{ the papyrus basket }: May 2009

Thursday, May 28, 2009

stormy emotions

I had a bad day today.

I was late to work. I had several unexpected tasks come up at work that prevented me from accomplishing what I hoped to accomplish. We had a company lunch that was split into two shifts, and I got left behind. When I got home from work, Toby had red dirt all over his paws & was running around the house with his filthy self. But the worst part of the day was when I had some "moments" {I have those sometimes - moments of frustration/sadness/etc} and I realized that my emotions were out of control. At least, I thought they were out of control. I prayed for God to take them over, and he did. Then, when I got home & checked my e-mail today, I read this devotional from Sarah's Laughter and it made me realize that God really can control my emotions if I let him.

Raging Storms

“Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”
Luke 8:25

Has your faith died since the moment your baby died? Have you found your faith decreasing along with your hormone levels? If this is the hurt of your heart, listen as Jesus says to your storm, “Peace, be still.” He doesn’t rebuke you for your doubt. He rebukes the doubt. The same word and the same Word that calmed the storm for the disciples that night can calm your storm and bring you peace.

You may feel that you have not only lost your baby, but you’ve lost control. You tried everything you could to ensure a safe development for your baby, but something went horribly wrong. You couldn’t control how the embryo divided. You couldn’t control the tiny heartbeat. No matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t control your blood pressure or your hormone levels. Now, you struggle to control emotions bouncing around your chest like a million ping-pong balls. You just can’t seem to regain control of anything. Your storm is out of control.

Good news, friend. The storm isn’t really out of control. It’s just that it’s not under your control. Look at the flabbergasted reply of Jesus’ shipmates the day He stepped to the edge of the boat and calmed their storm with just a word:

“Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

These guys were no neophytes. They had already witnessed so much of what Jesus could do, but when He slapped the waves down with only a word from the Word, He stopped them dead in their doubting tracks! Who is this Jesus? This Jesus is the Prince of Peace who calms your angry tempest with only His voice. He’s the same Jesus who knows you’ll survive this storm whether you know you will or not. He’s the same Jesus who brings His peace to you. Peace that passes all understanding and simply doesn’t make sense considering the situation you find yourself in is yours for the taking. Never worry that He’ll run out of patience with you. Because of the Lord’s mercies that are new every morning, we are not consumed. (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV) Are you afraid that even the Prince of Peace is not enough to speak peace to your hurt? Worry no more. His grace is sufficient and His strength is perfected in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

This is the Jesus who calms your storm.

angels in the office

I'm having a bad day. And I think God recognized that, so he said hello to me via these flowers from one of our producers in the office who just wanted to say thanks for all my work. :-)

Saturday, May 23, 2009

I learned to sew!

My mom taught me how to sew on a machine last week. I need a LOT more practice, but I think I did pretty good for my first project! I made covers for the pillows on our sofa. The back has a flap where you put the pillow in. {yeah I'm sure there's an official name for that...} The back is a striped fabric that coordinates with the floral on the front. Wonder what I'll tackle next...

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

HELP!!!

I have the brownest thumb EVER. I bought these flowers a couple of weeks ago, and look at them! What is my problem? I water them whenever the soil is dry. When it rains, of course I don't water them. There is fertilizer in the soil. They perk up when I water them, but am I watering them too much? What did I do wrong?? Green thumbs, comment please!!

This is what they are SUPPOSED to look like:

{Aztec Red Verbena}

Friday, May 15, 2009

relationships

I got this Purpose Driven Life daily devotional the other day, and I just read it today. This is definitely something I need to work on with my relationships, so I thought I'd share.

Being Wise in Your Relationships
by Rick Warren

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18 NLT).

Every person you know is unique. Each one is a complex blend of background, temperament, and giftedness. Yet, these differences are often the root of relational conflict. Uniqueness poses all kinds of communication problems—so often we simply don't understand each other! We may use the same words but with very different meaning.

We're wise when we recognize and value the differences in people. Our uniqueness requires that we use wisdom in order to relate to others in customized ways, rather than relating to everyone with the same, rigid style, as if everyone will think and respond the same way.

The Bible tells us the characteristics of genuine wisdom: The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness (James 3:17-18 LB).

From these verses we learn six ways to be wise when we relate to others. If I am biblically wise...

1. I will not compromise my integrity (wisdom is pure). I'll be honest with you. I'll keep my promises and commitments to you.

2. I will not antagonize your anger (wisdom is peace-loving). I'll work at maintaining harmony. I won't push your hot buttons.

3. I will not minimize your feelings (wisdom is courteous). I may not feel as you do, but I won't ignore or ridicule how you feel.

4. I will not criticize your suggestions (wisdom allows discussion). I can disagree with you without being disagreeable.

5. I will not emphasize your mistakes (wisdom is full of mercy). Instead of rubbing it in, I'll rub it out.

6. I will not disguise my motivations (wisdom is wholehearted and sincere). I'll be authentic with you. I won't con or manipulate you.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

mom's day gifts

Yesterday I had plans to shop for my mom & Baron's mom in downtown Prattville for Mother's Day gifts. It was nearing 2:oo and we were still at some friends' {Mark & Michelle Thompson} house after eating lunch with them, their kids, and Baron's mom. At some point during the lunch conversation, Jane {Baron's mom} noticed a decorative tile that Michelle had on her counter. It was about 12x12 and it had a large cursive "T" painted on it. Jane really liked it, and I immediately thought about getting a tile for her & for my mom for Mother's Day. Then I thought, "I could so make one of those myself. And it would be cheaper. Hmmm." I told Baron about my idea, and when we left their house at about 3:00, I started working on the tiles. The tiles are so cheap that I got an extra to hopefully make one for us someday. :-) {P.S. Easels super cheap from Wal-Mart! Thanks, Better Homes & Gardens.} Here are the finished products: