*a new house
*plenty of food
*closet full of clothes
*husband
*healthy children
*salvation
*friends
It's easy to rattle off a list of things that I am thankful for, blessings that I don't deserve but God has graciously supplied me with. I have been trying to think the last week of things that I thankful for that are not on my normal list. Things that don't come to mind immediately....
Music....... I don't listen to music a lot because I am not alone much, but on Mondays when I have a short drive between stores I have started listening to music that just speaks to me. It may be a variety of genres and you would probably smile at some of it. But I always feel more peaceful after 15 minutes of listening...
Christmas Lights....... I love to sit and look at lights, candles and Christmas décor. Something about the soft light and the sparkly ornaments and greenery makes me feel happy inside. and it always reminds me of my Grandma. She never had a light in or on her house because it was against her belief to decorate. But she told me several times that she loved to look at the lights and secretly she would like to have some. It makes me feel close to her when I sit and enjoy them.
God is FOR me...... This was in our sermon this morning. I don't always feel this, it's hard to when it seems like the world is out to get you at times. But I want to believe this..... and if I believe enough, the feelings will come along too.
Employees...... They come and go as life brings them into my life and sometimes life takes them on to other places. But I learn from each one and each experience. I have been blessed many many times from their lives and friendships. I know I bumble and stumble as I learn how to be a boss and how to manage our business, and learn how to say things and to handle life. God has given me many fine people to learn on!
My Girls.... I always wanted to be a mama. I figured I would like it. But I never knew it would be something that I loved so much. Living life with these girls has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Homeschooling them for 8 years and now experiencing school with them.... Seeing them grow up, being a sports mom, interacting with their friends.... It isn't an easy job, I fail daily and I wonder how they will ever amount to anything with my mistakes, but they are God's and I am so thankful he chose me to be their mama!
My Customers....... This is something I wasn't expecting when we opened up our store 3 years ago. I didn't realize how many relationships I would make, all the people that would be in my life on a weekly basis. Sometimes when I go out and I run into someone who knows me around every corner of a store, every event..... they comment on the things I am buying, about the restaurant I am eating at, on my outfit since I am out of "uniform", etc.... I feel just a bit paranoid and exposed. Sort of like I have to be "on" all the time. Then I remember all the kind words that are spoken into my life and the blessing of having all these caring people in my world! I really stopped and noticed the other day when a sweet little man came into my office and asked if I was getting enough rest... I told him I was doing fine. He asked me again if I was sure. I reassured him and he said , "ok, my wife is worrying about you and she will ask me first thing when I get home!" It really did touch me and remind me again of this blessing of not being alone......
Friends..... This is a no-brainer. And it could be on the easy to say list up there. But I think of the unexpected friendships that God places in your life. Ones you look back at and think, wow.... I didn't see that one coming! After being in the business world for a couple years I felt like I really needed another woman who knew where I was coming from and maybe could give me advice. I asked my pastor if he could recommend someone. Another lady from church was talking to him too.... It was a God thing. One time there was a lady on an airplane with me, I wasn't looking for a friend. But by the time we landed I had one, one that I share coffee, music, jokes, and pictures with..... through technology. We live miles apart but she has filled a spot that was empty in my life and adds humor at the needed time.
Until next time... Kristy
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
What a Woman Needs.......
Often as I pass the magazines in the check out line this title jumps out at me from various sources. Or we hear it on a talk show, in a sermon, or someone just telling someone else what they need...... It is something I have thought about a lot the last years as God has taken me on a journey to finding what I "really" need.
In my life it comes up more often in the Spring time of the year.... it is Valentine's Day, our Anniversary, Mother's Day, then my Birthday..... it is Very Very easy to start thinking about what I "need" to be happy. If only I would get that romantic gift, if only I would have a birthday party thrown for me this year, if only my children would do this, if only my husband would say these words.....
What really made me think about it lately was a friend who was telling me about the wonderful Mothers day sermon they had. I am not saying it wasn't or downing the thoughts of the Pastor, I have no clue who he is or what church he is from! But she said how he had a list of things women/mothers/wives need. The affirmation they need to be better women. I am in total agreement that affirmation is good :), it happens to be my one of my strong love languages and words stick with me for a very long time......
BUT...... what if we don't get it? What if you are separated/divorced/alone, what if you just don't get it (like we think we should or in the right words)????? Can we not be the woman God wants us to be without this?
God has been hammering in my head for a long time now and I feel like I am finally grasping a tiny piece of what he is saying.... No matter if I do get affirmed, loved, taken care of etc.... it will never be enough. I have to be content and saturated in HIS love. I have to know who I am as a Woman of His.
I have always sort of struggled with the Proverbs 31 woman, I got just a bit ticked at her. I mean, who even wants to work like that? And then as a friend of mine asked years ago in Bible School.... "Why does the woman work like crazy and then the MAN get praised in the gates?" I started a study lately called, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be from this passage. It's been good, and I see this chapter in a bit different light.
It's given me a longing to quit looking at what I have or what I don't have. To stop comparing and wishing... to even quit feeling guilty because if they start a list of what a man needs, I will fall so short the first hour, my poor husband might as well walk away..... But to continually look at God and what He thinks of me! Not what anyone else is saying or has told me about myself! There is a place for others input in your life and you need to stop and listen. But there are also a lot of lies that people tell you, by their actions and words..... and subconsciously you start believing them and suddenly you realize you are NOT being who God created you to be!
The first verse that I was to memorize in this study was : Who can find a woman of noble character? Her worth is far above rubies. Her husband has complete confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
I have thought on this verse for days and weeks now. It isn't about how much I can do for my husband to make him happy, how hard I can work so he lacks nothing...... I truly believe it all comes back to how rooted and grounded I am in God. The peace I will radiate because I am IN him. And through this...... comes the complete confidence and not lacking anything. AND after that, my needs are met, because I know who I am in Christ. It is God who truly fills all those needs, wants, and desires. The things we get from humans are just extra blessings.
I have a long ways to go, I slip up daily....... but I thank God for keeping on pounding it into my head and heart. Because I am quite sure of one thing..... this is where my true joy comes from. And I can not bless others without that joy.
In my life it comes up more often in the Spring time of the year.... it is Valentine's Day, our Anniversary, Mother's Day, then my Birthday..... it is Very Very easy to start thinking about what I "need" to be happy. If only I would get that romantic gift, if only I would have a birthday party thrown for me this year, if only my children would do this, if only my husband would say these words.....
What really made me think about it lately was a friend who was telling me about the wonderful Mothers day sermon they had. I am not saying it wasn't or downing the thoughts of the Pastor, I have no clue who he is or what church he is from! But she said how he had a list of things women/mothers/wives need. The affirmation they need to be better women. I am in total agreement that affirmation is good :), it happens to be my one of my strong love languages and words stick with me for a very long time......
BUT...... what if we don't get it? What if you are separated/divorced/alone, what if you just don't get it (like we think we should or in the right words)????? Can we not be the woman God wants us to be without this?
God has been hammering in my head for a long time now and I feel like I am finally grasping a tiny piece of what he is saying.... No matter if I do get affirmed, loved, taken care of etc.... it will never be enough. I have to be content and saturated in HIS love. I have to know who I am as a Woman of His.
I have always sort of struggled with the Proverbs 31 woman, I got just a bit ticked at her. I mean, who even wants to work like that? And then as a friend of mine asked years ago in Bible School.... "Why does the woman work like crazy and then the MAN get praised in the gates?" I started a study lately called, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be from this passage. It's been good, and I see this chapter in a bit different light.
It's given me a longing to quit looking at what I have or what I don't have. To stop comparing and wishing... to even quit feeling guilty because if they start a list of what a man needs, I will fall so short the first hour, my poor husband might as well walk away..... But to continually look at God and what He thinks of me! Not what anyone else is saying or has told me about myself! There is a place for others input in your life and you need to stop and listen. But there are also a lot of lies that people tell you, by their actions and words..... and subconsciously you start believing them and suddenly you realize you are NOT being who God created you to be!
The first verse that I was to memorize in this study was : Who can find a woman of noble character? Her worth is far above rubies. Her husband has complete confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
I have thought on this verse for days and weeks now. It isn't about how much I can do for my husband to make him happy, how hard I can work so he lacks nothing...... I truly believe it all comes back to how rooted and grounded I am in God. The peace I will radiate because I am IN him. And through this...... comes the complete confidence and not lacking anything. AND after that, my needs are met, because I know who I am in Christ. It is God who truly fills all those needs, wants, and desires. The things we get from humans are just extra blessings.
I have a long ways to go, I slip up daily....... but I thank God for keeping on pounding it into my head and heart. Because I am quite sure of one thing..... this is where my true joy comes from. And I can not bless others without that joy.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Winter Funk
*(disclaimer.... I am under the full realization that a Southern Winter doesn't really count as a true winter..... but)
I totally am in disagreement with the song "Summertime Blues". Warmth, Sunshine, Blue skies, bare feet, short sleeves, pools.... my list could go on and on. I will definitely be working on a song to replace that... "Wintertime Blues". :)
I hate to acknowledge the fact that I am so affected by weather. I would like to believe that I am totally oblivious to it because I am a Pollyanna who lives in a wonderful world of Positive Thinking and always thinking happy thoughts, but it just ain't always the way things roll around here. I do know that I can change my outlook on life and it does happen...... but sometimes around this time of the year I just find myself feeling bluer and bluer and bluer.
November and December may be cold but normally I am working so hard and long that I don't really pay much attention to the outdoors. I see it briefly in the morning and briefly at night and the rest of the time I am either working or falling exhausted onto couch or bed. And I know that there is a brief vacation time ahead and I will just hold on till that. But come January and February it just starts working on me. It may not always be cold and/or wet, but a lot of times it is. And while we do experience sunny days in those months, the grass is still brown, the trees are barren and things look blah.... and I start to see life as blah. Nothing, I mean nothing looks fun anymore.
Yesterday I sat in my chair, thoroughly enjoying the day of rest and I felt myself get gloomier and gloomier. I was quite sure Eeyore was sitting beside me, just telling me gloomy things in his super gloomy voice. From past experience I know this doesn't just get better or disappear. I finally made myself get up, put my rusty running shoes on head down the road. I found me a new Bluegrass Band that I enjoy :) and I listened to them for 2 miles.... Things looked much different when I stepped back into the house.
I bought a bouquet of flowers to put on my kitchen counter and I burn candles whenever I am at home. Anything to fool this crazy brain into thinking thoughts of cheer. What are ways that you combat this Winter Blahs?
***************************************************************************
I know I often write funny things that my customers say or do. I try to make sure that I never say it in a derogatory way, because I really don't mean it like that. I just find a lot of humor in some things and I figure if I write them down I will remember them later. This may sound odd, but I get a kick out of some of the older gentlemen that come in on a weekly basis and always have so much to talk about. Somedays I sort of egg them on........ :) The one has a very healthy wife and so I asked him what her remedy would be for this cough that Jesse and I just cant get rid of. He was telling me different things and suddenly said.... You and Jesse have to quit sleeping together! One of you needs to go to the couch! It is just feeding that cough between you..... I had a hard time not giggling over that one!
On a sad note, more and more customers come in and tell me about their partner having cancer. It scares me..... over and over I hear it. I try to listen as long as I can because while the one who is experiencing the sickness has it rough. I think the caregiver has a hard time too. Most of them seem so worn out and weary of trying to take care of everything and also being emotionally strong for them. My heart aches for them all and I will admit..... I fear just a bit. It seems to be (when), not if it will be me!
Well, my work is waiting ...... it doesn't seem to realize I sort of wanted to putter around today and just forget about it! I shall make time to go use my pedicure gift card I got for Christmas. I think some nice bright toes may be in order today! :)
Blessings, Kristy
Winnie the Poo.... Lovely day, isn't it?
Eeyore......... Wish I could say yes, but I can't
.
I totally am in disagreement with the song "Summertime Blues". Warmth, Sunshine, Blue skies, bare feet, short sleeves, pools.... my list could go on and on. I will definitely be working on a song to replace that... "Wintertime Blues". :)
I hate to acknowledge the fact that I am so affected by weather. I would like to believe that I am totally oblivious to it because I am a Pollyanna who lives in a wonderful world of Positive Thinking and always thinking happy thoughts, but it just ain't always the way things roll around here. I do know that I can change my outlook on life and it does happen...... but sometimes around this time of the year I just find myself feeling bluer and bluer and bluer.
November and December may be cold but normally I am working so hard and long that I don't really pay much attention to the outdoors. I see it briefly in the morning and briefly at night and the rest of the time I am either working or falling exhausted onto couch or bed. And I know that there is a brief vacation time ahead and I will just hold on till that. But come January and February it just starts working on me. It may not always be cold and/or wet, but a lot of times it is. And while we do experience sunny days in those months, the grass is still brown, the trees are barren and things look blah.... and I start to see life as blah. Nothing, I mean nothing looks fun anymore.
Yesterday I sat in my chair, thoroughly enjoying the day of rest and I felt myself get gloomier and gloomier. I was quite sure Eeyore was sitting beside me, just telling me gloomy things in his super gloomy voice. From past experience I know this doesn't just get better or disappear. I finally made myself get up, put my rusty running shoes on head down the road. I found me a new Bluegrass Band that I enjoy :) and I listened to them for 2 miles.... Things looked much different when I stepped back into the house.
I bought a bouquet of flowers to put on my kitchen counter and I burn candles whenever I am at home. Anything to fool this crazy brain into thinking thoughts of cheer. What are ways that you combat this Winter Blahs?
***************************************************************************
I know I often write funny things that my customers say or do. I try to make sure that I never say it in a derogatory way, because I really don't mean it like that. I just find a lot of humor in some things and I figure if I write them down I will remember them later. This may sound odd, but I get a kick out of some of the older gentlemen that come in on a weekly basis and always have so much to talk about. Somedays I sort of egg them on........ :) The one has a very healthy wife and so I asked him what her remedy would be for this cough that Jesse and I just cant get rid of. He was telling me different things and suddenly said.... You and Jesse have to quit sleeping together! One of you needs to go to the couch! It is just feeding that cough between you..... I had a hard time not giggling over that one!
On a sad note, more and more customers come in and tell me about their partner having cancer. It scares me..... over and over I hear it. I try to listen as long as I can because while the one who is experiencing the sickness has it rough. I think the caregiver has a hard time too. Most of them seem so worn out and weary of trying to take care of everything and also being emotionally strong for them. My heart aches for them all and I will admit..... I fear just a bit. It seems to be (when), not if it will be me!
Well, my work is waiting ...... it doesn't seem to realize I sort of wanted to putter around today and just forget about it! I shall make time to go use my pedicure gift card I got for Christmas. I think some nice bright toes may be in order today! :)
Blessings, Kristy
Winnie the Poo.... Lovely day, isn't it?
Eeyore......... Wish I could say yes, but I can't
.
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