Joyfull Living

I'm not trying to be a "Debbie Downer", but it is almost Monday!  It is true that the weekend is on the way out, but look - a new week is on the way in!   Let's learn to make friends with Monday. There is something so fresh and new about the beginning of the week. Last week is gone, lessons learned can be made right, mistakes made are in the past with a clean slate ahead. It's a do-over if we will embrace it. A good devotion, Scripture or promise from God can set the tone for the week. It can put in our heart an eternal perspective, an attitude that looks beyond our circumstances to trust and faith in God who loves us and has great plans for our life.  YOU MATTER - You make a difference!   This Sunday as I walked the halls of the church I've attended for 20+ years, there was such a familiarity, which although comfortable, often puts me in auto mode. Speak to this person, answer this question, sing the familiar song, hear the Scripture, so m...

The road we live on is a small, rural road with a few twists and turns. The country road is lined with telephone poles which are very close to the road. There is one spot in the road where the road take a shift and a telephone pole is right there, very close to the road.  That shift could easily take you by surprise and allow the vehicle to drift into the pole. I have a 16 year old new driver and am aware of things like this!  But, someone else is very aware of the danger of this portion of the road and put some reflective tape on the pole which alerts drivers at night and makes them aware of the pole. As a mother, I am thankful for the person who did this.  They saw a need and spent time and effort to meet that need. There are numerous needs all around us. Many that we can do nothing about. But what about the ones that we can?  It doesn't need to be a huge need, just one that we become aware of.  Proverbs 3 tells us "Do not withhold good from those t...

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...

HOPE.   Such a common word with a vast variance of meaning.  Often we use the word 'hope' in regard to something we would like. I 'hope' my favorite ice cream is in stock, I 'hope' it doesn't rain at the beach, I 'hope' my friends will join me for some fun. Almost a source of wishful thinking.  It can be used in well wishing for others - I 'hope' you feel better soon. Desiring better things to come into someone's life and circumstance.  When circumstances become challenging, hope dramatically becomes more important. Hope is the spark of light that gives courage to continue on through a dark valley. Hope may be a thread that we grasp when we feel like we are at the end of our rope.  Without hope, darkness threatens to consume us. When there is no light, no sign of change it can be overwhelming. Problems can become self absorbing until they are all that we see.  Psalms 130:5 says "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and i...

Life changes us. As the years go by, our seasons of life change, our outlook changes and our priorities shift. Usually, the older we grow in age the more we value relationships rather than things. When some life has passed and we embrace momentous milestones such as careers, marriage, children, it becomes clear that life is not all about us. That shift in meeting the needs of others brings a beautiful balance of mutual trust and love.  People become important and connections and relationships when nurtured become precious and vital.  I'm looking to continually improve in the areas of relationships, how to foster them and to grow in being one that gives in order to make others great. When you learn to treat people like you want to be treated, it’s amazing how much better life becomes. One of my favorite mentors on relationships, John Maxwell shares some great relationship principles: 1) We see people through our own lens. Your self-awareness, self-esteem and self-p...

Welcome July!  Summer is in full swing, the weather is heating up, vacations are planned and if you can believe it, 2018 is over half way through! That caused me to do some reflecting.  In January, I picked a 'word of the year', one to give guidance and hopefully instill the characteristics of into my life. Much time is spent reading and listening to relevant material and this week, I realized progress has been made in this area, but there is much more needed....and time is moving along quickly.  July is a special month because my firstborn son was born in July. Becoming a mother was one of the life changing milestones that gets reflected on each July. The son turned 27 this year, but I never will forget the moment he was born. Being a mother is an area of continual learning and growth!  Where are you at as we face the mid point of the year? Are there areas you still want to improve?  It would be easy to give up on goals and aspirations since so muc...

It seems like Mother's Day just happened...like last weekend! My Mother's Day was wonderful. Especially as I learn through life's seasons that it is not about gifts, pampering or being doted on that is important. When all my sons gather in one place, that is truly the best gift! Now, here we are with Father's Day approaching.  Father's Day is a bit of a challenge for me to find the perfect gift. My father passed away many years ago. I focus the gratitude of fatherhood to my husband, who is a wonderful father. He loves his sons and daughter in law fervently and always seeks their best. How do you express love for a true man''s man who is filled with integrity and purpose?  A home cooked meal is a must, but sometimes I long for something extra special to show my love and gratefulness. DaySpring shared a fantastic printable - 8 Notes for Dad's Bathroom Mirror .  Simply download these notes, print them off, cut out, write a personal message on t...