The "Ghost" is clear!!!!

I didn't used to be a reader.  In fact, at some point in college, I realized I had only ever read "Charlotte's Web."  I wrote a paper on "Pilgrim's Progress", but I know I didn't read the whole book.  I probably just skimmed for sentences that I could expand on.  This is a really sad fact to me.  ESPECIALLY now that I have kids of my own that I would love to see reading all the time, like me!

That's right, in 2008, I finally became "A Reader."  My definition of being a reader:
A reader- always having a book that you are currently reading.
My pace has picked up to about 1 or 2 books per month.  I keep an on-going list of the books I've read (that dates all the way back to when I started in 2008.)  That list reminds me of a silly little list I kept in a billfold of boys that I kissed.  Sad but true.

There is something terrific about books.  They can be used for, an escape, education, entertainment, enrichment, pleasure, teaching, understanding and so much more. 

Anyway, I can get overwhelmed by the list of books that people recommend. Especially if you don't know what they use their reading material for.  I've found that one of my favorite things about reading happens when I come across the correct usage of idioms and such.  So, for now... the coast is clear!

POSITIVE

Often times I can get cynical.  You too?  Phew….. it's not fun to realize that is where I land.  At the end of the day, that's where and when it creeps in.

Cynicism- An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others

Because of this inclination that I have, I'm excited to post about what God is doing about this in my life…… How cool is it that our God is so personal, that HE knows this about me, so that when our pastor challenges us to come up with one word for our year, God puts within me the word: POSITIVE!  I'm not kidding….could there be an absolute better opposite word than Positive for the cynicism that I struggle with?

I do believe that our thoughts drive the boat of our lives.  We will do and believe what we think.  I would be shipwrecked if I continued on with the negative thoughts driving the boat of my life for our family.

Did you notice at the beginning of this post, I wrote "at the end of the day?"  Well, I know that's because I begin each day in the word and reading the materials needed to equip myself for each day's battle.  But, my goodness, there must be an expiration hour on those readings that hit around 4:00 each day!!!  When my kiddos were little, I called it the sundown syndrome time of day…aka ,…. the witching hour.  But now, they are the intrusions to the victorious day I've had (while they've been at school!)

Seriously, I do feel like I live in victory during the daylight, but then the sun sets and I begin to feel the downward pull of negativity.  I'm not going to pretend that I understand the science nor the psychology of it.  I will  tell you that I'm in need of our savior at the end of the day JUST AS MUCH as I am at the beginning of the day.

Oh, how in the world does anyone make it in this world without HIM???  I may not do it well, but I will proclaim that I can't do any of it without HIM at all.  Without HIM, I truly am NOTHING.  It is my greatest joy just to be a vessel for others to see HIM in me.  To God be the glory for the great things HE does!!!