Ramblings and Updates

Just a bunch of rambling....
     First off, after clearing eight garbage bags of clothes out of my closet, my friend and I were finally ready to convert my one closet into my home work space!  I'll put photos on my Facebook page.  Check it out!  I am so excited about it!!
       This isn't really on topic either (for this month's theme) but I posted about a month ago that I was inviting some neighbor's over for a Bible Study.  We met and it was awesome!  We had a great time and I think it's going to be fun making some new friends.  We are a mix - some strong Christians, some just curious, and a self-proclaimed agnostic, so it should prove to be a great ground for discussion.  Plus, it's fun to get together with my neighbors, who I would otherwise not see!
         On to other topics, I am thinking ahead for December's Princess challenge, Respecting the King. What a great way to remember the true meaning of the season.  I'm going to focus on ways to put Jesus back into Christmas in my own life.  I'll keep you posted. What are some of your ideas?

Guilty

              So I blew it yesterday.
              I'm working on being more humble this month, and mostly I'm working on keeping my mouth shut. As my mom says "If you don't have anything good to say, it's better not to say anything at all."  Or my grandma, who used to say "You catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar."  Not sure if those two relate, but you get the point. Anyway, the family was driving me crazy, I was sleep deprived, and I had a HUGE scheduling conflict I was trying to resolve that was going to make me lose $45 if I didn't get it resolved.  Plus, I was trying to wash dishes and the faucet has this annoying whine to it that hurts my ears when the water runs. (We really need to get that fixed.) People wouldn't stop complaining and asking me for things and I finally got really upset and told them all what I thought about them.  In a not-so-gentle voice.
              (To be fair, though, I did warn the kids several times they had pushed me to my boiling point and Momma was about to explode.)
               But really, is that anyway to handle things?  When a princess loses her cool doesn't that make her look weak? (And scary!)  I don't want to run the household by fear.  Yes, it works, but no, it isn't fun - for any of us.
               I'm just thankful I get a redo.  Here's to a better day and a bit more self-control, while at the same time giving myself a break.  I am, after all, imperfectly human.

Princesses by Station, Humble by Grace

A lot could be said about not abusing our power in our roles, especially in light of this political campaign season.  We don't want to take for granted who we are, and Whose we are.  Because of the sacrificial death of Jesus, we entered into the Kingdom of God through a price.  This makes us children of God, but it should also humble us with the realization that we didn't get here by who we are. We got here only through grace.
       Sometimes it's hard to be humble, especially when we know we are right. :-)
      For Lent this year, I gave up being angry at my husband, which really boiled down to me not having to be right all the time - even when I was.  By keeping my mouth shut, and letting go of control issues, I saw some amazing positive changes in my marriage and the muscle tension in my neck. So, in light of this month's theme, "Not Abusing Our Power", I'm going to remember that I'm God's child and a princess by right, and don't have to prove it to anybody, so I will try to be humble, especially in what I say.  I will try to give up being right and rest on the promises of God, knowing that He is in control and it will all turn out okay in the end.
        It's gonna be a long month!

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: not of works, least any man should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

Update on the Bible Study

I handed out fliers for the neighborhood Bible study and have had several positive responses!  How exciting!  It took me an hour and a half just to get around to half the houses because people wanted to talk.  I’m already getting to know my neighbors!  This is turning out to be fun, so far, and now that I know people are actually coming it gives me incentive to clean the house.  LOL!!! 

Neighbors

   I am going to start a neighborhood Bible study. I've felt God calling me in that direction for quite awhile and what better time to begin than during the month of October when my Princess Project theme is sharing knowledge with others?  So I thought I'd start out by sharing what I know best: that God loves each and every one of us and has a special plan for our lives.
    This is way out of my comfort zone because I'm not social by nature.  I've lived in this neighborhood for 15 years and don't even know some of my neighbors' names.  But....God is asking me to try to get to know them better and tell them about Him.  So I have collected a bunch of "neighborhood Bible study" books (they are actually called that!) and am going to invite friends over for coffee and let them pick a book.  It'll be interesting to see what happens.
     I read about a woman who felt God calling her to go sing at a nursing home.  When she got ready to perform, only three women showed up. Two fell asleep. The third adjusted her hearing aid every time she began a new song and said loudly "Oh no! Does she have to sing another one?" But the singer was obedient to God's calling and that's what counts.
    It may just be me and the goldfish that first Bible study, but I find that when I listen to God's prompting, amazing things happen.  I'll keep you posted.
       Have you ever done anything outside of your comfort zone?  Tell me about it!

Being Helped

       This months topic has been "Helping Others" which I think is an important part of being a princess.  But I am also letting someone help ME.  I am buried under clutter, and while I have great ideas of what I want to do, it all seems like too much to handle.  So my friend has decided to come help me next week.  She is organization guru (you should see her house!) and I am thrilled to have her fresh pair of eyes land on my mountain of mess and tell me where to put it.
        I obviously need some help.  Today I cleaned out underneath the china cabinet so I could store the cake plate there.  I then cleaned out the cabinet where the cake plate has resided for the past 14 years, and moved fresh dishes into there, since the cake plate is now removed.  Problem is, I just discovered the cake plate doesn't fit into the china cabinet.
        Maybe I should have measured first.
         So you see?  I need help.  I've thrown my hands up in the air and given up on organizing for writing, something I am much more comfortable doing.  I'll let my friend organize me. :-)
         Do you have any good organizing tips for me?

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! - Ecclesiastes 4:10-11

Princessing....

It seems I get carried away with the princess thing in the summer.   I've been hanging out at the beach, writing fiction, playing with the kids, and basically NOT posting to my blog!  When my mom called the other day my husband (my earthly prince) was cooking dinner and I was on the porch swing, reading.  "I'll tell the princess you want to talk to her," he said.  Hmmm.
     In all truth, I am the carpool queen and have been driving various kids to various events, cooking (most) of the dinners, and worn myself plum out.  But it has been fun to slack off of work a little bit (except for my clients - you I haven't slacked on!) and be a princess.  So all of this to say why I haven't posted more on Mary M.  Working on it.....at the beach. :-)

Prince of Peace

I'm excited about this month's topic.  We have a prince!  Someone who cherishes us, who loves us for who we are, and who is coming for us someday! (He even rides a white horse!!)   I'm reading about Mary Magdalene - come back in a day or two and let's discuss this topic more!

My Grace is Sufficient...

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."– 2 Corinthians 12:9a

It is when we are at our weakest that God is allowed to wield His strength the most in our lives.  Oswald Chambers said “God can do nothing for me until I get to the limit of the possible.”  How often do we “try this” and “try that”, looking for a fix, or a way out, or a solution?  When we give it to God instead, we are free, and what’s more, we are in better hands.  Trust God – His grace is sufficient for what troubles you.  He said so Himself.  As a daughter of the King  - it is your privilege. 

My Favorite Blessing!

    Grace is one of my favorite topics because it means we are FREE!  I feel so overburdened sometimes with my schedule, my to-do list, all the demands placed on me.  I feel I have to work, work, work.  But God has a different plan - He gives us grace.  You don't have to earn it.  You don't have to work for it.   All you have to do is accept it.

    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.  - Ephesians 2:8-9

Innate Wisdom

A bird has built a nest in our bathroom fan.   I hear momma bird go out and then come back in.  She gives a screech (which I think sounds a bit frightening) but then I hear little bird voices peeping excitedly, I assume for food.  This very noisy process continues for about 10 minutes, several times a day.

It occurs to me that God is generous with wisdom.  The bird knows how to take care of its babies.  The peonies on my front porch know when to open – and it’s interesting to watch the black ants eat away the green covering so the pink flowers can burst forth. 

We, too, have a deep, innate type of wisdom.  My body tells me when I’m hungry, it heals me when I am cut, and when I’m cold (like I was in the pool on Sunday) tiny little bumps form on my arms and hairs stand on end in an  attempt to keep me warm.

Amazing.  God has equipped us well.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33

Wisdom is a Process

Wisdom.

It’s more than an accumulation of knowledge.  It’s an ongoing daily acquisition.

When I started writing my latest book A Kid at Heart I thought it would go quickly.  God had given me the title, the subject, and even most of the chapter titles!  My publisher told me she’d like it in six months to a year.  “No problem,” I said.  But God wanted to take me to a deeper understanding of Him first.  Last year was abysmally dark and for the first time I found myself afraid of God – and of what He would – and could – let happen.  Could I still trust Him then?  Could I run to Him as a Father and take refuge in Him? 

For while I couldn’t. Now, coming out the other side of that dark year, a bit battle-weary, it seems I can.   As a child, we not only have the privilege of coming to Him, but we have the responsibility of coming to Him.  Where else, after all, can we go?

Wisdom dictates Him as Lord.  There’s no other way – there’s no better way.  

Wise Choices?

I think most of us struggle with our choices sometimes.  I know that for me, on my birthday last month, I looked at my life and wondered if I was where I should be.  I had dreamed of living on a horse farm, teaching writing at a university and writing novels.  My life hasn't led me there yet, and I'm halfway through.

            Have I made the right choices in my life?

            God, our Heavenly father, is the keeper of wisdom, and He gives it out to those who earnestly seek it. 

            If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5.

            That's a pretty amazing gift!  And, princesses, one we should desire. 

            Solomon was the richest and wisest king in history.  Why?  Because God told him he'd give him anything he asked for.  Solomon asked for wisdom, and because of that, the rest of his life was blessed beyond measure.

            So whether you are struggling with major life choices, or just trying to check off your to-do list, take it before God first.  Ask Him what to do.  You may be surprised at how much more smoothly things turn out!

Not I Should, but I Am

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and realize that Jesus is living inside of YOU.  The fact that we are important enough for the Holy Spirit to indwell in us should be enough for us to realize how much He values us.  So drop the "I shoulds" and for today, KNOW that you are good enough as you are. God doesn't love you for how good you've been today.  He loves you for how good you've TRIED to be and for WHO you are as He created you.  That  knowledge is the first step towards peace.  KNOW how valuable you are to Him.

What Are Your Dragons?

The past couple of days have been difficult ones, and busy.  On Sunday I first noticed that gnawing in my gut that I call anxiety.  Yesterday it was worse, and I couldn’t figure out if I needed to exercise and burn off the excess energy, or take a nap! 

When I tried to figure out what was causing it, I realized it was my schedule.  I had far too many responsibilities crammed into a couple of days.  Not all of them were bad – it was just nearly impossible to fit them all in, and I spent a large part of Sunday ruminating about Monday and how I would get everything done. I had three different appointments at different times and in different places, and that didn’t count my kids’ various activities, and the fact I needed to pick up groceries.  Or my looming writing deadline.

            I have read that our thought life is the greatest cause of anxiety for most of us, so I tried to take control of my thoughts.  I wrote everything down in my calendar – color coded – and just looked at my list every few hours.   Then I tried not to think about it.  I even read Psalm 91 several times.  I’ve got to admit, it didn’t work.  On most days, I can handle my “to-do” list but I had a few very unpleasant tasks to do yesterday and today that I just couldn’t get out of my mind.  I was fearful.

            I’m done now.  Mostly.  And I’m better.  But anxiety has been my dragon the past few days, caused by my over-loaded schedule.  Next time I’ll have to manage my time more wisely, and put in some “fun” breaks as a reward for an unpleasant task accomplished. Lesson learned.

            In order to slay our dragons, we need to know what they are.  What steals your joy?  What takes away your peace and brings you fear, or stress?  When you identify your dragons, you’ve taken the first step toward conquering them.

            Just remember, your power comes from God.  You aren’t in this alone, and you have every resource you need to overcome.

            Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. – Ephesians 6:10

Warrior Princess

        We aren't wimpy girls, destined to sit back and wait for our knight in shining armor to save us.  God fully equips us to go out and fight the battles on our own!  So this month we're going to look at the power we have over the enemy as part of our spiritual inheritance.
         In Ephesians 6 we are told about the Armor of God.  Most of the pieces are for defense, but God allows us to fight, and gives us an offensive weapon to strike back.  The Bible says our greatest weapon is scripture.   Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.    When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he used scripture to fight his battle.  Start memorizing scripture - you'll be amazed at how verses pop into your head when you need them!
        Get ready girls, and join the fight!  Our King has equipped us to be on active duty.

For the word of God [is] alive, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  – Hebrews 4:12

Putting Me First

After several nights of very little sleep, I am tired.  I'm dragging around and realized this morning how much physical effort it actually takes to shred cabbage for cole slaw!  During my prayer time I read a scripture in which David is challenge by yet another enemy, and before he does anything else, he makes sure his family is safe.  Then I read another scripture that says "Love your neighbor as yourself."  Well, from both of these I surmised two things:  We need to put family first, and we need to love ourselves.  What does that really mean?  Lately I've been volunteering a lot - giving and giving and giving.  As women we tend to do that, and put ourselves last.  But since I barely have the energy left to shred cabbage, I'm not much use to anybody else, am I?   :-)  So this afternoon I'm planning to take a nap.  Our discussion this month re; inner and outer beauty fits into this.  How beautiful can we be physically and in our attitudes if we are exhausted?  Another thing I've done all morning is take care of the house.  I've put the laundry away, washed dishes, and cleaned.  I want my family to come home to a haven, not a mess.  I hope that by putting my needs first, and taking care of my family, I can regain some sense of balance.  After all, you never see a beauty with dark circles under her eyes!  God bless you in your journey to become the woman God knows you can be!

Being Transformed

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. – 2 Corinthians 3:18

What reflection do you see when you look in the mirror?  According to this passage, we should see a likeness of Christ.  Beyond the hair and make-up, our faces should glow with the glory of God.  It’s not a physical transformation – it’s a spiritual one.

 I don’t always feel like I’m glowing, but the beauty of this passage is that we aren’t there yet.  We are being transformed – in present tense.   We’re a work on progress.  Isn’t it exciting?

God Made You and He Don't Make Junk

            You are uniquely you.  God created you the way He wanted you to be, and had plans for you long before your parents ever gave a thought to having children.

            Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;  Jeremiah 1:5

            Isn’t that exciting?  God likes you the way you were born.  Eye color, hair color, talents, personality -  He designed you that way.  It’s up to us what we do with what He gave us.

            Remember, you are fully equipped to be the woman God wants you to be.

In His Image

      A child was asking me the other day what God looks like.  I said He must look kind of like us.  After all, we were created in His image.  "Does He have arms and legs?" the child asked.   Well, I guess He probably does.  That made me think - if we are created in God's image, that makes us beautiful!  Otherwise, aren't we calling God ugly?  :-)  Just a thought...

     It was something else to remind me of how special we are to God.  He chose US to look like Him.  Not the alligators, or the birds, or the trees, but us.  Wow.  We are made in His likeness.

     When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.  He created them male and female; at the time they were created, he blessed them and called them "man." - Genesis 5:1-2

    

Uniquely You

When I was in middle school, I was given the assignment in health class to write a short essay about what I would want to change about myself.  I was quite happy with myself the way I was, and couldn't think of anything to write.  Even at that age, I realized the teacher's assignment was detrimental to our self-image.  I told her I was okay with my body the way it was and my friends should be too.
    "Really?"  she seemed shocked.  "You wouldn't make your  hips smaller, or change your hair color?  There has to be something you aren't happy with."
     She seemed angry.  And was she trying to tell me my hips were too big?
     I don't remember how I finished the assignment, but her words have stuck with me all these years.  Fortunately, I've realized that God created me the way He did for a reason.  He knew who I was before I was even in the womb.  I have had a fun time this year writing the chapter on beauty for the Princess book, and have discovered a lot of verses in the Bible about how awesome God thinks we are, just as He created us!  I wish I had been able to share these verses with my teacher back then!

Gifts from Above

I need a new computer, and for months (okay, maybe years) have been wanting a laptop.  I'm a bit picky, so instead of purchasing a cheaper non-Apple version, I'm holding out for a Mac.  Probably why I haven't gotten one yet.  But my desktop computer (also a Mac) is a year 2000 and there are pink streaks across the screen, giving me the feeling that the monitor is going.  Also, it keeps telling me there are "errors" and shutting down.  Since I'm working on "Riches" I decided to pray me up a computer.  God knows I need one, right?  So I've been praying for my Apple laptop. 

Amazingly, God sent me a computer.  It's free.  It's a Mac.  But it's happens to be a 2003 desktop computer. Guess God didn't think I was ready for that laptop....

But hey, it works, so I am rejoicing!  Isn't it fun that one happened to come along when I needed one?  Thank you, Lord!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above..."  James 1:17

Hidden Riches

I just finished reading "Unbroken."  Awesome book.  Very thought-provoking - at least it got me to thinking. Sometimes we ask for something that we think we really want, and God gives us something else - something better - instead.  But it may not look like it at the time.  Sometimes our hardships strengthen us and prepare us for an incredible future.  We just never know.  The apostle Paul says he learned to be content in all things.  Maybe he figured this nugget of wisdom out early in life.

Wealth

A friend shared Psalms 45 with me - wonderful images of kings and princesses.  I especially liked that the princess's robe was trimmed in gold, since I am focusing on the wealth of God this month.  I know that God owns it all, and that we don't need to worry about finances.  We had hoped to go to Florida this spring and take the kids to Disney World, but in the past month our water softener broke, a wind blew parts of our roof off and we need a new one, and two days ago my husband got in a car accident.  Hubby is okay, but the car is not.  So there goes all our "fun" money.  And more.  We are wondering where we're going to get the money for the roof - I'm excited to see what God will bring our way.  I'm trying to keep my chin up, because I know it all works out in the end, to the glory of God.  Sometimes it's just hard to go through!

Writing It All Down

Coming out of 2011, my year as a "Princess-in-training", I have to say I learned a LOT.  It all sounded like fun when I first started out, by it's also a challenge to live like the woman God wants me to be.  I started writing the book this month, and looking back over my notes, I'm happy to see my successes, but I also realize I have a long way to go.  Life is like that - we are constantly striving to become the person we want to be.  I realized, also, that this book isn't about self-improvement, really; it's more about self-realization.  We already are princesses - daughters to the King, in God's eyes.  He has equipped us and gifted us, and claimed us.  All I need to do is realize it and tap into it.  But it's not a task for the feint of heart!