Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Embrace the 'Messiness' : LIFE
I was recently asked what my five year plan was.
My answer? A laugh.
Five years? Hmm.. I guess I just know two things.. I'll be 28 and happy.
Seriously people, slow down. There's actually not a rush! I know that life is exciting and we live in a 'right now' society where we've all got about a million questions and only five answers. So what, embrace the messiness. And one way you can do that brings me to the point of this blog post. I want you to go buy a book...
No, I'm not talking about Post Secret where you can be rest assured that everyone else in this world has problems and issues just like you. This book is different-- it's a book that will literally pop you up out of bed in the morning and can transform a gray day into a beautiful one. The book is called Scriptures and Meditations for Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. Sure, mornings are rushed but set your alarm three minutes early and read a page. I recently came across the one below and I thought it needed sharing, so here we go:
Trust God's Timing:
"Human nature tends to want everything right now. When we pray for our dreams to come to pass, we want them to be fulfilled immediately. But we have to understand, God has an appointed time to answer our prayers and bring our dreams to pass. And the truth is, no matter how badly we want it sooner, it's not going to change His appointed time.
When we misunderstand God's timing, we live upset and frustrated, wondering when God is going to do something. But when you understand God's timing, you won't live stressed out. You can relax knowing that God is in control, and at the "appointed time" He is going to make it happen. It may be next week, next year, or ten years from now. But whatever it is, you can rest assured it will be in God's timing.
God is not like an ATM machine, where you punch in right codes and receive what you requested. Prayers are not always answered within twenty-four hours. No, we will all have to wait and learn to trust God. The key is, are we going to wait with a good attitude and expectancy knowing God is at work whether we can see anything happening or not? We need to know that behind the scenes, God is putting all the pieces together. And one day, at the appointed time, you will see the culmination of everything that God has been doing.
God often works the most when we see it and feel it the least."
--Joel Osteen
My answer? A laugh.
Five years? Hmm.. I guess I just know two things.. I'll be 28 and happy.
Seriously people, slow down. There's actually not a rush! I know that life is exciting and we live in a 'right now' society where we've all got about a million questions and only five answers. So what, embrace the messiness. And one way you can do that brings me to the point of this blog post. I want you to go buy a book...
No, I'm not talking about Post Secret where you can be rest assured that everyone else in this world has problems and issues just like you. This book is different-- it's a book that will literally pop you up out of bed in the morning and can transform a gray day into a beautiful one. The book is called Scriptures and Meditations for Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen. Sure, mornings are rushed but set your alarm three minutes early and read a page. I recently came across the one below and I thought it needed sharing, so here we go:
Trust God's Timing:
"Human nature tends to want everything right now. When we pray for our dreams to come to pass, we want them to be fulfilled immediately. But we have to understand, God has an appointed time to answer our prayers and bring our dreams to pass. And the truth is, no matter how badly we want it sooner, it's not going to change His appointed time.
When we misunderstand God's timing, we live upset and frustrated, wondering when God is going to do something. But when you understand God's timing, you won't live stressed out. You can relax knowing that God is in control, and at the "appointed time" He is going to make it happen. It may be next week, next year, or ten years from now. But whatever it is, you can rest assured it will be in God's timing.
God is not like an ATM machine, where you punch in right codes and receive what you requested. Prayers are not always answered within twenty-four hours. No, we will all have to wait and learn to trust God. The key is, are we going to wait with a good attitude and expectancy knowing God is at work whether we can see anything happening or not? We need to know that behind the scenes, God is putting all the pieces together. And one day, at the appointed time, you will see the culmination of everything that God has been doing.
God often works the most when we see it and feel it the least."
--Joel Osteen
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Blast from the Past: Christmas memories
So it's Saturday night and weirdly enough, I was craving a night in. So here I am sitting in what looks quite similar to Santa's workshop thinking about all the Holiday shopping I have yet to do. I've made my list, checked it twice and tomorrow it's time to get down to business! But in the midst of making my shopping list, I've entered a state of nostalgia. This is my 23rd Christmas season and while the memory of each year fades from time to time, there are few Christmas mornings I'll never forget.
One memory/tradition that my family partakes in each year starts on Christmas morning. Every year, my mom comes around the house and rings 'Christmas bells'. It's her way of telling us... "Get outta bed, cause Santa came and it's time to do some damage." So in record time, my siblings and I would jump out of bed, wait at the top of the stairs for my Dad to start the video camera and for my mom to position everything downstairs. Shortly after (although it felt like eternity) we would get our cue, "Ok kids, it looks as if Santa came!" The sound of my mom saying this will forever be burned into my brain and when Brittany, Brandon and I heard those words, all chaos broke loose. The tradition gives me chills just thinking about it-- and still at 23 years-old (my siblings are 21) we participate in this tradition. Sure Santa is now identified as Brian and Gina Dorsett and the toys and games have now been replaced with J Crew sweaters and cash, but the moment I hear, "Kids, Santa came.." I light up just as I did at 10 years-old.
Another memory that sticks out was when I began to discover who might be playing Santa. I was in 1st or 2nd grade and had asked for this elaborate china/dish set (playing 'House' was my speciality). Low and behold, the China set I asked for was waiting for me on Christmas morning. I was thrilled, but one thing I wasn't thrilled about was the sticker on the bottom of a plate, "MADE IN CHINA." I was flabbergasted and utterly confused. My parents aced their parental reaction and said, "Wow Abby, Santa must have made a special stop for you in China!" I agreed that Santa must have known how special I was and that it was only fitting that my 'China set' came from China. I still give props to my Mom and Dad on that one. I kept believing in the white bearded man for at least another year or two (-:
Ah, there are so many great memories of this Holiday season and wayyy to many to name, but I encourage each and every one of you to take an hour, turn on some Christmas music and venture down memory lane... guarantee it will be an hour well spent.
Happy Holidays,
Abby
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