Breathe In, Breathe Out.

This is a post to remind myself to just breathe. Just stop what I'm doing, close my eyes, and breathe. Be still. Breathe in, let God take the burdens, breathe out, go about my day. This is a post to remind myself to not measure life by successes and failures. Stop. Realize that what I see as a failure God could be using as a great success. Remember that my greatest success God could see as a failure. Never forget that God does not measure us by the things of this world, and we are called to follow His leading regardless of "results". This is a post to remind myself that He is faithful. I am equipped through Him. The hard times come, but I can't give in to the temptation to just walk away. I am called to deal with it, face it head on, to just do my best. This is a post to remind myself to enjoy the day. Open the curtains and just let the light shine in. Breathe in the beautiful fresh air and surround myself with His wonderful creation. Let the sun warm my face and the Son warm my heart. This is a post to remind myself to just breathe, to just be, to just do.

Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Today was a crazy day! It was my "YES" day (which I'm striving to make happen everyday), I found a wonderful challenge that really encouraged me to bring the R&R back to my life (but also required hours of work to get our bedroom even remotely out of the "war zone"), and I still have to manage to live my life in The Spirit, be a purposeful wife, and maintain my position as manager of our household! Whew! The great thing is that this is all becoming more and more natural as I continue to practice it. Less and less overwhelming with each passing day. But when I really stop and think about what it is I'm trying to do, I start to feel like I'm trying to accomplish too much. If I look at this list of things I'm trying to do with my life, changes I'm trying to make, and goals I'm trying to reach, I start to feel like it will never happen. That was when I walked outside to pick up the endless trail of toys my children had brought outside and left out in the rain. In the midst of the chaos I looked up and saw this. I saw the sky, dark from the rain that had just passed; trees turning the most beautiful shades of red, something we don't often get in Louisiana; and this beautiful space God has blessed us with. I immediately felt peaceful, calm, encouraged. It wasn't until I was still, for just a second, that I was able to remember that God is God. That what I am trying to accomplish is not about me, but Him. And in that moment of stillness He said, "I AM, AND I WILL." Praise God for the moments of stillness, no matter how short. Praise God for bringing pause to our hectic lives to remind us that He is and that even though we cannot, He will!

Slow. Children At Play.

There is no greater joy in my life than watching my children from afar.

Their precious giggles...

the love God has knit into their hearts toward each other,

the pure joy that shines from them.

Every moment is special...

no time is wasted,

they live their lives with purpose.

As I watch them the years float away, the burdens are lifted, the love fills my heart.

They ask me to watch them...

my smile the only requirement for participation,

my presence the only expectation.

They grow before my eyes...

I can see it because time slows and quickens all at the same time,

the past and present mingling in one precious moment.

My life has passed me by quickly enough, regrets too many to count, missed opportunities never to recover.

I looked forward to this chapter for too long...

but my book is filling too quickly,

my time slipping away.

I've done too much for far too long...

I've accomplished far too little,

I've wasted far too often.

Today I will be still and cherish the moments as seconds mingle with the hours.