gratitude

Kiss Big Buts Goodbye

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Sharita

I like big buts and I cannot lie.

Before you think I am about to burst into the chorus of a rather scandalous hip hop song from the 90′s, let me clarify: this post has absolutely nothing to do with fitness or what size of pants you wear. (If I had the magic formula to make those kind of butts shrink, I would probably be hosting an entirely different ministry page.)

However, the big buts I’m talking about always show up in my relationship with God.

And it’s not that I necessarily LIKE them– but I default to them.

Sigh. Old habits die hard.

I don’t know. Maybe I’m the only one. But here’s how things usually go down.

There I am, doing my thang, “patiently” (ha?) waiting for the Lord to reveal the next steps or provide clarity in some area in my life. I have a pretty good idea of what I expect (hope) to happen. Finally, an answer comes. My first default response?

“Thanks God… BUT…”

Enter stage left: THE BIG BUT.

When God has other plans that differ from MY ideas of what I wanted, I sadly don’t default to gratitude. I stick a big “but” back in His face.

“Hey God, I appreciate this answer… BUT what about…??”

“Lord, I know you know what you are doing and all, BUT are you SURE?!?”

“Father, I thanks for this… BUT what if…?”

Or my panicky, 2-year-old reactionary favorite… (Imagine with huge watery eyes and a quivery lip…)

“Buuu…Buu… BUT GODDDDDDD!”

I have to say I kind of doubt the Lord appreciates my “big but” responses. I honestly can’t imagine that my “Big But” responses ever evoke this “positive” reaction from Him:

“GASP!!! You are so right, my daughter!! I totally forgot about that… Let me go ahead and tweak my plan to fit what you had in mind.”

(Side note: Let’s rejoice we don’t worship a sarcastic or snarky God.)

Instead, with each big but that I toss back at the Lord, I am sure He lets out a loving sigh and smiles gently, saying softly, “Oh sweet daughter… TRUST ME.”

Getting rid of our “big buts” in life takes a little bit of work and a lotta bit of grace. It’s gonna take practice, but we can start today. First, instead of defaulting back to our temper tantrum fleshy selves, we can take a second and breath… Then, we can approach the throne with open hands of submission, fully trusting that WHATEVER God has planned for us is for our good, knowing our limited sight doesn’t allow us to see the entire picture.

Then, every time our “big but” tries to show back up, we repeat the above process, asking God to help us kiss big buts goodbye forever.

What areas of your life do you struggle with “big buts” the most? Is it your marriage? Family? Kids? Career? Your plans vs. His plans? I know I struggle… Please leave a comment below!

Remember, we are all in this together, battling the “big buts” of life. Let’s start today… and kiss the big buts goodbye… Forever.

Puckerin’ Up to kiss buts goodbye,
SGK

“He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?” ~Luke 24:38

Categories: God, gratitude | Tags: , , , , , | 18 Comments

Think “Fast” (7 Experiment, Week 1)

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Sharita

It has been one week of eating only eggs, chicken, bread, apples, sweet potatoes, avocado, and spinach. That’s right folks. I’m eating only 7 foods for thirty days.

If you missed last week’s entry about this fast, let me catch you up. (Or you can click here to read the entire post.) My beloved hubby and I are fasting for 30 days by only eating 7 different foods. Only water to drink. No seasonings other than salt, pepper, olive oil (sparingly) and cooking spray.  This concept is inspired by Jen Hatmaker’s book “7: The Experimental Mutiny Against Excess.” In short, it has two main purposes: to seek after God at a deeper level and to restore a heart of gratitude for all the incredible choices we have in this world.

We started on June 4, so we are one week into our experience. In two words: EPIC. CHALLENGING.

The first two days kinda sucked. Like, a lot. My beloved and I both had a headache, which honestly was to be expected. We were no longer drinking any caffeine. Plus, I was probably going through sugar withdrawal.

But once we made it through Monday and Tuesday? It has been epic. We are using the extra time that we would have normally spent grocery shopping/cooking/discussing what’s for supper to spend time in prayer and in the word.

Additionally, this has been awesome for our food budget. Great for our heart. And our physical bodies feel pretty incredible.

PLUS (yes, it goes on) God has brought out my hidden gift for creative and resourceful cooking. Seriously, I have created more shockingly tasty meals with limited foods than I have in my entire adult life. Here’s a brief glimpse of some of my creations:

Breakfast:

  • Power breakfast sandwich– egg, avocado, shredded chicken on toast
  • Eggs & toast
  • French toast with unsweetened applesauce
  • Scromlet– scrambled eggs, spinach, shredded chicken
  • Fritatta– eggs baked with shredded chicken & spinach with avocado on top

Lunch/Supper:

  • Spinach salad including any/all of the following– shredded chicken, avocado, spinach, apple, hard boiled egg, salt, pepper, olive oil
  • Sweet Potato Chicken soup– chicken stock, chicken, sweet potatoes, salt/pepper (BEST. INVENTION. EVER.)
  • Baked Chicken dredged in egg and coated in bread crumbs
  • Egg/chicken/avocado salad sandwich (It looks a little funny  but tastes fine)

Snacks:

  • Dried apple chips (homemade)
  • Toast with unsweetened applesauce
  • Hard Boiled egg
  • Croutons (homemade)
  • Apple Leather (it’s like a fruit roll up, homemade out of applesauce put in the dehydrator)

My sweet potato chicken soup and spinach salad… with homemade croutons. Nutritious, colorful AND tasty. Thanks, Jesus!

God has really brought about a new, refreshed and grateful heart in the both of us. He has also revealed how I turn to food when I am stressed– but now I am turning to Him first. Here’s to returning to our First Love!

So in short, it’s going great. Definitely still challenging every time I pass by a Starbucks or see free oranges for the taking at the gym. (And don’t get me started on the Diet Dr. Pepper situation.) But guess what… I have one more surprise for you.

I am doing a giveaway at the end of this experience. The prize will be… well, a surprise. (But it won’t be lame. I promise.)

To enter, you can share this post via Facebook, Twitter, email etc. You can like my Facebook page if you haven’t already done so. But to make it an “official” entry, leave a comment below with your guess of how many eggs my husband and I will consume by the end of this fast. (Hint: We like eggs.)

Random, I know. But hey, don’t judge me– I haven’t had any sugar or caffeine for a week. :-) Plus, I think it is going to be eggstremely entertaining.

What do you think so far? We would love your feedback–leave a comment (and your eggsact guess) below.

Loving this Jesus eggsperience,
SGK

“Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” –John 6:35

Categories: blessing, budget, challenge, Christ, food, God, gratitude, life | Tags: , , , , , , , | 30 Comments

Lord, Thank You for the Socks (Five Minute Friday: Expectation)

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Sharita

Come one, come all!
The time is here once again,
To bust out a Five Minute Friday post,
With all our online friends!

Linking up with The Gypsy Mama,
We get only five minutes to write,
Our urge to over think and edit,
We must honestly fight.

She has given us a prompt,
So without further ado,
Let’s get to crack-a-lacking,
What are we waiting for, hop to!

Today’s prompt: EXPECTATION

GO!

*******

It’s covered in beautiful paper and decorated with a bow. I shake it. It doesn’t rattle, but hey, that doesn’t mean much. Maybe it’s padded really well. The time has come– my heart pounds as I rip open my gift with great anticipation and expectation. Maybe it’s that new book I wanted. Or a sweet pair of shoes. Or maybe even something shiny…

Socks. It’s socks. Talk about your all time expectation let down. Siggggghhhh.

I force a smile and blink my eyes, trying with all I can to be grateful. I had expected such big things only to get socks.

Isn’t that how it goes sometimes? We dream up all sorts of ideas and plans of what the ideal gift or circumstance may look like, and sometimes God gives us proverbial socks.

It certainly isn’t wrong to have high expectations. But just because those “socks” we received from the Lord aren’t shiny or have a great plot-line, doesn’t mean they don’t serve a purpose.

Sometimes what we see as socks from God can really be the initial pathway to His incredible plan for us. That seemingly let down expectation of a gift is in fact very useful and necessary.

Through those less than perfect circumstances and gifts from God, aka the “sock gifts of life,” we have an opportunity to seek Him out at a deeper level. If it is a trial or period of uncertainty in life we didn’t expect, we can rest in His protection.  We are kept warm. And our feet are covered and prepared for the journey ahead.

The outcome of that gift, while initially might seem like a let down, can result in an experience that changes our life and surpasses all of our wildest expectations.

So in that case… Lord, thank you for the socks. 

STOP!

******

Always such a fun rush,
For my brain and my fingers,
But hey it’s almost the weekend,
No reason to hang around and linger!

Jesus pumps me up,
SGK

“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” –Romans 8:19

PS: What did you think of today’s quick-fast (and slightly goofy) rhyming post? I always love hearing from folks… feel free to leave a comment below!

Categories: blessing, Christ, excited, Five Minute Friday, gifts, God, gratitude, perspective, plans | Tags: , , , , , | 23 Comments

Think “Fast”

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Sharita

The sand was warm underfoot. The water flowed gently, the current making a gentle swishing sound. Puppy Justus was exploring, sniffing, digging and splashing. I was reading the first chapter of a book out loud to my husband.

It’s amazing how simple, serene moments can change your life so quickly.

My beloved and I were enjoying a sliver of time last Saturday, relaxing in our mushroom chairs on the pseudo “beach” area near a small river on Fort Benning. I had recently gotten a copy of Jen Hatmaker’s book 7: An Experimental Mutiny against Excess. The general premise of the book deals with the fact that we live in a society obsessed with stuff. The book documents Jen’s month-by-month experiment to eliminate the “junk” in life. Each month, the author chose a different area of her life to focus on.  Month #1? Food.

For 30 days, Jen ate only 7 different types of food. I was intrigued by this book right away, mainly because there has been quite a buzz in the writing community– plus we all already know how magnetic the number 7 has become to this ministry.

Wanna join the party? Click the image to get yourself a copy of this remarkable book!

As I finished reading the first chapter out loud to Brandon on the “beach,” he turned to me and said: “Ok, wife. I say chicken, eggs, bread…”

Wait. WHAT? I was floored. If I wasn’t sitting down, I certainly would have fallen over. My husband actually wanted to DO this?!? I mean, I had considered briefly and sort of pitched it to him a couple of weeks ago, but he looked at me like I was crazy.  I continued to pray about it, the whole idea weighing on my heart… But when he started naming and numbering foods indicating that he wanted to participate, I couldn’t help but be shocked. (The book was very convincing. Thanks, Jen.)

Oh. Plus he’s a man. An army man at that. Food is in his top 3 most important needs. Seriously.

So yes. My beloved and I started the first month of this “experiment” yesterday. It has already opened my eyes to just HOW MANY food choices we really do have and our fingertips and can easily afford. Honestly, its kind of blowing my mind. (If you want more info, get a copy of the book. It will change your life. Or at least your perspective.)

From June 4th to July 4th, my husband is only permitting himself to eat chicken, eggs, bread, beef, apples, peanut butter and potatoes. My menu choices are similar: chicken, eggs, bread, apples, sweet potatoes, avocado and spinach.

That’s it. We are only permitted to season with salt, pepper, olive oil and use cooking spray.

This is gonna get crazy, folks. I’ve barely started and am already seeking God more deeply than I could imagine. (Not to mention rejoicing at the free time of trying to decide what to cook for supper– chicken or… chicken?)

I am so excited (ok, and really nervous) at the potential spiritual growth that will result. Challenging but worth it. Oh, and let ‘s not forget how kind this will be to our time and budget. (I am anticipating some productive physical changes too.) I will be periodically keeping you all updated as we go.

Yes, there are a few things I already miss. Cheese. Diet Dr. Pepper. Chocolate. Salsa. My beloved protein bars. But I am so grateful that I still have PLENTY of food in my fridge, even if it is in “limited” varieties.

Brandon and I would appreciate your prayers as we work through this experience the next month or so. My sweet mother-in-love has joined us on this journey and if you feel so led, pick up a copy of Jen’s book and come with us as we seek the Lord.

Have you ever fasted before? What was it like? What do you think about our quest? Wanna join in? Leave a comment below!

To paraphrase Jen: “Jesus, may there be less of us and our junk and more of You and Your Kingdom.” 

It’s scary. It’s awesome. It’s hunger-inducing. But we are grateful for this opportunity to think “fast.”

Is-it-just-me-or-is-it-hungry-in-here,
SGK

“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” –Matthew 5:6 (MSG) 

Categories: adventure, attitude, challenge, changes, Christ, food, gratitude | Tags: , , , , , , | 27 Comments

A Real-Life Love Offering

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Sharita

Yesterday, my husband reenlisted in the army.

For how long you ask? Six. Whole. Years.

So for all of you wonderful friends that ask when we are “getting out” of the army? It’s gonna be a while. The signed paper says so.

I wasn’t in a great mood yesterday. Don’t get me wrong, I love (and support) my husband with all I am. And my crappy mood really had little to do with the whole re-enlistment thing. But it was just one of those days.

I was/am fighting a cold that my husband contracted from the germy privates he is training, which he so generously shared with me. (It happens every red phase. Almost all of the wives/families in our company are ill. Airborne, anyone?)

In addition to feeling like poo, the reenlistment ceremony was at 1300 yesterday afternoon. (That’s 1pm for all of you non-military folks.) Yeah, right smack dab in the middle of the day… Which really jacked up my schedule. I really don’t enjoy when the army messes with my battle plan, especially when it involves me missing out on the majority of a day of work on a week that we have a huge project to work on.

Oh. Did I mention the ceremony was outside? In the sun. At 1300. In Georgia. And I didn’t dress appropriately because it was only supposed to get up to 75 and was about 47 when I left the house that morning. But the 86 degree temp and sweat through my long sleeved blouse proved otherwise. Sigh.

As I sat there trying to sweat as un-awkwardly as possible, I was overcome with emotion. Now, before you think I am softy, I should clarify what kinds of emotions. Pity. Annoyance. A tiny smidge of pride. Fear. This reenlistment kind of snuck up on me– and not that I ever planned that we were getting out of the army, but talking about it and actually signing the paperwork (for six years!) are two different discussions.

I was just in a grumpy (sweaty) mood most of the early afternoon. But suddenly I was struck with the thought…  I sure am being an ungrateful little heifer today. It was like a Jesus lightening bolt. Every had one of those?  I remembered Easter was just two days ago. Jesus did A LOT more than just sit in the sun and agree to follow the army for (at least) six more years.

He gave us His life for us. Bled for us. Hung on the cross. Died.   It was a real-life love offering for you, me and all of mankind. A sacrifice that I can’t even comprehend.

Now I’m not downplaying my beloved’s reenlistment contract or his commitment to our country/family. After all, it is a big life event– and if it matters to us, it matters to God.  I love my husband with everything I have, second to Jesus. I will support him and follow wherever God leads us in the army. But it is Christ’s love for us that helps me realize the sacrifice required to love another person.

America!

People always tell me “I don’t know how you do it.” Well, I don’t know either. Other than Jesus. He is a constant reminder of HOW I am supposed to live, love and honor my husband, no matter how many years we will be serving in the United States Infantry, where we go or how we get there.

I do it because Christ died for me. This is my way of giving my God-chosen husband my own real-life love offering.

Can I get a Hooah,
SGK

“This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.” 1 John 3:16 (MSG)

PS: Do you have something or someone in your life that you regularly give a “real-life love offering” to? I would love to hear about it… Comment here. 

Categories: 2012, America, army, attitude, gratitude, hope, loyalty, marriage | Tags: , , , , , | 12 Comments

Don’t just say it… LIVE IT!

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Sharita

I am terrible at saying “No.” Anybody out there with me on that one? (If you say “yes” because you can’t say no, then yes, you are in that group…)

Honestly, I have gotten a little bit better at saying no over the years, thanks to the spiritual growth I have experienced. When it comes to big life decisions, I at least usually stop for a breath before I blurt out the word “YES.” And since getting married and becoming an army wife, I think twice about agreeing to excessive commitments that might interfere with the minimal hubby time that could end up on the calendar…

But if there is one thing I am worse at than saying no, it is changing a yes to no. Those are some awkward moments when I have to de-commit myself to something. Fortunately, I don’t have to do that very often… but when I do… YIKES. (Insert awkward moment here.)

As a birthday present, my beloved boss Kelli gave me a copy of Ann Voskamp’s book “One Thousand Gifts.” I am trying to read it slowly so I can fully absorb the richness that is woven throughout the pages of this book. I always thought I was a person filled with gratitude… but lately, in my “YES” excitement, I started to wonder.

To learn more about this awesome book, check
out One Thousand Gifts.com.

I came across a quote last night in her book that REALLY struck me: “If I’m ruthlessly honest, I may have said yes to God, yes to Christianity but really I have lived the no.” Oh dang. This sounded familiar to me.

For the most part, I am an optimistic, upbeat and enthusiastic person (if you haven’t noticed the excessive exclamation points throughout my blog posts.) I have done a lot of things that some people might call crazy if they didn’t know my God (master’s degree, call to ministry, marrying into the military.) But the quote about saying yes but living the no really struck my heart.

Saying YES to God and living the YES are two different things. I can say YES to Him all day long at work, throughout my blog and personal ministry… but its those times when I’m struggling or am about to blow a gasket per army “logic” that I stop living the YES and transition to living more of a “maybe” or even a straight up no.

When I start to doubt/question or even start thinking I need to see to believe is the point of living the no. But here’s the thing– God doesn’t want me to live the NO. I don’t want to live the NO. But The Enemy does. Enter stage left the sin of ingratitude. Sigh.

Here’s the awesome part… by simply being aware of whether or not we are living the yes or no can help us to pray to live a life of YES.

Have you said yes to God? How about Christianity? If not, take a few moments to pray and invite Jesus into your heart.

If you have already said yes to God, let’s live a life of yes. With this constant answer YES, there is no awkward moments when you try to back. You can’t back out– Because God has our back.

So don’t just say it… Live it!

SGK

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. –Colossians 3:16


Categories: Ann Voskamp, God, gratitude, Live | Leave a comment

ThanksVember

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Sharita

It is the 8th day of November. You might have noticed the massive amount of folks on Facebook and Twitter taking time each day to remember what they are thankful for… Today, I roll my entire month of “ThankVember” into one post.

Honestly, I try to keep an attitude of gratitude a majority of the time. But we all need a reality check. As motivated and focused as we are, sometimes the crazy drivers, endless TO DO lists, kids/spouse/pets driving you bonkers, sore throats, etc really distract from all of the incredible things we have in our lives for which to be thankful. (I did a modified version of this about amazing gifts in our live a while back… Click Lifted By Being Gifted to check it out.)

Here’s my “month” list. It is a reverse countdown with the things I am most thankful for towards the “lower” numbers. Sort of… (a few are a little out of order, but you get the point) Keep in mind, these are all gifts given to me from God… He is so awesome!

30. I am thankful for the “sweet” things in life… Open to interpretation (think: chocolate, great foods, amazing friends etc… more specific to follow.)

29. I am thankful technology– of all kinds (medical equipment, phones, computer etc.)

28. I am thankful my health.

27. I am thankful for a marriage based on Christ (more on this… see #2)

26. I am thankful for the ability and heart to give.

25. I am thankful for smiles.

24. I am thankful for hugs.

23. I am thankful for an optimistic heart.

22. I am thankful for the ability to read and write.

21. I am thankful a full stomach, a warm/cool (depending on the season) house, dry clothes, shoes and a vehicle.

20. I am thankful for God giving me a courageous heart to face more and work harder for things that seem impossible.

19. I am thankful for a love of traveling and discovery.

18. I am thankful to get an education… from my high school diploma, to bachelors and (almost) my masters.

17. I am thankful for the members of our armed forces… especially my husband (See #2 below) God bless America! (Tune in Friday for a post honoring Veteran’s day!)

16. I am thankful to live int he United States of America… our freedoms are such a blessing!

15. I am thankful for God’s continual provision… He always provides and comes through… even when we don’t expect it!!

14. I am thankful  for growing up in an agricultural community– it gives me such a deep appreciation for those produce our food.

13. I am thankful for God calling me to blog daily… it has been a challenge, but the rewards and support from my loyal readers (like you!) have made this ministry remarkable.

12. I am thankful to work at such an awesome church with incredible Christian leaders. I learn something every day. (As I write this, we are at a three-day long overnight staff retreat… that’s dedication.)

11. I am thankful for my faith– without it, I would be so lost. But I am found and do have hope! Praise the Lord!

10. I am thankful for laughter. In general.

9. I am thankful that God has given me the ability to work out, strive to be in shape, enjoy it (most of the time) and find success!

8. I am thankful for my motivation. (Open to interpretation)

7. I am thankful for my personality that God has given that lends to coaching, pep-talking and ministering to others.

6. I am thankful for my call to ministry. It was completely unexpected, but has already been so rewarding, challenging and rejuvenating all at once.

5. I am thankful for our baby dog Sweet Justus– his demeanor and personality can bring a smile to my face anytime. Plus, who doesn’t love puppy cuddles?

4. I am thankful for my siblings and friends who always support me… no matter what hairbrained idea I have thought up. (Or they speak the truth in love and tell me to go ahead and rethink my crazy plans)

3. I am thankful for my parents who raised me to be a strong and independent woman.

2. I am thankful for God giving me a husband who is so patient with my moments of emotional roller-coasterness and that he is so dedicated to his job as a soldier, drill sergeant, infantryman and to myself and our marriage that is based on Christ.

1. I am thankful for a God who loves me SO MUCH He gave His son for me… No matter what I do, how bad I screw up, He is always there ready to pick me up and love on me. He never leaves me and His love NEVER runs out. He’s never disappointed in me.  So thankful for my salvation!

I challenge you just take a few moments today (or each day) this month to think about and thank God for the blessings in your life. I can guarantee that if you keep it up, you will experience an amazing transformation within your heart. And you never know… you might even carry over this tradition of Thanksgiving into other months of the year. Embrace an attitude of gratitude this “ThanksVember.”

With a Thankful Heart,

SGK

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” –Colossians 2:6-7


Categories: attitude, gifts, God, gratitude, thanks | Leave a comment

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