it's been a while

As some of you may know, we just got home from vacation.

It was the first traveling vacation my husband and I have taken for quite a while.  It was glorious!

Although we had a group of us on the trip - each day everyone did exactly as they pleased and if anyone got bored - there was always a rousing game of euchre or 'oh heck' going on.  I won in euchre but was a disaster in the other.

All that to say, the Lord knew exactly what I needed and He graciously gave it to me.

It's easy to be so busy that you miss your life, your God opportunities, being fully engaged and getting proper rest.  That was the cycle I've been caught in for a while now.  I'm not a victim, I allow it and quite frankly love it.  I love to work and communicate and to see what I can help to create.  But this cycle breeds stress and tiredness.

So as I packed for vacation I knew I had a powerful book or two to take - reading is how I unwind, and I was able to read as much as I wanted to on this trip - couldn't put them down and God used them in a mighty way!  Ortberg is officially one of my favorite authors now!

I want to spend this week writing a little about what I learned each day - I'm still trying to process it all.  As I read I realized I was nearly empty - my soul was weary and begging for focused renewal.

Let me explain this important fact I learned, the difference between busy and hurry from John Ortberg's book.

Being busy is an outward condition - it occurs when we have many things to do.

Being hurried is an inner condition - a condition of the soul.  It means to be so preoccupied with my life that I'm unable to be fully present - unable to occupy this present moment.  I cannot abide in God with a hurried soul.

And I realize I've been hurried for a very long time.  The beginning of the end to hurry started this week - I engaged with my Savior like I haven't for a very long time.  The longing in my heart can only be filled by Him and NOTHING else.  I know all of these things in my head - but my heart, my soul was not satisfied with all the hurry so I really want to continue taking steps in abiding...

For a number of years I've claimed I Corinthians 9:26 & 27 as my life verses and one of the books I read on vacation talked about how important having a life verse is - so here are mine.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way as not to beat the air;
but, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Who would have thought that one of the greatest lack of disciplines we could have is to hurry? 

no room in my mind

I have not even given my blog a moments thought I've been so busy!  I've had no room in my mind to think and write - my mind has also been full of thankfulness.  So tonight I was determined to carve out a little time!!

I've had time the last few days to hang out with friends

and family and I have thoroughly enjoyed them both.  One of the things that was especially great was my mom's birthday shopping trip to Columbus!

My dad, book in hand decided to ride along, " just to be with mom he said."

We came sneaking up on him once in the mall to see him snoring away - after snapping a picture we left him in peace for a stop at one more store before lunch.

My parents have been married for 56 years.  I am thankful for every one of them.  And I take none of those years for granted.

I was telling my sister how blessed we have been to grow up in a quiet, peaceful, strife free home.  Even in adult-hood there are no fights or mean exchanges, ever.    It doesn't mean we're perfect but it means that my parents let the Lord that they love affect their daily lives.  They live it all the time.

As we celebrated my mom's birthday, I thanked the Lord for her, over and over that day.  She is the perfect wife and mother and cares deeply about the things of the Lord.  She deserved to be celebrated!

Our shopping wound down as we found a great pet store and I just HAD to buy Vern

his winter coat which he modeled when I got home.

Yes, I've been busy - but I built memories in the busyness and am thankful tonight to finally express my praise to my Lord!!

what day is it?

Like many of you I'm sure, I have to keep looking at the calendar to even know what day it is!  I suspect that could mean we are all way too busy!

I have a very small space of calm this morning.  It will disappear the minute my foot lands outside my door.

I plan to use it wisely.

You may be thinking - she's about to get all spiritual on us and describe in detail her Jesus meeting of the morning.

Although I plan to move to that next, I've basically been standing here eating Chex and thinking and staring - just trying to grab a little perspective on the day and the balance of the week.

Perspective is allusive.  A loss of it throws everything out of balance and all becomes unobtainable.

Perspective:  the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one,

There are some facts only known to me right now, regarding the Christmas services, our families' plans and many, many undeveloped ideas.  The trick is to communicate my perspective on these areas so it can be moved to completion.  Therein lies the dilemma.  Ideas and dreams and plans are needed in order for anything to happen or change.  But, communicating what only you see or know, that takes work.

This is the best explanation I can think of this morning regarding where my head is right now.  Just trying to gain perspective, or at the very least - remember what day it is without looking at my phone.