Friday, September 21, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Wide

(part of a series at lisajobaker.com)

"Wide Open Spaces" was my theme song as I left my parents' house and left for college in 1997.  I felt so grown up, going out on my own, finally able to "spread my wings."  And it has taken me 15 years to do so, it has been a growing process, gradually letting go of my "child" status and becoming a woman and eventually a wife and a mother.  And now, my family and I are about to head out into the "Wide Open Spaces" again and relocate from Michigan to North Carolina.  I'll probably dig out that CD so I can listen to it as I drive away from what has been our home for the last 4 years.  I am so thankful for adventures, so thankful that God calls His children to new journeys so that we can better serve Him.  So thankful that He knows my heart and what I desire, and that He will give it to me if only I "delight in Him."  5 days until we leave for our new home, and I'm very excited, but there is definitely some mixed emotions as I know that I will be leaving behind people that I love dearly.  But I am SO thankful that God bridges ANY wide open space to make it small when you have two believers who love Him and love each other.  He will reunite us all someday, in the wide open space of heaven.  Looking forward to that move...  Haha.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Sweet!

Jackson has been so sweet to Savannah lately!  When she came down after getting dressed for church, he said, "Savannah, you look so pretty today!"  When he woke up and found she was also in bed with us, he said, "Savannah, I'm so glad to see you!"  When she peed in the potty, he said, "Savannah, good job going pee-pee in the potty!  When I was a baby I got treats for going pee-pee in the potty too!"  It just makes me smile.  I love the two of them.  Dynamics between a brother and sister are so different than what I'm used to, but I absolutely love it.


Friday, September 7, 2012

Five Minute Friday: Graceful

(Part of a series on lisajobaker.com)

Graceful...my parents used to always implore me to be MORE graceful.  I was klutzy growing up, always walking loudly, banging my body into things unintentionally, etc.  I was signed up for ballet with the hopes of developing more grace...but on a memorable early date with my now-husband, I tripped while holding stacks of CDs, so excited to play karaoke with him, and everything went flying...but we laughed and laughed, and the memory still brings laughter today.

Now, when I think of graceful, I don't think of myself and my lack of grace, I think of women that I know and admire who reflect the Grace of God to all they come into contact with.

The new mom who lost her first baby and now holds her healthy second baby in her arms, without an ounce of apparent anxiety or fear, simply radiating joy and love and GRACE.

The mother of ten and wife of one who constantly has a smile for others, constantly shares the promises of GRACE to others, while not hesitating to share her own struggles and need for GRACE.

The mother of two who found herself pregnant with a third when she thought her family was complete...but embraced God's twist in her life with a smile, pushed thru some crazy anxious moments...and today is a testimony of how God's GRACE can change a heart and a mind, no matter how tightly bound in chains they may have been.

Just a few examples of women who are GRACEFUL in my book...and though I still run into walls and talk and walk too loudly, I do hope to continue to receive God's GRACE with an open heart and mind so that I too may help others receive it.