Friday, April 27, 2012

Slow Your Roll!

One day I hired a local teenager to cut the "mile high" grass on the front lawn of the house I’d moved into. When I pulled into the driveway I was very happy and satisfied to see how well the grass had been neatly cut and trimmed. Feeling very "outdoorsy" at the time I decided I would go out and further inspect the lawn work before going to the local grocery store to buy some cheerful flowers for my dining room table. As I walked around the far side of the house to my surprise there were four rose bushes that had borne beautiful pink roses, but to my dismay the blooms had already started to wither. I couldn't believe it! Here I was buying flowers at the store when I had even more lovely ones right under my nose. Sadly, I hadn't paid attention or taken the time out of my busyness to even notice that I had rose bushes!
Sometimes life can be so full of duties and distractions that we fail to notice God's beauty all around us. We have literally forgotten to "stop and smell the roses". God "gives us richly all things to enjoy" according to 1Timothy 6:17, but it's pretty difficult to do this if we are living our lives at lightning speed!
I challenge you to slow down, take time  and begin to take notice of all the wonderful things God has placed in your life. Take a journal, jot down why you are thankful for them and reflect on them when you begin feeling distracted or overwhelmed. Remember the moral of the Tortoise and the Hare story? Slow and steady wins the race!

Think about this...

Why do we spend so much time
Looking for time?
When the moment comes
We miss it
Looking the other way.
-Odetta Li

New Living Translation (NLT)
Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is. Psalm 39:4

Take time to ENJOY the weekend and the video:)

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Gray hair? Really??


                                                                    

Okay...yesterday I had 10 gray hairs on my head. TODAY I have like 27! Really God?? Is this really necessary? Something really happens after 40. Yes the body changes and gravity sets in. Personally I think God should exempt us women from gray hair all together. I mean we already get the sags, hot flashes and mood swings right? Why do the men get to look good when the gray starts coming out on their heads and faces? "Ohhhh he looks sooo distinguished!" Yeah whatever! Now granted--there are a few woman that look absolutely dope with gray hair. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be one of them. Nevertheless---I'm sure God has a purpose even for the gray hair in our life. This is my thought...

Gray
God gives gray
To remind us
That today is
One less
With eternity looming
Are you assuming?
That you’ve done all you could
Been all you should?
Gray hair
There
To remind us
To number our days
Finding ways
To glorify
The gray Giver.
~Odetta Li
Proverbs 16:31
“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.” (NIV)

Well okay...that's perspective. By the way...here's an interesting article:)
http://crazygata.hubpages.com/hub/What-to-do-about-this-gray-hair



Sunday, April 22, 2012

Shut up!

Shut Up
Shut up…
The words you say
When you don’t know
A better way
To say
Shut up

~Odetta Li

Yes-- I said these words to someone yesterday after finally reaching my boiling point We we're having a discussion..well not quite a discussion. It was just...DRAMA! I always feel badly after saying these words because I remember telling my children that these were unacceptable words to use. Neverless they came falling--no shooting out of my mouth. Why did I say them? Anger. Frustration. It doesn't matter. Word sting, hurt and can be damaging. I'm not perfect and I hate feeling that my tongue got the best of me--that time. It's in the past now and though the emotion was justified--the weaponry of the tongue was not. Sooo...I will apologize for that at least.

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


Saturday, April 21, 2012

Is your life feeling stale?

It's true...the past is behind you. You can choose to make the winter of your discontent a fading memory.Spring is here and so are new opportunities start fresh and proactively refocus your life. God has equipped you and you are well able to dream again. So...take a moment to breathe and enjoy the simplest pleasures of spring.

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19 ESV


Spring bud
So crisp and fresh
Waiting
Just waiting...
Bursts open!
With fragrant anticipation
It drinks in spring's waters
So alive
So alive!
~Odetta Li