Thursday, June 10, 2010

The Empty Nest

I thought I would share something I recently wrote to my cousin, one of my dearest life long friends. She and I are only a couple of months apart in age and we have shared life all these years...to this day we have the sweetest, most treasured friendship...truly a sweet blessing!

Last Friday her sweet daughter got married, the second of her three children. As I was writing a card to her the words began to flow from my pen. Having experienced the complete emptying of the nest, I felt I had some thoughts to share with her.


"Your sweet, cozy nest is emptying out...one little chick-a-dee at a time they are flying off into this great big world. Building nests of their own, one stick, one feather at a time.

It is going to take some time to create a nest as cozy as the one they left.
In fact their nest will never be just like the one they spent their lives being nurtured in.
Theirs will be a reflection of who they are, who they have become. They are building their nest with their own unique materials; those things that appeal to them and their little love bird. Those things that are readily accessible to them.

It is a process, it is going to take the little love birds some time to create a nest that will one day hold and nurture their own little baby chicks.

It was time for your baby birdy to get up and leave the coziness she had grown up with, that she was accustomed to. Her wings were itching to be stretched, when she stood up she was bumping into Mama and Papa Bird.
Tis the cycle of life.....

Sometimes painful and emotional; but all part of the plan God created when He made us.
He has a plan - He is Almighty, Omnipotent and Sovereign in all His ways.

So, Mama bird...Nurturer of souls, lover of your baby birds, the one who has labored faithfully to build your nest - the one your precious chick-a-dee's enjoyed and appreciated...
Know that you have done what God created you to do, and you have done it well. you have given your grown-up chicks all that they need...a strong foundation, in which to build the rest of their life upon.

You are amazing....the emptying nest is your newest adventure in life, your newest season....ENJOY IT!!!!!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

The Miracle of Marriage

Ah how nice it was to put down all the irons I have in the fire and just step away!

My husband and I enjoyed a long awaited, much needed and well-deserved long weekend. We attended a wedding of my sweet neice and her love who will now be sharing our anniversary date! We celebrated our 33 years while witnessing them taking their vows, their hearts full of love and promise and hope for the future....while I looked over at the love of my life and felt my heart swell with gratitude for all these years we have had together.

Many people seem to think that if you have made it to these big number anniversaries you have probably never experienced any difficult times or that for whatever reason, you have just "lucked out". Much as I know and believe that we have definitely been blessed with an amazing relationship, marriage and life together...it has never come without effort, labor, dedication and diligence. Marriage is like that, it takes a lot to keep it going, to keep the fire burning, to keep the communication open and the joy in the journey.

Hard work but JOY all mixed together!!! The greatest mixture I know!

We have had our fair share of troubles and trials...we have had our fair share of disagreements...but there have been a few rules we have always lived by and I think that is key.

We have never EVER discussed ANY options. There was never any question that we were in this thing for LIFE!! NEVER!!! You cannot threaten or be threatened about divorce, it will just erode your very foundation!

He treats me like a Queen and I treat him like a King!!! That has been our most amazing discovery!! It works wonders!!! Try it, you will seriously never go back to your old ways!

We nurture our relationship on a regular basis. Taking time/making time to be together and to talk....really listening and paying attention to one another.

We are each other's top priority. We both enjoy our family, friends, activities, hobbies, etc...but, we always keep each other and our time together as our top priority.

That is above all else but AFTER our relationship with GOD. HE is at the top of the pyramid of our love and our relationship. The closer we come to Him the closer we become to one another...the same way we become further from one another when we grow distant from God. We know this to be true so we nurture our relationship with the Lord and with one another.

I thank God every single day for blessing me with such an amazing man. I know he is a gift from God. I pray that we will live forever in love and laughter and enjoy the many blessings of the Lord TOGETHER!!!

I pray the same for you dear ones!!!!
XO

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

So much to say and so little time to say it!!

Ever since I started this blog I find myself randomly thinking....hmmm I want to blog about that! Problem is, it would be a full time job if I did. Not that I would mind that, I would rather love it, but I am pretty sure it does not pay ;)

I find inspiration in the conversations I have, in the people I meet, in the stories I hear. I find lessons to be learned in much of my life. I am a willing vessel...always willing to learn and GrOw.

I love my new season in life because I can glean and share in ways that I never thought I could....I am anxious to always be USED for the Lord. I love being His servant, His daughter, a child of the living God!!!

How about you my friend? Are you listening to the world around you, paying attention to your surroundings and learning and GrOwing in the Lord, in your relationship with Him??

Let me challenge you to do so. To read His word, get it into your heart and soul....write His word upon your heart (by memorizing scripture).

Spend time DAILY chattin' it up with Him! He longs for you, for time with you....just the two of you! Make the time, it will not just happen....

Matthew 6:33 says; "Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of GOD and His righteousness and these things shall be added unto you."

Put Him on the top of your list. FIRST PLACE!
You will never be sorry you did!!!

Love & Blessings to you as you GrOw in the Lord more and more every day!
XO
Sherry