Just As I Am

perfect tense

action that has been completed

hmmmmmmm....on a recent visit to my hometown I was introduced to a sweet woman who responded by saying she has visited my blog and had epecially enjoyed reading this list of things I wanted to accomplish during the year.  I had to admit that, with a quarter of the year gone, the only thing I knew I had done, for sure, was visit a few photobooths to start my collection of pics [which I hope to post once my scanner is back up and running.]  you know...fun stuff...How gallant! 

But looking back over the list today, I see that I have done at least two other things listed there:  visited Leah and gone to classes with her; and added more green to my diet.  I cannot say I have consistently told my husband, "I love you" everyday or written a note to someone I love every week....but it's never too late to start, right?  I am making progress.

I've always loved making lists and being able to mark things off.  Desires accomplished are sweet to the soul....and sometimes I even write things I forgot to put on my initial list after I've done them so I can have the satisfaction of marking them off too :)

One thing that has been a blessing to me each week, that isn't on the list,  is cooking with Jenna.  Every Thursday afternoon she and the boys come over and we spend time in the kitchen preparing a meal to enjoy together as a family when our husbands come home from work.  My peace comes from serving my family in ways that often seem insignificant and mundane....like cooking and cleaning.  I believe it is because it is part of what I was created to do.  Would I consider myself a person who naturally enjoys cooking and cleaning?  ha. Not really.  But when I choose to step into the Grace that is always available to me....I experience the joy that comes from knowing I am doing the right thing.  I have a sense of purpose, which is deeply satisfying. The things I dread become delightful!

Yesterday was Thursday; I didn't feel like cooking. I was tired and grouchy. But when I chose to take that step, I became the person I long to be...without resistance, without trying harder and totally without pretense!
I like to think of it as
perfect tense...

still life

fruit
hand picked
by nail scarred hands
bathed
and
ripened
in healing light
lies silently
at rest
awaiting
precious
famished
souls
to
come
to
take
to
eat
to be
nourished
and
filled
to
 find life
to
bear
fruit

The Art of Living

All three of my daughters are amazing.  Each, in her own way, challenges and inspires me to buck the status quo and become the unique person I am meant to be.

During dinner the other night, Leah asked John and I if, looking back, life was all that what we had thought it would be.

I answered, "No"

and then I said, "But maybe, back then, I didn't know what life really is."

Then she asked what we would, yet, like to do/have in our lifetime.

Today I've been pondering what I want my LIFE to look like this year.

A line from the movie Shawshank Redemption really says it all: 
"Get busy living, or get busy dying."

And, to me, here's the difference.

Living means savoring the beauty of ordinary day duties; not just throwing things together to get it done.

Living means reading a book or watching a movie or TV show that makes me consider timeless truths or leads me to the accomplishment of my goals instead of frittering away time reading or watching things that do nothing to exhort me to excellence.

Living means taking time to listen to the Holy Spirit's still, small voice encouraging me to act on His suggestion of how I can minister to others, instead of fulfilling the obligatory expectations of the traditions of man bereft of any semblance of His love for that person because I'm too busy running the world's maze to consider his plan.

Living means throwing off the insecurity that holds me back from doing what I want  or feel called to do....getting "me" out of the way...instead of thinking "I can't possibly do that, because it's too risky."

Living means believing TRUTH instead of what seems to be true.

Living means being myself and ceasing to emulate others or what I think others expect me to be.

Living means getting rid of the material and mental clutter in my life instead of hoarding decaying things.

Living means thriving with purpose and not just coping with circumstances.

Living means trusting that God knows all of my needs and is faithful to meet them instead of thinking I am missing out.

I want to get busy living
and share with you the practical ways I'm doing it
as the year unfolds.
 
How about you
What's on your list?

celebrating Easter already

During my quiet time today I read this simple statement:

"On the other side of the lake the crowds received Jesus with open arms because they had been waiting for Him."  --Luke 8:40

It reminded me of the fact that I am a needy, needy person and that it is okay to admit just how desperate I am; that it is not a bad thing but a very good thing, because that is the difference between those who are able to receive him with open arms and those who cannot.  Those who know He is their only...only...only hope stand waiting for Him, and when He shows up....they are more than ready to receive Him.

By the way, curious to know who was on the other side, before Jesus got into the boat and came to the people with open arms, I looked back...it was the man from Gadarenes...the one who also came out to meet Jesus, but said to Him, "Why are you bothering me...?"  the homeless man who roamed around in shackled chains, naked, and living among the dead.   [Luke 8:22-39]

Although our compassionate Lord miraculously healed those on both sides of the lake,  I would rather be one of those who quickly and willingly allows Him to show me my needs...not everyone else's.

My arms are wide open today...bother me, Lord, so I can sit quietly at your feet, clothed and sane and....free!

still counting

I haven't updated my 1000 Gifts list for quite some time, but I haven't forgotten about it...here are a few more things that I am grateful for:

120.  My husband's 5:30 AM nudge that signals it's time to get out of bed and excercise with him
121.  March morning breezes
122.  The smell of jasmine in the air
123.  Meals shared around the table with Jenna, Nolan, and Trey on Wednesday nights
124.  My current read--Living Artfully--a book that inspires me
125.  Buttercups in the alley behind my house
126.  People willing to share their knowledge and skills via the internet
127.  My early birthday gift from my husband
128.  That  Peace  described at the end of this post
129.  Watching Leah play shortstop with so much energy
130.  New mercies everyday
140.  This from the StoryPeople
141.  A hug and kiss from my husband as he left this morning
142.  Floppy hats on baby boys...ie Trey
143.  Answers to prayers uttered in dark places
144.  The Guittard Green Mint Chips Katy sent to us on Valentine's Day
145.  The wounds of a friend rather than the kisses of an enemy
146.  Daylight Savings Time
147.  Morning walks through my little neighborhood as it's just waking up ...seeing lights go on,smelling coffee brewing, wondering about the people inside...how they are greeting the morning
148.  The pleasure of watching the redheaded woodpecker that visits our front yard oak tree
149.  The beep beep beep sound of heavy equipment as men work it to improve the city
150.  The anticipation of shopping with Jenna for an Easter outfit for Trey

Peace

It does not mean to be in a place were there is no noise, trouble, or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.  --Unknown

ooops! Times up....have a great day!

Debi

random friday thoughts

My name is Debi...and I'm a click-a-holic...

Just kidding...I think...but I haven't been around much lately, because I've been spending every free moment I have getting acquainted with my new camera.  I'm smitten!  If you care to follow my journey into cameraland just click on the CLICK link on my right sidebar. Just remember, I am starting out totally green...never shot with an SLR, film or digital,...in fact I'm the daughter who's dad and mom, for years,  had to come 1200 miles to visit and take their own pictures of their granddaughters...they didn't get them any other way...pitiful, I know. When I got a new point and shoot camera last year....my world changed.

For those of you who have this same interest and are looking for ways to improve your photog skills let me tell you there are some wonderful resources on the web.  I Love Photography  is one great place to visit.  You might enjoy the JSO [just starting out] area where you can read and/or join the discussion or take the challenge of doing the assignments.

Been considering this from Gurnall's Christian in Complete Armour...

"Some Christians, having been injured by a serious fall into sin, will be very careful for a while as to where they walk and the kind of company they keep.  But as the soreness of their consciences wears off, they forget to keep watch and become as careless as ever....Josephus, in his Antiquities, tells us that the sons of Noah lived only on the tops of high mountains for some years after the flood, not daring to build houses on lower ground for fear of being drowned by another deluge.  but as time passed and no flood came, they ventured down into the plain of Shinar where their former fear gave way to one of the boldest, most arrogant attempts against God that man ever pursued.  They tried to build a tower high enough to reach heaven (Gen. 11:2-4).  The very men who at first were so fearful of drowning that they would not venture down the hill, at last ventured on a plan to protect themselves against all future attempts from God of heaven to judge them. "

That last statement jumped off the page at me...am I doing anything aside from obedience in order to try to circumvent God's judgment....?   

That subject deserves a whole 'nother post....

Sorry this was so long.....Have a great weekend....Debi

daring to lose

Here is today's story from The Story People , little thought provoking stories written by artist and storyteller Brian Andreas, I found awaiting me when I opened my inbox this morning:

"Can I count on you to be there, no matter what? she said & I said no & she said what kind of friend are you? & I said the kind who won't lie to you any time you want & I think she kept me around as a curiosity after that"

My thoughts:

Sometimes we're afraid we will lose something....esteem, relationship, respect, favor if we step out of responding to people according to their felt needs and into responding to them according to how the Holy Spirit is directing us...being a vessel pointing them to Truth...

Of course, one must know Truth in order to introduce Him to others...

And to be honest, some people don't keep you or Him around as a curiosity; some keep you as far away as they can...preferring to put Truth on a cross and bludgeon Him to death...

"I am the way the Truth the life, no man comes to the Father but through me."  John 14.6

May you and I always have the courage to say "no" when we need to....whether people keep us around after that or not.