Five Minute Friday: Give

Sometimes in our lives we are put into close contact with people who make us a little crazy. They could be family, a friend, a co-worker, your kids, or a complete stranger. You know the people . . . the ones who get on your every last nerve, who stand a little too close, talk a little too loud, whine a little too much, or expect way too much of you. It's these people who are so hard to love. It's these people who when you see them, every part of you screams "RUN!".

But it is these people who we are called to GIVE grace to. It is these people we are called to GIVE love to. It is these people who we are called to GIVE a second chance to. This person, the one who makes you crazy, they are human too. They have feelings that get hurt, a heart that aches and longs for connection, a stomach that churns with anxiety. That person may be struggling with something we can never understand or fathom.

I've been reminded lately of the love that was so freely GIVEN to me by Jesus when He died on the cross. He GAVE His life for me. He GAVE me hope and a future. It is my job to GIVE to others, just as he GAVE to me! It is my job to GIVE understanding, to GIVE grace, to GIVE encouragement, to GIVE hope and acceptance. No matter how difficult a person may be or how hard it is to love them, we must GIVE all we have into showing them that they matter, that they are important, that Jesus died for them to.

Who is God calling you to GIVE love and grace to today? Who can you GIVE a second chance to this holiday season?

Five Minute Friday: Notice

When was the last time you really took time to NOTICE the things around you?

Did you notice the brilliant colors of the sunset? Did you notice the the tiny flower growing amidst the weeds? Did you notice the snow decorating the mountain peaks?

What about in your home? Did you notice the way your daughter copied your every  move? Did you notice the way your husband did the dishes with a servant's heart? Did you notice when your littlest one learned a new skill?

So often we get consumed with social media, with TV, movies and games that we miss the things around us. I'll be the first to admit that I spent way too much time staring at my phone and not nearly enough time staring at my amazing family that God has blessed me with. There are days where it is way easier to tune out and zone out then to pay attention to what is right in front of me.

In the Bible, Jesus tells us to NOTICE the lilies of the field. He urges us to look to the ants, to notice the mustard seed, to see the star shining bright in the night sky. He brings our attention to the small rudder that steers a giant ship. In order to see these things, we have to be aware & attentive. They are things that are small and seemingly insignificant yet contain great lessons to be learned if we'd truly stop and notice what is before us.

What is it that He is trying to draw your attention towards? What is He wanting you to NOTICE that may be right in front of you? Rather than focus on the big things, on the meaningless things, turn your focus towards HIM this week. NOTICE the way He is working and moving in your life. NOTICE the ways in which He has blessed you abundantly. NOTICE how much HE loves you by looking at the incredible people He has placed in your life.

Take time to NOTICE this week.

Five Minute Friday: Still

7 months later we are STILL waiting for a job for my hubby. We are still unsure of what God has up His sleeve for our family. The past 7 months have not looked at all like we planned. Somehow, in the midst of all the uncertainty and the unplanned, we've had peace.

"Be STILL and KNOW that I am God." -Psalm 46:10

He was faithful to His promises all the way back to Noah and Abraham and I still believe with all my heart that He will do the same today. Over the past 7 months He has provided for our every need and then some. He has blessed us with so many fun moments together and so many memories have been made as a result of the 4 of us being together. My kids have had their Daddy around almost every day and as a result, they have connected with him in ways that they otherwise wouldn't.

Not to say its always easy but we are learning to be still and wait for HIS timing...there are weeks that go by with no prospects, no e-mails, no interviews, no nothing...and yet we still know that He is in control. I know without a shadow of a doubt that HE has a plan for our family and that He has a great job out there for my incredible husband. I know this time together is a gift, a blessing in disguise. 

So even though we are STILL waiting, we are able to be STILL and rest in the assurance that HE IS GOD.

Five Minute Friday: Turn

"Is it my turn yet?"

"But he already had a turn!!"

"Please share and take turns."

Welcome to the world of siblings and just kids in general! Everyone wants a turn to be first, a turn to play with the newest and greatest toy, a turn to say the prayer, a turn to help Mom at the store, a turn to pick a movie, etc. When you're a kid, the world is all about YOU. Heaven forbid you should have to wait your turn or wait to get chosen . . . and so the tears ensue or the tantrum begins. These are to be expected with kids.

But what about grown-ups? When's the last time you just wanted to sit down and cry because it was supposed to be your turn for good news? Have you ever just wanted to throw yourself to the ground and kick your feet and flail your arms because it was supposed to be your turn for a job, your turn to have a baby, your turn to sleep in, your turn to have a night off, your turn to choose where you wanted to go for dinner, etc.?! As grown-ups we're supposed to be creatures who can think logically, reason, and wait our turn. But sometimes its hard. Its hard to watch everyone else get their turn around you while you are still left waiting. It's hard to watch others find success after success while you feel like the only think you're good at finding is failure.

Taking turns is hard, even as grown-ups. But it's part of life. And so we must learn to wait . . . wait our turn, wait for our moment in the spotlight, wait for our fate to change. And in turn, it will . . . we won't stay stuck forever. Eventually our turn will come and we will get a chance to shine, to succeed, to feel like a million bucks!