Wisdom Pondered

As I swing in the hammock on a beautiful day...I churn over a recent discussion...and ponder what I learned a few weeks ago. As much as I do strive for Godly wisdom in my life, it seems that situations continue to show my selfish ambition...I am irritated to the core!

And all it produces is disorder, confusion, disunity, quick-sharp-defensive words.  Not what I want for myself...and those I call sisters in Christ. 

 Thankfully, the book of James tells me that,  "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. "....so, back at square one...I seek it.

James 3 says that wisdom is PURE...untainted by self.  It's PEACEABLE...desires and contributes to peace.   Godly wisdom is GENTLE...not weak...but strength under control.  Not hasty or harsh...but patient with all others.

Wisdom is OPEN TO REASON.  (When I see red...I'm far from logical!)  Wisdom is full of MERCY...ready to forgive....NOT PARTIAL...but treating everyone and every situation the same.  Wisdom is GENUINE and SINCERE.

No more empty talking for me...

"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips."  Psalm 141:3

Dear Lord, I want to be grounded in Your wisdom.  I want to be known as a girl who opens her mouth with kindness...Please supply wisdom for my mouth and mind...moment by moment.  Help me not to point to self...but only look to You!  ~Amen

TERMINAL illness

I've been having some tests run...hopefully nothing serious...just some stomach troubles. But, being a rather morbid soul, I find myself considering what if...I only had a year left to live...what if it's...TERMINAL.

And then...it hit me...we're all terminal!  My life here on earth is very temporary.  In fact, the flowers in my garden remind me of Psalm 103:15-17, 

"As for man, his days are like grass;
         As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,
         And its place acknowledges it no longer.

But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him."

One of my dearest friends reminded me not worry about what I can't change...and that's a good point.  I teasingly snarked back that I wasn't worrying, I was musing!  The truth is...I want to have an eternal perspective about...EVERY day.  Cuz, it could be my last!

The sheer fact that I will give an account of my time to the LORD...should be a sobering thought..."Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Eph. 5:15-17

When I walk around thinking...TERMINAL...I find that I'm better at walking worthy...which I recently discovered means "having equal weight"...meaning that my calling and conduct are in balance.  I'm more able to be humble (not focused on self), gentle (choosing my words with care), and patient (able to look with love at the persons irritating me)!

SO, these are your last days...life is a but a fleeting vapor.  How are you living? 

If TERMINAL causes you to fear...may I ask...do you know for sure where you are going after this life is over? 

"For the wages of sin is death (eternal death in HELL), but the free gift of God is eternal life (IN HEAVEN) in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 6:23 (Emphasis mine)

Five Minute Friday: Brave!

BRAVE...

...how utterly appropriate.  My reason for not blogging lately...is that I'm feeling chicken.
There's vulnerable and then...there's vulnerable.

Deep Breath...be BRAVE!  I went to a woman's retreat...and it was wonderful.  AND, it was AWFUL.  There were some things in me that needed to be crushed.  I bawled through a couple of sessions...me the NONE public crier.  I don't even like admitting that I cried here online!  HA!  Generally, if I'm crying in public you can bet I'm TICKED OFF...but as the speaker said, "God had a hold of my gizzard and was squeezing me!"  In the best possible way...of course.

The theme was "Be grounded..."  Eph. 3:14-15.  Some points that hit me...Grace...a godly plant doesn't plant itself...the planting and placement of my life is in accord with His purpose.  No looking at the other plants.  Any growth that I have...is SUPERnatural.  I need to make good choices.  To dig...and enrich the soil around me.  She talked about signs of misplaced TRUST...phrases like, "I think....I feel..."  OUCH!  It shows a misdirected allegiance. 

Then I picked two seminars that about undid me...One on Ann Judson...which again, I cried my way through! Her life is amazing...and her attitude was such a challenge.  I left feeling about 2 inches tall.  Humbled.

The other seminar was called Characteristically Speaking...and I couldn't see the speaker cuz it was so packed.  That's a good thing...cuz I probably would have turned pale and passed out if she'd looked right at me while speaking.  Why?  Cuz, she was talking about ME!  She talked about the power of each woman's influence in the spirit of the church.  She said, "You will only grow as much as you're willing to change."  She talked about our words...how when it says that certain words are an abomination...it means it makes God sick.  She talked about SO many things...better for another post.  BUT...I left there with things I needed to fix...and get right with other people.  UGH!

Now that I'm home I gained some spiritual courage....was BRAVE...and dealt with stuff.  God is happy...and so am I!

I could go on...but my five minutes is up.  Maybe, now that I've been BRAVE...I'll share more later.

Green Hodgepodge!

Source Pinterest

 

1. St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated this coming Saturday...what's a favorite article of clothing you own that contains a touch o' the green?

I have a cashmere spring green cardigan that's perfect...I wear it every year.

2. What's a favorite 'green space' in the town, state, or province where you live?

I've been enjoying the green springing up all around in my own yard. 

3. Do you wish you were taller, shorter, or think you're just about right in the height department?

I'm barely 5 foot...and although I have my moments where I wish I could reach things without a stool or assistance...I generally am happy with how God made me!

4. What's the surest way for someone to pick a fight with you?

Be critical of my children.

5. Broccoli-Spinach-String Beans-Peas...of the four, your favorite green veg? (Or the one you dislike the least if that first option's too hard. I just know there's some veggie haters out there.)

Broccoli...roasted in the oven with EVOO, garlic and a few shots of soy sauce.  YUMMO!  I like all the veggies though...just thought I'd say that!

6. March is National Women's History Month...besides friends, neighbors and the women you're related to, who's a woman in history you admire and why?

Ann Judson...I just attended a seminar at the woman's retreat on her amazing life.  Much of it was in her own words...from her numerous journals and letters.  What an amazing woman of God...the young wife of the first American missionary, Adoniram Judson.

7. Keep Calm and ____________on.

The funniest one I've seen is...KEEP CALM  Seriously?  IN THIS HOUSE?  I also like, Keep Calm and MAKE COFFEE...cuz well, coffee doesn't calm me down!!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
 I've been recuperating from illness...and my daffodils have been blooming...so I thought I'd leave you all with the last stanza of William Wordsworth's poem,

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wordsworth

Five Minute Friday: Empty...

EMPTY... ready, set, go...

As I begin to lift out of my pneumonia fog...I realize that although the fridge was EMPTY of food and the dressers EMPTY of clean clothes...God has been faithful to me and my family for a week of me being down.  I have a most awesome Loverbrains...who has let me sleep LONG and DEEP...with no guilt but only total loving care.

And as I change things...from EMPTY to full...my stamina battery wants to drop to EMPTY most unexpectedly.  I feel frustrated...but try to remember God's character...and how if I depend on Him, I will get done what truly needs to get done.

And when I feel my most EMPTY of the day...

I grab my camera...and capture my blessings...

and my heart is full again.   STOP.

Frumpy Friday

Psalm 119:76, "Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant."

 

I'm feeling very shlumpa dinka today.  I plan to pick Emma up from Kindergarten in my sweats, no make up and slippers.  Hopefully, I don't have to get out of the van!  Har har! 

I finally gave in and admitted that I felt awful enough to go to immediate care yesterday.  Turns out that I have walking pneumonia...which I think means that I'm just too stubborn to lie down...So, I am not allowed to do anything strenuous...fine by me...

I usually participate in Five Minute Friday and Caffeinated Randomness...but writing about "ACHE" did NOT appeal...since the only thing that aches is me...and although I could go to a deeper heart level on that prompt, I just don't have the brain for it today.  I'm also not able to taste anything...so, even coffee randomness isn't happening!  *Sigh*

SO, I looked at my old Springtime pictures...and found these cuties from three years ago.  What sweet babies!!

It's TRUE...time does go by SO fast!  Hopefully, today and this weekend will be a great opportunity to slow down and savor the moments with my Sweet Boobahs and Loverbrains!