weeding for joy

Her nearly three-year old toddler legs gain speed as she grazes under hands holding purses, coffee cups and bulletins. Her wispy hair is all I can see as she impatiently bobs up and down while waiting for the church glass-paned doors to swing open.

I grin to myself as I recall my promise that she could stop to pick the flowers after church. And while she may forget to wash her hands before meals, say please and thank you, or the number that comes after 12, she most certainly won't forget about the yellow flowers. To her, they are the prettiest flowers and she wants to pick them for her mommy.

I follow her as she darts across the sleepy grass, her little blue shoes imprinting the green carpet. She has turned her back to the rest of the world, intent on finding a fistful of flowers to take home.

Her tiny fingers excitedly pluck the sun-kissed treasures as she merrily congratulates herself on finding the best ones.

My watch summons my attention as my wrist unconsciously holds itself to my gaze. "Come on sweetie, it's time to go," I urge her. "Mommy, two more minutes," she negotiates over her shoulder. (She comes by that phrase honestly, especially when she wants to play and I'm knee-deep in my own matters.) I shift my weight and counter, "one more minute and then we have to go."

Her eyes are still gleaming as she perches on the kitchen counter to select her favourite cup to display her bouquets. She now stands watch over her collection, carefully inspecting each dandelion before gingerly placing it into her water-filled cup. She couldn't be happier.

I watch her closely and wonder - when did my perspective change? Her innocent eyes see joy, while my eyes see weeds. She seeks to embrace, I seek to erase.
How could I have it so backwards? Why do I insist on seeing weeds when there is so much joy blooming all around me?


I need to change my viewpoint. Maybe joy really can be as simple as a hand-picked dandelion....

God's Givings

God's-givings continue to transform into my own thanksgivings...

651. Heart to heart conversations with my husband.
652. Promise of hope.
653. Ability to pay the bills.
654. The nape of my husband's neck.
655. Long walks while listening to comforting music.
656. Watching cousins splash water together (and at each other).
657. My daughter as she nestles in close just before falling asleep.
658. Snow that melts in 24 hours.
659. Plans to celebrate my daughter's third birthday.
660. A husband who is trying.
661. New online blogging community.
662. Support for my writing.
663. Work leave benefits.
664. Husband surprising me with peanut M&Ms.
665. Kisses all over my face from my daughter.
666. Family.
667. Listening with wonder as my son narrates his own movie.
668. Sleeping in.
669. Plans for grandparents to take my son to his baseball game, then for a sleepover.
670. Cuddling with my son after he is fast asleep. I love how warm his cheeks get :)
671. Family movie outing.
672. Handheld thanksgivings to Jesus before family meals.

threading a button

Hi Friends,

You may have noticed I added a new button to my blog at the bottom of my page. Or, most likely you haven't noticed, because let's be real, I'm sure you have much more important things to pay attention to than a new button on my blog ;)

Anyways, I have joined HighCallingBlogs.com which describes themselves as "a network of personal websites focused specifically on the intersection of faith and work."

Since starting my blog, I've enjoyed wandering around the vast threads of the world wide web to discover inspirational writings, images and opinions about God's work in our world. I am growing tired and weary of all the negative media, including my morning paper's headlines of murders, horrors and mind-numbing materialism.

I know the world is a complex mix of intentions, realities and desperation...but I need to believe in God's plan for beauty, peace and joy. So I choose to seek it out.

So, back to this blog network I joined...I think it's a community that encourages deliberate, thoughtful reflection on God's presence in our lives. Which fits in nicely with my intention to relay everyday stories that inspire me to see God's work in everyday life.

preschool lessons

So every once and awhile, I like to ask my kids what they think Jesus is doing right now.

Today my five-year old son told me that Jesus was having a nap because he is tired from rescuing all the people. On a different note, he also said that Jesus would have worn his safety glasses when creating the Sun so it didn't blind him.

I love my little man's mind!

rambles to rubbles

Life has been so upside-down for me lately, and now things are calm(er). And it's eerie. More accurately, it's freaking me out.

I'm still mapping out the emotional earthquake's damage to my foundational core. I've discovered the fault lines. And now I am waiting for the aftershocks and scared silly. I am looking for warning signs everywhere...my own personal seismic stations calibrated to record even the smallest rumble of trouble.

The trouble is, bracing for what may come has robbed me of what is already here.

"Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I." (Isaiah 58:9 NIV)


Here, my loved ones are happy, healthy, safe.

Here, I am still standing.

Here, God is with me.


I wish I could tell you I am absolutely at peace with my 'here'. But I can tell you I am working on it. I want to recognize and live my 'here's' with a spirit of thankfulness and joy. Because the here and now is all I've got.

And it's all I need.

Scent of God

There has been a lot of rain this past week - which is fine by me. There is something so comforting about rain falling. For me, the harder the rainfall, the better.

I love how green everything gets after a good soaking and the fresh scent of God everywhere.

Today I give thanks for His life-giving rain and I breathe Him in deep:

624. Thunderstorms.
625. Lush green tiger lily plants.
626. Going to the movies with great friends.
627. Celebrating birthdays.
628. Husband safe at home.
629. Late night talks.
630. Summer camp registration.
631. Playdates with cousins.
632. Long soaks in the jacuzzi.
633. Afternoon naps.
634. Cute haircut for my little girl.
635. Lit candles.
636. Fellowship.
637. Home cooked meals.
638. Anticipation of new books in the mail.
639. Finished work contract.
640. Cuddles on the couch while watching movies.
641. Rest.
642. Relaxing music.
643. Popcorn and M&Ms.
644. Clean main floor (I'll work on upstairs later ;)
645. Son holding Jesus' hand during grace.
646. Watching my boy squeal with delight on his new bike.
647. Watching my daughter proudly keep up on her tricycle.
648. Family bike ride to the park.
649. Warm duvet on chilly nights.
650. God's grace.

Ice cream with sprinkles

Today was a great day!

The sun was shining, the kids were smiling, and I was soaking it all in. We had a great morning playdate at Bev's house, then stopped by the store to pick up a slip n' slide, and spent the rest of the afternoon watching the kids squeal with delight as they raced down the yellow path...then the day was topped off with some tasty marble slab ice cream (courtesy of Leah and Aaron). What a treat!

As a reminisce about my swiss-chocolate-and-reese-peanut-butter-cup-ice-cream-in-a-skor dipped-cone, I count my rich desserts that God has made me:

602. Impromptu trips to the ice-cream store with wonderful friends.
603. Watching my son breakdance on the ice-cream shop's floor.
604. Sitting on my deck with my feet in the kiddie-pool while watching my kids enjoy every moment of sunshine.
605. Being able to stay home with my kids.
606. A weekend with my husband.
607. Go-carting with my husband and screeching when we crashed on the course :)
608. Debt payment options.
609. Braiding my daughter's hair.
610. Hosting a summer playdate with 13 kids and their mommies .... and looking forward to it!
611. Real friends.
612. Restored walls.
613. Central air conditioning.
614. Kids who frequently tell me they love me.
615. Playing fetch with Piper.
616. My new necklace...by grace alone.
617. Celebrating my littler bro's birthday.
618. Wrapping up contract work.
619. Christ's shield of protection.
620. Slurpees.
621. Line dancing with my great aunts and cousins in my parent's backyard.
622. Delicious burgers with all the best toppings.
623. Watching my little man play baseball.

Vision of God

I have one of those vision boards up in my office hung above my computer, nestled a bit to the left.

I created it two years ago, after I made my decision to resign from my job to stay home with the kids. I wanted the board to be a visual reminder to live everyday with purpose, and to filter out the noise to make sure I kept my focus on what was really important.

My scissor's blades glided around words such as love, thankfulness, faith, laughter, living life intentionally, breathe, me time, spirit, good health. My ego filled in the white space with pasted images of toned body, financial freedom, sexy, tight abs and even a Disney vacation.

And I'd be lying if I told you these things aren't important to me anymore. But for all the words and images I have tacked up on a white canvas board, I realize that something someone is missing.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He answered "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." (Matt 22:37).

God is missing from my vision board.

The same God who has held me up during times of trial, the same God who has blessed me with a man to call my own, the same God who gave me two angels on this earth, the very same God who I pray to each and every night.

The same God who knows my name and always has me in His vision.

His kind eyes never waver, get distracted or judge.

He sees my beauty when all I see are the blemishes. He sees my heart healing when all I see are broken pieces. He sees my strength when all I see are my weaknesses.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness." (Matt 6:22-23)

God always sees the good. And by looking to Him, I will always see the good as well.

Thank you, Lord for sharing your vision with me today.

I see your beauty, healing and strength in me.

Party for two

Ever have one of those days where everything is a struggle?

I mean e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g?

Even as I type, I keep hitting the wrong keys and having to go two backspaces for every one character I get right. The internet is ridiculously slow, I'm talking sarcasm to my computer (could you BE any slower? No hurry, just take your time, I have nothing better to do...one more thing for me to wait on....)

That's me today.

I wish I was exaggerating.

I'm throwing a pity party and I'm sorry you can't come because I have taken up all the chairs.

If I let it, my aggravation will consume me. And I won't be sitting in my pity party chairs, I'll be throwing them.

So I cling to Christ's saving grace and rely on Him to lift me out of my chair, lean on Him, allowing His peaceful presence to pour through me until I am cleansed of my agitation.

His saving waters form a tide, and tonight I count the waves:
580. Seeing the spark in my son's eyes as he recounts his first night of baseball to me.
581. My parents for turning the clock back 25 years and once again sitting on the sidelines to cheer a little one on.
582. Picture perfect memories.
583. Fellowship with understanding friends.
584. Emotional flareups (proving I can still feel)
585. Bible study
586. Unexpected free groceries (hurray for points!)
587. Flowers to remind me that we all need a little nurturing each day.
588. Falling asleep to my daughter turning the pages of my bible.
589. My health.
590. Income.
591. A reliable vehicle.
592. Friends and family to visit a loved one.
593. A protective dog.
594. Sleeping children.
595. nachos, sweet potato fries and gooey dessert with great friends.
596. Naptime.
597. Precious moments of silence.
598. Mothers.
599. Gourmet meal prepared by my brothers for Mother's Day.
600. Cards scrawled with crayon-infused love by my children
601. Cleansing rain.

Holding out for Hope

Today a friend came by with a much-needed hug and encouragement. She gave me a card that included the words:

"Life sends rain...Hope dances in the puddles until the sun comes out again." (Holly Gerth)

I absolutely LOVE this quote. It sings to my soul and reminds me of the cleansing power of rain.

So today I will put on my rainboots and lean hard into hope as we dance in the puddles...

Today's drops of hope:
563. My love choosing life.
564. Support.
565. Giggles from my daughter.
566. Imaginary airplane adventures with my pilot son. Today he took me to relaxation island.
567. The muffled footsteps of my children scurrying around upstairs when they are supposed to be in bed.
568. Childcare provisions. I am so blessed.
569. Homecooked meals.
570. The scent of rain - my all-time favourite smell.
571. A clean kitchen.
572. Worship music to lift my eyes to God.
573. Phone calls from loved ones.
574. Money to pay bills.
575. A quiet moment.
576. My bible study: Discerning the Voice of God The timing of this study is no coincidence. It is God.
577. Holding my husband's hand in church.
578. Baking chocolate chip cookies with my kids.
579. Cuddling my son to sleep (holding his five-year old hand in mine) and watching his eyes flutter off into dreamland. Peace.