Joyfull Living

  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...

It's mid July and for us (and apparently MANY others) last week was vacation week. Ours was a special vacation - after many years of taking the children and making memories with them, life happens, kids grow up, get jobs, or become a teenager and don't want to come along anymore. So, sweet hubby and I took off on our own little vacation. Our first stop was to visit our oldest son and his wife.  A few days were spent enjoying them and a trip on a local lake. Leaving them, we traveled to a couple of places we had never been before.  Of course, my favorite place on earth is the beach: After a couple days there, we headed to Savannah, Georgia to tour the historic city. There was lots of walking down quaint streets, a riverboat cruise and romantic dinner with a view to the river. Those are our Facebook worthy pics to share our fun time.  But it seems after every vacation, I bring something home, a truth that will hopefully lodge deep in the...

Words are powerful tools in our hands (or mouth!). Depending on our aim, we can make them arrows that can build up or tear down. They can impart wisdom or bring shame. They can deliver encouragement or deflate the spirit. Words can be a weapon or a healing balm. A welcome sound or a dreaded racket.  It is easy to remember words spoken by others into our lives. Some build us up and when we remember them, give us a warm feeling deep down in our hearts! They inspire us to become what those words spoke to us. Maybe we heard words that cut deep.  They too echo in our minds with a taunting cry and reminder of failure or mistakes. The voices we choose to listen to affect us greatly. We long to choose to remember the good words.  The Bible tells us that 'death and life are in the power of the tongue."  We cannot do anything about harmful words in the past, but we can begin today to choose to give words of life to those around us. Because words often seem to fly ou...

Can you believe we are already half way through January?  How are the New Year resolutions coming?  I've noticed the gym parking lot is less full, hear that many who have determined to eat better are slowly falling backwards. The excitement of what we want to see in our lives seems to dim when it requires more effort than we expected. When our weakness is exposed, we can focus on what we want to see in our lives and understand it will take some work. That is one of the reasons I"ve been choosing to have a word for the year instead of many 'want to' things in my life. I love that a word can be dropped into your heart like a banner over your life. Prayer is the first action, to seek God for a particular word. Perhaps it will be something He wants to develop in your life or wants you to focus/work on. This year, the Lord dropped a word in my heart and I am embracing it, because it is a quality I want to see developed. The characteristics I long for have been re...

Priories - A thing that is regarded as more important than another. They are spoken loudly through our actions, the way we spend our time and how we invest our energy and effort. In our busy pace culture, if we don't define our priorities, the daily demands of life will set our priorities for us.  How do we label our priorities when we are often needed is so many areas?   Why are you here and what do you want to accomplish, is the foundational question.  What are your current priorities?  Consider what your priorities look like and how you would like them to be different. After pinpointing your present priorities, here are a few  questions that can help us to make appropriate adjustments:  1. What is your most cherished/important role? Start by writing down all the roles you play. Are you a teacher, sister, mom, wife, chauffeur, chef, banker, daughter, Jesus-follower?  List your roles. All of them. After making a list of yo...

There is just something about a Mother's Day hangover.  Hearts are happy and full from the love and appreciation shown, Monday morning may find us basking in that glow of love, re-reading cards, eyes lingering over gifts displayed and minds remembering special times shared with family.  No matter what what level of celebration went on in the home, there is something so special about being appreciated.  The day after Mother's Day can also bring some renewed resolve for the upcoming year. Surely we want to live up to all that acclamation right??!!  That inspiration may be high for us to be the best mother yet for the coming year.  But every driving force needs a motive to keep it alive. And, no matter how we feel today, there will be challenges ahead this year, times to love through trials, inconveniences, ways to put others first and develop selflessness.  That is going to take some grit, determination and motivation.  What are some qualiti...

Recently, right in the middle of the busiest week of the Christmas season, two simultaneous events where I needed to be were going on. One, a church event that I was eagerly anticipating, the other a gathering to celebrate the end of a sports season my son was involved in.   Sweet hubby would have to work late this day, no one else could attend and due to another responsibility, I would be arriving late. In the moments of trying to decide which event to attend, those inadequate feeling came to mind. You know the ones...where you are walking into a crowded room alone while unsure if anyone will be welcoming.  Where would I sit, who would I talk to (15 year olds don't sit with their mothers anymore!). Every mom knows she is to be her child's biggest fan, so after corresponding with the coach, it was more for the team than for the parents. I went to the church function which was familiar and comfortable, then left early to be home with hubby for supper. Picking up ou...

As we go along the journey of life, we encounter many different people who are distinctly different and filled with a variety of attitudes that define them.  One of the purposes of this blog Joyfull Living is to share the joys of everyday life.  But, sometimes it is important to identify and change the direction of traits that do not line up with a life lived with the purpose of pleasing the Lord.  This may seem like an unusual post to encourage parents, but oftentimes, it pays to be proactive in identifying and dislodging traits that may be harmful in the lives of our children.  As a parent with the youngest entering the teenage years, attitudes can change in a heartbeat and oftentimes one flairs up and we wonder "where did that come from?"  Those attitudes left unchecked can become habits and ultimately define our character.  Have you ever noticed that there is usually one in every crowd who: Is critical Is discontent Is lazy These ...

Humility.   The word is lovely, but it tends to bring up images that falsify true humility.  Humility doesn't mean dressing plain or ugly, being a doormat, letting others boss you around or feeling worthless.  Humilty is much more than that.  It's basis is thinking rightly about who you are in relation to God.  It is right, realistic thinking.   It is knowing your real strengths your true weaknesses your genuine talents your real worth Humility is a balance between the opposing and extreme ends of boastful pride and false humility.  When our eyes are on ourselves and whether we think we are better or worse than others, it is pride.  When our eyes are on God, we can't help but be humble.  Here are a few points from a recent Sunday School lesson which brought out some great points about humility. 1.  A humble person has the right perspective about who they are in relation to God.  God is God - w...

A recent Sunday morning found me 'mid way ready' for church.  You know the phase, not yet complete, not ready to venture out of the house because 'the look' was not in place. My hair was half way done, make up was not yet applied and still in my robe, did not have my Sunday best on yet.  My son came home from spending the night at a friend's house and asked what my father in  law's vehicle was doing in the yard.  Since I hadn't heard them come up,  I had no idea.  Later, I found out my in laws were 'carpooling' to save gas on the way to church since they had to leave at different times.  The thought hit me, it wouldn't have been a good time for them to drop in, on a Sunday morning, since we were not yet 'ready'!  In addition to the physical side of getting ready, our spiritual side wasn't ready yet either!  You know, you're ready when you arrive at church, all smiles, hands extended to shake and the answer of 'just fine'...

This week's Gentleness Challenge focuses on "anger".  Most everyone is affected in one way or another by anger.  Although the intensity and outbursts may change, anger wells up in us all at certain times.  To enhance the quality of gentleness in our lives, we must look deep at what is not gentle.  Anger is not gentle.  The giving end and the receiving end are ugly.  Anger makes us say things we wouldn't ordinarily say and act out in ways we usually wouldn't act.  A recent Sunday morning found me in front of the mirror wearing my Sunday best, having a good Sunday morning where the whole family was getting ready for church.  Breakfast had been cooked, kitchen was clean, lunch was baking in the oven and we were on time.  Perfect!  As it got to be time to leave, one son was having issues with the right shoes, one son was still eating and one was hogging the bathroom.  Quick as a spark, my anger lighted.  Sharp words were sp...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."  Galatians 5:22 Most mothers want their mothering (and lives) to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit.  These fruit are characteristics that are rooted and growing in the heart and overflow into the speech, attitudes and actions.  These fruits are easy to identify and also easy to see where they may lack.  The Gentleness Challenge is a focus on the fruit of gentleness in our lives.  This is an area I need some practice in!  Gentleness wasn't something I grew up with and a trait that with three sons, was not cultivated and grown.  But it is something I can identify in others and greatly admire. Any area of life we want to improve must be dealt with by commitment and practicing and implementing the thing we want.  God's Word is a great place to start to put into our heart what we want ...

This is the first week of summer vacation at our home.  School is done and we are transitioning into the lazy days of summer.  But, I can't seem to get a handle on things!  There are books to organize from our old homeschool year to the new year and they always seem to be on the kitchen table!  My husband is recovering from surgery and at home with us for a few weeks, which is very different from when he goes to work each day.  The garden continues to produce and vegetables sit all around waiting to be preserved.  Church obligations come fast and furious...cook for family breakfast, VBS, camp etc.... 'stuff' I need to deal with seems to be everywhere!   Clutter seems rampant and a million things that need to be done seem to scream at me. I need some order here!!! In the midst of these chaotic days, I do purposefully sit down to read God's Word each morning.  Being involved in a Summer Book Club, I am reading The Min...

This is a little late, but the Random Act of Kindness website issued a challenge for last week.  The challenge: To inspire each other by committing to do one kind act every day during Random Acts of Kindness Week.  Each day a prompt is given to work with to extend kindness.  Although a few days have past, these sound like good ideas to put into practice every day! Day 1.  Send a note of appreciation to someone you love. Day 2.  Smile at 10 strangers today! A sincere smile can really make a positive difference in someone’s day. Day 3.  Hold the door open for someone every chance you get today. Day 4 - Bring a treat to work.   Surprise your coworkers with a homemade treat, coffee, donuts, or cookies.  Bringing a small treat like homemade bread or cookies for your coworkers, classmates, and neighbors will really make them feel valued and appreciated. Day 5 - Donate to a cause.  Donate to a cause today! No matter what you ...

Do you remember the biblical account of Mary and Martha?  They were two sisters and dear friends of Jesus.  Once when Jesus was passing through their town, Martha welcomed Him and His followers into their home.  Most of us women know that that simple sentence "Martha received and welcomed them into her home",  involves and encompasses many tasks!  Received and welcomed are the basics of hospitality.  We all want to be hospitable!  But then the needs of guests quickly turn into work...hard work!  Cooking, cleaning, making them comfortable, serving food, filling drinks, etc. can quickly become a challenge.  Then to top it off...there sits her sister Mary, at the feet of Jesus, "doing" nothing!  Most of us can relate to Martha's complete meltdown at this point when she exclaims to Jesus "Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me!" This week I learned a little more about this passage th...

Have you heard or read some of the New Year resolutions last week?  I admire those who can sum up in a word their plan and purpose for the coming year.  "Simplicity", "Soar", "Connecting " etc. are some great ones.  Since I know myself too well to make resolutions, it is easier to identify some characteristics that I would like to see more of in my life.  To keep it simple, I"ve picked 4 G's.  Now, I'm definitely not a big techie, don't even have a smart phone and 4G is only a term heard on a commercial, but to keep things in a similar line...4 G works for me! Beginning in my home and life I want to be more: Gracious - "A gracious woman retains honor".   Grace comes from God alone, but it what enables His love to be manifested in outward actions, words and attitudes.  Being gracious is not something that is done at will or can be put on and off, but it is infused into the heart and is the reminder to do the right thing and e...

Have you ever heard of prayer walking?  A formal definition may be: " Prayer walking is the practice of praying on location, a type of intercessory prayer that involves walking to or or near a particular place while praying." Our church goes on a yearly mission trip and one of the ministries is "prayer walking" where people walk through the neighborhoods and pray for the people and families that live there.  As an avid walker, being outdoors and alone is a great combination for some super charged prayer time!  This fall, several from our community 'prayer walked' around our schools praying for the schools and students for the new school year.  There seems to be something special and powerful about walking or surrounding an area while specifically praying.  At a recent ladies retreat I attended, the speaker shared about prayer walking in your home.  Although any outside ministry should extend from our hearts and home, it never occurred to me...

"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use." —Emily Post Did you know that September is Children's Good Manners Month?    What a timely topic to ponder and work on in our homes.  Have you noticed in our society how children and teens tend to lack a bit in the manner department?  It is disheartening to see rudeness tolerated in children, teens and adults.  The best solution is to practice and teach good manners to our own. Emily Post shares that social development is a process in which children learn how to interact with the world around them. Manners are one aspect of this process, and they expand from communication basics to table manners to how to act when out and about in various situations. Although the web site is one to keep and refer to often, there are four great "Good Manner Challenges" to get a good start on training: 1.  Convincing people that th...

We have all heard of the power that our words hold.  Bad words can cut and wound while uplifting, good words can bring blessing and joy.  Everyday there is a balance in what not to say and then what needs to be said.  The Bible gives us guidelines and says much about our words.  One of my favorite verses to help me keep my mouth in check is  Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers." A recent article broke this verse down, and I found there is a wealth of wisdom for us to learn about our words. Let - every word I say is a choice that I make no - none - there should be no reason or excuse for unwholesome words to come out of my mouth. Bad days, being emotional, someone speaking harshly to us etc. There is no allowance for Christians to speak unkindly toward others. corrupt - rotten, unwholesome, ugly language. These wor...

One of the values that intrigues me when I see it in others is when people do more than what's expected. An extra-ordinary attitude draws attention! People take notice and love to be around others with this attitude. Traits like seeing what needs to be done and doing it (without being told) are things I want to instill in my children and also grow in and practice myself.. Someone recently shared their "house rules": If it’s broken, fix it. If it’s empty, fill it up. If it’s open, shut it. If it’s out, put it away. If it’s messy, clean it up. If you can’t, then report it. Those are some simple, but great guidelines for families to practice day in and day out. This type of training helps children to learn that they don't have to be asked in order to do a job, hopefully it is a habit that is ingrained and will be practiced at home, school, church and work. Practicing things like this will help children think outside of their little box and discover that they ...