My daily prayer as of late :)
Thumbs up
I love to see people that don't look anything like athletes going for a jog. When my husband and I are riding in the car I always find myself encouraging these joggers, in my head of course. Well in my attempt to go jogging one day myself I found I was the one receiving the encouragement. This person had no idea that their small act of encouragement stamped me for good. It was this outward encouragement that made this recent post c-section mommy run a little harder and longer. The day was hot and all I wanted was some time to myself. Before I was married I often jogged around my neighborhood covering about three miles a day. This isn't much, but to someone who never ran in her life it felt like a great accomplishment every time I finished my run. Now three years later, two miscarriages and one baby delivered cesarean section (hello major surgery) I did not feel myself anymore. It was hard. I was exhausted. And than it happened. A white SUV drove by and an older man stuck his hand out and gave me the thumbs up. He actually shook the thumbs up as to add emphasis. I felt myself smile through my sorry attempt at a jog, but now I would not give up. I did it, I finished. And all because someone decided to encourage a non athletic looking total stranger. Now I guess the reason this was so encouraging to me was because in the years I ran those three miles like it was a breeze I would often pray during my workout and was reminded how our spiritual journey is like running a race. There are times you need that white SUV to drive around and give you the enthusiastic thumbs up. It very well could be the make or break point for people. The encouragement when someone is thinking of how "un athletic" they look trying to jog, how they are "tired", their "form is wrong" and the list goes on. All it took was someone expressing encouragement and not just keeping it to themselves. So now I am the one driving, my baby girl in the back seat. We are headed home from an outing and I see one of them, yup a jogger. Not one of those all decked out in their jogging shorts and Brooks running shoes. (Not that there is anything wrong with that, heck I own Brooks) Anyway, I decided it was time to do more than encourage them in my head. I rolled down my window and gave the lady an enthusiastic thumbs up. As I kept driving I saw her smile and put her head down. I guarantee she thought of that gesture as she pushed herself a little harder and a little longer. And if a gesture as simple as this will bring on greater determination with something like an afternoon jog, you better believe it will move a Christ-follower to follow that much harder and that much longer. Don't just be hopeful that fellow believers hold on to Christ but encourage them to do so every chance you get. It is a simple gesture, it cost nothing but it still encourages me to this day. Be a blessing outwardly, it lasts longer than you think. :)
A New place but Same God
It's Been a Long Time
Love is so much more giving than receiving. I saw this in my husband the other day as he so wanted to make me smile. I don't want to paint myself to be a grouch, who would right. But moving to Las Vegas for the second time can be a bit of an adjustment, especially for someone who grew up with such a large family. Moving to a place where you know no one can be lonely and even intimidating. So the other day I missed my family and home so much he (Rigo) wanted to take me for a little drive to grab some yogurt at a place called the Golden Spoon. We drove there and I noticed he wanted to make me laugh and just see me smile. Once I had my yogurt in hand me saw my face and said, "that's what I wanted, a smile." I know it seems silly but little things like these make me see Christ in my husband. No one is perfect but God does use imperfect people to show Himself.
As I was spending some time with the Lord while my husband was off at practice I read that quote in the picture posted and was reminded of earlier that afternoon. As hot and tired as Rigo was he made an effort to just want to see me smile during this time of adjustment. I realized that if he wants to show me that, how much more does Christ want to show me comfort and peace.
Matthew 7:11
It has been a while since I last shared and am amazed at all Christ has done for my husband and I. Through the difficult and not so difficult. I need to remember Matthew 7:11.
The Beauty of Trusting and the Grace to Follow!
My husband and I are right outside Las Vegas at UNLV for a football mini camp this week. Since we have been traveling, I have had such a new found trust in him.
While driving up here from Brownsville I sat there trying to be a good and alert co-pilot all to discover after our 18 hour drive to Chandler Arizona just how much I trust him.
Here is this man who promised to take care of me no matter what and I can see that to be true in so many ways. I thought of how there were many different ways that my life could have ended up but for a reason that God only knows here I am watching my husband pursue a career in football And the Lord has called me to pray and bless him; encourage him and stay by his side after every game and practice.
No matter what he ends up doing as a job or career I know that I must be his biggest "cheerleader" and with my words and prayers bless him. I am seeing the importance of running alongside him as a partner in all this and understanding that this just isn't his life and passion but how it is now my life too. Who knows what God will do with all of this but I have seen just how much my husband loves me this past week and that is very very humbling. God has been gracious to me and is showing me so much through this and i am thankful. In everything unfamiliar I know that Christ is constant and he has given me a wonderful husband to hold my hand through the unfamiliarity and change.
Two Months, Bragging, Easter and a Pedicure
Lessons learned in the first two months. And some thoughts.
1. A true smile is prettier than any outfit, hair style or makeup I can put on.
2. Learn to have fun with crazy schedules. Sometimes you can't help it!
3. LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN and LISTEN
4. keep doing "chessy" love things.
5. Not every bit of housework is going to get done.
6. Go to bed at the same time- No matter what! (I know this may change as we have kids but for now it is great!)
7. Keep God right smack in the middle and on the sides and everywhere else. :D
8. Go Ahead Brag about your husband- maybe if more people did they would be thankful for their marriages.
I was in the newsroom the other day and a coworker and I were talking about our husbands. We met up in the restroom by chance and she was asking me how married life was going. As we started talking she was saying that she got so tired of hearing woman COMPLAIN about their marriages and husbands. "AMEN SISTA" I felt like shouting. I know I'm a newbie but I agreed with her. She had been married for a while but out conversation just confirmed what so often happens. She was saying how she hears her sister in law complain of her marriage so often and how the negative attitude of that particular lady is like a poison. She was smart this coworker of mine. I told her how refreshing it is to have someone to brag about my husband with because sometimes I feel like I over do it. But I am just happy. I am in love. I think he is strong and handsome and smart and creative and athletic. He paints my toe nails and benches incredible amounts of weight. I think that is sexy and amazing!
-And yes those toes are mine. It's the first time he has painted toe nails. I was so proud of Him, I think he did pretty great.
- An Easter Card. MY Honey Bunny
Here is something my coworker sent me today :)
MARRIAGE IS ABOUT SHARING LOVE, NOT FINDING FAULT
DEAR ABBY: It saddens me when I hear women complain that men don’t do their fair share around the home. When a woman says, "He didn’t put the toilet seat down," I want to ask, "Did you put it back up for him?" When a woman says, "He didn’t pick up his dishes," I want to ask, "Did you clean up the oil spot your car left in the garage?" When a woman says, "He left his clothes on the floor," I want to ask, "Did you dump the unpaid bills on his desk?" I believe marriage is a personal relationship between two loving people, not an opportunity to complain to others about perceived abuses.
During the 40 years my husband and I have been married, we both worked and managed to raise three productive members of society. We have a tacit agreement. Each of us does absolutely everything possible to keep the home running smoothly, never tallying and setting up balance sheets. Out of love, each of us does whatever improves our common good, and both of us find reason for daily surprises as we receive in kind from the other. — JO IN PHOENIX
Priority Switch and A Lot of Love
I will be married a month this Saturday and so much has changed within my heart. In a good way of course.
The Love I have for my husband is one I thought was only for others or was just not possibly true concerning another person.
I remember attending a wedding and seeing the bride so happy. I mean overflowing with happiness. She was being loved and kissed by her husband and she looked so carefree and beautiful. So alive in every way and I thought "WOAH wait a minute here this looks real, I mean the Love and happiness I see it looks genuine."
I will never forget that picture in my head.
The day I got married and even more so the morning after I was incredibly happy. I mean "outside of myself" happy, This has to be unreal sort of happiness. I had never experienced such Joy concerning another person.
The morning after I woke up to kisses, a bible reading and breakfast in bed.
What sheer joy that was and still is.
I felt loved, safe and cared for.
And it has not changed,
Now I know that with time a couple grows and sees new sides to one another and there will be disagreements but concerning others "well intended advice" let me offer some advice back.
If you feel trapped in your own marriage don't make comments like "oh that's it, it's over you're TIED DOWN."
WHAT!!??? My response back was "Why did you get married than?"
Or the ever popular
"IT'S OVER FOR YOU"
UHHHHHH why???
I found that some people will offer their experiences negative included and expect you to feel the same.
Some were
- You are going to cry to go back home.
- You will be annoyed at the clothes he leaves on the floor.
- Little things are habits he does will annoy you.
Well no I never cried to go back home although I love my family.
I am thankful I have an amazing man to pick up after and wash his clothes. And I know this isn't a newlywed thing because, not having something for so long and finally being blessed with it, believe you appreciate every little thing about it.
And NO, I am not looking to be annoyed by little things he does or doesn't do.
Now I am not perfect and no one is. I know there will come time of disagreements and change but I would hate to expect the bad all the time.
I think it is good to adopt the habit of thinking the best of people. It helps you filter out an expectation of bad. Not everything is a potential argument and I pray that I myself am simply pleasing to be around.
One thing I am certain of is that a relationship takes work,
But even the word "WORK" can sometimes sound exhausting. Working at a marriage is joyful work and a blessing.
I write this in hopes that marriage will be seen as a joy and a blessing designed to make one selfless yet loved. Designed to make us like Christ. And that people is a good thing.
Pray your marriage is filled with fresh love every day. I do for my own.