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The “Face”

May 17th, 2010 by Amy

I have a love/hate relationship with make-up.  I love it because it covers up all most of my facial flaws, and adds color so I don’t look nearly as tired as I actually feel.  I hate it because it is such a hassle to apply and remove.  If I could simply leave my house “as is” I would be perfectly happy.  However, “as is” is scary.  I know this for a fact because my children, who have no motivation for lying, have told me flat out, “Mommy, you look scary.”  So, you see, make-up, while somewhat of a chore, is a necessity.

 

I have a friend who very rarely wears make-up, and looks beautiful.  She has that even-tone-silky-smooth-I-want-to-hate-you-but-I-love-you-because-you-are-my-friend kind of skin.  She has truly been blessed.  Me…not so much.  Therefore, I leave my make-up free days for the weekend and my family.

 

I remember my mom referring to her make-up as her “face”.  She couldn’t go anywhere without putting her “face” on.  As a little girl I thought that sounded crazy.  I totally get it now.  The “face” is the identity that the world out there has come to recognize, know, and feel comfortable with.  If I were to show up to church on a Sunday morning without my face, there would probably be some concern.  Or maybe perhaps a few horrified individuals.  Like I said, I look scary.

 

There’s another “face” I wear.  This “face” is the person everyone out there sees every single day.  The person who says “hi” in the church foyer, or forgets to say “hi” because she’s running late to pick up one of her kids from Sunday school.  This is the “face”, or persona, that everyone around me has come to know, to some degree, and feel comfortable with (or at least, come to grips with).  To be honest, there are mornings when I wake up and I don’t particularly feel like putting my “face” on.  I’m tired.  I’m stressed.  I’ve spent most of the night worrying about my family, the future (not a very spiritual thing to do, I know…but I confess, it happens).  I get overwhelmed.  I feel lonely.  And yet, I know that if I were to walk out my door without putting on my “face” I might make a lot of people feel very uncomfortable…I might scare them.

 

I don’t think I’m the only woman on the planet that feels like this, even though sometimes it would appear that way.  I would imagine we all have a deep desire to be known and accepted without our make-up on.  To know that more than just our families will accept the scary two-toned skin that lies beneath the Clinique foundation.  And if we were all perfectly honest, while we so desperately want to be make-up free with each other, we, too, find it difficult to allow others to be make-up free with us.  I say this not to point a finger, but really because as God has been working in my life in the area of grace, this has been a key issue he has brought to light.  As God lavishes me with undeserved grace and mercy, I find him challenging me to do the same for others.  I haven’t always hit the nail on the head, but thankfully, God forgives and gives me a second chance.

 

God’s grace is sufficient for me…and it is also sufficient for you.  God’s grace poured out for, and in, me, is the grace he desires for me to pour out on others.

 

One powerful thing I am learning on this grace journey is that as I accept this unconditional gift and apply it to my life, the need to wear my inner “face” begins to fade away.  I don’t have anything to be ashamed of, fearful of, or embarrassed about.  I am fully known by God, and feel the freedom to be fully known by others.  It may look rough, and it may lack polish, but it’s the real thing.  It is the face without the “face”.  The face that God loves, accepts and has chosen.  And more importantly, the part of me that will ultimately reflect Jesus to others…which is truly my heart’s desire…above all else.

 

2 Corinthians 3:18

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”


My hope…my prayer…for my face to reflect the true face of God….one day at a time…one step of grace at a time…

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Posted in Faith, Grace, Life, Ministry | 1 Comment »

Friday’s Free Advice

May 14th, 2010 by Amy

I have issues.  This should come as no surprise to those of you who read my blog regularly.  I wrestle with waiting on God, I struggle with insecurity, I have to cling to God’s grace on a daily basis, and work harder on this whole marriage and parenting thing than I have worked on anything else in my life.  

 

And that’s not all. 

 

I worry. 

 

I worry a lot.  

 

Fear is a battle for me.  

 

When I am in a “good” place emotionally, spiritually and physically I can quickly recognize my fear triggers, and rise above them.  However, when I am tired, stressed, dealing with a difficult child, at odds with Joel, and doggy paddling my way through the waves of unpredictability, I am not so quick to resist worry.  My mind blows things out of proportion.  

 

And I end up exhausted.

 

Realizing this about myself, I have learned a few things about how to regain control of my emotions, and pull myself up out of this pit.  There are four little steps I take to move from living overwhelmed to overcoming living.  This is today’s Friday’s Free Advice:

 

  • Spiritual dimension:  Read the Word of God!

Matthew 6:25-27, 33-34“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more important than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (NIV)

 

God’s word takes away the confusion and distorted messages my mind conjures up.  It brings me back to the truth, and truth trumps fear every. single. time.

 

  • Physical dimension: Get some rest! 

Go to bed early.  Take a day, or morning, to flop around the house.  Schedule it into your week, if need be.  I know life gets really busy (I know this because we are busy quite frequently).  I also know that when I have gone too long without rest I burn out.  In fact, this morning as I write this, I am sitting here in my jammies with a cup of coffee on my desk.  I am resting.

 

  • Relational dimension:  Deal with it!

This is probably the most difficult step for me, and I can’t say that I do well in this dimension consistently.  However, I am learning and growing (remember…I am clinging to grace on a daily basis!). 

 

Just last night Joel and I had a long heart-to-heart.  It was a much needed talk, and as I anticipated bringing things up to him I was a wreck internally.  Yet, it proved to be a powerful moment in our relationship.  Instead of avoiding and pushing issues aside, we confronted, listened to each other, talked them out (until 12am), and drew closer as husband and wife. 

 

  • Soul dimension:  Pray!

 The famous philosopher of the 90’s, M.C. Hammer, once rapped, “You’ve got to pray just to make it today…Come on, let’s pray.”  Okay…a little cheesy, but he was totally right.  I really do need to pray just to make it today!   

 

When I’ve saturated my mind in the truth of God’s word, addressed any physical or relational issues, I then wrap them up in prayer.  By this time, fear has vanished and my heart, mind and soul are back on track.  Life will constantly try to throw curve balls, but keeping the focus the One who will carry us through them all is the greatest comfort of all.

 

As we drifted off to sleep last night, Joel prayed over us.  It was the sweetest night’s rest I’ve had in a long time. 

 

Isaiah 26:3  “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (KJV)

Posted in Faith, Fun Stuff, Life | 2 Comments »

Something To Be Thankful For…

May 12th, 2010 by Amy

I spent an unmentionable amount of time staring blankly at my computer screen yesterday afternoon.  I was trying to write up a post for today, but my mind was drawing a blank.  I pulled up a post-in-process and tinkered around with it for a while, but it still isn’t ready.  I perused facebook and twitter to kill time (perhaps hoping for divine inspiration of some sort).  Before I knew it, Jackson was up from his nap, and all the quiet uninterrupted time I had reserved for writing was gone, and I had nothing to show for it. 

 

I thought maybe I could jump back on the computer once Jackson and Brooklyn found their play groove, but not so much.  Brooklyn asked me to help her make a thank you note for a friend…and I did.  Jackson pulled on my arm and asked me to play with him…and I did.  The afternoon belonged to my kids, and my post went unwritten.

 

In my mind, the day had been a waste.  I didn’t get anything accomplished that I had hoped.  I was even behind on getting the laundry done.  By dinner time I was feeling out of sorts.  Then, as we went around the table before dinner, and shared what we were thankful for that day, my heart was deeply touched by what my family had to say.

 

Jackson was thankful for the usual – Mom, Dad, Brooklyn, Sydney and Jackson (yes, he is always thankful for himself – we view this as a positive sense of self) – and then he added another item to his thankful list.  Jackson said he was thankful for me, because I played with him.

 

Sydney was next.  With her arms flailing for dramatic effect, she declared that she was thankful for having a great…GREAT…day.  This, too, touched my heart because she had been on my mind a lot throughout the day, and each time I would whisper a little prayer for her. 

 

Then came Brooklyn.  Brooklyn was thankful that I helped her write a thank you note.  She is such a sweetheart.  I didn’t really put a lot thought into how much my time would mean to her, but evidently, it meant enough that she remembered and was thankful.

 

It was Joel’s turn next.  He paused then simply expressed that he was thankful for “Mommy”. 

 

Right then and there I was reminded that, although on paper I may not have much to show for my day, it was not a waste.  I did the most important job in the world.  I was the mommy God created me to be for these four amazing people in my life.  For each person it may look a little different, and as we are faithful to be who we were intended to be, we can make a huge impact on our world.

 

I had asked God yesterday morning to reveal himself to me in a personal way.  Through my family God spoke something sweet to my soul.  As much as they are thankful for me…I am so very thankful for them. 

 

And once again I was reminded of how much I have to rejoice and be glad in!

Posted in Life, Motherhood | 2 Comments »

Mom, Mommy, Mama, Mother…

May 10th, 2010 by Amy

Sydney handed me a brown paper sack on Friday afternoon.  Inside was a collection of Mother’s day projects she had been working on in her first grade classroom over the course of several weeks.  I unfolded a piece of composition paper where she had written something about me with a lovely illustration of the two of us.  This is what Sydney wrote:

 

“The most important thing about my Mommy is that she loves to read her Bible.  She likes puppies!  BUT the most important thing about my Mommy is that she loves to read her Bible.”

 

Just so we’re clear, I love to read my Bible…according to Sydney.  I smiled when I read her composition, and my heart was warmed to think that, from my little six-year-old daughter’s perspective, this would be the most important thing about me.

 

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love Mother’s Day.  I love it more than my birthday.  I love waking up Mother’s Day morning knowing that because of three precious little souls, who call me by a number of different names - ”Mom”…”Mommy”…”Mama”…”Mother” (often repeated numerous times with varying voice tones and inflections) - this day is for me.

 

I love Mother’s Day because I am reminded of my own Mom.

 

My mom could turn a two bedroom, concrete floored, 800 square foot condo in Kenya into home sweet home.  Her fingerprints are all over my own home today – there’s a touch of my mom everywhere I go.

 

My mom could turn a seemingly disastrous eyes-closed-for-my-sixth-grade-school-pictures into something to smile about and be proud of.

 

She has been my biggest cheerleader, confidant, mentor and friend.

 

And the most important thing about my mom is that she loves to read her Bible.

 

Down the road, when Sydney picks up her little girl from school, maybe – just maybe – she’ll open up a little gift sack with a handwritten note about her and read, “The most important thing about my mom is that she loves to read her Bible…”

 

Being a mom is not just about changing diapers, shuttling kids from school to sports to church and home again.  It’s not simply making sure they eat their veggies and do their homework.  Being a mom is modeling the kind of person we want our children to become.  Leading by example in everything…everything…we do.

 

I love being a mom.  I know I mess up a lot, but I am encouraged that the most important people in my life are discovering the most important thing in life through my life.

 

This may be a day too late, but I just want to wish my mom, and all my dear and amazing mom friends, a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted in From The Mouth Of Babes, Motherhood | 2 Comments »

Friday’s Free Advice

May 7th, 2010 by Amy

We have a lot of leaders in our home.  Inevitably, there is a constant battle to be the line leader (it doesn’t matter if we’re just walking to a different room…everyone wants to be first).  My children will literally tackle each other in order to claim this coveted position.  This morning a genius moment of mommy creativity flashed in my mind.  As Jackson was bringing up the rear heading downstairs for breakfast, I could tell he was on the brink of a meltdown.  Then it dawned on me…Jackson wasn’t last…Jackson was…THE CABOOSE!  I told him, with excitement brimming from my voice, “Jackson!  You get to be THE CABOOSE!”  He looked questioningly at me, and I repeated, “Jackson…YOU get to be THE CABOOSE!”  His whole face lighted up.  He marched boldly down the stairs and proclaimed to his sisters, dad, and all of creation, “I’m the CADOOSE!  Look at me!” 

 

Sometimes it’s as simple as changing our perspective. 

 

There are nights when I will lay my head down on my pillow and feel like I botched every single item on my list of responsibilities.  I can beat myself to a pulp for something I said, or didn’t say; for not spending enough quality time with each of my children, or allowing myself to feel overwhelmed because I don’t think who I am is enough. 

 

In these quiet moments I am learning to pause and ask God to help me look on my life with a fresh perspective.  I ask him to help me see clearly those areas where I need to humble myself and make adjustments, and then release those things that are out of my control.  I ask him to help me accept the fact that I can’t do everything, and teach me to walk boldly in his perfection, because I am never going to be perfect.  I ask him to give me a fresh perspective, a fresh grasp of his grace and a fresh appreciation for others.

 

And he always does.  I find that I am asking God for a healthy dose of new perspective a lot these days.  I can’t be a wife, mother, daughter, friend and leader without him.  Where I am weak, he is my superwoman strength, enabling me to leap tall heaps of laundry and dirty dishes in a single bound.  And when my perspective is off, he is faithful to come to my rescue every. single. time.

 

Friday’s Free Advice:  If you are feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders and it is crushing you, maybe it’s time to stop and ask God to give you a change of perspective in your situation.  I was talking to a friend recently, and for her it was as simple as a good night’s rest.  It is amazing what a little change in perspective can do for a soul!

Posted in Faith, Life, Ministry, Motherhood | 2 Comments »

Sweet Spot

May 5th, 2010 by Amy

“When life’s biggest disappointments cause a bitterness that you just can’t seem to shake, know that the Lord wants to step in and reveal the miracle of his restoring power in your heart.  He can take your biggest struggle and heartache – the one that causes your chest to ache with frustration – and turn it into the sweet spot on which your spiritual outlook hinges.”    – Priscilla Shirer from her Bible Study, “One In A Million”.

 

This statement has lingered with me for several days now.  Our current heartache, whatever that might be, is the very thing in which God can, and will, transform into a sweet spot. 

 

A sweet spot.

 

When I think of sweet, I think of honey, homemade chocolate chip cookies, kisses from my kiddos, the night Joel proposed to me, the first time I saw my babies on a sonogram, and walking on the beach with sand between my toes.  Those are all marvelous things to me.  The word sweet does not conjure up thoughts of heartache, struggle, and pain.  When I think sweet, I don’t think about a wilderness journey.  Yet, just maybe my perception of sweet is off.  Perhaps the very thing in my life that frustrates and overwhelms me is the very thing that God is using to draw me close to him – causing me to cling to him with all my might.

 

Life is so multi-dimensional.  There may be clouds hovering over one area while sunlight shines down on another.  Sometimes there are more clouds than sun, and finding a sweet spot is like looking for sugar in a saltshaker.

 

When we moved into our current home, we had a baby and a two-year-old.  We didn’t need a lot of space, and really couldn’t afford much more than our tiny townhome at the time.  We dreamed big.  We anticipated living in this house for a couple years and then moving on up to something bigger to meet the needs of our growing family.  Then two things happened all around the same time: I found out I was pregnant with Jackson, and the housing market plummeted.  Needless to say, five years later, we are still living in our two-bedroom townhome with no yard.  Believe me, there have been days when I have felt the frustration of this situation so strong and wondered how long will we have to live like this. 

 

Last fall, as we were settling back into the routine of school, ballet, Bible study, etc, something very powerful occurred to me.  I was putting up what few fall decorations I have and began reflecting on all of the autumn seasons we’ve spent in our home, how each year has been a little different from the last, and just how much life and memories we have lived here: Brooklyn learned to crawl and walk, Jackson was brought home from the hospital to this very house – the only home he’s ever known – miracles witnessed in our kitchen and living room, Christmases, Easter egg hunts, birthday parties, and countless Friday Family Movie Nights.  This little townhome, that sometimes feels like it’s closing in on me, is our home…a very sweet place.  And to my children, it is not a piece of real estate that has depreciated in market value.  It is their home – their sweet spot.  

 

God has taught me so many things here too.  He’s taught me to think creatively, outside the box, stretching me to find ways to maximize our living space.  He has also taught me to be content, no matter what situation I am in.  I realize that this issue of mine may seem petty and small in comparison to all of the real heartache and sorrow out there in our world.  However, this is one cloud, a piece of the bigger puzzle, revealing that as much as I would love to have a picture-perfect life, not everything will always be picture-perfect.  This little ‘ole house is not something that I simply have to put up with, but it has truly become a sweet spot for me.  I am so grateful that our plans to move on up fell apart, because it has been here, in this townhome, that the most precious moments of my life have been lived…and I really don’t want to move away from that any time soon.

housechristmas09 

Allowing God to turn our biggest disappointments into a sweet spot is not always an easy thing to do, but once we release them into his hands, there can truly be none sweeter.

 

Psalm 19:9-10

The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

Posted in Faith, Grace, Life | 4 Comments »

“Do Over” Day

May 3rd, 2010 by Amy

Have you ever wished you could stop, rewind and re-do a moment in time?  I have…pretty much on a regular basis.  This past weekend, especially, I needed a “do over” day.

On Saturday morning Sydney managed to wedge her bedroom door shut while she and Jackson were inside.  I couldn’t get it open – not even a single budge.  They were trapped.  I body slammed it so many times that I now have a lovely bruise on my left shoulder.  I could hear wailing and screaming coming from the other side of the door.  This is why we have an “open door” policy in our home.  Doors remain open at all times, unless the parents have designated otherwise.  Too many near-loss-of-fingers incidents.  We had to put the open door policy into effect.  On this day in particular, Sydney was getting wild, decided to shut Brooklyn out of the bedroom, and pretty much closed herself in for a thirty minute time-out.

Was I frustrated?  Yes.  I was.  Did I manage this situation in a calm and peaceful manner?  Hmmm….I could have done better.

Stop.  Rewind.  Try again.

Some friends had invited us over to their home for lunch after church yesterday.  We enjoy this family so much, and their girls are the same ages as our girls.  The afternoon was going well until their youngest daughter came running inside from the backyard and announced that Brooklyn had told Jackson to throw dirt on her.  And he did.  My children were on the fast track to cranky-ville, and it was becoming clear that they were suffering from a severe case of nap-deficiency.  Not an excuse for bad behavior, but certainly a contributing factor.

As I was sitting in my friends’ living room, holding Jackson and Brooklyn on my lap (both in full blown melt-down mode), singing “Little Mister Roo” all I could think about was, “Can I have a ‘do over’?”.

Stop.  Rewind.  Try again.

Jackson was up at 3:30 this morning.  His, “Mommy! Mommy!” cries pulled me out of a deep coma.  He needed help going potty.  I couldn’t get back to sleep after that.  I laid in my bed thinking about all the things I need to do today, all the things coming up this week, all the things I am running behind in, and how much I wish I could escape to a nice, warm beach somewhere.  Needless to say, when my alarm went off at 5:30 am, I turned it off, rolled over and closed my eyes.

I woke up late.  Bad start to the day.

Stop.  Rewind.  Try again.

Psalm 103:11&12 “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

Romans 4:7&8 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

In my world of “high expectations” I really blew it a time or two this weekend.  It is Monday morning, and as I look to the past I fear it has set me up for a less than stellar week.  I wonder if I could do the weekend over, somehow I could set everything right again.  Not so.  ”Do overs” are great, when you can actually do something over (like one of my kids waking up on the wrong side of the bed – they get to stop, go back to their room, and try again).  When you can’t, there is always the assurance that once forgiven by God all is restored.  We don’t have to rewind to try again.  We simply get to start fresh.  Start new. Start over.

So, rather than stop.  Rewind.  Try again.  I am going to stop.  Receive forgiveness.  And start anew.  I think I like this way better than a “do over” day.

Posted in Faith, Grace, Life, Motherhood | 3 Comments »

Friday’s Free Advice – When All Else Fails…

Apr 30th, 2010 by Amy

I live in the Northwest.  Rain is part of the package.  In fact, it is 99% of the way we do life here.  My daughter, Sydney, who is a native, has made it very clear to me that there is a difference between rain, drizzle, and a slight sprinkle.  It’s pretty much all the same to me.  When wet stuff falls from the sky – hard, soft, fast or slow – I call it rain.

 

A couple of days ago, I was waiting to pick Sydney up in the carpool line at her school.  We were parked a good distance from the building.  On a dry day it would make for a nice, refreshing jaunt.  On a day like this one in particular, it could only be defined as something out of a nightmare.  We were getting dumped on.  The real rain was pouring.  After I had given Jackson and Brooklyn their stave-off-the-boredom-while-waiting-for-their-sister-snacks, Jackson started bouncing in his seat saying, “Mommy, I need to go potty.”  (This seems all too familiar to me.)  “How bad?” was my reply (hoping the bouncing was more for dramatic effect).  “Mommy, I need to go potty now!”  “Can you wait until we get to Sydney’s ballet school (which is a good thirty minutes away)?” Futile.  The poor guy needed to go.  What to do?

 

As I visualized myself wading through the puddles and raindrops with two children and a broken umbrella, I could feel a panic attack coming on (I’ve never had one, but I’m pretty sure that’s what was happening to me).  Not to mention that I was dressed “up” for a class I would be teaching that evening (a parenting class, no less).  I found an old zip-lock baggy, and was struck with instant inspiration.  Maybe he could tinkle in the baggie?  But then what?  There was no trash nearby…nowhere to dispose the evidence.  Jackson was beginning to wriggle and bounce even more intensely.  Then I noticed one of my water bottles.  I brought two with me that afternoon: one for the car, and one for later.  I quickly chugged the remaining water from bottle number one and turned to Jackson.

 

“Jackson, you are going to go pee-pee in this bottle.”

 

The look on Jackson’s face was a mixture of confusion, shock. and a little fear.

 

“Jackson, this is going to be fun.  You are going to put your pee-pee in this water bottle!”

 

I began unfastening him.  He was warming up to the idea.  We got everything situated…and…”tah-dah!”…mission accomplished.

 

The first words out of Jackson’s mouth were, “Mommy, this is fun!” 

 

“Yes, it is.”

 

Then he added, “Look!  It’s yellow!  My favorite color!”

 

Oh happy day!

 

Have no fear.  The contents were emptied out on an unsuspecting bush later after the rain died down.  And as far as I can tell, there has been no emotional damage done.

 

So, tell me…when all else fails, what do you do?

 

Friday’s Free Advice:  Share your “When All Else Fails” stories.  I would certainly love to hear them!  Mommy moments are much more fun when shared with other mommies…who have been there a time or two.

Posted in Fun Stuff, Grace, Life, Motherhood | 3 Comments »

Grace For A Budding “Frugalista”

Apr 28th, 2010 by Amy

Last week I quickly jotted down a few thoughts on grace.  After three decades plus of serving God, it would appear that my heart has reawakened to the glorious grace he has for me…that he has always had for me.  Where on earth have I been?  Oh, yeah, that’s right…I’ve been over there in the corner, comparing myself to the mom whose five-year-old is learning multiplication while I don’t even understand the directions for Sydney’s first grade math homework.  And wouldn’t you know it, just as I have stepped into the irresistible life of grace, the enemy has been on alert – prepping for that one moment of weakness when he can swoop in and tear me down. 

 

I spent a weekend get-away with a couple of girlfriends recently.  It was fabulous.  We got out of town, sat around in our sweats (hello…comfy clothes is my love language!), ate scrumptious food, watched HGTV and a good ‘ol chick flick, and – just to be certain this was a full fledged girls’ weekend – there was a whole lot of talking.  While the headache from sleep deprivation nearly took me out the morning after, I had a truly amazing time.  However, there were a few moments of internal struggle for me off and on throughout our conversations.  You see, I have incredible friends.  They do just about everything great.  I think I’ve mentioned this fact before in a previous post.  As we chatted it up about motherhood, our kids, and our hubbies, I almost had to pinch myself because, for a moment, I truly thought I was in the presence of female greatness.  They do it all.  Not that their lives have been perfect because each has had her fair share of personal struggle, but they’ve handled every challenge superbly.  And to top it off…they are serious coupon clippers – down to their portable coupon file-a-folders.  When they broke these babies out, I thought I would fall off my seat.  One gal asked me if I “do” coupons.  Yes, I do “do” coupons, but apparently not like they do.  Listening to them gab on and on about all the free stuff they get with coupons, the $5 Target purses and a lifetime supply of Coke, a little voice in my head started taunting me. 

 

“You only thought you were a good steward of your money.  Look at these women.  They really know how to manage what God has given to them.  God only blesses those who steward their money well.”

 

Ugh.  Needless to say, I left that conversation with a huge knot in my stomach.  This kind of thinking, however, is completely distorted.  In the past I would have allowed the untrue message to eat me alive, but not this time!

 

My thoughts turned to God’s truth (and even with the truth in mind, I had to battle this one out):

 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8 & 10.

 

The beautiful thing about grace is redemption.  The beautiful thing about redemption is freedom.  And freedom is exhilarating and irresistible.  I live my life surrounded by spills and dust bunnies big enough to hop right out the door on their own, yet in the midst of it all, God is there, ready and willing to help me clean up the dirt and grime all the while holding me firmly and lovingly in his tender grasp.  And as for coupons, well, I’ll keep doing my best.  If I never win a “frugalista of the year” award, so be it.  God’s grace abounds to me in all things, and at all times.  When I am weak, he is my strength.  When I head out the door for the grocery store and forget my coupons altogether (which happened just the other day), he doesn’t judge or shake his head at me.  Rather, he helps me shop more wisely because he knows how much I depend upon him and his ability to supply and increase my store of seed.

 

And I’m pretty sure that my amazing girlfriends will still love this budding “Frugalista” in spite of my coupon file-a-folder deficiency! 

 

I’m learning to walk in God’s grace at all times, and in all things.

Posted in Faith, Grace, Life | 3 Comments »

Sisters

Apr 23rd, 2010 by Amy

Amy and Jen0002

Okay, I started off writing this morning’s post about my one year blogging anniversary, which is tomorrow (quite a week for anniversaries!).  However, after breaking up a few dozen sibling disputes over the course of an hour, my train of thought has been derailed, and I have found myself thinking about sisters.  My sister, to be exact. 

 

Her name is Jen, and today is her birthday.  I won’t tell you how old she is, even though she would have NO PROBLEM declaring my age for all to hear – she’s just that thoughtful and sweet. 

 

Jen has always been my partner in crime.  We were souly responsible for shaking a bottle of baby powder into the engine of my grandfather’s brand new riding lawn mower, which – fortunately for us - we were little and cute, and he didn’t kill us.  In the early days of itinerating, we stood side-by-side declaring, “Bwana sifiwe” and sang Amy Grant’s “I Have Decided”, making our mom so proud.  We taught Sunday school to masses of Kikuyu children on a weekly basis, and played “Kikuyu mamas” when we got home from church, wrapping our baby dolls on our backs with kikois.  We lived out brief but exciting careers as models.  We’ve been chased, on foot, by a herd of elephant, and we’ve been reprimanded in the Amsterdam airport because we tried to order Toblerone without nouget and honey.  We’ve stood up to mean girls, body surfed in the Indian ocean, helped our mother lug ten, fifty pound, carry on bags across the world (which I am convinced they made the “one carry on per person” policy in her honor), and live for pedicures and coffee talk.  We fought over boys, and cried over boys, took boys’ names and spit them out in vain, supported and held each other through bigger heartbreaks and sorrows than middle school crushes.  Jen has been my very best friend from the time we could recognize each other, and when I need a good dose of unedited reality, she’s the one I call.

 

Jen, we are as different as day is to night.  You are the wild and outspoken, and I am the steady and true.  I am so grateful that God put us in the same family.  You are a strong and giften woman, someone I truly admire and aspire to be like.  And nobody, and I mean nobody, can pull off  the White Christmas “Sisters” song like you and me, babe (believe me, I’ve heard others try).  We nail it every time.  

 

Happy Birthday, Jen!

 

Sisters.  Sisters.  There were never such devoted sisters!

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Posted in Fun Stuff, Life | 2 Comments »

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