Packing and Praying

All day has been about laundry, packing & last minute errands. All I wanted to do was go to to sleep once 9pm arrived. No such luck. I finally got to the last item on the packing list. The littlests' water shoes. Although, she isn't little anymore! I bought her a size women's 6.5 running shoe today...and she is 9 years old!!! I'm still trying to comprehend this. 

So I dove into the pile of shopping bags that I desperately need to go through and find a place for all the stuff I had to have. I searched and searched and searched, determined a pair of blue water shoes would appear before me. I was coming up empty handed. I recall a similar scenerio last year, at about the same time at 11:24pm (after Target was closed), the night before the kids were supposed to leave on their big trip to Minnesota, to visit my amazing parents!

A moment of panick set in. Yes, I have moments in my life when it's not all cool and breezy! I immediately went into problem solve mode and said a prayer that it would somehow work it. And I believed that someway it would.

Plan A: Maybe the 24 hour CVS has a pair? I decided to call first before driving to CVS in my pajama's. The guy with the accent on the other end of the line, promptly said "no we don't carry those." And I wanted to argue, "Yes, you do! I have  seen them at your store (and wondered who buys them)??" But I was too tired to argue and said "thank you" instead, feeling certain he misunderstood my request. 

Plan B - Arrive at Target at EXACTLY at 8am when the doors open. Run in and run out and drive home and grab kids and drive to my parents house to pick up my Dad, who is ALWAYS on time. I had to laugh out loud after thinking this! First, there is no way I'm getting anywhere, right when the doors open that early in the morning. Second, I have never ran in and ran out of Target. This plan only ensured my kids and my Dad missing their flight.

Hmmm....Plan C: Post on Facebook in every Mom group I'm a part of and request size 6 water shoes (they always run large) and pick them up in the morning. Someone has to have an unused pair taking up space. 

However, before I had the chance to post, I had this unusual calling to go to my closet and look at my water shoes. Okay, whatever, but the littlest can't wear mine because I'm a size 8. I went to the closet anyway.

I looked up and on the top shelf of the closet, there was a pair of pink water shoes, brand new, without tags. I looked at the size, still thinking they were mine. WHATTT??? This is the truth. THEY WERE A SIZE KID 6!!!! 

Coincidence or not? For the record, the water shoes I thought I had bought were blue (my daughter's fav color)! I'll never know how those pink, perfectly sized, kids water shoes ended up in my closet! Sometimes we have to allow our minds to be quiet, in order to be guided in the right direction!

I guess I should find my pillow since its after the midnight hour and I've organized a group run at 6am!! I'm praying for a miracle that I wake up on time to join them! 

            Peace, Love and Running,

                             Amy

Devotion for Mom2Mom meeting 10/20/14 - "Believe in the Impossible"

This blog post was inspired by an amazing friend of mine, Anna Whiston-Donaldson and her 
New York Times best seller book, Rare Bird. By writing this devotion, my hope is to inspire you.

The definition of fear is to be afraid of the unknown. What are you fearful of? How has fear stopped you from beginning a feat that may appear impossible? Has fear held you back from pursuing your dreams? Are you a helicopter parent with your children because of fear? Are you always trying to stay in control instead of letting things go and seeing what happens?

It is so easy to get wrapped up in our simple lives, with our simple activities and our simple relationships. But tonight, I ask you, to remove the bubble that keeps you and your family safe and be amazed at what can happen when you purposely step outside of your comfort zone.

Luke 1:37 - "For nothing is impossible with God."

Once you make the decision to let go of fear and stop trying to control the outcome of situations or other people's reactions, you will discover harmony and peace.

Life happens. Wonderfully awesome events that make you smile and laugh. And then, a curve ball is thrown, just when life was going exactly how you wanted it too. 

Our tendency to control leads us to a path of failure. If we collaborate and listen and let go and most importantly, trust God, things will work out, somehow, someway. The funny thing is, the more you let go and give back to others, that goodness always finds its way back to you.

Galatians 6:9 - "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

We must seek God daily in our lives, in the big moments, the small moments, the awesome moments, and the horrible moments that blindside us. I find comfort in letting go of my fears and my worries to Him. We are His vehicle to carry the light into the world and to help make the world a better place. 

 

Every. Single. One. Of. Us. Sitting in this room tonight, has a Gift from God. It should be our Purpose and our Passion to discover that gift. But you must not be fearful as you allow Him to work through you. Your life will will be transformed by His love. 

 

 I am a witness of this phenomenon.

 

 Isaiah 41:10 - "Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

 

I invite you tonight to let go of your fears and to discover your magical Gift from Above. Be a magnificent, shining light in the world! 

 

Matthew 5:14  - "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

 

God Bless!