Archives for January 2013

Blown Away by Talent

January 13, 2013 by 12 Comments

Do other people’s talents sometimes blow you away? I’m amazed at those with artsy/craftsy talents. Yep, the talents I don’t have :)

This Christmas I was once again in awe of gifts my daughters made. Kristin and Kelli have both learned to knit in the past few years, and Kelli, among other things, is even teaching herself to sew, thanks to the gift of a sewing machine from her sweet hubby.

Kristin surprised me with a gorgeous knitted scarf that could rival any found in the quaintest of  shops to the nicest of department stores. She also knitted the most clever little “sweaters” for clear ball ornaments and gave some to all the ladies in our family. She made red ones as well as gold ones and white ones with sparkles. Absolutely adorable.

And Kelli? She outdid herself this year by making a dress for Kristin. This amazed us all because she completed her first sewing project just one year ago.

At first, Kristin thought the dress came from Gap because the inside tag was a Gap tag. Kelli then pointed out that it was a top from Gap to which she had added a waistband and gathered skirt. Such a fun surprise and so creative!

If I sound like I’m bragging, I guess I am :) I don’t know where my girls got their craftsy creative bents. Definitely not from me. Maybe that’s why I’m so blown away when I see their finished projects. I love watching this side of my girls blossom.

When I stop and think about it, I do indeed know where Kristin and Kelli got their varied talents. The Author of all talent gave their gifts to them—and to us all—very generously.

God gifts each one of us in numerous ways, doesn’t he? I may not possess the artsy/craftsy talents my girls possess, but I do have other talents. God has given me the ability to write and to sing, to encourage and to teach. I’m not a great cook, but I’m a pretty good little baker when the occasion arises. I can also plan and organize the heck out of whatever needs planning or organizing :)

What about you? I know God has gifted you as well—and I’ve been blown away by many of you and your talents time and again. After all, we are all God’s workmanship, and nobody blows us away like the Creator of it all!

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

*What talents has God blessed you with?

*Here’s the pattern for the knitted Christmas ornaments above.

*My photo

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in early February. Sign-up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, creation/creative/creator, Gift, pride, surprise, talent

Something New: Midweek Morsel

January 9, 2013 by 15 Comments

Change can be risky. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. I’m hoping the change I’m introducing today for my blog will be one that works. And what better time than the beginning of a new year to take a risk and start something new?!

So here’s the change:I’ll continue to post twice a week, but my midweek post will now be much shorter. I’ll call it my Midweek Morsel.

These posts could be any number of things, but they’ll all be designed to refresh, nourish, encourage, and strengthen you as you finish your week. In other words, a little midweek pick-me-up. In addition, I’ll use the Midweek Morsel posts to offer my occasional giveaways so you won’t want to miss those! :)

Today’s morsel is a word of blessing straight from the Word of God. I think it’s especially appropriate as we head into this new year:

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” Psalm 20:4

How I hope and pray for the very best for each of you this year!

*What’s one desire or plan you long to see come to fruition in 2013?

*Flickr photo by Herr Hans Gruber

Filed Under: blessing, change, new thing

In the Fray: After-Christmas and Beyond

January 6, 2013 by 3 Comments

After-Christmas shopping requires two parts guts and a dash of crazy. Did you enter the post-holiday fray this year? Any battle scars to prove it?

A pre-Christmas fall sidelined me from entering the fray for the most part this year. I found out just how much a twisted knee and ankle can cramp my bargain-hunting style, and I didn’t like it one little bit :)

Last year, however, I ventured out into the madness and ended up with a nasty bruise and bump as a result. In the midst of crowded aisles and long lines, I managed to whack my leg against the corner shelf of a display table. Who knew trying to exchange a sweater could be such a dangerous business :)

The after-Christmas shopping fray is behind us now, but as the New Year stretches out in front of us, another fray calls to us. The fray of life.

Some of us may already find ourselves knee-deep in challenging circumstances that require all the guts we can muster. Others may be taking up challenges in our work or personal lives where a dash of crazy is also a plus. Will we truly enter the fray of life and give it our very best efforts this year?

How about on a spiritual level? Do we enter into battle? Do we take a stand against the enemy of our souls when he comes against us or our loved ones?

Also, are we doing the things God has called us to do? Are we pursuing growth and blessing? Are we going after souls? Are we in the fray? If so, what might those battle scars look like? Are we bearing any now?

Let’s get out there this year in all kinds of ways. Let’s give life our best. Let’s enter the fray!

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

*In what ways do you need to enter the fray this year?

*Flickr photo by victoriapeckham

Filed Under: challenge, enemy, fighter, holidays, new thing

Finish: Theme Word for 2013

January 2, 2013 by 21 Comments

Will you select a personal theme word for the New Year—a quality or attitude or action that you feel led to concentrate on this year? I have. Deciding on such a word helps me focus and will help steer me through the coming months.

Last year was the first time I selected a theme word for the year. My word for 2012 was focus. I can’t tell you how many times remembering my theme word helped guide me or keep me on track. Since this new practice proved to be so helpful, I’m ready to jump on board again this year.

As I thought and prayed about what my theme word for 2013 should be, the word finish came to mind. It keeps coming to my attention in other ways as well. Since that seems like good confirmation, finish it will be.

Finish will be a good follow-up to focus, won’t it? After spending much time in 2012 focusing on my book project, the time has now come to finish it.

And just as the word focushelped steer my decisions in many different realms last year, I’m sure the word finish will also guide me in areas other than my writing this year. I’m already thinking about the photo albums I need to finally catch up on. Yikes! :)

If you’ve never adopted a theme word for the year, I encourage you to try it. Ask God what quality, attitude, or action you need to focus on this year, and I’m sure he’ll give you some direction.

Don’t let fear of failure keep you from giving it a go. You’ll benefit more from trying and possibly not following through than never trying at all, right? And if you do follow through, think about how helpful it might be. Either way, it’s a win. And remember—we have a Father who wants to help us follow his lead!

“Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.” 2 Corinthians 8:11

*What will you choose as your theme word for 2013?

*Another word—love—is on my mind as well. Maybe that should be a word for every year, huh?

*Flickr photo by jayneandd

*Scripture memory has been one of the most helpful spiritual practices in my life. If you’d like to try memorizing some scripture this year, join Beth Moore’s 2013 Scripture Memory Team. Very manageable with two verses each month.

Filed Under: challenge, finish, focus, goal, new thing, perseverance, word, writing Tagged With: , , , , ,
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