Heart Reflections

  • Song: “Blessings” by Laura Story

    The phrase “What if blessings come as raindrops, what if your healing come through tears” has been stuck in my head for a couple weeks now.  I have rejoiced in blessings and shed a few tears with family and friends over the past few weeks.   I would love to think all blessings come from great positive events in my life (and in the lives around me), however, it is during those hard times that we turn back to the truth and our strength is renewed.  As I look back over the “trials” in my life I have caught a glimpse of how God is using those times to help me grow and make a positive impact on the lives of others.

  • Book: “Living in Love” by James & Betty Robison

    I recently read the book “Living in Love” by James and Betty Robison who are Co-Hosts on TV’s “Life Today”.  Having a healthy marriage is important to me so I thought this book would give new insights or provide great reminders on ways to strengthen our marriage relationship. I enjoy having a chance to read a chapter or two of a book each day and was excited to check this one out.

    James and Betty Robison grew up in very different family environments, James was the son of a single Mom and Betty grew up in a church going family.  In the book they discussed their backgrounds and how they met.  The book has a unique layout and more conversational.  It shows Betty’s insights and James’ viewpoints by putting a headline at the top of each section.

    Although I have never watched their show I appreciated that they encouraged couples to work on their own hearts first and stop trying to “fix” their spouses.  Both James and Betty recommended praying for your spouse, marriage and family.  Each family member brings a variety of dynamics to the relationship.  They discuss topics that we don’t hear a lot about in our culture when it comes to marriage – selfishness, commitment, trust, communication, and confrontation.  When married couples have solid God centered foundations in place we have more opportunities to grow and work together as a cohesive team.  James and Betty do not claim to know everything but are thankful for God’s hand working in their lives as individuals and as a couple.

    A couple of my favorite quotes from the book:

    “An unhealthy self-focus can show up in marriage in many ways, but the one I observed most frequently is people trying to shape their spouses according to their own expectations.  This is always a mistake.  Instead of trying to change your mate it is best to allow God to shape you.”

    “Trust is built on the foundation of commitment – first and ultimately, to God and then to each other.”

    At the end of each chapter they added a few questions for each couple to answer separately or together.  Overall the book is a great resource to read for those going into marriage or for couples wanting a gentle reminder of ways to build a healthy foundation in their marriage.  If you cannot purchase the book I would recommend checking it out at your local church or community library.  It is a pretty quick read and it never hurts to be reminded of ways to keep the communication open between you and your spouse.

    Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher through the Waterhouse Multnomah.  The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

  • Thoughtfulness Goes Both Ways in Relationships!

    I am proud of my husband and thankful for all he does for our family.  A few days ago I had a little extra time carved out in my day so I decided as a special surprise to make Jake some Cinnamon Rolls.

    Making Cinnamon Rolls!

    I used a box mix that was in the pantry.  The mix was a starter kit that included the flour and yeast so you could make bread, rolls, crescents or a variety of other breads, I chose to make Cinnamon Rolls that day.  After mixing, letting it rise then kneading the dough it was now ready with melted butter, cinnamon and sugar (pictured above).  Next I sprinkled some dried cherries and raisins over it, rolled it up, cut into cinnamon rolls and placed it into the pyrex to rise for another 30 minutes.  Just as Jake was leaving work I put the cinnamon rolls in the oven to bake.

    Hot Cinnamon Rolls with Raisins & Cherries rolled inside!

    I made frosting by mixing 1 cup powder sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 tablespoon of milk together.  The cinnamon rolls came out of the oven within a couple minutes of Jake arriving at home.  I poured the frosting over the cinnamon rolls and we enjoyed them as a dessert at the end of the meal.  We typically do not have dessert for an evening meal, however, this was a special treat.  Jake was able to enjoy the remaining cinnamon rolls for his breakfasts and/or snacks over the next few days.

    I was not aware that at the same time I was making secret cinnamon roll treats for Jake he was picking up a bench for me.  The girls and I spend a lot of time outside during the summer months when they are out of school.  He picked up a bench that was on sale for us to use outside.  It will be a terrific having a place to put items for the swimming pool and outside equipment.  I am thankful for his thoughtfulness and help with the upcoming busy months of summer activities!

    My New Bench was Quickly Adopted by the Girls for their Crafts!

    Within in a few minutes of getting my bench the girls had their chairs pulled up to it and were working on crafts.  They were excited about the new “desk” for them to work on.  The bench will be a tremendous help for outside storage this summer!

    One of the amazing parts about being a family is the joy it comes from being generous to those within your family.  It was one of those days when Jake and I happened to be thinking of each other at the same time.  I am thankful for a husband who loves me and is thoughtful.  Making those cinnamon rolls were an easy way for me to show how him my love and care for him.  It is human nature to be selfish, only when you make the choice give to others starting with your spouse and family you will see even greater blessings and love.

    Thoughtfulness goes both ways in a marriage relationship. It was neat to have the special surprises timed on the same day even though neither one of us knew what the other spouse was doing.  Not every day goes so smoothly in our home, but I am thankful that we love each other despite the tough moments and we continue to have many wonderful memories together.  What are some thoughtful activities that you do to make your spouse and family feel loved?

     

  • Heart Reflections: Full of Weeds

    The best part about having a garden is the produce!  Whether you have a bountiful vegetable garden or a garden full of beautiful flowers we all know that weeds are eventually going to start poking through the surface!  While the fresh veggies, fruit, and flowers provide many benefits they will only continue to thrive if they taken care of which includes pulling a few weeds.

    As I was weeding our vegetable garden earlier this week I started thinking about all the delicious food we get to enjoy because we have taken the time to pull weeds.  If we were to allow the weeds to take over the garden the precious vegetable plants would eventually stop producing.  Weeding the garden is not in my top 10 list of fun things to do with my time, however, for the delicious food it is worth the extra time it takes to weed and maintain it.  I am grateful for a garden that we can enjoy and for the abundance that we can share with others!

    Later that day while I was working on other tasks my mind drifted back to the time spent weeding in the garden.

    • How often does my own life and heart get full of “weeds” (distractions, stuff, schedules, shopping,  work, etc…)?   It is important that I have some quiet time every day to evaluate my life and refocus on what’s truly important.  The time spent “weeding” my heart is valuable and essential.  When I don’t take the time to weed through the issues in my heart life tends to weigh me down and fruit becomes less visible, much like in our vegetable garden.
    • Does my day go any better when I have a heart that is overgrown with weeds? No, usually I am more stressed because I am trying to do it on my own strength when in reality I have no control over anything.  Just having my mind and heart focused on what really matters makes the days more enjoyable.   A vegetable garden cannot go days without water during a drought or the plants will stop producing fruit.  My heart is the same, if I don’t take time refresh my heart when the drought comes I won’t be able to withstand the heat and will wither under the pressures life throws my way.
    • Is my attitude better with a weedy heart? When my heart is overwhelmed with clutter it is much harder to live a life full of joy.  A heart that is weeded will receive a fresh wave of energy and will rejoice in every precious day we are given.   A garden flourishes when it is weeded, watered, has good soil, and plenty of sun.  When your heart is weeded the positive fruits are allowed to grow giving you more opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of others.

    The weeds (busy agendas, work, distractions) are waging a constant battle against your heart much like they are doing in the garden.  Take time daily to be still and focus on what’s really important.  What is in our hearts will eventually become known.  Our actions on the weedy days are not as kind or considerate to the people around us.  Do you have weeds that pop up in your garden and heart?

  • Song: “What Faith Can Do” by Kutless

    We were able to see Kutless in concert during our Valentine’s Date at Winter Jam in Greenville, SC.  It was neat to hear their songs that night.  Since then several of their songs have been ringing through my head, this is one of those songs.  We all fall and make mistakes, however, it’s how we pick ourselves up that matters.  Having faith in something so much greater than ourselves gives us the additional strength and hope we need to get through any situation.  We have the privilege of seeing miracles happen when we have faith that God can and will provide exactly what we need.

  • The Best Stuff in Life is FREE!

    I have come to learn that most treasured things in life really are “free”!  You cannot purchase these items and they come spontaneously and sincerely from the giver.  They are little wonderful gifts to those on the receiving end.  It is easy to get wrapped up in the day to day life and not realize that some of the best stuff that we can get in our lifetime is free.  These simple acts of kindness can be a huge blessing to us on a tough day.  As a Mom I am thankful for girls who freely and generously shower me with these blessings quite frequently.

    Here are some of the BEST things in my life that are free:

    • A hug from a child
    • Word of encouragement from a friend
    • Smile from a stranger
    • A handful of freshly picked dandelions, weeds, or flowers picked from the yard
    • Simple act of kindness
    • A handwritten note in the mail
    • And Many More Special Blessings

    I can think of so many more amazing blessings in my life that a free yet have a positive impact on my life as well as on the lives of others.  Another thought to consider is……how often do I give these gifts to others?  Often times it is when you demonstrate to your children, family and friends these blessing that you’ll see the ripple effect and eventually the other side of it.

    What are some ways you are a blessing to others?  Does it take much time or cost you too much to make a positive impact on the lives of the people around you?

  • Heart Reflections: Stretching Towards the Sun

    Our family has recently planted a garden.  Since it had been getting cool at night we started the seedlings inside.  Every day I have watched and nurtured those little plants.  Some of the seeds popped up quickly while others never came up.  As I watched the plants growing each one stretched out their leaves towards the light.  Once they were big enough we transplanted them outside in our garden.  Shortly after planting them we had a night of heavy wind, rain, and even hail followed by a frost on the ground a few days later.  Even though it was “safe” for us to plant the garden outside there are still risks and dangers.  Many of the seedlings survived the tough few weeks of new growth, however, some did not make it.  Although, our hope was that every plant would thrive we know that nature will do some natural pruning especially in the weaker plants.  For whatever reason some plants didn’t make it (something caused the undesirable side effect…maybe the roots were too shallow or wet / dry or too much shade / sunny or bugs or a number of other factors) .  On the other hand some plants thrived despite all the challenges they faced.

    While I was thinking about the plants it occurred to me that the analogy can be applied in some ways to our own lives.  We should be looking towards the Son at all times, the one who created us.  We all grow at our own pace, some of us may have sprouted quickly while others are delayed but have a more solid root structure.  Even though life may not be perfect and we may experience seasons of drought, hail, or disease we still have a choice of where to focus our attention.  Once we decide where we will focus our energy we will experience a variety of ripple effects (sometimes the effects are positive and other times they can can be less desirable).  When we are in stressful situations do we continue to grow or do we wither under the pressure of life? We all want to continue growing, thriving and producing a beautiful fruit.   The big step is making sure our root structure is strong and secure.  We do this through continually cultivating a relationship with our Savior.  Yes, this will take our time, energy and nurturing, but in the end it is worth it.  We all want to feel loved, appreciated and valued yet so often we look towards our earthly relationships to provide that fulfillment whether it is through our spouse, children, serving at church or whatever fills that void.  Instead we should look to our creator who made us, never fails, and loves us unconditionally.  As we notice flowers and plants stretching towards the sun, let that remind us of the importance of reaching towards the Son in our own lives as well.

    “Heart Reflections” is a series of thoughts and encouragement that come directly from my heart.  Life has a way of throwing us extra challenges and when our focus is pulled away from what is truly important we tend to feel the pressure of stress in our lives.  This series is created to remind us that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves.  We don’t have to face the pressure of life on our own.  We can trust that our prayers are being heard.  He alone knows what’s best for us and gives us the appropriate strength to get through each day as it is set before us.

    Photo by Stig Nygaard

  • Heart Reflections: It’s Not About Us

    As Moms, wives, and friends we get involved in so many activities.  It is easy for our lives and schedules to quickly fill up to the point of bursting.  When our lives, hearts, and schedules get packed full we don’t have the flexibility to spontaneously help and encourage others.

    A month ago I had the blessing of taking a quick road trip with friends.  It was encouraging to spend time with a friend, another Mom.  We have been richly blessed with amazing people in our lives.  Also, we have a lot to be grateful for yet we often get too busy and don’t take enough time to focus about what’s really important.  We forget that other Mom’s are going through many of the same struggles that we go through.  We are not alone.

    As Moms we want to allow our children the freedom to grow while at the same time protect them from danger and harm.  There are many mistakes we make as Moms which can often lead to the feeling of guilt. Even though we make many mistakes in our lives and as parents God is much bigger than us.  The focus really isn’t on or about us at all.  Not only that but we are not called to raise “perfect” kids, the goal is to raise godly kids with the help of our spouse, extended family, church leaders, friends, and most importantly Christ. No one is perfect and to expecting our children to be that way is setting everyone up for disappointment.

    • The first step is reflecting his love, grace and mercy through our lives in our words and actions starting first in our homes.  We will continue to make a mess of some situations, but He forgives and helps point us back to what really is important.  God has the power to work in our lives and family despite our failures.  He is not surprised by those bumps in the road nor do they slow Him down.  When we are relying on him for strength we will have more energy to focus on helping our children each step of the way.

    Having the opportunity to raise and watch my girls grow has been a truly amazing adventure.  As Moms we need to pray for our children, families and those our lives touch.  We don’t know the path before us so we need to trust in His faithfulness and promises for today. While I was on bedrest for weeks the phrase that I repeated continually was “Day by Day”.  Getting through the tasks and plans that are to be accomplish today, not tomorrow or yesterday, just today!

    • Therefore the second step is praying for our kids.  One of my prayers for our girls is that they will grow up to know Him and have a soft heart willing to soak in His teachings as well as  listen to His guidance.  I hope that my girls will be able to see past their Moms shortcomings and have a direct relationship with a heavenly Father who loves them even more than their Mom and Dad.  No person or family is perfect.  I am thankful for a husband who plays an active role in the lives of our children and for a God who loves, heals, and protects our family.  It’s okay to loosen my grip a little regarding my children because I know I can hand my concerns about my children and their lives over to Him knowing He has their best interest at heart.

    We often get wrap up in what we need to get done that we miss some of the beautiful moments we have with our children.  Our girls are growing up quickly and I have to constantly remind myself that it’s not about us.  Our calling is so much bigger and better than just our schedule and agenda.  We have to continually remind ourselves of what truly matters and to purposely take the extra few minutes each day this week to really spend quality time with our families.

    “Heart Reflections” is a series of thoughts and encouragement that come directly from my heart.  Life has a way of throwing us extra challenges and when our focus is pulled away from what is truly important we tend to feel the pressure of stress in our lives.  This series is created to remind us that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves.  We don’t have to face the pressure of life on our own.  We can trust that our prayers are being heard.  He alone knows what’s best for us and gives us the appropriate strength to get through each day as it is set before us.

    Photo by Seattle Municipal Archives

  • Song: “God With Us” by MercyMe

    I have heard this song multiple times but two weeks ago I a phrase in this song jumped out at me and has been stuck in my mind.  Great song!  The phrase that has stood out to me is “Such a tiny offering, compared to Calvary”  The time I take to have quiet time, taking a meal to a friend in need, eating healthier, and other activities are such a tiny offering when you look at what He did for me.  Yet there are days I complain about the busy schedule and curve balls life throws my direction when those are merely speed bumps to get my attention.  Hope you enjoy this song as much as I did.

  • Heart Reflections: Road Blocks

    A tree across the road on my way to the girls school!

    As I was zipping along on the way to the girls school recently I came to a quick halt!  There laying across the entire road was a huge tree.  Thankfully I noticed it in time to stop.  My first thought was this is strange…..glad I wasn’t driving by when it decided to fall since we take that road every day for school.  My next thought was…….did someone cut it down but there literally was no one in sight and the tree roots were uprooted.  The dilemma was I had to deliver goodies to the girls class in a matter of minutes, however, I had a road block.  How was I going to get to their school (my options):

    • Move it out of the road (I didn’t have a chainsaw or strength to do it by myself)
    • There were no driveways behind me so I would have to back up the windy road about 1/2 mile, plus risk someone else coming down the road and us crashing
    • Turn around in the road with narrow shoulders and risk someone coming around the bend and hitting me.
    • Go around it (It had rained the day before and the tree covered the whole road, which doesn’t have a shoulder either)

    What did I do? Surveyed the probability of going around the tree since the ditch wasn’t too deep or wet in that spot and braved it.  I made it through, thankfully, otherwise Jake would have gotten another “help” call from me!   The car on the other side of the tree had the same dilemma as I did but they decided to back up and turn around instead.  I made it almost to the end of the road when I noticed a cop car heading the direction towards the tree I rolled down my window and waved to get his attention but he just flew on by me without hesitation.  I figured he would realize why I was waving in matter of minutes.  When I arrived at school I was able to let them know and they immediately called the bus barn to have them redirect the bus routes so they could get the kids home.

    This event happened a couple weeks ago but has stuck in my head for several reasons.  We often face road blocks in life.  Even though the situation may catch you off guard or seem impossible to get past we all have to make a decision about what we are going to do about the various road blocks that appear.  Are there areas in your life with road blocks?  Here are some areas I have had road blocks pop up in my life (thankfully they haven’t come at once but sometimes I have to work on multiple ones at the same time):

    • Health
    • Financial
    • Family
    • Work
    • Spiritual
    • And More

    I think the reason why this road block has stuck in my mind is I have come to the realization that there are several areas in my life and heart that I need to change.  Taking time to change any area of my life takes time, energy and consistency.  I want God to work in my life from the inside out.  If I have walls put up around my heart how am I going to be an effective testimony for Him?  If I don’t take the time to spend with Him how is He going to work in my life and in the lives of those people I touch.  The choices I make today have a ripple effect on the people around me (family, friend, acquaintances, etc…)  One other area that has come to my attention is my health.  Growing up I didn’t have a routine exercise schedule because I got plenty on the farm and I never had to go on any diets but recently with my energy dropping I realized that I need to eat better and move more.  The lack of energy is blocking me from doing more of the things I enjoy in my life.  Another area I have been working on is making our family budget a priority. Thankfully my husband has always been very supportive because it really works better if both spouses are on board with it.

    What will you do about the road blocks in your life? Will you allow yourself to discover ways to eat healthier and exercise?  Will you get together with your spouse and work out a budget?  Will you allow God to reveal your true heart so you can serve Him better? There are many areas in our lives that need cultivated.  Every person is different.  Examine your life and the areas you need to step up and go to bat for.  Every day we have the opportunity to make choices in each area of our lives.  Some days I do better than others while other days I seem to encounter one road block after another.  The important part is that you pick yourself back up, dust off, refocus, and remember that you can get past this little bump in the road.

    How will you react to a friends warning? Sometimes it takes another person tapping you on the shoulder you to get your attention.  You could be the like the cop in the story above that just flew on by and ignored me as I tried to wave him down to warn him about the danger ahead. OR You could be like the secretary at the girls school who immediately called the bus barn to alert them of the road block in their routes so they can correct their route before hitting a road block.  It is important to have close family and friends in your life that are kind enough to speak graciously with you if they see an area in your life where you are struggling.  Those same people can also provide a lot of accountability, prayer, and encouragement as you journey through that road block.

    It is amazing how much that tree across the road captivated my attention!  Even though it was an inconvenience at the time I am thankful for a very visual representation of a road block because it has stuck in my mind.  Take the time this week to identify and start removing the road blocks in your life so you can focus more on those areas that really are important to you.

    “Heart Reflections” is a series of thoughts and encouragement that come directly from my heart.  Life has a way of throwing us extra challenges and when our focus is pulled away from what is truly important we tend to feel the pressure of stress in our lives.  This series is created to remind us that we are part of something so much bigger than ourselves.  We don’t have to face the pressure of life on our own.  We can trust that our prayers are being heard.  He alone knows what’s best for us and gives us the appropriate strength to get through each day as it is set before us.