Easter Sunday 2010. While I may not be as good at attending church like I should, and want to, I do NOT miss Christmas or Easter services.
This year proved to be an exception.
I got sick last night. The *worst* kind of sick for me...nausea. So I was not able to make it to this Sunday's Easter Service.
D took the kids and while I was so thankful at least they were going, I felt so incredibly excluded. Why? Because on this weekend, of all weekends, when we should feel the most gratitude for everything we have in this world...I didn't get to go celebrate for THE thing I am MOST grateful for. My family.
I DID start feeling better and we DID spend the day together, but I really missed not being able to go with them this morning.
Do they feel as lucky for the family I feel lucky for? Did they miss me being at church this morning? Was I way over-dramatizing this? Ya think?... . (Who me?!).
In all seriousness, I did miss going with them. So I did the next best thing. Found a church service on television and watched it and opened my mind and ears to the message He wanted me to hear.
It was on encouragement. He said of all the things that have ever happened in this world, what could be more encouraging than the fact He already erased all our sins by His act. Also, more encouragement...He actually rose from the dead. Not as a ghost. As HIM. He did everything He said He would do.
And here's the kicker...He did it all for us and that made me feel somehow silly for being pouty as my family walked out the door. Because they were coming back in about an hour. Many people have lost sight of what is important in their lives OR worse, place their importance on material things. The only thing we have to do is recognize these things and embrace them.
So, even though I started out this Easter Sunday selfishily pouting because I didn't get to go to church with my family, I'm ending it knowing I'm able to give Him back a gift today also. I will be the best person, wife, mom, friend I can possibly be to these people He placed in my life because He trusted me to do just that when He blessed me with them. And I don't want to let Him, them OR myself, down by giving any less than I should. And when I need encouragement to do more, I'll remember what He did for us.
Happy Easter.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Tutto è possibile
The prelude to Easter weekend … Good Friday. Aside from what should be the very obvious meaning (aheemmm...a certain Someone going through a great deal for both you and I)...how is it good to you? Now, if you believe - if you really do believe (and this doesn't mean you are the type who walks around proclaiming it all the time, it means you believe) put the two [today + you] together. Meaning: What He went through today so we could have everything. Both here while we are on earth (He's given us numerous gifts beyond measure) and once we are done here on earth (eternity...again, pretty darn generous).
How did this originate in what probably seems like my crazy brain? I'm sitting here in between making calls for work and waiting for the eggs to get to room temperature in the other room so I can boil them. Odd combination isn’t it? Work. Eggs. Good Friday. And here’s when my brain went all ‘do-you-know-how-lucky-you-are?’ on me. Stay with me here...
My kiddos are out of school today, being that it’s Good Friday. They don’t have to go to childcare. Or a babysitter. They get to stay in their own home, play, color eggs and relax. All while I get to work. I did run to the store earlier to actually get the eggs to color and it’s because I have a job with a flexible schedule I got to do it. This job comes with extreme gratitude to someone who did not have to give it to me. It could have gone to anyone. But, because he’s a friend, he offered it to me (probably had something to do with the fact he knew I could do it also, but regardless…!).
I’ve worked hard at making sure my boss (which he hates me calling him) knows I’m thankful for the opportunity bestowed upon me (and as a result, my family). Then yesterday, something happened that made me realize once again, some people aren’t as thankful for what they have. They can be greedy. Selfish. And take advantage of gracious people who do nothing but treat them RIGHT.
Why? Because it’s easy to do. I’ve been there. I’ve taken advantage of people before (no, not on purpose) and it’s for some reason it's easy to do to those closest to us. They put up with a whole lot more than ‘mere’ acquaintances would. And as a result of them being close, it hurts them a lot more since the abusive behavior is coming from someone they care about. I think it almost becomes a pattern. "Well, if you're gonna put up with it, I'm gonna stay on this track."
While I’ve unfortunately taken advantage of people (as unintentional as it may have been), I’ve also been taken advantage of. For some reason, I get so mad when I see someone I care about being taken advantage of vs. when I have it happen to ME. Why is that? I look back on when I did it and it’s sickens me. Seriously. How could I have been so narcissistic that I didn’t notice? I try to be cognizant about this every day now.
So this Easter weekend reminds me tutto è possibile. It’s a time of rebirth, if you choose it. Of how anything at ALL is possible if you believe. It’s a Good Friday to remember that. Remind ourselves not to take advantage or take for granted what and who we have in our lives. And Who made it all possible in the first place. If you do believe then you can't deny He is watching and waiting for us to wake up and have gratitude. Take a good look (:::I say to myself:::) and say Thank You for helping me change for the better. It was a choice. Yes, anything is possible. Just look at me.
How did this originate in what probably seems like my crazy brain? I'm sitting here in between making calls for work and waiting for the eggs to get to room temperature in the other room so I can boil them. Odd combination isn’t it? Work. Eggs. Good Friday. And here’s when my brain went all ‘do-you-know-how-lucky-you-are?’ on me. Stay with me here...
My kiddos are out of school today, being that it’s Good Friday. They don’t have to go to childcare. Or a babysitter. They get to stay in their own home, play, color eggs and relax. All while I get to work. I did run to the store earlier to actually get the eggs to color and it’s because I have a job with a flexible schedule I got to do it. This job comes with extreme gratitude to someone who did not have to give it to me. It could have gone to anyone. But, because he’s a friend, he offered it to me (probably had something to do with the fact he knew I could do it also, but regardless…!).
I’ve worked hard at making sure my boss (which he hates me calling him) knows I’m thankful for the opportunity bestowed upon me (and as a result, my family). Then yesterday, something happened that made me realize once again, some people aren’t as thankful for what they have. They can be greedy. Selfish. And take advantage of gracious people who do nothing but treat them RIGHT.
Why? Because it’s easy to do. I’ve been there. I’ve taken advantage of people before (no, not on purpose) and it’s for some reason it's easy to do to those closest to us. They put up with a whole lot more than ‘mere’ acquaintances would. And as a result of them being close, it hurts them a lot more since the abusive behavior is coming from someone they care about. I think it almost becomes a pattern. "Well, if you're gonna put up with it, I'm gonna stay on this track."
While I’ve unfortunately taken advantage of people (as unintentional as it may have been), I’ve also been taken advantage of. For some reason, I get so mad when I see someone I care about being taken advantage of vs. when I have it happen to ME. Why is that? I look back on when I did it and it’s sickens me. Seriously. How could I have been so narcissistic that I didn’t notice? I try to be cognizant about this every day now.
So this Easter weekend reminds me tutto è possibile. It’s a time of rebirth, if you choose it. Of how anything at ALL is possible if you believe. It’s a Good Friday to remember that. Remind ourselves not to take advantage or take for granted what and who we have in our lives. And Who made it all possible in the first place. If you do believe then you can't deny He is watching and waiting for us to wake up and have gratitude. Take a good look (:::I say to myself:::) and say Thank You for helping me change for the better. It was a choice. Yes, anything is possible. Just look at me.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Love is...
Yes, second post of the day but I'm copying this from a friend (thanks NR) because I REALLY like it a-lotta-lot.
Love is a temporary madness.
It erupts like an earthquake
and then subsides.
And when it subsides
you have to make a decision.
You have to work out
whether your roots have become so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness,
it is not...
excitement,
it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love"
which any of us can convince ourselves we are.
Love itself is what is left over
when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Your mother and I had it,
we had roots that grew towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossom
had fallen from our branches
we found that we were one tree and not two.
~ Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Love is a temporary madness.
It erupts like an earthquake
and then subsides.
And when it subsides
you have to make a decision.
You have to work out
whether your roots have become so entwined together
that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness,
it is not...
excitement,
it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.
That is just being "in love"
which any of us can convince ourselves we are.
Love itself is what is left over
when being in love has burned away,
and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Your mother and I had it,
we had roots that grew towards each other underground,
and when all the pretty blossom
had fallen from our branches
we found that we were one tree and not two.
Peace...Finally
What a 35 lap "Fun Run" at school does to a 6 year old (almost 7 year old!).
You did good my sweet Belle!
We'll forget about the little tantrum that happened just prior to this peaceful moment. :::sigh::::
You did good my sweet Belle!
We'll forget about the little tantrum that happened just prior to this peaceful moment. :::sigh::::
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