Thursday, November 28, 2013

Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving Day…wow…so many thoughts filling my mind. I could sit and ramble for a very long time naming my blessings and what I'm truly thankful for. However, that would bore you and add that to the triptofan from the mountain of turkey you are consuming today that would put you into a Thanksgiving coma!

Love, peace, health and happiness….I have been given them all, and today I am committed to having an attitude of gratitude that lasts longer than one day, or even one month.

QUESTION: What is the one thing you have never considered being thankful for?

Have a character building day!
Susan

Thursday, November 21, 2013

What Did You Say?

Sitting with the family tonight, having a time of family prayer and devotions, my 9 years old son asks a very serious question. "We say that we ask Jesus into our hearts. I'm confused. What does that mean? Your heart is just pumping blood. How do we know He's really there?"



I have failed as a good, Christian mom!! It's over, I give back every one of my chips of jewels that were to adorn my gold plated crown when I die and reach the eternal rest of heaven! Where did I go wrong? How in the world did I make my poor child believe that he must actually have a cracked open chest and Jesus actually lives in his little heart? Kids are so literal….and I forgot that!

It's not enough that we good intentioned parents realize how desperately we need Jesus, but that we find a way to share that with our kids in a way that actually doesn't scare them to death or freak them out or just honestly, causes them to say this isn't real, cause it just can't happen! How many times have you heard this phrase, "All you have to do is pray and ask Jesus in your heart."? How many times have I said it? Uggh!! Lord, I know you don't expect much out of me, but really, you could have stopped this one a long time ago!! Goodness, I feel like an absolute failure. So, what do I do now?

Honestly, I gotta tell you that I have no idea! God, (yes, it's me, again) I need Your help here! A childlike faith is what you tell us we need, and I've been shoveling grown up portions of the truth to someone who just isn't ready to deal with that, what do I do now? I know that the thief on the cross is as saved as saved can be, and living with you in Paradise, why can't I just remember to say that all you have to do is say, "Lord, I believe."

QUESTION: Have you found a good children's devotional book that you'd like to recommend? Post the title here, I'd love to check some new ones!

Have a character building day!
Susan

Monday, November 18, 2013

It's all in how you look at things!



Perspective.

Now this is a really great shirt to wear to remind yourself that even though things may look off, it's just a matter of what's most important. Does it really matter? Besides, how cool that this shirt will remind me to put things in perspective when my head hangs down in defeat....it's right side up!!

Have a character building day!
Susan

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Walk In Purpose


Characters by Susan's Design: These Boots Are Made For Walking

Characters by Susan's Design: These Boots Are Made For Walking: Seriously, this is NOT the style boot I was planning on wearing this weekend! How in the world can I possibly do the most bizarre things? ...

These Boots Are Made For Walking

Seriously, this is NOT the style boot I was planning on wearing this weekend! How in the world can I possibly do the most bizarre things? Picture this, I'm wearing my tennis shoes (yes, mom they were tied), walking across the living room floor, and boom! I'm on the ground! Absolutely nothing in the way, clear passage, and I end up with a chipped bone in the back of my ankle (which does not hurt...go figure), soft tissue damage and ligament damage on the top of my foot and ankle! Really?

I know there has to be a really good reason, and someday, I know God will reveal exactly what it is, but I have to say, I'm a little busy for this to happen! Now what? I guess, this means I have to humble myself (seriously? I am not good at that!) and allow people to help me. Wait, I've needed help for the past two years! Who am I kidding? You would think that by now, I'd be good at accepting help, but it just goes against my personality. I'm the one who always offers a hand, and is able to jump in and do what's needed when others can not. Is there a lesson for me to learn, still, again, once more....hmmm...i'm going to think yes is the answer. 

God, I don't like sitting here and You know it. Thank you that it's not as bad as it could be, and that I have wonderful parents and kids that are able and willing to help out. But, God, this is really hard for me. I feel weak and needy. 

WATCH OUT....GOD JUST SAID, "REALLY???" Of course I'm weak and needy, and that's not a bad thing to be at times. No, I'm not saying I think we should be incapable of caring for ourselves and the normal things at hand, but I know I am a weak woman of flesh, and I need a Big Savior! I also need to allow people to help me. It's their opportunity to minister to me, and allow Jesus to be visible to me through them. 

QUESTION: When do you feel weak and needy, and do you allow others to be Jesus to you?

Have a character building day!
Susan

Monday, November 4, 2013

I Have Seen the Light!

It's amazing how 6:30 am on a Monday morning is much more inspiring in the fall! I love to get the kids up and they are not waking in the dark! (Yes, I know, most teenagers walk around in a dark cloud, brooding and sluggishly preparing for their day regardless of light or darkness! Let's leave them out of this!) Beyond how the kids feel, I know that I am a better Mommy this time of year.

The cool crisp mornings, now filled with light in the sky, seems to have lifted a feeling of blah! You know the feeling, don't sit there on the Grammar Judgement Bench and roll your eyes, you know exactly what I mean! This time of year never fails to bring me hope, inspiration and feelings of refreshment. I am more rested, more creative and actually have more energy. OK, so maybe I'm a little different, but the leaves falling from the trees after having been changed to beautiful colors give me hope.

This is the season that the old falls away and after a period of harsh times, new life and opportunity will spring forth. It's a season of retrospect for me. I take a quick inventory of what my year has looked like, what have I accomplished and what do I need to do differently. I then use the next few months to really dig in and seek out ways to make the coming year better.

I have seen the light...and I'm thankful. The Light of my precious Jesus, the light of a new morning and the light of love that I see in my children's eyes (yes, even the teenagers at 6:30 am) are all I need.

What does fall mean to you?

Have a character building day!
Susan