Be Used...

Do you ever have a day that goes by on autopilot? You know, maybe you've made a checklist you supposed to get done, places you need to go, emails and phone calls you have to return, but it's all almost monotonous? And then, at the end of the day, your completely exhausted, and yet you think, what did I really accomplish today? Did I make a difference in someone's life today? Did I make a difference in my child's life today? My husband's life today?

If you're like me, you may always feel busy, but may not ever see the evidence of the "busyness"! I mean, who of you reading this has cleaned the kitchen before you went to bed- leaving NO dishes in the sink, counters wiped down, all the food put away (I hope!), and even swept up the little crumbs that stick to the bottom of your feet (that's the worst!)- ONLY to wake up in the morning and walk into the kitchen to see coffee stains and sticky stuff already accumulating, milk sitting out, wrappers from the yogurt someone's eaten laying FACEDOWN on the counter, and dishes ALREADY in the sink! I mean, how does that even happen?

Well, this autopilot kind of life, this repetitive motion of cooking, cleaning, working, etc has recently left me kind of blahhhhhhhhh. I'm definitely not going so far as to say empty- cause I love my life and family, and I have been supremely blessed- but how can I get out of feeling this "blah"ness??

And God keeps recalling to my soul some wise words spoken at a Ladies Retreat I went to a few weeks back. Our very wise speaker, Donna Brown (hehe- she's my mom!), led a session where she challenged us to allow ourselves to be used by God for someone else's miracle. You know, our society gives the word "used" a negative connotation, but that's certainly not always the case at all! If we are not open to jumping in to help someone who is sick, or broke, or even just sad, we may be getting in the way of how God was going to do a miracle in that person's life, or even in ours through them!

And lately, it's like God has to keep slapping me upside the head with this idea! It's not about me- what makes me happy,  or what I have to "get done" today, or what makes my world go around. And when I try and make it about me, you know what happens? I go to bed, stare up at the ceiling and think what did I even accomplish today?

So, that's why when I couple things in my sacred schedule got changed today, I sat down to add more "things" to my to-do list excitedly. You know what they were at first??
1. Mop
2. finish tax stuff

Hahaha! These were the things I was (admittedly) excited about adding to my "to-do" list today! And so when a friend reminded me about an opportunity to serve some lunches to some local children who might not receive a lunch today, I balked...... I mean, I have a floor to mop for pete's sake! That floor doesn't get clean on its own!

And then God lovingly brought me back around to being available to be used in a miracle. We're on Spring Break here, and these children, most of whom are on free or reduced lunches, might not have gotten a satisfying and healthy lunch today. Some may not have even received a lunch at all. Plus, this was an activity where my kids would get the chance to serve someone else- they would get to experience compassion at its finest!

So, guess what? We went to serve lunches! And it was such a wonderful experience. The overseers of this event were wonderful and very organized, and the kids who showed up were ADORABLE! They were so appreciative and all smiles.

And later today, God opened my eyes to another way I can be used in one of His miracles. A good friend of mine had a stroke 6 years ago, and since then she lost function on her left side. This amazing woman of two sons lives on her own! She has relearned everything, and loves to share her story with other stroke victims who think they will never recover what their sickness took from them. She is an inspiration- I know firsthand because I see her involvement in our Women's and First Touch/Prayer Ministries at our church.

She is a wonder to behold for sure. And though she admits she may not ever regain function with her left arm, she has always believed she would one day walk normally again- without a cane, and over uneven surfaces, and some stairs. She has prayed for this seemingly (to certain docs) impossible prayer. But, it has been answered! She has had the opportunity to receive what we're calling a bionic leg! With this device, her dreams can be realized! I know God has used these specialists to give her this gift- BUT this gift comes at a high price- a price she cannot afford and insurance does not cover.

So, do you want to participate in one of God's miracles today? I know that He loves when we use social media to do His work! Read Kelly's story by clicking {{here}}, watch the video, share her story, and please consider being a part of her miracle!

Oh- and you know what? I still had time to mop the floor! I think I'll go to sleep happy for many reasons this day.......

And the Shoutout Goes To...

Well, it's taken over a week, and I think I have finally recovered. But....

Last weekend left me tired. 
Last weekend left me on edge.
Last weekend left me defeated.
Last weekend left me with tons of evidence as to why I would be TERRIBLE single mom!

My husband and his buddies at the Daytona 500!

My husband was able to check off a box on his bucket list last weekend. He and some buddies went to the Daytona 500! The "Super Bowl" of racing according to the guys. I, personally, do not understand the drive to see drivers drive around a track 200 times. But, plenty of people do, and my husband is one of them.

He left before the sun came up Friday morning, and came home Monday afternoon. In that relatively short time, he played golf three times (yes, three), ate tons of seafood, and sat with thousands of others to watch these drivers drive.

I was truly, genuinely happy for him, excited even. But, come Monday afternoon, I longed to hear the garage door opening signaling he was home! I longed for someone to back me up when I took my daughter's phone away because she's addicted to it. I longed for someone else to listen to my son tell one of his many stories and respond with, "Oh...", "Sure", "Cool", "Nice", or "Ooooo". (Parents- you know the drill.) I longed for someone else to be available to make chocolate milk or a much-needed pot of coffee!

But, here's the thing....the week before he left, I actually told my girlfriends, "It'll be easy. I mean, we'll miss him. But, I already make lunches everyday, cook dinner everyday, do the laundry everyday, grocery shop practically everyday. So, our routine won't change much."

Ha!


I'm ashamed I ever uttered those words.

While I was happy he got to take a trip of a lifetime, I was ecstatic when he came home.

Because I can not do this parenting thing alone. So, I have to say:

*Never take your other half for granted! Sometimes just their proximity alone can be just the comfort and support you need.

*And I have to give a Shoutout to all the Single Parents! You are the Superheroes of the parenting realm. Your endurance, patience, and perseverance amaze me. Single Parents have always held a special place in my heart, (you know who you are!) and I pray blessings of peace, joy, and rest for you. When you are tired, or defeated, remember you are raising the next World-Changer, and you are that World-Changer's whole World.

My thoughts exactly........

Go Ahead and Jiggle It

Within the span of a 24 hour period last week, there were specific occurrences which followed a central theme and could not go unnoticed.

Why, oh why, do we pick on ourselves so??

I just so happened to take my very first CrossFit class this past week. I was pretty nervous I'd look like a fool, and only agreed to go with some friends of mine, a husband and wife team. (who workout together every chance they get- and who're so sweet and encouraging to one another!) Well, when I got there my friend basically apologized in advance for her forthcoming performance..... She even said one time a while back, "I know I don't look like I CrossFit, but I do." She has had some recent health issues which have resulted in her sitting on the sidelines a bit lately. And therefore (I guess) felt as if she'd go ahead in get it out of the way that she wasn't going to do very good during class. 

Here's the problem- SHE KICKED MY BUTT!

And I couldn't help but ask myself why did she even begin to think she wasn't "good enough"? Here's the other thing- this girl is GORGEOUS! Like, take your breath away stunning and exotic, and admittedly, I'm a little jealous of her light blue eyes and sleek jet black hair! So, why does she pick on herself so??

Then, later, I realized that very morning I'd done this same thing to myself! Moms you'll understand this- after my babies, I have this "belly skin" that just hangs around and has a mind of its own. Sure, it gets better when I lose 5 pounds and worse when I gain 5 pounds- but no matter what- it's still there! It even pokes out more on one side than the other! And just that morning, I had asked my husband if he could "see how it pokes out?" Of course, he should never actually answer a question like that from his wife. And he exclaimed, "No, I don't even know what your talking about!" Of course he's lying, because my son is 5, and therefore I probably have pointed this particular flaw of mine out to him 1,000 times by now!

BUT- why, oh why, do we pick on ourselves? Why, oh why, do we point out our flaws constantly?!
And men aren't immune to this either! 

I think we just have to get off our butts and take care of the body God has given us, find a man or women who appreciates our flaws, or maybe is just blinded by them cause they love us...

and jiggle a little bit......
See, at the end of that 24 hour period, I saw this video. I believe it's a commercial airing in England. I had seen it before, but this time, it had new meaning. At least my friend and I are getting out there and jiggling a little! 

No more picking on ourselves! Because even our jiggly flaws are cool when we're working hard and staying healthy.

Need motivation? Check out all the jiggle glory here.

The LumberSexual...

One of my husband's BEST personality traits is that he really DOES NOT CARE what other people think of him. He has this confidence, not cockiness, about him that I simply may not ever understand. He can throw on whatever he wants, and go anywhere he pleases, and NEVER wonder if he "looks good", or if "he's dressed appropriately for the occasion", or if he "should have worn different shoes".... I mean I could go on and on and on! My husband is a guy who, not once, but multiple times, has tried to walk out of the door heading to church on Sunday mornings dressed in old ratty jeans and a camoflouge shirt- AND I'M TALKING THE UGLY CAMO! And you can forget "matching", because those rules never apply to him. That'd be silly to worry about your clothes all being in the same color scheme, right? Sure- MOST of us think so, and maybe a tiny part of my husband would even agree. But, either way, he just simply doesn't care, because he is completely unbothered by what other people might think of him.

Which is why it is HILARIOUS that my very own crazy husband has found himself, unknowingly, in the trendiest category around! He was a LumberSexual LONG before it was cool to be one! (Google LumberSexual, or search for pics in Pinterest and you'll see EXACTLY what I'm talking about!) In fact, just a year ago, we all teased him for his lumberjack look, and love of plaid flannels. Add in the beard that comes with every Fall (due to hunting season), and there you have it- my very own LumberSexual. To top it all off, (and look for my pun here) he wears his long hair pulled back in a topknot half the time. The topknot alone could be a whole other blog!  

And it got me wondering..... how in the world did my husband become trendy for the moment? And then, I thought maybe it's because he just doesn't care. Maybe all the original Lumbersexuals started out just like my husband. Confident. Uninhabited by insecurities. Cool because they aren't trying to be cool. Anxiety free. Unflustered by daily demands.... 

Maybe my husband's very personality is what made the Lumberjack-look appealing!

Hey, you never know.... but think how freeing it must be to live your life like my husband? To walk through your day with not a care in the world?

Personally, I'm going to try to live more like him. I'm sure I'll always strive to match, and I certainly won't show up to church in real-tree camo attire. But, I will try to not worry so much about what others could be thinking about me... How others might be judging me...

Who knows? You could live this way and find yourself sparking a whole new trend!

Oh, the freedom!


Just for fun I made a "LumberSexual" board on my Pinterest page. It took all of five minutes- they're everywhere! You can check it out here!

It's cool to be kind...

Earlier this week, I clicked on a Facebook link, and watched an adorably sappy commercial from an insurance company in Thailand. (My cousin informed me all Thai insurance commercials are like this and to youtube it! So, I did. Too funny, but true!)

Anyways, I'm always a sucker for those links where the post says, "Get your tissues ready!" So, no surprise, I teared up almost instantly when the commercial hit its "punchline". See, the commercial was all about this young man who traveled the same route everyday (probably to work), and everyday he gave all he had to the people who crossed his path- the plant which needed water, the lady who needed help with her heavy food cart, the stray dog who needed food, the little girl who needed money so she could afford to go to school and get an education, and the elderly neighbor he anonymously brought food to. The townsfolk who watched this young man do these things everyday were almost annoyed with his compassion. How could a working class young man be so ignorant with his money? How could he give the stray dog food and leave himself the scraps?

But, the point of the commercial was he didn't get material or worldly things in return, he received much, much more. He received emotions.  Think about that- emotions. He felt joy, love, happiness, a sense of accomplishment and achievement, kindness, laughter, security, friendship, and the list could go on and on. The stray dog became his dog, the food cart owner became his friend, the little girl finally attended school.

This commercial, whose link is posted below, tugged at my heart strings (which was its intention!) and made me think of my daughter....  I want her to be like this young man.

She is at such a delicate age. All around her there are kids desperately trying to find their way in this chaotic world. Kids who care more about the brand name on their sweatshirt. Kids who want to be tough and achieve this by putting others down. Kids who want to get the attention they lack from home, and therefore act out in class, or have numerous boyfriends/girlfriends to fill the empty spaces. Kids who are desperately trying to do whatever it takes to be considered cool, to be popular.

We've all been there. We all remember what adolescence is like- it stinks! But, I want my daughter to be different. I tell her often I'm fine with her desire to be popular, that I even want her to be considered "cool". But, I want her to be these things because she's known for being kind.

It can be done. It can be done without the brand name clothes. Without the boyfriends (or girlfriends). Without the new i-Phone. Without putting someone else down to get there.

What will she get out of being popular because she's kind? Not the latest technological device, cause mama can't afford it. Not the $60 hoodie because of its logo on the front, cause mama can't afford that either.

What she will get in return is something way more valuable. She will get emotions.

I'd take joy, love, happiness, security, and true friendship over those things any day.

Check out the sweet commercial that sparked my ramblings here!