Welcome to my newest obsession! Making crocheted dish cloths. I plan to use these for washing dishes, wiping off kitchen counters, etc. You see, about a month ago, my family went to Ham’s Peach Orchard in Terrell, TX and they … Continue reading
“Because of our desire to succeed, to meet these ever-growing expectations, we do not rest. Because we do not rest, we lose our way.”
“Sabbath is a way of being in time where we remember who we are, remember what we know, and taste the gifts of spirit and eternity.”
“We must have a period in which we lie fallow, and restore our souls.”
“Sabbath time is time off the wheel, time when we take our hands from the plow and let God and the earth care for things, while we drink, if only for a few moments, from the fountain of rest and delight.”
“It is the presence of something that arises when we consecrate a period of time to listen to what is most deeply beautiful, nourishing, or true.”
“It was not Israel that kept the Sabbath, it is said, but the Sabbath kept Israel.”
“Once people feel nourished and refreshed, they cannot help but be kind; just so, the world aches for the generosity of a well-rested people.”
(All quotes taken from the book Sabbath: Finding rest, renewal, and delight in our busy lives by Wayne Muller)
Until recently, I thought the Sabbath was all about going to church on Sunday mornings. That’s pretty much it.
I’ve always gone to church, but honestly, my soul has never felt completely at rest. I have always rushed through my weekends just as I rush through my week. I took time out of my schedule to attend church, and while I gained some great benefits from church, I would leave the church service each week ready to rush through the rest of my day in order to get ready for the busy week.
But lately, that has been changing. My soul longs for more. It knows that more is out there. A better way of being and living. My soul has been tired, weary, thirsty and used up. Looking for rest. Needing to be filled.
The world of the Sabbath is opening up to me. There is much, much more out there! And I long to really, truly observe the Sabbath with my family in ways that provide rest to all of our souls, minds, spirits and bodies. Ways that we can be filled with quiet, each others’ presence, the lives of friends, and filled by the Holy Spirit.
And I know that for this to happen, there must be a plan. A set time where we stop each week. A time that is sacred and holy to our family. It doesn’t necessarily have to be the same time each week. There just needs to be intentional time.
So, I’m wondering: what is your experience with the Sabbath? How have you tried to set aside a time weekly, or even daily, to quiet your soul, spend time with God, listen to Him and allow Him to fill you back up? I’d love to hear from you!
This blog is a place where I sometimes share some of my innermost thoughts. It’s a place where I can be honest about how I’m feeling (right or wrong) and what I’m learning. Where I can lay my thoughts and feelings out before myself and others. It helps me process. To learn about myself, where I’ve been and where I’m going.
And I’ve been overwhelmed by people who have read this blog and felt something because of it. They’ve felt like they weren’t alone. Normal. And a little better knowing there are others out there who think like they do.
It’s started countless conversations that I would not have had otherwise. I have been deeply honored by these conversations! It has opened doors for me to get to know others better. To get to listen to others. To minister to others. To share life with others in a deeper way.
So today I want to share something I’ve been learning about myself lately that I’m sure some of you can relate to:
I am really hard on myself. I place unrealistic expectations on myself constantly and get frustrated when I am not perfect (which is never)!
This carries over into all parts of my life. If something isn’t perfect at home or at work I feel like I am to blame. If someone says that something needs to be fixed or has a small suggestion or is even just voicing a thought, I feel like they are thinking in their mind that I’m at fault and a horrible person – when that is probably, most likely not the case at all! The vast majority of the time, it’s probably not even remotely about me! So why the heck do I beat myself up over things that don’t even apply to me?!!! Why do I think it’s always about me?!! Everything is not about me!! When my husband voices frustration over anything, I feel like he’s saying there is something wrong with me. That there is an issue I need to work on. That I’m not good enough and the one to blame. I can’t let it rest! And it’s easy for me to worry and stress myself out needlessly.
I know I do a good job when I rationally think about it. At home, at work. I really do! I’m just so dang hard on myself! And if the smallest thing is said passively, I feel stress and feel like others are blaming me and think I suck.
I realize how crazy this can all sound, but it is what it is.
I’m just now in the beginning stages of realizing this about myself, and I’m beginning to see ways that I can control myself, my thoughts and my emotions. But I still have a long way to go!
I’m at a class this week, and so I talked to my husband on the phone about this tonight. The scary thing is we both have a problem with this! Fun! 🙂 But at least we both recognize this about ourselves now and maybe we can help each other along the way.
So there you have it! 🙂
I am continually amazed at the ways God is working on me. Gently making me aware of things we need to work on together. And then the ways that he helps guide me through the process of learning through relationships, things I read at the perfect time, etc.
But most of all, I’m thankful for a God who is so crazy in love with me despite all my craziness!! And God knows there’s a lot of that! 🙂
My dad is my hero. Period. He’s the one I’ve always wanted to be like and the one that I’ve always wanted to be proud of me. And I’ve always known he is. Even when I would get in trouble or screw things up. Sure, I might have seen the wrath of Mitcho first, but I always knew at the end of the day that I was loved and he was proud of me.
There are 3 things that I think sum up my dad. It’s hard to sum up a man who is larger than life in 3 words, but I think these 3 pretty much do it because they encompass so much.
Service
Dad is the first person to step up if someone needs anything! Always! If he sees a need, he does what he can to meet it. He’s a man who can come off as very intimidating, but under that at times scary front is a man with the biggest heart for people that you will ever find! As a kid, I saw him help others on nights, weekends, at times when it was not convenient for him, when the project was a big pain in the butt, when the person he was helping was a friend and when they were someone hard to like. He is always serving!
Sacrifice
Dad sacrificed so much for us kids. He worked hard to provide for us. When he started his own business and was short on cash, he mowed lawns and did what he needed to do to take care of our family. We didn’t have things most families had growing up. No new cars. No new houses. No cable tv. Not much eating out. We didn’t buy much. Don’t get me wrong, we still had a lot. But dad was quietly planning for the future. And later when I needed money for a school trip, a new flute, and COLLEGE, dad had the money there ready for me. And any time I have ever needed anything, he has been there ready to drop what he’s doing and come at a moment’s notice! I remember one day in college when I had car trouble. He jumped in the car and drove 3 hours to help me out. And he still does it for me all the time! I just have to call, and he’s there! The man is a walking example of what it means to sacrifice for your family!
Love
I know my dad is my biggest fan. (Well, mom too!) Like I said, dad has the biggest heart. And as a daddy’s girl, I’ve always known I’ve had him wrapped around my finger! :). He’s always been there to give me the love I need. When I was in marching band in high school, I could always hear my dad screaming for me from the stands. It was slightly embarrassing, but I loved it! And I know he’s there cheering me on in life everyday! His love is so big!
Some people have a hard time imagining that God could love them because they’ve never seen much love from their father. I have a hard time imagining God being able to love me any more than I am already loved by my dad. He’s loved me that big!!
Dad has been a “pert-near” perfect example of a godly father in my life! I am one lucky girl!
I love you, Daddy! Happy Father’s Day!
Love, Steph
My youngest cousin got married tonight! And since I never buy dresses, I decided the wedding was going to be my excuse to get a new one!
I went to 3 stores and didn’t find anything that worked.
Then at my 4th store, I finally found a dress I liked. I started looking at shoes and had to get an employee to help me. She was a young cute girl who looked like she had way better fashion sense than me, so I asked if she could help me find the rest of my outfit!
So here’s the shoes:
And the jewelry:
Here’s the whole thing:
My new friend at the store was awesome! She had never been to a wedding before, and I kind of wanted to bring her with me!
At the wedding, Sadie caught/grabbed the bouquet:
And Caleb got the garter on a football:
One more Carroll kid to go! 🙂
Congratulations, Emily and Josh!!
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Stephanie Carroll 