Laurie's Everyday Notions

While in Guatemala with World Help our team was introduced to the many needs in the areas in which we visited. Building a church Building an addition on an overcrowded school Building a home At hearing each need my heart would ache as I desired to do something. My head swarmed with ideas on how I could help yet when I returned home those dreams ceased as I busied myself with my own life of work, managing a home, homeschooling and a too busy schedule. Soon my dreams and desires were replaced with thoughts of inadequacy. How can this work-at-home mom possibly do something of this magnitude?  Yet shouldn't my faith allow me to dare to dream? I've been reminded that nothing is impossible for God and if it be His will, He will make my dreams a reality. But Jesus looked at  them  and said to them, “With men this is  impossible , but with God all things are possible.” Matt. 19:6  So I'm daring to dream again and praying that God equips me to do mor...

I'm so tired and ready for bed but instead of heading to bed this 31 day blog challenge brought me instead to my computer. Trying to get inspired I headed over to Facebook to play a couple game of Candy Crush. In between games I did a few word searches on  biblegateway.com , a favorite place of mine for studying and for inspiration. Feeling defeated I headed here and scrolled through old posts (I should do this more often for there many blessings in my life that I've forgotten). One year ago today I wrote about " Eyes of Wonder ". It may be an old post but it's worth revisiting. Life is so full of blessings, my friend, but sometimes you have to open your eyes and LOOK!  Here's what I posted last year: I appreciate snow but only the view from my window as I sit inside my warm home with my hand cupped around a mug of something warm. This morning however the snow surprised me. Wasn't it just a week or so ago when I was still sporting shorts and flip ...

When I was pregnant with my first I read several the books (of course "What to Expect When Your Expecting" was included in my stack of books) and payed attention during my birthing classes, well I paid attention to most of the information. I skipped over the parts about complications or circumstances such as induced labor, c-sections, and anything else that would be different from my expectations. Those circumstance weren't going to happen to me. I was sure that my bundle of joy would arrive beautifully with little complications and little pain. I did not expect to have my water break during my last scheduled day at work or that my husband, after dropping me off at work, would head to a friend's house in our only car. Not to mention that my boss had left me in charge of the restaurant while he went for a hair cut. This was before cell phones so I left a message on the home phone and sat patiently waiting for either my boss or my husband. Delivery was not full of ...

When my son was little I tried to teach him the value of sincerity when he'd apologize. I also taught him that apologizing was like a promise, a vow to never again offend in the same manner. My mantra for those moments was, "Sorry means that you'll never do it again!" Although my intentions were good, I see now that my mantra was lacking grace. We fail. Each and every one of us.  "there is none righteous, no not one!" (Romans 3:10) Often we continue to fail. So many times I've gone to bed praying, "Oh, God, I blew it...again! I held negative thoughts toward my husband, I lost my patience with the kids, I forgot to talk to you all day!" Somehow instead of God saying, "Laurie, sorry means you'll never do it again!", I imagine he'd give me a tight squeeze and say, "Child, we'll try again tomorrow." It's amazing that he hasn't given up on me.  Just as God has given me second chances that are smother...

Some fears are obvious. Fear can present itself through that queasy feeling I get when I'm peering over a cliff. Heights have a tendency to do that to me. Sky diving, bungee jumping and the like are not activities I care to pursue.  I also have a fear of speaking in front of people, whether it be a crowd of five or fifty, I somehow get tongue twisted as I feel my ears turning a bright shade of red; my hands and voice begin to tremble ever so slightly.  Other fears are not so obvious. They creep in, just like Satan did in the garden, whispering doubt. Doubt of self but mostly doubt of God's faithfulness, His power, His goodness. These fears have a tendency to steal joy and crush faith.  Fear is a result of not fully relying on God for my every need. Fear is my lack of ability to give up my tightfisted need to control my own life so that I may place my life completely in His hands. My fear tells God (and others) that I don't trust Him. Yet I know well tha...

PHOTO CREDIT Proverbs 31:25  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Yoga pants, t-shirt and a ponytail. Yep, that's how I'm clothed most days. Somehow I see the Proverbs 31 woman looking a lot different than me. She's put together with every hair in place, a light touch of make up and a pretty blouse without coffee stains or spit-up shoulders. But maybe the descriptions of her have much more to do with her attitude than her dress. Her beauty within spills over and radiates to create an outward beauty.  She stands tall but is humble. She is majestic in her simpleness.  She is strong in her convictions and isn't afraid of hard labor but her hands are gentle and she cries with those who are in need.  She is dignified but not proud.  She is gracious, full of integrity, kind, giving....ah, the list goes on! I think that all these characteristics are simply proof that she is a daughter of the King as she shines H...

Today I had but a taste of God's goodness as I spent the day with my children. We saw his beauty as we traveled winding roads along the river and bluffs covered with vibrant colors of red, orange and yellow.  Today's blessings I am so grateful for today's blessings.