Joyfull Living

Some 30+ years ago, I was entering 3rd grade.  A bundle of insecurity, cross eyed, shy, withdrawn, clinging and dependent on my one friend, I was a mess!  Miss Polley was my assigned teacher that year and she was eccentric, fun and and made learning a game.  Although she taught at a Christian school and certainly modeled the ways of a Christian, she never quite fit into the mold of a traditional teacher.  Instead of a recording for music class, she brought her guitar.  Instead of memorizing facts from a book, she made up a song for them.  Whenever she could incorporate fun or a game or a song to reinforce the lesson - she would!  She was single and openly shared with us about her life.  During the year, she began dating a man.  She brought him to our class to introduce him and to 'gain our approval".  He ate lunch with us and she encouraged us to get a napkin and ask him for his autograph!  She told us time and time again how much our class meant to her and for that year -

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. Colossians 4:5,6 Isn’t it amazing how God’s Word can come alive in our everyday life?  I love the reminder in this verse to speak with grace and kindness and not to give a rash answer.  Practicing this biblical principal is a bit harder, but as I found out, well worth the investment! We recently went back to school shopping and purchased a pair of shoes at a local mall.  Being old fashioned and wary of the new and convenient ways of financing, I wrote a check to pay for my purchase, (of course with funds to cover it!).  A letter arrived this week informing me that there was an issue with my check and they were requesting the original amount plus a handling fee and were considering this an overdue debt. As I quickly picked up the phone, my thoughts were that this was THEIR mistake, they were threaten

There always seems to be this huge gap between my plans and my actions!  In many areas of life, there are abundant resources, opportunities, strategies, but little action!   I have tons home organizing planners, books galore and still struggle to find the perfect system that works! Homeschooling finds us with tons of free resources.  Many are saved on the computer, printed off in folders....sitting on shelves waiting 'for the right time'.  Being genuine is an area on my heart lately.  To say sincerely and act sincerely, not just make up words, but put love behind them...God's love, not my own!  I came across a poem recently that reveals the missing link .....to just do it .  Use what you have, do what you can, say what you mean.  A little action is better than the abundance of ideas that will never get acted upon.  When you express genuine love, you will get along better with people. Love can be expressed in many practical ways.  This is called "A Psa

During this past summer, our area was hit by a tropical depression which dumped over 20 inches of rain in our area.  Many in our community suffered devastating loss of home and belongings.  Thankfully, our damage was minimal.  Here is my husband and I surveying the flooded areas around our home. This was a sober reminder of how easily things can be gone and a reminder to hold on tightly to the important things in our lives, like sharing precious moments with our loved ones.   Textures used were Embrace and Look Up.

This week is one that I always anticipate with a love/hate attitude.  It's the week before school starts or the last week of summer vacation (whichever way you like to look at it!).  The lazy days of freedom and summer fun are slipping away and the days of structure, learning, schedules and routines are almost here.  I love the good feeling of summer, but function much more efficiently when a routine is in place.  Years ago I read a book - "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George which contained a small chapter about 'roots' and how important it is to have deep, spiritual roots.  Every Christian woman should have roots dug deep in the truth of God's Word,  but, unlike the fun, easygoing days of summer, roots are established through routine, diligence and purposefully making good choices.   Here are a few key words about 'roots'. ROOTS ARE UNSEEN:   Your spiritual roots are unseen or invisible to others.  This refers to your

As  I read this familiar passage on modesty, the last part jumped out at me:  “But, which is proper for women professing godliness…” “ in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. I Timothy 2:9-10 Modesty is a hot topic in our world today.  If we look around, it is evident that not many women hold a standard of modesty.  Short shorts, high rise tops, low waistlines are the normal fashion attire that women wear everywhere.  Those who do not know Christ will simply follow the fashion trends of the day – no matter where they may lead.  But this verse speaks specifically to women who profess godliness.  If we are Christians, if we desire to live a life that pleases Him, if we tell others we are a Christian wife/mother/woman, share with others that are striving to be a woman of God – w