Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 21

I woke up this morning with a bad attitude.  Not gonna lie.  I had a pretty hectic week and I wanted to just hide away today and not deal with reality.  I was at the kitchen sink doing the dishes and said to my husband "Sometimes I wish I could just take a personal day, when I could just read a book, drink some tea, watch a movie, or take a nap."  He simply stated "So why don't you do that today?  You need to take a day.  You are in a grumpy mood and you need to take a day off."

Wait, what?  Did he just tell me I'm grumpy?  He's supposed to be all supportive and let me gripe for a while.  EXCEPT THAT...one day I gave him permission to tell me when I am playing the martyr.  I asked him to tell me to snap out of it when I am having a bad attitude.  And that's what he did today.  It was done in love and I pouted for a few minutes and then I realized that he was totally right. 

So as I was eating the omelet that he so generously made for me for breakfast, I thought about how I could have a better attitude for the rest of my day.  That's when Philippians 2:4-5 popped into my mind.

"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." (NASB)

Obviously somewhere in the back of my mind I knew the reference to having the attitude of Christ Jesus, or it wouldn't have popped into my head when I needed it.  But I had to go to my concordance to find exactly where it was located, and the precise wording.  So I figure, why not memorize it for SSMT verse 21?

As I was reading Philippians 2 to get a feel for the context of these verses, I began to realize something.  Paul didn't tell the people to stop looking out for their own personal interests.  He didn't ask them to play the martyr and only look after everyone else.  He simply told them to ALSO look out for the interests of others.  Care about others needs.  Watch each others' backs, so to speak. 

The NIV version of verse 5 says "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."  That word "relationships" is really what it is all about.  It takes the focus off of just me.  I am still concerned with taking care of my own needs, but I also look out for the needs of those around me.  It removes the selfish ambition and creates an attitude of "we're all in this together."  As Paul says in Phil. 2:2 "Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (Emphasis mine.)

For the next two weeks I will be working on my attitude as I memorize Philippians 2:4-5.  I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, who brought this verse to mind on a day when I really needed it.  Oh - and it doesn't hurt that I have a husband who helps me change my bad-attitude into a better-attitude, with love and encouragement.  Thanks honey!

Company Girl Coffee...A Christmas Service to Remember

Welcome girls! I'm so glad it's Friday. I've been looking forward to today for a while now. You see, my Brother in Law and his girlfriend are in town on leave from Afghanistan and today is girls' day! My Mother in Law is coming into town, and the two of us are going on a surprise trip with Kari. It's her Christmas present to us. The men are going to stay home with CD and pick up the kids from school. Then later this evening we'll join the men for dinner. It should be a great day!

So I'm short on time this morning, but I wanted to quickly share a post from last Christmas. You see, my husband is more than a Worship Pastor. He also programs our services and helps to plan sermon series, special services, videos, songs, etc... He is so good at what he does and I think he is one of the best "story tellers" ever! Last year's Christmas series was amazing. If you're interested, read about it here.

Thanks for stopping in today and I look forward to reading some of your stories this weekend. For now, I'm off to get ready for my "mystery girls' day!"

Blessings to all!
~Melissa

Company Girl Coffee 11.12.10

I love this guy...
Oh. Sorry about that. Maybe you can see him a little better in this picture...
He's the one surrounded by all those little munchkins that adore him. (Can you count all five in both pictures?) With arms and legs flying everywhere it's hard to get a decent photo of the bunch!

I love him because even when he's had a long day at work and they all charge him when he comes through the door, he gives them his full attention.

I love him because when I cut my thumb and have difficulties washing the dishes, he steps right in to help without even being asked.

I love him because he's there for me whether I need a listening ear or some good sound advice.

I love him because he points out the positive side of my 'tunnel vision' even when I see it as a flaw.

I love him for many other reasons not listed here, but mostly I love him because he loves us with all his heart and takes every opportunity to show it.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." -John 13:34

We are in love! (15 years and counting!)

Today is my 15th anniversary! I can hardly believe it! It seems like just yesterday that I was walking down that wedding isle. We had an afternoon wedding, and it is as hot today as I remember it being 15 years ago!

Sorry to get up close and personal with the photo of us, but my husband is not a camera man. When I asked him if it was ok to take a picture of us for my blog, this is what I got! That's one of the many things I love about him though. He can make me laugh, no matter what the occasion. the song playing in the backround was the song that we walked out to after we were pronounced man and wife. :)

Actually, today is just like any other day of the year. It's Thursday, and the kids and I greeted him this morning and happily sent him off to work with hugs and kisses. There are no bells and whistles going off, and we don't have any special romantic plans for the evening. I simply gave him a squeeze, told him I loved him, and was looking forward to seeing him when he got home. We don't have a lot of extra money right now, so a massage by candle-light after the kids go to bed will be my gift to him.

But isn't that what marriage is all about? It's about serving your spouse in ways that make them feel loved. A romantic touch, an e-mail, a phone call during the day to say "I'm thinking of you." Perhaps it's a listening ear when they need one, or a sympathetic nod to indicate that you feel bad they had a rough day. I prefer to celebrate our marriage with the little things that happen every day. I don't need some fancy restaurant and a movie to make this day special.

Thank you for loving me for 15 years dear! You make me a better person and I look forward to the next 15 years of our lives together. :)

There Was a Note Attached

I just have to brag on my dear husband for a minute! When we were first married, I used to wish and pray that the man would buy me flowers every once in a while, but then eventually I resigned to the fact that he's just not a flowers man. We have now been married for 14 years and I love his quirky ways of showing his love for me. Every once in a while, he just goes over the top and catches me off guard. This Valentine's Day was one of those times.

It's been a rough two weeks around here. He's been gone a lot so I've been taking care of the kiddos even more so than usual. On Thursday when he got home from work I told him that if I didn't get some time away from my children (whom I love dearly) I was going to climb up the walls. Even though he had just worked a 9 hour day, he lovingly looked at me and said "go." He told me to go have some coffee or find a quiet place to read a book for a couple of hours. Reluctantly I gathered my things and headed out the door. I hadn't even fed the kids yet. I felt guilty, but I knew I needed the time away, and he knew it too.

When I got home I felt renewed and I had the urge to really show my husband how much it meant to me to get away for a while. One back massage did the trick! I know I have said this before, but when we take care of ourselves as women, wives, and mothers, we are more apt to want to serve the ones we love. I am so glad that I have a husband that encourages me to do just that!

That's not where my admiration ends for him though. The next day I was getting into the van to go and get BC from Kindergarten, and a delivery came. It was addressed to me! I was already running late so I stuck them in the van and took off for the school. When I got home I opened the box. It was tulips...in beautiful Spring colors! Talk about making my day! That would have been enough, but there was also a note attached. It read:

For Melissa-
Thank you for being a great wife and mom.
We all love you very much.
Happy Valentines Day!

Tears welled up in my eyes as I read the note. My heart rejoices when I think about how lucky I am to have such a loving family. We spent the day yesterday as a family, doing a little of everything and a lot of nothing but being together. What a great way to spend Valentines Day!

Oh, I almost forgot! There were chocolates with the flowers and card too. I guess they just seemed to fade away into the background with the sentiment of the card. :)

I love my family!

Company Girl Coffee

I just have to say, that I have been enjoying visiting all of you for Company Girls Coffee this morning. So much, in fact, that I had to get a second cup! : ) There is a lot of wisdom and insight to glean from all of you! I love the honesty that is put into your posts and really enjoy taking time to look into your lives and get to know you a little better. It makes me feel like I'm not so alone in many areas of my life. Thanks for sharing! This Company Girl is glad you do, and I consider myself blessed to know you!

Yesterday was a very busy day for me, so I didn't get time to post until now. I want to pay special attention to this month's verse. I already posted it once, stating how much I am comforted by it, but I didn't go into why.

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

My favorite part of that verse is "He will rejoice over you with singing." You see, I am married to a Worship Pastor. He has a lot of other gifts that God has blessed Him with, but I am not exaggerating when I say that he is truly anointed by God to lead worship. There has never been a time when God has not used him to lead me straight into the sanctuary to worship at His throne. Many times over, I have felt God's presence, and known, that even when I felt so consumed that I had no voice, He was singing over me during that sweet time of worship. Comforting me. Healing me. Quieting me with His love. He is so good that way.

I am so blessed to be married to a man who loves worship. I have always loved to sing and make music in my heart to the Lord. Ever since I was a little girl. I know that's why God gave me my DH...So that we could worship HIM together.

Today, in keeping with yesterday's small thing, I'm going to make sure that my DH has a relaxing day of fun! He deserves it!

May you feel God rejoicing over you with singing this week,
Melissa

Talking Matters

Well, it's been a long week, and I'm glad it's Friday. I thought before I turn in for the night I would take a little time to have a cup of coffee with some Company Girls. I have decaf on hand for all of you out there who prefer it this late in the day!

This week my favorite small thing was "Talk to Me, Babe!" The idea was to sit down and talk to your man about what they'd like to talk about. This task wasn't too hard for me this week because there is a lot going on in our lives right now to talk about. A new job for one. My dh just got hired on as the new Worship Pastor at a local Church where we live. We also talked a lot about his current job...realty. He's closing two deals right now, while transitioning into his new job. His week was packed with meetings and phone calls. Somehow in the midst of it all though, we connected and I asked him not one question, but several. About his day, his meetings this week, and how he's handling this transition.

He shared his fears with me as well as some of his dreams, plans, and goals for the future. He talked about the difficulties of working two jobs at once, and opened up about the excitement of beginning a new chapter in our lives. What an incredibly intimate time we had together, all because I showed interest in what matters to him. It made me realize how important it is to genuinely show interest in what my loving dh has to say.

From Fantasy Football (which I now have a better understanding of) to job transitions, when my dh talks, I'm going to try harder to open my ears and heart and listen. After all, I am his wife, his helper, and his best friend.

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

Happy Anniversary to Us!

This week we celebrated our 14th anniversary. Some people celebrate with flowers and candy, some go on elaborate over-night get-a-ways. Then there's the ever popular one...jewelry!

We've done all of those in the past, as well as a special three day mini-vacation for our 10th anniversary. This time, we went to a movie and then stopped to share a bit of uninterrupted conversation over a basket of steak fries on our way home.

It's not really how you celebrate that makes the difference. It's remembering why you're celebrating that matters. Love. It's what binds husband and wife together and makes two become one.

Love between husband and wife does not always come as easy as some might think. In 14 years of marriage we have certainly had our shares of ups and downs. We've changed jobs and moved several times. On occasion, we have been unemployed. We are also raising five beautiful children together. Life has thrown many challenges, as well as blessings our way.

Jobs, homes, and yes, even children come and go in life. There is however, one thing that will always remain, and that is the love that we have for each other. It may always be changing and growing. It looks different now than it will in 10, 15, or even 20 years. But it will always be there. It will never cease to exist, as long as we work at it. And that, is reason to celebrate.

I love you honey! Thanks for 14 wonderful years!

1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails.

We're Good

Yesterday I was not having the best of days. It wasn't any big thing that went wrong, it was just a bunch of little things that added up throughout the day and then by dinner time, I was a wreck. As I was preparing dinner, my youngest son stood at my feet crying. The other four kids were being rowdy and loud playing with their dad and in the heat of my frustration I yelled at my husband "WOULD YOU PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THE BABY WHILE I GET DINNER READY!"

He very calmly picked up our son and said as he walked away "Don't yell at me in front of the kids."

I immediately knew in my heart that I should not have shouted. Later, when I had the time to apologize, he said "We're good" and gave me a hug. He's like that. Never been one to hold a grudge.

I know someone else who's like that. His name is Jesus. He is the author of forgiveness. His love is unconditional. And when we come to Him with our mistakes, He says to us "We're good."

My husband is forgiving. My Lord is forgiving. So why didn't I feel better? The answer: I needed to forgive myself. We all make mistakes from time to time. In the heat of the moment I lost it and yelled at my husband. The important thing is to receive forgiveness and learn from the moment. Then next time I feel myself about to explode, hopefully I will handle the situation differently. For now, I am giving myself grace, and room to grow. I am going to say to myself "We're good."

Psalm 103:12 "as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Looking Back and Laughing

I wanted to post a funny story about my fifth anniversary. It was almost 8 years ago. I had great expectations for our 5 year. We didn't have kids back then so we made reservations at a fancy hotel suite. I had been hinting for weeks that I would like diamond studs for a present. I am not good at waiting so the morning of our big day I gave him a big kiss with his present. He thanked me and got ready for work. After work, we went out to a nice dinner and a movie, packed up our bags, and went to our hotel suite. They even upgraded us at not cost because our room was next to a room where they were doing some construction. It was almost perfect. All I needed was my diamond studs to put the icing on the cake.

Time passed and no present. We explored the hotel and went to a wine tasting. No diamonds. In the mean time, I was getting pretty upset. I mean, didn't he get the hints I gave him about what I wanted? Finally, just before we went to bed, I asked. I said "honey, this has been a great anniversary. I have really enjoyed everything. But I have to admit, I am a little upset that you didn't get me anything." (It probably didn't come out as sweet as I'm making it sound.)

After hearing me out and letting me cry, he said "I guess you didn't see the box sitting on the night stand when you woke up this morning!"

Boy did I feel terrible. All that time I thought he had just forgotten!

That's the story of why my earrings are my favorite piece of jewelry and I'll never jump to conclusions about my husband's gift-giving abilities again.