when i was your age...

One of my co-workers told me this morning that when she was my age, she had her second child. I never know what the intention of statements like this are (I put these right up there with "kids today..."). I'm single and nowhere near having my first child, let alone second - all I could do was smile and walk away. Replies such as "oh, I better get a move on!" or "so you're how old?" would not have been appropriate although comical.

So I'm using my 100th post to not only celebrate that milestone but also a milestone in my own life as I add another year of wisdom to the vast knowledge I already obtain (I just don't always choose to use it). The past twenty-some years have been good but I'm believing for this coming year to truly be the best yet. I'm believing for things I've been praying for to finally come to pass and experience more of what I know God has for me. He and I sometimes disagree on the timing of things (we both think we're right) but I know that His timing is indeed perfect and I think this year I'll be seeing some "finally's" in my life.

dabble

I was talking to a friend the other day and shared how I'm starting to like the word "no." I'm coming to realize it can be easy for us to become so bogged down with commitments that we are barely able to get our head above water and gasp for air. Therefore, we sometimes must say no; something that's hard for my wanting-to-please-others self to do at times. Yet I'm finding there's a freedom in not saying yes to everything. I'm able to pick and choose what I do or don't do - the metaphorical (is that even a word?) ball is back in my court. We simply can't do everything - we all have limits and there comes a time when we have to step back and try to maintain the spinning plates we already have going instead of adding even more. The more you add, the more chance of some falling and shattering on the ground.

Saying all of that to say, we must use some of the God-given common sense He's instilled in all of us when deciding what all we take on. I think it's better to do a few things and be able to devote 100% of your efforts instead of dabbling in far more than that, and giving less than your best. So what are you waiting for? Go dabble (just not in EVERYTHING)...

stuck

I'm experiencing the thing writers rarely speak of for fear of bringing it upon them merely by uttering the words: writer's block. I've tried to make myself write profound, soul-searching pieces of literary genius but it's been the equivalent to ripping off a band-aid: painful and messy. I'm not one who wants to spend word after word, line upon line only taking up space by talking in circles. When the reader is finished, they're left scratching their head and wondering why they just wasted five minutes of their life reading something they'll only forget about in even less time.

I'm in need of inspiration that will help me overcome this present challenge in my writing career. Something that touches me in such a way that I have no choice but to write about it. The words will flow like water upon dry land and I'll be able to step back and amaze even myself at how eloquent it sounds. Now just to unearth that inspiration :-)

that's her

I found this really great quote that I had to share:

“Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep...wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you're in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without make-up on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have you...the one who turns to his friends and says, 'that's her.'” ~ author unknown

Source: http://www.thinkexist.com/

keep seeking

Received some on-time encouragement today that I wanted to share:

"Sometimes when we look for an answer and maybe we've looked for a long time we begin to get discouraged. This is nothing new and we have to remember that just because we don't find the answer right away doesn't mean that we should stop looking. Keep seeking and God's promise is that we will find the direction that we are seeking for."

unplanned

I like things neat and tidy. I like knowing what to expect and being prepared. Yet it's seeming that recently when things have come about unexpectedly, it's the spontaneity that makes it fun. For example, last week after being at church for choir practice, two of my friends were all "Let's go grab a bite to eat. Wanna come?" We ended up getting burgers and spending the next two hours talking about sooo many things. We laughed, had those "um...wow" moments and the occassional awkward-in-a-funny kind of way moments. When we all climbed into our cars to go our separate ways at the end of the night, I realized it had been a good evening. None of it was planned but it's in these times when we can find ourselves pleasantly surprised. Huh. May we all be open to "beautiful surprises" (remember that, Alicia?).

energy boost

"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us" (Romans 8:31-39 - the Message).