My blog is taking a turn today.
Please forgive this hometown girl.
Game seven of the World Series is being played minutes from my front door tonight.
As you can imagine Kansas City (for those of you that don't live here, please understand that when
we say "Kansas City" we are talking about the actual city and all it's surrounding suburbs) is
ALL a buzz. You can feel the excitement in the air! Some have been true believers all along,
some are new to the party. . .either way all are welcome to cheer on our favorite Boys in Blue!
I would say I fall into the middle of that spectrum.
I grew up in the era of George Brett, Frank White, Bret Saberhagen and Willie Wilson. The
stadium was about 20 minutes from our house and I passed it everyday to and from school.
I spent many summer night sitting in GA with my friends and youth group and in fact my first
real date was to a Royals game. I went to church with a couple of players and their families and my
Dear Daddy and I had a standing date every year for my birthday to go to a game.
I can even claim to have sung the National Anthem twice for a Royals game.
But, after the strike in 1994 I became somewhat disillusioned with the game.
And then we had our kiddos and let's face it, for a family of five, a game isn't exactly friendly
to the wallet. We've gone a few times over the years but mostly just kept an ear on what was
happening with the team.
Something happened along the way. . .I forgot how fun a great game of baseball can be.
And while watching all these innings of baseball the past month, it has been so delightful to
remember.
So, thank you Kansas City Royals for being a team we can be proud of-whether you win or lose
tonight. Thank you for bringing back my love of the game. Thank you for appreciating your fans
and loving our city just like we do. Thank you for giving us a reason to collectively cheer about.
Twenty Nine years later and you reminded me and the world watching what a great place KC is
to live and raise a family.
What a delight it's been to watch games where no one is threatening to 'kill, smash, break' the
opponent. (Don't get me wrong I LOVE football, but it's been so lovely to be reminded that
sometimes you can play a game to see who wins against people you don't have to hate. Although
don't get me started on Joe Buck.)
In a world where the news cycle can pretty much make you want to hide under your bed, what a
great reminder its been that sometimes it's ok just to have a little fun and play ball.
We're rooting for the home team tonight.
We totally and absolutely believe --
Now
Go TAKE THE CROWN!
A week ago we had some days and days of rain.
Not just the "Oh what a lovely rain we're having" rain, but the flood the basement, torrential
downpour of rain, are we really in a Tornado Watch in October kind of rain.
For. Days.
When it wasn't raining it was dark. Dark and Gloomy.
These are not my favorite kind of days.
We live in an older neighborhood and there are some HUGE trees that line both sides of the street.
As I was driving our oldest to school, in my mind I was lamenting another gloomy day.
No rain, but no sunshine either. Just dark and dreary.
Then we turned the corner where the trees aren't nearly as close together.
I could hardly believe my eyes as the glare of the sun penetrated through the windshield.
The bright golden sun and a beautiful blue sky-
There they were in all their splendor providing a gorgeous fall day.
_______________________________
I've been thinking about those trees and that beautiful ball of sun a lot these past few days.
What has been rattling around in my head the most is how the sun wasn't suddenly shining and sky
bright blue.
Nope they had been there all along.
What had changed was my perspective of them.
Yes, for awhile, the giant Oak trees had formed a canopy and blocked my view of what was really
happening all around me. Causing me all sorts of lamenting that just didn't need to be.
What need changed was my perspective.
Maybe that's the way it always is in life.
When all we can see is the trouble and the gloom around us-
especially if it has been incredibly dark and stormy for along time, we can forget that even when we
can't see it the SON is still there shining. Doing exactly what the Son does, exactly where He does it.
Others can talk about the what is happening all around them, and I just can't see-I wonder if
we are on different streets.
Perhaps we are, or perhaps my perspective just needs changing.
I've got to take my eyes off those 'trees' in my life, even though they are there.
But, what I know to be true is that always somewhere the sun is shining. Even when I can't see it.
Some times circumstances quickly change to get me to the place where I can see the sun again, other
times it's a long hard journey.
But no matter how long it takes, or how winding the road may be or how many giant trees block the
light, I know the SON is always in His place shinning down on me.
Oh how I hope you know that too. Hold on to that promise.
Blessings along the journey,
Not just the "Oh what a lovely rain we're having" rain, but the flood the basement, torrential
downpour of rain, are we really in a Tornado Watch in October kind of rain.
For. Days.
When it wasn't raining it was dark. Dark and Gloomy.
These are not my favorite kind of days.
We live in an older neighborhood and there are some HUGE trees that line both sides of the street.
As I was driving our oldest to school, in my mind I was lamenting another gloomy day.
No rain, but no sunshine either. Just dark and dreary.
Then we turned the corner where the trees aren't nearly as close together.
I could hardly believe my eyes as the glare of the sun penetrated through the windshield.
The bright golden sun and a beautiful blue sky-
There they were in all their splendor providing a gorgeous fall day.
_______________________________
I've been thinking about those trees and that beautiful ball of sun a lot these past few days.
What has been rattling around in my head the most is how the sun wasn't suddenly shining and sky
bright blue.
Nope they had been there all along.
What had changed was my perspective of them.
Yes, for awhile, the giant Oak trees had formed a canopy and blocked my view of what was really
happening all around me. Causing me all sorts of lamenting that just didn't need to be.
What need changed was my perspective.
Maybe that's the way it always is in life.
When all we can see is the trouble and the gloom around us-
especially if it has been incredibly dark and stormy for along time, we can forget that even when we
can't see it the SON is still there shining. Doing exactly what the Son does, exactly where He does it.
Others can talk about the what is happening all around them, and I just can't see-I wonder if
we are on different streets.
Perhaps we are, or perhaps my perspective just needs changing.
I've got to take my eyes off those 'trees' in my life, even though they are there.
But, what I know to be true is that always somewhere the sun is shining. Even when I can't see it.
Some times circumstances quickly change to get me to the place where I can see the sun again, other
times it's a long hard journey.
But no matter how long it takes, or how winding the road may be or how many giant trees block the
light, I know the SON is always in His place shinning down on me.
Oh how I hope you know that too. Hold on to that promise.
Blessings along the journey,
This past Saturday I spoke to a lovely group of ladies at Abundant Life Baptist Church.
We ended with this charge and I promised them I'd also have it available on the blog along with some
of the verses we read.
My prayer would be that this could encourage you too. Print it out, post it on your bathroom mirror, put in your Bible-some place where you can be reminded and remember to believe.
___________________________________________________________
Today I will choose to believe what God says about himself.
Today I will choose to believe what God says about me.
God says I am loved with an everlasting love.
God says I am an overcomer.
God says I am a Mighty Woman of Valor.
God says I am known and understood.
Today, even when I don't feel it: I will choose to believe that am someone who is cherished and
someone who is especially beloved.
When life circumstances threaten to rob me of my hope--
I will choose to believe --
I am the apple of God's eye.
I am his favorite.
I am wholly, deeply and completely loved.
And because of all of this:
I will live in obedience.
Walk in truth.
Guard my heart.
Love my neighbor
and
I WILL follow Jesus.
THERE IS NO TURNING BACK.
Amen
_________________________________
Lamentation 3:22-23
Ps 17:8
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Isaiah 40:31
Job 11:18
Ps 25:25
Zechariah 2L8
Psalm 18:6,16-18
Psalm 139
________________________________
"Faith makes the choice to believe when feelings or circumstances don't match what we are believing.
Faith says I choose to believe."
Choosing to believe with you today,
We ended with this charge and I promised them I'd also have it available on the blog along with some
of the verses we read.
My prayer would be that this could encourage you too. Print it out, post it on your bathroom mirror, put in your Bible-some place where you can be reminded and remember to believe.
___________________________________________________________
Today I will choose to believe what God says about himself.
Today I will choose to believe what God says about me.
God says I am loved with an everlasting love.
God says I am an overcomer.
God says I am a Mighty Woman of Valor.
God says I am known and understood.
Today, even when I don't feel it: I will choose to believe that am someone who is cherished and
someone who is especially beloved.
When life circumstances threaten to rob me of my hope--
I will choose to believe --
I am the apple of God's eye.
I am his favorite.
I am wholly, deeply and completely loved.
And because of all of this:
I will live in obedience.
Walk in truth.
Guard my heart.
Love my neighbor
and
I WILL follow Jesus.
THERE IS NO TURNING BACK.
Amen
_________________________________
Lamentation 3:22-23
Ps 17:8
Jeremiah 29:11-14
Isaiah 40:31
Job 11:18
Ps 25:25
Zechariah 2L8
Psalm 18:6,16-18
Psalm 139
________________________________
"Faith makes the choice to believe when feelings or circumstances don't match what we are believing.
Faith says I choose to believe."
Choosing to believe with you today,
I was in Walmart Saturday.
(I enjoy a challenge.)
When I overheard two ladies chatting, who apparently hadn't seen each in awhile. ( I am a major people watcher so I can't help but take these sights in . . .) And as women do, one of the ladies asked the other 'what do you do'.
Her answer may or may not surprise you.
She said 'Oh you know, I'm just a Mom'.
I tried to hide my smile and fight the urge to go and hug her!
I've described myself like that-recently in fact.
Just a Mom.
Well on my drive home I began thinking of all the reasons why we do describe ourselves that way, which lead me to thinking about all the women who were 'just' something.
Eve was just first.
Mrs.Noah was just a wife standing by her man.
Jochobed(Moses mother) was just a mother trying to save a baby.
Sarah was just an old lady.
Rachel was just weeping for her son.
Rahab was just a prostitute.
Hannah was just a lady praying for a baby.
Bathsheba was just used.
Ruth was just a widow.
Naomi was just a mother in law.
Esther was just an orphan.
Mary was just a girl.
Anna was just waiting for her Messiah.
Martha was just busy.
Mary Magdalen just a women who knew what she'd been delivered from.
Priscilla was just a faithful follower.
Maybe your 'just' is something you don't think can be used.
Just divorced, just lost a child, just lost a job, just a single person, just a women with a career, just uneducated, just a mom.
I'm so glad the Lord looks at my 'justs' and sees what only He can do with them.
(I enjoy a challenge.)
When I overheard two ladies chatting, who apparently hadn't seen each in awhile. ( I am a major people watcher so I can't help but take these sights in . . .) And as women do, one of the ladies asked the other 'what do you do'.
Her answer may or may not surprise you.
She said 'Oh you know, I'm just a Mom'.
I tried to hide my smile and fight the urge to go and hug her!
I've described myself like that-recently in fact.
Just a Mom.
Well on my drive home I began thinking of all the reasons why we do describe ourselves that way, which lead me to thinking about all the women who were 'just' something.
Eve was just first.
Mrs.Noah was just a wife standing by her man.
Jochobed(Moses mother) was just a mother trying to save a baby.
Sarah was just an old lady.
Rachel was just weeping for her son.
Rahab was just a prostitute.
Hannah was just a lady praying for a baby.
Bathsheba was just used.
Ruth was just a widow.
Naomi was just a mother in law.
Esther was just an orphan.
Mary was just a girl.
Anna was just waiting for her Messiah.
Martha was just busy.
Mary Magdalen just a women who knew what she'd been delivered from.
Priscilla was just a faithful follower.
Maybe your 'just' is something you don't think can be used.
Just divorced, just lost a child, just lost a job, just a single person, just a women with a career, just uneducated, just a mom.
I'm so glad the Lord looks at my 'justs' and sees what only He can do with them.
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