A Little Dance, A Little Song

One of the best and most fulfilling parts of my life so far has been being an aunt. Don't get me wrong, daughter, sister, wife, friend... they are all important but the aunt role has a special little place in my heart. Maybe it's because I was the youngest in my family, so I never had someone to baby and cuddle... or boss around. :) But I really think it's because we aunts, we have it the best.

An aunt can let nieces and nephews sit on the counter and stir the brownie mix, getting the mixture all over them. With an aunt, extra sprinkles is okay. With an aunt, you can jump on the cushions and play pretend. An aunt gives little drops of advice, that though heard every day, may stand out when it is said from an aunt. An aunt gets to give some of the best gifts because you ask your brother or sister what they REALLY want! An aunt is a friend, mentor and best of all FAMILY for life. I have three nephews and five little nieces. They are all absolutely precious and my heart just melts over them when I get to spend time with them. 

One of my nieces is named Kaitlin, she is absolutely a kick. She loves to sing and dance to her Disney princess songs, or the little church songs they learn at her school. She is only four years old, but she has quite the song list. She keeps her brother Andrew up at night because she won't stop singing. While this is very frustrating for my sister's entire household, I secretly love it! It cracks me up because I was the exact same way. My brothers and sisters would call down the stairs, "Mom, make Brittany be quiet!!"

When Kaitlin and Andrew's Christmas Production came around, we were all excited to go watch them sing on stage. We came with video and cameras, and set up as close to the stage as possible. I have to say, even if you don't know anyone on the stage, watching a hundred 2-5 year old children is hilarious. 

They marched on stage, we spotted them and immediately started waving, taking pictures and then the music came on. Here we go!

Andrew was a typical oldest child, every move to perfection and every word memorized. Kaitlin, the little singer, the dreamer, the dancer: nothing. She was not moving, staring downward with a very concerned look on her face. She remained that way the entire time. All of us were saying "Kaitlin, dance! Sing!" We were rooting for her with all our hearts. Did it matter to us if she was perfect? Did we care if she did all right moves? Would we look down on her for messing up? Of course not! We would have only cared that she had fun and went for it! But in that moment, our little singing, dancing, princess was paralyzed with fear. 

It was then that God showed me part of his heart for us.  If in my heart as an aunt, I took so much joy in watching Kaitlin and Andrew live and have fun, how much more is God's heart for us to live freely, unburdened by fear. I imagine when God sees us in fear, he says "don't worry, don't be afraid, it doesn't have to be perfect! Live for me, speak about me, love other people in my name, give, share, dance! Even if you dance a little, sing a little, I will love it and be proud that you did even that much". He wants so badly for us to enjoy our lives and be free from fear. How many times do we stop the song or dance of our lives because we are afraid? How many times have I shied away from doing the things God has called me to do? That is not God's plan for us who are called to his purposes. He wants us to dance, sing, have fun, laugh, play, and dream.

God's heart is rooting for us. When I saw Kate on stage afraid, I wasn't disappointed in her. I only wanted to encourage her that she can do it. When we hold back or hesitate to what God has for us, I believe God has that same heart, "you can do it, I am here for you, don't give up." I know that if I as an aunt felt that way, how much more does God, our creator, feel that way. He takes joy in us. We are His children. Just as many of you have your own children, remember that we are God's children, and His heart is even more for us than ours is for our own children... or nieces and nephews. :)

He is a good Dad. And His heart is for you.

There is no scripture that I looked for to back this up, although I know I could find some. There is no big concept here to grasp. Just a little moment in the life of a four year old, and an aunt who got a glimpse of God's love for us and wanting us to dance. 

And the next time Kaitlin went on that stage, my heart overflowed as she danced and sang. 

Confessions of a Southern Girl.

I am a Southern Woman. I capitalize it because... we are kind of our own group. ;) I identify with almost all things southern. Some of the southern women stereotypes include that a southern girl takes care of her man,  loves fiercely, protects her family, is hospitable, keeps her house clean...and don't even get me started on Southern Mommas. They are capitalized because I believe they are their own group too! I live a southern life: sweet tea, accents, outdoors, decor, sunscreen and moisturizer, and of course family. I say things like, "sweet heart, bless your heart, yes and no mam, y'all come back, stop by any time". The list goes on...

But I have a secret shame to my southern girl life. Ready for it?

.....I can't cook.

Don't judge! :) For all the non-southerners out there, yeah, I know this isn't a big deal to you. But if you understood how many times a southern girl gets asked this in her lifetime, you would understand the importance of her learning, stat. What makes it even "worse" is my husband cooks... GREAT. That wasn't sarcastic, he really is a great cook. He also loves to grocery shop (sorry ladies, both his brothers are already married). Tyler goes grocery shopping and comes back in 20 minutes with everything we need. I go grocery shopping, ask for help, call my mom for a location on about every other item on my list, circle the store so many times I convince myself that I don't have to work out later, and come back 2 hours later. Needless to say, it has become an issue. You know how most men gain a little weight after they get married? My husband lost weight...fifty pounds! lol...granted I was going to grad school most nights. :) Kidding! I can't take any credit for his success. What was his secret?? Big shocker: he worked out and ate healthy! I know that's not what you wanted to hear! Anyway, no excuses, I have to learn to cook. So recently I found a great little webpage called Dashing Dish. Please find the link below. This is a Christian lady who makes wonderful recipes that are simple to make and healthy. Will I become a member? Why yes. :)

Tonight I decided to tackle chili... made in a crock pot. Our three year anniversary is in December. This is the first time I have used my crock pot since getting married. Let me just tell you, I amped myself up for this cooking event tonight. It was in my planner, I pulled out all the ingredients, I set aside a chunk of time. And then I read the directions. They went something like this:

1. Cook meat and onions.
2. Put all other ingredients in pot.
3. Once meat is cooked, put in pot.
4. Cover and heat for 4 hours.

At least that's my rendition. Really?!?! I had to laugh out loud! Man, I may not know my way around H.E.B. or the kitchen, but I know my way around a crock pot! Mind you, about 98% of the "other ingredients" are canned vegetables. My kind of recipe! So as I was getting through the strenuous part of tonight's cooking, opening the cans, I began to think about how much I had psyched myself out for this "huge task".

How many times are we like this over things? We worry, we plan, we play out conversations in our mind, we consult others about it. Maybe if I stopped and took time to "read the directions" or hear from God, I would realize that what I am so worried about, may actually be easier than I thought. Maybe it's not always a big deal.

Lately, I have been seeing this little post on Facebook... and Pinterest... and Instagram, that says, "have you prayed about it, as much as you have talked about it?" Another confession, sometimes these little one-liners annoy me! But this one stuck in my head and I am reminded of it as I write this blog. Have I, do we, pray about it FIRST. For many of us our natural instinct is to first DO something about it, whether that be think about, or talk about it with someone. But again, I think God's plan and direction is to first hear his word on it. It may be as simple as "pray for them" or "love them". If you are worried about a conversation or relationship, He can give you the right words to heal a relationship or ease a friend's worry. He will give you peace to overcome your obstacle, or strength to do something that would have been hard for you to do on your own.

The ingredients are all in the crockpot now, and what started out as a huge endeavor has ended as one of the most simple things I have accomplished today. Will the things God calls you to do always be easy? No, I believe some will be difficult. But we don't need to worry in advance and magnify it before we have even started. We come to God first, magnify him in our life and in the situation, and wait for His directions. Maybe I should have read the directions first. :) But I am kind of glad I didn't because it allowed God to speak this simple truth to my heart.

Matthew 11:30 "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"

Blessings,

Bri

www.dashingdish.com 

Rest.

I woke up this morning to my alarm fervently reminding me that I had stuff to do. I dragged myself out of bed. My alarm was set so that I would have the exact number of minutes it would take me to get dressed and get out the door. I slipped into my clothes, washed my face, brushed my teeth, grabbed my purse, and my breakfast and headed out the door. The way to school was filled with drinking my breakfast smoothie, brushing my hair and yes... putting on my make-up, all while it was still dark outside. I pull up to the lit up parking lot by 6:45 and at 6:50 two students walk in for tutoring. I put on my smile face.

"Hi, good morning, how are you?" I can only imagine that if I haven't adjusted in 26 years to waking up early, I am pretty sure they haven't either.

Their responses, "tired!" It was the expected response. The one I hear at least ten times a day and probably much more, coming from kids, teens, adults... and if I were honest enough and could down right come out with it, I am tired too!

I can't help but think we are not supposed to feel this tired! When I think on it, God tells us two things we can do to help us gain energy. The first thing we can do is pray. Jesus would wake up early in the morning to pray. Prayer puts us in God's presence and his presence is full of life, peace and restoration. If we are mentally tired, prayer can give us clarity into situations. If it's emotional fatigue, we finally gain rest by letting God take control. If it is a heavy burden, spiritual fatigue, we gain strength with the renewed perspective that God is on our side. And our physical fatique can be alleviated through prayer by the rest that comes from simply being in his presence. He is a good God and only good things come from taking time to meet with Him.

The second thing to do it literally rest. I have loved music my whole life and learned what the "rest" symbol looked like on sheet music as a young girl. The rest is a slight pause, the director can make it exaggerated or simple but the music pauses and then continues as normal. A couple of years ago I read about a little girl learning to play the piano. She could not understand why she needed to rest when she saw the symbol on her sheet music. Her instructor stated simply, "because the rest makes the rest of the music even more beautiful."

I think on this story often and though I sometimes fight rest with all that I am, I want the music of my life to be beautiful. I want to pour out good things to those around me, I want it to be sweet to the people I love and encounter. And most of all I want to live my life fully because the Lord has given me, has given all of us, breath each day for a purpose. I want to have rested enough to bring Him glory and live my purpose each day.

So when I think I am above rest, when I think that what I have to do is my number one priority or will help me feel better getting it off my check list. I remember that sometimes the most energy doesn't come from marking off the check list or keeping myself busy all day but it comes from staying in prayer with God through out the day and from rest.

A Word.

As I was praying a couple of days ago, I felt like God spoke the words below to me. Any time God speaks a word, whether it's in your heart or through someone else, it makes you feel SO special. I love this because we are so very special to God. Just as parent's adore their children, the Lord's love for us is that of adoration. So here is my word, and I was thinking it just may be for you too.

"It's a clean-out season of life. It's a finish season. It's a time-to-get-back-to-basics. 
It's letting go of the old to receive the new. 
It's a refreshment, a break, an excuse,
to finally let go of anything you've been clinging to...
So, let it go.

Do not fear or worry or say what if, but let it go.
Do not fret or dawdle or dwell or over think, let it go.

Do not be consumed or taken back.
It's not ungodly but freeing. Let it go."

Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

So there it is. My word, and maybe your word too. I pray that God shows me these times as they come this year. That when a "let it go" situation arrives, that I would remember these words. Now, if this does not speak to you at all, ignore it :) But if it resignates with your spirit, pray about it. It just might be God's word to you.

Be blessed.

love,

bri

 

  

Bird Nest.

I know the expected response from any Southern girl to the question, "what's your favorite season?" should be summer. I enjoy ice tea, lazy days on the lake, and my time off as a teacher,  but for the most part I am definitely a fall-and-winter-type girl. Yes, the scarves, boots and holidays might have something to do with it. But mainly it's the crisp weather, crunchy leaves, bundling up, crackling fireplaces, and smell- inside it's warm and cozy while outside it’s clean and crisp as if everything has been washed.

In the summer I have to wait until it is almost dark to go out for a walk or run, but in the winter I can walk outside almost any time and breathe in fresh air that is untainted by humidity. ;)

Over the Christmas break I had the chance to go on many walks and take in God’s beauty. Trees bare and beautiful without leafs; what is hidden a majority of the year is suddenly revealed. Several of the trees that line the paths have small bird nests tucked up high and cozy. These little nests, which have been hidden through every season are now visible enough that I can see each little branch and leaf that holds them together.

How clever… to take the scraps and make a home. What God does in our own lives, he reflects in even the smallest parts of nature. He takes the broken, the left over, the useless and gives it purpose and importance. Those little bits and pieces may never be what they once were, but they are something new.

As you start this new year and especially after the holiday season, what little bits and pieces do you have in your life that need to be given to God? What areas do you need to lift up to God and say, please take this or make it something new.