Summer Sabbatical

Sweet Friends in Blogland, if you haven’t already noticed, summer is on its way.

For me, this summer will hold both lots of excitement, as well as many expectations.

In a nutshell, my summer includes two boys at home full-time, one Hubby busy both at work and in class, and one book manuscript that awaits final edits. In addition, insert one week of vacation, one week leading Vacation Bible School, a few trips to see grandparents and the summer will be almost over.

Whew!

For these reasons, as of today, I am planning to take a summer sabbatical from blogging. I will still blog once in a while, but not on a regular M-W-F basis. I really appreciate your understanding as I take time to focus on my sweet boys, my Hubby, and the work I need to do. When anything exciting happens or God lays some precious insight on my heart, I promise I will post and share with you.  Please check back regularly.  You may be surprised at what you read. 

Again, I appreciate your faithful readership and understanding.

So, until the next blog post, have a great and faith-filled, fun summer!

P.S. For those of you who still want to read a daily blog, please visit one of my all time favorites by clicking here. I promise you will love it as much as I do.

Happy Memorial Day!

In honor of all those who sacrificed everything, so that we may have freedom, may we appreciate all they have done and loudly proclaim "God Bless the USA."

Happy Memorial Day!

Temple Building

Happy Friday Everyone! Thank you to everyone who checked to see if everything was okay on Wednesday after my posting later than usual. I appreciate your care and prayers more than you know.

If you have looked at “My Faves” on the sidebar, you know that I am reading through the Chronological Bible this year. I am continually amazed at how the Lord is so good to make each reading relevant, even when it pertains to things that occurred over two thousand years ago.

Currently, we are reading in 1 Kings 5 & 6, as well as 2 Chronicles 2 & 3. In these chapters, Solomon has begun his reign as king and has begun preparations for building the Temple “to honor the name of the Lord his God.”

Solomon’s father, King David, gave him the responsibility of building the Temple even before Solomon was crowned king. This was God’s command for him. Solomon, after waiting to be crowned (his brother also wanted to be king), and reigning for four years, finally began laying the Temple foundation. Seven years later, after much time and effort, the Temple was complete.

As I read this account of building the Temple, I couldn’t help but see a parallel to the person God is building in each of our children. Notice that Solomon knew his responsibility ahead of time, but only in God’s perfect timing was he able to begin the building process. Only then, did he realize the magnitude of the job. Having children is the same. How many of us had to wait patiently for God’s perfect timing for children, rather than ours. Then, when they arrived, we knew we just acquired a huge responsibility for parenting them.

I also couldn’t help but notice how incredibly long building the temple took. It was not simple or quick. The hands of the master artists delicately formed each detail, from solid gold-covered cherubim, to cedar engravings. Our children are the same. We may wish we only had seven years to build character, values, and morals. Instead, we use a lifelong process of delicately helping them become who God intended them to be. Through this, we realize that only through the hands of the Master Artist, God, can they become pure gold. Only with lots of time and attention, can they be beautiful.

As I read this account of Solomon, I find hope as a parent - hope that God will see us through. I also find God’s perspective.With Him, no time with children is wasted, and in the end, every detail will bring glory to Him, the Lord our God.

What hope or perspective have you found as a parent? 

Feeling a Little ??

Dear Sweet Friends in Blogland,

You will find this isn't a typical post for me, but I promised when I began this blog that I would always be truthful and transparent.  So, I am doing just that.

I am writing late today, simply because before now I just didn't feel like writing.  In fact, lately, I am struggling to pinpoint what I am feeling. 

Maybe it is guilt over being selfish more than selfless.

Maybe it is fear about how our life is changing with Hubby starting his doctorate and the boys coming home for the summer.

Maybe it is sadness that BigGuy and Bird are growing up.

Maybe it is anger because their attitudes are growing up, too.

Maybe it is sweet joy over Bird asking me to pray for him before his preschool graduation.

Maybe it is happiness because we have made it through another school year healthy and well.

Maybe it is...

Either way dear friends, I am at a place today where feelings seem more like fact that the Truth.  I am at a place where rather than writing, I need to be reading God's Truth, and basking in His faithfulness, mercy, and love.  I am at a place where I need to enter my prayer closet and just pray.

I would love to pray for you and where you are today.  Feel free to leave a comment, even anonymously, and I will add you to the requests and praises I am lifting up today!

Have a great day!

Simple Realization

A few nights ago, I was thinking about the amazing fact that Jesus was without fault or sin during His entire time on earth.

Then, I realized He never was married or had kids!

Happy Monday Everyone!

"A joyful heart is good medicine"  Proverbs 17:22a (NASB).

Stepping Stones

Well, I did it. I picked up Bird, my baby, from his last day of preschool yesterday. We will attend his graduation ceremony Tuesday evening, mortar boards and all. I am sure I will shed some tears. (I know. It’s only preschool, but give me some emotional latitude here. He is my baby.)

I realized today that along with the pomp and circumstance come new adventures for Bird. He is growing up and beginning to cross the stepping stones of life - stepping stones that will lead him to find his purpose, stepping stones that will grow him in his relationship with God and others. I can’t wait to watch him as he takes this journey.

Our lives hold the same adventure.

We, too, walk through life, traveling from one stepping stone to another. We move along according to our purpose set forth by God. Sometimes, we stay the course. Sometimes we slip.  Nevertheless, we take it one step at a time.

Like me however, as you are running down life's road, do you ever wonder if you are growing closer to what God wants you to be?

If you do wonder, look at these verses from 2 Peter 1:5-7. They clearly illustrate the stepping stones on which God desires us to walk, stepping stones which show His Spirit working in us.

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

As I look at this list, I shudder at the impossibility of walking in these constantly.  I worry I slip more than I stay on the course.

Fortunately, my friend Karen reassured me that all these Godly traits are gifts to us from God.  We can only walk in them by stepping through life with God. When we receive His grace and allow His Spirit to guide our choices, we will grow in Him. Our lives will reflect His Holy Spirit working in us.

In turn, as others watch us take this journey, God will turn our stepping stones into a path that leads them to Him.  And someday, we will all arive at the edge of Heaven's river together.

Have a great weekend!

Finding Balance

Balance.  How do we ever find it?

For instance, right now I am attempting to learn to weigh the measures of discipline and grace. How much of each is enough? How much is too much?

I find that this issue of balancing grace vs. discipline seems to find its way into my life each time BigGuy and Bird push for more independence. I realize that since they are only seven and five that this push is nothing like what I will face in the teenage years. However, any parent knows that any movement causes upheaval in the usual balance of power.

So, what is a parent to do, especially when days are filled with the pendulum swinging from sweetness to pushing the limits? Where do we go when the balance in our lives seems gone?

To God’s Word.

In my quest for answers, I looked in the Bible specifically for the word “balance.” I found no answers regarding the “balance” for which I was looking. However, with a little nudging from God, I found other answers. Maybe they will help you as much as they helped me.

These are the two answers.

The first is to pray for wisdom.

James 1: 5 states “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” This sounds like the perfect place to begin finding true answers. After all, why not ask our Heavenly Father for insight into the situation. He is our holy parent.

The second answer I found helpful was to cling to James 1:2-4.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

I don’t know about you, but I love the idea of my faith “not lacking anything.” If God’s Word promises that trials help me be mature and complete, I have to hold fast to that truth, no matter how much it hurts. I also have to believe that God is doing this same work in my children, too.

With this in mind, maybe we can find some balance soon.

My Weekend

How was your weekend?

I had the awesome honor of spending Saturday with the women of Chapel of the Lake Church in Lake St. Louis. Their Mother’s Day Brunch was the highlight of my day as we reflected on both motherhood, as well as on finding God’s peace and contentment in our daily lives. All who attended were so sweet. Thank you to all who made the event so successful, especially the Women’s Ministry team.

Sunday, I was blessed to wake up to two boys giving two of the most special gifts I have ever received.

The first was a book from BigGuy. He wrote it himself (with a little help from his teacher). The title is “These are the Top 10 Reasons Why I Love You, Mom!” Here is what it said (in his spelling).

10. I love my mom because she takes me to the Betanicle Gardons (Botanical Gardens).

9. I love my mom because she helps me reach things that are to (too) high.

8. I love my mom when she makes me laugh by tickling me.

7. I know my mom cares because she gives me a band aid when I am hurt.

6. I know my mom is smart because she knows what 381 + 68 is.

5. I love my mom because she taught me how to play baskitball (basketball).

4. I love to hear my mom say “I love you.”

3. I love my mom because she finds time to play tennis.

2. I love my mom because she works so hard at making a good breafast (breakfast).

1. I love my mom because she is the best mom ever!

Tears welled up in my eyes as I read the very affirmations I so often want to hear.

Then, Bird gave me his gift.

He gave me a piece of green construction paper. On it, he had drawn a detailed road, made a bridge out of Silly Putty and gave me a pink, Minnie Mouse Hot Wheels car to drive on it. “I know you will love playing with this, Mom,” he said!

Oh, the wonders of motherhood!

Hope your weekend was wonderful, too!

A Mother's Prayer

Dear Sweet Friends in Blogland,

May your day be as special as each of you are!  May you find comfort in the fact that God made you specifically for this time and this place, to love with the love that only He can give.  God will reach others with a mother's love through you, therefore making you a mom to everyone you meet.

So, Happy Mother's Day!

One of the greatest ways that we can share God's love with those around us is by praying for them.  I hope you enjoy this mother's prayer as much as I do.  Have a great weekend!

Celebrating Nature

I took BigGuy and Bird to see Disney’s movie, Earth, on Sunday. If you haven’t taken time to see this fascinating nature documentary, I highly recommend it. You can click here to learn more about it.

As the boys and I watched close-up video of flowers budding, waterfalls rushing, and animals migrating, I was overwhelmed with emotion. (I still don’t think BigGuy and Bird understood why I was crying during parts of the movie.) Even though the movie never mentioned that God created this earth, I couldn’t watch it without thinking of Him. Seeing all the intricacies with which He created us made me desire to walk with God in His glorious creation, taking in all the sights and sounds with only Him.

Yesterday, I finally did.

After dropping both boys at school, I put my walking shoes on and ventured out to the nearest park. For thirty minutes, I walked, prayed, looked, smelled, and heard the sounds of God’s beautiful creation. I watched animals scurry through the brush. I heard birds calling in the air. I smelled honeysuckle and freshly cut grass. I drank it all in. I savored the special time with my Creator.

Today, I want to encourage you to see, smell, touch, and hear the marvelous creation that God made just for you. Take time to leave your busyness, your suburbia, your house and step into the world of nature. You will be amazed at not only the creation, but the Creator, as well.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

(Parental Note:  FYI, the movie, Earth, does contain some scenes that show animal predators chasing and catching their prey.  The scenes however, are not gruesome in nature.)

It's a Grace Day

Thank you to all my friends in Blogland for extending grace to me today. I am exhausted and need some rest. I will happily return with a new post on Wednesday.

In the mean time, let's rest securely in these words of Psalm 121.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

The Recipe Rescuers Receive Their Reward

It is May 1st, which means I am announcing my Recipe Rescue Winners!

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed their ideas.  I enjoyed having new things to try, as well as a reason to encourage my family to eat a few bites of everything. 

First off, let me also say that Hubby and I enjoyed all the recipes.  I will definitely make them again.

Fair is fair, however, and I promised I would reward the recipes that my "entire" family would eat.

So, drum roll please!!!!!

The winners of the Recipe Rescue Contest are Alicia's "Tacos with Shredded Beef" and Laura's "Italian Marinated Grilled Chicken."  If both of you would please click on the "Contact Me" button at the top of the blog, and email me your preference for the $10 gift card (Target, Panera, or Starbucks), I will put those in the mail as quickly as I can.

Now, as a reward to the rest of my friends in Blogland, I am sharing the easiest cake recipe ever.  My friend, Karen, shared this with me.  It was originally published in a Frito Lay Company cookbook.

If you are like me, you won't believe it works until you try it yourself.  I'll warn you however, that when you do bake it, it will become a family favorite.  Yes.  My entire family eats it.

Diet Soda Cake

Mix one chocolate cake mix with one can diet soda (I prefer Diet Coke).  Mix well.  Place in greased cake pan.  Sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips on top.  Bake according to package directions.

Yep.  That's all there is to it. 

Enjoy!  Have a great weekend!

My Behavior Modification Plan

After weeks of ongoing bickering and fighting between BigGuy and Bird, I finally implemented a behavior change plan for them. (Having a degree in clinical psychology sometimes works to my advantage.)

Each week, as part of the process, along with keeping hands to themselves and saying kind words, BigGuy and Bird are required to memorize a Bible verse regarding their behavior. (This week’s is about obeying your parents. It is definitely my favorite!) By memorizing Truth, hopefully, BigGuy and Bird will learn that loving behavior is not just a requirement from their parents, but from God, too. I also know that you cannot take away thoughts and behaviors without finding a suitable replacement for them.

I guess God thought I needed a reminder in this area, too.

Yesterday, as I was reviewing the boys’ chart with them, I suddenly heard my conscience shouting loud and clear. It simply kept saying, “But what about your behavior, Kristen? What about the times that you react in anger to them and to Hubby?”

Ouch!

Sometimes conviction is very hard for me to hear. However, after the last few days, I knew I needed it.

Unfortunately, as a wife and a mother, I often find myself swimming in the midst of angry and hurt feelings. Children not obeying, schedules changing, too many things to do are just a few of the instigators. Rather than attempting to divert my irate response to these triggers, I instead rationalize that I deserve not only to feel angry, but also to act out that anger in sometimes damaging ways. Ways that do not benefit anyone.

This is the trap I found myself in yesterday when my conscience pierced my reality.

As I tried to figure out how to combat the anger I often find myself in, I looked at BigGuy and Bird’s behavior chart. I found a simple answer right on the page – Bible Verse Memorization.

This simple insight caused me to try own behavior modification plan.

This is the plan. Each time I feel anger brewing, I am going to try to count to ten before verbally responding to Hubby, BigGuy, or Bird. I also am memorizing a Bible verse each week which focuses on my target behavior. (I have them posted on a card by my kitchen sink.) When thinking my angry thoughts, I am going to learn to replace them with God’s truth. I am hoping that this helps me realize that responding in anger does not show love to those I love.

Here are my verses for the next two weeks.

“Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

“[S]He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but [s]he who is quickly-tempered exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29).

I truly believe that I may need more than two verses for this to sink in. I know that old behaviors die hard.

If you wouldn’t mind, I would love to hear any verses you may think would be helpful. Leave them in the comment section and I will add them to my card by the sink. You are welcome even to memorize them with me, if you like.

Concert #2

I was blessed mightily this past weekend as I attended "The United Tour" concert featuring Michael W. Smith and Stephen Curtis Chapman.  These two singer/songwriters have been a part of my Christian walk since high school.  Seeing them, worshipping with them, and experiencing their faith testimonies is something I will never forget.

Here were my two favorite songs from the concert.  I hope you enjoy them, as much as I did.

How Are You Sitting?

In spite of a sore throat and throbbing headache, I attended a concert with Hubby Wednesday night. It was held at one of St. Louis’ premiere hot spots for small concerts. I knew that I would enjoy the main act since I have heard his songs playing in my Hubby’s car many times. I wasn’t prepared however, for what would happen during the opening act.

Hubby and I sat listening to the band which consisted of a bluesy female lead, an electric guitar playing male, and a drum slapping female. The singer’s voice impressed us. Many cheered and whistled.

I sat in silence however, as I heard her sing her debut single.

This clearly gifted singer emotionally rang out about her misunderstanding of God’s love, and that if testing was part of the life He wished on her, then she no longer wanted anything from Him. She went even so far as to use a popular Bible verse that Jesus used with Peter in Matthew 16:23, and asked Jesus to get away from her instead.

As I said before, I sat there silent.

Yet, I did not sit there horrified that this singer would say such words.

Instead, I sat there longing to run up to her and to tell her the truth that God loved her and that even through such difficult times, He was still carrying her every step of the way. I wanted to scream and tell her that God loved her so much that He sent His only Son on her behalf, so that one day, she could leave this difficult thing she called life and live forever with her real Father.

Instead, I sat silent.

I realized that while some concerts allow crazy fans to run up to the front of the stage and yell at the band, this was not one of them.

So, I sat silent amidst the cheering, the whistling, the clapping, and I prayed!

I sat praying for God to send someone, anyone, who knew the real truth about God, to cross this young singer’s path.

I sat silent realizing that this young woman was just one of many more who we need to reach with the Gospel.

I sat praying for God to send me, tiny little me, to cross someone’s path, maybe even hers.

I sat praying that when I did, I would not sit silent.

Today, I simply ask you…

How are you sitting?

Comforted, So We Can Comfort, Kinda?

Monday was a very trying day for me. I began the day with a long “to do” list, including some errands I agreed to run for Hubby. I planned on dropping BigGuy off at school and then completing the items staring at me on my list.

First stop, grocery store. After picking out my cart and grabbing the list out of my purse, I heard below me, “Carry me, Mommy. I don’t want to walk.” I quickly offered Bird a luxurious ride in the store's “truck” carts. He would have nothing of it. He only insisted, “Carry me.”

Well, if you happened to see me that day, you saw a frustrated mom, holding a forty-three pound five-year old, wearily pushing a cart full of groceries. Quite a funny sight to others, I’m sure. To me, it was a well-planned morning heading for “can’t get anything done quickly” land. However, I kept on going.

Bird kept sadly looking in my eyes. Rather than taking a moment to talk with him, I simply kept telling him, “You’re okay. You can make it.” After all, I believed he just wanted to thwart my efforts in an attempt to go home and play instead.

I have to applaud Bird because he completed the rest of the errands with me in spite of my lack of compassion, (like he really had a choice in the matter). He stuck it out and we finally arrived home.

Only then, did I begin to feel guilty as I saw Bird lying on the couch, not even playing.

I went over to him, (after putting the groceries away, of course) and asked him why he was so grumpy. He sadly looked up at me and simply said, “My throat and head really hurt.”

Ugh! The guilt monster arrives again.

Please tell me that I am not the only one who can become so focused on what I perceive my needs are that I forget that those around me have needs, too?

I am so thankful that my Father God forgives me each time I put my needs and plans in front of His and others'.  He is so good to comfort me with His unconditional love.

I also asked Bird for forgiveness that day and promptly found some Tylenol, a blanket, and a book to read to him. Thankfully, he forgave me and was doing much better, too.

The funny thing is…guess who woke up yesterday morning with a headache and a sore throat?

You guessed it!

Well, I better get going now. I hear someone yelling, “Come on Mom, we have things to do!”  So much for the headache and sore throat!

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

A Perfect House? No, But Maybe a Perfect Home!

Recipe Rescue Update: First, I wanted to thank everyone who submitted recipes for my Recipe Rescue contest. I am so excited to try them, but I have one problem, now. My oven decided to go on the fritz and is not staying at a consistent temperature. While the repairman was here on Friday, my oven vacillated between 310 and 380 degrees, when set at 350 degrees. (This explained the burnt black crust on my French toast casserole from Wednesday.) Thankfully, I am getting it fixed this coming Friday. So, here is what I am going to do in the meantime. I will try the slow cooker and non-baking recipes this week, and wait to try the oven recipes next week. Then I will officially announce the winner on Friday, May 1^st. Please check then for your name and recipe to be announced!

Now, for today’s thoughts:

I don’t know about you, but in today’s world of HGTV and Martha Stewart’s “Living” Magazine, I find myself looking at all that is wrong with my house. My house looks nothing like the perfectly straightened, wonderfully decorated homes shown in these television shows and magazines.

Just today, I perseverated on the following:

Chips of paint off my walls, especially on the corners.

A dark pattern of fingerprints going down the hall and stairwell.

A huge indentation in the kitchen linoleum.

Dust so thick on my furniture that BigGuy and Bird made smiley faces on them.

Mud specks on the carpet thanks to the muddy shoes from Saturday’s soccer game.

Toys, books, and colored pictures scattered in all the rooms.

Then, I happened to read this, and I realized that not all houses need to look like a television show or magazine. Some just need to be a home!

Here’s to all my fellow moms:

“Excuse this House”

Some houses try to hide the fact that children shelter there.

Ours boasts of it quite openly, the signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the window, little smudges on the door.

I should apologize, I guess, for toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children and we laughed and played and read.

And if the doorbell doesn’t shine, their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I’m forced to choose the one job or the other,

I want to be a housewife, but first I’ll be a mother.

-Author Unknown

Recipe Rescue Part 2

A huge thank you to Tracey, TerryL, Lori, Mom2, Laura, and Mom for your recipe ideas. This weekend I will make my menu plan for the next two weeks and include your recipes. I cannot wait to try them. They all sound wonderful, at least to me. I will announce the results next week.

For any other sweet blog readers who would like to submit a recipe and try to win a $10 gift card to Starbucks, Target, or Panera Bread, I will leave the Recipe Rescue contest open until Sunday at noon. So, please leave your recipe in the Comments section below.

Since you were all so kind to leave your recipes with me, I thought I would share my family's favorite breakfast recipe with you. It originates from the cookbooks of Paula Deen. I hope your family loves it as much as mine does. You may want even to try it this weekend!

Have a blessed Friday!

Now, for the recipe:

Gorilla Bread

½ cup granulated sugar

3 teaspoons cinnamon

½ cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

One 8-ounce package cream cheese

Two 12-ounce cans refrigerated biscuits (10 count) (not “flaky” kind)

1 ½ cups coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over low heat, stirring well; set aside. Cut the cream cheese into 20 equal cubes. (You will have to use your math skills here.) Press the biscuits out with your fingers and sprinkle each with ½ teaspoon of cinnamon sugar. Place a cube of cream cheese in the center of each biscuit, wrapping and sealing the dough around the cream cheese. Sprinkle ½ cup of the nuts into the bottom of the bundt pan. Place half of the prepared biscuits in the pan. Sprinkle with half of the cinnamon sugar, pour half of the melted butter mixture over the biscuits, and sprinkle on ½ cup of nuts. Layer the remaining biscuits on top, sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar, pour the remaining butter mixture over the biscuits, and sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of nuts. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Place a plate on top and invert. Serves 12-16.

Recipe Rescue

Okay, friends in Blogland. I desperately need your help!

Try as I might to prepare and place nutritious and yummy dishes on my family’s dinner table nightly, I have hit a culinary roadblock. I cannot seem to find anything that all four of us delight in eating, except for breakfast foods. And while I enjoy breakfast foods for dinner, I cannot in good conscience serve breakfast two times a day, seven days a week.

I have come to the place where I completely understand why some parents fix four different meals for their family just to ensure that everyone eats. However, I am not willing to cave to this practice…yet.

So, I am asking you to come to my rescue.

Please, please, please take a moment and share with me a family-friendly recipe. I am desperate!

And…for the person who shares the recipe that my entire family will eat, you will receive your choice of a $10.00 Starbucks, Target, or Panera Bread gift card!

I cannot wait to see your recipes and to try each one.

I will keep you up to date on our progress and on what the others will eat or not eat.

Now, I am on my way to fix what else? Breakfast!

Have an awesome day!

Where Did Easter Go?

As I sit down to write today’s blog post, I am remembering yesterday’s celebration of Easter, the day we celebrated the resurrection of our Redeemer and Savior, Jesus Christ. I loved the extra pomp with which we sang in church with the trumpets playing loudly, accentuating our every “Alleluia.” I loved our pastor’s shout of “He is risen,” and our even louder response of “He is risen indeed, Alleluia.”

I just loved the feeling of Easter!

Yet, today, as I look at my long “to do” list, I feel different. I seem to have already forgotten the feeling of the resurrection power we celebrated a mere twenty-four hours ago. Instead of remembering that the same power with which Jesus rose from the dead is available to me in my daily tasks, I sit fretting over the impossibility of getting everything done. Instead of feeling the Holy Spirit is guiding me, I sit paralyzed and wondering which chore I should begin first. Instead of feeling excited as I praise my sweet Jesus for giving His life for me, I sit feeling frustrated over the life which I have to live today.

So I sit and ask myself, “Why on one day can I feel the power of Jesus in my life and then so easily not feel it the next day? Where did my Easter go?”

Then, in the quietness, the answer clearly sounds in my heart.

“Easter is not a feeling. Easter is truth!  And truth does not change based on our feelings. Truth is the same no matter what our emotions tell us.  Listen to the truth."

After all, Truth tells me that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow” (Hebrews 13:8).

Truth tells me that “My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Truth tells me that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Truth tells me that Easter is today, tomorrow and the day after.

Truth tells me that I don’t have to feel it.

Truth tells me that it stands, no matter what.

Now, that is something I can feel good about! :o)