Joy Dare- June 24

3 gifts- 1 in water, 1 in words, and one in white

 

 

The gift in water is easy.  The gift of tears.  They are tears of pain but they are cleansing.  When you cry as much as you possibly can... you realize it will be ok at least for a moment.

 

The gift in words... a little more difficult...  the ability to call someone and tell them you need help.  Basically to suck it up and ask for assistance.  When you can't seem to make head way on your own, its nice to know that God has placed friends in my life that can listen and help.

 

The gift in white... took me a while to come up with... but God's words written in black and white.  Whether they are from the Bible, from a recommended book, or from my journal... I am thankful that God still speaks to us.  Now if I could only learn to listen better. 



Joy Dare- June 23

3 gifts around the Table:

 

1. Ladybug placemats-  I have collected ladybug things for years and the placemats have been precious.  Right now, the symbolize my family of 2.  Where we sit, where we fellowship and where we can dine.
2. Ladybug candles-  Why do we buy pretty things and never use them?  This week I began using those pretty things.  Candles make my life brighter so as we sit, fellowship and dine, we burn a beautiful ladybug candle.
3. Fellowship- that is most precious... When we can get out from technology- esp the tv- and share a meal or a cup of coffee.  It is priceless.  I don't have many of these years left.  I want to treasure each one.

My Patio Table: 

That is where I meet Jesus every morning.  There is a cartoon strip that is popular called "Coffee with Jesus".  This is my coffee with Jesus time.  Once again, I light a lantern, read scripture and just enjoy the beauty that is my back yard.  There are no distractions out here until I bring my computer out to blog.  I can hear God beckoning me from the moment I wake up.  When I get outside I hear the rustling of creatures in the woods and birds in the trees and I know He is present with me.  This helps on the dark days.  Sometimes there are no words spoken other than through tears.  Sometimes there are shouts of joy but either way, He is here. 



Joy Dare- June 19

3 Gifts from your Heavenly Father:

 

1. forgiveness of sin
2. being clothed in His righteousness
3. peace that passes all understanding.



Joy Dare- June 17

3 gifts in your dad:

 

 

1. his creativity-  My dad has definitely passed down his creative genes to me.  I wouldn't classify myself as artistic but definitely artsy craftsy. 
2. his busyness- Sometimes this isn't such a blessing.  But he and my grandmother couldn't sit still for 5 minutes if their lives depended upon it. 
3. his love of music-  If I think back to my early childhood, I can remember my dad singing, whether it was in church choir or just in the car, there was always music.  

Joy Dare- June 15

3 gifts in His Word:

 

As my previous post stated, this has been a difficult week, filled with sadness at saying good-bye but also a week of learning more about the goodness that is to come in my own life.

 

  Here are the verses I have gleaned as I have read God's word this week:

1. Matthew 5:4-  "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."- beyond true.
2. Luke 6:21- "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."  I am finding more laughter in my life as we enjoy our summer vacation.  I am finding periods of joy instead the long periods of sadness and long suffering.
3. Jeremiah 29:13- " You will search for me.  And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me."  I tend to get weary, teary and stressed out when I take my mind off the cross and put it on the day to day battles.  When I can keep my eyes on Him, the answers seem to come.  I no longer have to worry about saying good-bye, about where we will live, or whether I will get an interview.  Its all in the palm of His hand.  The goal is to leave it there. 

Joy Dare- June 14

A gift unexpected, unwanted and unlikely:

 

I have avoided this post like the plague.  See my unexpected, unwanted and unlikely means saying good-bye.  There is a family in my life that has meant more than words can ever say.  They have wept with me, they have prayed with me and they have admitted that they don't understand why I am enduring what I am. They have been "real" with me and it isn't often that people inside the body of   Christ are able to do that.  It is sad to see them go, but what I know is that God has called them into ministry for a specific purpose.  I know God kept them at our church for as long as He did to help me navigate this journey- to gain my footing in Christ and to learn to lean upon Him alone.  My heart is beyond heavy at watching them leave but it is beyond joyous to know they have the courage to answer the call.  God will continue to provide me with mentors to help me as I continue to figure out life and learn more about His great gift of grace, but it is unlikely that anyone will ever replace the love, and respect this family has given me.  

Joy Dare- June 10

A gift at 8:00, 12:00 and 2:00

 

8:00- the gift of solitude.  A time when I can pray, read and collect my thoughts for the day.  (A cup of coffee is always an added bonus.)

12:00- the gift of rest.  A nap today after sharing time at the coffee shop with my daughter.  It amazes me how we can sit at the same table, reading different books and enjoy being in each other's company. 

2:00- the gift of service.  Peanut and I are volunteering at the local Animal Shelter.  We are "cat socializers" which means we get the cats out of their cages and let them play for a few minutes each day. 

 

Wow what the difference of a week can make.  Much more relaxed momma and kiddo.

Joy Dare- June 8

Three Gifts Empty

1. The laundry basket- its all folded and put away. 
2. Coffee cup- It's good to the last drop
3. my schedule for next week- Now that's a bit stressful but I will try to find the joy in that one. 

Joy Dare- June 7

3 gifts you are reading

1. Blogs by Ann Voskamp- but of course
2. The Bible
3. Gods Best for My Life
4. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
5. A Praying Life by Paul Miller

Joy Dare- June 6

3 gifts of ugly-beautiful:

1. Realizing how lonely I am.  I sat at an event all alone today.  It was a terrible feeling.  I didn't have anyone to relate to or talk to.  But as I left, I realized this is my new life.  It is beautiful because God fashioned it in his own creation.
2. Depression is ugly and rearing it's head these days.  Despite the smiles on my face, my heart aches for what is lost.  It will be beautiful but for today, I ache.

I don't really have a third one tonight. 

Joy Dare- June 5

A gift of peace, of hope and of love

Peace-  For today peace goes along with courage.  I was brave enough to open up to someone else about my journey.  Up until now, I have been very protective of myself and my heart.  Today I let someone else in. 

Hope- It is a very important day in our home.  Today is Gotcha day for my Peanut.  I brought her home 6 years ago today.  Priceless to celebrate that relationship.  The hope of her future is so bright.  The hope that one day she will see how God's hand has been guiding her throughout her life is what I cling to.

Love-  I struggle with this one.  I struggle with understanding God's love for me.  Someone has let me down in a way that I could not put into words.  Its hard to see myself as worthy.  I know it in my head but the heart knowledge just isn't there yet. 

Joy Dare- June 4

3 Gifts found in Christ:

1. forgiveness of the sin of doubt, the sin of self righteousness and the sin of self dependence.
2. selfless love- the love that covers all of the sins above even before they were committed
3. fellowship- the ability to come to Christ as a child, crawl up in his lap, and pray to him, knowing he hears every word. 



Joy Dare- June 3

3 Gifts from Today's Conversations:

 

1. Someone encouraged me to "trust the wisdom I have been given."  When trying to navigate tough waters, its easy to do what other people suggest.  Today I was reminded that God is the only voice I need to heed. 
2. Friendship happens.  I got to share a meal with a former co-worker today.  We reminisced about how life had changed for our little group.  We realized that friendships can never be forced... they happen naturally as you live life together and struggle with each other, hope with each other and celebrate with each other. 
3. I feel so lucky.  As I shared about my current life situation and how my church and community group are supporting me, I realized how blessed I am.  Most people wouldn't know how to deal with conflict.  Most Christians would turn their backs when a conversation became uncomfortable.  But I have people who sit with me in the darkness.  I have people to make my crazy ideas come to life.  I have people who truly want what's best for me and my Peanut.  

Joy Dare- June 1

3 things that are orange:

 

1. The cover of Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
2. A favorite Yankee Candle scent
3. UT orange- Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee

Today was a really difficult day to find things orange to be thankful for.  But I found other things to be thankful for:

1. My church community group- where I can be real- tears, laughter and hugs.  I am so blessed to be a part of this group. 
2. Home- for months I dreaded coming home.  But now, home is less stressful and a place that I enjoy coming home to.
3. Summer break- tomorrow no responsibilities or obligations.  Wow.