Reflections...

It's is amazing how quickly time goes flying by! A week can go by in a flash with a busy schedule...that never seems to slow down - and I know ours is definitely less filled than most! :) This is for sure one of those busy weeks...not so much in places to go, but things that need to be done.

This is a good time to pause and 'reflect' on a few things...like in this poem that has been in the nursery at church for as long as I can remember, but I never really read it till a couple months ago...good things to ponder on a regular basis!

Reflections

If I could Start over I would...
   * have more realistic expectations for myself.
   * learn to say, 'this too shall pass.'
   * make a point of enjoying every stage of life.
   * cherish every friendship.
   * put less emphasis on material things.
   * refuse to take my own transient feelings so seriously.
   * worry less about failure.
   * spend less time wondering about other people's opinions of me.
   * talk less.
   * say 'I Love You' more often.
   * fret less about the future.
   * smile more.
   * memorize more scripture.
   * be more observant to the beauty God has put in the world around me.
   * work harder at understanding how other people feel and think.
   * be less critical of others.
   * learn to laugh at myself more easily.
   * be freer with my praise.
   * put a higher premium on integrity.
   * work for more consistency in practicing the Word of God.
   * make fewer excuses and take more responsibility for my own success and happiness.
   * put a higher value on every opportunity to learn and grow.
   * complain less.
   * tell the Lord more often how thankful I am that He chose me and that He loves me and that His plans for me are beyond my fondest dreams.

~ J.S.

Take ye heed, watch and pray:

for ye know not when the time is.

Mark 13:33

Little Blessings...

This afternoon while standing in the kitchen making some sweet tea and not feeling like making dinner, also not really sure what to make...I decided to not to start anything just yet and write a blog post instead. I was in the beginning process of deciding what to share, the phone rang... It was an invitation to go to a Spaghetti Dinner -- and their treat :)

So, we quickly got ready to go and had a nice evening out...and I didn't have to cook.

It continues to amaze me how God blesses us with simple things on the days we really need it! We really do have an Awesome God!

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised

in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Psalm 48:1

Refreshing Week...

I knew it had been a while since I wrote here, but didn't realize it had been almost a month! Whoa!

I haven't been able to do a whole lot of crafting lately, so that has been part of the dwindle in blog activity and I've been contemplating that recently... more on that in a minute :)

The past week has been busy with church ministry things, starting last Monday with our church's monthly ladies meeting...which had a great attendance and a good devotional on giving our all in serving. Then, on Tuesday, we went to our area's Tri-State Pastor's Fellowship for the day, which was a great day with a ladies get together included during the time we were there. It was great seeing old friends and making new ones!

The end of the week was winding down some and, on Friday, I squeezed in some sewing time and made a large round quilted hot pad for my new large round stoneware with handles from Pampered Chef. Loving the stoneware :)

Then on Friday I was reminded by a FB post that a church about 2 hours from here was having a ladies conference over the weekend...and at the last minute we decided that I'd be able to go for the Saturday session.

But in a great house there are not only vessels
of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; 
and some to honour, and some to dishonor.
If a man therefore purge himself from these, 
he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, 
and meet for the master's use, 
and prepared unto every good work.
2 Timothy 2:20-21


I received a great blessing from going...we learned about being vessels that God can use and to be a vessel Filled to Overflowing. They gave us practical guidance to get rid of the things that would hinder us from serving God, and to allow God to mold us and fill us to overflowing, then to share the abundance with others around us.

So between this and my previous pondering, it has directed me to try to use the blog as more than just a show of a craft project here and there with a verse just tacked onto the end....but to use this as a place to share what I'm being taught even it there is no new craft to share. However, I will still be sharing crafts as I have something, because I still love having time to sew!

A Vessel of God

by M.S. Lowndes

Shaping and moulding,

Is the potter with the clay

That is how God is with us

When we let Him have his way

Let God shape your life

Into a vessel for His use,

So He can fill and send you forth

To a world void of truth

So yield unto the master's hand

As He works within your life,

Making you so lovingly

To reflect the image of Christ.