A friend on Shoutlife tagged me with this top ten game and I thought it'd be a great way to explain where I've been lately. Not only that, but to share some GREAT news. ;-)
10 things about me:
1. I just finished writing Enduring Justice (book 3 in the Defenders of Hope series)!!!! Can you hear me woo-hooing?! This is one of two pieces of good news to share...
2. My hubby presented me with some Godiva chocolate to celebrate finishing the DOH series.
3. My kiddos and I have been sick with one thing after another. Today I actually had to take a sick day. Haven't had one of those in years.
4. My family and I joined an amazing church in October last year and are loving the worship and community there. It's very cool to be active in growing relationships again.
5. I completed a Christmas scrapbook over the Christmas break. This has nothing to do with my lack of blogging, but I'm pretty proud of doing something with my scrapbooks. ;-)
6. My husband and I went out of town for a Valentine's Day marriage retreat, something we've never done before. It was WONDERFUL! The catching up from being offline....not so much.
7. I finished physical therapy for shoulder surgery and am doing better, but still having some issues with certain movements.
8. We're planning to redecorate the first floor of our home this summer and have been pouring over books and colors and enough options to make our heads swim.
9. We're going to DC next month and I'm SOOOO excited. Partly for research (the DOH series is set in DC) and partly because I love the city and it will be the first time taking our children there. Please pray I don't find some "duh" way to see the inside of the Hoover building. ;-)
10. And lastly, here's the other piece of good news.... I am holding copies of Healing Promises!!! Praise God for the birth of my second book baby! And it's just as cool an experience as the first time.
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Opened Eyes
It's been a long time since I've heart blogged and I'm feeling it. Sometimes it's because I have nothing worth saying. Most of the time, it's because God is still working in me and I don't have the words to explain.
But today God opened my eyes once again to a truth I've been struggling with for years. Today I have words express a little of what He's doing in me.
I can sum it up in a short statement: I've wasted a lot of life by living disrespectfully. From not calling my dad "Sir" when I knew that's what he wanted to being ugly in my attitude, tone of voice, and words to anyone and everyone who offended me.
It's doubtful most people who know me have seen any of this. I kept almost all of it inside. Buried it deep in my heart.
Until I got married. Then my husband got the full force of years of hurt. Some he created. A lot he didn't.
All of it disobedience to the Lord.
Deep inside, I knew my disrespectful attitude and actions were wrong. But I grew up believing love was supposed to be unconditional and respect had to be earned. I didn't know how to change those knee-jerk reactions.
Thankfully, God does.
It's taken years of sermons, books and talking with wise believers for me to willingly look up and ask God if respect was an issue I really needed schooling in.
I started doing that months ago.
And I do believe God laughed.
Not to be mean. But more along the lines of joy at knowing that I'm listening. And maybe a little humor at the enormous understatement of me thinking I "might" need to learn a bit about respect.
God has been faithful to open my eyes, break my pride and provide plenty of opportunities for me to exercise respect.
Let me just say very little of this path has been fun.
Then again, the benefits have been beyond compare. One of the best has been sensing God's smile as I react differently, especially to my family.
Another has been a far more peaceful and quiet heart. I'm spending less time thinking up sarcastic zingers and more time praying.
It's weird, but today I was working with one of the kids on a task that before has brought tears to both of us. And the words that flew out of my mouth this morning stunned me.
Then I smiled.
So did my little one.
Because the words weren't harsh, they were smiling and encouraging. And I had to laugh and look up again.
I know God smiled. Because the words were His. And my heart filled with awe at what He's doing and will continue to do.
It still amazes me what a difference a word spoken with kindness and respect can do. To the heart of the one speaking and to each of the hearers.
I pray my children are able to see the difference. I know their eyes are wide open to the lessons I'm teaching with every action and word. That used to frighten me. Now, I'm learning to keep my eyes open too. And fixed on the only perfect example.
The One who smiles when we look up. And who is ever willing to show us what we need to best reflect His love— the love He pours over us each and every day.
But today God opened my eyes once again to a truth I've been struggling with for years. Today I have words express a little of what He's doing in me.
I can sum it up in a short statement: I've wasted a lot of life by living disrespectfully. From not calling my dad "Sir" when I knew that's what he wanted to being ugly in my attitude, tone of voice, and words to anyone and everyone who offended me.
It's doubtful most people who know me have seen any of this. I kept almost all of it inside. Buried it deep in my heart.
Until I got married. Then my husband got the full force of years of hurt. Some he created. A lot he didn't.
All of it disobedience to the Lord.
Deep inside, I knew my disrespectful attitude and actions were wrong. But I grew up believing love was supposed to be unconditional and respect had to be earned. I didn't know how to change those knee-jerk reactions.
Thankfully, God does.
It's taken years of sermons, books and talking with wise believers for me to willingly look up and ask God if respect was an issue I really needed schooling in.
I started doing that months ago.
And I do believe God laughed.
Not to be mean. But more along the lines of joy at knowing that I'm listening. And maybe a little humor at the enormous understatement of me thinking I "might" need to learn a bit about respect.
God has been faithful to open my eyes, break my pride and provide plenty of opportunities for me to exercise respect.
Let me just say very little of this path has been fun.
Then again, the benefits have been beyond compare. One of the best has been sensing God's smile as I react differently, especially to my family.
Another has been a far more peaceful and quiet heart. I'm spending less time thinking up sarcastic zingers and more time praying.
It's weird, but today I was working with one of the kids on a task that before has brought tears to both of us. And the words that flew out of my mouth this morning stunned me.
Then I smiled.
So did my little one.
Because the words weren't harsh, they were smiling and encouraging. And I had to laugh and look up again.
I know God smiled. Because the words were His. And my heart filled with awe at what He's doing and will continue to do.
It still amazes me what a difference a word spoken with kindness and respect can do. To the heart of the one speaking and to each of the hearers.
I pray my children are able to see the difference. I know their eyes are wide open to the lessons I'm teaching with every action and word. That used to frighten me. Now, I'm learning to keep my eyes open too. And fixed on the only perfect example.
The One who smiles when we look up. And who is ever willing to show us what we need to best reflect His love— the love He pours over us each and every day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
