Grace, Giggles, and Gratitude
Hello!
Waves of Happiness
As the warmer weather of the upcoming summer begins to make its way into our days, I giggle with excitement and gratitude of anticipated beach trips. Being just a few hours away, it has always been a common destination spot for our family vacations and a couple’s get away. Gentle breezes mixed with the cozy blanket of sunshine, sand between our toes and the natural rhythm of the waves as they crescendo to shore-a happy place indeed! God on display!
I remember how the landscape of crowds, similar beach chairs, sand toys and umbrellas would camouflage “our spot” especially to the less than Birds-Eye view of our children. Walking into the water with them to determine an obvious landmark, that would serve as their true north, was essential on our trips. With all of the splashes of happiness experienced, the drift of the water was often undetected. Where they entered the water was not where they typically exited. It didn’t feel like they were drifting. They didn’t notice that they were drifting. Everything was just good and fine until it wasn’t. They looked up and they were not where they belonged. The waves of happiness quickly began to dissipate and in panic, they began to wonder, “How did we get here and how do we get back?”I see this same scenario played out in different areas in life, but especially in marriages.
The Drift
Drifting involves steady movement, a gradual change-not noticeable at first. Often in marriage it is not the BIG obstacles that cause the most damage, but rather the slow and steady neglect of what is most treasured; our relationship. Ironically, complacency is often birthed while waves of happiness are rolling in; life is going well, work is successful, the kids are thriving AND we get lazy. You didn’t feel like you were drifting. You didn’t notice you were drifting. Everything was good and fine until it wasn’t. Find your landmark and your True North.
Our marriage commitment is our landmark and Jesus, our True North, is essential in helping us throughout it. God initiated love. He loved first. He didn’t wait on us. That’s grace! (1 John 4) We learn that love is a choice, a decision. It is not something you fall into or out of but rather an act of the will. Loving actions will begin to produce loving feelings. We choose!
Stop the Drift
How can you love today? Go first, quit waiting!
What are some of the essential ways your spouse receives love? If you don’t know, ask!
Pay attention to what takes your attention-both the good and bad and set firm boundaries.
(Examples- Serving others but neglecting your spouse/marriage, overcommitting with activities especially with the kids, social media)
What does a fun outing look like for each of you? Talk about it, schedule it, do it!
Encourage your spouse!
Say “Thank you!” Tell your kids “no” and your spouse “yes”!
Steady movement TOWARDS one another produces gradual change, and before you know it, you’ll be back at the beach filled with grace, gratitude and hopefully some giggles!
Let’s put our toes in the sand,
Stephanie, CLC
Grace House Coaching
Hello,
Simple Wonder
The joy of watching littles discover the world fills me with gratitude. Bare feet feeling the green grass for the first time, eyes fixed in the direction of new sounds, discovering that they, too, can make sounds, EVERYTHING being taste-tested…what awe and wonder to witness. We don’t just get to witness it, we get to help them learn and grow as we experience it with them.
As a parent or grandparent we want to give our kids/grands all the things. And yet, I was recently struck by the joy and the sense of accomplishment that was displayed by our youngest granddaughter. While at the doctor’s office, she realized she could crinkle the paper she was sitting on with her feet and crinkle it she did. In so doing and to her delight, it made sounds and forced the paper to dance within her reach. Quickly, that same paper was being fished out of her mouth. I giggled over how fast it ended up there and, at the fact, that of all the small toys we had to offer, the paper had won out. Her joy was obvious and multiplied because she had an audience to enjoy it with.
Empty
In sharing the story with my spouse, my own childhood memories were rekindled. I can remember a favorite, getting a new red bike with training wheels. It was just perfect! Not only was it perfect, but the large box that it came in created a two-for-one win! Empty boxes were a treasured commodity growing up and we could make them into just about anything; forts, sleds, shields, oceans…the list goes on and on. While I was excited and appreciative over my new bike, what the box had to offer was equally valued.
It is so easy to become fixated on all that we want or think that we want. It is also easy to become disenchanted with what we already have. Comparison truly can become a thief of joy but gratitude turns what we have into enough!
Today I am just so grateful for empty, the EMPTY TOMB!
“They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him! Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the LORD!’” John 20:2 & 18
No matter your earthly status or number of “toys,” we are all equally valued and equally in need of saving grace. Jesus experienced death on the cross for us, emptying us of our sin so that we could be filled and raised to experience new life with Him!
When was the last time you were barefoot on the grass?
How are you experiencing the simple wonder of life all around you? With who?
What are you grateful for today?
While it is one of my deepest pleasures to help teach and love on my grands, I couldn’t help but catch the irony of all that they teach and reteach me. I hope you find a patch of grass, take a seat, and bask in the simple wonder of Empty!
He is Risen,
Stephanie, CLC
Grace House Coaching
Hello,
Lemons or Lemonade
I love pulling over to buy a cup of lemonade from lemonade stands of our youngest entrepreneurs! From the handmade sign to the customer service, I just delight in the joy of their accomplishments. My favorite is hearing the “why” behind their idea of selling lemonade and the “how” they went about it. The giggles come with their honesty!
I hear people of all ages share lots and lots of great ideas! But, a great idea is just a great idea unless you have steps of action. At the start of 2024, many people will spend time deciding on New Year’s resolutions; an idea(s). And, many people will fall short quickly and throw in the towel. Our world presents the “Go big or go home,” mindset which can result in setting unrealistic goals. These unrealistic goals leave most feeling defeated, less-than or unable, certainly not what God would intend for us. Scripture presents, “Come follow me,” and requires one step at a time. Small steps of faith leave most feeling courageous, purposeful, productive, and able, even when we take a few detours=grace!
The delightful news is that we don’t have to just rely on our own intelligence, ideas, and gifts/talents to create vision or goals for our future. Instead, we get to connect with God through the Holy Spirit. He is the “why” behind the what and the leader of the “how”.
For each of you, your process may look a little different. For me, I always start with gratitude and grace. I ask the Lord to remind me, as I reflect on 2023, of the many forward steps I got to take. I break it down into three categories; requirements, desires, and purpose.
A. Requirements are the things I have to do, such as work, home keeping, bills etc.
B. Desires/Passions include my wants as well as my gifting, such as travel, GRANDparenting,
Coaching, teaching, etc.
C. Purpose is to display Him and His glory through my life.
While my requirements and desires are ever-changing, my purpose remains the same.
So, in what areas was there lemonade? Praise, God! What did I learn from the lemons? Praise, God!
This reflection helps me decide what I want to stop doing and what I want to keep doing. And, it helps me to plan for and put a new idea(s) into ACTION based on my requirement load, my desires and my passions in accordance with my ultimate purpose.
So what’s your lemonade?
Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. Ask Him to show you. Maybe that is your new step; making time to seek Him in 2024. Create a spot. Set a time. Pick a plan.
Other Questions to help you consider:
What delights you?
What gifts come naturally?
What areas in your life allow room for growth right now?
Choose one idea at a time. Know your “why” and plan for your “how” including the steps involved. Tell someone=accountability. Take a step, rejoice. Take another. Expect a setback or two and definitely some discomfort=normal. Keep going. Make your lemonade!
To keep it real-
I want to stop unnecessary emails by unsubscribing to at least five each Monday.
I want to start my day without using my phone for at least the first hour. (I listed the benefits and I curiously and compassionately looked at what makes me grab it.) By the way, I was thirty-three before I ever had one so it’s possible.
My spouse and I, along with our pastor will be hosting a marriage conference the first Friday and Saturday in March. The plan is in progress, steps are being taken and you are our accountability. Yes, it’s both scary and exciting. No, my marriage isn’t perfect. Yes, I’m willing to follow.
Wishing you forward progress in 2024 and always willing to help Coach you along.
Keep squeezing, remember we need the lemons to get the lemonade!
Stephanie, CLC
Grace House Coaching
