My great project

I find it so neat how when God puts something on our hearts, He keeps reinforcing His call if we are open and listening. Since feeling like my word of the year should be "heart" I have felt His reinforcement over and over. It began with a discussion with my sister in law about how easy it is to let our homes and families play second fiddle to all of our other commitments and how our lives feel out of control and unbalanced when that happens. I don't believe that is how God wants me to live. Then another conversation with a friend, Kristin, about how even when we have a day planned doing laundry, cleaning potties, etc. if someone asks us what we are going to do we say, "Nothing." Really, doing laundry and cleaning potties might seem like nothing, but it's a big part of keeping my family happy and moving in the right direction, but it's sooo easy to push these things aside for funner, lesser things. And then, when I went to MOPS on Friday, our devotion by my sweet friend Kimberly was about Nehemiah and how he kept being interrupted and he told the important people trying to talk to him, "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down." (Nehemiah 6:3) She had heard Andy Stanley do a sermon on this. Whatever it is that God has called us to do is important. For me right now it is being a faithful, loving wife and mom. So, doing the dishes, laundry, cleaning potties, etc. are important because they matter in my great project. I almost cried while she was talking about this because it was like God had his hand on my shoulder squeezing it and encouraging me to stay strong in my resolve. Then, I was doing the dishes later in the day and heard Sara Groves' song "Generations". It is all about doing things to leave for future generations. It again reminded me to press on in my great project of being a wife and mother. It's so neat how God has whispered and used so many things to keep my focus. Even today I turned down a request to go shopping. (I know, the horror, right?) But, I need to get things done around here. Just the usual, but I don't want to get behind much more. I am rambling, but wanted to share my encouragement with you all so you too can say about whatever it is God has called you to do, "I am carrying on a great project." Be encouraged that if God has called you to do it, He will see you through on your journey, no matter how small you feel it is.

Total shallowness

Just a quick post to see if any of you know about this? I saw an advertisement for the Invisibelt in a magazine I believe and thought, "That is a great idea!" Then I went Christmas shopping at a gift shop in Oakwood that I love, Nest Feathers, and I saw it! I was so excited. It works. It keeps your pants up while you are wearing a shirt untucked, but there is no bulge like there would be from a regular belt bucklet. Anyway, I thought I would pass it along to my friends as a PSA. Consider it my Random Act of Kindness today. ;)

One Word

Each year for the past few years, scrapbooker Ali Edwards has chosen one word to define her upcoming year. She has encouraged and inspired many, many of us to choose our own word. I have done it for the past 3 years. I didn't know what it would mean when I started, but it has been fun and it has helped me focus myself when I needed focus. This year I have chosen the word heart. I have been very convicted lately about doing too many things that do not encourage or help me with my spiritual life or as my role as a wife and a mother. All things that are the most meaningful to my heart, and what I feel my calling as a woman is. My verse for the year to encourage and remind me is Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." So, friends and readers, if you see me or find me doing things that might not go hand in hand with my word or my verse, please let me know. I am sure I will need all the help I can get. What is your word for the year? I'd love to hear!