I get bogged down in day to day routines and just stuff. And this week I realized that there are so many simple joys around us and how many do we miss because we are busy, worried, angry, indifferent, lazy ... These are things right in front of our faces and under our feet... They are all around, but do we notice them? Do we ignore them? Do we take them for granted? Or are we just blind to them.
Having grandkids is one of those simple joys. They may get loud, they may fight, but do we get upset and tell them to stop? Most of the time! But can we see thru those things and really look at what they are doing like emulating the adults, trying to show their desires and talents, just being kids!? As they play, I find I listen to their conversations. They are pretending to be adults. Their voices change, they use phrases we use. It goes on and on. Seeing one's self or someone else in their child or grandchild.
Having a pet put his/her head on your lap. Man's best friend!? Unconditional love. Joy.
Guttural Giggles from tots.
The warm sun on your face.
A cool breeze when it's sweltering.
Fresh picked dandelions to put in a vase.
Warn rain on your face.
Flowers that bloom when you didn't plant them.
Birds singing in the early morning.
A husband making morning coffee.
Kids who make dinner (even if it just hot dogs).
A sunny day when the forecast was for rain.
Beds that feel extra comfy after a hard day.
A day without the phone ringing.
Friends who call and say they are praying for you.
My challenge is to find those simple joys everyday no matter what else is going on in my life. I see this as one way to combat the devil who tries to discourage us. Encourage each other in love.
What wonderful things has God put before us that we miss? Look for these simple gifts of joy.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Joy verses Regrets
It has been almost a week since my last post. Busy and tired - but here I am again.
Yesterday, we went to our grand kids Spring concert with Options - their homeschooling group. (They have a formal classroom setting 1 day a week at Galilee Baptist Church where they get art, music, Spanish, and a few other classes that are the extra-curricular type classes.) This is K-12. Mrs Wolf does a great job having these kids 1 hour, 1 day a week and the kids memorize most of their songs. Fantastic job. I love seeing the g'kids singing as it is one of my passions. I want them to enjoy music as much as I do (tho I will not force it on them as much a present it to them in various ways). The 3 of them did great: Eli had a speaking part and did a fantastic job - clear and projected very well, Wyatt was very animated and gave it his all, and Lilli was so cute with her facial expression and looked like a little diva on some of the actions. I know I brag - grandma's duty.
But as I watched the concert I had an idea for this blog: regrets. Why? Two of the high school students (9th graders) did a duet and one did a solo. They did very well despite changing teen voices. This brought me back to my high school days when I performed in concerts and school musicals. I enjoyed singing and as my life progressed I did continue to sing in college and in church and other areas to some degree. My regret - is that I did not continue to sing to a greater degree and become involved in musical theater and other community choirs. My voice would be In better shape and my range would be consistent. BUT...
I made a decision when I got married - when we had children, my first responsibility was to raising them. I know there are those who can handle a music career (or other career) and a family - some better than others - but I was in that baby boomer group where things were just changing. Women were going into careers rather than jumping into marriage and families. I was raised in a very traditional and conservation life style and I had aunts who worked but after their children older and usually in the teaching field with one in retail.
I had an opportunity for a full music scholarship at one of our church colleges but my mother and grandmother did not want me to go to that college (too remote and my uncle got kicked out for pranks). They also didn't like music as a profession either, despite my voice - a God given gift. Talent was one thing, but as a profession, no. And since I was raised to respect my elders, I obeyed and went to the college of their choice. Bad decision! I needed the smaller college, not the bigger one and I didn't last 1 year.
I loved raising my family. I didn't miss not finishing college as when I was there, everyone from roommates, floor mates, and professors told me what to do and what to think and when to do it. Isn't college a time to learn and grow and make your own decisions? My brother was the only one who supported me. He told me to do what I needed to do and tell everyone else "B%&$#, B%&$#, B%&$#!" And their response was "Carol, you can't say that!" "I just did!"! I left college, got married, and started raising a family. Regrets? No!!!! I needed to be me and who God wanted me to be. Maybe who God wanted me to be first and then making His plans, my plans.
I loved being a mother. Yes, I could have been a better mother but the important thing was that I loved them and supported them in everything and stood by them and encouraged them. I am proud of my children and who they have become as people, as God's children, in their work, in their lives and letting them become their own individuals.
Believe it not, I have learned to make my own decisions and have my own values and not necessarily conform to the norm. I am not way out in left field, I am not a true rebel, just independent and living a bit outside of the box.
I find more joy in my life than regrets. I guess I get into trouble when I reminisce but I do believe God has put me where I am and directed my path. I can still do my music and share it with my grandchildren. God first, family second, and everything else, last.
"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:18
Yesterday, we went to our grand kids Spring concert with Options - their homeschooling group. (They have a formal classroom setting 1 day a week at Galilee Baptist Church where they get art, music, Spanish, and a few other classes that are the extra-curricular type classes.) This is K-12. Mrs Wolf does a great job having these kids 1 hour, 1 day a week and the kids memorize most of their songs. Fantastic job. I love seeing the g'kids singing as it is one of my passions. I want them to enjoy music as much as I do (tho I will not force it on them as much a present it to them in various ways). The 3 of them did great: Eli had a speaking part and did a fantastic job - clear and projected very well, Wyatt was very animated and gave it his all, and Lilli was so cute with her facial expression and looked like a little diva on some of the actions. I know I brag - grandma's duty.
But as I watched the concert I had an idea for this blog: regrets. Why? Two of the high school students (9th graders) did a duet and one did a solo. They did very well despite changing teen voices. This brought me back to my high school days when I performed in concerts and school musicals. I enjoyed singing and as my life progressed I did continue to sing in college and in church and other areas to some degree. My regret - is that I did not continue to sing to a greater degree and become involved in musical theater and other community choirs. My voice would be In better shape and my range would be consistent. BUT...
I made a decision when I got married - when we had children, my first responsibility was to raising them. I know there are those who can handle a music career (or other career) and a family - some better than others - but I was in that baby boomer group where things were just changing. Women were going into careers rather than jumping into marriage and families. I was raised in a very traditional and conservation life style and I had aunts who worked but after their children older and usually in the teaching field with one in retail.
I had an opportunity for a full music scholarship at one of our church colleges but my mother and grandmother did not want me to go to that college (too remote and my uncle got kicked out for pranks). They also didn't like music as a profession either, despite my voice - a God given gift. Talent was one thing, but as a profession, no. And since I was raised to respect my elders, I obeyed and went to the college of their choice. Bad decision! I needed the smaller college, not the bigger one and I didn't last 1 year.
I loved raising my family. I didn't miss not finishing college as when I was there, everyone from roommates, floor mates, and professors told me what to do and what to think and when to do it. Isn't college a time to learn and grow and make your own decisions? My brother was the only one who supported me. He told me to do what I needed to do and tell everyone else "B%&$#, B%&$#, B%&$#!" And their response was "Carol, you can't say that!" "I just did!"! I left college, got married, and started raising a family. Regrets? No!!!! I needed to be me and who God wanted me to be. Maybe who God wanted me to be first and then making His plans, my plans.
I loved being a mother. Yes, I could have been a better mother but the important thing was that I loved them and supported them in everything and stood by them and encouraged them. I am proud of my children and who they have become as people, as God's children, in their work, in their lives and letting them become their own individuals.
Believe it not, I have learned to make my own decisions and have my own values and not necessarily conform to the norm. I am not way out in left field, I am not a true rebel, just independent and living a bit outside of the box.
I find more joy in my life than regrets. I guess I get into trouble when I reminisce but I do believe God has put me where I am and directed my path. I can still do my music and share it with my grandchildren. God first, family second, and everything else, last.
"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:18
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