Practicing What We Preach: The Final Lesson

When I was in college, I both loved and loathed finals week.

I loved it because it signaled the end of a semester… which equaled a much anticipated BREAK.

I loathed it because, well… Finals. Duh. #NoPressure

I loved it because other than studying, we had lots of free time to goof around.

I loathed it because at some point, I needed to quit goofing around and get busy with a last-minute learning push.

I loved it because it nearly always involved sweets, treats and delicious food.

I loathed it because of that same reason– and my pants were angry when my waistline *surprisingly* got tighter.

And so friends, today is our final lesson in practicing what we preach when it comes to being like Jesus in our Everyday.  [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

Embrace the Grace #EverydayJesus Link-up

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day! 

***

Long story short:

I hold many different roles in life: wife, mama, minister, friend, aspiring runner, etc.

I am also what many might deem an “overachiever.” (I have talked about why it is ok just to ‘chieve before.)

But you put those roles and my personality together… And it can be a rather dangerous combination.

Not just for our sanity and schedule, but also for my personal relationship with God.

Check out today’s video blog to see how God spoke to me in one of my alleged “failures.” [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

A Lifestyle Fashion Statement

You might have noticed that in this current season,  Wednesdays are my days to work toward some super-awesome God-sized dreams. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace. 

***

Hmmm… Ok… Should I wear my favorite blue shirt? Or maybe the one with pink stripes? If I do, maybe I could go with the hoop earrings? Or should I be dressier? Ok, let’s do the blue shirt with silver dangly earrings and my cross necklace. There. Decision made.

Oh wait. My blue shirt is in the dirty laundry. Sigh. Let’s try this again.

I am certainly not the most fashionable person on the planet—far from it, actually. I dress decent enough to get by, and if I really need to, can groom and clean up reasonably well. I’m not a girl who has to wear make up every time I leave the house and if you see me at the gym wearing mascara, you can assume that it is leftover from an event earlier in the day. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

Practicing What We Preach: Gratitude

There are a lot of reasons that I love my husband.

He loves Jesus, he is funny, kind, generous, a hard worker… and honest.

Although that last one sometimes finds me less than thrilled.

I don’t mind (too much) when he responds to my question of whether he liked a new recipe as “It was OK.” I don’t get too wound up when he admits (with no remorse) that yes, he left the wet towel on the floor.

However, I tend to semi-loathe his honesty when he takes on the role of wife-caller-outer. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

Practical Peace (#EverydayJesus Link-Up)

Welcome to another week of our Everyday Jesus link-up. Be sure to link-up below this post, comment on your neighbor’s blog and share with your friends… Because Jesus is everywhere, every day! 

***

Practical Peace

I was so excited.

I quietly shut the door to our master bedroom closet, leaving it cracked so I could hear my toddler in the other room. I softly plopped down in our worn old mushroom chair and exhaled deeply. I lit two tiny votive candles on the makeshift altar. The shadows danced around the small iron cross. The only sound was the very distant hum of the fluorescent light above.

At last. Quiet. Peace. Time to relax and meet with Jesus. All. By. Myself. 

It was great. For about three minutes.

Then that darling tiny human of ours found my sacred hiding spot. It wasn’t long before I realized my peace was quickly evaporating. She yanked the prayer request sticky notes off the wall. I tried to appease her with a note card and pencil to “color,” but the notecard was soon shredded and the pencil was sketching on the white closet wall. I couldn’t decide if I should press on with my attempt to experience peace or not. Suddenly my decision was confirmed by the smell that wafted filled the close quarters.

Poop.  [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

In Ready Position

You might have noticed that in this current season,  Wednesdays are my days to work toward some super-awesome God-sized dreams. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace. 

***

I never really liked gym class. No offense to any gym teachers out there, but I rarely looked forward to gym, especially during that middle school phase…

Each day when I was down in the musty locker room changing my clothes, my heart would start to pound as I thought about what activity awaited me at the top of the stairs. One of the most dreaded gym sessions of the year? Basketball.

To this day, I still can’t do a lay-up with good form or dribble down the court without “traveling.” It’s not that I didn’t try– I just was never very good. I was THAT kid– you know the one– the kid that always got hit in the face with the ball. (Don’t believe me? I once got my lip split open by a ping pong ball. My face naturally attracted flying objects. It’s science.) [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

Practicing What We Preach: Forgiveness

We all have to deal with it.

Releasing it brings freedom, only good things come from experiencing it, but sometimes we refuse to submit and we cling to it like a two-year-old hoarding a piece of candy.

Forgiveness. I have forgotten the number of times I have unofficially coached people to dig deep and forgive someone.

Here at 7 Days Time, it has been quite the topic for discussion. We have an entire page in our Scripture Library dedicated to forgiveness. We have multiple blogs about forgiving ourselves, finding the faith to forgive, and even forgiving in the little, tiny, everyday moments.

Funny thing is, as much as I preach it and write about it, God still places this forgiveness issue on my own heart. [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

When Giving Thanks Is Hard (#EverydayJesus Linkup)

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends. I thought about taking today “off” but I remembered I wrote this post a couple of years ago… God prompted me to re-share it in case this year’s Thanksgiving finds you struggling. Because let’s be honest, sometimes giving thanks is HARD. Be encouraged. Be blessed. And feel free to link up if you feel so led. Thanking God for your faithfulness to Him and this 7 Days Time Ministry. 

***

The smell of turkey wafts through the house… family piles into the kitchen, clamoring for their “special” chair and debating on which slice of pie will be most worth the calories.

Thanksgiving. A beautiful time of year. A time for family. A time for food. A time for giving thanks.

But sometimes, that’s easier said than done.

Thanksgiving [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

Clarity in the Chaos

You might have noticed that in this current season,  Wednesdays are my days to work toward some super-awesome God-sized dreams. So here is a blast from the past straight from the archives. Enjoy, dear friends… and thanks for the grace. 

***

Today I have a little brain teaser for you… What does this mean to you?

DLEKMTRUSTIPWETRTIINWIGNXTHESLEQP
PDRELORDADVCWITHOIWTHIALLSLGMDIW
CYOUR XSAQLKHEARTCRETWMEAMENLSGF

Is it just a random jumble of letters to you? Or were you able to break it down and see something hidden in the chaos? Not sure? Look again… [Read more…]

Like what you see? Share it!

9 Humorous Holiday Hacks

The holidays are looming.

Some of you out there have already made your list, checked it twice and bought gifts for all those who have been naughty and nice. I know folks who have their holiday meals planned with grocery lists at the ready. Others have already began creating a magnificent Pinterest centerpiece with hopes that guests will talk about it for centuries to come.

If you fall into that category, more power to you sister. (You should invite us over for Christmas. I will bring a store-bought veggie tray. And maybe some Wal-Mart cupcakes.)

I like beautiful Christmas décor. I love eating delicious food. But girls, we are army wives. Managing Household 6 is enough without adding more hoopla to our holiday plate. Society’s Pinterest expectations can only be met when the army/kids/hubs are all in sync.

Around our house, sometimes the only things “in sync” are the dirty dishes. #SeeWhatIDidThere?

If you ever celebrate the holidays at our house and everything is magazine-ish-styled-gourmet-matchy-matchy, just assume my dormant craft/cooking skills blossomed after one too many cups of eggnog.

Perhaps you identify. If so, never fear.  I have found a way to work smarter instead of harder this holiday season.  All it takes is a bit of creativity, a great sense of humor and refined excuse-making skills.

Now presenting: 9 Humorous Holiday Hacks

 Holiday_Hacks1. “Arrrggghhh!! I am almost done wrapping these gifts but am four inches short of having enough paper. The stores are closed and I have to give this gift tomorrow.”
Hack: Use newspaper, old magazines, or even the kid’s used coloring book pages if you are desperate. If anyone questions your methods, simply say that you decided to “Go Green.”

 2.“I tried a new recipe and it tastes funky. It is still edible and safe for consumption (I think), but definitely tastes weird.”
Hack: Tell everyone that you wanted to “experiment” with a new type of eating like Vegan or Whole30. If you don’t want to risk them calling you out (“Wait, Paleo doesn’t use cheese and this thing is smothered in it!”) claim that you are trying to eat “healthier” or that the dish is a “tradition” passed down for 35 generations. If you are really feeling salty, invent a new type of cuisine on the spot. Do this by spelling your favorite holiday food backward and stating it is from your favorite country. “Yeah, this is called yekrut from Morocco.”

3. “I gave my sister a pair of blaze orange Crocs and it was just awkward.”
Hack: When a gift is not well-received, always have a sentimental story on standby. “Sis, don’t you remember when we went to the zoo as kids? You were wearing an orange blazer and your favorite animals were the crocodiles.”

Want to read the rest of the list? Pop on over to Army Wife Network to check it out.

What humorous holiday hacks would you add to the list? I would love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment.

Hang onto these hacks and before you know it, everyone will want to know your “secrets” for a stress-free, seamless holiday season. #IsItNewYearsYet?

Here’s to Holiday Humor,

Initials Signature Blog

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” ~Proverbs 31:25

Linking up today with Kelli via Unforced Rhythms,  Laura at Playdates with God,  Joan’s  Beauty in His Grip Jen over at Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood,  and Hazel via  Tell Me a Story. Be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up  community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!

 

 

Like what you see? Share it!