Procrastination

Procrastination is a sign that we are not trusting that God will lead the way and guide our paths. Procrastination leads to confusion and indecision, giving the enemy an opportunity to work at convincing us that we are unworthy, unqualified and incapable of carrying out God's will. As a result, we become paralyzed with fear, doubts and insecurities.  

From a Proverbs 31 Devotion by Tracie MilesAnother timely e-mail devotion from Proverbs 31 Ministries. God has spoken to me so often through these e-mails. This little message on procrastination has really hit home. I am a writer. I love to write. How can I go days, even weeks, without putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard?
I think it's a bit of an endless cycle. Or seemingly endless, anyway. The more I put off what I feel called to do, the more tempted I am to listen to the devil instead of my Father. Satan's accusing and belittling words become louder and clearer.  God's loving and encouraging words of direction become a faint whisper. I have always been a bit of a procrastinator, but the way Mrs. Miles puts it above... yikes! 

So, my prayer is that I will trust God to guide my steps... with writing, raising kids, and being a good wife.

The Three Boys who killed a Giant... Wasp!

Looking at these smug faces, you'd never know how much high-pitched screaming actually took place during, and moments leading up to, the kill. Well, you'd never know if their mama wasn't a big-mouthed-blogger! Poor fellas. 

The pleased one in the middle was quite quick on his feet... in retreat. The hunter on the left did the actual deed. Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky on the right was mostly tagging along for the fun of it all.

The trophy is in the bottom of the pink water bottle.

I asked the conqueror how he killed the wasp. The response I got was a highly entertaining reenactment with facial expressions that made me wish I'd had the camcorder instead of the digital camera.  I had to add the wasps, of course, since he'd already killed the real one. 

My youngest son was perfectly content with his living ladybug.

Ah, my champions.... Killers of bees and catcher of ladybugs.

W.O.W. Update

So this wasn't the bookshelf I committed to, but I did work on it a little as I was taking books from my work table.  This little angelic-looking thing has been absolutely no help. This is a rare smile for today. Usually she's been throwing little fits. Ugh!

This doesn't look like much but the clear bin in the middle was overflowing with papers that are now organized into the file basket to the right of it. The blue trash can (far right) is now overflowing. :) The books to the upper left are still not good, but so much better. I still have 1 1/2 more days!

Within One Week (or 3 days)

WOW... Within One Week

This is a fun little git r done game I'm playing on Becky's blog. It actually started last Wednesday and I'm only starting it today. Boy, do I have my work cut out for me! Here are a few before pictures so you can be praying for me. :)

This is my table in the front room. My plan is for it to be cleared off at all times to be available for homework, bill-paying, letter writing, and even scrapbooking.

These are the shelves to the left of my table. It will contain... oops, I knew I should have written down my hubby and I's ideas. Oh well, I'm sure it will come to me. 

Well I'd better get to work! I'm looking forward to posting my accomplishments and I can't wait to see everyone else's after pictures. Aren't before and after pictures fun????

Doom and Gloom with a Silver Lining

Things that make me so sad... (and mad!)

Senate passed the Give Act.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/18/house-readies-passage-volunteerism-critics-pricey-forced-service/

http://www.rightsidenews.com/200904134373/editorial/the-give-act-should-be-called-the-take-act.html

Abortion

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/23/obama.abortion/

Things that frighten me...

"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:19)

"On the other hand, the Republican operatives, led by former Senate Majority Leader Dick Armey’s Freedomworks organization, have been able to tap into a permanent anti-tax minority that, along with religious conservatives, libertarians, and other fringe groups, anchors the right wing of the GOP. These “drown government in a bathtub” zealots don’t need a logical reason to protest taxes, they are against them on principle. Though constantly praising their good fortune for living in “freedom,” they believe they have little obligation to support — through taxes — the nation that makes their life possible."           From a columnist in our local paper. 

I'm not ready to be called a zealot or an anarchist. But it's coming...

Things I am thankful for...

My hope is in Jesus!

Isaiah 55:9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
John 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless
Hebrews 13:5   Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Sent to me from a dear friend via FaceBook.

I am thankful that I am not facing these things alone. God goes before me and He gave me a faithful husband and dear friends to share the burden.

Just Do It!

I will save you all the drama/trauma of what led up to this little realization. Let's just say that I've been very selfish and am realizing, yet again, that it isn't about me! It's about Him. I've strayed.... again. Earlier this evening I was in tears. I was feeling quite defeated. I began praying and opened the Bible. 1 Chronicles 28:9,10.

9 "And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 10 Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work.

This passage was so encouraging to me. It was a bit disappointing at first, "David summoned all the officials of Israel to assemble at Jerusalem:..." I thought, Oh great, I ask for a Word and He gives me Chronicles? But God is Faithful. He loves me. The wretched, selfish, lazy worm that I am. He is so GOOD!!!!
I keep looking at me. At what I can or cannot do. What I have done or haven't done. I take pride in those little Make-Me-Proud Mommy Moments. I beat myself up over those not-so-proud Mommy Moments. I look around and wonder what people think of my parenting skills. I worry that grandparents think I'm being too hard on my kiddos. Or that my hubby thinks I'm too lax. Do you see all those I's? Wow! So then I start berating myself for being selfish... Oh, I forgot. I was going to spare you the drama details. How about some more of Him, instead?

More from St Celia at Myxer

Mom - one... Kid - zero!

I just had an incredibly empowering Mommy Moment! My 8 year old was not at the parent pick up area at school. My 7 year old was there along with my 6 year old, but no 8 year old. 7 year old informed me that 8 year old had forgotten his water bottle in the classroom and had gone back to retrieve it.
So we waited. And waited. I started wondering if I should call the school office and have him paged on the overhead when he came around the corner. He was moseying at a "not a care in the world" pace and once stopped to watch a kid on the playground. So I did what any Love and Logic Parent would do. I drove off. I got a little bit of a look from one of the teachers, but after I drove around the block and came back to get him, he was "a humble 8 year old, a sad and small 8 year old, an 'oh, momma, am I glad to see you, 8 year old.'"
And the wonderful teacher waiting beside him gave me the nod. The nod that says, "Good job, mom!" The one us often-insecure mommies don't see nearly often enough.

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