Queenies Little Kingdom

First, let me tell you.  I am so glad you come here!  I will forever be blown away that people come to this little kingdom of mine and read words that I write down.  Thank you!  But I think you should know…..

I don't know every person who stops by to read my blog.  It's a great big Internet world out there.  But if you're here looking for me to be "talking" about you. ….. you might be surprised to learn,  that's not how I roll.

What I say here is my own personal heart banter.  Hence, this is MY BLOG and that's why I write it.

I'll be honest, much of what I say here scares people.   I'm not afraid of being real! 

I AM A REAL PERSON.  I HAVE REAL PROBLEMS.  I MAKE GENUINE DUMB MISTAKES.  This blog?  Is where I live it all out for the world to see.

I can't control what's going on in the hearts of others.  What I write here is shared to give myself and others the courage to be honest with who we are on this planet.

Perhaps if you're feeling responsible for my posts……you have business with me (or God) that should be addressed, personally, with me (or Him).  I'm always willing to speak to anyone about what I say here.  Don't hide behind accusations.   Remember,  I'm an open book kind of lady.

I blog to empty out all that God is doing in my life in hopes of inspiring someone else to take the next bold step. Maybe to help change what isn't working….. because, iron sharpens iron.  Or for the person who thinks, "It's just me that hurts this way or feels like that!".

Still, I'm no dummy!  I realize the world is full of people who misunderstand and twist things into what they "think" they see.

So, just letting you know…..

THIS IS MY BLOG!!!  And I am and will continue to write from my sinful and broken heart!  I will not be held hostage by anyone's thoughts or motives that do not match mine.  Read here anytime.   But, seriously…. don't take it personally!

Lord
I realize not everyone thinks like me.  Help me to always weigh my words with scales of honesty and integrity.  Shield me from those who only look for trouble.
Amen

After the longest month ever…..my hubby and I arrived home late last night.  It's only temporary for him but I think I'll stay put for ….. ever!

Home has a way of welcoming you in and saying, "Sit, stay awhile!" and I'm not one to be controversial when it comes to an invitation!

It was a great feeling to walk in to piles of mail, packages on the porch and our own soft comfy bed.  We slept like zombies!  This morning I was a little shocked to find I was out of coffee though.  I thought surely I could just walk in to perfection.  No coffee was a stinger of the truth…..life takes work, dangit!

Which brings me to what is happening around here today…

Except that Home Depot has the nerve to be out of stock on our flooring.  After sitting on hold twice for 10+ minutes just to MAKE SURE they didn't have it, I gave up!  So, the man who I haven't seen smile in weeks…until I snapped a photo of us yesterday is trying to find what boards he can salvage from the water damage!

On a happy note?

I came home to a jackpot pile of new books from the Proverbs 31 bookstore (that I won!!!) and my heart can barely stand it to see them sitting there fresh for the reading!  I don't have time to jump into any of them today….but soon, very very soon I'll be alone and reading all my new babies.

Ahh, it is good to be HOME!

But even more, it's good to have my hubby here with me.

There's no better month of the year (to me) than October.  It's the beginning of change that always inspires me to make my home warm and cozy for the ones I love.  I know most people go crazy and do spring cleaning when the winter lets up but I do it in the fall too because it's MY SEASON!

Since I've spent most of the month of October in blazin' hot Texas…..I've missed my beautiful Indiana October days.  Today is a sad day for me.  I'm kissing my special month goodbye, Goodbye October!  I'll see ya next year!

Well said, Anne with an E!

God

Thank you for every beautiful day but even more for the ones I love in October.  You make all things new and I see it clearly in the changing of each day. 

Amen

It seems everywhere I look someone is fighting a battle.  For most of us, the fight wears us down.  Our human nature succombs to the weight of our issues and the result shows up as discouragement.

I've been there.

So much of our life is based on performance; our role as parents/spouses, our careers….even our financial status.  It can feel like someone is always watching, not to see us do well, but to catch us failing.   If we're not careful, we fall into a trap of pleasing other's instead of God.

A long time ago, I found myself in a position of GIVE GIVE GIVE.  My heart grew tired and frustrated.  The more I gave of my time & effort, the less other's noticed or cared.  It became an expectation and it left me feeling resentful and miserable.  I was living in a vicious circle of looking to other's for affirmation.

I should've been looking to God.

I didn't set out to please other's (first) it just happened that way.  My focus on doing my best got mixed in with pride and obsession.  The ugly results left me with a bitterness that still tastes bad recalling it all these years later.  I couldn't separate who I was trying to please….God or myself?

I've learned some hard lessons in my life.  Doing good is a good thing, if you are doing it with the right heart-a-tude!  The best way to grow weary is to try doing everything with your own glory in mind.  Trust me, do it for God's glory not your own.  It doesn't mean you won't face discouragement, the world can be a depressing place somedays.  But, you can trust Him to work through you and the blessing of that is priceless!

So, next time you are feeling down & out over a struggle that you can't seem to beat…remember, hang in there….keep at it…..God has a great reward just for you!

Wanna know how to grab life by the horns?

I've noticed that when I show gratitude for my life…..I am a much happier person.

Even when things feel topsy-turvy, there is something to say thank you for.

….because, life is just a blip on the screen and living it joyfully is the best way to show God's power in our lives.

If I've ever learned anything about life….it's that,

Thankfulness heals hurts, boosts spirits and fills the heart.  I want to live full to the brim!

Nothing makes the heart stronger than knowing the power of Christ in your life when troubles come, despair lingers and doubt reigns.  God sees all of it and He offers peace and mercy.  His love truly does endure forever.

And He reminds me…..

God

Thank you for this new day.  I plan to grab it and treasure it because you gave it to me with intentions to live abundantly.  Remind me when I steer off course with my gratitude for every little thing.

Amen