Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Doing Floors...Extra Grace Required!

One of the best things I’ve ever experienced was studying “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, with my old church. It just helped make so much of God’s plan and purpose for my life close to crystal clear!

However…once in a while the crystal still gets a little fogged up!! It seems to happen when I start steaming as I can do on occasion or maybe just breathing a little too hard in exasperation. But if I’m honest, most of the time it is caused by those out of control tears that I thought by now I’d be in control of, being 53 and all! If you know me, you know I’m a crier, happy, sad, commercials, kids, music, friends…you name it, I’m moved to droplets! Well anyway, you get the picture.


One of the most inspirational things I remember about the study was that we can worship God in anything we do…even something as simple as doing the dishes. My understanding or the way I see it, is I should feel His presence even next to my sink, thanking him for the dirty dishes that were moments before filled with food, the fresh water to clean them and working hands to do so…not everyone is so blessed. Doing so with Joy in my heart is a form of worship!

And no, I don’t always wash dishes with JOY….but it’s something to aspire to do!


  Today I’m doing floors…finding the Joy in cleaning hardwoods…again, not so easy!


Extra Grace Required!

But one of the most important things I learned from the study was that there will always be people in our lives who require an extra amount of grace…myself totally included. Each of us have those people in our lives at some time or another; someone who makes your life crazy (St. Philip knows), someone that you try and try to make peace with, but fail and feel guilty…We must learn not to feel guilty, some people are just flat out difficult. I remind myself of this often with my teenage boys. Thankful I am that our issues are minor, still they are challenging! You see, 15 and 17 year old boys, excuse me “young men” don’t dance well with a 53+year old hormonal mother! Lots of unclear crystal & extra grace required on both parts.

So whether it be a spouse, a child, parents, siblings, friends or not…

Give them to God and focus on pleasing Him!

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

Jesus said, "I only seek to please Him who sent me." John 5:30

“Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.” Matthew 6:6



Everyone needs It!!

Can’t think of a more secluded place than down on my knees, with sponge in hand, cleaning the old oak…Praying with every circular motion and rinsing with the droplets!

Asking for grace, joyful grace! b

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Springtime...Eastertime...God's Face Shining Upon Us!


This Sunday our tiny Quinn will be baptized, a precious moment in the time of her life when her parents, family and friends join together in a promise to love her, teach her and keep her with God’s face shining upon her; so that one day she will understand and know His redeeming love!

People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.' " Luke 18:15-16

I love being reminded of God's rejuvenating love each Spring!!!


May the glory and promise
of this joyous time of year
bring peace and happiness to you
and those you hold most dear,

And may Christ,
Our Risen Saviour,
always be there by your side
to bless you most abundantly
and be your loving guide.


Joyfully hoping for a shiny hopping Easter for all of you!! b