Season's end

It's official. Soccer season has ended for our varsity girls team. And I am sad. We lost a heart-breaker last night. And another season has ended. My freshman and her friends were especially sad because it was the last time for them to play with this group of senior girls...an awesome group of older girls who encouraged, challenged and just flat-out made our freshman girls feel special. There were many tears shed and many hugs shared...many! (I thought we'd never get to the car!:) The mood in the car was one of reflection and sadness. But then after some good grub, I watched it happen...hope emerged...hope for future seasons. The tears were gone and the laughter had returned. There would be other seasons to come and with the knowledge of that...hope.



There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1


Are you nearing the end of a season? Is there sadness over that? Sometimes a season ends before we are ready and other times we think the season will never end. But you know, today I am thankful for the rhythm of seasons. It gives us a something to hope for...the wonderful possibilities of a new season. And it gives us reason to...trust...To trust in the One who orders the seasons... of this world and of our lives. So if a sweet season is nearing the end, take heart, the next one may be even sweeter...and if you are waiting for an difficult season to end...take heart the sweet One is in control.


Father, my heart is tender today when I think of Your love for us. That You knew our hearts would need hope, and change and trust..and so You created seasons for us. And You give us sweet release with our tears and time for our hearts to soar with new possibilities. May You be praised this day Holy One! Almighty God! In the tender name of Jesus, Amen.



What's that I hear?....Could it be?....the sound of a basketball bouncing?...OH YES! Another season is here!!


Catching my breath and praying for you,
Teresa

Happy Anniversary!

Eighteen years ago last night I married the sweetest, most handsome fella around. And not a day goes by that I don't say.."Thank you Jesus!" Did I say eighteen years? Man! that doesn't seem possible! Some days it seems like maybe eight years, but then that beautiful teenage daughter will walk in the room and I'm reminded that maybe we have been married a while. He is still as handsome as he was 21 years ago when I met him on a blind date...he is still as compassionate, kind, easy-going and fun-loving! And I wouldn't trade him for the world! And so I lift him to our Lord...

Heavenly Father, You know how hard it is for me to put into words what Chester means to me..and so I simply say..thank you...thank you...Father I pray that Chester will run hard after You, that You will surround him with mighty men You hand pick. I pray for health and strength and wisdom in guiding our family during these trying times. I thank You for his sweet disposition and his gift of laughter. Lord, forgive me for not always being the wife You intended me to be and I thank You for Your grace in those times. I pray that You will bind us even tighter together as we continue to reach for You. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.

And in case you were wondering how we celebrated....two soccer games and two trips to the farm to 'round up a bunch of cows that decided the grass was greener on the other side..(of the fence, that is)...Oh well...guess we'll just have some making-up to do...*grin*

singing and rejoicing! (happy anniversary, baby...)
Teresa

God's Workmanship

For we are God's workmanship..... Eph. 2:10

You are a masterpiece of the Master! I just wanted to remind you of that this morning. You were specially created just...for His good pleasure. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that fact. Sometimes in the midst of being everything to everybody we forget how very special we are to the God of the universe. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and are beautiful to the King!


I am working on a message I have to give in October. I have been pondering something and I would love to have your input.

Why don't we live like the beautiful daughters He created us to be?
What keeps us from believing we are truly beautiful to Him?


Father of all creation,
Please forgive my unbelief. I have believed the world's lies about beauty. I want to walk in that NO MORE. I want to live the abundant full life in Christ that You have for me. Help me to walk in the full confidence of that, saturated in the fragrance of Your Son. And to always be ready to give the answer for that confidence. Father, You are the creator of all good things. All of creation if full of Your glory! From the smallest flower to the mountains to the smiles of my sweet sisters in Christ is all Your beauty. Lord, allow me to see all Your beauty this day and not miss one glimpse! In the beautiful, saving name of Jesus! Amen


Praying you have a beauty-filled day!
Teresa

A Smile

Walking through the waters of parenting a teenager can be a bit treacherous at times. You are never quite sure what you'll get.

Actual conversation at our home last week....

Mom: "Darling, I just wanted to let you know ahead of time about something so you wouldn't freak out tomorrow at school if someone says something....last night at the Jr. High game I was throwing the football with Eric and Thomas." (If you don't have a teenager let me explain...Mom is NOT supposed to talk, smile or much less throw the football with anyone in High School...)

Darling Daughter: No response

Darling Daughter: Still no response

Darling Daughter: "Mom?"

Mom: "Yes?

Darling Daughter: "You did throw it good...didn't you?"

Mom: "Yes, darling, a perfect spiral every time."

Darling Daughter: Big smile

Mom: Bigger smile!!!!

Thankful for smiles and perfectly thrown spirals,
Teresa

Amazing God

Joshua 3:5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."



LOVE the book of Joshua! And that is what we are studying in Bible Study this year..(Joshua, Judges, Ruth 1 and 2 Samuel). And I love this verse..."Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you." Don't you want to see the Lord do amazing things? I do!..it's that "consecrate yourselves" part that always trips me up. Consecrate: to set apart; to devote to some purpose....I desperately want to see God do amazing things, so according to this scripture I need to consecrate myself...to actively set myself apart for His purposes. While there is nothing I can do without Him...including putting my feet on the floor each morning...each new dawn He gives me a new day. Now...I can go about this day in my way or His way...I have the choice. It is a no-brainer if I want to see Him do amazing things...it's His way! What does that mean in an ordinary day for me?

It means:
1. Taking His divine appointments as they really are...and not as interruptions
2. Realigning MY schedule if He chooses to realign it
3. Not always having to be right OR to have the last word
4. Studying His word
5. Keeping the communication lines with Him open at ALL times

Do I do these all the time? No...On those few days that I do...do I always see the Lord do amazing things? No Have I seen Him do amazing things on ordinary days...Yes...But you know what?...the days I don't make a conscious decision to set my life apart for Him, my heart is not tender toward His voice and my eyes are not tender toward His amazing things...And it grieves me to think of all the amazing things He has done for me that I simply missed...they were there, they were amazing but I missed it because I hadn't set myself apart for Him.

Holy Amazing Father,
I long to see You do amazing things! Forgive me the times I missed You. I don't want to miss You this day. I want to see ALL You have for me. Quicken my spirit, allow the lenses of the world to fall from my eyes so I can see all You have planned for me. Don't allow the enemy to steal that which You wish to give. Your love is amazing, breathtaking and incredible and I love you so. In Jesus precious name, Amen

What amazing thing have you seen the Lord do lately?

Loving and looking for the amazing,
Teresa

PS: Thanks to Karen for telling this tech-challenged gal how to do this linky thingy! ( I think I did it right! Whooo hooo!)

Give-a-away!!!

My friend, Leigh is having a fabulous give-a-way WEEK!!! Don't miss it!

As some of you have figured out by now I am not the most techy blogger in the world...soooo I don't know how to put her link here........ but you can click on her link on the side...Speaking Thru Me...

And if you are feeling really sorry for me you can leave me a comment and tell me (in simple terms, please) how to do that linky thingy....

Love and laughs!
Teresa

Football and Friends!

Whew! what a week! I'm sure my week wasn't any crazier than yours, but I sure was glad to see Friday night roll around! After soccer games, homework, Bible Study and football I was ready for some old-fashioned SLEEP! And the Lord provided! (doesn't He always!) I slept sooo late today and it felt soooo good (and no... I'm not tell how late!)

I have "met" so many of you through my friend Fran. And if you read her post from Friday you'll know that her boys played a little football Thursday night...welllll... they played our team..and ....I got to hug Fran's neck!




The blogging world is so fun and I am enjoying my new friends, but there is something about a real, live hug! I knew Thursday was going to be a long, long day full of things that had to be done and I was just plugging along, when I double checked my planner and noticed that Cortland's game (she's a cheerleader) was against TC ...oh my! wonder if Fran is coming..."Lord that sure would be a treat to see her today" And sure enough...after a short text message...it was set and a couple of hours later I got to see my sister in Christ's smiling face...and I smiled to the Lord and said..."Thank you, Abba, thank you for the sweet "happies" you send my way and thank you for friends to walk beside us on this way!"

Smiling along this way and resting in His love,
Teresa