Simplicity Photo Challenge: ROUTINE

Sometimes we just need to slow down and enjoy life at a snail's pace. There is so much that we miss when we rush through life and our routines. It is a nice change to get back to the basics and take time to bask in the love of the Creator Who gave us these marvelous things to discover!
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Hebrews 4:13 - Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account.

It's About Others

I sat today reminiscing Thursday's game and a really cool thought dawned on me. We had to stop the game when one player fell and the coaches helped him up and dusted off his knees. He trucked it on to first base. Once on first, we had to stop the game AGAIN so the first baseman could go over the batter (on the other team), make sure he was ok, and dust his knees some more.

How many times do we worry about number one to ensure that we get the biggerbetterbest? How many other games will you see stopped so players on opposite teams can check on the welfare of their opponents? How long will we only think of ourselves and not realize the greatest gift in situations often arise when we put others first? This player got it right...


...It's really about others.
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Matthew 20:16
"So the last shall be first, and the first last."

It's About Time

The cool evening breeze. The thump of a ball hitting a glove. The crack of the bat. Cheers rising from the stands for their favorite players. It is baseball season; time for America's favorite past time. This year, my husband and I get to coach a very special group of players with the Adult Challenged Baseball League.

Baseball is a sport that anyone who has an interest has the ability to participate. It is a time to build confidence. Time for friendships. Time to swap stories. Time for compassion. Time to dust the dirt off of each others knees. Time for learning. Time for leaning. Time to forget the rules and enjoy ourselves. Time for laughter. Even time for tears. Time for parents to take a break from caring for their forever children and bask in watching them run the bases... or all over the field as the case was tonight. Time for hand holding as we walk the bases in the correct order. Time for stomping home plate.

It's about time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kxoFfDd7TA (Special Olympics promo video)
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Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created... (Beginning ... big inning. See, even God loves baseball!)

Simplicity photo challenge entry: TWO

Simplicity photo challenge entry: TWO

Nomna nomna noma... I love my new favorite ball! They have no idea I have stolen TWO balls...



Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Oopsies

I was reminded today that I have a blog. In case you are wondering ... NOTHING is going on in our quiet lives.
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Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Power of a Thumbs Up (or - I have a new boyfriend)

I was wandering through the clinic today looking for a certain employee when I happened upon a mom with two little boys, ages two and four, hamming it up in the play room. I talked to the mom for a few minutes.

When I looked into the window of the play room, I noticed big brother about to fall on and pound little brother. I gave big brother the most impressive mom eye brow and shake of my head that I could muster and the kid fell for it. He fell down beside his brother and looked up at me to check my reaction. I gave him a thumbs up and a big smile and nod of my head. He lit up like a light bulb and came running to me. He gave me the biggest hug and talked to me about his upcoming swimming lessons. I don't know this kid from Adam. Apparently he missed all of the stranger danger classes.

When they were at check out, he saw me at my desk and yelled as loud as he could that I am his girlfriend. He then ran around the clinic to find how to get to me, gave me a big kiss and hug, and then proceeded to show me his killer swim moves.

You never know who you are going to encounter throughout the day and how your actions and attitudes will affect them. I strive to be like this little kid - happy, warm and inviting to all I see. I can learn some good lessons from this little four year old bundle of enegry.

Thank you, little kid, for brightening my day. You are a little ray of sunshine. Randy Crawford, you need to be on your absolute best behavior. You have stiff competition.
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Matthew 11:25

[ Rest for the Weary ] At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.
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(this one is worth two scriptures today)

Matthew 18:3

And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Who Am I?

Who am I? What makes me what and who I am? What makes me special? Each one of was made uniquely and wonderfully by our Maker, God. Each one of us grapple with this same question.

We all begin with a clean slate. The things that are placed upon it come from both external and internal sources. We do not have control over the outside sources; however, we have control over the things that we choose to say, do or believe.

We need to be careful of what we let control how we feel about ourselves. Many people will try to tear you down. Does it matter what others think about me? Maybe. If I am living a life that will distract others from Christ, I need to heed to the gentle truthfulness from wise counsel. If the person's soul intent is to tear at me, I choose not to listen to that opinion.

I choose to believe what God says about me (and you, too). He has a plan for me. I am made in His image. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am his beloved.

It is my sincere hope that if you are reading this and you are struggling with this same issue, you stop listening to what the world would like for you to believe and listen to the One Who made you and hear the blessings that He is pouring over you.

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Psalm 139 13:18

13 Thou created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.