In The Morning...

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3 (NIV) 

It's Complicated

It's no secret that I love a good chick flick.  In one of my all-time favorites, The Holiday, Cameron Diaz's character looks at Jude Law's character and says, "I'm just not sure I can handle complicated right now."

Later, she kicks herself for saying that to him, because let's be realistic, smart, single, attractive men don't grow on trees.  Especially ones with British accents who look this handsome:  

"I'm just not sure I can handle complicated right now."

Yes, she's talking about relationships, but really, in life, when is anyone actively looking to handle complicated?!

We might not be looking for complicated, but it's amazing, how quickly we can cultivate it.  I'm in a season of life of traveling, events, and life changes that is far from simple.  We have been out of town every weekend since April 27th.  My heart is longing for simple.

Last night for dinner, we simplified--we picked up fresh pasta and tomato sauce from Whole Foods, threw in a baguette, tossed an arugula salad and we were good to go!  Simple, but SO delicious!

Maybe it's just me, but sometimes, something as easy as figuring out dinner can be as complicated as determining the seating chart for a 300 person wedding.  I make it so much more difficult than it needs to be.  When often, the most basic meals are the best.

Why not simplify?

In a world of never ending to-do lists, I think we could all use a little simplicity.

Several years ago, I wrote a blog post for Changing Seasons on simplifying.  Here is just a snippet:

My desire for 2010 is to apply this small word to my surroundings, schedule, relationships, emotions, and faith. One word with multiple implications—pretty simple, huh?

SIMPLIFY my home and remove clutter so that every object in this tiny space has a proper place.

SIMPLIFY my schedule and allow time to be still—brief moments throughout the week without cell phones, e-mail, people, and background noise.

SIMPLIFY my relationships and focus on quality, rather than quantity.

SIMPLIFY my desires and meditate on what IS instead of becoming frustrated with what isn’t, or what is yet to be.

SIMPLIFY my faith and simply seek to know God rather than obsess about my failures and what I should be doing.

Admittedly, the very act of trying to simplify can seem a bit complicated  but I supposed you have to start somewhere?  Is there one area in your life that's more chaotic than it needs to be?  Why not keep it simple and start there?!

Friday Favorites!

4 BJWs--3 Dads, 2 Granddads, 1 Great-granddad & a Baby.

 

 Happy Friday!  I hope you've had a great week!  Below are a few fun links from the week:

Going somewhere?  Check out this great post on 5 Unexpected Travel Essentials.

Who doesn't love going to a fun dinner party?  What to know how to be the perfect guest?  Check out these tips from Shauna Niequist. 

Need some ideas for being the perfect coworker?  Hop over to (in)courage and read 12 Ways to Love & Serve in the Workplace. 

Whether you are single, engaged, or married, check out this article: 3 Things I Wish We Knew Before We Got Married.

Sunday is Father's Day, if you haven't already done so, be sure send a card today!

Have a great weekend!!

The Nearness of You

I...am...over...you.  And that, my friend, is what they call closure."
-Rachel Green (one of my most favorite breakup lines)

Can we talk about breakups for a minute?  No matter what the circumstances or situation surrounding the breakup, can we just all agree that breaking up stinks?!  I mean, it's really horrible.  Even if you are the one doing the breaking, it can still be incredibly hard and painful.  

When all is said and done, you're alone and left wondering, "so what now?"  How do I pick myself up?  How do I start over?  How do I become whole again?"

It's never fun to have to walk through heartache and pain, and I don't wish that on anyone, but I have to say, for me, some of my sweetest and fondest times with the Lord have been spent during seasons when I was healing and moving on from broken relationships.

It's a season where you're needy, vulnerable, and longing to be loved.  A time when you need someone to swoop in quickly and pick up the pieces.  And who better to pick up the pieces than the God of the Universe?!

There are so many things that I love about God, but one of the things that I love most is that during the times in our lives when we are broken, hurting, and lonely, God. Is. So. Near.

I don't know about you, but sometimes when I'm faced with heartache, I need to be reminded of what is true.  Here's what I know: no matter what, God is near and more than able to heal and fix that which is broken.

You may feel alone, but I assure you, you are not!  Bring your heart and your hurts to God and let him get to work!

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
   and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten...you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you."

Joel 2:25-26

Guest Post From Cally: Weeping Forward

As you know, when I'm in need of a good post, I often comb through the Long to Love archives to share something for the day.  Below is one of my top five favorite posts we've ever featured, written by my fabulous sister, Cally, right after she graduated college three years ago.  Hope you enjoy it!!
  

"At this they wept again.  Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her." 

Ruth 1:14

This is a snippet from the story of Ruth, when Naomi was traveling home with her two daughters-in-law after all of their husbands had died.  I have been doing a study on the book of Ruth by Kelly Minter that I wholeheartedly recommend, as it has meant so much to me this summer as I am transitioning post-graduation.

We all go through times of hardship when all we want to do is weep.  This verse in Ruth is significant, because even though all of the women were upset and weeping, Ruth pressed forward through the tears while Orpah turned back.

When the Lord gives us a vision and direction, there are often many obstacles in the way of getting there, just as Ruth had to be persistent about staying with Naomi despite her discouragement.  The important thing to remember is that when we are going through times when all we want to do is cry, we need to be pressing forward in obedience.

We must continually recommit ourselves to Christ's plan for our lives, even though people and circumstances tend to interfere.  It is sustained obedience that really matters.  We can plan to follow Him and follow through, but we have to commit that to our actions as well.  So even when we are emotional wrecks, "what we do while we're weeping makes the difference." 

I have also been blessed by the promise that the Lord works for our good for (Romans 8).  Hubbard wrote, "When God is at work, bitter hopelessness can be the beginning of some surprising good." 

Today, I would encourage any of you who may be facing challenges with your family, school, job, or relationships to weep FORWARD.

Those who sow in tears

will reap with songs of joy.

 He who goes out weeping,
 carrying seed to sow,
 will return with songs of joy,
 carrying sheaves with him.

Psalm 126:5-6

Trusted Staples

Image via Pinterest

So last night, B came home feeling sick and feverish.  Before the thermometer even left his mouth, I was ready to spring into action.  I'm sure you are no different, but in our family, we follow a very strict protocol when the sick bug strikes, which involves:

• Bed
• Aspirin
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Saltines (toasted with butter--a little tip passed down to me from my mom by way of her mom)
• Ginger Ale--lots and lots of ginger ale!
• A good movie or TV marathon

Whenever we're sick, we run for our trusty staples.  I don't know what it is about saltines, ginger ale, and chicken noodle soup, but they just have a way of making you feel better. 

Similarly, when faced with certain situations in life, there are Bible verses that I'm quick to embrace.  In case you're in need of a few good staples, I thought I would share some of my favorites:  

When I question if God actually has a plan for my life:

"The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands."

Psalm 138:8

When I'm apprehensive about the unknowns:

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,

    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them

    and make the rough places smooth. 

These are the things I will do;

    I will not forsake them.

Isaiah 42:16

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, "This is the road!  Now follow it.  

Isaiah 30:21 (CEV)

When I'm afraid:

"Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

When I'm tired and don't know if I can keep going:

"Are you tired? Worn out?...Come to ME. Get away with ME and you'll recover your life."

Matthew 11:28 (MSG)

When I need to be assured of God's love for me:

"I've never quit loving you and never will.
   Expect love, love, and more love!"

Jeremiah 31:3 (MSG)

Okay, so inquiring minds want to know--what verses do you turn to as your trusted staples?  Leave it in the comments below.  

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday!  I hope you've had a great week!  Here are a few favorites from the week:

Business Insider posted 22 Maps by Joshua Katz that show how different Americans speak English from each other. Below is one of my favorites.  Check out all the maps here. 

I LOVED this TED talk from Meg Jay on "Why 30 is not the New 20."  A great talk to inspire and empower twenty-somethings.  Stop what you're doing and listen--it will not disappoint!
(Email subscribers click here)








Remember my best friend who married a rock star?  Well, his band, Parachute, has a new song out right now, that I'm seriously loving.  Buy it on iTunes.  Listen below:
(Email subscribers click here) 



Sale alert: Bloomingdales is having their Friends & Family sale--20% most items.  A great time to splurge on whatever you've been eying all year.  Just use the code RetailMeNot20.

Have a fabulous weekend!