Commonplace Blog

The word "Blog" seems to me as ancient as a record player or VHS player.  It was so important to me during my intense years of struggle.  Don't get me wrong, I still struggle.... A LOT.  But, when my struggle was as a SAHM, I needed this space as an outlet.  A place to see the beauty in refinement.

Now, all these years later, I find that I sit back and watch and listen to others in a quest for beauty and truth.  The more I learn, the more I find I don't have that much to say.  However, I miss this space and the small community I shared it with.

I have started a "Commonplace Book" where I am compiling collections of quotes, lyrics, verses, songs.  I LOVE this book.  To have everything I'm loving and discovering in one place is so rich. Maybe I'll end up merging these two outlets.  For now, it feels good to be "a little" back.  At least I still remembered my login!!

Closed Door Parenting

This is by NO means a good or suggested method of parenting!  Frustration and defeat may have driven me to it.  This very morning, I heard the arguing turn into fighting.  As it escalated, I had an option:  I could let the temperature of my blood escalate with them to a rolling boil OR I could close the door and turn up some classical music.  

And thus, the closed door parenting method was born.  Behind that door my thoughts traversed through a battlefield.  Cannons shot through my head with sounds of "I'm not a good mother!"  "I have failed in training them up in the LORD!" 
Dangerous explosions that paralyzed my ability to carry on in the job that began with a rod in my pocket following toddlers around the house!

When the time came to re-surface and face the duties of the day, Scripture met me there.  

Galatians 6:9New Living Translation (NLT)

9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Philippians 1:6New Living Translation (NLT)

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

I may still need to close that door once in awhile especially as I approach the day of 3 full blown teenage girls.  But, that is okay as long as I reach out to the knob of the door equipped with verses like this: 

Philippians 3:14New International Version (NIV)

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

and this (because I can't do it, but HE can):

1 John 4:13New Living Translation (NLT)

13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

Lavish Love

As Valentine's Day approached, I rolled my eyes and did a sigh.  I seriously can NOT stand Valentine's Day.  I resist it until it hits me on the calendar and suddenly I find myself rushing to the closest  to pick up some quick treats so my kiddos have something to give their friends at school.  That is exactly how it goes every.single.year.

This year, however, I read a verse in the Bible that was in a different translation the day before Valentine's Day.

Deuteronomy 5:10(NLT)

"But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those

who love me and obey my commands."

I have camped out on those words "lavish unfailing love" and their magnitude.  He does LAVISH His love on us in so many ways. 

LAVISH

adjective

expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion

using or giving in great amounts; prodigal

verb (used with object)

to expend or give in great amounts or without limit:

Do you see that He does that?  Do you watch for it?

Recently I saw it in a way that no one else would see.  I'd like to share it with you.

During our house-hunting, I had seen these amazing blinds that are built between the window panels of a door.  I don't know what they are called, but I know they work with my hard-wiring.  They won't get dirty and dusty and they won't clank around when a door slams.  I simply loved them.  I wanted a house that already had these smart blinds.

After being in our home for about a week, I realized that the ONLY possible door and place for these "smart blinds" to exist was our side garage door to the back yard.  You guessed it....that door has "My" blinds.  I just felt loved in great amounts even though it was small and quite possibly not even noticed by anyone else.  But, I want to proclaim it so that He gets the glory for lavishing His love on me.  Look for the big and small ways that He lavishes His love on you and tell the stories about it!

Moving

I know.  I know.  We said LAST summer that the Meyer's are moving to Colorado.  When in reality, the Meyer's left Oklahoma last summer and we are FINALLY moving tomorrow!  What a journey this has been!

We are...WOW....I have lots of words for what we are.  We are: 

Grateful.

Ready.

Blessed.

Tired.

Relieved.

Humbled.

Thankful.

Sanctified.

Growing.