Maintaining Perspective

It is important to look at things from God's point of view. I Cor. 4:6 (The Message)

If a temporary loss of perspective has left you worried, exhausted, or both, it's time to readjust your thought patterns. Negative thoughts are habit-forming; thankfully, so are positive ones. With practice, you can form the habit of focusing on God's priorities and your possibilities. When you do, you'll soon discover that you will spend less time fretting about your challenges and more time praising God for His gifts.

When you call upon the Lord and prayerfully seek His will, He will give you wisdom and perspective. When you make God's priorities your priorities, He will direct your steps and calm your fears. So today and every day hereafter, pray for a sense of balance and perspective. And remember; no problems are too big for God--and that includes yours.

The Bible is a remarkable commentary on perspective. Through its divine message, we are brought face to face with issues and tests in daily living and how, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to respond positively to them. -Luci Swindoll

Seeking His Will

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Ps. 143:10

God has a plan for our world and our lives. God does not do things by accident; He is willful and intentional. Unfortunately for us, we cannot always understand the will of God. Why? Because we are mortal beings with limited understanding. Although we cannot fully comprehend the will of God, we should always trust the will of God.

As this day unfolds, seek God's will and obey His Word. When you entrust your life to Him without reservation, He will give you the courage to meet any challenge, the strength to endure any trial, and the wisdom to live in His righteousness and in His peace.

The only safe place is the center of God's will. It is not only the safest place. It is also the most rewarding and the most satisfying place to be. -Gigi Graham Tchividjian

Heavenly Father, I will study Your Word and seek Your guidance. Give me the wisdom to know Your will for my life and the courage to follow wherever You may lead me, today and forever. Amen.

Indescribable

From the highest of heights
To the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall
To the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God

What Doesn't Change

Dear Lord, our world changes, but You are unchanging. When I face challenges that leave me discouraged or fearful, I will turn to You for strength and assurance. Let my trust in You--like Your love for me--be unchanging and everlasting. Amen.

Optimism now!

Wow! Everyday, this devotional book of mine tells me something that I REALLY needed to hear on that specific day! It's amazing how God does that! Here's the one I read this morning...hope it is something that helps you, too!

And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Phil. 4:8 (NLT)

As Christian women, we have every reason to rejoice. God is in His heaven; Christ has risen, and we are the sheep of His flock. But, when the demands of life seem great and our resources seem small by comparison, we may find ourselves exhausted, discouraged, or both.

What's your attitude today? Are you fearful, angry, or worried? Are you confused, bitter, or pessimistic? If so, God wants to have a little chat with you.

God wants you to experience His joy and abundance. But, God will not force His joy upon you; you must claim it for yourself. So today, and every day thereafter, celebrate this life that God has given you. Think optimistically about yourself and your future. Give thanks to the One who has given you everything, and trust in your heart that He wants to give you so much more.

Develping a positive attitude means working continually to find what is uplifting and encouraging.

The Importance of Prayer

Are y'all ready for another post from my devotional book? I've just really been enjoying these daily devo's, and I thought some of you might enjoy them as well. This one really stepped on my toes. I'll be honest, I realize that my prayer life hasn't been what it should be, and this devo was like a kick in the pants for me and exactly what I needed to hear.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Prayer is a powerful tool for communication with our Creator; it is an opportunity to commune with the Giver of all things good. Prayer is not a thing to be taken lightly or to be used infrequently. Prayer should never be reserved for mealtimes or for bedtimes; it should be an ever-present focus in our daily lives.

Daily prayer and meditation is a matter of will and habit. You must willingly organize your time by carving out quiet moments with God, and you must form the habit of daily worship. When you do, you'll discover that no time is more precious than the silent moments you spend with your Heavenly Father.

Dear Lord, I will open my heart to You. I will take my concerns, my fears, and my hopes to You in prayer. And, then, I will trust the answers that You give. You are my loving Father, and I will accept Your will for my life today and every day that I live. Amen.

Celebrating Others

I have a devotional book for women that I've been reading daily. Some of you might have seen some of the prayers from that book posted as my status on facebook from time to time. I really liked this prayer today, and thought I would share it with whomever still looks at my very rarely updated blog! It was something that I really needed to hear today.

Dear Lord, let me celebrate the accomplishments of others. Make me a source of genuine, lasting encouragement to my family and friends. And let my words and deeds be worthy of Your Son, the One who gives me strength and salvation, this day and for all eternity. Amen.

The Motions

I know y'all love how I don't post for 8 months, then when I do, it's more song lyrics. Sorry...these just spoke to me. I heard this song by Matthew West on the way to work this morning, and it struck me as something I really needed to hear.


The Motions

This might hurt
It’s not safe
But I know that I’ve gotta make a change
I don’t care if I break
At least I’ll be feeling something
‘Cause 'just ok' is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don’t wanna go through the motions
I don’t wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don’t wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything?
Instead of going through the motions

No regrets
Not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I’m finally feeling something

Take me all the way

Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

I was listening to a cd that I haven't listened to in a long time as I drove around on my lunch break yesterday. It really got to me and I thought I'd just share the chorus and bridge with you....

So, thank You, Jesus

Even when You see us just as we are

Fragile and frail and so far from who we want to be

So, thank You, Jesus

Even when the pieces are broken and small

Dreams shatter and scatter like the wind

Thank You, even then

So I put aside the masquerade

And admit that I am not okay

Which may not be the thing to say

But I'm not ashamed to need You more each day

-Nicole Nordeman

Random

Well, I realize that every time I post something new, no one can believe it. I just don't take the time to blog much, and truthfully, I don't feel I have a lot to say!! But once in a while, I'll think of something random that I want to share. This time, it's a poem that my dad wrote for me 7 1/2 years ago when my daughter was born. I was with friends on New Years Eve, and one of them shared a poem that was written about her son by her mother, his grandmother. It made me remember this poem that my dad wrote for me and my daughter, and to this day, it brings tears to my eyes. It is so special to me, as I know it will be someday to my daughter. I just thought I would share it with you all too! I guess I should tell you that my daughter and I were both born in July, and I was 4 days shy of turning 25 on the day she was born...

There were bright, white-hot days and dark, muggy nights

In July, twenty-five summers ago.

And there was change upon change in every aspect of life--

We were bringing our new baby home.

We would cuddle her close and stare at her face

And wonder what would become

Of this beautiful creature, this dear little Angel

God had given us for our very own.

Sometimes in the night when our Angel would cry

Mommy and Daddy both got to our feet

And decided who'd feed her and rock her this time

And who'd get to go back to sleep.

When Mommy was worn out and needed to rest

Daddy would then do his part.

He would cuddle and rock and hold on his chest

The Angel who had stolen his heart.

He's sing "Hush-a-bye" and he'd sing "Daddy's Baby"

He'd sing them over and over again.

He sang to his Angel and told her he hoped

That someday she would sing songs with him.

Mommies and daughters have a special bond

That only mommies and daughters can know.
Daughters and daddies have something different--

Something that may not always show.

Those first nights at home with our little girl

Came back clearly and painfully, as well
When I saw my Angel in a white gown and veil

And heard the ringing of her wedding bells.

Our little Angel is grown and now out on her own

With her husband, a special young man.

And there is change upon change taking place in their home

Twenty-fve summers have past and it's July again.

There are bright, white-hot days and dark, muggy nights

This July, just like others we've known.

And God has visited my daughter and has given to her

An Angel of her very own.

I never thought I'd see an Angel on earth

Much less raise on in my own home.

But now I have seen--through another miracle of birth--

my Angel bring her Angel home.

-Papa

My Thoughts...

One of Jarrod's cousins sent me this e-mail today, and I thought it was great! I'm SO sick of politics and everyone's opinion on them. I've tried not to blog about any of it, or post anything about it on my facebook, etc...So, when I got this email today, I thought it really summed up how I'm feeling. Have a great rest of the week!


This keeps things in true perspective.

Dear Friends, For months now my email Inbox has been besieged by nearly hysterical warnings about what will happen if Barack Obama becomes President. I have been encouraged to be worried, afraid, concerned, prepared for disaster, and a whole host of other maladies if this happens. I do not deny the importance of this election, but it seems to me that we need a dose of perspective. This is a "True/False" test. I'd like for all of us to take it.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, Jesus will still be King.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our responsibilities as Christians will not have changed one iota.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the greatest agent for social change in America will still be winning the hearts and minds of men and women through the gospel, not legislation.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my primary citizenship will still be in this order – (1) the Kingdom of God, (2)America, not vice-versa.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the tomb will still be empty.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the cross, not the government, will still be our salvation.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, our children will still be more concerned with whether or not we spend time with them than with who is President.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my neighbor will still be my neighbor, and loving him/her will still be the second greatest commandment. (Do you know the first?)

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see abortion ultimately overturned will still be winning men and women to a high view of life through the gospel of Christ.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, the only way to see gay marriage ultimately defeated will still be winning men and women to a biblical view of marriage through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, my retirement will still not match my treasure in Heaven.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, "Jesus Is Lord" will still be the greatest truth in the Universe.

True/False: The day after the election, regardless of who wins, we will still know that God is in control.

How did you score?

It's Me!

I know I haven't updated in ages, and I still really don't have time. Lots of stuff going on in our lives. I have "first day of school" pictures, but I haven't taken the time to load them on my computer yet. The kids are loving school. Macy is in 2nd grade, and Brady started K4. He's really happy. He was ready! I wasn't, but he was. I've since gone back to work full time. What an adjustment! I haven't worked full time in over 7 years! We're all getting used to the routine.

I just ran across something that I wanted to share....especially with all you mothers! I knew you'd appreciate it. I'll try to post some pictures soon! Have a great weekend! Enjoy this funny!

Dear kids,

The bathroom door is closed. Please do not stand here and talk, whine, or ask questions. Wait until I get out.

Yes, it is locked. I want it that way. It is not broken, I am not trapped. I know I have left it unlocked and even open at times since you were born because I was afraid some horrible tragedy might occur while I was in here, but it's been 10 years and I want some PRIVACY!

Do not ask me how long I will be. I will come out when I am done.

Do not bring the phone to the bathroom door.

Do not go running back to the phone yelling, "She's in the BATHROOM!"

Do not begin to fight as soon as I go in.

Do not stick your little fingers under the door and wiggle them. This was funny when you were two, but not now.

Do not slide pennies, Legos, or notes under the door. Even when you were two, this got a little tiresome.

If you have followed me down the hall talking and are still talking as you face this closed door, please turn around, walk away, and wait for me in another room. I will be glad to listen to you when I am done.

And yes, I still love you.

Mom

Big Weekend

I hope you all had a happy 4th of July! Despite the not so great weather, we had fun with family. I guess the biggest news from our weekend something that happened to my husband. He and some of his fellow firefighters were working at the park on the 4th, and a lady that worked for one of the local Hospice's came around asking everyone to register for a prize. He took the form and stuck it in his pocket. He wasn't really planning on filling it out. Honestly, we never win anything, so why bother. So, later, she came around to collect the forms. She asked him if he filled his out, and he told her that he didn't. She said, "Oh come on...you need to fill it out...you might win!" Well, guess what? HE DID WIN! Oh, and did I mention the prize???? Well, it was a

Oh yes! We're SO excited!! I was not one of the ones that got up at the crack of dawn and searched every store around Christmas time. We knew we would enjoy one, but I am just NOT the person that will wear myself out trying to acquire something that requires so much effort and money. Then, WE WON ONE!!!!!!!!!! So, that was an exciting ending to our Fourth of July...

Now, we've been partying this afternoon. Macy's 7th birthday party was today. She had a great time swimming with friends. Her cake was a flip flop cake this year, so here is the picture:
I must admit, this was a pretty yummy cake. The flip flops were frosted with homemade butter cream icing, and the bottom part was homemade caramel icing. Yum! I asked her if she wanted it to say "Happy 7th Birthday Macy Brooke" or just "Macy" and she said, "Macy Bug." That's what we called her the first several years of her life. So, that is why it says, "Macy Bug."

We'll be going to the beach next week, and I intend to take lots more pics then I did in May. Have a great week!!

It's Time!

Well, wouldn't you all say it's about time for a new post? Sorry...I'm really bad at this.

We went to the beach a few weeks ago...you'd think I would've posted pictures from that trip, but wonderful parent that I am, I really didn't take that many. There are a couple of cute ones that I took of the kids...from behind! They're looking out at the ocean. I didn't know that anyone really cared much about looking at my kids back sides! We had a good time with my family. We're going back July 12 with Jarrod's side of the family, and I'm planning on doing a lot better with the camera!

Things have been hectic around here, as usual. Between working, carting kids to and from VBS, fever viruses, and WALKING...let me just fill some of you in on the walking, in case you haven't heard. Me and 5 of my girlfriends from church are doing the 3 day, 60 mile breast cancer walk in Atlanta on Oct. 24-26. We'll be walking 20 miles a day for 3 days. We started training in May. It's going well...and I'm enjoying growing my friendships with these girls as we walk miles and miles and miles in preparation for our big weekend. This morning, we walked 6...that's the longest one so far. It feels good to be done with it for the day, and it's such a sense of accomplishment! Also, let me thank all of you have donated to the cause!!! Our fundraising has been very successful! (and if you'd still like to donate, let me know and I'll tell you how!!) I just think it's going to be a life-changing experience, and I'm looking forward to it. Keep us in your prayers!

Also, may I just say HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY TO MYSELF! Today, yes, I realize it's Friday the 13th, is our 10th wedding anniversary. That sounds like such a long time! It's been a great 10 years, and I look forward to many more. I'm singing in a wedding this weekend, so we've got the rehearsal tonight and wedding tomorrow, but we're still managing a mini-retreat. Jarrod made all the arrangements for us to spend the night in Florence's nice, new Marriott Hotel/Spa tonight. Check out isn't until NOON, so I intend to stay there until precisely NOON and enjoy all the child-free time!

That's it...really exciting post...but something new, anyway! I always say that I'll try to do better...maybe this time, I really will! I'll certainly have some birthday and beach pictures to post next month if I don't get to anything sooner! Macy's birthday is July 9, we leave on July 12 for the beach, and my birthday is July 14...How lucky am I to get to celebrate my birthday at the beach! Yippie!! I'm sure y'all will be waiting with eager anticipation for pictures of Macy's birthday cake this year! I'm not sure what she's having yet...right now, I think she's leaning toward a flip-flop cake. We shall see!

Have a great weekend!

Praising God!

Wow! How easy is it to praise God when a situation has a happy ending? For me to experience joy and exclaim "Praise God!" and know that if the situation had turned out completely opposite of how I wanted, I'm still called to exclaim "Praise God!"

Here's an example:

Last week, we got news that a man...many of us knew him as one of the following: friend, brother in Christ, former classmate, husband, father, grandson, and son, had been killed in a plane crash. He was a pilot. That is horrible, tragic, and shocking news. Add to that that in his death, his wife was left a widow for the SECOND time...and she's 32, maybe 33 years old. Twice widowed. They have 2 children...a little boy, age 3 years and little girl, age 6 months. This woman blows my mind...in the face of tragedy, she doesn't think twice about saying, "This is God's plan for my life." Sure, I think that deep down, we might all know that... but I'm willing to confess to you right now that I don't know if I'd be able to voice that immediately after learning that my second husband had died suddenly.

That happened on Wednesday. Fast forward to yesterday...Sunday. My mother gets a call from my brother who is with his family in Tuscaloosa visiting his sister-in-law that has just had her first child. He tells mom that they are in the ER with Sam, my nephew. Now, if any of you know Sam...this wouldn't really be shock. We're all quite surprised that he's never been to the ER before...considering that he only knows one speed...WIDE OPEN! So, we assumed it was for stitches, maybe even a broken bone. Ethan then proceeds to tell her that everything is OK, Sam is going to be fine, but they had found him floating in the pool of the people they were staying with. I can't really explain how I felt when I heard this news. I just know that I can't count how many times I've thanked and praised God since we got that call... because it has a happy ending! Would I have been so inclined to shout it from the rooftops if the story had a different outcome? That has really given me something to think about!

Thank God for all he does for us. Although we can't see the big picture that He clearly has for us, I know that I trust Him...even if it might be hard to grasp it and proclaim it sometimes.

Right now, I'm thankful for my precious nephew.
It was a very scary and emotional day for everyone in our family yesterday, especially his parents. I thank God that He spared Sam, and I thank God for the kind of parents Ethan and Lisa are. They are wonderful, attentive parents, and they need to be reassured of that. Thanks for all your prayers and phone calls! It means a lot to us all! Also, please continue to pray for the Faulkner family during their time of grief and loss. "Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!." Psalm 150:6

Happy Easter!

Well, while I REEEEEEEEALLY need to be cleaning my house, I'm sitting here trying to catch up on my blog reading and posting! I thought I'd pass along some pictures of our Easter weekend. We spent the weekend at my mom and dad's house. My brother and his family came in Friday night and stayed through Saturday night, so we did our egg dying and hunt on Saturday. It was fun. Here are a couple of pictures from that:

Also, the kids were pretty excited about the movies that Mimi gave them!

Here they are dressed up on Sunday...Brady is my "maker of goofy faces!" The second one is of Macy, Brady, and Mimi.

Lastly, this is the third spring that the swans have nested behind mom and dad's house. We're looking forward to watching another drama unfold with the swan family!

Remember Me?

Well, it's been a while, I know! I thought it only fitting to follow up my last post with a video of Macy performing part of it. The song was in our children's play called "Power" that they performed this past weekend. They did a great job, and put LOTS of time and effort into preparing for it! This video (assuming I can get it on here) is of Macy (singing first) and another friend, Annsley, singing the first verse. The quality isn't as good when I transferred it to youtube...oh well. Even though the quality isn't great, you can still see Macy trip on the way back to the risers. It was really kind of funny...especially if you'd been able to see the look on her face! I'm sure there was a better way to post this video, but I'm not very computer savvy. I tried to used blogger's video "thing," but my file was too big! Anyway...this is as good as I could get it...

Also, I had to bake a cake for Dr. Seusses (is that the plural of "Seuss"?) birthday today. Macy's teacher is a HUGE Dr. Seuss fan, and she always celebrates his birthday in a big way. She asked me to make a cake, and here's what I came up with:

I was happy with it...especially since it was the easiest cake I've ever made! All I did was cut a little off the sides of a 9x13, and there you have it! And only 2 colors! Wow...I didn't know a cake could be done that quickly! Instead, I'd rather torture myself and try to see how difficult it can be!!

I'll try not to go so long between posts next time! I know, I always say that! But, with the upcoming events I've got...ladies retreat, Upward conference, and Brady starting to play Upward soccer...I should have plenty of material to pull from! Have a great week!

The Power of Your Love

Lord, I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I've found in You

And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord, unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me

And Lord, renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living everyday
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Birthdays and Baking!

Well, it's that time of year at the Wallace household! Time for me to stress myself out by doing some good 'ol Holiday baking...not to mention the birthday cake! That's right...today, my baby turns 4 years old!! That's CRAZY! I just thought I'd take this time to post some pictures...his cake, his party, my Christmas cookies, and the cookie cake I made for Brady to take to preschool on his actual birthday, since we celebrated Monday night. He wanted to go to Cracker Barrel for his birthday! How many 4 year olds do you know that want corn, carrots, and macaroni and cheese for their birthday dinner? And, he ate 1 bite of cake. He's not a big sweet eater. Here is his cake:

He just looks SO big! Here he is with all his loot! The sad thing is, he still has gifts coming from his aunts and uncles...not to mention CHRISTMAS PRESENTS! We're going to have to add a room on to the house!
He was really happy about his new pirate ship from mommy and daddy!
Finally, here are the pictures of the Christmas cookies and birthday cookie! I only have 1 more thing that I'm planning to bake. I should finish my cream cheese pound cake this afternoon, and then I'll be done...unless I think of something else I need to do! Have a great Christmas!!!!!!!!!!

Awesome!

I don't usually recommend movies, because I'm afriad people will say, "What was the big deal about that? I don't know what was so great about it!" But, I don't really care this time. I just saw "August Rush" last night...and it was amazing!! I highly recommend it...so that's the chance I'm willing to take! If you go see it because I said it was good, first of all, I guess I'd be flattered. Then, if you don't like it, my apologies, but something is wrong with you! Ha! Let me know if you've seen it and what you thought about it!