fmf :: routine

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This past week began like any other and excitement was building for all that it entailed.  The first day of Spring... nature's way of celebrating routine...was Wednesday!

School days in session... an expected thing!!

Evening events.  The calendar says - "things are happening"!  Things planned for a really looonnnng time!!!!

Then bam!

The weather changes and who knew - we'd all be out of sync with our routine!!  Here we were anticipating Nor'easter #4... and boy, did we get some snow!  Changing everything.

Two days - out of school.

No plans of travel.

No keeping up with "our" schedule - as planned.

I was reading to the kiddos' one morning, this week - over breakfast.  Words from the book of Proverbs about how a man will plan his days but its the Lord who orders his steps.

(In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. ~ Proverbs 16:9 NIV 

Or like the ESV says: The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps.)

It just shows that what think IS and SHOULD BE - are really our own rote routines.  But God, our Heavenly Father, truly is Sovereign and HE KNOWS his ways are higher than our ways.

We just need to sit back and (enjoy!) trust the process!

 Looks like Spring is on it's way after all!!   

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. 

 ~ Isaiah 55 :10

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Joining up with Five Minute Friday - writing in five minutes 

our take on the prompt word... routine!

fmf :: provide

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A smile is a light in the window of your face to show your heart is at home.
~unknown

The theme of my heart!
Being and feeling at home!

I pray that my face would show this blessing of provision
that I know to be true.
THE LORD WILL PROVIDE!

This was the continual and resolved prayer of our hearts for a long time - as we looked for housing.  A new home - a place to call our own.  He did just that.  He provided.  This past summer - mid June, as a matter of fact, if you're new to following our blog and story.

But... I am going to have to be honest.  This house.  It still doesn't quite feel like home.  My smile isn't always there.  While I'm grateful and again, I know HE has provided and met our (every?) need... its the "want" that still gets in the way.  You can read more, starting HERE!

Would you pray for me?

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~ writing and joining up with Five Minute Friday - writing for five minutes on the prompt that was given.  Today's word was provide.

fmf link up :: tired

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A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.

I know that is meant to be a funny.  And, it is.

I immediately saw this word prompt and thought of this photo I had taken from a couple of snows ago - and decided to use this "play on words", with this word, for the Five Minute Friday.  Tired.

Forgive me, but I do think I can pull this all together.  :)

 So... I can relate to this bicycle sitting in between these other two bikes.  It looks like it's lost its footing.  It's balance.  It looks "tired".  Weighed down by the weight of the snow or maybe the wind toppled it - whatever happened.  I can relate.

I need others to keep me upright.   I can't stand alone.  Or, at least, I need them to stand by to keep me from truly falling.

We're never meant to be alone, the Bible says.

I have been really pondering the strength and beauty of relationships...and how we need one another.  I'll admit there are times... I would rather have the peace and quiet...no one needing me for anything.  No one demanding my attention.   But - at the end of the day.  It is super nice to feel supported and "needed".  We need the strength that Jesus and others provide.

- joining in for Five Minute Friday - taking just five minutes and writing 

whatever comes to mind, on the given word prompt.

phone a friend at ten :: cultivating friendship

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One of the ways I've purposed to grow in, this year, was in and with a heart of contentment.  And, in particular, the area of friendships and relationships.  I have many friends, oh yes! I have many... but I'm not overly impressed with how these friendships are maintained. (This is all on my end, by the way!)
So, in other words.  This idea of wanting to grow in contentment has rather uprooted some feelings in my heart of discouragement... and loneliness.
 Sad, but true!

It's all on me.  I know it matters in how I nurture and care for the friendships I have.  Again, with so many... where do I start?  And, with me being the loyal soul that I am... I'm struggling.
Struggling to keep up...
Please hear my heart... I'm certainly not complaining.  I'm curious, rather, in how to nurture those that are most important and how to nurture that level of influence with those that are mere acquaintance.  I share all of this - because of similar, recent conversations with my two girls.  Friendships are valuable and so important - especially as family.  Yet, these can be the hardest...

Interestingly... by leaps and bounds... many MORE relationships have come into my life, over the past couple of years, which has been phenomenal.  So, when I stop to think about just how many people I daily get to rub shoulders with - beings I'm a stay-at-home, work-from-home mom, at that - I'm amazed!!!  But, truthfully... they're surface friendships.  They're not deep. Yet, these are good, too! (sigh!) 

Recently, an online facebook friend was sharing how she loves to send and receive snail mail.
SO DO I!!
The thing is... she has done something about it.
It's incredible.  We exchanged addresses the other day, and BOOM!  A letter/card showed up in the mail.  And, it truly brought a smile to my face. :)  This is simple. This is one way to build and grow relationships.
 I do this, too.. I regret to say it has been awhile, this whole thing of sending cards. Why have I gotten away from it?   There was a time when I used to send cards and notes more than have recently.   I know this isn't a new topic.  I have shared about this before.  But, I'd venture to say - I am not alone in this.   We're human creatures who crave for longing and connection.  I'm not the only one who feels a sense of "lost and lonely"... and who flits around like a dragonfly atop the pond of friendship never sure where to land and enjoy!!  I appreciate this new friend's initiative to cultivate relationship.  Sending out a thoughtful card is truly one way to do it... especially from one stay-at-home mama, to another.  We all need encouragement.  We all need love and care.  We all need reminders of God's love for us!!

Interestingly, this has been a deep, resounding prayer of mine - since relocating.   Would new friendships come about in this new chapter of my life?  (The answer is: they are!  They have!)
What's that little adage:  Make new friends but keep the old.  Some are silver and the other gold?

Well, here is another thing - to add to my list of intention.  I've come up with an idea...
I don't know what to call it... it's just a thing... to keep my self accountable, but it's this little adage to say..."phone a friend at ten".   Meaning, taking the time - around 10 am, every day or there about - (when I'm most available) during my day, to make a short and courteous phone call... whether the person answers or not... to just simply say "hello" and to let them know I've been thinking about them.

This is a ministry.  Another area of growth for me!

Cultivating Friendship!!
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What is it?  How do you nurture and grow friendships?  Or, raise your hand.  If you're like me and want to grow and nurture the friendships that you've been given... How can I encourage you?

To have a friend is to be blessed!