Wedding Rings

Today I did a little survey on Facebook - just for fun. My question was this: If you are married (whether male or female) do you take your wedding ring off at night or wear it 24/7?

To be honest, I was surprised at the number of people who leave their ring on 24/7. Personally, I'm a taker offer. It's not because I don't love my husband, or don't like my ring. I just don't like having any jewelry on when I'm trying to sleep. Sometimes I even take my jewelry off for a 20 minute nap. Please don't take this as an invitation to break into my house at night and steal my rings. We have an amazingly advanced security system. Our system is so advanced I can't even begin to describe it.

As for my husband? I don't believe his ring has been off his finger more than five times in the last 36 plus years of marriage, which makes me wonder why in the world I spent that money having it engraved? I mean, were mine engraved on the inside I'd take it off and read it during the tough times. In fact, I'd probably read it TO John! The reason it's not engraved is not because John didn't have anything to say it's just that my ring was not "stable enough" to withstand engraving (which probably explains why it eventually split and had to be replaced.)

John's ring is now permanently embossed to his finger. I wonder if the engraving is permanently etched into his skin as well? We'll never know. It's not going anywhere.

If you stopped by my blog today for great spiritual insight, I'm sorry - this isn't it. But, I do have a word of advice regardless of how often you take your rings off. Take it to the jeweler regularly to have it cleaned and checked, especially if you have any kind of a stone in it. Those puppies can get loose and fall out. No one wants that to happen.

One more thing. Whether your ring is gold, titanium, silver, rhodium or even a tattoo; whether it has lots of sparkle, a little sparkle, or none at all; give it a gander every now and again, remember the excitement in your heart the day it first went on your finger, the commitment that it stands for and cherish the one who gave it to you.

Whatever it Takes

During my devotion time one day I was reading Acts 23 and all of a sudden I found myself laughing out loud. There is nothing comical about Acts 23. The story really starts in Acts 21 when the apostle Paul decides to go Jerusalem. Long story short, Paul had been persecuted and was basically fighting for his life. He's sitting in a prison cell (for his own protection as much as anything else) when the Lord appears to him and says “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)

What made me laugh was thinking that I might know what went on in Paul’s mind when the Lord appeared to him that night. Though I can’t be sure of Paul’s thoughts I think I can make a pretty educated guess.

A couple of years ago, I hit a pretty low point in my life. I’d just been told that I had some health issues that, if left unchecked, would eventually leave me pretty debilitated. The problem was that the cure wouldn’t come in the form of a “one-a-day” vitamin, or even through surgery. The cure would come through a complete overhaul of my diet that would, at the very least, require a lot more cooking on my part. I am not a cook. I can cook, I can even cook pretty well, but I’m not much of a fan of the whole process. The menu planning, the shopping, and preparing of food just seemed so time consuming that I oftentimes found myself running to the local fast food joint for a quick bite. Yes, I’m aware this is an unhealthy habit, but did you not see how stressed I get about cooking?

So, there I was, having to cook, not liking it, and giving up some of my favorite foods (a couple of food intolerances were thrown into the mix to make it even more fun.) As crazy as it may seem, this turn of events led me to a very low point in my life. In hindsight my response was perhaps a bit overdramatic but hey, I do overdramatic well. It was during that time that a woman, whom really, I barely knew, came to me and told me that God had given her a message for me.

Getting a message from God through someone else is not the kind of thing that happens to me on a regular basis, but I was in a bad spot and I know that God sent her to me that day to give me encouragement. The truth is that her message for me wasn’t all that different from what the Lord told Paul while he sat in prison. No, she didn’t tell me I would go to preach in Rome (though I’m not opposed to that idea) but she did tell me, essentially, that God had plans to use me in a big way. This was great news but do you know what I really heard that day? What I heard, and what I think Paul might have heard also, is this, “You’re gonna live!” That’s it. I had to ask my friend to write down the message she'd given me because I really wanted to hear it all but at that moment I was focused on the “you’re gonna live” part echoing inside my head.

You see, when God tells you He’s got plans for you, and you’re thinking that you might be on the road to your demise, it changes things up. It gives you a reason to do whatever it takes (in my case, embrace the whole diet change and cooking process) so that you might be ready for all that He has for you.

I don’t want to miss out on any of God’s adventures for me because I was unwilling to change something as simple as the way I eat. Is there anything God has asked you to change? Are you willing? I encourage you – make the change. You won’t regret it.

An Idea for Inventors

I’ve got what I think is a great idea for a new invention. Since I have more ideas than I do the creativity and smarts to bring them to life, I’m going to share my thought with you, the general public, in hopes that someone will pick it up and run with it. Basically, I’m giving you the opportunity to make millions of dollars with my idea. You’re welcome.

Recently, at our house, we installed a new thermostat. Well, by “we” I mean “we paid” and a qualified heating and air-conditioning person did the work. The new thermostat is one that can be programmed thereby eliminating the need for me to drag myself out of bed to turn the temperature down immediately after I have settled in for the night. I thought it would be the answer to my “I’m too hot/I’m too cold” issues, but as it turns out, not so much.

While I do enjoy not having to get up out of bed, I’ve come to the conclusion that a programmable thermostat is not exactly what I wanted. What I want is a thermostat that reads my body temperature and sets the thermostat accordingly. I mean, if they can send a man to the moon . . . . a body temperature regulated thermostat should be possible, right? I’d be more than happy to wear a bracelet, patch, or even get a chip embedded to enable the thermostat to work properly. Well, maybe not the chip; that seems kind of extreme, but you get the idea.

So, there you go inventors. If you take my idea and make it happen you will be a hero to middle-aged women everywhere. And really, what more could you possibly ask for?

Not Resolutions – Goals

On January 1, I told you that I’d spent much of the day thinking, dreaming, and planning for 2012. I ended that blog saying that there was more I had to tell you about my day and now, FINALLY, on February 12, I will share my final installment about that day.

If you’ve read my blog for very long you will know that I never make New Year’s Resolutions. To me, resolutions have way too much potential to make me feel like a failure. But last year, our pastor, Rob Ketterling did a leadership training at which he encouraged us to set goals. To be honest, even setting goals makes me a little bit nervous because they are like first cousins to resolutions and still have the capacity to make me feel like a failure. But, Pastor Rob helped me to look at goals differently; because when our dreams (or goals) are put into God’s hands, all kinds of great things can happen.

With this new outlook, I finally decided that I could put down some goals – not just for 2012 – but for the years to come. At the leadership training when Pastor Rob spoke on goals he mentioned seven areas in which we should set goals; family goals, travel goals, influence goals (who will you influence?), financial goals, physical goals, experience goals and ministry goals. So, seven months after that leadership training night, I took out my computer and started a list of goals. It didn’t seem nearly as scary when I just put them all in God’s hands. Pastor Rob encouraged us to dream big, write them down and then say “I don’t know how you’re going to do it, God, but I’m going to ask.”

The great thing about God is that if “OUR dreams” don’t come to pass it’s because HE has something better in mind. And His “better” is always better than my “best!”

I’m not going to tell you ALL of my goals because seriously, I can dream pretty big and while I’m more than willing to tell God my big bodacious dreams, I’m not so sure you won’t just roll your eyes and laugh at me. But, I will share a couple.

One of my “family goals” is to go on a date with my husband twice a month. Marriage is important . . . and challenging . . . and I think dating is still important, even after 36 years

I love to travel so setting “travel goals” was easy for me. In fact, I’m sure that’s a part of the list I’ll probably be adding to as time goes by. But for now, my two biggest dreams are to go to Holland in the spring to see the tulips and to Vermont in the fall to see the leaves. Be prepared for TONS of pictures when that goal comes to pass.

As for “experience goals” I’d love to meet (and have lunch with) Women of Faith speaker, Luci Swindoll. I’ve always enjoyed listening to her speak and I would love to glean some knowledge from her. She’s also incredibly funny and loves to travel. To be honest, this seems like an impossible dream to me. I mean, really, Luci Swindoll is a busy woman and I’m sure I’m not the only woman on the planet who would love some one on one time with her. Then again, who knows? Maybe she’s your aunt.

I won’t bore you with the whole list. But, I will encourage you to make your own. You aren’t too old, too young, too short, too tall, too thin or too fat to dream big! And, you don't have to wait until next year to start your list. God doesn't care what day it is. He just wants you to dream big! So do it! You never know what God might have in store.

A Girl and Her Dream

Five years ago my husband, John, suggested that we go, with a group from our church, on a mission trip to Swaziland, Africa. I suggested he was crazy. All I could think of were bugs, snakes and heat. But, the Lord go a hold of my heart and sure enough, three months later my heart was wrecked with a love for the incredible people that we met. Since that time, our church has taken many more trips to Swaziland although we've not yet returned. We've been on other trips, including one to South Africa, but haven't been back to Swaziland. And yet, there is a part of me that will always have a heart for the Swazi people.

What I want to share today though, isn't about me, it's about a sweet little 9-year-old girl and HER dream to do something for the people in Swaziland. Sophia is the daughter of a friend of mine from church. She has never been to Swaziland but has heard about the Swazi kids and their need. I can assure you that Sophia's heart to help the hurting is either directly inherited, or learned, from her mom, Kirsten. What an amazing thing to pass on to your children.

Sophia didn't just talk about wanting to help the kids in Swaziland, she came up with a plan to sell hot cocoa to raise money. I could tell you the whole story but last Sunday it was aired on our local FOX news station and I think it's just best if you watch it yourself. I'm so proud of Sophia. She may be little but she has dared to dream big and because of that lives were changed. Incredible!

Lakeville Girl's Cocoa Stand Builds Home for African Family: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

One Little Word - 2012

In my last blog I told you that I had more to share about my New Year’s Day planning and dreaming session. It’s finally here – the next installment regarding my dreams and plans for 2012. Yesterday, after reading my New Year’s blog post, my friend asked me what I was doing, specifically, to put myself in the “ready position” for all that God has for me. (She has a knack for tough questions!) When I talked to her today I told her that besides being more intentional about spending time reading my Bible, I’m also trying to be ready to say “Yes” to the things God asks me to do instead of “Let me get back to You on that” which, if I’m honest here, is sometimes my response.

I started 2011 by choosing one little word instead of writing down a bunch of resolutions (or goals) that would most likely be forgotten by January 15. I liked the one little word idea and clearly it’s becoming quite the trend because I’ve read numerous blogs about it already this year. Here are links to a few that I enjoyed reading:

• Thirty Handmade Days
  
• Becca Groves
• Your Homebased Mom

Usually, I’m the last person to the “trendy party” so the fact that I got on board before the ship sailed is pretty exciting to me.

You’ve probably already guessed that my word for 2012 is Trust. It’s funny . . . that isn’t what I was planning on it being. I was sure that my word was going to be Celebrate. Celebrating sounded like fun. But on January 1, as I was writing in my journal, I prayed that God would help me learn to trust Him more. I had been encouraging a friend (who may or may not have asked for my advice) to completely trust God with her life situation by saying “Who do you think is better at planning your life; you . . . or God?” (That may not sound all that much like encouragement but, believe me, that was my goal.) We all know that the correct answer to the question I posed is God but how does that play out in our everyday lives? It occurred to me, that I might lack a bit in giving God free rein in planning my life which, it seems, might possibly stem from my own lack of trust in His ability. And thus, my word for 2012 is Trust.

Pastor Lindsay Willis gave a sermon at our church on New Year’s Eve about choosing a Bible verse for 2012 – throwing it out like a fishing line – grabbing hold of it – pulling it taut – and not letting go! I like having a verse to go along with my one little word and believe me, there are a plethora of verses about trust in the Bible, but the one I chose for this year is from Psalm 143:8. "Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk for I give myself to you." It's been thrown out, grabbed hold of, pulled taut, and I'm not letting go!

Did you pick a word for 2012? I'd love to hear what it is.

A Fresh Start

I can’t remember a time when I’ve been so excited to welcome a new year. I have spent much of today thinking, dreaming and planning for 2012. This is not typical for me. I’m more of a “let’s see what happens” kind of a girl. But, not this year. This year, I am placing myself in the ready position (as our pastor, Rob Ketterling, calls it) for all that God has for me.

The first thing I did this morning was pull out the new Bible I bought last summer. I know it seems odd to buy a new Bible when you already own a perfectly good one, but I had two reasons for doing so. First off, my current Bible has been written in for many, many years and while that is comforting to go to when I’m looking for something specific, it also allows me to get kind of lazy when I’m reading the Word. With a new Bible, I can see things with fresh eyes.

The second reason I wanted a new Bible is that I specifically wanted a Bible with pink on it. I know; crazy right? I mean, who chooses a Bible by its color? But, that’s what I wanted; either pink and brown, or pink and black. And, it had to be the New Living Testament because that is my favorite version. Someone once told me that if you find a version of the Bible that is easy for you to read, buy it. You’ll read it more often if you can understand it. Once I found the version I like, in the color I wanted, I bought it right away and tucked it away just for today.

I also pulled out a pink pen for underlining and writing in my Bible this year. (I love pink in case you can’t tell.) I use a different color ink to write in my Bible each year and note the year on the inside cover. It’s just one of my little quirks. As a side note, I use my Creative Memories fine-tip markers in my Bible. They don’t bleed through the pages and come in a plethora of colors.

The last thing I pulled out for my devotional time was a new book (to me at least) by Sarah Young. Last year I read her devotional book, Jesus Calling. Since I loved it so much, I bought her book, Jesus Lives, for this year.

There is so much more to tell you about today; my word (see last year's blog) and verse for the year, and goals set, but it will have to wait for another post. I know that my firm foundation is in the Lord. He has great things planned for me, and for you. I am ready! I am excited! Are you?