Beach Fun

Running free on the beach is my photo entry
into this weeks photo challenge over at

iheartfaces

Thankful

the girls brought these into me
yesterday
they picked them from our garden
and put them in our little glasses we found
at Good Will together

they sit on my kitchen window sill
and make me smile and think of my sweet girls
....no only if they could wash the floor for me.....

Last weekend I was grumpy
very grumpy
everything around me was making me grumpy
I've been teetering in and out of this emotional state
wondering why this bout is lasting so long

I was determined not to be ruled by it that day
not to let it ruin another God given day
how do I stop it?

while HH made the kids lunch I sprawled out on my bed
my head spinning with grumpiness

I will not let my self centeredness win here

I was listing all the irritating things going on around me
fueling my own ungrateful fire

then I asked God what He thought
and He answered
and my heart paused

and my thoughts went like this
be thankful for the dirty floors again today
because it means you have a home to clean
be thankful for the laundry that doesn't end
because it means you have clothes to wear and
children who wear them
be thankful for the disorganization
everywhere
because it means there is life in your home
His life He gave you
be thankful to do these jobs everyday
because it is a reminder of what you have

He was right
I heard the words I so often tell the children when they are
grumping and complaining about their lives

selfishness is gross
it stinks like one of the buddy's farts to be honest

I was better after that chat
and got up to clean the kitchen from I meal I had missed

after a joyful meal
of spills and laughter

I am fighting the idol of the doing the work that is seen

only God sees the work that is unseen
the work of the heart that really matters

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

Had To Post This....

Do Your Best

by Carolyn Mahaney

“Sometimes I don’t want to serve when it is something I don’t think I’m very good at” the young woman humbly confessed to me. The ugly truth behind her reluctance? Pride. This woman realized that she wants to be “the best” at whatever she puts her hand to, and if she can’t be the best, well, then she’d rather not even try.

Oh, how I can relate! I wrestle with the same temptation. But I’m grateful for my husband who has modeled humility in service for me. Whatever endeavor he undertakes, he acknowledges (to himself and others): “I know there are many people who can do this better than me.” Then he seeks to faithfully serve in whatever ways God has called him to, regardless of how gifted he feels to do it. His goal is to obey God and bless others.

Using our gifts requires humility. For as I’ve often reminded my girls (and myself!): “There’s always going to be someone better than you at what you do.” There’s always going to be the smarter kid in the class, the more outgoing friend, the more talented co-worker, the more organized homemaker, the more capable homeschool teacher, the more energetic servant, the more gifted than you at whatever you do. And you know what? These people have been strategically placed in our lives to expose our pride and help us serve with humility.

How much easier it would be to stick to arenas where we think we shine. But we should do our best even when we may not be the best. We should be willing to risk making mistakes, to allow others to see where we lack gifting and need help.

And when we humbly serve--even when we’re not the best--we’ll be pleasantly surprised at how God can use our meager gifts to encourage others and bring glory to Him!

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

(This was taken for the girltalk bloggers site...

I just had to share with those

who might not read their stuff.

I felt like it struck a cord with me

as I to struggle with not being the best in so many areas!

And it is also true, it hinders my choices....I am not the best cook

or best homemaker

I would love to have have more people over

but I feel I am not great at doing what I see others doing

therefore.I don't do it. Is it pride? I think it is.

I certainly wouldn't care how people "did" things

as long as I was invited, so why do I hold myself to another standard?

Pride.

Another negative effects of the Style at Home?Martha Stewart Living lie........

If someone had just confided in me these feelings

I would tell them to grow up and get a grip

stop being utterly ridiculous and selffish and such

and invite people over

you won't get any better at until you get more practice....

maybe I should take a heavy dose of my own medicine!!!!

Just looking thorugh

the last 6 months of pics
I am determined to weed out
the many pics I will never print
and start compiling images for
a long waited
long sough after
coffee table book
not the ones that are 15 pages
the ones that are
350 pages!

the last 5 years of our life
is what it might be called

insert sigh........

A Real Life Moment

Finding "the bloop" eating her breakfast by herself
(who knows where everyone else is)
with her new bike helmet on

there were a couple of days where she wouldn't take it off
even for a bath
while we drove
while we ate
while she did school

don't you love it!

the other image is when I walked into the girls room
Blu is coming out of the shower
Little J is reflecting on her life of 5 years
and the room is being played in

not neat and orderly
should it be?

I want it to
but then..when does the playing happen
it never would if I wanted it neat all the time

do I suffer the effects of House and Home magazine looking?
probably
or maybe it is coveting others homes
but more homes I go into with more children
the more encouragement I feel
I feel more at home when there is a mess
when I see living and life happening in other people's homes
and it is messy

when it is too neat I am always worried I will knock something out of place
do others feel like that when they are in my home?

or do they feel like they can just come in?
or
does it even have anything to do with having stuff on the floor or not?

July