Courageous

This past Sunday my family went to see Courageous the movie from the creators of Fireproof.  These movies just keep getting better and better.  Even my 15 year old who is really hard to impress lately said "for a Christian movie that was pretty good!".

You know how when you feel as though you have so much of yourself to "fix" and you just get so overwhelmed that you start to point out the flaws of others thinking if they just get their stuff together it would help you out immensely?  Well, I'm at that point right now myself.  I have to admit I went in this movie hoping my husband would get what I've been trying to tell him lately!

I know we are to keep our eyes on ourselves, remove our plank first.  I guess when I feel as though I am failing at just about everything lately I want my husband to step up and do everything perfect to make up for my mess.  I never really thought of that before.  I need my husband to be strong where I am weak.  I need him to remind me of scripture.  I need to hear this too shall pass.  How can he do these things as I sit and coach him from the sidelines.  I complain that he makes me feel like a child when really I know down deep I am the one making myself LOOK like a child.  How can he be the partner I preach him to be when all I do is make him feel like the failure I feel that I am?  I yell at him what I want to yell at myself.

My husband and I are going through a difficult stage right now.  I have been dealing with not feeling content in my life for a long time now.  My husband has about reached his breaking point with me I feel.  I have reached my breaking point with myself.  I know I need to change.  I think it may begin with a new attitude.

Making ourselves "new".  Making difficult changes.  Admitting mistakes.  All the while becoming more and more Christlike.  None of this is for the weak at heart.  It takes a whole lot of faith.  A lot of letting go of the wheel and letting Christ take it.  A lot of courage!

Who feels like becoming Courageous with me?

(in order to watch this video you will need to turn off the music player at the bottom of the page)

One Thousand Gifts

Fall is my favorite season.  Ask me what my favorite colors are and and I think of deep reds, rich yellows, burnt orange, & dark browns.

The smells instantly bring me to my childhood.  The smells of the iron over wax paper and huge beautiful, colorful leaves.  We then place them in the window and watch as the sun shines through.

The smell of caramel melting over the fresh picked apples from Barber's Orchard.  I think as kids we ate more apples than we picked.  I loved the green ones.

When we lived in Colorado I missed looking out the car window at the rolling hills covered in the most amazing colors.  There is no place like home.

When I think of Joseph's coat of many colors I picture a sea of fall's richest colors. I can't get enough of the sunshine and brilliant colors.  Makes me smile.

Then of course is the annual Apple Fest in downtown Franklin.  All the crafters with their colorful fall crafts.  I could go bankrupt shopping there.  It is probably the one event I look forward to every year and wouldn't miss for anything.  Speaking of it is going on this weekend.  I cannot wait!  The hubby is even off work so he can go with me.

Then eventually all the leaves will be off the trees.  The weather asks you to put on a heavier jacket.  The color of white will cover the bare trees.  This is when I'd like to move out of PA.  Winter here seems to drag on forever.  Yes it has it's own beauty and Christmas isn't Christmas without snow.  Come New Year's day it can stop though.

In the fall, right now, I can count many blessings.  I can look out the window and start writing til my fingers fall off.  Winter, well that is more of a challenge.  I look forward to my eyes being open this winter.  I want to look out the window and jot down my blessings til my fingers fall off.

I encourage you to do the same...