Extreme Couponer

Have you ever watched the TV show "Extreme Couponer"?  Each episode showcases shoppers that save loads and loads of money and leave with carts and carts filled with free stuff.  I've watched the show a few times and always marvel at how they save money.  How they always get stressed as they check out. How they always have a problem with the register and even more panic sets in.  But normally there is always a happy ending.  The shoppers walk or roll out with merchandise that cost them little or nothing.

The other day I went to the store to buy a few items for home.  As I shopped, I started thinking about coupons and how much I could save if I only had coupons. I would look at the item, look at the price and think about how much cheaper the item would be with a coupon.

Isn't it amazing how what we watch or read or listen to can linger in our minds and even control our actions. I'm sure I would have purchased much more the other day if I hadn't thought about how much I could save with coupons. PROBABLY A GOOD THING but nevertheless it made me think...

It is  now a few days since I wrote the words above.  I at first was thinking about how the things we allow around us can influence us in bad ways if we are not careful...  But now I want to focus on a gift that God has given us that we have access to every day... HIS WORD.  Just think as we read His Word and allow it to linger in our minds it will control our actions.  As things come up in our lives and we look at each item the Holy Spirit will brings His Word to our remembrance so we can make the right choices.  HIS WORD... oh what a gift.  It is never wrapped so we can't access it.  We don't have to wait to open it.  His Word is always available to us and we can even hide it in our heart.

It is a good thing to be an "Extreme Couponer" and save money for our families. It is an even better thing to be an "Extreme Christian" that devours the Word of truth.  


2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 

Coffee Stains

Today began as usual... making coffee, getting ready for work, the normal routine.  On Tuesdays, I normally travel about 30 minutes from home for a weekly meeting with my job.  I quickly got dressed and headed out the door with my coffee cup, purse and phones (business and personal). Today was a special day.  The County Commission, my employer, was recognizing employees for years of service starting with five years, then ten years, and so on.  I was receiving my five year pin today.  As I started north in the car, I had both of phones in my lap. I sometimes get business emails so wanted to be able to access easily if needed.  Traffic was steady and I made good progress.  I sipped on my coffee and traveled along.  About ten minutes from my destination disaster happened.  I was taking a sip of coffee and spilled it on my lap, phones, etc. I kept driving and wondered what in the world was I going to do.  I had to go in front of many people to accept my service pin and my pants were soaked from the coffee.  The coffee had also spilled a little on my phones so I quickly moved them.  I had a blanket on the back seat so I grabbed it and tried to soak up the coffee as I continued driving.  (I must tell you that wet pants are not pleasant especially first thing in the morning.)

As I was driving I realized that I really wasn't all that concerned about my pants.  A few years back I probably would have had a moment.  But not today.  So what if my pants were wet.  So what if others saw it.  Things happen.  I'm surely not the only person that has spilled coffee all over themselves. (Smile.) When I reached my destination, I got out of the car and looked at my pants.  They were fine.  I had on a pair of dark pants so you couldn't even tell they were wet.  I smiled as I walked inside the building.  Don't sweat the small stuff.  God is always in control and WE are His treasured possession.

"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God.  The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the people on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."  Deuternonomy 7:6

Changes

Change is a part of life.  Some changes are in our control and some are not.  We can all think of changes that have happened in our lives.  A new job, a new baby, a new home.  Some changes bring joy but some bring much sadness.  Early in my marriage we moved several times.  My husband transferred with his job so we started over many times.  Moving became such a habit that I would start getting ready for the next move even before we learned of a transfer.  My inner clock was ready to see something new.  When we moved to our current location I went through many periods of thinking it was time to move on until finally I realized that this is home.  We have now lived in our house for over thirteen years. The longest I have lived any where in my life. I'm finally settled and waiting patiently for whatever God has next for us.  I mentioned earlier that changes can sometimes bring much sadness.  I will cover that another day.

One thing I've learned over the years is when things change around me, God does not.  He is always the same as His word says... yesterday, today and forever.  I can trust Him to always be with me, to be ever present in my life.  As I ponder that last sentence, I have much peace in my heart.  I can rest knowing that God is in control even when I'm not.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Another Chance

Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, I went with a group of ladies from my church to a Ladies Retreat in North Alabama.  It was a great time of refreshing and recharging.  The praise and worship was uplifting and the speakers inspired us.  This morning the chorus from one of the songs from retreat kept running through my head.  "I am forgiven...  I've been given another chance."  Just think.  We are forgiven.  Jesus made a way on the cross for us to be forgiven and to have another chance and another chance and another chance.  In Matthew 18: 21, Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?"  Jesus told him in the next verse "not seven times but seventy-seven times."  In the past when I've read this scripture, I've always thought of me forgiving others. Today this scripture came to mind as I considered how many times we sin, repent and God forgives us. Our God is loving and merciful. Let us never forget the price He paid so we can be forgiven.

"Because of the LORD's great love we are  not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

The Pony Tail Holder

I'm starting a new blog... Words to Encourage...  I was talking with someone a few weeks ago and they shared with me how God had moved in their life in the past. As I listened to them talk, I thought of how encouraging it would be to hear or read testimonies of how God is working all around us each and every day.  I at first thought of writing a book of testimonies but later thought about starting this blog.  I'm starting with an experience I had many years ago but still encourages me today.  So here goes... 

The Pony Tail Holder

As a young stay at home mom, life was very busy.  My sons, A and J, were three and one years of age and kept me hopping. We were just starting the day and I was already getting a little stressed.  Before starting to take care of the daily chores, I decided to put my hair up in a pony tail.  I pulled my hair back using my hand to hold in place.  I then looked on the bathroom counter for my holder but could not find it.  I looked through all the drawers, on the floor, everywhere I could think but still could not find it.  As I mentioned earlier, I was already a little stressed so this was adding fuel to the flame.  I started walking around the house, looking everywhere with my hand still holding my hair back in a pony tail.  Tears were starting to fall.  I finally gave up and sat on the couch.  The tears started to fall even more.  Then I looked up and saw J, my youngest, toddling down the hall toward me.  He had something in his hand. As he came closer, I saw what he was holding ... a pony tail holder. 

God cares about the little things too.

"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them."  Isaiah 11:6