Faith-Filled Friday - Apart From Me, You Can Do Nothing

Happy Friday... hope you are well and have good plans with your families this weekend.  Here is what is on my heart today...

“I am the vine; you are the branches. 

If you remain in me and I in you, 

you will bear much fruit; 

apart from me you can do nothing."

John 15:5

This plant was a gift from my youngest for Mother's Day two years ago.  The vine is so life-giving;  it is one of the first plants I have gotten to thrive.  The leaves continually grow bright and green.  

This leaf came off the vine today.  It still has some great but it is dead.  It will no longer remain green and flourish.  Soon, it will lose it color and vitality and it will wither.  Slowly, it will dry out and turn brown.  Dead... even though it looks alive right now.

That is what Jesus says to us.  When we remain in Him, He will remain in us and we will bear much fruit.   Apart from Him, we can do nothing.  Have you tried doing things on your own?  I know I have.  Sometimes, I get running ahead of Jesus.  I try to do things my way, on my own.  Usually, those things fail.  Or, they go well for a while and then, I crash or things fall apart.  On my own, I cannot bear fruit.  I am not life-giving.  I stumble and fall.  Oh, if only I didn't have to learn this lesson over and over again.

Here is the amazing thing... when I abide in Him; Jesus says He will abide in me.  Not only that but I will be fruitful.   Things won't always go my way when I am abiding in Him; but I will be sustained by Him no matter what.  One of the synonyms for "abide" is "dwell".  I love that word.  To me, "to dwell" is to be safe, alive, and nurtured.   And, this promise is for both you and me.

I am sure this side of Heaven, there will still be times I run ahead.   But, more and more, I am learning to dwell.

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!
Kristen

Think About It Thursday - Words of Wisdom

Sharing some words of wisdom from Mother Teresa today...

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. 

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. 

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”

This is how I want to live my life!  Hope you do too!

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!

Kristen 

What I Wore Wednesday and a Proverb to Clothe You In

Linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday.  Ladies, I challenge you to take a few minutes to pick out your outfits to look nice for yourself and your family.  It does make you feel different - I guarantee.  I am risking feeling a little silly posting pics of my outfits each week to encourage you to try this challenge:)

Of course, true beauty comes from deep within, so here is some wisdom from Proverbs:

My child,listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.

² 

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

³ 

Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.

⁴ 

Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

⁵ 

Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, 

 and you will gain knowledge of God.  For the Lord grants wisdom!

Proverbs 2:1-6

The weather was cold in the mornings and warmer the afternoons on vacation and I brought a really small bag... all mix and match stuff.  I was so surprised how many outfits I got out of the few things I brought... wish I had taken more pics to show the options from a few pieces

I got this chevron top at Target last year on clearance for super cheap... It fits well, has beautiful colors and I can also pull it over leggings

I wore this sweater a few times while away... it goes with so much

Finally we are having some really nice weather and I pulled this shirt out of my spring clothes bin...

 I love the color and material of it 

I hope you know what a precious daughter of Christ you are and you will take a few minutes to get ready each day!

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!

Kristen

Tortoise Tuesday - Taking a break refreshes you!

Ah, it is good to be back after a few days away with my family!   In my effort to get so much done, I sometimes forget to step back, rest, and be refreshed.  Before I left for vacation, I was depleted.  Taking a step back was the cure for that.

I went up to Swanzey Lake in NH with my family and lost track of time.  It was wonderful!  I didn't bring a watch and our days were full of rest, reading, exploring, and family fun.   We had no t.v. and I have to say, I did not miss it at all.

It's hard to be stressed when this is your view each day...

and this is where you take your daily walks...

I took the time to notice little wonders of beauty around me...

I sat and just enjoyed God's beauty...

there was time to build a fairy house with my youngest while we explored the woods and found a cool creek one day...

I even blew bubbles on the beach... what a simple delight from childhood - why do we forget to play when we grow up?....

I got to spend a lot of time with my blessings...

Most importantly, I cast aside the noises of my everyday life and was able to hear God's small still voice in my heart.

So, on this Tortoise Tuesday,  I encourage you to take breaks along the way.  It doesn't have to be a few days away but can be pockets throughout your days and weeks.  Breathe.  Read.  Pray.  Listen.  Hear.  See.

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!

Kristen

Money- Stretching Monday - Target Dollar Spot

Hey All!  I am back from a week with my family... more about that tomorrow.
Wanted to share with you one of my favorite places to shop - the Target Dollar Spot.  They have all kind of neat goodies from $1-$3.  The section changes each season and has some great things for your home and also for gifts.

I recently needed some things for my office area.  Stopped at the dollar spot and here is what I picked up:

Four bucks later, I had some cute and functional things for my office.  They are well made and I love the turquoise color of the plastic envelopes!  And, the envelopes come with labels for each of the sections.   I am also loving the charcoal gray chevron pencil cup.   Now, my office is a little prettier and organized!

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!
Kristen

Faith-Filled Friday - Weary and Burdened

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.   For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines weary as: exhausted in strength, endurance, vigor,  or freshness and burden(ed) as:  bearing a load.  These definitions describe how I am feeling lately.  Some days are that way.  Do you ever feel This way?  I think we all do at times.  

Feeling depleted.   This is actual a good place to be.  Sounds crazy right?  But it is.

Jesus came and lived among us as a man.  He knew what is was like to  feel the need to break away from daily work (he was a carpenter after all).  On top of that He was the Messiah.  He came to love and free us.  He also knew that there were times he needed to get away from the crowds and go to a quiet place and pray.  He also took time to relax and celebrate with friends like Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  That is why these verses from Matthew soothe my soul.  Jesus knows me fully well as His child and He knows my limitations.  And, the promises He gives me in these verses full me hope.  

I need to come to Him ... to be refreshed, to be renewed.   He knows what I need even when I don't.  The best part is that these promises are true for me... and for you.

So, I am taking Him up on His offer.  I am coming to Him and taking a week off.  This week I am stepping back and finding rest.  No work, no blogging, and maybe even no screen time for a good chunk of it.  More time with my husband and children, more fresh air, more play, and more time with Jesus.   I am feeling more relaxed knowing this.  

I know I will come back rested deep in my soul; He promises.  

If you are feeling weary and burdened, come to the Only One who can give you the rest you need.

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!

Kristen

Think About It Thursday - None of us Have it all Together!

Lest you think from the pretty pictures and words on my blog that I have it all together, I am posting pics of my house today. This week I am extra busy with parent teacher conferences and a Science Fair at my school on Friday.  My house is a bit of a disaster.  Don't believe me... take a peek for yourself...

It drives me crazy!  But this is how things go sometimes.  And you know what?  None of us have all together.  It is all a facade.  I love my house nice, neat, and orderly - in my fantasy life.  The fact of the matter is, I have a husband, three kids, a dog, a cat, a job, and other things going on.  Some weeks my house is in better shape than others; this week with so much going on, the house got put to the bottom of the list.  

I hope you take heart to know that you are not alone.  None of us have it all together.  I don't care how pretty other people's lives look to you, as the saying goes "the grass is always greener".  And, we don't live in a magazine shoot.  Go a little easier on yourself, take things one day at a time, and if you fall, get back up and try again.

I am now off to school.  The house and mess will still be here when I get home.  And, I will tackle it over the next few days.  My family and the people in my life know I love them and that is what is most important.   I am giving myself grace ... hope you give grace to yourself as well!

Praying you have many blessings and much joy!
Kristen