Week 8 - Beautiful You

My husband and I were chit-chatting one evening in the kitchen, when he stopped me and told me, “Gosh, you are so beautiful right now. You remind me of when we were dating.” It was the end of a long day and I didn’t try very hard to look nice…well I didn’t try at all actually. He certainly caught me at an ugly moment and totally made my day!

Everyone should hear they are beautiful especially on the days we are not trying to be. The Bible says we are made in God’s image. There is nothing more beautiful or lovelier than God! There is no make-up, no hair cut, or no outfit that could compare to the beauty that is within! God made you . . . in His wonderful image! It is neat to think that God didn’t have a reflection until he made us!

God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature. . .” Genesis 1: 27 (The Message)

Chad surprised me with these lilies the day after Valentines. They were merely buds at the time and we enjoyed watching them open up a little bit more each day.

Week 7 - Time well spent

Luke 10:38-42 is the well known story of Mary and Martha. Mary was remembered for spending time with Jesus while Martha was busy doing work. The kind of work that Martha was doing could be categorized as "women's work." This is similar to women of today whose work just never seems to stop. Our lists of things to do go on and on and on everyday as long as we are alive.

Jesus was not telling Martha that the little things that she does daily do not matter, because they do. What he was telling her and women of today was to not let our work be more important that precious family who love us. We should not let our work be ignored completely, but we should put people first because they are what really matter!

Time is so precious. We cannot get it back. Once it is spent it is gone forever so don't make the mistake of spending all of your time on tasks that do not involve those that you love.

This week I encourage you to sacrifice something you normally do to spend time with someone you love.

I won this giant clock at my work Christmas Party in December.

Week 6 - Love

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut.
Doesn't have a swelled head.
Doesn't force itself o others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

Part of the Message Bible's version of our most "loved" love verse...1Corinthians 13.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day knowing that God loves us more than any human on earth!

Chad surprised me with this message one day after moving the stones from our front yard to the back.

Week 5 - Don't waste it!

We were doing a weekly devotion with our children last night during dinner, and I thought it would be great to share.

The theme was not being wasteful, and I purposely chose it for my littlest daughter who is a fussy eater. Unfortunately, she must have got it from me because I certainly can relate to only wanting to cheese and chocolate for all my meals.

Aside from being encouraged to not waste food, we thought of other ways we could use all that God gives us and that got me to thinking about all that we have. I began to feel so grateful!

That evening at dinner my youngest little girl ate all of her dinner. It was something she had never eaten before which makes it even more amazing! I was very proud of her because she did it all on her own...no begging or bribing!!!

We can apply this same attitude towards anything else in our lives. Don't waste your days away. Don't waste your time. Don't waste your God given talents and gifts. Use what you have and be thankful for all the many wonderful things that God has given you!

Found the plant at the Sweet Berry Farm and wanted to steal it and the aqua pot, but felt it would be frowned upon. So, I took a picture of it instead.

These are Cari's hands after bringing me every flower she could find. She later brought me some leaves as well. I'm so loved...