Joyfull Living

 Blogging during the child raising years was so much fun! There was always a little bit of adventure that peeked through raising 3 boys that made for great stories.  Blogging during the empty nest season is a bit more challenging! These days, routine and peace are the rhythms of our daily life. Daily life looks pretty much the same, day after day. But under the surface there is a change, a heartfelt change. Moments matter more deeply. Time spent with family becomes precious. Prayer time involves praying differently for adult children. Life celebrations are meaningful as they promise a hope and a future for many generations. Life matters at every stage.  The writing bug has hit me again. With a lifestyle that allows more time, it is crazy that I don't write more. Perhaps it is because it seems there is nothing extraordinary to share. But every day unfolds a story. Every moment matters and if paused and reflected on, lessons can be shared and moments captured that can outla...

  As all of our sons are now grown and on their own, I love the adult interactions we now have. On a recent visit with one son, he mentioned his legs were sore from working out. He shared this huge amount of weight he was able to squat and in comparison, I shared that week I used 20 pound weights (much lighter!) for Bulgarian squats.  We discussed the areas we were sore and the benefits of these squats. This exercise can be used to work the quads or the glutes.  I shared a tip my trainer gives to focus on what muscle group we want to work. Look eye level for squats, allow your eyes to travel down when hinging for glute work. "Oh, that makes sense", my son said. "Your body follows your eyes." I'm learning to use this method while working out, but how much powerful to put into practice for life applications. "Every day offers reasons to complain and reasons to give thanks. Your life will follow the one you choose." I saw this graphic and loved how it com...

Today, I'm joining up with Five Minute Friday, a fun writing opportunity to connect and share a quick thought on this week's theme "Path". For many years, when coming across a Scripture about 'paths', it turned into a prayer and desire to be led down God's open paths. Through the years of life which included, marriage, keeping a home, job, raising children and as they began to explore their own paths, seeking God and His paths became a vital part of life and prayer.  As God's Word reveals God's goodness and His ways, I want to be walking - living a lifestyle on the paths that He leads.  Some of my favorite 'path' verses include: Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day."   Psalm 25:4,  "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths,"  Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding; in all your way...

 Who knew something simple could erupt into something chaotic so quickly? A broken file cabinet forced us to purchase a new one. We found one online, ordered it and it arrived quickly with a do it yourself assembly book, complete with 24 part packages and 18 steps of instructions!  As we unpacked the items and compared with the instruction book, we realized a part was missing. Customer service was called, a replacement part was quickly received. Except, the screws did not fit into the holes on the replacement part. We tried again, received another part, same issue.  Meanwhile, the 24 packages of parts are spread out on my living room floor, customer service does not understand my issue, they asked for photos which were sent and now we are again, waiting for a part.  It seems every project faces the inevitable delay. My work place is undergoing a floor remodel. Upheaval, dust, packing, lots of inconvenience and depending on the work crew's schedule dictate the next fe...

 Friday favorites cause me to pause and look back on the week and pay attention to the blessings God brought. It is so easy to move so quickly from one day to the next oblivious to how good God has been. This week found us on the road to 2 routine doctor visits, each over an hour away. It shuffled our work schedules and several times through week, we had to pause and reflect what day it was! Friday arrived and I attended an early morning fitness class. Mornings are my favorite time of the day and sunrises always bring joy to my heart. When class was over, we observed a beautiful sunrise and took advantage of a fun photo opportunity!  Driving home, the sunrise was spectacular from the different angles. Pondering the beauty, I realized that clouds make a sunrise more glorious. Pure blue sky and bright sun are beautiful, but sprinkle some clouds in and the colors become more vivid and unique. In our lives, every day is not a bright sunshiny day. There are cloudy days, rainy days,...

"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 The journey to becoming A Woman After God's Own Heart begins with a heart devoted to God. Jesus told a story of 2 sisters - Mary and Martha. Jesus and His disciples arrived at the sister's home for a meal. Martha was consumed by the preparations of the event, the effort it took and the numerous details that this meal would entail. Jesus was coming - it had to be perfect! (I can so relate to her!). But, Martha failed to discern the priority and importance of time with God. Martha was so busy doing things FOR the Lord that she failed to spend time WITH Him.  But Mary chose the one thing needed, she put worship on the top of her to-do list. She chose the one thing needed. She knew nothing could take the place of time in God's presence. Time spent hearing and worshiping God can never be taken away, for it is time spent in eternal pursuits, time that earns perman...

 Today is the first Friday of the New Year. Being on holiday break, I returned to work yesterday, so it actually feels like a Tuesday!  But, a powerful habit to develop is to count our blessings and Friday seems like a great time to share some highlights from our week and some things I am loving.  On a trip over Christmas to visit our son, we enjoyed walking through Dahlonega, Georgia and seeing their beautiful Christmas light display. While browsing through the shops, we noticed an olive oil shop and wandered in. I discovered flavored balsamic vinegars! This was brand new to me and they offered samples of several flavors. We took home 2 bottles - pineapple and strawberry. All week the pineapple was used as a salad dressing and also a ham glaze. I'm excited to try more combinations and recipes with this. I will be sharing more about this soon!  Here's the link to the store:  Alpine Olive Tree and info on the benefits of balsamic vinegar. 

 Becoming a woman after God's own heart - isn't that a wonderful aspiration for the New Year? This has actually been a driving point for my life for many years. There is no 'attaining point' in this aspiration, but it is a journey filled with hope, times of discouragement and feelings of falling short, moments when life seems overwhelming, but there is always the vision that continually beckons.  When the opportunity to join a study on the book " A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George arose, I jumped on it! This book has been a source of inspiration in my life for many years. It truly shaped in my heart God's pattern for women and their roles as God's daughters, wives, mothers, friends etc. Is is a practical compass guided by God's Word to equip women to become all God created them to be.  Continuing with my January focus of Read, Write, Meditate, I'm challenging myself to read this book, keep a handwritten journal and post her...

 Happy New Year! Today is New Year's Day and it is a day with a quiet house and a quiet heart of reflection. Writing is a passion of mine, and this blog was created as a keepsake of life's cherished moments as well as a creative outlet for writing. Apparently, my aspirations fell short in 2024 as only 2 blog posts were written! Even though blog writing did not hit the priority list, through the year, several other disciplines impacted my life. Monthly focuses were marked and followed. A spiritual daily goal, a physical daily goal and a boundary to keep excesses in check were logged and checked or left unchecked each day for accountability.  January always brings the excitement of newness. For this month, my spiritual goal is to Read, Write and Meditate. Daily Scripture reading is a powerful habit for anyone to implement. Although this is an established habit in my life, often it is easy to read and simply go on with the day without the message becoming lodged in the heart...

 Don't you love it when things fit together to bring a little inspiration? Today was one of those days! A devotional this morning was titled "And Then Some" , bringing out that there is greatness in everyone, but it needs to be cultivated. The difference between the great and the mediocre, the powerful and the week, the remembered and the forgotten is to give it all you've got - and then some. The difference between average people and top people can be explained in those three words " And Then Some".   The top people did what was expected of them ... And Then Some. They were thoughtful to others, kind and considerate ... And Then Some. They met their obligations and responsibilities fairly and squarely ... And Then Some. They were good friends to the people in their lives ... And Then Some. They could be counted on in an emergency ... And Then Some. Three little words that can transform our society.  And Then Some.  Christians are called to be 'extra mi...

 It's been a while! I say that often between blog posts. But the truth is, a lot of changes occur between the spaces of time that I sit down to open up a piece of my life.  This little blog is such a special part of who I am. Although it is seriously neglected, it is fun to look back on posts from years ago and see the place and season of life I was in. Back in the early days of the blog, I was a stay at home mom with much free time and availability to capture life's simple moments.  As the years rush by, motives and intentions change. With the realization of how time flies, purposes and impact become priorities. What can I say or write that will make a difference? Daily life looks different in this season and the passion to encourage others has taken on a new and different look.  Each of us has our own unique set of priorities, values, desires and motives. But as women, we can identify a few connections. Most of us have a home, family and a precious place we can cre...

In every friendship or relationship, there is a common hope that they will grow and flourish. There is something inside of us that longs for a 'happy every after' story. We dream about it and work to make that happen. But in reality, relationships are a challenge. The bridging of values, lifestyles, interests and sacrificing for another are simply hard things to do! No matter how much we dream of the perfect fit, some relationships will not endure the stress.  When differences appear and tensions arise, prayer can change situations, attitudes and ourselves. For the Christian, we know God can transform, change, heal. We cannot change others, but prayer opens us the door for God to step in and answer. God desires transformation, but does not demand it. The gift of free will allows us to choose to say Yes or No to Him.  Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Take notice of the first two words: “If possible …” This implies that som...

I am a habit runner. Not a running fanatic, not a competitive runner, but one that knows if I don't run at all, the ability to run will vanish. A habit runner does the same things, the same way, almost every run! My routine consists of a regular running day with a regular running route. Part of the routine involves listening to podcasts.   Recently, I've been aware of the value of practicing stillness and quietness. There is always noise around us, but to find inspiration and soul searching, requires a deliberate attempt to find quiet times and places. A new practice I found was during morning walks, leaving the ear buds at home and simply walking and talking to God.   A recent morning found me preparing for a run, but with a new phone, the Bluetooth ear buds would not connect. The old fashioned wired ear phones would not fit in the new phone. Minutes passed trying to get this to work. The first thought was I cannot run without something to listen to, but this was ru...

  Sometimes, we just want a deeper peek into someone's life! I am all about the details, the more the better! When we learn things about others, we are bound to find a connection and share a common thread. That is how friendships deepen. It is a true joy to share an encouraging word for women here on the blog, but transparency and opening up real life experiences offer an avenue to connect deeper.  So, today is the first "This Is Me" ' post. A real life story from the week about the quest for beautiful hair! As I age, my grey hair seems to multiply! It is not a devastating issue, but one that is becoming a bit harder to control. For years I've used quick and easy products to cover the grey without doing anything permanent. This has worked for a long time. Then I moved to a semi-permanent solution and found a product I loved. Easy to use with great results. Now it is hard to find.  Stumbling upon a clearance rack this week, was a box of hair color in a beautiful s...

  I love jumping into new things! Something will capture my attention and I dive in, often without looking deeply into it or evaluating whether it will be useful for me. New things inspire me, new months, seasons, books etc.  An email came in from one of my favorite authors - Time Warp Wife . A ladies study was going on about "The 7 Virtues of a Proverbs 31 Woman." I immediately bought the book and joined the study! It didn't matter that I would already by 3 lessons behind, I saw it, liked it and joined in! Once the book arrived, I knew it would be better to slow down and start at the beginning. I set the book aside, but still receive the weekly emails. . Whatever week the study is on(!), the topic is  Resilience.  This is the ability to adapt to difficult or stressful situations, emerging stronger on the other side. A virtuous woman might not have the ability to solve her problems, but she has faith in the One Who does. She knows that every broken piece of her lif...

The week of June 9 - June 17, 1989 is a week forever etched in my story. It is where I experienced my greatest loss as well as the greatest gain in my life. Looking back even now, 34 years later, the variance of emotions from mourning to hope in the span of a few days still astounds me. But it is a story of God's grace that alone can bring tragedy to triumph.  The circumstances surrounded 2 of the most powerful influences in my life - my father and my husband. June 9, my father was tragically killed. Although I never doubted for a moment of his love for me, my father made some devastating life choices that brought painful consequences to his family. He gave me a lifetime of fatherly advice, but set an example before me of a path I would take great strides to avoid. Choosing a lifestyle of sin and darkness can quickly escalate and overtake ones life. Priorities, habits, relationships can be left behind to follow the irresistible call of addiction. As Father's Day weekend is appr...

What do you do when you hear a dear friend is sick or suffering?  Immediately, we want to help, to 'do' something. As we ponder ways we can offer help, perhaps our insecurity, feeling of being unprepared or ill equipped can paralyze us and we end up doing nothing.  We can make a difference in the lives of your loved ones when they need it most when you know how to help. But often, when we don’t know what to do, or what to say, we make the mistake of doing nothing at all. But it’s during those times that our presence or lack thereof is felt the most. When a friend is going through a challenging time, our acts of love and presence can bring healing and hope. Check out these 20 meaningful and practical ways to help a friend in need shared by Dr. Michelle Bengston:  Practical suggestions for helping a friend in need Ask your friend, “How can I most be of help to you today?” Pick up the phone and call to check in. Just leaving a cheerful voicemail letting her know you are thin...

 Romans 5:3-5  And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. This verse is part of my weekly Sunday School lesson. I'll be the first to admit in the past I have 'cherry-picked' this verse. Meaning I have taken the good parts and pondered them, and discarded the parts I don't like so much!  Perseverance, character; and character, hope : This is a golden chain of Christian growth and maturity. One virtue builds upon another as we grow in the pattern of Jesus.  Most every Christian wants to develop character and have more hope. These qualities spring out of perseverance, which comes through tribulation. We may wish to have better character and more hope without starting with tribulation, but that isn’t God’s pattern and plan. Three th...

  Belonging - the beautiful place where we know we are loved, valued and a place is made just for us. In every heart lies the desire to belong. Belonging fills the heart with peace, security and joy. Knowing there is a place we fit and are able to receive and contribute brings a sense of fulfillment. Belonging is our primary human need. Beyond food and shelter, nothing promotes human flourishing like having a people and place of belonging. When the peaceful feeling of belonging is challenged, our emotions can quickly rise up. The quest to belong fuels the intense reactions to whatever threatened our sense of belonging. Simple things such as being overlooked with an invitation, a thoughtless word aimlessly directed or distracted reactions from others can threaten the sense of belonging and quickly send us spiraling. Our emotions fill us with ways to react and if we are not careful can consume us and bring harm to relationships.  A better solution to treasure and cherish those...

A blank page - that is the first view of a new blog post. It has been a while since I have faced the blank page of my little blog! A blank page can bring a variety of emotions - emptiness, anxiety, pressure to perform or emotions such as inspiration, encouragement or simply bursting to share something. But there is always something fresh and exciting about the blank page of a New Year. Happy 2023! This is always a time in my life where inspiration and plans are formed and ready to be implemented for greater change. Aspirations may start strong, but alone do not make a difference. It takes consistency to create change. The changing or adding small habits is a key to great changes. A habit that has been beneficial in my life for many years is rising early. It began when the children were small and was the only pocket of time I had to myself. Through the years, mornings have become my favorite time of the day. Now that my husband and I are empty nesters, we go to bed early and rise early....