Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday!

from my little flower garden

from my archives

Now, let's go make today great!

Happy Monday!

Monday love

Just a thought....

Monday morning: choosing joy

Last night the belt on my dryer broke. Of course, this happened with a load of pants in the dryer and more clothes in the washer. Clothes that I really need to be dry so that I can be appropriately clothed for work. This is on top of the dishwasher that died last week. I have spent the last week re-discovering exactly how spoiled I am to the ease and luxury of putting dirty dishes in a machine and having them come out clean! I know that these are very "1st word" problems, but they are my problems and frankly pretty dang important to my daily life. But not, I am realizing, to my joy.

There is a song we sing in church from time to time that talks about bringing the "sacrifice of praise" to God. "We bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. And we offer up to you the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and we offer up to you, the sacrifices of joy". Sacrifice of joy. Sometimes it really is a sacrifice, because in order to be joyful, I have to sacrifice my frustration, anger, or hurt. And there are times when all I want is to cling to those things with all my strength. To wallow, just a bit, in bitterness and frustration. "Why me???" I want to scream to the heavens. "Why does my life have to be so difficult all the time??"....

The truth is, my life is hard. Sometimes it is very unfair. Everyone's is. There is nothing unique in that. What makes each of our lives unique is how we choose to react to life. Today I am choosing joy.

Monday morning mercy

Well, this weekend was a wash. First, I blew my diet and now I am back to square one. Second, I didn't post anything here, completely ignoring my "31 Days of Faithfulness" challenge. So, I pretty much feel like a loser. But I know the only thing to do is to start again.

I believe completely in new beginnings. Lamentations 3:22-23 says it clearly.

 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

Thank God for new beginnings, because this morning I really need one! Time to start fresh, to forgive myself for my failures and begin again. 

 

Look out world, Monday's here

I love this!

A new work week is upon us. Can I tell you part of me is really not looking forward to it? With all the changes taking place, there is a lot of tension and hurt floating around the workplace. And frankly, dealing with my own emotions is hard enough without all that negative influence. Somehow I have to find a way to overcome all of this and be the best reflection of God's presence that I can be. My very human heart doesn't want to do this. It wants to be angry. It wants to be hurt.

In an effort to "get my head on straight" this morning I decided to watch a video on TED. I love TED. I love how you can find talks on all kinds of subjects there. Science and tech, faith and art. Just about anything you can imagine can probably be found there. Today I decided to watch "Israel and Iran: A love story?" by Israeli graphic designer Ronny Edry. First of all, can I tell you that this talk really puts my little workplace angst into perspective? Yeah, it's important to me, but in the grand world view, it is not important at all. I won't ruin the talk for you, click the link and watch it. And then ask yourself how big your problems are really and what you can do to change them. How can you (and I) reach out to the world around us to affect a change?

Have a beautiful and blessed day! :)

P.S. Today's blood sugar readings, as promised: 10:15pm Sunday 107. 4:10am Monday126 (fasting)

early Monday morning thoughts and prayer

It's 5:15 am and I am in front of the computer. Why? Because it's quiet in the house at this hour. Quiet is sometimes hard to find around here. We don't have kids, so I can't blame them. See, our house is small, and our computer literally sits next to the TV. Right next to it. And if my husband is conscious, the TV is on. Even if he isn't really watching it.

I don't do this. If I have something I want to watch, I sit down and watch it. Otherwise the TV is off because it is way too distracting. I have a one track mind, and the bright moving pictures and babble are compelling, even if I am not interested in what is being said.

Another reason I am up early to write is guilt. I have been spending a lot of time on this computer writing lately. And I feel guilty. James spends all day here alone, then I come home and sit down at the computer and try to focus. This means ignoring him.

If you don't know us you may be wondering why James spends all day alone. What about a job? Doesn't he see people when he goes to work? There is a story there, and I want to tell it. But not today. I don't have that much time this morning. That's definitely a weekend post. Or 2. Plus, I want his permission since it's his story. The short answer is that his job is managing my mom's storage rental business and taking care of her property. And this job doesn't really involve a paycheck, per say. Another story. I promise to write it soon. And get permission to share.

Anyway, I am up early and my husband is heavy on my mind at heart. He did the sweetest thing when he came to bed this morning. Yes, this morning. He doesn't sleep much. This may not have been his first trip to bed, I could have slept through 15 attempts at sleep. I sleep hard, he barely sleeps. Anyway....this time when he crawled into bed he reached out and placed his hand on my arm and prayed for me. Not out loud. But after 20 years of marriage, I know his prayer when I feel it. And right now I feel covered in grace. And love. That's a pretty great way to start a Monday.

Lord, be with James today. Pour blessings and mercy over his heart and soul. Draw him close to your side and protect him from harm. Thank you, Father, for bringing this man in to my life, for making him my helpmate, lover, and friend. I would also ask a special blessing on all who come visit here today and read these words. Meet whatever needs they have buried in their hearts, bless their families and all the work of their hands. Thank you for the potential for a beautiful, busy day. Thank you for loving us all. Amen

My helper this morning. Silly girl. :)