Smack!

Food for Thought from Margaret, hit me right between the eyes this morning. Click on over to read it for yourself.

I think it fits in quite well with my post the other day, don't you? It seems like I'm being drawn to the Cross for further Lenten reflection.

How's your Lent going so far?

In His Own Sweet Time

I found this prayer on a comment to an old post over at Margaret's. Once again, I couldn't help but see the perfect timing. A simple prayer for me to abide by this season.

"Lord, teach me to be patient-with life, with people, and with myself. I sometimes try to hurry things along too much, and I push for answers before the time is right. Teach me to trust your sense of timing rather than my own and to surrender my will to Your greater and wiser plan. Help me let life unfold slowly, like the small rosebud whose petals unravel bit by bit, and remind me that in hurrying the bloom along, I destroy the bud and much of the beauty therein.

Instead, let me wait for all to unfold in its own time. Each moment and state of growth contains loveliness. Teach me to slow down enough to appreciate life and all it holds. Amen."

Wordless Wednesday: Sleepy Edition

At The Cross

While it's not uncommon for lyrics from songs to resound in my head long after the iPod is turned off, I pay attention to why particular lyrics linger for awhile.

And most often, their meaning is revealed in a short amount of time. Christian music echoes in my mind quite often and it rests in my heart to serve as another faithful reminder in God's loving grace and mercy when I need those little nudges.

On my mind prior to Lent was just a line or two from a song that is shuffled about on my iPod during my Wii workout. And it's that song that has become my meditation, my theme, for this Lenten season. Drawn to it with tear-filled eyes and a heart ready for abandonment to Christ's greater plan, that in His time will be revealed.

'To the cross I cling,
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I'm sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous your redeeming love and
How great is your faithfulness'


(Taken from 'Sweetly Broken' by Jeremy Riddle)


I recently shared with a friend something I heard at a Women's Conference a couple of years ago, regarding our Cross that God gives to us. The speaker shared that sometimes taking up her cross was a lot to handle. More than she could bear. Something she struggled with carrying day in and day out. She then mentioned that although she never completely sets that cross down, sometimes she just needs to lean on it for a bit. Isn't that an interesting way to envision it?

Although some crosses and adversities that God is asking for me to carry and bear seem to be too much for me, I still embrace them and carry them on my journey. Not always willingly or with a contented heart, I'll admit. I am not resigned to my infertility cross. I still despise it and I'll admit that truthfully. I'll also admit that I've leaned on it an awful lot. But I think during this Lenten season I'm being asked to pick it up and carry it again for a bit and we'll see what comes of it by Easter. Perhaps carrying it won't be as difficult as it has been in the past.

Just wait and see. I hope to prayerfully be beckoned to this particular cross of mine, that I may gently be drawn to my knees. Pray with me, won't you?

Monday Daybook

For Today...February 22nd

Outside My Window... bearable winter weather. No snow and no frigid temps. I can handle this kind of winter.

I Am Thinking... about Margaret's family as they bid farewell to their dear Ellie.

I Am Thankful For... a relatively calm week ahead.

From The Kitchen This Week... Beef n' Biscuit Bake; Easy Baked Parmesan Meatballs; Spinach Pasta Toss for Friday (Thanks, Mommy Monkey!)

I Am Creating... a set of table runners for my uncle.

I Am Going... to keep praying that Lily's new awkward bedtime habits and anxieties will work themselves out.

I Am Reading... the latest issue of Faith & Family; An Undivided Heart by Vonette Bright and Nancy Moser.

I Am Hoping... that hubby will be able to return to normal business hours very soon.

Around The House... we're working on our Sacrifice/Good Deeds jar again this year, but seem to be struggling.

Lyrics In My Head... 'at the cross you beckon me...draw me gently to my knees'

One Of My Favorite Things... the smell of a Glade Creamy Custard & Apple Blossom candle in my kitchen.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Lily's second piano lesson; possibly my cousin's high school basketball game; follow-up with my Creighton instructor.

Picture Thought I Am Sharing... (Brought to you by Jonah)





Catch more Daybooks over at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Okay, I Admit It!

I have an Olympic crush.

I *heart* Alexandre Bilodeau.

There, I said it.

But seriously, don't you too?

Go ahead, Google him all you want, you'll find that Canada has something to be very proud of! What an athlete with heart!

Do I hear an "amen"? Yup, I thought I did.

Leading Into Lent

Hearts and Valentine decorations will come down today in preparation for the season of Lent. Although I hate to see their bright colors disappear, it's just a reminder of the sacrifice that the next season brings. It's always with hope that I embark on the somber weeks of penance and await the Resurrection, because, optimistically I pray that the end of the Lenten season will bring about a better ME and the beautiful colorings of Spring.

In preparation for Lent, I've seen wonderful ideas on how to live out a more faithful, faith-filled season within your own family. Here are a couple that especially caught my eye this last week:

On Lent @ Martin Family Moments

Lent for Little Ones @ Momopoly


I am wrestling with ways to bring about more prayer and sacrifice in even the smallest ways in our home this year. I will again have reminders throughout our home of Jesus' cross and path to Calvary.

Drawing on Tracy's idea, I created something similar and this is on the doorway that leads to the basement and is in the kitchen and a high-traffic area of the main floor. Behind the tomb at the top is a picture of the Resurrected Jesus. Shh...don't tell my kids..

I didn't prepare early enough to order the beautiful Stations of the Cross pictures like Tracy has, instead I photocopied these in black and white from a children's book. These will be lined up the wall along the stairs. We will pass these numerous times daily and be reminded of Jesus' road to the cross and they will also serve as visual aids in our family Stations of the Cross throughout the coming weeks.

I would like to delve deeper into prayer, since my time with the Lord has been slipping in the morning. Daily, I offer a prayer for all those who read here, but if you have a specific intention that I can pray for you this Lent please leave a comment or email me (see sidebar).