Feeling Inadequate In A "D.I.Y" World?

Do you ever feel a tad bit jealous when you see super fabulous DIY projects like my friend Heather's $4.50 Easy, No-Sew Roman Shade Tutorial?

I do!  I think, I most certainly would NOT be able to "DO. THAT. MYSELF"!  I'll pay the $30.00 just to keep my sanity alone, thank you very much! 

It's not like I'm not happy for these super-de-duper-creative-have-it-all-together women... I AM!  But I hear so many women echoing what I often think:

Man, I feel like a failure compared to her.

How does she do it all?

I can barely keep my house in order during the day and she can do all that!

So often we compare our worth based on how we think we measure up compared to other women.  Do we not?

Some things to remember if you are struggling to be content in a D.I.Y World:

1.  Your worth is found in Christ.  He created you just the way you are!

2.  You have many talents that other women do not possess.  Thrive where God's gifted you.

3.  Other women have many talents that you do not possess.  Get over it.

4.  Stop beating yourself up that your house isn't perfect, you sometimes yell at your children, and you'd rather buy something full price instead of taking the time to make it.  

5.  You are unique and a gift from the Lord!  Keep shining right where you are at.

1 Corinthians 10:31:  "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

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Ache

ACHE...

A deep, gut-wrenching churn of emotions.  The ache seems to start in your gut and from there sends daggers into the heart. 

The hurt after a break up... the kind you have invested in.  With your whole heart.  It literally feels like it is being severed and you just want to crawl in a hole and die.

The hurt after news about a loved one... that is making poor choices and walking away from God.

The hurt after you've tripped and caught your fall and your hand lands right on a small hots and burger grill!  OUCH!  Throb.  Ache!

I don't know which is worse... the physically ache from getting burned or the emotionally one. 

I say the emotional.  It has a way of starting way way down deep in your gut and staying there for years.  The physical goes away with time.

So how do we get rid of the ache from strained relationships, hurt feelings, and just plain feeling abandoned?

RUN.  TO.  THE.  ARMS.  OF.  JESUS!

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Linking with FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY

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My Fear Greater Than Death...

To speak in front of anyone would make me want to puke a little bit in my mouth.  My knees rattled, face turned a hearty shade of fuchsia, and I would practically faint before uttering a word.  Been there?   Then God called me to teach a ladies study.  Yeah, eh hum.  Really Lord?  My one fear greater than death!  

CLICK HERE TO FINISH READING THIS POST OVER AT SISTERS IN BLOOM .

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Pampering Our Flesh

I'm a promoter of good health.  I love to inspire women to begin making good food and fitness choices.  I talk about how good health is not only beneficial for our body, but our mind.  Good health alone, in our flesh, still leaves our spirit unhealthy.  An unhealthy, sin-craved spirit leaves our outward appearance wanting. 

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

My flesh is weak.  Your flesh is weak.  But the Spirit... being filled with Him, will make you strong.  So many times I make excuses for my poor eating habits.  I say poor eating habits, but it is really gluttony... loving and indulging in food rather than being satisfied by my Heavenly Father.

As I was reading Lysa Terkeurst's book, What Happens When Women Walk In Faith, this morning, a few things she said struck me:

1) To honor God completely, you need enough faith to leave with Him.  

Leave the attitude, the stubborn pride, the right to be right, the control, and leave the unbelief.  

2) Stop making excuses about why you can't.

Jeremiah 1 talks about God's calling on his life and how Jeremiah says, "but I'm only a child".  So many times I make excuses about why I can't eat healthy and succeed in this weight loss journey.

3) Leaving requires obedience. 

Leaving is usually an act of obedience and not a desire of the heart!  It is hard.  It causes you to step outside of your comfort zone and enter a life that requires faith.  This hit home!  For me, avoiding sugar, flour and caffeine makes me feel so much better.  I know it.  It has be proven to me time and time again.  Yet, my flesh longs for it.  It craves sugar and I tell myself I deserve to enjoy it.  Really?  What does my flesh really deserve?  Nothing!  I like what she says about it not being a desire of the heart but first an act of obedience.

Your struggles may not be food-related but we all have them.  Why are you continually pampering your flesh?  Will you have faith and honor god?  Will you stop making excuses?  Will you make the choice to obey today?

How can I pray for you today?  Let's choose to say YES TO GOD, and stop making excuses about why we can't!

 

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Give Your Home A Clean/Fresh Look!

My favorite pinterest finds...


I've always tended to "over decorate".  
Now... I desire my home to give off a clean 'fresh' look.


Less


Is 


More...


Less


Is 


Beautiful!

Source: bhg.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: pinterest.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: stinemos.blogspot.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: citified.blogspot.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: potterybarn.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: countryliving.com via Traci on Pinterest

Source: shelterness.com via Traci on Pinterest

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Make Time To Cultivate Your Marriage...

Colossians 3:18-19 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

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Delight

I love to delight in your presence, Lord. John Piper said, "When we get down on our knees beside the mountain spring of God's living water, we honor Him and glorify Him and magnify Him as the only source of lasting joy.  And in the very act of magnifying Him, we satisfy ourselves because this is the water we were made to live by!"

Delighting means walking in fellowship with my Heavenly Father.  Sometimes I open the Red-Lettered Book with obligation and duty.  But oh, how much better when I open and turn those pages with delight!

Delighting in my Lord Jesus, spills forth joy and more delight to the people around me.  My husband.  My children.  My friends.  My enemies... because delighting in His presence, turns my mismatched, inside out heart into a tender, gentle, gracious one for His glory and use.

Psalm 37: 4-5 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  Linking up with the Gypsy Mama's Five Minute Friday.

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40% OFF Photo Books Ends TODAY!

I made my very first photo book for my hubby for valentines day!  A "Happy Valentines Day" from our children.  There are tons of different styles, patterns, and topics to choose from?  These photo books make wonderful gifts for a baby shower, birthday, graduation, etc.!  Take 40% off photo books from Shutterfly.com with promo code BOOK40. Offer valid 2.9-2.16

Take a look at the book I made:

Click here to view this photo book larger

Go ahead, click the link below and get your 40% off your book today!  <3




 

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Grant's 5 Month Pictures

You were my first, all natural birth.  You came into this world with pain and oh, such beauty!  My precious, 9 pound bundle of joy, would you stop growing up so fast?

  

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My Husband Taught Me How To Make A Bed

Yes, I know... sad right?  My husband taught me how to make a bed.  You know, the folded corners, "proper way".  All my life I just assumed tucking sheets in any old scatterbrained way was just fine.  

Being a Susie Homemakmer doesn't come natural to me.  Growing up you could find me climbing trees, throwing a baseball with my brother, and wading through murky creek beds.  

I struggle with keeping my home clean and organized.  I've tried Fly Lady in the past, I've developed my own charts to stay focused, but nothing seems to stick.

Do you have any suggestions?  I'm looking for very simple, practical ideas.  How do you keep up to date with cleaning and staying clutter free?  Do tell.... 

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I'm Not High Maintenance, I Just Want Some Creativity!

I'm really not hard to please.  I'd be satisfied with a bouquet of wild flowers if it came from my man!  Well, he sure was creative this year!  This gift came with a lovely Bath and Body Works pampering set also.  What a guy!

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