The Sky is Blue

4/24 I am officially in the category of the self criticizing skin obsessed 40 something woman. I never thought I would be this way.  I thought I would be able to overlook the imperfections that come with age the same way I have always been kind to myself about my weight.  I rarely feel like I look like a hot mess, until lately.  Age, plus an extra 25 lbs, plus aging, is putting me into a funk. I can see lines everywhere.  What a bummer! I want my blinders back, I was happier that way! I know that if I lost weight I would feel better.  I know that no one else but me is obsessing over the circles under my eyes, or that wrinkle between my eyes.  Why are women so hard on themselves? If you figure it out, let me know.  And if you discover some magic potion that actually works, text me, fast. :)

Do you have one day of the week that just pushes you over the edge?? Mine is Tuesday, has been for years.  It just seems like every activity wants to land on Tuesday.   The kids have always had Youth Group, and Awana on Tuesday nights.  For some reason Hockey practice is always Tuesday night.  My foster son has visits with birth mom and his brothers, on Tuesdays! (which by the way, make him a bear in the evening, because they stir up so much anxiety and worry for him)  Oh, let's not forget the little ones have a minimum day on Tuesday every week. My husband joined a bowling league with his buddy, Tuesday Night.  Lacrosse Games, oh let's just schedule them for Tuesday.  Karate class, best done on a Tuesday!  Oy Vey! It never stops! I don't know about you, but I have yet to clone myself, bummer right? I can only drive one vehicle at a time, and I can't just drop off 6 year olds one place, then head to another, sooooooo where does that leave me? ...

I heard a very poignant message yesterday. It was from the book of James.  The focus of the message was trials, and what we do with them. There is no getting around it, they will come.  They always do.  They take all different forms, illness, finance, grief & loss, worry for a child, marriage trouble, wow, there are so many forms a trial can take.  I don't know many people who haven't struggled with at least one of those over the years.  Knowing they will come, whether we are ready or not, I guess the question is, what do you do with it? Trials have the potential to tear apart families, to destroy character, to make life seem hopeless.  They also have the potential to strengthen us, to build relationships, to learn to trust, to help others through our brokenness.  We will weather it, one way or another. Imagine looking your trial in the face, and being able to say, "I am ok. I can do this. I am going to come out on the other side of this, stron...

It is very quiet in my house this morning, that is unusual.  The little ones are off to school.  The teenager's are still sleeping, and the tween has a friend over, and is occupied. Praise the Lord for silence, it is a gift, though not given often.  For once I am not rushed to run someone somewhere, or feeling the pressure of a work deadline.  I am thinking about things like planting flowers, and going to a friends house for a knitting lesson. I love that life has so many interesting facets.  I love it even more when I have a breather, when I can think about the things that bring me joy, and fill up my spirit.  Creative things tend to do that for me.  When I have time to scrapbook, or design a piece of jewelry, when I have time to learn to knit, or get into a really good book.  Those are small pleasures that get ignored much of the time as I race about life.  We need darkness to appreciate the sun, we need cold to appreciate warmth, we need c...

It isn't about the bunny.  We do enjoy dying eggs, playing games, and eating chocolate & jelly beans for sure, but at least my older family members get it, it really is not about the bunny. We enjoyed a lovely day with family.  We had an incredible morning of church & worship.  We remembered.  The sacrifice our Lord made, coming to us in an "Earth Suit" (as our Pastor says), living among us, feeling every moment of pain, all so that we could be forgiven.  It is beyond comprehension. I am so grateful for the renewed energy, and optimism that has taken hold at Agoura Bible Fellowship.  Spring has brought us a new Pastor, and renewed hope. Happy Spring everyone!  I hope your life is graced with lily's and tulips, optimism, and cheer!