Lost

It's Friday again. Yep, you guessed it. That means it's time for Five Minute Friday where I link up with Lisa-Jo Baker and a whole group of bold, brave, courageous writers to write on a topic for five minutes - no editing, no second guessing, just straight writing.

Today we are writing about lost...

It's been such a short time and yet, there is a familiarity that is years old. Have we really only just begun?

It all started innocently enough. As all really great things do. Baseball. It was baseball that connected us. Your passion for the kids. My desire for my son to be exposed to something really great.

Is it really possible to get so lost...so easily...so quickly? The world and those in it would say it's not rational. Or reasonable. But since when is getting lost reasonable or rational?

So many times, I think of you and get lost in the possibilities...the opportunities...the 'what-ifs' {of the truly great kind}. And before I know it, I've arrived at my destination.

Getting lost in the moment...while I'm watching you coach or work...and coming to the conclusion that I'm a goner.

So many conversations we've had about our dreams, desires, goals...many of which are lost in this day and age. It's about getting back to the basics.

And being found. And looking at you and feeling like I'm home...no longer lost, but right where I'm supposed to be.

Maybe I was never lost to begin with. Just on my way to something really great. And I found you. 

Release

Well y'all. It's Friday. We've made it through another week. And may I share with you that it's not just any other Friday? On this particular day, I get to celebrate my life. The life given to me by my earthly parents and my Heavenly Father. 

But that's not what this post is about. Today, as with most Fridays, I'm linking up with Lisa-Jo Baker for her Five Minute Friday writing challenge. If you don't typically read her, may I suggest you head on over there now? Go ahead, I'll wait...

Today, the prompt is Release...

Most days I write - words that are my story, that are true and genuine and only mine to write and share. 

Most days I read - words that inspire, words that cut deep to the soul of my being.

Most days I do a litany of other tasks as well; laundry, dishes, prepare meals, kiss boo-boos, give hugs {my favorite!}, tell stories, say prayers. 

All of these things, and more, define who I am. Who I am to my children, others, and most importantly, my God. They shape and mold me.

Some days, I wonder who I'm doing all of this for. Who am I writing for? Who receives the benefit of my reading? I know why I do the laundry and dishes and meal prep; because no one else will do it.

But why do I invest the time to kiss boo-boos? Why do I take the time to say prayers that are thoughtful and genuine? 

Why do I share the stories that shaped me?

These are things I do that are released into the atmosphere. These things are less for my benefit, and more for the benefit of others to come; others that may come along after me. 

On this day, I am releasing the expectation that people will read what I write; that people will like what I write; that I may have an impact on someone else.

Today, I'm releasing the desires to share the big stuff. Instead, I'm remembering that it's a bunch of little stuff that makes up the big stuff. 

And it's the whole lot of little stuff that matters. 

Today, I'm releasing these words, and the words to come...I'm releasing them into the world to do what they are meant to do. And it's not my call or decision what their meaning is. 

That's up to the Creator. 

So, ultimately, I'm releasing my words to Him. For Him. Because of Him. 

Messenger

A messenger can be found in many places, in many spaces. Just yesterday, I had two very special messengers.

The first messenger came to me when I was feeling discouraged about where I am in my bible reading plan, because I'm behind. Not to mention the fact that I was not feeling an overwhelming connection to the text. 

And then, out of the blue, one of my favorite people sent me a message with these words:

"1 Kings 18:30b, 'And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.' 

Rightly dividing the Word of truth faithfully is like Elijah's careful and meticulous preparations on the altar. Obedience and faith came before the fire."

WOW! Talk about right. on. time. I needed this message from this messenger. I needed to hear that the important thing is not the timing of my bible reading, but the fact that I am faithfully in His Word. That I am reading and dissecting and trying to grasp the truth of His word. That I'm trying to not be just a hearer, but also a do-er of His Word. 

This, yes this obedience of being in His Word daily. The faith that His Word does not return void. Yes, these come before the fire. These come before the miracles. 

The second messenger was found in a song on the radio and the scripture on my wall. I was enjoying the company of a special guest in my home last night. 

While we were sitting there, Jeremy Camp came on the radio. He was singing about walking by faith. At that point, I turned to my wall where the words of 2 Corinthians 5:7 are emblazoned. These words that were placed with careful consideration before I even had the hopes of owning my home...my little slice of heaven here on earth. These words that remind me that this home is my blessing. It has MY name on it. And if it's my blessing, no one can take it from me.

At that moment, I had to smile. I had to smile knowing that God, in His infinite wisdom, gives us just what we need when we need it. The good and the bad. And I knew, while enjoying my guest's company, that one day, God will give me what I need, right when I'm ready for it and not a moment too soon. I need only to walk by faith. And keep rightly dividing His Word of truth. Faithfully. 

My Temple

Dictionary.com defines temple as: 'an edifice or place dedicated to the service or worship of a deity.' 

Also, 'any place or object in which God dwells, as the body of a Christian,' as referenced in 1 Corinthians 6:19. In this verse, we read, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?"

I've been doing a One Year plan to read the entire Bible. (Can I share with you that I'm a little behind? But can I also share with you that I'm learning sooo much?) The Lord is revealing some things to me that I wouldn't want to miss by rushing through His word.

In my reading yesterday in 2 Chronicles 6, Solomon had just finished building the temple that was to be for The Lord. He then offers a prayer of dedication for it. 

In this dedication in verses 20 & 21, he says, "May your eyes be open toward this temple day and night, this place of which you said you would put your Name there. May you hear the prayer your servant prays toward this place"

When I read this, I get excited! Especially when I think of my body being God's temple. 

Think about that...if your body is a temple, this prayer of dedication is asking God to keep His eyes open toward it day and night...to never turn away...to never close His eyes toward it. 

This prayer of dedication asks God to have constant, unwavering, laser-like focus on YOU.

So, with this in the back of my mind, I continued to read. All the way to chapter 7. Where I found the Lord appeared to Solomon.

In verses 15 & 16, the Lord says, "Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there."

Wait...what...what did I just read?

Ok, so not only can I be so bold as to ask God to never, not for one second, take his eyes off of me...no, more than that...don't even CLOSE them. But I can also ask Him to listen for my prayers...and He will do it?!?!?!

He says He will listen for my prayers. 

He says HE chose and consecrated this temple...me, my body. But why did He do it? Did He do it because I'm so wonderful? Because I'm so great at obeying Him? Because I'm so unselfish? 

Good gracious no. He did it so that His name would be there forever. Not just for the day...not just for the week...not for that one year that you've I've really got your my stuff together...but FOREVER. Even when you're I'm acting a fool. Even when you I forget about Him...He never forgets about you me. 

His eyes and His heart are always there...with me...in my temple, that was built for service and worship to Him. 

He did it so that He can get the glory.

Blueberry Cobbler

Whenever we have family and friend gatherings, one of my most requested dishes is my blueberry cobbler. The kids and I are having very special guests for dinner tonight and I'm making this dish for our dessert. So, I thought I would share my recipe with you all. I have adapted this from The Pioneer Woman's Blackberry Cobbler recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 pound (1 stick) butter, melted (as a sidenote, you will NOT find margarine in my house - we always use butter)
• 1 1/4 cups plus 2+ tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup half & half (you can substitute milk, if you prefer)
• 2 cups fresh (or frozen) blueberries (if you're local to Lafayette, you should check out the Prelock Blueberry Farm. This is where I get mine from and they're quite possibly the BEST blueberries out there!)

Preheat the oven to 350.

Grease a 3-quart baking dish with butter.

Place the stick of butter in a microwave-safe dish. Heat in 30-45 second increments until melted.

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, salt, baking powder, and 1 cup of the sugar. 

Whisk the half & half into the dry ingredients. 

Whisk in the melted butter.

Rinse the blueberries and pat them dry. (If you're working with frozen blueberries, it's likely you've already done this step prior to freezing them.)

Pour the batter into the baking dish. Sprinkle the blueberries evenly over the top of the batter.

Evenly sprinkle 1/4 cup of sugar over the blueberries.

Bake for 1 hour, or until golden brown and bubbly. When 10 minutes of the baking time remain, evenly sprinkle the remaining 2+ tablespoons of sugar over the top (use your best guesstimate, sometimes I use more, sometimes just the 2 tablespoons).

When you're done, you're left with baked blueberry deliciousness that will keep 'em coming back for more!

{Today, I'm linking up with the Simple Life Sunday Blog}

Hands

I once read that things are different in the hands of different people.

For example, a paintbrush is much different when in the hands of Monet versus a child.

A basketball is much different in the hands of Michael Jordan than those of Babe Ruth.

A piano sounds much different when played by the hands of Mozart than when played by the hands of a first year piano student.

Clay turns out to be something much more inspired when molded by Leonardo da Vinci than when turned and shaped by a college student in an elective course.

One of the best examples I can think of to illustrate this is with the two fish and the five loaves of bread.

In Luke 9, there was a crowd of people surrounding Jesus and His disciples waiting and yearning to be taught. But, as Jesus repeatedly taught us, we need to meet people where they are before attempting to minister the Word of God to them.

This crowd was hungry, so Jesus told His disciples, "You give them something to eat."

They replied, "We only have five loaves of bread and two fish-unless we go and buy food for all this crowd."

If you are familiar with the story, you know that Jesus takes the bread and the fish, and, "looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them."

The story further goes on to tell us that everyone ate to their satisfaction and there was still plenty that was left over.

Two fish and five loaves of bread go much further when in the hands of Jesus than when in the hands of His disciples.

When I apply this to my life, I realize that my circumstances, my children, my blessings, my challenges are all different in my hands than in the hands of others. While I may long for an easier road, or different blessings, I realize that God can't accomplish what He wants to in me and through me without giving me what is in my hands.

Only I can prepare my children for the life God has for them; no other mother could do that. Only I can share with others my struggles as a single parent and give them hope that they, too, will come out on the other side - and stronger for it.

Only my words will breathe life into an experience I've lived; one that will deeply move and touch the heart of another.

So, friends, on this day, instead of looking at your situation and wondering why this is the hand that God has dealt you, thank Him that He chose you for this great work. Work that only you and your hands can accomplish for His greater purpose.

Close

Sometimes I wonder if we're close enough. Not as in geographically. Or even in the same house.

But are we close enough that it's going to mean something when they get older. When they want to talk about things that really matter.

Do they genuinely see me as a refuge? As a safe haven? As someone who really has their back? Are we that kind of close?

I know at some point, they will turn to their peers before they turn to me. But, do we have that close-knit bond that will allow them to understand that, despite what predicament they get into with or without their friends, they can call home? They can call their Momma...and I will listen or help.

I want to be close enough to them that when they get older and they get into a wrong relationship, they can call me and I'll listen without judgment or even negative non-verbal communication.

Will they know that I just have their best interests at heart?

Are we close enough for them to know that they can rely on me to be there when their friends decide to drink and drive and they aren't comfortable getting into the car with them?

Are we close enough for them to know that they can rely on me to be there when they decide to drink and NOT drive and they need a ride home?

Am I laying the foundation, daily, that is required for us to be this kind of close?

Am I putting in the hard work, the dedication, the time necessary to make this kind of close a reality?

Am I praying the hard prayers that seem to go out into the abyss, only to be answered many days, weeks, months, and years later?