Simply Seleta

simply sunday

Put on your best church dress, we're having a Sunday chat.

I don't do a lot of spiritual posts because frankly it's nerve-wracking.  I'm not the world's best Christian.  I make mistakes daily, no make that hourly...well, okay practically every minute.  And I'm so NOT an expert on the bible or finding and memorizing verses in the bible.  So spouting off scripture over here always feels very foreign to me.  Kind of scary, actually.  Like trying to learn how to ice skate in front of a huge crowd.  Besides, I never want to be preachy.  Not my style.

But sometimes I'm really moved.  And you know me, when that happens I like to share.  This is an inspiration blog after all, right?  More on that in a minute.

THE DEAL

Lately I've been a bit of a worry wart.  Nothing major, just regular things like this insane economy (where's it headed?), the day to day grind, not getting much time away for husband and I to chill, just regular ole life stuff.  Don't get me wrong, I count my many blessings and feel grateful for each and every gift we have been given as a family.  But it's not always fun animal rescues, giggly days and leisurely beach walks over here.  It's life.  And life isn't always perfect and pretty.  So sometimes I get tired.  Cranky.  Or even worrisome.  Sometimes all of the above.  I'm guessing that's pretty normal.  

THE INSPIRATION

So I'm sitting in church today listening to the sermon.  I must confess that I'm guilty of paying attention really well then getting distracted with ridiculous things like a hangnail on my pinky finger or how the woman in front of me was able to get her hair in a perfect swoop of a french twist.  My mind wonders, "I can't see the bobby pins, where did she put them?  The twist is so precise."  Then I scold myself and refocus.  Then without turning my head, I discreetly survey two or three people near my pew and wonder if they get distracted with little things too.  Then I refocus again. 

Okay, the point.

I heard this scripture today and loved it.  It really applied to some concerns I've had lately.  It was a huge reminder for me to let the Boss in the front seat stay behind the wheel and do what he does best.  Trust in him.  Relax.  It doesn't always have to be perfect.  After all, he's in charge, not me.  I've been guilty of being a back seat driver for many years now. 

Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations?  Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems.  For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.  James 1:2-4


[photo from flickr]

simply sunday...

As part of our breakfast before church this morning, we had the offspring's favorite compliment to eggs and pancakes: berries and cream.  Above are the berry cups our seven year old prepared before I drizzled on the cream.  She loves helping out in the kitchen and really loves the whole process and "styling" aspect. 

Here's the father figure delivering part of breakfast.  With hungry offspring anxiously waiting at the table.  And Pom Pom wisely waiting in the corner for the meal to begin.  He knows exactly where to plant himself when everything starts....right under the three and four year olds, where all spills take place.  It's a feast on the floor for him.

It's funny, I'm very particular about what our kids eat.  I want them to have the very best and develop their palettes beyond mac-n-cheese and chicken fingers [a huge pet peeve of mine].  So our little guys are introduced to all kinds of food.  And we try our best to buy organic.  Please know that by no means am I saying I am very good at all of this, but the effort is certainly there.

But what about their spiritual food?

Uhhh...

Yep, I said it. 

I work on that one daily.  And believe me, I fail miserably many many times.  Sometimes I laugh about how much my kids have taught me about myself that I didn't even know before.  Like the fact that my patience just isn't what it should be.  Can you relate?  

As a parent, my experience is that it's pretty easy to focus on the things that are basic needs like keeping your children safe, well-fed, happy and clean.  Well, maybe it's not easy, but it's instinctive.  But what about the stuff that's way beyond the surface?  The character-building parts?  Now that I find  to be more challenging.  Maybe because it calls for personal accountability of your own character and lots and lots of time and patience.  [sigh]  Not easy, friends.  I do my best in that department, but I am constantly fine-tuning. 

I'm always trying to look for ways to improve so I can do a better job mentoring our children.  Wouldn't it be great if kids just came with a manual titled, "How to grow well-adjusted, spiritual and happy children in just 10 days"?  But that would take all the fun out of it.

In a recent search, I found these free devotionals on James Dobson's site.  So I wanted to share them with you if you're interested.  We tried one a few weeks ago on a day husband and I were too exhausted to go to church.  Let me tell you, there's something to be said for being able to sit in your robe by the fire sipping a latte while sharing a great devotional with your kids.  The whole lesson was interesting, tactile, and short enough to keep the interest of all four of the offspring [their ages are 9, 7, 4 and 3].  It was very interactive and great family time.  To download these devotionals, click right here. 

And about all that parent work?  One thing's for sure: these four cookie monsters are completely worth it!

simply sunday...

"What you are is God's gift to you;
what you do with yourself is your gift to God."

Danish Proverb

One of the things I love about having a big family is watching all the differences among our personalities.  It's such a potpourri.  And as a mom of four, I'm constantly asked by the offspring "who's the smartest?"  "who's the most creative?"  "who's the best?"  "who's the most this or that?"  I always explain that God gives each of us different gifts and that's far more fun and interesting than all of us being the same.  And we're not in competition with one another.  If one of them seems better in art, math or whatever, I try to help the other one recognize their special talents instead of letting them compare themselves against each other.

But it can be a little easy to forget to apply this to ourselves as adults.  Don't you think?  Can you think of your gifts?  Did God create you as an expressive person?  A creative type?  A person who inspires?  A natural leader?  An analytical type?  A strong but silent person?

How can you use your gifts?

I have to remind myself to use His gifts for His glory.  Whew, still working on that one.  That's a whopper.

And speaking of gifts, love this simple idea I spotted on Martha Stewart's site. 

Instead of tossing wrapping paper, cut it down to size and run it through the shredder.  Save it for lining gift boxes or packaging to protect delicate items.

I also think it would be super cute in an Easter basket!

[top image by stylist Lucyina Moodie]

simply sunday...

Me and my girls over the years.

 

[yes, very pregnant with number four there plus had a sweet little one in tow]

It's funny the way life works.  I can't say that I've had a perfect one.  Who has, really?  But I've noticed if there are certain areas in our life where we may be lacking or hurting, we later find ourselves blessed with the very thing we so badly wanted.  Or needed.  

I love my girls.  I love our relationship.  I cherish our time together.

Yesterday was one of our traditional "girl days".  We ran some errands, had lunch together, shopped for a few of their spring clothes, talked a lot and really had a great time.  Just being girls.  On our drive back home, I was looking at them in the rear view mirror.  Laughing, confiding, playing, occasionally bossing each other around.  Just being sisters.  I felt so filled with joy.  What a gift they are to each other.  And they'll have one other their whole lives.  Lucky me, I get to be their mom. 

They are such blessings.   

As they get older, I feel more and more thankful to have them in my life.  And I'm grateful for every day that I get to be a source of unconditional love and acceptance for them.  And if I think about it, they have actually been the same to me.   Life's clever balance, sponsored by God.

They are my gifts.  Or perhaps, we're gifts to each other.

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he
that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

I Corinthians 3: 6-7

simply sunday...

A view from our beach walking back into town.  

I am blessed.  And so much of the time I allow myself to stay so busy that I don't embrace and honor the blessings that surround me.  This year I promised to "simplify my life."  I now realize that takes work.  And focus.  You would think simplifying would be simple.  But it's not that easy.  Ironic. 

As life continues to get busier and at times more stressful, I sometimes find myself reaching to things that really don't feed my soul.  Kind of like filling up on junk food when you're hungry instead of eating what's healthy.  It's an easy trap to fall into.  

When we were in Atlanta, we checked on our house one night.  I picked up an old favorite that was still sitting on my nightstand.  It's the book, "The Purpose Driven Life."  Have you read it?  I loved reading parts of it again and especially seeing my written notes from six years ago.  Suddenly I felt more at ease, more confident in my faith.  I realized that simplifying my life also meant shifting my focus back to what matters most.  God. 

I'll be rereading the book again.

So today I embrace my blessings.  And I share a verse with you that my husband read to me early this morning.  Did I mention he's one of my blessings?  That's a whole other loooonnnng post.  Love and admire him so much.  He wrote this one down in a journal and titled it, "Inspiration."  I couldn't agree more.

But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches
in glory by Christ Jesus.  Now unto God and our father be glory forever and ever.

Philippians 4:19-20