a rare treasure, I am

I read a beautiful devotion in the 'Daily Bread' the other morning.  It has stuck with me.  I thought I would share.

The focus was on Psalm 139.

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.  My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed."

There was a quote in this devotional that I just loved:

"...I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creatures that I could think of.  For to have been thought about - born in God's thoughts - and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest, most precious thing in all my thinking."

What a beautiful reminder this is, is it not?  To 'have been thought about...born in God's thoughts...and then made by Him' ... how could we stoop so low to criticize His wonderful workmanship.  God was intentional with us.  God was intentional with me. 

To be honest, I haven't really been struggling with insecurity for awhile now (what victory that is!)...but I am a woman.  I have my moments.  When I scour at the new pimple on my face...or frown at the extra pooch on my belly...or roll my eyes at a new picture I see of myself ... I will try and remember this. 

I was intended. 

I am lovely.

I am loved.

And, so are you.

a few things 'bout me...

ok...you got me.  i'll give in and take part in these little 'get to know each other' games.  in response to a few other lists i've already read, here is mine.  a list of 20 random things about me.

1.  i am an artist at heart.  i can paint and sketch fairly well...though i rarely do.

2.  i cannot stand mushrooms.  yuck!  i know that they are slugs that have crawled up on my plate!

3.  if i could go back to school i would either get my masters in teaching or become a doula (a birthing assistant)

4.  i dream of having a full garden of my own...to have immediate access to organic produce...though, I have absolutely no interest in tending it.

5.  i prefer to drive a stickshift...but had to finally give that up for a mommy-mobile.

6.  i love talking about the topics that most people are uncomfortable talking about. (poop, sex... to name a few)

7.  i have modeled nude for a professional painter friend.  (shhh...don't tell.  nobody reads this thing anyway).

8.  i am shy in large crowds and outgoing in small ones.

9.  i am deathly afraid of snakes and deep dark waters.

10. i love every season - sunshine, falling leaves, snow, and blooming buds.

11. i enjoy questioning the norm and researching for my own answers in how to live.

12. i love the star wars and jaws movies...the inner geek.

13. i won 1st place in a gymnastics competition when i was 12.  and it ended there.

14. i like to do daredevil things and shock people who think i'm so demure.

15. i am completely ignorant about politics.

16. i love sushi.

17. i want to someday live in a small intentional community that shares a sustainable farm...gardening together, eating together, working together, worshiping together, and growing our families together.

18. quality time with friends is far more important to me than gifts or other languages of love.

19. i hate to be late and pride myself in sticking to commitments.

20. i am too honest for my own good.  can you tell?

God's Good Gifts

One of our 'bathroom readers' is a small Max Lucado book titled Grace for the Moment.  I was reading the thought for the day, last week,which was titled 'God's Good Gifts'.  It was a wonderful little reminder of how God is always there for us to bless us and comfort us...if we would only receive it.  How easily I take these things for granted.  How far away I continue to let myself drift.  How faithful and patient He is with me~

He has sent His angels to care for you, His Holy Spirit to dwell in you, His church to encourage you, and His word to guide you...

Anytime you speak, He listens;  make a request and He responds.

He will never let you be tempted too much or stumble too far.

Let a tear appear on your cheek, and He is there to wipe it.

Let a love sonnet appear on your lips, and He is there to hear it.

As much as you want to see Him, He wants to see you more...

I decided to add in a few of my own~

When I feel alone, He is waiting to be my friend...and reveals to me what friends I do have.

When I am angry, He is patient and gentle and doesn't hold it against me.

When I worry, He shows me that there is nothing to worry about.

When I am fearful, He fills my head with songs and shows me how protected I really am.

When I am exhausted, He reminds me of my amazing husband who is so eager to serve.

When our budget is tight, He still allows us to eat wonderful foods and live in a warm home.

When I am frustrated, He quickly shows me how great I really have it.

When I am discouraged as a new mother, He shows me how incredible my 

little baby really is.

When I am critical of myself, He brings about small encouragements through kind words.

And when I drift far away He is always right there, waiting to receive me, no matter what.

"Every good action and every perfect gift is from God."

James 1:17