Monday's Meaningful Moments

Today, we awoke on the first day of Spring Break

to cold weather and a dusting of snow!

 

What? 

Yep, that is how our day began.

 

I was on a mission to not let this forecast 'dampen' our day! 

We started our day with chocolate chip waffles

followed by the annual tradition of dyeing Easter eggs. 

As we colored the eggs, we began talking about the egg and how it symbolizes birth, and how when we dip our eggs into color and the eggs come out a new color, it is a great visual of how Jesus died for our sins and gave us a new life. 

As my daughter said best,

He took away our old life (dull and no color) and gave us a new life, vibrant and beautiful!

 

As we were making our eggs beautiful and having great conversation, I could feel the Lord's presence with us. 

It was nice to be still. 

There are so many everyday things that I miss because I don't take the time to really take them in. 

I have taken eggs out of this same kind of carton more times than I can count, and today was the first time I noticed the verse written on the inside of the carton!

 

The Lord is all around us,

we just have to take time to see His presence.

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good

~Psalm 34:7-8

 

 

Thank you Lord for your gentle reminders

 of your ever presence, freeing us from the entanglement of sin and lovingly bringing us to a vibrant life with you!

Thursday's Thoughts..

If your plate is too full,

remember

you can always have left overs!

 

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart,

but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

 

 

When the to-do list is never ending,

the unexpected always seems to happen,

and the tensions are high,

quit trying to fit it ALL in......

let God prioritize your days!

 

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course,

but the LORD determines his steps.

 

 

 

Done, with the leftovers....

Almost one week post the Thanksgiving feast(s), and I am still eating turkey. The first day was so delightful, fresh moist turkey with yummy homemade stuffing, a side of my dad's best sweet potatoe casserole, my mother-in-law's recipe of macaroni salad, cranberry relish, fresh from the oven rolls, green bean casserole...so good!  But on day #6, it is not quite the same.

 

Don't get me wrong,

I am thankful for the food I am able to eat but you can only eat the same meal so many days in a row. I didn't even get creative this year with the leftovers. My neighbor on the other hand had a list of recipes to incorporate her leftovers, from tetrazzini to pot pies and soups.

 

So as my kids ask the dreaded question, 'what's for dinner?', 

I can say that tonight, it WON'T be turkey!

Do you like leftovers?
Does your family have the same feeling about leftovers?
Do you think God enjoys our leftovers?
I am pretty sure our Lord and
Savior is not a big fan of leftovers.

At the end of the day, exhausted with no mental capacity left,

is this the time you give to the Lord...

the leftovers?

I have to admit that when I pull out my bible study at the end of the day, snuggled warm in the bed, tired from the activities of the day, it is difficult to give my very best to the Lord. He convicts me of
this time and more often than not wakes me up the next morning extra early to give me the gentle reminder of allowing Him my time at the first of the day.

 

After all the bills are paid, groceries bought, toys for the kids, latest gadgets, and all the shopping for the trendiest clothes is done, then the budget is made for the church and charity...

is this how you give your resources to the Lord?

The Lord has certainly guided me down this path this year on what is 'needed' and opened my eyes to the true needs of others. As I respond to the ever occurring question of 'what do you want for Christmas', my list continues to change.

I pray your 'list' will change too.

“The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring to the
house of the Lord your God.” (Exodus 34:26 NKJV)

Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; (Proverbs 3:9 NKJV)

Hedge of Protection

This was not a planned post, it is not often that I am up at 1:45am.  However, the last few nights were different, lead by circumstance....
Two nights ago we had SEVERE thunderstorms AGAIN (this seems to be happening on a more regular basis) and a tornado touch down only one mile from our house.  We were awakened in the middle of the night by the sounds outside our window.  We had a hard time going back to sleep and debated taking the kids to sleep in the basement.  We prayed for the Lord's hedge of protection, for safety and the Lord's security over us.  It wasn't long before we were drifting back to sleep, comforted by His Word. He answers prayers in MIGHTY ways.

Tonight, we were awakened by a different storm.  

We received a call from the neighbors to inform us that they had caught an intruder on their property. We were startled to say the least. This was not the first time we had petty theft in our neighborhood. However, this was the first time someone was caught in the act. We  got up and checked everything outside.  There was no damage to ours or our neighbors' property.  The intruder had been caught in time.  I began to feel an overwhelming comfort of God's hedge of protection around us!  I pulled out God's sword of truth: 

Ephesians 6:11-20~

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Thank you Lord for not only protecting us but for planting the seed in our hearts to pray for our enemies. 



What is in a name?

We go about choosing our children's names by going through baby books and researching the top popular names.  We try to pick something unique, or tie into family names of generations past.  Ultimately, it comes down to the Lord. In Isaiah 45:4 "I have even called you by your name", He has named us before we were formed in our mother's womb. 

In a study today of Isaiah 50, speaking of those that walk in the light of the Lord, one of the questions referred to being kindle to the light.  So, I had to look up the definition of kindle for a deeper meaning.  Kindle means to arouse and be called forth, to be ignited by a single spark and spread fire, to GLOW for miles.  Gasp....THAT IS MY KENDALL!!

She has been aroused by the Lord by a single spark, ignited in spirit, GLOWING to those around her!  How beautiful that the Lord choose THIS name for my baby girl and called her this even before she was in her mother's womb. 

I could not have chosen such a perfect name for my precious child of God but now I LOVE it even more with a consuming flame....started by my little Kendall (Kindle).

As a side note- I also found that Kindle means a collection of kittens.  My Kendall adores cats and at this young age wants to be vet.  Again, a more perfect name- I could not have chosen!