taking a few steps together

we all have a story. we all are on a journey. i know...this is not a revolutionary thought...but it is.

spent some time with an acquaintance that is becoming to be a dear friend. as we were walking and chatting, i began to learn some things about her that i would have never guessed during our previous talks. the conversation was very onion-like as we continued...with each little thing shared and a little more trust established, more personal things came out...one layer at a time.

i think God knew i needed a conversation like this today...the opportunity to see that we all have struggles, luggage from the past...but that we all are on a journey where He is restoring us, teaching us, shaping us, challenging us, growing us...and He has us on the journey together. we can help each other up when we fall down, we can encourage one another if we are slowing down or lagging behind, we can celebrate victories together...

i walked a few steps with a friend today. i am grateful for what God has done and continues to do in her life. i am grateful that those few steps encouraged me in my walk today...

proud mama

last night my eldest had a performance with a strings group he was selected to be a part of. as parents, it was a sweet evening--to see that all the driving around and extra lessons and lecturing at home that "yes...you HAVE to practice today" moments truly do have a reward. yes, he's learning a discipline that will benefit him his whole life. yes, he's learning an appreciation for the beauty of music. yes, he's meeting new people and learning how to work together. but, the best part was hearing him going to bed and saying "THAT was fun."

2010 in books--part one

was thinking back to what i have been reading lately...well, since the start of the year. i have read some good stuff! but, i know that my brain does not always function on all cylinders so i thought i better document somewhere what i read so when someone asks me, there will be something to refer to. here is the list so far... (in no particular order other than the order in which i could actually remember the titles) here's to some fabulous reads!

secondhand jesus

glenn packiam

three cups of tea

greg mortensen

to the summit

margo chisholm

eat, pray, love

elizabeth gilbert

the twilight series (again)

stephanie meyer

enough

roger thurow and scott kilman

the road to paris

nikki grimes

diamonds in the shadow

caroline b. cooney

peak

roland smith

red glass

laura resau

bible (a continual read :) )

God

Jesus calling

sarah young

havah

tosca lee

numerous kid books

social psychology textbook

(yes...i truly did read the whole book)

world regional geography textbook

(halfway through that one...absolutely fascinating!)

i started a fiction book based in tuscany, but it was LAME so i quit

(and it was not 'under the tuscan sun' book either...)

i wanted to try

pride and prejudice and zombies (and the others in the series)

got it at the library and just could not bring myself to read it.

why do that to dear jane???

read a few books on living 'green' and a book on parenting, but the titles completely escape me

i am curious...what have YOU been reading?

intentionality

this weekend, some of the world chose to recognize the Easter holiday. some do it with family gatherings and ham dinners. some call upon a mysterious bunny that leaves little plastic eggs filled with sweets. some deck their homes out with bunny decorations and pastel flowers. some get all dolled up in a new dress or hat or outfit and maybe even visit a church. some do all of the above. and then there are some who, while possibly gathering with family and eating ham and desserting on chocolate, are reminded of something that cannot be seen, but is felt at the core of their being and has dramatically altered their life. they remember that about two thousand years ago, a very unique God-man came to this world and just a few short years later, became the ultimate sacrifice for all of mankind's sins.

on good friday evening as my family watched 'the passion of the christ' together, i could not help but remind myself that i should be reflecting on Jesus this much every day...a holiday weekend is a nice way to intentionally focus, but really, i should be this intentional every day. yes...EVERY day. how quickly i take what Jesus did for me (and for all mankind past, present, and future) for granted. it is just a part of my day-to-day living knowing that i am loved and forgiven and have a future that spans for all of eternity. watching that film was a reminder of how costly my Jesus paid for me. He ached emotionally, physically, spiritually. He took humiliation and unjustice knowing that as He did, He was taking care of things for ALL time for all of humanity. despite the very human feelings of fear and rejection, He was willing to take the cup of God's wrath because He loves us SO much. Jesus was so intentional with the choices He made. Easter weekend is a reminder of that. i need to follow His example...i need to intentionally choose to follow Him every step of every day.

i am praying that i live this way more each day...intentionally choosing Jesus with each step. it may be costly, as our Example has modeled, but it is the only way to truly live.