It's the Little Things

You know, it's the simple things in life that you have to learn to love.  If you always wait for something big...well, you might be waiting for a really long while or  you may be horribly disappointed at the outcome or lack thereof!  One of the little things that I have loved this week is that every one of my kiddos have had their chores done, clothes on, teeth brushed, hair combed and have been seated on the couch by 8:45 every morning! (This is actually an amazing miracle and not such a little thing!) Another thing is that Garrett has swept the floor twice this week, and I can actually tell that he did sweep the floor!  This is progress!  I put Gavin in his play pen to play while we began our school, and he didn't scream as though we had just thrown him in the dryer!  We had company over for Easter Sunday, and so my house was all sparkly clean - at one brief moment in time!  It's the little, little things, I tell ya!  I lost 4 pounds before Easter, and my Evvie, who is well known for saying exactly what she is thinking, said, "Well, Mom, you look like you actually lost some weight this week!"  Thank you, dear sweet Evvie Grace!  We built a fire pit - well, I built a fire pit - which means (according to the Mr. - whose daughter is very much like him) it will probably fall down soon!  However, I have always, always wanted a fire pit, and so I finally got out there and did it myself...and I love it!  We have been seeing all the baby lambs and calves as we have been out and about.  Hearing my 7 year old Andrew talk about how cute they are is something little that I love too!  And so, I am learning to look for the little things in life while I also anticipate the big ones!  As the saying goes, "Life is a journey, not a destination."  I am beginning to realize that there is no such thing as the perfect life.  It is our human nature that the more we receive, the more we want.  I am asking God to work in me and to allow me to notice and enjoy the little things along the way so that when I come to the end of my life, even though I may not have what most people would call the perfect life or the American dream, I pray I will be completely at peace with the journey I have taken and the legacy I have left behind.  Take time today to enjoy the little things in your life's journey!

Wishing you a day full of blessings,

Christy

52.  The beautiful Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday services we had.  As a friend of mine told me, 
       "My heart is full!"
53.  The positive changes I am seeing in my kiddos!  The Holy Spirit is working!
54.  Encouragement from others!  I am so thankful for the friends God has given me who continually build
       me up with Scripture and Biblical thinking!

Why We Complain

I read the books of Exodus and Numbers together in about 6 days.  I have never read through them that quickly before, and I was left absolutely astonished by the Israelites lack of faith and their quickness to forget the goodness of God.  I know all the stories, but there was something about taking the time to read it all consecutively, that helped me grasp the reality of how many times God provided for the children of Israel in a miraculous way, but then THE VERY NEXT DAY, they were once again wailing to Moses about how he had brought them from the wonderful land of Egypt to die in the barren wilderness.  How quickly they forgot the hardships of Egypt!  Even more tragic, was how quickly they forgot the goodness and faithfulness of God.

So, you already know what's coming, don't you?  We are the same!!!  It smacked me once again right between the eyes as I was reading through these books.  God will do something for me, and within an hour, I begin to wonder how I am ever going to manage this problem or handle this situation or fix this dilemma.   Why do I - why do we - do this over and over again?

In my life, I have noticed that I forget to look for and see God's goodness in the little things in my life.  I am so busy waiting for him to work in a big miraculous way that I forget to see Him in the every day little things.  Without God, I would not have the beautiful sunshine, or the enjoyment of reading a book with my kiddos, or the convenience of an oven to cook my food in.  When we begin to look at the little gifts God gives us every single day, we realize we have nothing worth complaining about.

I have also realized that, just like the children of Israel, I often remember things differently from what they really were.  I remember the good of all the past experiences but not the effort that came with it.  If it wasn't so sad, it would be almost humorous reading the memories that the Israelites had of Egypt.  They made it sound like a wonderful place to be instead of the place bondage that it had truly become.  I cannot laugh at them though because I do the same thing.  I forget all too quickly the problems or pain that came along with certain experiences. Not that we do not need those times.  They grow us and stretch us and prepare us for what is ahead, but we must be careful to remember that God's goodness and faithfulness is with us in every situation.

At the root of all complaining is the sin of selfishness, and as much as I hate to admit it, I am an extremely selfish person.  When I begin to look at myself and my circumstances, I can always find something to complain about.  It is only when I look at the character of God and the example of His Son Jesus that I begin to uncover the extraordinary graces and mercies that I have been blessed with.  It is only when I begin to reach out and serve others that I realize how unbelievably blessed I am.  The more I reach out in love to others, the more I realize there is always someone who is hurting more than I am, who has a harder story than I do. Many times, it is those people who put me to shame because they are able to find good in the difficult things God has placed in their lives.  

After reading the stories of the children of Israel, I challenged myself to go an entire day without complaining.  It was difficult!!!  It becomes such a habit that is easy to fall into.  To chase away my complaining, I found myself continually asking, "What good thing in this can I thank God for?"  It's amazing how the day changed once my focus changed.  I think I'll try it again tomorrow! :)

Time Out for Praise

Today is....good, beautiful, right!  I love it when days like this happen!  It's not been perfect, but it has been good.  I love this 75* weather with a nice breeze and lots of sunshine!  The windows are open, the music is playing, the kiddos are resting, and so I began to read a few of the Psalms - which is one of my favorite things to do when I'm very happy or very sad!  Here are a few of my favorites!

Psalm 146:1-2

Praise ye the Lord.  Praise the Lord, O my soul.

While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Psalm 135:3

Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto his name; for it is pleasant.

Psalm 116:5

Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

Psalm 106:1-2

Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise?

Psalm 95:1-3

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 92:1, 2, 4, & 5

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

To shew forth they lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.

O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep.

I could give you many more, but I'll stop here and let you take over!  What are your favorite praise verses? May we take every opportunity we have this weekend to just stop and praise the Lord for His kindness, faithfulness and grace that He has so undeservedly blessed us with.  Happy weekend!

Counting My Blessings

Today I am counting some of the blessings - big and small - that God has given me.

I am thankful for the cooler morning we had this morning.  I almost fixed myself a cup of coffee this morning! :)

I am thankful for beautiful music and for the blessing of having access to so much of it!

I am thankful for the Holy Spirit's work in my life, my family's life, and the lives of my friends!  It has been such an encouragement to watch us all grow closer in our relationships with Jesus and each other.

I am thankful for the excitement God has given me for homeschooling.  (I was a little nervous because it got here a little late!) :)  The school books are ordered and most of them will be here this week.

I am thankful for several opportunities of fellowship that I had this last week.

I am thankful for a shopping/therapy trip with my best friend and for the way she encourages me in my walk with the Lord.

I am thankful for my Mr. who still winks at me after seeing me for 16 years! ;)

I am thankful for wisdom God gives as we parent by faith.  

I am thankful for the prayers of my children.  Mr. G had a rough day today, but his prayers after discipline were so genuine and sincere..."I am sorry I disobeyed You. Will You please forgive me and keep me from sinning so much?" That made me cry tears of joy and thankfulness.

I am thankful that Miss E had a wonderful time at camp and is already talking about going next year!

I am thankful for all the people who are investing their time, wisdom and lives into me, my husband and my children.

I am thankful for the ice cream brownie sundaes that I'm about to go enjoy with my family!

I think I could write about all my blessings all night and still not come to the end!  Isn't God good?  I have nothing to complain or worry about.  He is my Savior, and He loves me beyond all measure!

Counting My Little Blessings

So....this may not mean very much to you, but I just thought I'd let you know that today is my 100th post!  It's been fun!  I really do enjoy sitting down and writing a little about my life each week.  Even if no one else reads it, it's become great therapy! :)  I thought I'd celebrate my 100th post by just leaving 10 little blessings that I'm thankful for today.  So here goes...more of God's undeserved graces to me:

61. Jesus was willing to take all of God's wrath for me on Himself

62. My humble abode (which feels as though it may blow away today in this 50mph wind) :)

63. Family coming soon!

64. Times of waiting that make me grow

65. Sweet smelling candles

66. Warm blankets on a cold morning

67. My little newbie sleeping on my shoulder (I'm so glad he still does this often!)

68. The mass confusion my five kiddos bring

69. Reading times with my family - this has become one of our most favorite things every day! (Don't tell him I told you, but I think even the Mr. enjoys reading time!) :)

70. Seeing a friend's prayers being answered