"Bittersweet"

Finished reading a book this week......Bittersweet, by Shauna Niequist
I picked up the book because the review and the theme reminded me alot of One Thousand Gifts , which is my top book choice of the year. The book was not at all what I expected, and very different than One Thousand Gifts, but as I read I jotted notes in the back of things that I wanted to think about. What good is reading if it doesn't initiate change in your life?...So here are my bare thoughts - written for me to ponder, and for you if you care to read!

Quotes I'm Thinking About

...."When life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.  And when life is bitter, say thank you and grow."
..."It's not hard to decide what you want your life to be about.  What's hard is figuring out what you're willing to give up in order to do the things you really care about."
..."I live in daily, honest, intimate community with a small group of people.  I give my time and energy and prayer to my immediate family and close friends.  To a slightly wider circle of people, I give love and friendship..." 
..."Share your life with the people you love...there is really nothing like good friends, the sound of their laughter and the tones of their voices and the things they teach us in the quietest, smallest moments."

Other Thoughts

...Entertain more..I miss having friends and family and food and fellowship around my table often!

...Show grace to others like candy being thrown in a parade...grace, for you, grace for you, more grace for you....

...Think thru life..What am I good at, what do I enjoy, what are the gifts God has given me and what are my priorities in life?  Then organize life to live in light of that!

..."Thin Places" - the place where the passage between heaven and earth is a short one..where God's presence is almost palpable... places when because of circumstances God is very real and His presence is sooo close.

...SAY Something.....When you know someone is hurting dont just say nothing. And DO something - send a note or make a meal or find some way to show love to the people you care for.

...God meets us at the kitchen table! Cook for people, invite them in, laugh and talk and share life with others!

..Watch or read "The Notebook"

...Work harder on my marriage..it is never too late. Dont slide into the routine of being a couple who live together, raise a family together, but dont have a deep level of trust and dont connect deeply with one another. "The best gifts we can give one another are apologies and acceptance!"

...Quit being consumed by things that waste time and are meaningless.

...Who is my "Home Team"???..the people closest to me - close, comfortable relationships that deserve my openness and my time and energy??

...Blueberries...What will MY children and grand-children remember me for?? What do I convey to them about my priorities in life? I want my family to know that I love Christ, that I want them to know HIM intimately. I want them to know that I love them, pray for them, and that they are a priority to me. And I like blueberries, but I love pizza!

...Share my story with others - What has God done in my life and what is He teaching me now?..leave out the cliches and religious talk and just be me!

...What I need most during the bittersweet times of life is the comfort of Christ. Christ IS my comfort!  God IS good.  His simple blessings are many!!...kisses from Amber, dancing with joy at my son's wedding, giggles with my girls, a call from my boys, catching the breeze on the motorcycle with Mike, 2 new daughters , laughing with a friend, good food and warm fellowship, a grandson on the way.....
.....Dont get caught up in the bitter and overlook the sweet!

Lord, teach me to LIVE SIMPLY and LOVE GENEROUSLY!