Fragile Gifts

It's the most fragile gift we're given, a treasure so easily broken, yet we take it for granted every day - until the unthinkable becomes reality.  The precious gift of life has overwhelmed me this week.

This past weekend, a high schoool classmate of mine died in a car accident.  He was 32 - my age.  Although we didn't really run in the same circles in high school, I knew him and his entire family.  He was living his life - and suddenly it was over.

This week, I've hugged my family a little tighter.  I've kissed my boys as they sleep.  I've lain awake in bed and thanked God for my husband breathing softly beside me as he sleeps.  I've been amazed at the simple things that are really extravagent graces - the sunrise, the leaves fluttering in the breeze, the ever-changing water of the river I drive over every day, the laughter of my family, the voices of my friends. 

Every moment, every breath, is full of grace.  I never want to take that for granted.  But the greatest gift is that life doesn't end when we breathe our last in this world...it really just begins.  I'm thankful for life - in both this world, and, as my favorite author Ted Dekker so perfectly says it, in "...the real world behind the skin of this world, where everything really is beautiful."

Can Someone Hit the Brakes?

I tend to be a little insane overbearing type-A sometimes.  I can get over-involved.  I can let myself get completely burned out.  I can get overwhelmed.  I can put too much pressure on myself.  I can slip into the "I'll take it easy when I'm dead" mindset.  Is anyone with me?

Unfortunately, I pay for my "I can do it all" personality...and my payback comes in the form of anxiety attacks.  After five years with no attacks, my unwelcome friends made their appearance again a few weeks ago, giving me my worst attacks ever. 

Part of it is the stress of my life right now, but I truly believe that this is also an attack.  God is moving in my life.  I'm drawing closer to Him than ever before, and He's leading me in new directions.  It's exciting and terrifying to be standing on the brink of some huge, God-sized dreams.  I just wish I wasn't fighting anxiety.  I wish I could hit the brakes and slow some of the craziness down a little. 

I can't slow things down, though.  I have to push ahead to graduation (in just 7 more months - woo hoo!)  I have to live my life and balance all the craziness.  I would really appreciate your prayers as I fight this battle.

Win Max Lucado's latest!

I am a huge fan of Max Lucado!  I love his children's books, especially You Are Special - I cry every time I read it.  I was so excited to have the opportunity for a very special review - his newest children's devotional, Grace for the Moment for Kids, AND his newest adult devotional!  Best of all, I'm giving away a set of the two to one lucky reader.

My boys cannot say enough good things about their devotional!  They are 10 and 7, and these devotions are perfect for them to read on their own.  My 10 year old said that he loves this book because, "It's short.  I don't have to look stuff up.  [The verses for the devotional are printed on the page.] And I like the part at the end. ["Growing in Grace," a practical, life application at the end of each day's reading.]"  Of course, since the adult and kids devotions cover the same topic each day, it's also perfect for mom to read hers in the morning, then to read the children's version during family devotions and discuss what everyone has learned.  (And if you have teens, you can get a copy of Wild Grace for them.)  As a mom, and as a children's pastor, I love books and activities that involved the whole family and get everyone talking about their faith!  This is the perfect series for it.

You can check out the Flipbook of Grace for the Moment for Kids here: http://issuu.com/tnelson/docs/fb_gftm_kids?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222

You can check out a FREE two week sample of the book here: http://www.tommynelson.com/2012/08/gracechallenge/

Or you can order a copy here: http://www.thomasnelson.com/grace-for-the-moment-365-devotions-for-kids.html

Of course, you can also enter to WIN a copy of both the kids and adult devotionals!  To enter, just leave a comment on this post AND become a fan of Tommy Nelson on Facebook.  For an extra entry, share this giveaway and leave a separate comment letting me know you did.  For another entry, like my new Facebook page.

Good luck!  Entries will close on Saturday, September 29th at midnight, and the winner will be announced Sunday, September 30th.  Thanks to Tommy Mommy for letting me review these!

Developing a Habit of Grace

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We throw the concept of grace around a lot.  It’s an important idea – after all, where would we be if not for God’s grace?  We talk about it, sing about it, write about it – but I wonder how much we really understand grace?

I’m working through an awesome Bible study right now on 1 Peter.  The study is “Kept,” and I’m going through it with the Hello Mornings fall session.  Last week, as we studied 1:1-2 and 5:12-14, I decided to look up “grace.”  I pulled up eSword on my laptop and went to the original Greek word.  It wowed me.  Here’s what I learned:

Grace (charis): graciousness of manner or act, especially the divine influence upon the heart and it’s reflection in the life, including gratitude.

Our mannerisms show grace.  Our actions show grace.  That’s it – it’s all grace.  All of life, our very life itself, is God’s grace.  Everything we are and everything we do should be a reflection of God’s influence in our life, including gratitude.

His Word is filled with His graces.  We are His workmanship.  He knit us together and knew us before we were born.  He collects our tears in a bottle.  We are inscribed on the palms of His hands.  His grace is more than amazing. 

Grace – that simple word has been speaking to me all week long.  My prayer is that God will keep His grace at the forefront of my heart and mind, and that He will help me to reflect that grace in all I do.  I want grace to become more than a word - I want grace to be a habit in my life.

A Huge Guest Post

I am so, so excited today!  Last month, one of my favorite blogs, The MOB Society, asked for guest posts for the month of September.  I wrote a post and sent it in, but honestly didn't expect it be chosen.  But guess what - it was!  I hope you'll check out!

My New Workout Motto

Need I say more?  This is my new motto.  5K here I come!

Losing My Grip

I'm not a huge fan of high places.  I can handle heights to a point...okay, to a very low point.  I hate it when I'm watching a movie or TV show and a main character ends up clinging desperately to a ledge by their fingertips, about to plummet to their death.  (Like Beckett hanging on for dear life in the season finale of Castle...anyone else LOVE that show?)  I guess it's a Hollywood rule that their grip has to slip and make things more dramatic, but it makes me squirm every time!

I can identify with the feeling of losing my grip, though.  How many times do I feel like I'm losing my grip on everything going on in my life?  The laundry mountain has started to resemble Mt. Everest, I'm behind on my Bible study, my college assignments are due, and my blog is covered in cobwebs.  I feel like I'm drowning, slipping further and further below the surface, not sure if I can ever reach the top again.

Sometimes God has to whisper my name...okay, so He may have to yell a little...and tell me, "Amanda, just breathe."  As my microbiology teacher used to tell our class before a test, "Breathe - its not overrated."  I need the reminder.  Breathe.  Focus.  Take one thing at a time.  Finish one job before starting another.  Take small steps.  Just get started. 

Ann Voskamp wrote a great post a few days ago about creating habits.  This week, I plan to use my day planner (a.k.a. "my brain" becasue I rely on it so much), the daily planner printable from A Holy Experience, a weekly homemaking schedule I typed up several months ago, and the Pomodoro technique to get things done at home and get my family on a routine.  Simple planning, and simple follow through, should help me get things into better balance and give me a better grip on things.