17 Seconds of Obedience

Our Australian Shepherd , MAKS, keeps things lively around our house. Between his infatuation with our calico cat and his fake starvation techniques, the dog keeps us hopping. There's also the little fact that he's huge and that normally his breed enjoys the outdoors way more than veggin' on the couch.

This week Savannah decided to try some obedience training with MAKS. Until now, MAKS has been regulated to the sun room, kitchen and dining room area. This is largely due to his urge to pee inability to refrain his excitement when anyone new enters the house. We've crate trained him and taught him to sit but "stay" has been a challenge. So Savannah decided to really work with him on Wednesday. So we took the baby gate down and told him to stay and then she walked to the piano room at the front of the house. The first time MAKS lasted 7 seconds before we heard his paws tippy toe down the hallway. The second time it was 13 seconds. We were so proud of him. And the third time, 17 seconds...and that time he was so reluctant to disobey. He peaked around the corner and made eye contact with me...and he knew he was guilty! 17 seconds...that's it..that's all the dear pup could muster...just 17 seconds of loyal obedience.

And before I could stop shaking my head, I thought of how I am so often the same way. I can walk in obedience for about 17 seconds and then God must shake his head at me and wonder what in the world I am doing. 17 seconds of obedience. 17 seconds of being loyal to the one who cares for me regardless of how I behave. 17 seconds of keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus. 17 seconds of unabandoned fear and timidity. 17 seconds of bravery...completely free to obey.

And then I get distracted...much like my dog....something comes my way looks like a better option, or someone calls for my attention, or I focus on something that makes me feel better or more fulfilled or more important. 17 seconds more or less is all any of us obey if its not complete obedience. Because not obeying is disobeying and we are all experts from birth on that.

But He is full of grace and patience for me. He knows my heart and how I truly want to be obedient and loyal. But how often I become like Jonah or the Children of Israel who also had trouble getting passed those 17 second marks of obedience. And in like fashion, He corrects me, and sets me back on the right track and loves me unconditionally. Just like He does for all His children.

So if you ever find yourself at the 17 second mark...press on...the test is worth passing! But in case you've already crossed over the line of obedience, know that with arms wide open He wants you back. In a heartbeat. And He says, try, try again...with HIS strength you can do better!

FB- You don't know me.

So Facebook posted this cute little greeting to my feed tonight:

And I immediately laughed out loud....

Because, I'm allergic.

I don't mean "I don't like football"...I mean "I don't watch it...ever". Like never. EVER. I haven't managed to stay awake or interested in a football game in my entire life....not a playoff, not a Super Bowl, not a Georgia game or a TN game or a TX game, not a pee wee or high school game. Not even the snacks could keep me interested.

I've attended many functions that football was the focus...parties and playoffs...but most of the time I was in the kitchen chopping up some veggies to go with some kind of awesome dip or I was holed up in the stairwell reading a book or hanging out with the toddlers in the toy room.

I don't understand the rules, the costumes uniforms, the urge to be body slammed on the ground, the pay....I just don't get it.

And that's ok because there's always gonna be the need for someone to be in the kitchen, check on the kids, put the toilet paper on the holder properly and refill the chip bowl. I can be that person.

I know...I know...some of you are about to hyperventilate...you can't fathom that I could be content to stay in my football free bubble. You think I am missing something important...But it's good here...people aren't chest bumping, over celebrating, getting concussions, sharing locker room stories or smells....I'm good, really.

So Facebook...thanks for the 411. You're too kind to invite me into the football madness. Thanks for including me with the masses. But, I'm not going to be checking the scores or watching replays or listening to commentary tonight...Maybe one day (probably never)....but for now...I'm allergic.

ACHOOOOOO

What to do on dark days...

Dark days come...and more are coming...it's in the Bible y'all. In this world you will have trouble, sorrow, heartache, hurt...but listen to this....all the way...seriously...turn it up loud...listen to it again and again and again.....be encouraged.

Truth Wall

Our 2015 was rough...and when I say rough I mean that we started it out going to a counselor because after 40+ years there's no way you don't need to talk to someone. Seriously. I heartily recommend it! Go before you really need it...which might seem weird...but we avoided making some pretty big mistakes and we were consumed with encouragement by seeking wise counsel. I'm forever grateful for the good Biblical counsel that we received.

Anyhow...but just because you go to counseling.....doesn't mean your problems or heartaches go away...and so even though we were coping better, we were still struggling. But struggling is good...because it means you haven't given up...that you're still fighting...that you want something more...that you have it in your heart to dream again and to believe there is something better ahead..something to live for...

But those in between times can be brutal. And the enemy can feed your soul with lies. Lies, lies, lies.

- You're not good enough
- No one cares
- No one understands
- God can't hear me
- I am invisible
- I can't do anything right
- I'm worthless
- I'm defeated
- God..you couldn't be asking this of me?

You could probably even add a few more of the enemies tricks and lies. He's so full of them.

So I saw these beautiful feature walls on pinterest (go ahead...go search if you're feeling curious) and I knew I wanted to start out 2016 focused on TRUTH. And I wanted my family to have a home that was grounded in the beauty and strength of God's Word. Because for us...and really everyone in the whole wide world...the only place real truth is found is in God's Word.

So I asked for a gift card to Hobby Lobby for Christmas (AKA the Christian Craft Capital) and combined it with a birthday gift card I received last year and I headed out to see what I could find.

$75 worth of gift card purchases later and I came home with this stash of truth goodies. Did I mention wall art was 50% off the day I went shopping...Did I mention I got to go shopping all by myself (that's a blog for another day...but momma's...you know what I'm talking about!)

So today I came home from school and in less than 20 minutes...it was all on the wall. Verses and phrases and truths that I want to ingrain into my head. Truths that will be true 20 years and an eternity from now. I want to write them on my children's hearts and remind them of the solid ground they can stand on no matter what the world throws at them. I want to encourage my husband ...to make home a place he recharges with truth after giving himself away day after day after day. 

And the finished project looks like this...

And I love love love it! I almost can't quit looking at it! I'm praying it will encourage my family to be joyful, and grateful and loving and peaceful and to remember that Jesus is the only thing they need to accomplish any of those things.

So...if you were making a truth wall, what would you want on it? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Vomit and Doggy Gas- When the Day Doesn't End Right

School started back today.

So, on Monday I wanted to get the house in order, get all the Christmas decorations back to the attic, groceries bought, cars cleaned out, laundry done, meals planned....you get the picture. I had even prepared the family for the epic post holiday clean-up. They were enthusiastic  less than thrilled with the agenda...and even imagined to get themselves a spend the night away from home invitation from some really good friends. So, being a reasonable mom, I said "yes" to the invite and that dad would pick them up at 10am to get started on chores. 

We worked hard...but I tell you...even working hard we didn't get it all done. My kitchen table is covered in Christmas decorations and the washing machine still has a load of towels in it.

And then school started back today ...and I managed to get dinner in the crockpot before I left the house at 6:45am...and lunches were packed and my class was sweeter than ever today, and I even exercised after school....(can I get a fist pump??) and I drank 6 bottles of water and if you know me that's a huge accomplishment....and things were going along smoothly....until...

Tucker threw up. I'm telling you this kid throws up more than any kid I know. And he's requesting grape medicine and saltines. And now I am suffering through an episode of The Flash with Tucker and the dog curled up next to me. And while this might all be sweet and I am sure I will look back on this with loving and fond sentiments...I can't get the smell of vomit out of my nose...and I'm pretty sure the dog has gas...And in this moment, it's sort of hard to remember all the good that happened today.

And isn't that just like the enemy...helping us focus on the bad rather than the good. Helping us to be negative instead of positive. Helping us see half empty instead of half full. Helping us to wonder where God is in the midst of the less than appealing. Helping us to question...to think we know better...to get mad...to believe there was a better way. And so we have a choice...to fight off the enemy with the Word of God, or to let the enemy get the victory...to let Satan devour the good, the profitable, the true, the good report or to proclaim victory in the places that God has delivered us. 

God is on our side. We can't let a little vomit or doggy gas rob us of the victories He has won for us. God is on our side. No amount of laundry or crowded kitchen tables can rob us of the joy of the Lord. 

God is on our side. We won't let Monday's, tornados, cancer or lay offs keep us trusting Him.

God is on our side. We aren't going to let temper tantrums, toddler messes, houses that won't sell or teenage attitudes delay our responses of gratitude each day.

God is on our side. We will protect our marriages, we will train our children, we will stand up and speak up.

God is on our side. We will trust. We will pray. We will focus. We will live in truth.  

Satan will not win. He will not rob us. He will not kill us. He will not destroy us. He is defeated. He has been conquered. He has been undone, by the blood of Jesus Christ. We don't need to be afraid or skittish or wondering if He has this day or any other day covered. He does. End of story.

So if your today ended up looking a little different than you anticipated...remember...we know the one who goes before us, He knows us by name, He is not surprised, He is familiar with our story....He wrote it. Trust the author. He knows how this ends. 

Simply Tuesday

Currently this book sits on my nightstand. And it should yours too....not that I'm trying to tell you what to read, but if one of your goals this year is taking in the small moments and slowing down...then I am TELLING you...you need this book.

I realized in October, when basically I bottomed out, that life is not more productive, better, more applaudable (is that a word?), more noticed or more anything...in the fast lane....except maybe more stressful. In a nutshell, God basically laid me flat on my back for about 2 weeks and made it impossible for me to "do". And if you know me, then you know this didn't come without a struggle. And so, I had a lot of time to think...to really assess how I was running through life...From one activity to the next...doing lots of good things, but wearing myself thin. Don't get me wrong...I loved what I was doing...teaching, church, family, piano lessons, volleyball with Savannah and all the in-between things moms do. But I was tired. And no doubt I was...the lab results would soon prove I had reason to be.

And that's when I remembered this book that was released last year. I had wanted to read it...see I want to live that simple life of taking in the moments...the ordinary moments...the nothing fancy, nothing special...everyday moments. The conversations and the relationships that I had missed out because I was running from this to that....I didn't want to miss them...but I did. But no more.

God values hard work...and to be truthful...I am glad...because I am a hard worker. But I guess I kidded myself into thinking that God valued work over rest. And that's a lie. God wants our best...and when we are running on empty, we can't give Him our best. In His creation plan He worked in that we should take a day of rest, a day to stop the presses and to breath deeply of His goodness, to worship, to stand in awe of God himself. He gave us a plan to have the energy we would need...if we would follow the plan.

And I haven't been good at following this plan. But I want to do better. And that will only happen if I learn how to slow it down and take the built in time God allows to rest, rejuvenate, recharge, worship and enjoy the simple. So I am going to educate myself on ways to enjoy the slow, to drink in the mundane, to sit and be still, to worship in ways other than at church.

I hope you'll pick up this gem if you find yourself in the same place as me. God's way is always best. He always provides a way for us. We don't have to prove ourselves...sometimes it's ok to just be. It doesn't mean we are lazy...it means we've found a way to enjoy the small, the ordinary, the beautiful details that He meant for us to embrace...along with all the other things He has for us to do...the work and the necessary and the responsibilities He's given us. He's a God of order and purpose and a God who rested...not because He was tired, but because He was setting an example for us to take care of ourselves and to pause.

I'd love to hear how you rest best...if you've got a great idea...share it in the comments section.

Happy Reading!

Christmas House Tour....Better Late than Never!

This post is for my mom mostly. I understand if you don't want to read on...but if you do...I'm cautioning you that what you are about to see could be startling to you if you have an aversion to dust bunnies, imperfections and bad photography.

Christmas decorations came late to our house this year for many reasons...but once they came I was pretty pleased with how they looked. And this year Christmas was for our family. Usually we have lots of company in but I've been pretty sick and just didn't have the energy for it this year...so it's kind of doubly nice that things turned out so nice since we were home more than usual.

My favorite room of the house...and favorite tree ever...Frazier  Fir

I made this wreath with things picked up at the Christmas Store in Gatlinburg

This tree is from Debbie's (Bruce's sister) wedding. 

Silver and Blue ornaments collected through the years

Just pretty

Family Tree with all homemade and children's ornaments
(complete with 1980's wallpaper in the background...put that on my to do list!)

I love how the light hit the crystals in this wreath

My dessert cart...which was given to me earlier in the year.
Cleaned up and ready for pie!

So, gradually things are getting back into place...and cleaned up. Real life is about to kick in!

Why I Go To Church

I read a statistic that 54% of people are interested in increasing their relationship with God in 2016. This could be because of unsettling things that are happening in the world, or just the new year with more thought turning towards things that are important or eternal or it could be that mankind is looking to fill the large size hole in life that only God can fill. But whatever the case...chances are these people will be looking toward the church (the people or the building) in some way to figure something out about their walk with God. So this statistic got me to thinking a little about why I go to church.

So, you that know me might be chuckling...Duh, Gina...you're the pastor's wife, you gotta go to church. But as true as that might be...that's not why I go...because if you only knew...sometimes because I am the pastor's wife, I don't want to go. Sometimes I'm tired, sometimes I am hurt by others, sometimes I need a break, sometimes I don't like the hypocrites (lol), sometimes I'm spent. Just like you. Just because I have a sweet little title doesn't make it different...sometimes I just don't want to go.

But I still do. 

Not because I have a legalistic husband who demands my presence, not because I feel guilty for missing, not because I can't be replaced. No...I still go because God says go...He says go because you will find strength and encouragement together as the time of my return gets closer. He says don't forget, don't forsake, don't neglect the body of Christ. (Hebrews 10:25)

I have experienced the great benefits of being faithful to God's house and His people. Things like deeper relationships, feeling God's presence as it moves through the congregation, hearing the congregation sing out their praise and worship, watching people serve in humility one towards the other, experiencing forgiveness and grace when I fail someone and returning that forgiveness and grace when people fail me. I go because I know me....I know the woman who needs to hear God's Word regularly, I need to collectively worship with my family (both blood related and not), I need to humble myself and in the quiet of a service allow God to work in my life. Because...I have not arrived. After 38 years of relationship with God...I still stumble, fall, doubt and fail God. I go to church because the church is Christ's bride and if Christ loves the bride (and He does) then I want to love the church too. I also see how the church is affecting the world...no other organization does as much as churches do for the world. Humanitarian efforts - check, Social issues- check, Spiritual change - check. The church is faithful to put their money where their mouth is. I am proud to be part of my local church and part of what God is doing through the obedience and faithfulness of flawed people willing to walk in grace, humility and love for each other and the world.

I understand why people don't attend church...I do...but that doesn't mean I agree with them. I understand that you can get fed up with leadership and disappointed with people. I understand how good it can feel to stay home and rest and relax on a Sunday morning. I understand the temptation to believe that you are not needed, unimportant and insignificant....because I have felt all those things before....But let me assure you of one thing...these are traps the devil lays for you. Traps to concentrate on yourself, traps to feel neglected, traps to be self-centered. I know...because I've been there. And I've been on the other side too and can assure you that what God has to offer you through your church is far better that the enemy's trap to keep you from there. Is the church perfect? No...largely because people like me attend. Is the church going to meet every need you have? No, that's God's job, not the churches. Is the church going to feed you spiritually? They better...but unless you can make it the whole week on 2-3 meals, I sure hope you can read and feed yourself. Is the church going to disappoint you? Yes. Yes. Yes. The staff isn't perfect, the deacons aren't perfect, the music guy isn't perfect and neither is the nursery worker or the maintenance person. But I don't know too many of these people that aren't trying with all their heart to serve the Lord with their availability and their obedience and their gifts.

So...I'm going to keep going to church...I mean it would be a little weird for me to stay home after writing this article...but it's more because I know that Christ gave His life for the church...and He's coming back for the church...and I want to be with those He loves...His bride...His beloved. I want to be busy being obedient to what He asked His people to do.

Why We All Need a Fresh Start

Everyone needs a fresh start...

The prodigal child, the distant spouse, the bored housewife, the drug addict, the overeater, the proud, the angry, the disrespectful. 

Let's be real. There's been a time in all our lives when we needed a do-over. And January is a good place to get one. Everyone is busy doing their own self-examination and our shortcomings are being analyzed and new more attainable goals are being written down. It's like a fresh page in a book, or a newly painted wall...clean...spacious...unspotted...perfect. 

And we have the momentum to be anything, do anything, achieve anything....because we have a fresh start...and that feeling of rock-stardom, "I believe I can fly", mentality sends adrenaline pumping through our veins like coffee on a cold winter's day. We are unstoppable. 

For about 5 minutes. That's when it happens...one of the kids spills his cereal, husband can't find his keys, you're sure you had your phone in the bedroom, the dog ate the backyard furniture (true story), the garbage disposal smells like rotten eggs (another true story). And any hope of you being the super-woman you are aspiring to be goes down the drain...because our clean page is now spotted with cheerios and smells like egg salad. 

And that's why I love love love this verse --Lamentations 3:23....His mercy is new every day. 

Because we all need a January 1...more than once a year. In fact...some of us need one everyday! And isn't it just like the Lord to know that His mercy would be just what we would need to get through each day...not just New Year's Day! See supermom gets this lavish mercy extended to her just like the prodigal son or daughter. And that man who cut you off in traffic needs new mercy just like your grandmother. No one is immune...we all need it!

So...next time...probably today or tomorrow, when you feel the pangs of exasperation flooding your soul..When plans haven't gone according to the planner...or when you're feeling depleted...embrace the mercy for that day...the new mercy...perfectly measured out in the perfect dose for you and me. 

Now if you'll excuse me...something smells like rotten eggs in the garbage disposal....somebody might need some mercy!!!

January Meal List

We spend too much money eating out.

And times are a changin' round here. 

So that can only mean one thing....Momma's meal planning. 

And it's nothing fancy...but if you're a little like me and sometimes just thinking of something different to eat can be the challenge, then take a look and maybe grab a few ideas for January's dinners. 

I am listing these in no particular order. The goal is that we will only eat out once a week. And even though that is still around $150-$200 a month, if you only knew how much we ate out in 2015 you would understand that this is way LESS and you might even give me a fist pump. I'd love to hear what's cooking at your house. Let me know and I might even include it in my February line up. I'll also let you know if anything is a flop...because let's face it...I haven't cook 26 meals in a month ever in my life so I am anticipating that at some point there's a slight chance I will fix something that does not pass the edible test. Don't worry....PB and J is a staple in this house. No one will starve. 

Happy Planning!

1. Spaghetti

2. Lasagna

3. Pizza

4. Tacos

5. Chili

6. Chicken Spaghetti

7. Broccoli Rice Chicken Casserole

8. Roast, Potatoes, Carrots, Onions

9. Hot Dogs

10. BBQ

11. Potato Soup

12. Breakfast 

13. Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup

14. Hamburger Helper - don't judge

15. Turkey Roast

16. Sausage

17. Brisket Tacos

18. Chicken Pot Pie

19. Fettuccine Alfredo

20. Baked Ziti

21. Stew

22. Stuffed Peppers

23. Teriyaki Chicken

24. Grilled hamburgers

25. Crockpot Ribs

26. Nachos Supreme

I will add veggies and salads and the occasional roll or cornbread. If I come across some recipe that is revolutionary I'll be sure to share!