This One's For You, Babe!

This week at work has been absolutely insane for me.  I had a ton of reports to complete and not enough time in the day to get them done.  So, I ended up going in to work early, working through lunch, and leaving late every single day.  It was tough.  I don't want to sound like I'm complaining about my job because I really do enjoy what I do, but what I don't like is being away from my family for any longer than I have to be.  I also recognized that staying at work late was causing me to miss out on that time with my husband where we sit down to connect and talk about what happened in our day. 

Earlier in the week, I had planned for my grandparents to watch William today in hopes that my husband and I would get a little time to hang out together.  Unfortunately though, he had to study for an upcoming exam and I had to work from home for a few hours.  It seemed like today was going be another day of us not getting to spend time together, but I'm happy to say that I was wrong.  We actually went to eat breakfast at Chick-fil-A, which by the way has the best sausage, egg & cheese biscuit ever.  I know, going to eat breakfast at a fast food restaurant probably doesn't sound like the most exciting thing to do, but it turned out to be a lot of fun.  It was like a little breakfast date for us where we got a chance to connect, talk and laugh.  It was just what we needed.

My husband is always wonderful to me, but throughout this week he has been especially wonderful.  He did not complain one time about me having to work late, he took time away from his studying to bring me lunch at work one day because he knew I wouldn't have time to go out and get anything, he volunteered to pick up our son from daycare because he knew that I would need to work late a few nights, and he always greeted me with a smile, hug and kiss every evening when I got home.  For all of those things (and more), I am incredibly grateful to him for his love and support.  So, I'm dedicating this post to my husband.  This one is for you, babe!!  I love you.

One last thing before I go... After I finished working this afternoon, I felt like doing something a little creative, so I created this short slide show of some of my favorite pics of me and my husband.  Check it out!  I hope you like it.  :-)

In the Midst of It All

Since writing my last post, I've been thinking a lot about how wonderful it is to know that God is always with me.  Whether I'm happy or sad, stressed or calm, nervous or excited, He is there.  I remembered the words to a chorus that I wrote a few months ago, and I wanted to share it with you all.     

In the midst of it all

you are there for me.

When I stumble and fall

you will carry me.

Though times seem rough,

I've learned to trust

that you'll always be there for me,

in the midst of it all.

There are times when I feel like my world is spinning all around me and I just can't handle one more thing being thrown at me, but these words remind me that God is there with me in the midst of it all.  I do hope to finish this song one day, but in the meantime, here is a song that I've been listening to that has a very similar message.  It's called Be Still by Storyside: B.  To me, this song tells a great story of how things happen in life that don't make sense and how sometimes you just want to give up and call it quits, but don't!  Simply be still and know that He is God and He is there for you.  You are not alone. 

 

  

Footprints in the Sand

Since my last blog entry on July 7th, I’ve sat down many times to try and write something – something encouraging, inspiring or thought-provoking – but every time I tried to write, I had nothing.  No words to say and no words to write.  You see, my uncle passed away a couple of weeks ago.  He was just 53 years old.  As far as we know, he didn’t have any serious health issues, so his death came as a complete shock to both me and my family. 

At my uncle's memorial service, the gracious employees at the funeral home passed out these lovely pamphlets to everyone who came to pay their respects and offer their condolences.  The pamphlet was really well put together – it had a nice picture of my uncle, a list of all his family members, the 23rd Psalm and the famous poem, Footprints in the Sand.  I've read this poem many, many times in my life, but it took on a new meaning to me when I read it that day.
 
 

Footprints in the Sand

By Mary Stevenson

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you."

It's no doubt that my family and I are going through a rough time right now, and I sometimes wonder how we are going to make it through this difficult season.  But in reading this poem, a little glimmer of hope rises up within me – hope that God is with us and He is carrying us through.  It's so good to know that we are not alone. 

Cosmic Love

Have you heard of Florence and the Machine?  I'd heard of them before, but wasn't really drawn to their particular style of music....until today.  I happened to hear their song, Cosmic Love, on a show that I was watching, and I was in complete amazement.  Florence's vocals are piercing and haunting.  I just wanted to hear her voice again and again.  Check out the video to this song.  Now tell me, do you love it as much as I do?

I'm Free!

A couple of days ago, I got a bookmark in the mail from Joyce Meyer Ministries.  It has Ephesians 1:13 written on it, which says, "It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit."  When I first read this scripture, the word that jumped out at me was free.  I'm free!  I'm free to live, love, laugh, jump, dance, sing and be everything that God made me to be.  This beautiful bookmark really brightened up my day, and I just wanted to share it with you.

Hillsong sings a song called Free, which is so appropriate for today's post.  What I love most about this video is seeing the praise team jumping, dancing, singing and worshipping with complete abandonment.  Such a beautiful thing.  Check it out!