A Blogger’s Confession

April 7, 2016April 6, 2016 RefreshHer11 Comments

On Monday afternoon my husband took deliberate, necessary time out of a busy day to take me bike riding at the Biltmore Estates. Our season pass gives us access to the bike paths, and hearing that it was going to be a beautiful day, and because we were going to Asheville for other business, we decided to strap the bikes onto the Jeep and go for it!

The weatherman was right – it was beautiful! High 70 degree weather greeted us as we pushed our bikes to where we would get a map of the estate and begin our peddling expedition. However, before I ever even peddled my first inch forward, I had a minor accident (leave it to me!). My husband had climbed aboard his bike and was too far ahead to see that when I lifted my leg to go over the bike bar, I lost my balance! Jumping on one foot, I tried to steady myself, but to no avail. The bike and I came crashing down together onto the pavement like a waltz gone bad! (I see you laughing, and I don’t blame you!)

A kind group of people nearby saw me and hollered to ask if I was okay, and began to scramble up the hill towards my awkward situation. I assured them I was okay – only a bit broken in spirit! I knew I hurt, but I also knew nothing was broken, thank the Lord. I picked up myself – and my poor dance partner – and caught up with my husband, who had no clue what his clumsy wife had just done!

I laughed it off and we were able to take the paths and enjoy the views and the ride. It was a fun time – while safely on the seat! It wasn’t until later that night when we got home I saw the damage my little crash had done to my upper leg. A purple-ish bruise was beginning to show its ugly face. The next morning it was black and blue and much larger. It’s tenderness kept me from sleeping on that side without groaning. The arm that caught me and softened my fall was also sore. “Oh well, it was worth it!” I thought to myself.

As I pondered this scene in my mind this week, I realized that this is so much like a blogger’s life – or anyone who opens their life up for others to see. I tell you

“We went to the Biltmore to ride bikes!”

and you see this –

Biltmore bikes.jpg

smiling faces, blue skies with puffy clouds, and the mansion beyond the lake. You may think, “How perfect. How serene. Wish that was me!” But what you don’t see is the ugly, painful bruise on my thigh! Why not? Well, that’s personal! Who would show that?!

I say all this to be honest and to perhaps open your eyes to what you know is true. No one has a trouble-free life. Recently I received a precious email from a dear reader who assumed that our family had not gone through parenting woes. She sees my girl’s posts and it looks like there are “no bruises.” This was a reminder to me of a truth that needs to be shared.

There are some things that should remain unspoken and unseen, and though it’s not mentioned they ARE there. There are difficulties. There are painful times. There are trials. There are internal bruises and hurts that no one else knows but the Lord. It’s not that I desire to be a phony, because there are times when I share difficulties, but there are some times and some things that are not for sharing.

Bloggers, pastor’s wives, speakers – anyone in the light all have imperfect lives. They struggle just like you. Be careful not to assume that because you can’t see their bruises, they have none. They are there – they’re just wise to protect their families and loved ones, and even themselves. Don’t put them up on a pedestal. They (I) have dusty houses, selfish hearts, burned cookies and mood swings – just like you.

If this blogger can encourage you with some of my bruises, and with some of my “happy biking days,” that will make my heart smile. I’m not writing because I’m perfect. I’m as far from that as I am from purchasing the Biltmore for our vacation home! I’m writing because God has put a message in my heart to share, because I want to be a blessing and encourage your heart, home and life with some small thought or idea.

Thanks for remembering that I have bruises and imperfections – and thanks for reading anyway! You and I are on the same path. I hope yours is free from falls and bruises today!

With a desire to refresh you,

It’s Done!

April 6, 2016April 5, 2016 RefreshHer6 Comments

This has been a year in coming and I still can’t believe my eyes when I look out the back windows of my house. Are you ready for the backyard patio reveal?

Before:

backyard

After:

Of course this will be a work in progress as we add landscape to it a little at a time, but to see the beautiful hard-scape finished is enough to make me shout and cry, and I’ve done both!

In June the area between the smaller circles will be connected with a low brick wall. I’ll plant rose shrubs there. The grass between the circles will remain. Perhaps a birdbath or the like will go on the grass. Shrubbery will be added along the sides of the large circle, flowers will be border the edges. Can you see it? I can! Slowly and in time it will come.

Here are a couple more pics:

patio 3

The smaller circles will be for a cafe’ table on one side and a bench on the other. We want to have plenty of seating options for our guests.

patio 2

This patio was dreamed about as a way to really be able to utilize, for God’s glory, the huge backyard we have. This really invites you out there! It’s our desire to use this as a meeting place for people. I have a fun plan for the early fall, but I’ll not share that quite yet. =)

I hope I never forget all that the Lord has taught me as I’ve waited for the completion of this project! Let me write a few of those here for my remembrance and your encouragement:

God is always at work – even when we cannot see the evidence with our eyes.
God can take ugly situations and make them beautiful in His way and His time.
His timing is always perfect.
His provision is always complete and beyond what I could ever do.
I can trust God to do the work needed in my life and others’ lives.
Sanctification happens one step at a time – just like my backyard project.

So,

Trust Him dear Mom.

Trust Him single gal.

Trust Him wife.

For all the needs in your life, the Architect of your life is at work.

With praise to my God,

Christian Life · Prayer · Uncategorized · waiting

Awkward Waiting

March 29, 2016March 28, 2016 RefreshHer1 Comment

Yesterday I found myself waiting once again for a situation for which I have prayed much. I sighed. I cried. Then I ran…to the Lord. I poured out my heart to Him, and it felt good to give it all back to Him. I reminded myself to give thanks for this waiting. I remembered, too, that Isaiah 40:31 says that if we wait on the Lord we will have renewed strength. Praise the Lord. The last thing I did was go to my blog for other posts I’ve written and remember what the Lord has taught me while I waited on Him in the past. The following is an old post that was a good reminder for me. Let me share it…

I will never forget the anxious moments of waiting. I was a soon-to-be post college student seeking God’s will for my future. My name had been given to a pastor (Pastor Cunningham) who was looking for a secretary for the Christian school at his church, and I was waiting for my appointment with him where I would be interviewed for the position.

I arrived promptly at our set time, climbed the stairs to the Student center, and peeked into doorway of the interview office (from a distance). I saw a man talking with a student. Immediately, I assumed that he was the man I was waiting for. I seated myself on a sofa outside the office, in a place where I would be easily seen when he exited the interview office. Then I waited…and waited.

At another place across from where I sat, a man was seated. It appeared that, he too, was waiting for someone. We both waited. I was thinking about the exam that I was going to be taking in the next class period and wishing I could be studying instead of just sitting. The waiting grew wearisome. The interview inside the office continued, and I grew more and more impatient and frustrated. I kept looking at my watch wondering how long I would have to wait, and wondering if I would miss my appointment because he’d gone too long with this other person. Finally after 15-20 minutes, the gentleman that was seated nearby got up and approached me, and suddenly I had a funny feeling the my waiting had been in vain.

“Are you waiting to be interviewed by him?” the man asked, nodding toward the interview office.

“Yes I am” I replied.

“What is his name?” he asked.

“Mr. Cunningham” was my answer. The man smiled and then said laughing, “Iam Mr. Cunningham! I assumed you were waiting for him since you kept looking toward that office!”

I introduced myself and then our interview got underway. Of course, you must realize that I got the job, and I also got his son for a husband a few years later – now that’s some deal! =)

As I’ve looked back over that interview all those years ago, I remember how awkward I felt waiting. After waiting for a long time a person begins to realize that something isn’t right. Perhaps someone waits for a friend at a restaurant and they never show, then they look at their calendar on their phone and realize their lunch date was for the next day. Sometimes waiting without response can have a tragic end because the person who was supposed to show up was in an accident or got sick. Waiting for people can have awkward moments.

Waiting on the Lord is altogether different, however.

Lamentations 3:25 says,

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

Even when we wait for a very long time for the Lord to answer our cries, we don’t have to wonder if He’s misunderstood. We don’t have to question if He’s really going to show up. There’s no need to doubt about Him keeping the appointment! He will always hear, He will “show up” at just the right time, and He will keep His appointment with us and our situation!

As you wait on God, don’t get up and leave. Don’t start doubting. Don’t start sighing in desperation. Your waiting will not be in vain. You can trust in Him because He is good and will do good in your life!

Did anyone else need the reminder of the blessing of waiting?

With love,

Easter · Uncategorized

My Meditation On Good Friday

March 25, 2016March 23, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

Today is a special day for anyone who is guilty. Romans 3:23 says that’s all of us. Today, is Good Friday, the day we remember as the day Christ went to the cross for us. While it was a horrible death, it’s a wonderful story for each of us, because our sins are paid for by the spotless Lamb of God! I heard one preacher say this in his message this week:

Your sins have to be paid for. You’ll either accept Christ’s payment on the cross, or you’ll pay for them eternally in hell.

I trust that if you have not received Christ’s payment for your sins, that you will receive Him as your Savior – your Substitute! He died for you, and this day is a precious reminder of His tremendous sacrifice.

If you are a believer,

Take time today to read about His death on the cross.
Sing or listen to songs about the cross. This is one of my all-time favorites:

I was the reason. Praise the Lord for His love and sacrifice on my behalf so that I might be free! Praise His lovely name.

Free because of the cross,

Easter · Family life · Uncategorized

Should A Christian’s Easter Be Fun?

March 24, 2016March 23, 2016 RefreshHer4 Comments

Easter Chalkboard 1.jpg

Have you ever felt guilty about or slightly worried that maybe all the “fun” activities of Easter should be avoided by Christians – those who celebrate Easter as the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? My own heart’s answer to that is that I believe our fun should be a reflection of the joy of the occasion! Easter is the most joyous of days for those of us who love Christ! So, this day should demonstrate that!

Another guideline is that as with anything we do, it should glorify God -we must give the right opinion of Who He is. That will determine what I do. I wouldn’t want to participate in something that would be giving a false meaning of this wonderful day. Let me illustrate:

The Easter Bunny has nothing to do with why we celebrate Easter, Resurrection Day, so I personally, have never been a fan. However, an egg hunt, Chocolate treats, jelly beans and chicks are just fun (and delicious!). They can even be used to represent new life in Christ – the whole meaning of the resurrection!

I’ve shared this in years past, but we tried to do all those kinds of things on Easter Saturday. I mean, think about it – if you’re taking your child to Sunday school and church right after they’ve received a basket full of sugar, you’re only asking for trouble. Your child will want to partake. The sugar will make them hyper. The chocolate will destroy their clothes, and then your whole Sunday will have started off on the wrong foot! Saturday gives these activities a time to be enjoyed. This is a great day for some family traditions – the egg hunt, the basket distribution, a special treat.

Reserving Sunday for worship and talk of Christ’s resurrection makes it a special day. This is also a great day for traditions! Why not serve a special breakfast early that morning and read the resurrection story from the Bible? I love these Resurrection Rolls. They show what happened on that early Sunday morning! You could read the Scripture as you’re making the rolls together. Serve them with boiled eggs that you colored earlier in the week.

PicMonkey CollageEasterrolls — The roll is empty after you bake it, representing the empty tomb. They’re also a delicious treat!

Easter Sunday could include inviting lost neighbors to the church services and dinner. What a blessing to get to share the Gospel with them! Make a special traditional cake or treat every year. Make it special because this is a super-special day!!!

So the answer to “Should a Christian’s Easter be Fun?” is, absolutely!

Plan it out wisely.
Make much of Christ.
Take your family to a Bible preaching church where the Truth will be given.
Give the right opinion of God and this day in all you do.

We have so much to be joyous about, so let’s celebrate our risen Savior in a way that will reflect the delight in our hearts!

Easter Chalkboard.jpg

He lives! Rejoice!