Saturday, April 13, 2013

In Search of Joy...


I realize what both my husband and I need is joy.  More joy.

To enjoy life more with the kids.  Cherish the moments instead of getting stressed out by them.

Today I had two fun, enjoyable events to go to.  I felt like I should have been more positive, more happy and yet my joy was tempered.

Tempered by what?

My husband at home sick with the three boys.

The house being a complete disaster.

The two tasks we have for church in the morning: serving breakfast and teaching the kids, the latter we are not completely prepared for.

The worry about tomorrow - will the husband be well enough to teach?  And if he is not, how will I convey the help I need? By the fact that there are several details to remember for tomorrow and I am afraid I am going to forget one of them and they are each important.

These worries are why I couldn't fully enjoy the baby shower I went to this afternoon, though I had fun.

I figured as I was driving from the baby shower, that I need to lean on God more.  Surrender.  A challenge for me and the husband since we're both by default self-reliant people.

And be 100% in the moment.

Don't worry about tomorrow.

Just focus on what's in front of me today and cherish.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

PYHO: Yes, I Am A Christian But Do You Really Know Me?

Almost twenty years ago, I made a decision to make Jesus Lord of my Life.

To live my life for God to the fullest extent.

 It was one of the hardest decisions I ever made, especially after having grown up religious.

I had to throw off every religious, legalistic part of me and really embrace the message that Jesus was sending to the world.

Think with my heart and my head and count the cost of what it means to really live this way.

Hard work.  But one of the best decisions I've made in my life.

One of the wisest too.

Which I think is why it bothers me when I am viewed by people who don't quite know or kind of know me as a caricature because I am a Christian.  Mind you, these are people who already have a pre-conceived notions in their head about Christians and Christianity and what a Christian is.  Of course, it doesn't help when there are those who claim to be Christians who come across in certain, unappealing ways.


I  am not preachy, self-righteous, living high on the pedestal of my soap box (ick!)

Nor am I a mindless robot, following a philosophy blindly and without rational thought.

I am not weak and co-dependent, needing a crutch to lean on.

I am a critical thinker.

A human being just like you.

I married a man who lives the same way.  We are looking to teach our boys to be the best they can be in this world - strong, smart, tough, sweet, faithful, honest men of integrity and character where your word is your bond.  Where your "Yes" means "Yes" and your "No" means "No".

 I mess up.  I admit I do - sooo hard! - and I love God for being there for me when I do.

I am not trying to keep up with the religious Jones' or even with the leaders of my church or any church for that matter.  Or even with the hippest, latest philosophy trend.

I am just a woman who loves God and strives to live my life honestly and righteously with all those pesky flaws I possess.  They are glaring, believe me.  I see them every day.

I don't bible thump, I don't raise my hands, I don't judge others nor do I liked to be judged (but I don't have control of that  one, do I?)  :-)

I share my life.  I share my faith.  I share my words.  I share my love even in the most painful times when it is so hard to do so.

Being a Christian in this world is not easy.  Trust me, this is not me having a victim mentality or me complaining.  It's just a fact,  like being Black or being gay or heavy-set in this world is not easy, among other things.

Having those principles and living by them can lead to repercussions, some of which I don't understand.    But they are there.  And I have to continually remember that people come with all sorts of baggage and notions (religious and non-religious) so when they discover I'm a Christian, judgements are made.

I would love to be viewed as a human being who just has a deep love for God and is living her life His way.

I cringe at the Christian stereotypes.  Or being "typed"in general.

I am just Me.  Probably a lot like You.

Feel free to accept me for who I am, Christian and all.

Without judgement, please. (wink!)

And I promise I'll do the same with you, no matter who you are.


Linking up with Shell and pouring my heart out...









Saturday, April 6, 2013

Yellow/Easter


Spring is here. 
Even though it depends from day-to-day here in Colorado. 

Spring and a whole host of chances 
for photo opportunities.  

I am joining in with Nurture Photography and their Spring 2013 Seasonal Photo Challenge series
through my photography blog. 
  
Wonderful for this photographer as I photograph my way through spring. 

I am excited to discover this season through my lens. 

A week ago, the family and I took a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico
but we couldn't forget our family tradition of coloring Easter Eggs with Easter just around the corner
even while away. 

So we colored eggs, in our hotel room. 


My three boys colored their eggs all kinds of wonderful yellows, oranges, pinks, purples and blues.




Including the special three: one with each of their names on it. 

And two days later, on Easter, after we returned home, there was an Easter egg hunt in our backyard.



One lone egg waiting for a little boy to find it.



A yellow egg  found by the 3 year old



And a yellow bat too which made him quickly forget about the yellow egg and the egg hunt altogether.


A wonderful time. 



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Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: It's All in the Lines...





A railyard in Santa Fe. 

A beautiful spring day. 

A boy who loves tracks and lines

enough to sit and marvel in the details of  this ground

made of metal and brick

and be engrossed for awhile. 


Linking up for Wordless Wednesday 

with

 Kristi at Live and Love Out Loud