Every now and then, I hear a song that just hits me. If you are a facebook friend, you've already seen this on my page, but it is worth repeating here. I resonate with the words to this--it just reminds me that underneath all of my jealousy and pride, I truly am grateful.
You are Good by Nichole Nordeman
When the sun starts to rise and I open my eyes
You are good
So good.
In the heat of the day with each stone that I lay
You are so good.
With every breath I take in
I'll tell you I'm grateful again
When the moon climbs high before each kiss goodnight
You are good.
When the road starts to turn around each bend I've learned
You are good
So good.
And when somebody's hand holds me up, helps me stand
You are so good.
With every breath I take in
I'll tell you I'm grateful again
Cause it's more than enough just to know I am loved
And You are good.
So how can I thank You?
What can I bring?
What can these poor hands lay at the feet of the King?
I'll sing You a love song
It's all that I have
To tell you I'm grateful for holding my life in Your hands
When it's dark and it's cold and I can't feel my soul
You so good.
When the world has gone gray and the rain's here to stay
You are still good.
With every breath I take in
I'll tell you I'm grateful again
And the storm may swell even then it is well
And You are good
So how can I thank You?
What can I bring?
What can these poor hands lay at the feet of the King?
I'll sing You this new song
It's all that I have
To tell you I'm grateful for holding my life in Your hands
I'll sing You a love song
It's all that I have
To tell you I'm grateful for holding my life in Your hands
You are holding my life in Your hands
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
My Non-Sappy Thanksgiving
I walk the fine line between being a sap and being a cynic. It's always a countdown to see how long it takes for me to start crying during Extreme Makeover Home Edition (I still don't think I've made it through an entire episode without at least tearing up, but I am also usually the first to make an unkind remark (or at least think it).
So a holiday like Thanksgiving, while I love to celebrate it, is sometimes difficult for me to stomach. I read all the great things people write that they are thankful for and often think there must be something wrong with me. I love that they feel that way and often wish I could express my thankfulness in the same way, but I've always thought that you gotta work with what you've been given.
So, here are some of the things I am thankful for (in no particular order):
...That the only health problem my children have is that they were born without a volume control
...That I have a hubby who can fix anything in our house
...Tile countertops that I can place hot items on
...That my dogs love me--no matter how much love I show them back
...That we have a bed for everyone in our house in which to play musical beds at night
...Hot showers
...That my girls feel the freedom to say what is on their minds--at any given time (really)
...That I have a working washing machine, clothes dryer and dishwasher
...My microwave (seriously--we went without one for about 6 weeks a few years ago--I've never taken it for granted since)
...Pandora and the ability to choose great music
...Friends who aren't afraid to tell me how it is
...A job where I get to love people and look for the best in them
...That Santa brought us a trampoline last year
...Giggles from my girls--even though it often means they are teaming up to do something bad
...A sofa cover that hides a really ugly sofa underneath
...My sunroof
...Co-workers who love me enough to accept my flaws but also call me out
...Comfy clothes and shoes
...Kleenex
...New mercies every morning (Lam. 3:23)
...My hearing (and all the other senses, but especially the hearing)
...Facebook and the way it allows me to keep up with lots of people and appear witty
...Jesus and the amazing way He loves me
...Good books
...Nikuze Grace (our Compassion child) and the reminder to me of how blessed I am to have been born in America
...That my kids can go barefoot in the backyard in November
...Jammie days
...That my girls don't play musical instruments, yet
I'm sure there are many others, but these are a few of the things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?
So a holiday like Thanksgiving, while I love to celebrate it, is sometimes difficult for me to stomach. I read all the great things people write that they are thankful for and often think there must be something wrong with me. I love that they feel that way and often wish I could express my thankfulness in the same way, but I've always thought that you gotta work with what you've been given.
So, here are some of the things I am thankful for (in no particular order):
...That the only health problem my children have is that they were born without a volume control
...That I have a hubby who can fix anything in our house
...Tile countertops that I can place hot items on
...That my dogs love me--no matter how much love I show them back
...That we have a bed for everyone in our house in which to play musical beds at night
...Hot showers
...That my girls feel the freedom to say what is on their minds--at any given time (really)
...That I have a working washing machine, clothes dryer and dishwasher
...My microwave (seriously--we went without one for about 6 weeks a few years ago--I've never taken it for granted since)
...Pandora and the ability to choose great music
...Friends who aren't afraid to tell me how it is
...A job where I get to love people and look for the best in them
...That Santa brought us a trampoline last year
...Giggles from my girls--even though it often means they are teaming up to do something bad
...A sofa cover that hides a really ugly sofa underneath
...My sunroof
...Co-workers who love me enough to accept my flaws but also call me out
...Comfy clothes and shoes
...Kleenex
...New mercies every morning (Lam. 3:23)
...My hearing (and all the other senses, but especially the hearing)
...Facebook and the way it allows me to keep up with lots of people and appear witty
...Jesus and the amazing way He loves me
...Good books
...Nikuze Grace (our Compassion child) and the reminder to me of how blessed I am to have been born in America
...That my kids can go barefoot in the backyard in November
...Jammie days
...That my girls don't play musical instruments, yet
I'm sure there are many others, but these are a few of the things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Throwing Fits
The Royal house does not lack for passionate females. Each of us has a strong opinion about pretty much everything that comes our way. One of my daughters has been on a fit-throwing spree the past few months. I won't name names because if she finds out, it will just lead to another fit that I wrote embarrassing stuff about her.
Anyway, I had to put her in bed at 7pm tonight because of a series of fits. What cracks me up is the way she flails her arms and legs--I can never get to the video camera fast enough to catch them, but at this rate, if I keep it handy, I'll have enough material for a movie soon.
While watching her throw temper tantrums is just plain annoying, it has also made me start thinking. I don't love the fits or the mean words that often accompany them, but I love that she throws her whole body into it. In fact, I have found myself envying it. She has such a sense of who she is that if she's gonna do something, she's going all the way. Now, I realize that is not always a good thing, but I have to believe that God created her to be a passionate being for a reason. She loves just as fiercely as she flails during a tantrum.
Instead of holding in my temper, or stomping around my house, I think it might be better for me if I threw a fit like her. Can't you just picture me on the sofa, kicking my arms and legs in all kinds of directions? Maybe if I would allow myself to do that, I would see the ridiculousness of it all. Seriously, throwing a fit isn't going to change whatever I am angry about. but I think it's sometimes part of the process of getting to the peace that passes all understanding.
So, if you walk past me in public and see me kicking and screaming on the floor, just do what I do with my daughter--turn and walk away and pray that she throws herself into it so that it gets out of her system quickly. And then, the next time you see me, give me a hug and tell me that it doesn't change the way you feel about me.
Anyway, I had to put her in bed at 7pm tonight because of a series of fits. What cracks me up is the way she flails her arms and legs--I can never get to the video camera fast enough to catch them, but at this rate, if I keep it handy, I'll have enough material for a movie soon.
While watching her throw temper tantrums is just plain annoying, it has also made me start thinking. I don't love the fits or the mean words that often accompany them, but I love that she throws her whole body into it. In fact, I have found myself envying it. She has such a sense of who she is that if she's gonna do something, she's going all the way. Now, I realize that is not always a good thing, but I have to believe that God created her to be a passionate being for a reason. She loves just as fiercely as she flails during a tantrum.
Instead of holding in my temper, or stomping around my house, I think it might be better for me if I threw a fit like her. Can't you just picture me on the sofa, kicking my arms and legs in all kinds of directions? Maybe if I would allow myself to do that, I would see the ridiculousness of it all. Seriously, throwing a fit isn't going to change whatever I am angry about. but I think it's sometimes part of the process of getting to the peace that passes all understanding.
So, if you walk past me in public and see me kicking and screaming on the floor, just do what I do with my daughter--turn and walk away and pray that she throws herself into it so that it gets out of her system quickly. And then, the next time you see me, give me a hug and tell me that it doesn't change the way you feel about me.
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