Mariposa Kisses (aka Dianne's Blog)

As Christians, we are called to forgive one another. The simple answer: because Christ forgave us first.

When a neighbor harasses you, forgive her.
When a parent neglects you, forgive him.
When a spouse irritates you, forgive him.
When a friend forgets you, forgive her.
When a teacher insults you, forgive her.
When a child disrespects you, forgive him.
When a boss refuses to reward you, forgive him.
When an acquaintance wrongly accuses you, forgive her.

When Jesus was humiliated, he loved them.
When Jesus was mocked, he loved them.
When Jesus was forgotten, he loved them.
When Jesus was spit on, he loved them.
When Jesus was denied, he loved them.
When Jesus was rejected, he loved them.
When Jesus was beaten, he loved them.
When Jesus was crucified, he loved them.

Labels: faith, forgiven, love

Find balance. Here are five simple tasks that will revolutionize your life. As you implement these measures into your daily routine, you will begin to feel more healthy and peaceful. Likewise, you will gain control of your life as you make good choices and reduce your stress.

Slow down. Take ten minutes each morning to pray or to meditate. Don't think about your to-do list. Instead, take some time out to relax and to think positively. This could include a series of short stretches or some reading from a spiritual text. I enjoy reading through a couple of Psalms from the Bible to get my heart focused on thankfulness and on my many blessings. You could even look online for a variety of resources and read this encouraging info from your cell phone.

Eat healthily. By choosing nutritious meals and snacks, your body and mind will feel more energized and balanced as well. Remember to eat plenty of fruits and veggies, and portioned amounts of grains and proteins so that your body gets what it needs throughout the entire day. If you don't love veggies, try going for a fruit of the same color for a similar vitamin content. For example, if you don't really love carrots, then try a cantaloupe instead. If you can't eat broccoli without gagging, then slice a kiwi or two. Especially during these last few hot months, it's important to keep drinking lots of fluids as well.

Get plenty of rest. This of course means 6-8 hours of sleep, but also some down-time during the middle of the day. The Europeans have got us beat when it comes to knowing when to take a break. The Spaniard's mid-day siesta is so smart. By taking a break or the occasional nap in the middle of the day, it allows your mind and body to catch up so that you can finish strong for the rest of the day. For those who love to get up and about, you could take a five to ten minute walk around the block during the late morning or early afternoon. When lunchtime comes around, it's a good time to actually take a lunch break, so your brain gets a little break as well.

Get your heart pumping. Exercise at least three to four times per week. You could go on an hour-long walk after work or ride your stationary bike while watching your favorite TV show after dinner. The kids would love a trip to the park to run around the field with the soccer ball in tow. You could also opt for a step or kick-boxing class at the gym. A fit body is a balanced body. If you find the right weight and muscle tone for your body, you will feel great. It will also help to regulate your digestive tract and will provide good emotional health as well.

Hang out with friends. If you incorporate time to chill out with good friends during the week, your life will feel more metered as well. You have a ton on your plate at work and at home, but somehow it doesn't feel so crazy when you share a glass of wine or a tasty dessert with a caring friend. If you don't have any friends, then make some. Ask a fellow mom if she'd like to go walking with you after the drop-off at school. If you keep on bumping into the same gal at work in the lunch-room, then invite her to check out the new pita joint with you. Friends help you to have a healthier perspective on life. Give it a try!

Labels: health, parents

The first day of school is one of mixed emotions. I feel enthusiastic to return to the traditional schedule while my son is excited to see some old buddies. At the same time, we're both feeling a bit apprehensive. My son is a bit nervous about meeting up with some of the bullies he's heard about from last year. I'm a bit worried that he'll end up sitting next to one of them (though I won't let him know that). How do we respond?

We handle the first day just like everyone else. We get up early. We do our best to operate on less sleep than we would have preferred. We walk to the new classroom and then I say goodbye. I acknowledge that in no time, we'll be back into the swing of things where the routine will feel normal again. But for now I'm still not sure what to do with my feelings. As I leave the gate behind me, I feel unsettled.

I wish the drop-off had gone better. I'm elated that my son's best friend made it into the same class but am frustrated that a hostile acquaintance's kid did as well. I'm glad my son is at such a great school, but I miss his old teacher and am not sure what this new one will be like. I wish I hadn't arrived a few minutes late because I had to race out without getting the hug I'd hoped for. But I'm glad I got the adorable picture of him in his new outfit before leaving the classroom. I worry that he'll forget what his new lunch-pail looks like, but I'm relieved when I remember that I wrote his name with a permanent marker.

I flag down a good friend as I'm leaving the classroom who works at the school. I ask her if she'll check on the boys throughout the day. She says she'll get the low-down during lunchtime, which makes me feel better knowing I've got some eyes and ears there at the school. Then I run into another friend while hiking back to Botswana to retrieve my car. She expresses her stressed out feelings about the first day as well. When she tells me how worried her little guy was too, it makes me feel less concerned about my little prince.

The rest of the day falls into place. My younger children and I venture off to the park, where we meet a few other moms and their kids. Later, a good friend joins us at the park with her two kids. They play. They drink enough water to fill a small lake. We all hunt for shade from the oppressive heat. We head home for some ice cream and some expensive air conditioning. My older daughter plays with Legos while my youngest plays "waitress" with me outside on the patio. I enjoy my pretend pepperoni pizza and a coke.

During the early afternoon, the girls watch a video while I catch up on several emails. Then, I prepare their lunch and proceed to post on my blogs. In the early afternoon, we head out to get their brother. After getting him, we head to McDonald's for a treat. We return home and he and his sister play while the littlest one naps. They chat and catch up while I take care of some house-hold tasks.

Then, in the early evening, we start to cook dinner. We complete the first homework assignment of the new school year. We take baths, brush teeth, read stories, pray, and then go to bed. The next day, we start the new routine all over again. The emotions are still a bit mixed, but we're less apprehensive and feel a bit more prepared for the next day.

How was your child's first day back to school? Share some of your thoughts and stories here.

Labels: first day school, kids, parents

Spice it up a little. The day is long enough with all the have-to-do lists. Why not add a pinch of cinnamon to your coffee or a sprig of mint to your ice-water? Let's take a few ordinary aspects of the day and turn them into some sizzling fun. Here we go! Put your seat-belt on (metaphorically speaking). Place your goggles over your eyes for a motorcycle adventure into the unknown. Okay, it won't be that exhilarating, but we'll shoot for "fun" to say the least.

Take your bedroom, for example. Is it a room that exudes excitement and adventure? If not, it's time to change it up a little. Look at your color scheme and pick out the most striking accent color. Then, look through some of the artwork that clutters your downstairs closet or your garage. Think of the possibilities. You could take an old print and dress it in a new frame. Or you could take an old frame and fill it with a new photograph.

I recently hung three photographs I'd taken from a winery in Solvang, which completely changes the feel of my room. Instead of drab and bleak, my new favorite room shouts, "I'm exciting!" The black frames complement our large black Ikea bookshelf and our small black accent pillow. The organic purples and greens provide contrast to our tan duvet cover while they accentuate the royal red throw blanket. The colors are vibrant and the room comes alive, all because of these three little photographs. The cost was less than fifteen bucks to enlarge the prints to 8x10s and to buy a 3-pack of frames from Michael's. Who'd have known?

What about your meals? If the family is bored from the repetitive menu and the dull feel of leftovers, it's time to spice up the culinary palette as well. We've been there before. At the same time, we're on a tight budget, so we try to keep our spending to a minimum. It's time for a frugal food adventure. Use what you've got and improvise when you need to. You might even create your family's new favorite breakfast, like I did this morning. (Well, my six-year-old didn't even try one bite but that's because he's kind of boring).

So, I'm looking through my fridge thinking, "What do we have for breakfast today?" I see the unopened pack of pita bread staring up at me begging, "Please, don't let me go moldy, eat me!" Being the compassionate person that I am, I pick up the bag to save the pita bread from disgrace. The new and totally simple creation: Pita Yums. All you do is toast your pita bread, add butter, and sprinkle a dash of brown sugar and cinnamon. The optional flair of culinary wonder is to add whipped cream. Let's just say that I ate enough Pita Yums for a whole army.

Next stop, your wardrobe. Feeling a little bit complacent about your clothes? Try mixing two things together randomly. Seriously, just shut your eyes and pick two articles of clothing. This is easier if your bottoms and tops are organized in different sections. Though this might sound lame, you should keep an open mind. What if you discover a totally cool outfit just waiting to hit the Hollywood runway? Since everything is so relative when it comes to style, you can wear almost anything and get away with it, as long as you exude self confidence. Try the same thing with your jewelry rack as well. Just close your eyes and pick out a piece. Go for the shoes as well and see what kind of day you have. At least it won't feel mundane and lifeless.

For those with a little cash to spare, head to the mall. Pick a store that you don't usually shop at. This way, you'll add a few pieces of new style to your wardrobe. It could even be a simple white top, but it might have a different hang to it since it's from a different designer. You'll be able to wear it with twenty other items from your closet and it will renew your zest for fashion. Another basic addition could be a new hat that adds some pizazz to your existing wardrobe. A hat says a lot besides "Keep me warm" or "Protect me from the sun." A hat says, "I'm sexy" and "Check out my matching red shoes." Don't be afraid to branch out with some bold new sunglasses or some colorful jewelry.

Another area of life that requires a bit of a make-over is your entertainment. Dinner and a movie sounds great, but after ten years of that routine, you start to feel like you're in a rut. Why not try a new Indian restaurant and then some ballroom dance lessons? You could even get some Vietnamese take-out and then go for a picnic at the pond or the lake. Bring along some Japanese poetry or a book of French artwork.

There's a bunch of great Jazz music coming to the Inland Empire as well (Check out Vanessa Franco's blog). Maybe you think you're too old for loud and crazy? Deep down though, you know you're never too old for a good time. Perhaps you could kick it up a notch with some fantastic food at Cafe Sevilla in downtown Riverside and a few cardio moves upstairs at their dance club. It's dark, so people won't even care if you can't dance. Plus, the Sangria is to die for.

Maybe you're the quiet type and you'd just rather stay at home. Why not mix it up there as well? You could rent a yoga video and try some of those bizarre pretzel moves. Or, you could roast some marshmallows in your own backyard and set out some blankets for star-gazing. You could even dust off the old telescope and check out some of the astronomical wonders up above. Did you catch that cool meteor shower last week? If you insist upon a movie rental, then check out something besides the norm. If you love adventure, check out something in Chinese or Russian with subtitles. There are some extremely talented foreign actors that might never make it to our screen, so you'll miss out if you don't check out the foreign section.

Life is pretty boring sometimes because it is full of pretty boring people. Don't let yourself be one of those people. Take charge of your own life by spicing it up a little. If you don't charge it up a notch, no one else will. Don't let your marriage or your friendships ride the wave of idleness and indifference just because you don't feel like getting up off of your rear end. Give yourself a break from the monotony of everyday life by doing something new today. Waiting for tomorrow really means you'll never do it. You know that. Sign up today. Buy it today. Try it out today. Get going, the day's almost half-way gone.

Have you decided to spice things up in your own life recently? Share some fun ideas here.

Labels: kids, parents, spicy

Sometimes the smallest goals can turn into tumbleweeds of effectiveness. If you make a tiny goal and actually attain it, you feel motivated to set another goal. If you achieve that one, you subsequently go for something bigger after that. The tumbleweed eventually grows so large that it takes over your neighborhood. Just kidding, but it could take over your life. Start out small and see what happens.

Here's an example. You have ten grand on your credit card and it feels like you just can't tackle it. You're making minimum payments but your additional charges keep augmenting the total balance. There's the unexpected car repair or the higher utility bill from running the a/c non-stop. Here's the plan: pay off the minimum amount plus fifty to one hundred extra dollars per month. That might not sound like a lot, but after ten months, you've paid down an extra $500-$1000. The key here is budgeting your expenses out so that you don't have to charge the extra stuff. If you've got a bit of a cushion, then you can use it for those unplanned incidentals.

If your goal is to pay off $500 extra per month, it might be too overwhelming. That's why I suggest starting out small. If your efforts turn into something even greater, then run with it. It just seems like a lot of people get defeated by their own great intentions and then end up deflated and left for dead. As the financial adviser Dave Ramsey suggests, pay down your lowest debts first, no matter what the interest rates. Then, you'll experience a snowball effect of enthusiasm. The result: you'll pay off more debt even faster. He'd even challenge you to pay off your house. Can you imagine not having a house payment? Amazing.

Another area of goal-setting deals with health. If you aim to lose five pounds, maybe you'll actually stick to it. No matter how much potential weight you have to lose, ten, twenty, or thirty pounds, just start slowly. If you set out to lose five pounds and actually accomplish the goal, you'll feel so proud of yourself that you'll keep at it. The next round might include five more pounds of weight-loss and then simply maintaining that weight for awhile.

Set realistic terms, so that you'll actually accomplish your goal. You can start out with a simple four step plan: 1) stop eating when you're full, 2) exercise three times a week (after consulting with your doctor if necessary), 3) try to substitute breakfast or lunch for a protein-packed breakfast bar or smoothie, and 4) try to limit your dessert consumption or that tasty glass of wine to every other night ('cuz those calories get pretty sneaky, especially when you're tired).

Maybe you've gone through a divorce or haven't quite found that dashing someone yet. Are you ready to get back out there and polish up those dancing shoes? Why not make a really basic goal and just see what happens? For starters, you could ask your good friends if there's someone they think of pairing you up with for a blind date. If you're not in to that kind of a scenario, then there's always E-harmony or other online dating services. You could set up two profiles next week and see if anything comes of it. That's it, something simple. Then, if something great happens, your confidence improves and you get out there the following month for that double date to the Jazz concert in the park. Think of the possibilities. If you don't swing the bat, you'll never hit the ball.

For those who are not single, maybe you need a bit more romance or connection in your own marriage or dating relationship. Go for baby steps there as well. Try making a date-night and actually sticking to it. This is a time where the two of you catch up together. Talk. Snuggle. Play a game. Watch a movie. Just make it your time. My husband and I rent a movie pretty much every Tuesday night, which might sound fairly boring. But, it's a special time where we know we're going to hang out, no matter what. A good friend of mine actually goes out every week for her date-night. I'm always amazed to hear about their exciting adventures.

Petite goals for your own personal development are great as well. Since I'm a writer, I submit articles to every possible venue on the planet. I'm not a vet, but I can write about my own cat, so I got a piece accepted to I Love Cats magazine. I'm a woman who values my faith, so I wrote a piece for Today's Christian Woman magazine. Sure, I get tons of rejections, but if I don't put myself out there, then I don't get any acceptances either. Likewise, I've enjoyed writing my own blog for three years now. Even before anyone actually read it, it felt good just to maintain that dream, which eventually snow-balled into bigger things.

Maybe your passion is photography. Why not take some shots and approach a local coffee shop to see if you could display a few pieces. Start out small. Maybe you could turn some of your images into greeting cards with your website printed on the back. It might not start out as an exhibition, but if the right person sees your work, it could lead to bigger opportunities. Your self confidence will increase and you'll set further objectives for your artwork as well.

Are you a talented musician? You could list yourself as a part-time instructor on Craig's List or at some local community centers. If you love being onstage, you could approach some coffee shops or some other public arenas for testing out your musical gift. If you're unsure of your musical prowess, then it's time to make one small step by signing up for beginning music lessons. Don't just limit yourself to singing in the shower. Don't let your kids' Barney guitar be the only one you strum. Keep it real by being true to yourself. Motivate yourself to sign up for a six week session. You might even love it and advance to level 2.

We'd love to hear from you. Have you set any small goals that turned into adventurous success stories? Encourage someone else by sharing your thoughts here.

Labels: goals, kids, parents

The awesome verse from Psalm 54 says to "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall" (verse 22). It's hard for me to believe that he really wants to handle all of my worries. Does he really care about my son's asthma and my daughter's bloody noses? What about my other daughter's allergies; can they really matter to God? King David seemed to think that the Lord did care, so why is it so hard for me to believe the same truth here in the twenty-first century?

It's difficult to fathom that God would care for so many piddly little requests. I make so many petitions and then it seems like a lot of them just don't get answered. But, maybe I'm missing the point. When I pray for a need to be met and it doesn't happen right that instant, I need to reset my prayer request upon God's time-table. Maybe he's not ready to deliver me yet from certain struggles. Perhaps God is trying to increase my faith by waiting until the last minute to provide for a particular financial need. It's even possible that he's doing a mighty work of conviction in the person who recently harmed me.

As parents, we come to God with so many requests. We're hoping that the most important ones get answered before the emergency sets in. Also, we're not totally sure why God makes us wait so long for certain answers. Why can't he see how that sickness is making us depleted and hopeless? Why doesn't he see that a few extra dollars would help us to avoid using our credit card this month? If God would just change that other person's heart, then it would be easy. If only God could walk in our footsteps for a day and see how hard it is just to get through each day.

That's the point though, God did walk in our steps. He gets it. That's why he gave his son for us on the cross. We didn't deserve it but he saw that we simply could not do it on our own. We needed help, so he came through for us. When I begin to whine and feel sorry for myself, all I need to do to get rid of my cry-baby attitude is to picture Jesus up on the cross. Since he died for me and you and the neighbor across the street and the little boy at the market and the grandma at the picnic, there's no-one exempt of his hope. On second thought, can everyone find hope? God is not pushy. He is not rude. He is a perfect gentleman. If you're willing to see his sacrifice and accept it, he lovingly bestows his grace upon you. If you don't want to see it, he certainly doesn't bully you into it. Similarly, God won't force you to cast your cares on him. You have to make that choice as well.

I'm still not totally sure why God doesn't do certain things on my time-table. Even after years of praying, certain requests go unanswered and seem to be fairly hopeless. That's where I give up. I can't see the goodness in certain futile situations. But, I know that God is loving and that he has my best interest in mind. Paul said in Romans chapter eight "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (verse 28). Since I know that I love God, I can be sure that he is working things out in my life for good. This even includes the stuff that doesn't feel good or cozy or comfortable. I'd rather do without certain inconveniences and discomforts; however, if God promises to be looking out for my well-being, I can know that his plan and timing are best.

It's not easy to cast our cares on the Lord. It can feel like the phone signal is busy or jumbled up with interference. I guess that's where faith comes in and our trust in God's word. Have you had a hard time giving your worries over to God? If so, share your experience here. Let me pray for you as well.

Labels: God, parents, worries

Mondays start out slowly because you have soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much to do and you're already behind. Just thinking about your to-do lists makes you feel exhausted. Then, after one sip of coffee, the week goes into warp speed and all of a sudden it's Friday. And then it's Sunday night and then Monday again. It kind of feels like being in the movie Groundhog Day minus the irritating rodent part.

For parents, the week involves taking care of the kids, which involves so many tasks, from meal-prep, to laundry, to homework, to chauffeuring them around to a plethora of daily activities. It also includes some super sweet stuff, like snuggling before bed with a favorite bedtime story or reminiscing over a shirt that no longer fits your little Hulk anymore. Occasionally, you also get to watch your kids play peacefully together while sharing toys. During those moments, you feel like you're doing something right.

For many parents, their day involves arduous work responsibilities as well. Meetings, task-lists, and emails take up the majority of many days. Some people work twelve hour days and return home to a house full of chores. Maybe you're a teacher, a fireman, a manager, a doctor, or a nurse. How can you balance it all?

The answer: one Monday at a time. Since life can start to feel like you're a hamster sprinting on a wheel that doesn't go anywhere, it's important to celebrate Mondays. While Mondays are usually people's least favorite day, they don't have to be. Instead of loathing the first work-day of the week, you need to incorporate certain fun elements just for Mondays. This way, your new favorite day will set an optimistic tone for the entire week.

Here's the new agenda for Monday, the new best day of the week. Your first decision is to pick your favorite shirt or suit to wear, the one that makes you feel alive. The first stop is a java run where you order your favorite coffee drink, not the economical one or the "skinny" one. Splurge a little simply because it's Monday. Next, you make lunch-plans with a co-worker or a friend every Monday. You block out the time on your calendar so people know you're unavailable for lunch meetings on MONDAYS. After work, you take your kids somewhere fun, like the park, the ice cream parlor, or even to the movies. Before bed, you spoil yourself a bit. Bubble-bath anyone? Favorite novel or movie? More ice cream?

Let your Mondays stand apart as Fun-days. This might sound impractical or nonsensical, but if you start your week out in a motivated fashion, it's going to spin the rest of the week accordingly. It's like working out, if you make it to the gym the first few days of the week, it affects the way you eat more healthily and it increases your enthusiasm for the entire week. Why? Because you feel excited about your fitness plan. Similarly, if you feel pumped about Mondays, you will also feel more upbeat about subsequent Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Notice I didn't mention Fridays because I know that's already most people's favorite day of the week.

Loving Mondays will replace your apathy about the repetitive and laborious nature of the rest of the week. You don't have to feel like that pathetic hamster running on his wheel ad nauseum. Start getting more out of Mondays and you'll start getting more out of life!

Any fun Monday ideas? What helps you to start the week out right? Share your ideas here.

Labels: kids, Mondays, parents, repetition

Has the downward economy got you feeling blue? As a parent, you can feel especially affected by the economy. The kids don't always understand why you can't take them to Disneyland this year or why vacation had to be shorter than normal. Thankfully, they don't care that you buy all of their clothes on sale at the outlet-mall or that you frequently buy the knock-off brands. But, it can feel overwhelming when you crunch the numbers and the forecast is like the gloomy coastal layer hovering over the beach communities.

This evening, after a pretty demanding day with my three young kids, I was blessed with a great dose of perspective. After someone knocked on our front door, my kids instantly assumed it was Daddy coming home from work. Since I'd just sent him to the store via an SOS cell-phone request, I knew that it wasn't him. I was curious. Was it a neighbor? Was it the Publisher's Clearing House, yeah right? It wasn't Calgon coming to take me away either.

It was a tall, hard-working weathered gentleman telling me he was trying to earn some money. He asked if he could repaint our address numbers in front of our house for $5. I told him I didn't have any cash on me, but asked if he could paint it and return in about twenty minutes, so that my husband could get the cash on his way home. The man was thrilled to lock in the commitment. It was refreshing to see this man going door-to-door willing to work for his money, rather than standing out on a street corner begging for it.

Though times are financially challenging for my family during this season of economic downturn, my most recent conversation with my husband had been about which bottle of wine to pick up from the store and about which other food items we needed for the weekend. Because of this man's effort to work for his basic needs, I felt humbled. I felt like I'd been taking my own precious provisions such as food and shelter for granted. It was sobering to realize how much we actually have...so much more than so many other people in the world and more than some of those right here in our own neck of the woods.

Today, I learned that life is about having a healthy perspective and about helping others. I gained the realization that even though our finances have become a bit depressed, we have options and opportunities simply because of how we've been blessed with good educations and great skill-sets. Some people don't have either of those things. I was also very grateful to help someone out who genuinely looked like he needed a pick-me-up. I've been there before... feeling like I just needed someone to give me a chance. Haven't you felt that way before?

Share an example of how you've gained perspective during this financially difficult season. Also, let me know how you've shown someone else an act of kindness.

Labels: down economy, finances, help

Devotional for August 14th from STREAMS IN THE DESERT:

John 19:11 "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above." Nothing that is not part of God's will is allowed to come into the life of someone who trusts and obeys Him. This truth should be enough to make our life one of ceaseless thanksgiving and joy, because God's will is the most hopeful, pleasant, and glorious thing in the world. It is the continuous working of His omnipotent power for our benefit, with nothing to prevent it, if we remain surrendered and believing.

Someone who was passing through the deep water of affliction wrote a friend: Isn't it glorious to know that no matter how unjust something may be, even when it seems to have come from Satan himself, by the time it reaches us it is God's will for us and will ultimately work to our good? Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

Think of what Christ said even as He was betrayed: "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (John 18:11). We live fascinating lives if we are living in the center of God's will. All the attacks that Satan hurls at us through the sins of others are not only powerless to harm us but are transformed into blessings along the way.

----Hannah Whitall Smith

It is hard to trust God, especially when we pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray, and we still don't see His answer. But, God's word is a great anchor to cling to, especially when our feelings are letting us down.

Remember to trust God even when you can't see, hear, smell, taste, or feel the answer yet. Here are some verses to help.

Genesis 49:18 says, "I trust in you for salvation, O Lord!" If we're sure we have our salvation from the Lord, all of the other requests sort of fall into place. We might need help with our finances, our marriage, our children, or a host of other concerns; however, if we're sure we're right with God, it eliminates the biggest worry of all. Make sure you've got that cleared up first before praying, and praying, and praying, and praying for all of the other stuff.

Leviticus 19:4 says, "Do not put your trust in idols or make metal images of gods for yourselves. I am the Lord your God." Here's the problem with living in the twenty-first century. The world offers us tons of short-cuts. If you're stressed, have a glass of wine, or two, or three... to calm yourself down. The world also offers tons of medications for every ailment from worrying, headaches, obesity, or even fatigue. What about at least trying a few of God's remedies first, like getting fit, seeking Him in daily meditation, or simplifying your life so you can get rid of some unnecessary worries?

Another short-cut that the world offers is cheating. If you're having problems in your marriage, find someone else, someone who's funnier and more romantic. Maybe you've heard the one about it being okay to cheat financially. It's okay to fib on your taxes or to pay less for something by doing funny math because you're in a bind after-all. But, the truth is, these short-cuts are actually problematic because they lead us farther away from the true answer, which is God. Remember not to trust in the idols and gods that the world offers you. They're hollow and dissatisfying, while God on the other hand is the real deal.

Another convicting verse is Leviticus 20:6. It's pretty blunt and you might not think it applies to you, but here goes. “I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community." Maybe you haven't been committing "spiritual prostitution" but have you been putting your trust in someone else rather than in God? Maybe you've considered another religion even because this Christianity stuff just isn't working out. Though it is tempting to trust in other people and in other sources of spirituality, there is only one true Source; it is the God of the Bible.

2Chronicles 13:18 reminds us that when we trust in God, we defeat our foes. "So Judah defeated Israel on that occasion because they trusted in the Lord, the God of their ancestors." If we seek the Lord, we will defeat our enemies, which includes life's injustices and all that other bad stuff. That's because God upholds His end of the bargain. When we're on His team, we always win. The results might not always evidence themselves on this side of heaven, but remember that God will bring everything into judgment, including the unfair things in this life. Stay on His team; the scoreboard will reflect a win by the end of the game.

What if you feel that your life is too far gone? Well, think again. Isaiah 50:10 is such a cool verse. It says, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God." This verse offers a white flag of peace for your dark choices. Don't worry that you've messed up because we all have. Just get back on track by seeking Him. It's never too late. Don't let the darkness overtake you like a black-hole because there is hope.

One of my favorites, and probably one of yours as well, is Proverbs 3:5+6 which states, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." We can try to figure it all out by ourselves or we can surrender it all to God instead. We have to trust Him again and again and again and again because He is trustworthy. He will direct our paths.

Labels: faith, God, trust

Here are ten special things to do just because:

1. Give your kids a big hug and kiss
2. Look through a photo album with your spouse or special-someone
3. Email a friend and tell her why you value her
4. Share one great childhood memory with your mom or aunt
5. Pick a flower from your yard and put it in a tiny vase
6. Investigate one new fact about your name
7. Bake something sweet for a new neighbor
8. Make some fun weekend plans
9. Call your sister or best friend and tell her she is beautiful
10.Remind yourself of your three best character traits!

Moms know that when life throws you a curveball, you either hit it or get out of the way. Sometimes, events occur that are simply out of your control. When you've done all you can do to handle a situation, you long for a resolution; however, you might feel powerless to get one. You can't handle the curveball since it's way too far inside. So, you have to do your best to dodge its attack.

Maybe you have a financial need that goes unmet. You try to tackle the crazy ball coming at you but you're not quite sure how to pull it off. You take it one day at a time and do your best to cut back in other areas of spending. Ultimately, you conclude that you are way too blessed to complain about what you don't have. You get caught out on your front foot, but you still hit a double in the gap.

A neighbor holds problematic parties for most of the summer and you excitedly await the fall to catch up on some much needed zzzzs. Your respectful approach to set boundaries and limits on the troublesome noise during week-nights results in further mistreatment. Curveballs are hard to read, so, you step into the batter's box and dig in. You just do your best to survive this one.

Sometimes, someone's health continues to throw an unruly pitch in your direction. Your response is to get the best medical help possible and to try to maintain perspective, even when that's really hard to do. You go to a friend. You share your heart. You cry. This one might feel like a fastball, but the pitch is yet to be determined.

Being a mom is difficult because life is hard. The ball is thrown and you see that you and the pitcher have gotten your signals crossed up. You're thinking curveball, but it jumps up and then down and then does something else totally unexpected. You don't anticipate certain hardships, like the car breaking down or like a good friend passing away. You don't expect someone to hurt you in a totally undeserved way. But curveballs and even a few knuckleballs are just part of the game.

As moms, we need to be there for those experiencing trials during this tough season. Let's lend a hand. Even better, let's lend a pair of listening ears. Sometimes, a friend demonstrates true love just by letting you know that you're not crazy and that life is going to be okay.

Any thoughts on how to show someone you care? Any curveball stories you've survived? Share them here.

Labels: curveball, life, moms

To my fellow believers in Christ, let's trust in our awesome God today. His mighty Word proclaims:

Psalm 65: 9-13:

"You care for the land and water it. You enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness. The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing."

The part of this passage that strikes me is the image of the grasslands overflowing in the desert. We generally picture the desert as a dry and dormant place. In our minds, it's hard to think of the wasteland teeming with life and productivity. But, God has not forgotten even the driest and most unremarkable place. Even its hills are "clothed with gladness" (v12).

You might feel like God has forgotten you during this season of life. You've been trapped in a dry and forgotten desert wasteland. Maybe your dreams have fizzled out or perhaps you feel abandoned and left for dead. Who really cares about YOU anyways? Your life doesn't really make a difference in the big scheme of things, DOES IT?

Actually, your life makes a HUGE difference. YOU MATTER! Your DREAMS are important to God and you are certainly NOT forgotten by HIM. Remember that God's meadows "shout for joy and sing" (v13). You are a part of that meadow, even when you feel lonely, beaten down by life, and exhausted. He cares because you are HIS. You can even experience life and hope while in the valleys of despair. Remember that God's valleys are "...mantled with grain." Even when it's difficult, try to remember that you are a valuable member of God's family. You matter to HIM!

Labels: believers, land, water

Have you ever walked into a forest and felt you had ventured upon the pages of your favorite book? This past weekend, I felt I had walked into C.S. Lewis' magical world of Narnia. My family and I drove up to Oak Glen for the afternoon and came upon a deserted forest. We picked some wild blackberries and our kids climbed a variety of trees. My husband and I lounged on a soft blanket while watching the children play. We took pictures and laughed under the tranquil trees that provided shade from the harsh afternoon sun.

And then, as if a black cloud had blown in from the east, a wild mountain lion raced out into the clearing. My husband jumped up and told my kids to run toward me. I made my mouth look as big as possible showing my razor-like teeth to the wild beast. Meanwhile, our kids screamed and ran toward the car. This was unwise, as the mountain lion instantly targeted them as objects of prey. My husband, who has been trained in karate, launched on top of the cat and took it down in one valiant leap. Daddy saved the day!

Just like my tall-tale, it can feel like you're living in the middle of a story sometimes. But, it's no fun when you feel like you're visiting the title page or the table of contents rather than the pages clothed with adventure and excitement. Just like the forest we came upon, life is full of daring details just waiting to be told.

Sometimes the monotony towards the end of summer gets us down. That's why we have to spice up the day with a little bit of creativity. As moms, we have to remember that real life can co-mingle with fiction. To combat the end-of-summer blues, you could set up a picnic blanket in an imaginary forest or a real one like we did, for telling stories about wild talking beasts. Perhaps you could turn the couch into a shipwreck full of fish-loving pirates. What about a bunk-bed island with imaginary palm trees, dolphins, and whales? You could even keep things cool by turning your pool into an enchanted pond full of mermaids and monsters.

If your house is getting boring, then take your kids on a hike up to Mount Rubidoux or venture out on a bike ride around Lake Perris. You could always try out Oak Glen as well. The apple pie is delicious and the imaginary mountain lions are pretty friendly too. If you're going a bit stir-crazy, as I have been, then mix it up a little and keep things fun! We'll blink and the school-year will be upon us. Just a few more weeks to go!

Labels: kids, moms, monotony, summer

You know those days when you're just way too tired to function? Today is one of those kind of days. So, I'm just doing the best I can to update the checkbook, wash the laundry, change the diapers, make the meals, and keep up with all the rest of motherhood's tasks.

Thankfully, I love strong coffee and coke. So, those two drinks have been my companions today, as well as some prayer to a very loving God. It's odd that God would speak to me when I'm so tired. Maybe it's because I've had to slow myself down into a better listening position. I sometimes think He allows our need of Him to increase so that we will remember how He cares for us.

Even though I've been mega-exhausted today from sleep-deprivation, I have found relative peace and comfort in the ease of the day. Here it is almost 3pm and it feels like the time flew by like a gentle cloud overhead. My kids have likewise been well-behaved for the most part and my demands have been reasonable.

The Lord really does seem to know how much we can handle. He gives us what He knows we can handle. This includes disappointments, tragedies, and struggles as well. I feel I've been fighting the Lord in certain areas of my life because He has been so slow to meet me where I've wanted to be met. It's sometimes when we're so tired and so weak that God reminds us He's been carrying us all along.

I'm still waiting on God for a lot of things and feel I'm getting a busy signal at times, but today, God has reminded me that I'm to take it just one day at a time at a reasonable pace. Life is not a sprint and neither is our Christian journey. I hope you can rest in the Lord today if you are feeling weary. Slow down and allow Him to give you rest.

Labels: parents, the Lord, tired

To "pray without ceasing"...what does that even mean? I know the Apostle Paul was a good guy and he wouldn't mislead us unintentionally, but his words from the Bible confuse me (found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and in Ephesians 6:18).

As women, we tend to worry a ton. Unfortunately, praying becomes a common extension of that worry. So, when we are called to "pray without ceasing" it can seem like a stressful charge. To worry without ceasing...how can that be what God wants?

I've taught my kids to pray with thankful hearts. Because of this, we form our prayers out loud by saying, "Thank you God that you care for this or that specific thing." The problem is that it's easier to pray that way in front of my kids, but on my own, I'm like "Pleeeeeease God, help with this or that."

During my own private prayer-time I frequently beg like a whiny brat for what I think I need the most. Most of these petitions are honorable ones; however, my attitude becomes weary and repetitive like a child asking for some cotton candy at the circus.

I find it especially difficult to "pray without ceasing" when I don't see any results. What about the sour family relationship that refuses to mend itself no matter how hard I try to put it back together? What about practical needs like finances, our kids' health, or even our own health? If God cares so much, then why is he so slow?

I know we can't change Scripture, but I've decided for my own spiritual development to rethink Paul's words. Since the instruction to "pray without ceasing" makes me mindful of all of my troubles, I'm going to retrain myself to read it as "trust without ceasing."

This means re-evaluating what I get out of prayer. If prayer is mainly a place I go to "get" something in return, I may continue to be disappointed. In contrast, if I focus the time on Who I am with, by addressing the time reverently with praise and adoration, I feel it will lead to trust. As I learn to believe that God is trustworthy, then I think my prayer-time will conclude with peace instead of strife.

Labels: moms, prayer, worry