Present Perfect

I'm a planner, which makes me great to have on trips. Why, yes, I brought the band-aids and antacid. No, I didn't forget the passports! However, the flip side is that I instinctively plan for the next day, even while I'm in the current day.

...Consequently missing what God might be speaking to me right this minute.

But, I am learning in these days to live in the moment and not to wish that tomorrow was already here or pine away for a yesterday that already was....
TODAY-- I can hear God's voice
TODAY--I can be thankful for something
TODAY--I can help someone and be kind
TODAY--something amazing might just happen

I am reading a book--actually I'm reading my iPhone screen loaded with the text of a book-- called "Present Perfect" by Gregory Boyd.  Here is a quote that caught my attention:

While the true God lives in the now, false gods always live in the past or future.  Chasing them to find our worth and significance always takes us out of the present moment

So, what the author tells me is--God is here with me TODAY.

In light of these new reminders, I took Lora out on my afternoon jog.  I was originally planning on a decent 4-5K with an average pace, backed up by my favorite praise music in the headphones.  Look at sheep, watch the clouds, breathe in/breathe out (holding my breath while passing the sheep pens. Those guys seriously STINK. You know that painting we see with Jesus holding the one lost lamb over his shoulders?  Well, it would almost have to be a miracle man doing that heroic task with the smells he would have endured). The plans changed as Lora continued to ask me when she could go on a jog with me. She had been asking, but I had been postponing.  Today, I realized this bundle of a passionate child wants to go out on a jog with her mommy.  So we...walked with a bit of sprinting. We held hands, we made up songs, we talked about the sheep and dogs. We had fun.
I'm so glad I chose to do what was good for the DAY, not what I had planned to do--while that would have been good for my body, today's choice of jogging with Lora was good for my soul and hers.

Surely tomorrow has another gift for me, if I choose to live in the present and not in the future. Or the past.

I urge you to do the same.

If you need a kick start, pull out the thankfulness card.  Being thankful for your blessings allows your heart to drift towards contentment and away from worry and complaining about the troubles and lack (perceived lack??). If we can stop fretting about what might happen tomorrow, we are able to remember what we actually have today. I read in my "Jesus Calling" devo book that when we worry about tomorrow, we are most likely leaving God out of the imagined scenario. We are thinking about how we can solve a problem in our own strength. We don't sit here today and imagine how God will deliver us or miraculously intervene on our behalf. We don't imagine the peace we'll feel, even though our radiator overheats. But, God will be there with us when it happens. So, let's just live in the present. Canna Getta "AMEN"

Jesus, the Hero. Able to withstand mighty stinks for the love of the sheep

 Psalm 118:24  This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

The Present is Perfect for the Presence of God

God's the Boss

I just don't know what to say.
So, let's bring up the weather.
No, my kids and their achievements.
Or, let's switch the subject to you....

Or, I could think really hard about what I do and don't like about the way God created me. Or, about the lessons I've learned recently........

That's it. That is what I need to share with you.

---excerpts from an actual Leigh Anne Green head conversation with herself

Here's a "God's The Boss" story for you today....

Recently, I had our car tuned up, oil changed, and wiper blades changed at a local mechanic. When I picked the car up, there was a small crack on the windshield that grew rapidly. At first, I questioned if it was there before I took it in, but after watching it spread from the point of impact at the base of the wiper blades, I thought the mechanic must have accidentally done this. I thought surely he would pay to replace it once it was clear they were at fault.

Well, in a perfect world with mannequins.

When I took it back to the mechanic, the interaction between us wasn't the most peaceful and they were reticent to admit fault. It was an odd interaction, but I ended up feeling like a pushy customer. The men at the shop were telling me "not to worry about the crack, it wouldn't leak water." Duh. Yeah, I've been driving for over 20 years now, so I was indeed aware of that. It was more the unjust feeling of "you did this" that was stuck in my head. I was irritated when the deal was finished, but was thankful to get my car back with a new windshield. I drove away quickly and resolved to never go there again.

Then today happened.

Because of heavy traffic, I turned a different way to go to work. I even remember asking God quickly "should I really go this way?" and I did think that it was time for the detour.  Sitting at the traffic light, I hear a small sound and look at my temperature gauge which is near to the HOT indicator.  Oh man!!!!
And immediately I recognized that I was just a stone's throw from the mechanic's shop. You are kidding me, right, God?  I was feeling rebellious and not wanting to call that mechanic, but instead open up the hood (in my work dress--with my blonde hair blowing--on the highway in Jordan---are you seeing how far fetched I was???) and attempt to open the fuming radiator cap by myself.  Trey offered to come drive across town to help me, or....
I could just call the mechanic.

I had to think, to pause, and proceed to surrender my obstinate will.

And called the mechanic.

I wondered if he would even answer after seeing my phone number on the caller ID.
He answered and was helpful. I drove the car to his shop and the guys filled up the empty radiator (after the steam blew everywhere. So glad that I didn't try that on the highway--in my dress--amongst the traffic jam of humanity) and tested the hoses and belts.  All free of charge.

But let's talk about the invisible aspect of feelings and what was happening in the Spirit--there was a relational shift that happened. This mechanic was slightly cold to me at first--the pushy customer from last week. I departed from the previous encounter not intending to bless him or anyone else related to his place of business. Maybe I left an impression about Americans, about Christians, about me--I don't know, but the impression was not a lovely one. No fragrance of Christ--even if he actually did crack the windshield.

---side note:  Sometimes being right isn't always the main point. I have GOT to write this on my palm so I don't forget it.

Then I receive my blessing... of an overheated radiator that caused me to be thrust, as it were, back into the messy sea of feelings and thoughts that I stirred up. Let's look at my challenge that way, shall we?  An opportunity to make right a wrong in my heart.  I was able to be kind to the mechanic and staff, and be overly thankful for their services for me, and wipe the slate clean. I  even referred another job to them.

God did this for me today. He gave me a second chance to finish the job and run the race well. He allowed me to not carry unnecessary baggage in my heart during the race.  I do believe I'm destined to win.

And, so are you.

Let's be thankful God's the Boss--He is infinitely wise and kind. I hope you see His hand pushing you towards uncomfortable ropes you've tied off in your life.  While it seems horribly uncool and oddly coincidental at the time, the Father has your best interest at heart. I encourage you, from my repeated experience, to walk through the ropes you never wanted to untie and recross them in peace.

Receive restoration.

 

“I do not say that I have already won the race or have already reached perfection. But I am pressing on, striving to lay hold of the prize for which also Christ has laid hold of me.”
  Philippians 3:12

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
1 Corinthians 9:24

(Fast chocolate chip cookie recipe) aka: Easy way to be your family's hero if you have 30 minutes

Hey there,
From one of the reigning queens of practicality in this day and age, to you, my wonderful friend:
I give to you a precious jewel.
A help in a pinch
An opportunity to bless anyone from ages 1 to 99.

The fastest homemade cookies you'll ever see,
(via Angie Schupp, MD, BFF) another reigning queen of practicality with a higher rank than I hold.

Ingredients, in order of use:

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil (corn, canola)
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, light or dark
• 1 tsp vanilla flavoring, or more
• 2 eggs 

I put add the first 4 ingredients in a mixing bowl  and mix with a fork. Then I add the eggs and mix them also with the same fork.

•  2 1/2 cup flour, or 1 1/2 c flour and 1 c oats
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt

OK. here's the deal.  I add the dry ingredients right on top of the wet ingredients in the same bowl. None of that "two bowls and hand mixers" stuff for me--I wash too many dishes as it is.
Adding the dry right on top of the wet, I then mix it in the dough with the same fork as above.  Get a bit of exercise and stir it right up.  Let's just put KitchenAid right out of business and use our biceps to mix stuff.

• 1/2 bag of any chocolate or butterscotch chips.

Place them in spoonfuls/blobs/well shaped balls on a cookie sheet in the preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, depending on your oven. When they come out, slightly cooked on top, let them sit on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes while the dough sets to harden. Then you can use a spatula and remove the cookie before it sticks to the sheet and crumbles to pieces. C'mon--you've been there, right?


I really think they are yummy. Cheaper and easier than baking with butter or Crisco (at least overseas prices) and I can mix it with a fork. If I have butter flavoring, I'll add a cap full to make up for any loss from not using butter.

Being honest: I use the same1/2 cup measure scoop for the whole recipe.  I fill it up 1.5 times for the oil, then dip it into the sugars and let it get all sugary.  Then, I'm so careless as to use the same 1/2 cup scoop for my flour measurements. The scoop gets layers of ingredients on it and I just keep on using it, scraping it at the end into the bowl.  I use a tsp for the other smaller measurements.

Anyhow, the kids end up thinking I'm a hero, and it doesn't cost too much money or time. I have taught the older girls how to make them on their own, and now Camryn will often make them for us as a spontaneous gift, based half out of love/service and half out of eating dough while she works. Just imagine coming home to homemade cookies that you didn't make. Well, it is true. But it started with me doing it for her.


This is my mom tip for the day.

Cut corners and simplify, and the job becomes more manageable. You might find the job becomes more tolerable. Shall we venture to think it becomes fun?  Why yes, when love and joy are behind these jobs, they can become fun.
Honestly thought, some jobs, such as laundry or bathroom cleaning--even with all the simplification you can make, stay in the tolerable category.

Jesus said, "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!"

Happy Baking!

Leigh Anne

please let me know if you tried it and if you'd like other similar "too practical for my own good" recipes.

Mothering: how I learned what not to do

Hello Mothers and all you Others (a bit of rhyme to start your day off right!)

These are some of the things I learned not to do as a mother, but we won't tell how I acquired such wisdom:

1. Work overtime until 5:30 when the day care closes at 5:30 and is located a good 20 minutes away.  That speeding freeway time will be guilt ridden as you imagine your toddler's face waiting for you in the lobby with the last remaining disgruntled childcare worker. All waiting for you, the lame mom--who may or may not have been stopped by the police on the way for speeding..

2. Get worried every time they say "my tummy hurts".  You'll run to set up trash cans for emergency puke, you might toss and turn all night long waiting to hear the Noise We All Dread.  Or even worse, you might lose a night's sleep on the couch, when all they needed to do was toot or poop.

3. Ignore the preschooler's backpack which might contain papers you should read, such as: Our play is Thursday at 11.  Forgetting the small things when life is busy can really backfire. You never know what day, at what moment those special messages and special moments of talking face to face, heart to heart will come.


4. Purchase lots of gimmicky kids' foods that are "all natural".  You know what else is all natural? Homemade stuff and fruits and veggies.  I have some super easy recipes I've put in my arsenal to make quick easy homemade food.  Even cookies. Recipes will follow later.....next time.

5.  Insist they eat every kind of food you put in front of them at every meal, especially after a gag reflex incident has occurred with the same food previously. We have a bad pumpkin bread story in our family.  I know it could be a strong, stubborn will that is making the child not eat the veggies, or the mashed potatoes, but it could be they don't like them.  I mean, do you like every single food? Personally, I hate olives and Lima beans.  My kids have slowly changed their eating opinions as the years go on.  I just kept offering and kept asking them to try a little bite. Try a bite. Not eat every spoonful, but try a bite. Reward the bite with a fruit or dessert. It helps if I model healthy eating, too.

6 Change their clothes often during the day.  As long as we don't have poop or spit up on the outfit, the sweet baby can sleep and even continue to wear her romper the next day! Less laundry for the maid. Which is, me.

7.  Speaking of maids, I learned that hardly anyone can afford a maid in the US.  I thought to myself  "I'm a busy, working mom, with little time to clean. I'll call those Merry Maids and have them come out someday."  After my quote of $125 for the day plus travel time, I rethought my need for a super clean house.  We can all just pitch in daily and do a bit here and there. And, if you train them while they're young, children are wonderful helpers.

8  Speaking of children, I learned they forgive quickly and like it when we apologize for overreacting and yelling at them when we blow our fuses. Yes, I yell.  Yes, I can admit my wrongs to the kids and receive a sweet forgiving hug.  They may be our kids and we can be tempted to boss them around like property, but they are also God's children that deserve equal opportunities for kindness.  I would never yell and not apologize to anyone else, so I should especially not do this for my own children.

They say mistakes are the best opportunities to learn, right? Well, I'm learning more every day then.

Spending my life's hours

Just when I was thinking about blogging about being a working mom, I find myself so busy that I can't post a thing for days.

Which brings me to my point.  Working moms have to hold our daily goals a bit more loosely if we plan to be worth anything to our families when the sun sets.

Giving an eye exam to my Dad

I have pushed my limits over the years, from full time work, to no work at all, and have settled in on part time work. In all these seasons, I have discovered some things that bring me happiness and fulfillment. I have (finally) tried to keep the things in my life that bring me joy at the forefront, no matter what season we are in.

Let's put it this way:   I need to eat. I will find time everyday to get sustenance, no matter what I have in the pantry or in the wallet. I could be nearly broke, but I'd still  prefer to eat beans and rice or PBJ over a McDonalds hamburger with my last 50 cents. We all choose how we spend our precious money, just like we choose how we spend our precious time. Life doesn't just happen, we spend it.

We all have the same 24 hours in the day. Cliche!!! Edit me now!!!

Well, here is one for ya...when you fly from Jordan back to the USA, you can gain anywhere from 6-9 hours, making the calendar day approach 30 hours~  Caveat: these are some of the most unproductive hours you might live, stuck on a plane, behind a 6 inch screen in the seat ahead of you, if you are lucky.
Stick to the regular 24 hours. It is all a human needs.

So, with our 24 hours, we can choose what to do with our time. I now know that I must do some of the things that bring me life every day. But not the same thing every day---no option for that rigid schedule with a family, a job, a house, and other wonderful life opportunities that come up.

What brings you life? What are your hobbies?

I hope you know the answers to these questions. If you can't, it should tell you that you aren't giving yourself enough space to enjoy being the person God made you to be. He didn't just make you to be a star accountant or a super-mom.  God has plans for all of us. We are first, a child of God, then we add on the other stuff as we "grow up".  Please don't forget that there is great purpose in just being ourselves, without the list of achievements. That stuff is just for show in this world, which can pass away in the blink of an eye.

One time, I had the feeling I could paint some canvases for decoration in our house. What? That is crazy. I'm not an artist, per se, but a science nerd who likes a well decorated, orderly house. Painters are free spirited, messy sorts that  have crazy hair and wear hats. Well, that is just the thinking that will keep me living in the lie that "you can't do it all. you can't work and be a good mom. you shouldn't bother wasting time on hobbies".  Lies---all of them.

Although an amateur, I had a fun time playing my worship music as I painted my art on my off days.  I was alive in a new way.  I found a new hobby!



There was also a season in my life where I would just wish I could have time to read more fiction books. My husband would lay in bed while reading and laugh out loud at the stories spun by the authors while I tried to digest the boring Optometry Journals that had been delivered to the office. The journals were full of a supposed wealth of information and I felt obliged to know all I could in order to be the best I could be for my patients. Or was it my reputation I wanted to puff up my knowledge for? uh oh.
Now, I know how to enjoy my time and not do what I "should" do but what I "choose" to do. Sometimes, I do choose an eye journal.

Mostly, now I know how important it is to spend a portion of my morning hour with a quiet worship meditation song, thinking about God and asking for wisdom for the day at hand. Read a bit, pray a bit, sip a coffee. Get off to a peaceful start.

Therefore, this is my first advice to working moms--working dads even:

1. Make time for yourself so that the inner cup of your soul is filled up. Then, you will overflow to your family's stream of needs and desires and not run empty. (as fast as you otherwise might!)
-----What fills you up? What do you wish you could do for yourself? Can someone help you get a half-day off and cover your home or work duty so you can go get that sought after manicure or go to the library for some quiet reading?

My experience tells me that this investment time in yourself has a high payoff rate that is multiplied according to how many others  your life affects.

That is a good investment.


Trying to be a helpful gal, I've included a few links with some things that bring me joy. If you need a boost, give one a try!

A good devo book: Jesus Calling
What I'm currently reading: The Mockingjay (Hunger Games trilogy)
Come Away (Jesus Culture)--one of many songs I can recommend for a peaceful, thoughtful listening time

My senses failed me

I'm a Senser.

My spell check doesn't know that word because I think I just now made it up. Allow me to define my new vocabulary word.
Senser: one who takes in the world around her through her senses and interprets meaning from what she senses.

I have taken a few of those Myers-Briggs Personality Type tests and they come out with ISTJ for me. I could be therefore described as an Introverted, Senser, Thinker, who Judges. Well, that sounds horrible. You can visit a great website for Myers Briggs testing to get more definition or explanation on my type and yours. It is uncanny how they can describe me in a paragraph.

(one of) my Yankee candles

I sense.
I generally believe what I see, I taste, I smell, I feel and I hear.

You will often find scented candles, praise music, a clean home and comfy shoes on me and around me, since those are what I prefer and value. Or, you'll find a messy home, since I work part time and have 4 kids.

So, my senses help me take in my world.  The trouble for me is this:  I am currently in the midst of a season where I am struggling to be happy, content, thankful, and joyful.

I have the complainer's blues.

I just read Paul's sermon on LOVE to the Corinthians and came face to face with words that showed me I was not LOVE, since love is patient and kind, it is not proud and keeps no record of wrongs. Well, help me Lord--I am needing a serious infusion of your Love to change my heart. I am a chief of sinners.

I am sitting around, frustrated and unhappy. Awaiting a new day for a new chance to be happy with what my senses tell me.

It is time to let my memory of what the Lord has done be the input I believe, not just what I sense today.

This would be like the Israelites from long ago building stone pillars of remembrance to remind themselves to honor God and tell their children of the history of His faithfulness.

This would allow me to experience JOY today, even if my circumstances are the same as yesterday.  (They aren't however, since our heaters are fixed and have fuel for fire--Thank You Lord, Trey, the electrician, the fuel guy,  the two assistants, and for the money in the bank to buy the fuel)

This would make me a better mother.

This would make me a more LOVING person to everyone.

This I must now do.  Live by faith, and not by sight (or feel, or smell, or hearing).