Double Portion Inspiration

Summer is officially here.  Many of us enjoy having longer days, no schedules and lighter traffic on the roadways when school is out.  There is value in taking time to rest, especially in our culture that repeatedly says, "keep going".  Rest is how the body is renewed and refreshed to tackle what comes next. I recently went on a trip with my family and although it was a short 2 days it was one of the most memorable experiences.  It doesn't take much for us - sand, water, sun and we are in our happy place as a family. But, this time was different.  We were surrounded by people with the exact same agenda as us - REST. They were people who have demanding jobs but realize the need to just get away.  When that happens, everyone senses are down and you start to unplug. I walked around with people willing to say, "good morning".  In our land of rush and hurry, you barely find anyone wanting to say "hello".  Everywhere we ate or walked a conversa...

Confession…….relaxing is hard for me.   That’s why the message at church today was just for me.   My pastor talked about the necessity and benefits of relaxing.   He pointed out that even God rested from creating the heavens and earth.   Genesis 2:1-3 (TLB) Now at last the heavens and earth were successfully completed, with all that they contained. So on the seventh day, having finished his task, God ceased from this work he had been doing, and God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he ceased this work of creation. I've come to realize that I can be a workaholic .  Gosh, I can’t even believe I’m saying that out loud.  It’s amazing how much we can deny certain truths about ourselves.  Between being a wife, mommy, career woman, blogger, involved community member, church volunteer and runner, there’s not room for much more.  My days normally begin at 6:00 am and end around 1:00 am.  If ...

We are SO close to the end of another school year.  I can only imagine how every educator, student and school employee must feel because I am beyond ready to start Summer.  I will enthusiastically embrace a more relaxed schedule in my home. Recently, I was attending an appointment with my older son.  I arrived 7 minutes before the appointment time but noticed that my son was STILL rushing me.  I said, "Jeez Tyler, we are on time" (in my frustrated voice).  His response blew me away. "Being on time is late mom, being early is being on time." I had a perplexed stare on my face as he jumped out of the car completely convicted by his statement.  I sat and pondered what he said.  Tyler has always been the child to "rush" me out of the house when he knew he needed to be somewhere.  I am thankful to be raising a son that values TIME .  After that statement, I understand the hurry he has before any appointment, school day or practice. ...

I normally try and put my kids to bed with a book or Bible lesson.  The other day our Bible lesson came out of Psalms 103.  This text of scripture is full of description about God's character.  Here's just a sampling from the chapter: He is merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it; he is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. 9  He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever.   (Psalms 103:8-9) I knew my 12 year old understood the words that illustrated God's character but I was pretty sure my little one didn't.  I wanted to make sure he knew just how much God loves him.  I wanted him to know that God's love is constant whether he made good or poor choices.  There's nothing he can do that will cause God to love him less, just like there's nothing that causes God to love him more.   His "works" won't change God's love.  He's the same yesterday, today, and...

My boys enjoy video games, like most kids.  This generation is so stimulated by those interactive games that it has seeped into our classrooms.  My 4th grader has to complete homework every night on a private educational website that looks similar to Facebook. Normally, when my boys play on the weekends, I snuggle into take a nap.  It is one of the RARE times in my house that it is quiet.  The other times at home are filled with rowdy boys making crazy noises with their body parts.   With a simple xbox controller they can CREATE themselves in this fantasy world.  They choose from a plethora of features like eyewear, skin color, hair style, shoes, body type, etc.  They have the ability to build the perfect athlete, with the perfect skills and stamina.  No work has been done to achieve all this, just a little boys creative imagery.  My youngest always HAS to win.  If he doesn't, he carries around an attitude all day,...

Roslyn (left) & Renee (right) Spring is in the air!  Can you feel it?  Longer days, shorter nights and warmer weather are just some of nature's beauty this time of year.  Roslyn & I decided to take in some of the great weather this weekend by taking the kids to pick strawberries.  Everywhere you looked there were rows and rows of strawberries (and even a few blueberry bushes). The winter strawberry season begins in the summer.  The farmers prepare the soil to receive the strawberry plant that will require watering, near perfect weather conditions, and fertilizer.  Extra attention is given during the brief periods of frigid temperatures that can harm the crops.  The highlight of  my day wasn't so much the harvesting component, but knowing that  I could reap a bounty with very little effort on my part.  We didn't have to till the land, water the soil, or apply the fertilizer.  We just had to g...

Sad but true, rejection is a natural part of life.  There are many parents that might have a problem saying, "no" to their children, but eventually that child will experience the bitter sting of rejection.  In the month of February, many anxious high school seniors found out if they were accepted or denied an opportunity to attend the university or college of their choice.  You can believe there were many that were experiencing extreme happiness and some unfortunately felt the pain of being rejected. Even as adults, we struggle to find meaning on why someone rejects us in a relationship or our workplace.  We have all the qualifications to add value to a company but they intentionally move on to another candidate.  In the midst of the emotion you will feel, realize that: The rejection does NOT define who you are! There is not one person, organization, club, team, competition, school or university that holds that much control over us.  My mom ha...