Darkness and silence

"Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever
state I may be in, therein to be content." ~Helen Keller

To only attain this level of contentment...

Going through a dark valley with much sickness in our family. Silence can be mistaken for God's lack of interest. Lord, help me to find wonder in your presence, for you have said that you will never leave me or forsake me, but that in your presence is fullness of joy.

Happy Places

"Go to your happy place" you've often joked. But seriously...what is YOUR happy place?

One of my favorite places that I love to go in our home is the sitting room that holds my book shelf with some of my favorite books. It's warm and cozy, and inviting. Sometimes the couch is missing the cushions because one of my kids has crashed beside my bed. I have my favorite well-loved, incredibly faded and beat-up chair in this room. It was simply a goodwill find, but when i got it, it had so much meaning to me because it was MY chair...my one special spot that I could go to for some quiet. That chair is no longer in my bedroom and it's in a main thoroughfare, so I now have another one in our bedroom. There's something to be said about having a place of sanctuary. For me it has taken effort to do something nice for myself when i am so busy doing for others. Taking time to slow down, to read, to pray, to journal my gratitude, or to simply remember to breathe. It's an important piece for everyone. :)

Myers Brigg

In the past i've tested ISFJ. Today:

Your Myers Brigg Type is

ESFJ
Extraverted Sensing Feeling Judging
Strength of the preferences %
11 38 50 11


http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp

Fun!

SO, my entries are going to take a bit of a turn here! Recently, I discovered that rather than trying to fit into the mold of being a "soft and subtle woman" that instead I am going to embrace being the happy, bright, "up" woman that God created me to be! After wearing gray tones for over a year, I am now wear COLOR again, and it feels so so so good!!! (that is the modified version of my journey, haha) I plan to expound later, but I am going to be keeping a journal of sorts of the fun, light-hearted things that I am now allowing myself to do and be.

SO, today, my excitement is that I went outside in the snow and shot some hoops. We've lived here for over a year, and this is my first time shooting hoops. It was so INVIGORATING!!! Instead of dreading snow in the future (esp. the driving part) I am going to hope it snows so that I can run around like a goof and throw a basketball around, haha.

Surrender

such a simple word. surrender.
such a difficult thing. surrender.

All to Jesus I surrender;
all to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
in his presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all,
all to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

how beautiful the words. a safe place. a scary place.
a place of peace. giving in to the flow instead of fighting.
acceptance. trust. hands open and heart vulnerable.
naked. embraced.

surrender.
let Christ work.
let Christ reign.
in me.
in others.
in my world.
in our universe.
in all of my self-doubt and humanness... let Christ reign.

surrender.

Seriously.

Someone recently pointed out to me that I would enjoy life more if I would lighten up a little. Yes, I am guilty of taking myself too seriously, haha.

Two things that I read recently that once again spoke the same profound message are ones i would like to share. I think that they fit in nicely with what our Pastor was emphasizing about during Lent, "He must increase, that I might decrease." When I *do* take myself more seriously than I ought, things definitely get out of balance.

The first comes from The Message Bible (Micah 6:8)

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

The second gem came from "Jesus Calling" which seems to speak to me every time i make time to read it.

"Don't take yourself so seriously. Lighten up and laugh with Me. You have Me on your side, so what are you worried about?...Anxiety wraps you up in yourself, trapping you in your own thoughts. When you look to Me and whisper My Name, you break free and receive My help. Focus on Me, and you will find Peace in My Presence."

Another friend recently wrote this line in her blog, and I thought it was quite profound as well. "The resting in Him is not with anxiety, but with abandon"

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weakness

this is from "Jesus Calling". I love how Jesus brings us the strenthening words we need to hear just at the right time. ♥

Bring me your weakness, and receive My Peace. Accept yourself and your circumstances just as they are, remembering I am sovereign over everything. Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning. Instead, let thankfulness and trust be your guides through this day; they will keep you close to Me. As you live in the radiance of My Presence, My Peace shines upon you. You will cease to notice how strong or weak you feel, because you will be focusing on Me. The best way to get through this day is step by step with Me. Continue this intimate journey, trusting that the path you are following is headed for heaven.