Heart Choices: 2011-02-06 -->

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Thankful Thursday ~ Special Moments



I'm so thankful for Thankful Thursday!  It provides me with an opportunity to look at my life through a different lens.  It's all too easy to find what's wrong and get annoyed by circumstances.  And learning to praise God in the midst of a storm can be challenging. 

Thankful Thursday helps to keep me on track.

I'm so thankful for the little children I get to work with all week.  They are such good medicine for me. The Lord knows I have a heart for the little ones.  He has blessed me with a job where I get to spend time with three year olds all day.  Seeing their smiling (and sometimes tearful faces) does wonders for my heart.

With all the stress in my life, I've not felt very attractive lately.   I look in the mirror and see the changes that worry can bring to a face.  But I'm slowly learning to surrender the worries to the Lord.

But, I must be honest with you.  I love makeup, skincare products and even highlights for my hair.  And lately I've not been able to do much of that.  I'm learning that I'm not going to look the same way I did when I was 30 or 40 or ...even 50 years old. 

Amar's feet

But how thankful I am for my first grade after school girls.  Three of them were combing their hair.  One of them asked me to help her.  She had a mirror and was smiling after observing the ponytail I put in her hair.  She turned the mirror towards me and I quickly put my hand up and said no, that's OK.  Amar looked at me with such a questioning look and simply said "You're beautiful Miss Debbie".  I could have cried and I gave her a hug and thanked her.

And then last evening I returned home from work.  I opened the door and my husband Greg was standing there simply looking at me.  He told me he'd spent a long time reading my blog. 

Greg

And guess what?  He was smiling!  He said he felt honored to be married to me and that reading my blog allowed him to really see another part of my heart.  I was so thrilled and happy.  I want my loved ones to truly hear my heart.  And that's what I do on Heart Choices. 

Even though this has been a very challenging week, I've been able to notice and appreciate those special moments that are a gift from the Lord.

And for that I'm so thankful.   How about you?  Can you try to look through a thankful lens to see your special moments?

I encourage you to visit Laurie of Women Taking A Stand for more Thankful Thursday posts.

Blessings and love,
QuickEdit

IOWT ~ God's Timing



It's In Other Words Tuesday.  I'm linking up with Deborah of Chocolate and Coffee.

Here's the quote Deborah chose for us to write about this week:


When I first read this quote, I realized I had to participate this week.  Right now, this is such a huge challenge for me.  It's so easy for me to run on ahead of God.  After all, it only makes sense to do something, right?

But sometimes the Lord seems to allow me to continue in a trial even when I think I've learned the lesson.  My temptation is to question why.  But His timing is perfect and His ways are so much higher than mine.

So, I learn to live by faith and ...not by sight. 

But what does that involve?

TRUST

For me, that's a struggle.  But I long to learn to trust.  I must not give in to my feelings.  Instead, I make the daily and sometimes momentary choice to ...wait and trust God.


And in the midst of the waiting, I also learn ...
  • Patience
  • Dependence upon Him
  • To view life differently
  • To be sensitive to others who are suffering
  • To realize that this life is an opportunity to glorify God
So I make the choice to WAIT on God's timing.  And I'm learning to praise Him in the midst of the storm.

How about you?  Are you running ahead or resting in the Lord, trusting His ways and His timing?

Blessings and love,
QuickEdit

Do You Need to Lose Weight?


(Google Image)
Losing weight can be hard!  The past two years have been difficult and I must admit I've indulged more than I should.  And I know better!

But I've found that food can be such a comfort.  But it's only temporary and then ...I feel worse.

I've been hearing more and more about a new book by Lysa TerKeurst called
Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food.

Check out this short video as Lysa introduces this book:



I've lost a few pounds since I began working all day with little children. But I know I need to get back to a consistent routine of exercise and portion control.

Instead of running to the refrigerator for comfort, I want to run to the Lord. Only He can provide that comfort I need.

How about you? Do you struggle in this area?

Hang in there. You are not alone. And I'll share my thoughts about Lysa's book after I use that gift certificate.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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