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Beth Moore wrote a fun blog post on Tuesday asking for her readers to share one favorite thing.  Favorite anything.  What a great idea!  I plan to savor the comments and maybe find some new favorites.  Sanguine as I am, I have lots of favorite things, and they change according to what I’m presently doing.  I’ve often wanted to write a post on a few of them.  If I was Oprah, I would send each of you a gift box full of some of my favorite things.  Alas, I’m not Oprah…. but at least I can tell you what I would send you. 😉

Compared to Oprah’s, today’s favorites aren’t too exciting – but they make me really happy when I use them.  I was working around the house and noticed that within the 30 minutes before writing this post, I used 5 of my all-time-favorite things.

Clorox Clean Up (or store brand equilivant) – I love this stuff.  I get giddy over cleaning with it!  We have bright white counter tops and old white porcelin sinks that stain everytime we use them.  My simple, no fuss solution is to spray the Clean Up on the countertops and let it sit there for a few minutes, then wipe it up.  The counter tops look brand new every time.  With the sink, I just give the porcelin a good spray and walk away.  Within minutes, it’s bright and white-y again.  I love this stuff!

Dale’s Sauce – This is a marinate that goes on any type of meat and makes it delicious!  Southerners are kind of known for being big Dale’s fans.  We put it on steaks, roast, chicken, pork, hamburgers… It’s a staple in our home – just as much as chocolate.  We had it on our roast for supper tonight – and we wanted to literally drink the juices left in the crockpot.  We didn’t, but we sure did want to!

Our Family Chalkboard – A “Family Chalkboard” had been on my prayer list for a long time.  In our new home, we had the perfect spot for it – right above the kitchen table.  I had ideas of making one out of a frame and chalkboard-painted plywood…which would have worked.  But this precious friend offered me her childhood chalkboard that her dad had someone make for her when she was 5.  She is around 60 now.  It is a true treasure.  I write encouraging verses, truths, or love notes on it for our family and anyone who enters our home. My mom is here visiting, so today the chalkboard welcomed her.

I did find a great combination of cleaners that works well with the Spray and Pray method.  I spray the stain with “Awesome Laundry Pre Wash Stain Remover” that I buy at the Dollar Tree.  One Dollar….and it works!!!  Then I soak the sprayed stain in a mixture of Oxi-Clean (or the store brand equilivant) and hot water.  I pray and ask God to help, and give Him all the credit.  Spray, Pray, and Praise.  It makes doing laundry a lot more fun!

Version of the Bible – I love and appreciate all versions – but the one I use most, and the one that has served as a springboard for further study of words or Biblical concepts is the Amplified Bible.  It takes the Greek and Hebrew words and defines them right in the verses.  If you want to check out the Amplified version or many different translations of Scripture, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/  It’s an awesome resource.  I love looking up my favorite verses in varied translations.  My Amplified Bible and I are old friends.  We’ve laughed, cried, rejoiced, questioned, desperately searched for answers, mercifully found answers, praised, confessed, and grown together over the last 16 years.  It’s been rebound several times and will be needing another nip and tuck in the near future.  I “try” to use other Bibles, but always come back to my dear, dear friend, the Amplified.

One last favorite for now:

My favorite man – James. 19 years ago on the 23rd of Feb. we met on a blind date that started in the vestibule of Bellevue Baptist Church. We married 7 1/2 months later. He was and is the man I prayed for all of my life. When I think about all of the events that God orchestrated to get both of us in that very place at that very time, how in the world can I ever doubt that God is fully aware of ALL that goes on in our lives, and is using EVERY bit of it to bring us to a place of our best and His glory?!  He works behind the scenes when we’re not even aware that He’s present.  Thank you, Dear Father, for You are doing – especially for those things done behind the scenes.

Happy “Blind Date Meeting” anniversary, honey! I’m so glad we waited for each other and learned to love Jesus before we learned to love each other.

Happy Monday morning, friends~  What’s on your mind as you start your week?  Want to know what’s on mine?  (If not, just skip this post and listen to Natalie Grant’s wonderful song below.  It’s an older song, but its been on my mind this weekend as I’ve prayed for some friends and family who are needing to be held by God. Beautiful.)  But if you are so inclined to read a bunch of randomness… put your waders on – these are deep thoughts, people… deep, deep thoughts…

  
1. My hair. I haven’t yet found that one, special help-meet God has for my hair here in Cleveland. I know she/he is out there… and I’m praying for her/him and hoping to meet her/him soon. I’ve been searching, asking, meeting, and trying, but haven’t found “the one”. Some people are praying for and waiting on a husband. Some are praying for and waiting on children. I’m praying for and waiting on a hair dresser!

God has given me “high maintenance hair” and I honestly do depend on Him to help me fix it each day. I don’t take any credit for it – I gave my hair to God in the 7th grade, and ever since, He’s done a great job, and He uses it for His glory. (You’d not believe the number of conversations that lead to prayer and praising God in the grocery stores that begin with the simple question: “Who does your hair?”) (You also can’t imagine the varied looks I get when I tell them that God does it! Ha ha!) God does do my hair. But it needs human scissors and Redkin color about every 4 weeks or so. I’m praying about what to do with it… wondering if I’m to let it grow into a lower-maintenance hair do that will be easier to maintain. Such deep and life-altering questions… I know…how will I ever sleep tonight??? (grin)

2. This beautiful weather. Spring has sprung – at least for this past week. We were out of school on snow day Thursday before last, and this past Thursday, we were in shorts and flip flops. Go figure! Everyone’s painting their toenails and digging out their sandals. The flowers are budding, breeze is blowing, and we’re gratefully enjoying it for as long as we have it. James spent the weekend getting our yard shaped up. Someone told us that it’s been about 5 years since it was groomed. It honestly looked like a handsome man who hasn’t had a haircut and shave for months. But after this weekend, it’s been to the barber. (And somehow, we’re back on hair…) We’re looking forward to seeing what was lovingly planted in our yard by the dear couple who lived in this house for over 60 years.

3. Mosquitoes. Seriously. They are already out – and they are HUGE! I’ve never seen such ginormous mosquitoes in all my life until moving to the Delta! (One of these days, I’ll get a picture of one next to a ruler. You’ll see…) And apparently, they don’t die over the winter. They lie in wait underneath leaves on the ground, seeking whom they may devour. When one goes to clean up said yard, they attack! The nerve! Mosquitoes in February are just offensive!

4. A new Sunday night supper tradition – maybe. Cereal. I know families who come in from church, after a long day, and enjoy a bowl of cereal for supper. We’ve just never been one of them. Don’t know why. However, on Sunday, cereal for supper was on my mind. I didn’t offer it to the family, though, because I’m not that great of a morning breakfast mom, and cereal is on the table at least 2-3 mornings a week. I felt like I was copping out by offering it for supper too. But then James said, “Do you know what I’d like for supper tonight? Cereal.” – PTL! So that’s what we did. We got our biggest bowls, and let everyone have at it with their favorite kind. I don’t know if this will become a true tradition – but it was the easiest Sunday night supper I’ve ever made! 😉

5. Delilah. As in Sampson and Delilah. And as in the power of a woman’s ways. Last week in our Master Life 2 homework, we read some of the story of Sampson and Delilah (Judges 16:15-30), and the thought struck me, not for the first time, that we women can vex a man or child literally to death. We can nag, nag, nag after them until their resolve to honor their God-given strength and make the right choices for the right reasons is drained. Often they’ll change, just so we’ll be quiet. Oh, how I don’t want to do that to my husband or children. We carry tremendous power over those in our lives. Women are not weaker– we just get things done in a different way… Actually, in a more dangerous way – behind closed doors of the home.

My challenge this week is to not “vex” my husband and children into giving in to what I want from them – even if I think it is beneficial. Instead, I will pray for them, asking God to speak and convict. And I will try to be quiet. I will pray that their hearts and minds will be teachable and responsive to The Holy Spirit. (Mine, too!) I want all of us to operate within the strength God has given us – sans the nagging. Can I do it? Oh, I pray so – with the help of The Holy Spirit, and the closing of my mouth, and the surrender of my precious family to The Lord – who is All Capable.

There.  That’s some of what’s swirling around in my brain as I type.  I feel better.  How about you? (grin)   I’d share more, but I’d probably “vex” you to death. 😉

I pray that you have a great week, my beautiful complex friends, and that you use the amazing power God has given you as a woman to be an Esther, and not a Delilah.  Love ya~

Jennifer

This last sign is a favorite.  I see it every day.  My friend, Stephanie, made it and gave it to us for Christmas.  It hangs between our den and kitchen.  Every time I see it, it makes me thankful for my family, friends, and this life God is allowing the Walkers to live.

Hi sweet friends~  I’ve thought so much about you and prayed for you often over the last few days.  I’ve so enjoyed hearing from some new blog friends lately, and am thankful for this place where we can know and support each other in the Lord.  One of these days, I hope to meet some of you face to face. 🙂

We’ve just come out of two weeks where someone in our home has been sick… Nathan missed an entire week of school, Abigail missed a day, and I spent a few days in a bad migraine fog.  Today, we are praising the Lord that all is well and we can get back on a normal schedule.  

It’s a busy but good week ahead.  I’ve blocked off extra time to spend with The Lord so I can prepare to speak this Saturday at our Women’s Event “Supersize and Energize Your Faith”.   I’ll be sharing my testimony and God’s encouragement for all who are waiting on The Lord.  {He is SO Faith-Full!  I can hardly think of the stories of God’s faithfulness in my life without my eyes pooling in tears.  I’m just so grateful… so very very grateful.}  Sharing my testimony of God’s faithfulness is a second nature joy to me, but I desperately desire a fresh Word from The Lord about Himself for me, and for those attending on Saturday.   I’m looking forward to spending some special time with Him, so I’m reposting a few of my favorite posts this week on Smelling Coffee.   I hope you enjoy them. 🙂

I would very much appreciate your prayers for me as I seek The Lord for Saturday, for Sunday’s Sunday school lesson and Sunday night’s Master Life lesson.  Lots of blessed time soaking in to pour out God’s Word this week, and lots of regular activities to squeeze in, too… Please pray that I will be obedient, wise, and faithful.

I love you and thank God for all He is doing in and around your lives.  Some of you dear readers are walking through a valley right now, wondering why in the world God would allow this deep place to come into your lives, and why He doesn’t fix it quickly.  I know that you know this, but I want to be a part of God’s reminder to you that He is still at work… behind the scenes.  He has not forgotten you and the situation or needs…You are on His mind and in His plans.  Keep hanging on to Him, obeying God for today and trusting Him for tomorrow…and one day, because of His faithfulness – you’ll have an incredible story of Glory and victory!  You and me both!

Much love to you, my friends… much love and many prayers~
Jennifer

” ‘I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work.’ God’s Decree.  ‘For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.’ “   Isaiah 55:8-9 (Msg)

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”  Jeremiah 29:11 (Msg)

This was sent to me a while ago and I stored it away in my draft folder.  Wow! These truly are 45 wise things to remember as we walk this life God has given us.   This list was was written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the local newspaper “The Plain Dealer”, Cleveland, Ohio.  Hope it makes you think and re-think a few things~

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:


1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good..


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.


3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.


5. Pay off your credit cards every month.


6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree..


7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.


8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.


9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.


10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.


11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.


12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.


13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.


15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.


16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.


17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.


18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.


19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.


20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.


21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.


22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.


23.. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.


24. The most important sex organ is the brain.


25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.


26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’


27. Always choose life.


28. Forgive everyone everything.


29. What other people think of you is none of your business.


30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.


31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.


32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


33. Believe in miracles.


34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.


35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.


36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.


37. Your children get only one childhood.


38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
A men to all of that! Right?  Have a great rest of the week, friends.