevitable heartbreak?

-OR-

Is it in fact, the active exercise of hope? Believing that there truly is more. Being open to possibilities never even imagined. Perhaps, motivation towards something bigger? And with that, a willingness to risk the chance of heartbreak knowing that in the end IT WILL BE WORTH IT. Is that what dreaming is?

I don't know.
But, if one of my children were asking me this, whether they should abandon dreaming as a means to protect themselves from potential pain or suffering, I would answer with an emphatic "NO!". Not because I do not care for them and their feelings, but because I DO! What they would miss out on if they didn't dream! For at one time, even they were but a dream to me. As is the case with most everything precious in my life. When I consider that, I choose to dream. To believe. In spite of the "logic" (or maybe lie) that says "why bother". It is without a doubt a risk, but certainly a risk worth taking.

Witnessing a dream unfold into reality is like no other experience in life. And realizing that that is God's dream for us, even sweeter.

"To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe."
- Anatole France

Why?

I love it when I think I have something figured out, or am at least developing an "understanding", to have it challenged. To find myself at a place full of questions and feel as though God has withdrawn to allow me to seek out the answers. That alone is a gift, I'm learning. And while I toss about all the questions, wrestling to find the answers, what I know is that He IS faithful! And if I will seek after Him with all my heart, He will restore my HOPE! This is exactly where I am tonight. And I am thankful for His mercy that provides this weary soul with truth and hope.

Job 34:10 So listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do evil, from the Almighty to do wrong. 12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.


WHY? The Gospel and Suffering audio: WHY3_AUD

It really isn't about me.....at all

You know, I understand that, but sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get it.

Really get it.

Trying to simply be still and absorb it. That alone is a challenge for my fidgety self. My impatient often hurried self. Oh how I don't want to run impulsively ahead of the Lord!

Learning to wait. Understanding that when God delays, He is not inactive. That He is never late. He is aware. He is preparing. And He'll cue me when He is ready for me.....or perhaps better, when I am ready for Him.

How He loves us!

Sew Cute!

The girls and I spent the morning making pillowcases thanks to a couple of inspiring creative blogs I follow... Sew Chic & Karamat (thank you ladies!). It was so much fun to watch them use their own style while picking out their fabrics and listening to them get excited as they saw their creations developing! I made a couple for the boys as well so they wouldn't be left out. :) (I'll have to post pics of those later....)

How'd you celebrate GREEN?

:) We had a fun day!!! Started everything off with GREEN waffles....YUM! Then of course everyone decked out in their green attire. We went to the library, to run a few errands, have lunch and visit daddy at work. It was a good day to be out and about and get some much needed fresh air....even if cold. And lil' man finally got to wear his mommy made bow tie! TOOOO CUTE!!! :)

A personal reminder

This little book has offered me so much encouragement, accompanied by regular glimpses of God's heart and His hopes for me. Often offering the most profound understandings through the simplest of ideas. Not exactly sure of how it found it's way into my home, but so thankful that it was here when a dear friend suggested it to me while in the midst of one of life's heavy storms. While that storm and several others have passed, this book continues to offer me the most timely reminders, as it did today.

"O restless heart - beating against the prison bars of your circumstances and longing for a wider realm of usefulness - allow God to direct all your days."

This IS my desire! But not my nature. I am far too impatient, a dreamer of sorts. But a dreamer that expects immediate action. My mind is made up after all, so therefore let's move ahead full steam conquering each step of the perfectly planned process all the way! This even makes me embarrassingly grin as I type it. :) The problem with my approach isn't necessarily the desire to act....it is my impatience that acts on my own desires. My response MUST be to wait on God. To avoid getting in the way of HIS plans, regardless of how well intentioned. To simply Be Still.

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

A simple way to make a big difference!

Check out the meaning and purpose behind this beautiful bracelet at Tiny Hands International's One Girl outreach. Additional info about Tiny Hands International here.

Blessed Beyond Measure!

This is one of those days where I feel like God is showering me with blessings! All around! Everywhere I look....He is there, with His hands extended towards me, full of gifts! Gifts far better and more meaningful than my imagination even allows. I am FULL of praise and gratitude, as well as, humility and amazement that HE truly does love ME this much! Enough to speak directly to my heart in an individually and specially crafted way that I am able to immediately recognize as Him. Him speaking to me.

Wow.

Thank you God!

While these specific blessings may not be obvious to onlookers, I pray that my attitude of thanksgiving is!

Ready to be ROCKED?

I followed a link on a sweet friend's blog that lead me to this video. **Disclaimer** It is graphic, heart-breaking, and one of those things that once you've seen it, it REQUIRES without any excuse or hesitation ACTION! How one acts is between them & God, but it offers an amazing opportunity to open our eyes, see the need and ask, "How can I make a difference?" Each of us CAN!


To learn more about the people who helped these precious children and their family change their lives, visit Village2Village.

Check out these beautiful bracelets!!!

I love the creative, imaginative, resourceful, driven spirit of adopting families!

Mama's Bed = Instant Comfort!

I love that my bed means comfort to my children. We are in the midst of an extended dose of "crud" around here, and seems that everyone has had their turn of spending the day in "mama's bed" (not that daddy doesn't sleep there too, but it is officially known as mama's bed! lol!) There's a different sort of comfort and security associated with mama's bed. It's the place you go in the middle of the night when you need to be rescued from a bad dream, the place to get morning snuggles, the best place for reading books so everyone can see the pictures and have a comfy spot, and we're learning it's also a pretty good place to watch movies thanks to a laptop and netflix! Seems nobody is too put off with their sick days.....hmmmm.....maybe a bit TOO comfortable! ;)