Category: Thoughts

joy

Noun 1. a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

This life has its parts that kinda suck. That looks different for each one of us… But God doesn’t want us to hold on to the lame parts of our day, He wants to give us joy IN the lame parts of our days. In fact, His Joy is our strength to get through the lame parts. Nehemiah 8:10b says “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Continue reading ““J” is for Joy”

Insight

noun 1. an instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, especially through intuitive understanding 2. penetrating mental vision or discernment; faculty of seeing into inner character or underlying truth. 3. In Psychology: an understanding of relationships that sheds light on or helps solve a problem. In Psychotherapy: the recognition of sources of emotional difficulty. 4. an understanding of the motivational forces behind one’s actions, thoughts, or behavior; self-knowledge.

Too often I find my self wondering “What Do I Do?”. Usually this is in my home when I see my child planning out how she wants jump off something or climb up high on something else. By the grace of God, she ends up not too banged up. I wonder this also, when I step back and think about how little food my toddler eats, how is she not starving? What do I Do? Other times, I wonder this when I don’t know what step to take next in life. Go left, or go right? Say yes or say no? Continue reading ““I” is for Insight”

In a past season I wrote a handful of these ABC entries and I moved them over to My Whirlwind Life. So if the story itself seems dated in some way… that’s because I wrote it a few years ago.

So 4 months passed between “G” and “H”and “hate” was the “H” word that came to me, over and over again when I wrote this a couple years ago. So today my “no, think of a different word” excuse isn’t working. So here it is.

Hate

verb 
1. Intense and passionate dislike for someone or something
. 2. To have a strong aversion to something
 3. Used politely to express one’s regret or embarrassment at doing something

I don’t think I should use the word “hate” enough for the right things. I want to be a loving and kind person. Ideally so hate shouldn’t be something I feel towards people especially. I think there are for sure things I hate to do or hate to eat.

In this very moment I ask myself “what do you really hate?” I can’t think of a food, I can only think of running, but I don’t know that I actually hate running. I can’t think of a person, which is good. But what does come to mind is that I hate how I frustrate myself. If I could map out what I want to accomplish in a week, from little things to big things, I hate characteristics within myself that conflict with accomplishing things. Continue reading ““H” is for hate”

Grace

1 unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification / virtue coming from God / a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace 2 approval, favor / archaic :mercy, pardon / a special favor :privilege / disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency / a temporary exemption :reprieve

I don’t know if I normally say the dictionary is wrong but for the true meaning of “Grace” I think that we should turn to the bible. God gives us grace upon grace – that understanding of grace truly magnifies God’s immeasurable love for us. Continue reading ““G” is for Grace”

Fun

noun
1. enjoyment, amusement, or lighthearted pleasure. 2. a source of this. playful behavior or good humor. behavior or an activity that is intended purely for amusement and should not be interpreted as having serious or malicious purposes. 3. (of a place or event) providing entertainment or leisure activities for children. 4. amusing, entertaining, or enjoyable.

I think we forget to have fun sometimes. Life is full of weighty stuff and we need to have and experience lighthearted pleasure. I think even we should seek out fun – seek behaviors and activities that are intended purely for amusement. And even go to fun places. Continue reading ““F” is for Fun”

Energy

Noun
1. the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity. More
 a person’s physical and mental powers, typically as applied to a particular task. 2. power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines.

I always feel like I’m complaining about not having enough energy. I am chasing and caring for my kids… So I am exerting energy. I just seem to lay them down (finally, and thankfully all at the same time) for a nap and then have no more energy for myself.

I need more physical and mental powers! I need more physical and chemical resources! I already had coffee, today I’m coming off 8 hours of sleep, I have been taking my vitamins and eating well. I just have my moments of mental and physical discouragement… I can’t keep up.

Psalm 121:1-3 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Continue reading ““E” is for Energy”

In a past season I wrote a handful of these ABC entries and I moved them over to My Whirlwind Life. So if the story itself seems dated in some way… that’s because I wrote it a few years ago.

Dependent

Adjective 
1. Relying on someone or something else for aid, support, etc.
 2. Conditioned or determined by something else; contingent

I have so much to do in the next 47 hours. Minus tomorrow evening, because we now have a commitment. I have my list, it’s very long, very very long. I need help to get everything done. Yes, my husband will help, he’s actually got his own list too.

I choose to rely on the Lord for aid and support. My stress & anxiety level staying at a minimum is conditioned by and determined by my dependency on the Lord.

Continue reading ““D” is for Dependent”