Home Sanctuary

Got a Few Hang Ups?

2010-03-10T04:46:00-08:00

I almost didn't choose Today's Small Thing because it is something that many people will find silly.

And, in fact, YOU may look at the computer screen blankly and wonder what on earth I'm talking about because this little task is something you never have a problem with.

I salute you.

For the rest of us, let's just say we have some hang ups.

See, when I walk into my (tiny) closet, there are usually one or two items that have decided to slide off their hangers and relax on the floor. They obviously don't have the strength to shoulder the waiting in there, so with a nonchalant shrug, they leave their spot on the rod for better times on the carpet.

There are also the clothing items that drape themselves over chairs, ends of beds and dusty exercise equipment because they are too tired to march themselves into the closet and retire to the hangers like good soldiers. It's pathetic.

And I have to get after the coats and sweaters, who, after a long winter, are finding it difficult to keep hanging on to their hooks. No matter how many times I scold them, they lack the willpower to stay put. I know it's because there are too many of them and they're feeling crowded, but it's as if they've given up and are ready to be put away for Spring. There are always one or two despondent items in a crumpled heap of despair on the floor. We dealt we these characters a couple of weeks ago, but you know how these guys are.

I won't even tell you about the clean-but-unsorted laundry that only WISHES it could be hung neatly in the closet. Day after day it sits, its wrinkles becoming set as the basket is dug through for the undies and socks that lie like buried treasures within its depths. The button-down shirts are particularly angry, but they've always got a bit of an attitude. So uptight!

So, for those of you Company Girls with no hang-ups to deal with, today will be an easy day. For the rest of us, we should do some personal therapy by handling our "issues" one at a time.

Today's Small Thing is to hang up the lazy, unmotivated or simply wistful clothing items that are laying around the house. Some of them need to be put in their place with a good talking-to, and others will thank you for the chance to hang with the big boys.

POINTS: 50 for hanging up what's laying around

If you don't have any hang-ups to deal with, take your 50 points and pat yourself on the back!

Where do your clothes like to hang out when not in the closet on hangars? Mine love the chair in my bedroom.

Knick Knack Paddy Whack

2010-03-09T04:45:00-08:00

Sing with me!

This old man, he played one
He played a knick knack on my drum
With a knick knack paddy whack, give a dog a bone
This old man came rolling home.

QUICK! Can you name the rest of the things the old man played knick knack on?

Two - shoe

Three ........

Please don't hate me for getting this childish song stuck in your head, but I had to come up with a way to bring the words "knick knack" into a Small Thing.

Because "chotskies" didn't fit into anything.

Are you a collector? Do you drool over commemorative plates and Thomas Kinkade figurines?

Does your heart beat faster when you see Precious Moments people or Willow Tree carvings?

But maybe the Fitz and Floyd rabbit teapots and Hallmark ceramic pretties are proliferating and partying on the shelves when they should be posing in neat, dust-free groups.

Today's Small Thing is to tidy up the knick knacks, the bric-a-brac, the chotskies and pretties around your house. Give them a quick dusting to make them shine. Are your displays looking cluttered? Edit them and put out only a few things for awhile. Try rearranging what you have and see what a difference it makes.

POINTS: 40 for playing knick knack paddy whack with your decor today!

Do you collect things? I used to collect teacups but they suffered too many casualties over the years and I gave up. I'd love to hear what your collections are, or what decorative items you enjoy.

Finding God's Will: Micah 6:8

2010-03-08T04:45:00-08:00

Have you ever found yourself begging and pleading with God for Him to show you what to do? You SO want to please Him and serve Him...but how? What does He want from you? What does He require? Sometimes it seems like all your questions go unanswered, and you wonder where to start to find His will.

Well, here is a perfect place to start: Micah 6:8.

Background photo: istockphoto, Ilena Simeonova

I won't spend much time on the background history here, but God used Micah to prophesy to His people, who had fallen away from Him (750-687 BC). There was corruption, idolatry, poor civil government, violence and the belief that personal sacrifice satisfies divine justice.

Much like today, in fact.

But even in the midst of impending judgment for their wickedness, God was reaching for the hearts of His people.

It's His redemptive thread. It's what He's always done.

For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know that my devotional posts come straight from my own life's journey and are usually fresh (sometimes raw) takes from what God is speaking to my heart along the way. And this scripture is no different. God is working this one on me and it kinda hurts. A lot.

See, I've been asking God to show me His Big Plan: the great unfolding of ministry or purposes that seem hidden from me. "Pleeheeheeeze, God!" And not surprisingly, God hasn't given me a clear vision of the future, just a clear vision of what He wants me to do today. Right now.

And I'm convinced that getting this verse right will lead me to the next step in His plan for me.

I think of Micah 6:8 as a "bottom line" statement that is repeated throughout scripture in different ways. It holds straight answers for those who really want to know how to please God. God is saying here, "look, you don't need a new word from me, I've already told you what I require." Let's take the three requirements and see how they might apply to our own situations.

1. Act justly: In other words, live according to justice and do what's right. Now before we happily skip on to the next part because we've got this one covered, let's ask a few questions.

Do I owe anything to anyone?
Have I cheated on my finances, taxes or legal obligations?
Do I tell the truth?
Have I "done right" by people? Treated others as they should be treated.
Are there sins that need to be confessed and turned from?
Am I living by God's moral law?

I have to be honest and tell you that I was jolted out of bed at 5 am the other morning to make of list of things I needed to make right. I couldn't sleep. I owe someone a forgotten sales commission from 2004 and I need to pay it. I've said I would do something for someone and have not fulfilled my promise. I got a pretty good little list going. I know God can't bless me further until I obey His conviction to live justly today.

2. Love mercy: Some translations say, "love kindness."

Am I merciful to others when I have it in my power to help someone?
Do I live in such a way that others are first, and I am last?
Do I see my material blessings as a means to bless others?
Do I give of myself only when it is convenient?

I'm so aware that I don't LOVE mercy! I sorta like it when it's convenient, but I can't say that my actions reflect the heart of God in all circumstances. Being merciful and loving kindness should be my way of life, no matter where I am or what I'm doing. That's His will for me.

3. Walk humbly with your God: Live in complete dependence upon a holy, righteous and awesome God. He alone deserves glory.

Do I make decisions based on how they will benefit me, or God's kingdom?
Do I feel the need to take credit for the wonderful things I've done?
Do I feel I "deserve" a particular job/ministry/position/recognition?
Do I rely on my good deeds to count, when my heart is far from Him?

Walking humbly doesn't fit too well in our culture. We now must tweet our every stellar action, and post photos of our accomplishments on our own websites. We're so aware of personal marketing that even parenting has become fodder for the "look at me" society. I fight the urge to look really spiritual and all put together for the people who frequent my blog. Do you struggle with this, too? I think all of this lops over into our spiritual life. I want to be willing to be nothing, if it means glorifying Him.

Finding God's will for your life is really pretty simple. It starts, and ends, with your heart. When you begin applying the paradigm found in Micah 6:8, you'll be amazed at how clear things become. As for me, I feel like I'm waking up in the middle of heart surgery...and although I'd like to jump off the operating table, I know my heart needs fixing. I want to embrace all that God has for me, and that means obeying what He's already shown me.

Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

Today's Small Thing is to print off (or digitally post up on your computer) Micah 6:8 where you can see it. Would you take some time to ask yourself some hard questions? Work through the things that God has "already showed you." Let this be a foundation for Him to build on, and I have a hunch that all the rest of His will for you will fall right into place.

Download Micah6.8a

POINTS: 50 for putting Micah 6:8 somewhere where you'll be reminded of what God really wants you to do.

How does this verse affect your life? Feel free to share.

NOTE: I just realized that the graphic doesn't look right in all browsers so I'm working on fixing it!

Company Girl Coffee 3.5

2010-03-05T05:04:08-08:00

Mary Ann, one of our dear Company Girls from Maryland, asked me a very good question last night. She was wondering why I haven't been posting monthly verses since November of last year. Yikes! Has it been that long? Well, I have a very simple answer.
Two words: Hockey Season.

Since October, we've been "doing hockey," and I'm finding myself really looking forward to the end of a very long season. Here in Texas, our season lasts from the end of September to the end of March! And because my husband coaches the Junior Varsity team and my son plays on both JV and Varsity, that means double the practices and games. Our local rink closed down last fall, adding about 2 hours to each trip to the rink....and all of it adds up to evenings that are taken up with activities.

And evenings are when I write my blog posts.

Unfortunately, when I work on a Verse post, it takes me hours to write a 500 word devotional. Maybe it's not that important, but I always feel like every word counts: I think about my readers, who are at all different places in their spiritual walk, and try not to make assumptions when talking about scripture. And, being an artist, I labor over fonts and backgrounds to go with each scripture.

I short, I overthink it.

So I'm going to try and lighten up on my next verse. I'll try not to overthink it and just DO it! It is one of my favorite things to do...and it's nice to know it's something ya'll enjoy also.

And guess what? We just played the last regular season game last night! Now, on to the playoffs.....

Today is Company Girl Coffee day! Link up below for a fun opportunity to visit other blogs and invite people to your own blog! If you aren't a blogger, you can visit in the comment section by telling us about yourself and letting us know what's going on in your corner of the world.