My Cup Runneth Over

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My cup runneth over.

Well, technically, it’s a jar and I’ve been depositing money in it for over three years hoping to accumulate enough capital to purchase a book.

My friend, Leslie published Penny Perspectives: Let Go of Happily Ever After & Invest in Happily Ever NOW in October of 2012. In it, she encourages readers to take notice of the small, often overlooked, things in life because they have the power to help us achieve our greatest dreams.

I thought it would be fun to follow her lead. Instead of swiping my debit card to make the purchase, I decided to gather enough found money to cover the price of her book.

I stashed the jar safely above the reach of small, sticky fingers and until last week didn’t pay much attention to it. Every once in a while I would make a deposit and close the cabinet without another thought.

But on Thursday, as I dropped in a gnarled penny I picked up during my morning walk, coins spilled off the mound I hadn’t noticed growing from the top of the jar. It was literally overflowing.

Since the jar was too full to contain any more currency, I decided to count.

As I did, I uncovered a deeper truth.

Each coin was more than just a means to an end.

One single penny was all it took for my cup to runneth over.

The truth is I reached my goal a long time ago. When I finally tallied, I the jar contained nearly enough to buy two books. I never realized how much I had because I didn’t take the time to count what was already in the jar…. I just kept filling it.

I was so focused on reaching the final amount, I didn’t think much of each small piece that made up the whole. Every time I picked up a penny, nickel or dime, was the gift. I missed the joy in the small gains because I was too concerned with the big pay-off.

What other blessings go unnoticed while I focus on the big picture… Having the perfect marriage. Raising responsible adults. Moving My Messy Desk into a store front. Signing a book contract with a major publishing agency.

If I’m always looking for more, I might miss how much I already have… A single three letter text from my husband halfway around the world that lets me know he is thinking of me. One small snuggle from a boy who may think he is too old tomorrow. Fellowship with the women who already gather around my craft table. One person encouraged by my words.

If we wait to give thanks until we reach our big goals in life, instead of praising God every step of the way, we are missing the joy of the journey. Those small moments are what fill our lives. I may never find any $100 bills lying on the ground. Chances are, you won’t either. But we all have “penny moments.” Small victories and blessings that might go overlooked while we search and wait and work for a windfall.

Don’t wait for your cup to run over before you realize just how much you already have.

Count your pennies. Today. Right now. And praise God from Whom all blessings flow.

This Thanksgiving I plan to take a look around and notice all I have, to count my blessings. Not just the big things that seem to mark my year, but all the little ones that make up my days.

I shipped off that found money (just over four pounds) to my friend and she is sending me two books - one for me and another for me to give away to one of you. Enter to win your copy by subscribing to my blog, commenting, or sharing this post. Be sure to tag me so I can enter you in the drawing which will be held November 30th.

Leslie Stein is a speaker, trainer and coach focused on helping individuals and organizations get to peak performance. She specializes in speaking about leadership lessons from everyday experiences in a dynamic, engaging way. Find out more about her at www.lesliestein.com and don’t miss her inspiring TEDx talk.

If you don’t win the drawing, be sure to order your own copy of her book Penny Perspectives! Or maybe start your own jar…

Dear Father, Thank you so much for all you have blessed me with. I know that every good thing comes from above and that you supply my every need. Help me to see all you have given me, both great and small, as loving gifts from you, not just at Thanksgiving, but every single day. Amen.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

For more encouragement please join the discussion on these fabulous blog link ups - Suzanne Eller, Thought Provoking Thursday, Susan B. Mead, Faith Filled Friday, Faith and Fellowship Friday, Grace and Truth Friday, Still Saturday, Good Morning Monday, Soul Survival, Monday Musings, Rah Rah Link Up, Tell His Story, Woman to Woman Wednesday, Women With Intention Wednesday.

What are you waiting for?

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Have you ever been promised something amazing but found yourself waiting and wondering when it would arrive?

Sometimes in life getting what we want doesn’t come as quickly as a package ordered on Amazon Prime or shipped via FedEx.

About three years ago, after much prayerful consideration and study, God called me to start this craft business. I combed through verse after verse sitting on the floor of my living room so that my coffee table could hold my bible right up to my face as I flipped through its worn pages. I was looking for evidence that this idea, this dream could possibly be considered worthy work, kingdom work, even. After all my careful study, the Holy Spirit led me to the conclusion that for work to be considered worthy, it must glorify God. From that moment on, I purposed that My Messy Desk would glorify my Creator with all the treasures and talents He had and would bestow upon me.

Any business these days requires a social media presence and a blog, so I started one. My original intent was to write about the beautiful things ladies were making at our workshops, promote upcoming crafts, and perhaps write a tutorial or two for other projects. God wasted no time showing me that He had other plans for this forum. Within a week or two, He inspired me to write some short devotions, which currently comprise the majority of the content on my blog.

It wasn’t long before I realized that what was happening around My Messy Desk was bigger than the crafts themselves.

Women opened their hearts and shared their worries, their dreams and their joys while their hands were busy stamping, painting or making jewelry. With little to distract my crafters while glue dried, bonds formed between us.

Over the last couple of years, my business has flourished and many have encouraged me in my writing as well. About two months ago, I took some steps to improve my writing and explore the possibility of a book. In this process, God has shown me how it is possible to merge my crafting and my writing as I expand my business by offering a devotion with a craft that supports the theme - Messes with a Message. It may have been obvious to others that this is the next logical step, but for whatever reason, He has just opened my eyes to this new possibility. He has given me a vision so clear that I cannot deny it, no matter how many times I ask if He is really sure about this!

But this is where the waiting begins for me.

Expanding my business too far isn’t practical until we stop moving every couple of years. That could be another 3 or 5 or more birthdays down the road for me. My children and my husband need me quite a bit during this season of our lives. Even more uncertain is the process of establishing myself as a speaker that people would want to hire or an author who’s book people would purchase. That’s a big scary wait and see with a bunch of terrifying tasks standing in my way.

A couple of guys in the bible knew about waiting for the fulfillment of their promise from God. Joshua and Caleb were the only two of 12 spies Moses sent out into the Promised Land who returned with a positive attitude about how the Israelites would accomplish what God had promised to them. Even after their physical presence in the land, tasting the fruit and seeing what God said they would possess, the other ten tried to convince Moses that it was an impossible mission. “The people are giants.” “Their cities are too fortified.” “It is too dangerous.” “We will surely be torn to pieces.” (Numbers 13-14)

They lacked the faith that God would do what He said despite the lengths to which He had already gone to prove this very thing to them. God was ready to wipe His people off the face of the earth and start fresh with ever-faithful Moses, but Moses prayed. Part of Moses’ intercession was to ask God what the Egyptians would think if, after their great exodus God annihilated His people. What report would that send to Pharaoh? God saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt for a reason - to show the world how much He loved and protected His own people. That message would get lost in translation if He utterly destroyed them. (Numbers 14:11-25)

The other ten spies were punished for their unfaithfulness and died from the plague. Then, the Israelites endured nearly 40 years of wandering in the dessert waiting for the adults of that generation to die before God gave the order to cross the Jordan River once again. (Numbers 14:26-38)

After the judgment, some of the Israelites decided to attack early, but without the presence of God and His direction, they were defeated and driven back easily. They wanted to atone for their unbelief by taking it upon themselves to rush into battle, but God had already declared their punishment. (Numbers 14:39-45) This is a warning to us to refrain from bounding ahead toward our promise before God has given us permission, to be faithful in all he commands, even the discipline for our sin and unbelief.

Finally, the time came for Caleb and Joshua and the new generation of Israelites who had been born in the desert to enter the promised land. Now, Joshua commanded the Israelite forces as they conquered the land flowing with milk and honey. He was chosen for this position of great power and authority because he didn’t falter in his faith. He held on to the assurance that God would be with them and would do what He said.

God used the time of wandering to strengthen and prepare the Israelites for the task that lay ahead. Joshua prepared spiritually, physically and emotionally while serving under Moses until God said the time was right. God not only prepared, disciplined, and increased the Israelites in number, but He also provided for them in material ways throughout the wandering so that there could be no doubt about His presence with them.

Waiting for the fulfillment of a promise from God might require a little more of us than just checking the shipping status in an on-line tracking system. We all know simply checking the status doesn’t make our package arrive any faster.

This my call to action. I will prepare while I wait, so that when the promise comes I’m ready to possess it to the glory of God.

I will draw closer to God by studying His word and praying with great fervor and faith. I will learn all I can about the ministry and service He is preparing for me. I will hone my skills in writing and crafting and speaking. I will relish each opportunity to practice them, even when the task seems daunting. I will do my best to obey Him in all I do while I wait. When I fail I will embrace His discipline as a form of teaching, not an excuse to quit.

I certainly hope my waiting time is less than 40 years, but if not I will have gained so much wisdom and experience and strengthened my faith in God, that it will be clearly evident that He not only chose me for my purpose but that He alone prepared me! This is where I claim the words of Psalm 27:14. I will courageously wait on the Lord while He strengthens my heart!

Wait On The Lord.001What are you waiting for? Have you had a glimpse into the purpose for which God saved you? Is there a promise on your horizon? Are there steps you can take now to prepare you to claim it according to God’s timing?

Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for the awesome wonders you have promised to work through me for Your glory. I ask that you would strengthen me for the task ahead and make me ready when the time is right according to Your will. Protect me as I prepare and guide me ever-closer to You by Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Wait on the Lord;
be of good courage and
He will strengthen your heart.
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:14

Universal and Personal

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Tuesday night, I had the privilege of leading a craft at a meeting for the spouses of Chaplains from all over FT Hood! What a lovely bunch of ladies! I developed the project, Quest for the Cross, in collaboration with one of the wives based on something she had seen done for Christmas. I provided cross shaped boxes and everything needed to decorate them, along with one printed bible verse to be placed in the box for each day of Holy Week. There were also instructions that suggested daily “hiding places.” The goal is for the children in the family to find the cross, and then have a small family devotion about the verse inside.

The hostesses and I set up earlier in the day, so I arrived just a few minutes before the rest of the guests. The boxes were arranged in neat rows and the embellishments were staged on 4 tables in the center of the room. There were bright spring flowers and earthy moss, sparkly beads, glittery butterflies, paints, stamps, and buttons. Glue guns rested atop 5 double tables covered with drop cloths and surrounded by chairs.

 

30 ladies filtered in and took their seats. 30! I have never had that many ladies in one workshop before, so I’m pleased to say that not only did they all leave with a unique and beautiful box containing scripture, but God was gracious enough to give me some time to craft in between assisting the ladies. Some of course needed no direction, others a gentle nudge or suggestion, and a couple just needed a quick lesson on a technique before they set off distressing or stamping on their own.

30 ladies all had the exact same cross shaped box and identical supplies available to them for embellishing, and no two turned out alike. Every gal put their own personal touch on the project. One cross, 30 different ways. Seeing the variety in finished projects based on personal taste and preferences is one of the things I enjoy most about what I do.

 

 

 

As I was reflecting on this mystery yesterday I thought about how the cross on Calvary is both universal and personal, too.

Jesus hung there and died for every person who has or ever will live…it doesn’t get more universally inclusive than that. His sacrifice was for the forgiveness of all our sins. Not just a select few, not just the more socially acceptable sins, but for every single one; no matter how big or small! He even died for the ones we hardly dare to whisper in the deepest recesses of our souls.

And because He died for them all, each of us can live in freedom from those sins. The promise of salvation and an eternity spent worshipping God in His Kingdom is open and available to all who will believe in His death and resurrection. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16) The cross is universal.

But it must also be personal. “…that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) We must individually follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to faith. I can’t believe for anyone else but myself. “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18). Your belief in the cross must be personal.

Your relationship with the Savior must also be personal because each of us has a different personality, temperament, skills, and experiences. Just, because there is one universal salvation doesn’t mean we all have to be cookie-cutter Christians. God loves us far too much for that. He who created the heavens and the earth also knows the very number of the hairs on each of our heads. He is both universal and personal.

He loves all of us enough to sacrifice His only Son for us, but He has given us each different gifts to use for His glory…as unique as each of these lovely crosses the women made Tuesday night. I sincerely hope that in some small way through crafting I can help all those who come to My Messy Desk embrace their distinctive beauty.

What Christ gave up on that plain wooden cross is enough to save us all, but like the embellishments on the boxes, God uses our gifts to reach the lost, strengthen the weak, lead the willing and point others to the beauty of the sacrifice because He desires that none should perish.

Dear Heavenly Father, I give you thanks and praise for the sacrifice of your Son to offer us universal salvation as well as for the uniquely personal way you created and love me. I ask that you would help me to discover the gifts you have given me and show me how to use them to your glory! In your Son’s Holy name, Amen.

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed the name of the only Son of God.” (John 3:18)

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows (Luke 12:6-7)

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

What’s in a Name?

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It should come as no surprise that I like words. I like to look them up in the dictionary, thesaurus and my bible concordance. I like to know what they mean and where they originated and how the original language differs from subsequent translations. Words excite me.

Names are really just words, too. Only names are even more fascinating because they can identify family heritage and describe a person’s character. Think of all the different titles you might use to describe yourself….mother, sister, daughter, friend, teacher, artist, chef, Christian, Army Wife. What do they say about you? Proverbs tells us that “A good name is rather to be chosen that great riches. “ Proverbs 22:1 Our character sometimes determines the names we might be called. Our names categorize us with other like people and we either intentionally or unintentionally become representatives of that group. So not only should we want to choose a good name for ourselves, we should also strive to be worthy ambassadors for any group or family by whose name we are called.

In the bible, Jesus is referred to by over 200 different names. Those names reflect His nature, His position as part of the trinity, and the work He has done and will do. He is the Servant, the Son of God and the Sacrifice. He is the Light of the World, The Son of Man and the Redeemer. He is Lord, Immanuel, and our Indescribable Gift. According to Revelation, there is still a name for Jesus we won’t learn until He comes again. John describes his vision of Christ on a white horse and tells us that, “He also has a name written that no one knew except Himself.” Revelation 19:12 No matter how we strive to know all we can about His character, the depths of His wisdom and love for us will remain a mystery until we see Him face to face.

It is by His name alone we are saved and it is His name we are to exalt and place our trust in above all others.

 

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:3

And those who know your name will put their trust in You. Psalm 9:10

I have been searching for an advent calendar that really spoke to me for several years. Something more meaningful than the little windows with chocolates, but I’ve been unsuccessful until a couple of weeks ago. Searching on line, I had seen several formats for the names of Jesus advent projects – ornaments, strips of paper and chains or bags with small gifts in them representing the different names from the very talented ladies at My Growing Home and I Am Momma Hear Me Roar. Then I was struck by some inspiration to make an open backed frame to hang on the wall with numbered cards for each day on one side and different names for Jesus and their bible reference on the opposite side. So, each day in advent you would reveal another name and learn a little more about the Alpha and Omega.Advent Calendar

Combining my crafting skills and my power point skills, I turned it into a workshop at My Messy Desk last Wednesday I had 15 ladies here making their own advent calendars. And a handful who wanted a take away kit so they could make theirs at home. 20 or more ladies interested in learning more about the King of Kings with their families this advent. What an amazing blessing!

Since this was such a popular craft, I decided to offer the tutorial and the power point presentation that make this project easy to duplicate for any of my friends around the globe as an instant download file on ETSY. I hope you will visit my shop and consider taking time to create this heirloom keepsake for your family.

For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13