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10 Things I learned in February

2/28/2014

The days of my weeks lately all seem to blow together like a whirlwind. Eventually the days get all twisted up and the weeks merge together and before I know it a whole month has gone by. That is what I see when I look backward, but I am trying to be intentional in my moments, in the hours that make up my days, in the time spent with others. Each moment presents an opportunity to love, each hour opens a door to learn something new, and each day deserves it's own list of blessings to give thanks for. Today I am teaming up with Emily and many others to reflect on a few things we learned in February. Below is my own list of 10 Things I Learned in February:

1. Mimi's Cafe no longer serves "dirt cups" on their child's menu, nor do they have the portobello mushroom veggie sandwich! Ya, we went there upon special request for my daughter's 10th birthday because she wanted a dirt cup dessert. Guess what I will be making in the near future????

She seems pretty happy with her brownie sundae and my husband compromised with a burger.

2. I like SKILLET! Who would have ever guessed? I am a slow it down, worship music kind of girl but I went to a Skillet concert on Valentines Day with every intention of roaming the halls during the Skillet part of the concert and they had me hooked with their first song. Great performance! Great lyrics! The song "Sick of It" actually hit deep and I just cried. I don't know that I would purchase a cd and listen at my leisure but I sure did enjoy their concert!

"Are you sick of it?
Raise your hands,
Get rid of it!
While there's a fighting chance.
Are you over it?
Bored to death?
Have you had enough regret?
Take a stand, raise your hands. . ."

There are things about myself that I am sick of, I'm over them,
and I have had enough.
I'm raising my hands to get rid of it!
(thank goodness Lent is coming soon)

3. I learned my kids don't like couscous. Twice I learned this! The first recipe was amazing and my husband and I were happy to eat their portions. But the second recipe with couscous . . . not so great. I think I am done cooking with couscous for awhile.

4. Did you know that being a leader of a small group of women is way different than being a participant? I don't know why this shocks me like it does. I am learning that being a leader isn't so much about me and my strengths and wisdom and ability to lead but more about leading others to walk in their strengths and giftings; leadership is about leading some to Christ and leading Christ out of others.

5. I have learned that 10 years goes by really fast when you are raising kids!

We recreated this picture at my daughters 10th birthday party last weekend. The only one missing is the baby on the far right.

6. You want to know the best part about the pictures above? Their moms and their dads and the memories of being in community and raising our kids and worshiping, and serving together for over 10 years with these families. I learn every day how priceless they are, how priceless relationship and friendship and the body of Christ is.

7. Did you know that shopping carts in grocery stores are getting bigger? Yep, they did a test and if they increased the size of the cart you (and I) bought 19% more food.

8. Women have a larger deep limbic system. This system "sets the emotional tone of the mind, stores highly charged emotional memories (positive and negative). . . this larger system also leaves women more vulnerable to depression and getting stuck in repetitive negative thinking." So that is why I get stuck so often! Thank goodness God is bigger than my limbic system and His truths can pierce through those negative thoughts.

9. I learned aulophobia is the fear of flutes. Good thing my kids didn't develop this because my husband has been playing the flute for over 30 years.

10. Laundry in a family of 5 is never complete. Even if I get it all washed I can't seem to put it all away before another pile is ready to be thrown back in the washer. Am I just learning this? I don't know. I just know that the piles of laundry this month have been a bit overwhelming!

Thanks for getting all the way to #10! Have a blessed weekend!

Love,
Rachael

It has been one of those months!

I am linking with Emily today as she shares on her blog a few things she learned in February.

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What Armor are You Wearing?

2/21/2014

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She stands at the threshold of the days ahead.
She can do this!
The victory is already hers.
Her shield of self-sufficiency is held high
ready to guard against any thing or any person that threatens
the completion of HER agenda.

She sets her heart upon the things she sees,
the things she can accomplish.
Her creative crafts satisfy those fleshly lusts for control.
With white-knuckled fists she holds close
the breastplate of pride.
She hungers and thirsts for MORE.

Clothed in her apron of talent,
she competes for first place.
But even when the prizes are awarded the opponent still stands
and first place is never good enough!
Because around her waist is girded untruth.
Entangling her mind are the lies she believes about herself.

She has heard it all before.
God loves her; He has a plan for her.
But "work hard", "get ahead" "be the best"
are the (un)truths she holds too.
So every morning she wakes up and puts on the helmet of denial,
denial that she is worthy.

Her value is loosely knit together by all things pretty.
Pretty bows, healthy lunches, clean floors and made beds
make her feel complete.
Until the end of the day when she is desperate for rest
but the shoes of self-pity stick like the super glue
of trying to be super-woman!

She wants nothing more than acceptance and love
but her striving through her to-do list
are actually like stacking one brick on top of another.
Eventually her walls are built high.
She stands guard at the door with her sword of withdrawal held tight
ready to strike those who love and accept her most.

But eventually, under the weight of her armor she collapses.

Her sword of withdrawal pierced her own soul and she bleeds for a Savior.
Her shoes of self-pity have ran her ragged and she longs for true rest.
Underneath her helmet of denial runs guilt like a poison through her brain.
The untruths girded around her waist have held her captive behind the bars of perfection.
Her breastplate of pride crushes her heart leaving her unable to truly give or receive.
Her shield of self-sufficiency crumbles at her feet, and on her knees she tries to put the pieces back together.

With knees bent and hands full of brokenness she drops the pieces as the author of her faith begins to write new story.
Taking her hands in His, He helps her stand up straight and offers a cup of living water,
His righteousness refreshing her from within.
His truths unlock her prison gates and sets free the lies that have held her captive for too long.
And hope he places upon her mind as the faith of salvation grows within her heart.

Now ready to walk in the confidence of Christ, He fits her feet with reconciliation,
reconciling His gift of peace in her strivings.
Finally, He offers Himself, a living sacrifice especially for her.
The One who always was, who always will be lays down His life to be
her Protector, her Helper, and her Sword
against the enemy of her mind, her body, and her spirit.

Have you ever had one of these days, weeks, seasons?
I think we all have. Let's remember to dress appropriately for our days:

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—"

Ephesians 6:11-18

Blessings,
Rachael

This Lenten season I will be joining with Jennifer Lee in the Love Idol Movement. This post has revealed in my own heart that I have so many pieces of the "armor of myself" to shed. Care to join us. . .like the Love Idol Movement page to join a community of women devoted to replacing their armors of self-sufficiency, pride, etc and prayerfully consider what the Lord would be calling you to give up this season in order to draw nearer to Him. See you there!

Imperfect Prose
Tell His Story
Heart Reflected
The Weekend Brew
Fellowship Fridays
Essential Thing Devotions
Wednesday Prayer Girls

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Holy Trust

2/7/2014

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"Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt."
Exodus 3:10

Our journeys have continued this week, haven't they? I hope your path has been smooth with few stones to stumble over. I hope the scenery has been pleasant. I know it is not wildflower season anywhere in this nation, but I pray that you have seen beauty in your surroundings.

It has been a little dark for me the past few days, but it is a good dark. The weight of responsibility has sunk me a little below the surface.

And I am emerging so incredibly thankful. (click here for more on that)

I am reminded that in digging a well you need to go deep in order to get to the water. Sometimes, we need to dig a bit deeper, to not be afraid of the darkness in order to reach the Living Water of our souls that refresh.

I spent one morning this week sitting in the quiet with a good book, and a blanket as the rain poured down outside. In case you haven't heard, California is desperate for rain. My own heart and mind were desperate for quiet, solitude and refreshing. It was a good morning all around.

If you have the truth of God's Word hidden in your heart, you know that there is no such thing as true darkness for a believer (John 1:9). For the light of Christ is always present even in the darkest times. Sometimes we just have to open our eyes, or lower our head, or lift up our chin,

. . . or turn the other cheek.

It is the repositioning of our sight on the Light that makes all the difference in perspective.

I have not lost sight of that Light this week but it has glowed so much brighter with reminder after reminder:

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:35-36

and

"See, I do a new thing!" Isaiah 43:19

and

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Sometimes the darkness just means you can't see the distractions around you and I have experienced this week that this is a good thing. With responsibility comes focus and discipline; to accomplish tasks at hand I needed to make some sacrifices to get the job done and to listen to the Lord's leading. When God called Moses to be a leader to the Israelites he called him forth with this command, "Therefore, come now." I love how Emily Freeman in her book Grace for the Good Girl explains this. She says:

"Therefore, come now. The dreaded words of sacrifice. The bridge between how things were and how they will be. The call to move beyond perceived control into a cautious, holy trust."

That "holy trust" is where I am resting. In last week's post my voice had more passion, this week I hope you hear rest. I woke up this morning to this verse sent to me by a friend:

Peace to you as you journey on in HOLY TRUST.

Love, Rachael

Linking with:
Tell His Story
Wednesday's Prayer Girls
A Holy Experience
The Weekend Brew
Fellowship Fridays
Essential Thing Devotions

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Welcome

My name is Rachael. I wear many hats but author is not one of them....yet. I'm trying it on for comfort, searching for the perfect fit for my creative outlet.