Joyfull Living

Oh that dreaded feeling of disappointment.  Are you familiar with it?  It can be defined - " the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the nonfulfillment of one's hopes or expectations."   In my own life, I have found myself actually lowering my expectations in hope of avoiding being disappointed.  But, it doesn't work... disappointments can never truly be avoided, they are a fact of life for each of us.   Lowering expectations or seeking any other avenue to avoid disappointments is vain, but we do have a powerful option to face disappointment head on - our attitude and our faith.    Christians serve a Savior who has overcome the world.  God has given us His promises and has a plan for each of us.  He has also given us a free will to choose how we respond to life's situations and trials.  He has equipped us each with a measure of faith.  It is up to us whether we will choose to allow the disappointme...

Have you ever done the assignment where you describe yourself with one word?  One of my descriptions would be 'peace'.  Peace and peaceful surroundings keep me grounded.  I like people to be at peace around me and when things are not peaceful, I love to help bring peace to situations.    While loving peace, I hate confrontation.  I avoid it, run from it, steer clear and try to bring peace before it escalates.  But....conflict and confrontation are inevitable.  In fact, conflict can be found in the strangest places!  I once found myself on the receiving end of confrontation for simply calling someone to try to help a family member.  Ouch!!    Since confrontation will occur, it is important to be prepared for when that time comes.  The first response is often to guard our selves and respond with defensiveness and pride.  Sometimes... • We emphasize our strengths and make excuses for our weaknesses. Then w...

  Today is Grandparents Day!!  If you have grandparents, you know how special they are. I lost my grandparents when I was young and before I understood the blessing of wisdom, and love they can pass on. It is amazing the things we remember about our grandparents.  I remember sitting on the porch shelling acre peas, watching my grandma slice a tomato in front of the sink and eat it.  And, I will never forget her fried chicken!    My children have been blessed with several sets of grandparents.  They have had love lavished on them, godly wisdom spoken to them, learned hobbies and made memories through the years.    If you still have grandparents, make sure and wish them a Happy Grandparents Day and let them know how much they mean to you! GRANDPARENTS Grandparents bestow upon their grandchildren The strength and wisdom that time And experience have given them. Grandchildren bless their Grandparents With a youthful vi...

So often we have heard about how important it is for us to drink water.  We know about the many vital benefits to our health that come from drinking pure water. In case you need a refresher, here are 5 quick benefits of drinking water!   1. Drinking Water Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. 2. Water Can Help Control Calories 3. Water Helps Energize Muscles 4. Water Helps Keep Skin Looking Good 5. Water Helps Your Kidneys Found at Webb MD   Since I began running, water has became a vital part of my health routine.  My regular running route begins at my home.  The average distance is 4-6 miles down a narrow, country road.  My home is in the middle of this road and it is 2 miles to either end and back.  In the summer months, I run to one end and back and drink some water which is left close by the road for that purpose.  Then, I continue on to the other end and back, the other two miles.  On days I go for ...

"Back to School" doesn't always apply to the adorable child wearing a new backpack eager to get back to friends and school. As many a mom will agree, those years absolutely fly by! Sometimes 'back to school' involves a new school, a long way away. Instead of the school bus bringing the sweet child home each afternoon, it may be weeks or months before we see that child who although forever stays small in our heart, is now an adult.  As we send our 'grown up' boys and girls back to school, it is more serious than abc and 123...they stand on the threshold of lifelong career choices which will affect their future. This 'back to school' is intense and surely needs prayer...for the student and the parent! A Parent’s Prayer When A Daughter Leaves Home Gracious God, you blessed me with the gift of my child and entrusted me with her care. Surround her with good people and watch over her each day. And let her know that I will always be nea...

Last post, I shared a post for our students. Although they are the ones who do the school work, but parents and teacher do a lot of 'heart work'. Often we are away as the children are at school and don't know every detail about their day. What a blessing to know that God does see and know. What a privilege to know He hears our prayer and answers them! Parent's Prayer for Students Dear Lord, As my children leave for school, I pray that you will keep them in your care. Send your Spirit to open their minds to all that is true and beautiful and good. Help them to see the gifts and talents you have given them and to use them well. Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Help them to be kind to others and lead others be kind to them. Give their teachers patience and understanding and help them teach what is just and true. Send your angels to guide and guard my children and to keep them from all harm. Open their young hearts to your presence a...

It's that time of year again...back to school!! Although our 'school' is our home, it takes lots of effort to learn, plan, organize and grow each year. We still need prayer!!!    Being a student, especially a Christian student is hard.  Our children need our prayers every day.  I found a fantastic resouce for Back to School prayers whcih cover several ages and seasons of life. Since this week is 'back to school' week, I will share a few each day. You might think of praying the Student's Prayer with your children on the first day of school. Some families pray these words every Monday morning as a new school week begins. And the prayers for parents? Some moms and dads who pray those words just about every day! A Student's Prayer Dear God, Help me remember that You’re always by my side at school and all day long. Help me be the best student I can be, using all the gifts and talents You’ve given me. Help me study well and often – especially ...