I Corinthians 13 for Moms

My precious Mom sent this to me and I thought I would pass it along.

1 Corinthians 13 for Moms

I can read bedtime stories till the cow jumps over the moon and sing "Ten Little Monkeys" until I want to call the doctor--but if I don't have love, I'm as annoying as a ringing phone.

I can chase a naked toddler through the house while cooking dinner and listening to voice mail, I can fix the best cookies and Kool-Aid in the neighborhood, and I can tell a sick child's temperature with one touch of my finger, but if I don't have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient while watching and praying by the front window when it's 30 minutes past curfew. Love is kind when my teen says, "I hate you!" It does not envy the neighbors'swimming pool or their brand-new mini van, but trusts the Lord to provide every need.

Love does not brag when other parents share their disappointments and insecurities, and love rejoices when other families succeed.

It doesn't boast, even when I've multi-tasked all day long and my husband can't do more than one thing at a time.

Love is not rude when my spouse innocently asks, "What have you done today?"

It does not immediately seek after glory when we see talent in our children, but encourages them to get training and make wise choices.

It is not easily angered, even when my 15-year-old acts like the world revolves around her.

It does not delight in evil (is not self-righteous) when I remind my 17-year-old that he's going 83 in a 55-mph zone, but rejoices in the truth.

Love does not give up hope. It always protects our children's self-esteem and spirit, even while doling out discipline.

It always trusts God to protect our children when we cannot.

It always perseveres, through blue nail polish, burps and other bodily functions, rolled eyes and crossed arms, messy rooms and sleep overs.

Love never fails. But where there are memories of thousands of diaper changes and painful labor(s), they will fade away. Where there is talking back, it will (eventually) cease. (Please, Lord?)

Where there is a teenager who thinks she knows everything, there will one day be an adult who knows you did your best.

For we know we fail our children, and we pray they don't end up in therapy, but when we get to heaven, our imperfect parenting will disappear. (Thank you, God!)

When we were children, we needed a parent to love and protect us. Now that we're parents ourselves, we have a heavenly Father who adores, shelters us and holds us when we need to cry.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Noise, hurry, & crowds

I am not a Black Friday shopper every year. I prefer hunting presents throughout the year to avoid the crazniess. I usually have a few things left in November and will join in the holiday shopping scene after Thanksgiving with my Mom. This year, there was a particular item my husband really wanted on sale at Target (love Target!) for half off. So, my Mom and I got up and headed there at 6am--only for my hubby! I could not believe the line--it was SO long. As I stood there for 15 minutes waiting for them to open, I was really disappointed to see the behavior of grown adults--some trying to rush in and cut line, and others yelling at the line cutters. It really made me sad to see how many people have distorted this season, and Satan scores a victory in distracting us from Christ.

As I was reflecting later in the day, I was reminded of a quote from one of my favorite books, Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. He wrote:

In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied.

This applies to life at all times. Our society always seems rushed and busy, with devastating effects on our families, our children, and ourselves! If we are not careful, we Christians, can be swept away with the chaotic flow, as well. I believe that I must make a conscious decision to purpose to not go with that flow. It is hard many times, but so necessary.

I want to challenge myself during this season in particular to not get too distracted by "muchness" and "manyness," but to "be still and know He is God."

My Brother

I am so blessed to have my brother. We are the best of friends--he is a great blessing in my life. It was just the two of us growing up (we are 2 years apart), so we are pretty close. We never really fussed like many siblings, and loved hanging out with each other (still do). The sibling relationship is so unique in that many times it spans a lifetime--sharing the "growing years" and on into adulthood.

He is a youth pastor, fantastic uncle, and one amazing Christian guy. Just another part of my life to be truly grateful for during this time of year.

Celebration of Girlfriends

At Thanksgiving I am particularly reflective on the many blessings in my life. One of those blessings has been great friendships. God has used many women to teach me, challenge me, and encourage me, and I pray I have been able to be a similar instrument in the lives of the women in my life. Listed below are some quotes reflecting on the special and often fun characteristics of friendships. This post is dedicated to my best girlfriend and college buddy, Crystal. Although we are now hours apart, I still feel that our hearts are a beat away.

• Have friends, will giggle.
• Girlfriends help you make nonsense of the world.
• A friends is quick to listen, slow to judge, and always ready to shop.
• A friend can make you smile--even when she's not around.
• A good friend . . . has your kids' birthdays marked on her calendar.
• A good friend . . .will quietly destroy the photograph that makes you look like a beached whale.
• A friend is--laughing at the same things, one dessert with two forks, really being understood, never running out of things to talk about, knowing someone by heart, picking up right where you left off.
• A friend knows everything about you and loves you anyway.
• Between friends, words are optional.
• There's no problem friends can't solve with enough time and chocolate.
• Friends are the family we didn't start out with who make us feel likable, funny, and clever.
• The very best friends have the kind of relationship where each thinks she's getting the better part of the deal.

Have a great day my new bloggy friends! I am thankful for you!

Christmas 20 questions

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Without a doubt, hot chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa has them sitting under the tree, ready to play with. After all, he hand makes them--no need for packaging, right?

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Definitely a white lights gal--becoming a white globe light fan over white icicle lights.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes, we love to hug and kiss around our house.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The past few years, we have started putting them up the weekend after Thanksgiving. I love to enjoy them for the month of December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? That's tough. Probably my sweet potatoe souffle with brown sugar and pecan topping.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: I just loved the whole holiday season filled with family trips to the mountains, church events, and fellowship. The music, the decorations, and special time of reflection during the advent season with my family.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember specifically, but I just recall sitting on the swings at a playground with my dad talking about it. I was very protective of keeping the magic up for my younger brother for the next couple of years.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We let our kids pick out a small gift for one another, and open that on Christmas Eve. It's wonderful to see the care they take in picking out the perfect gift.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I love ornaments with meaning behind them. We love to collect them over the years, so after being married for 11 years, we have built up the collection. We start with white lights and red beaded garlands. We then put on our ornaments, talking about each (who gave it to us, where we purchased it, what event it signified) . Then we add a few red, green and gold balls to bring it together. I love it--it reflects us as a family, not just matching decorations. We top it with a star.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it--play in it, sled down it, eat it (snowcream)!

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, I used to go quite a bit as a kid--I got the Dorothy Hamill haircut as a kid if that tells you anything. I think I could still make it around without falling down, but you never know.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Hands down, the barbie dollhouse "Santa" brought me when I was seven. Actually, my papaw built it from real wood, and my mamaw furnished it with real wallpaper, carpet, and handmade furniture. I still have it, and am going to update it for my daughter.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Cherishing time with family and reflecting on my Savior's birth, passing that on to my children.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? I think I have to go with homemade fudge. Simple, but wonderful.

16. What tops your tree? A star.

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving--I think this shift happened in college. I enjoy more and more making gifts, as well.

18. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love "O Holy Night." I also love Bing Crosby's "White Christmas."

19. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?? Yuck, not a huge peppermint fan. I like the smell and can eat them, but would rather not.

20. Favorite holiday movie? White Christmas and Holiday Inn.

Everyone join in, I'd love to hear your responses!

The Lion King

I have had a weekend, jam-packed with activity. My dad came to visit, so he had the kids all day Saturday--doing whatever they wanted, of course. He says that's his job as Papaw. My husband used the free time to work on our house, and I was able to spend the day shopping. I haven't had a day to myself like that in a while. Such fun!

Then after church on Sunday, we all headed to Nashville to see "The Lion King," a traveling Broadway production. It was amazing! I've seen quite a few Broadway plays in New York, but never one quite like this one. I can't even begin to describe the incredible creativity that went into this production! If you ever have the chance to see it, don't pass!

In Christ Alone video

This is has been the song in my heart lately--here with video images from movies like "Passion of the Christ." I play this over and over on my ipod.

Favorite Smells

FIVE ON FRIDAY

Five of my favorite things to smell

1. Books--I love to open a book and stick my nose in for a big whiff!
2. Ocean breezes--There's nothing quite like walking on the beach at sunset.
3. Buttered popcorn--I am a huge fan of popcorn, especially at the movies.
4. Baby lotion and shampoo--Brings up wonderful memories of my children as babies asleep in my arms.
5. Honeysuckle--Fresh, clean, wonderful outdoors.

The Evolution of Dance

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Click below and enjoy--it' s hysterical!



THE EVOLUTION OF DANCE

Choosing Sacrifice

I am in the last week of the Beth Moore study on DANIEL. It has been one of my favorite studies and has challenged me in so many ways. I feel like I have been stretched.

In this past week's session, Beth stated that we must choose between the selfishness and sacrifice. This struck a chord with me, because I know that my selfishness is the root of other struggles--being impatient with my kids, being lazy, not serving with a joyful heart, etc. Satan does not always attack by using stuggles and tragedies in our lives, he tempts us to be selfish. He knows he will have victory if we are leading selfish lives.

Beth went on to talk about that choosing the sacrificial life will cost something, therein its worth. She used the beautiful story of Mary Magdalene pouring the costly oil on Jesus. Mary "got it." She was sacrificing, she realized His worth. Jesus responded in Mark 14:9 that she would be remembered for this act. The things that cost us much, that we sacrifice for, are what we will be remembered for in Christ's eyes.

Beth explained that if we miss the sacrificial life, we will miss our true purpose. We must be deliberate--the sacrificial life does not "just happen." I pray that I will count the cost of sacrifice each day and realize He is truly worthy of my sacrifice. I want to fulfill His purpose for me.

Our Gifts, His Glory

One of my favorite quotes is from Eric Liddell, the great Scottish Olympic champion and missionary to China portrayed in the movie, Chariots of Fire. He said, " When I run, I feel His pleasure." As an athlete, this always meant a lot. Playing volleyball was not directly serving the Lord, but the WAY played volleyball could bring honor to Him. By using the talent and ability He gave me to do my best and to play with joy and good sportsmanship, I could give Him the glory. I truly could feel His pleasure as I played.

God has created us all with many unique gifts and abilities. Just because you may not teach a Bible class or serve Him directly in Christian ministry, does not mean that you cannot use the abilities He gave you to bring glory to Himself. Think outside the box about ways to use your special talents to serve Him creatively.