Mascara

Last Sunday, as I was rehearsing before services with the Worship Band, I found myself frantically searching through, and then emptying, my purse, in search of mascara.  You see, it is not uncommon for me to leave the house on any given morning, without having completed that finishing touch.   

I am usually running behind, just that tiny amount of time that it takes to apply mascara....

So, on most days, you could find 2 or 3 tubes of mascara in my purse (waiting to be applied at the first available moment). But last Sunday, there were none. 

I looked at myself in a compact mirror, and thought "Ugghh!  I really need mascara today!"  And, since I had already looked all through my purse and my vehicle, I didn't know what to do....

Well, we finished rehearsal unusually early.   I said to the other ladies "I have time, I am going to run to the grocery store to get some mascara."

I did.   I looked around that store for 5 minutes, and then asked a clerk, who responded "We don't carry any makeup items."   Bummer!   As I walked out to my vehicle, I thought 'There is a convenience store/gas mart nearby.  I will try there'....   So, I drove there.  Looked around for a bit.  Then, asked for help, and the individual replied "we haven't carried mascara for a while." 

Running low on time before the 1st church service at which I needed to sing, I felt it necessary to go back to the church (**sigh**)  without mascara....

Once back at the church, I dug through my purse once more, hoping for a tube of mascara to appear.   It did not.   I then went into the church, and took my normal spot up front.  It was time to sing.  Honestly, I felt somehow naked up there.  I couldn't shake the thought that 'No one here has ever seen me without mascara before.  I must look Ill or tired.  What will people think'....

I was very self-conscious for those first 4 minutes up front....  But then, the band began to play,  the music filled my heart, and my voice rang out in praise to God.  I was suddenly taken, mind and soul, to the place that I cherish most; the place in my heart where nothing is occurring but lifting up beautiful music to the Lord.   When I am singing with the worship band, I feel more free than anywhere else, and more connected, on a direct line, to the Lord, than any other time. 

I sang through the services.  Greeted many people, and smiled a lot.  I praised my God to the height of my ability; as I LOVE to do! 

It wasn't until I got home, and glanced in the mirror, that I remembered that I did not have mascara on.....   In that moment,  in front of the mirror, I was boldly reminded that God does not care how I appear during worship.  No one else really does either.  What the congregation is used to, and what helps them worship, and what feeds my soul more than any other praise, is singing unto the Lord!  
So why had I wasted even a moment looking for mascara? 

That morning, I had forgotten many things.  I had forgotten the reason I was there; to praise Him.  I had forgotten that the Lord only cares that you come before him and worship, NOT in what state you do so!  There is no requirement, none whatsoever, to appear before God and praise His Holy name!  

Apparently, I was out of sync with God.  I had put emphasis on something material, when the only emphasis having any business being on my heart that day was Praise of my Savior! 

May you be reminded by my story today, to praise God in all places, in all ways, and in all physical appearances.  Because, He loves our praise in every way given! 

Prayer:
Thank you Lord, for helping me see, for reminding me, that you will hear our voice and accept our praise, anytime, any way, and in any form that we offer it to You, mascara or not, ! Amen.

Psalm 27:4 NIV

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple."

Crazy!

Sometimes life can get just plain CRAZY!

For 48 hrs. (well, we did sleep some, of course), I have had many many boys running through my house! Neighborhood boys, of all ages.....seriously ages 4 through maybe 13.....

Nerf wars galore, unbelievable amounts of jerky & Gatorade consumed!  I have never seen a whole pan of rice crispy bars eaten, before they even hardened up.....

This type of FUN makes me smile! I am so very happy that there are tons of kids around, in our neighborhood, to hang out with my boys!   But.....sometimes it is overwhelming..... to try to be cleaning, or Blogging, or cooking, or even just plain thinking through something, with the craziness around.... :)  These boys can get SO loud, and SO energized!!

But, It was all brought into perspective today, when one of my boys spiked a fever, very suddenly, of 104..... I can't get it to go away with meds, he looks so very uncomfortable! :(  The house is much more quiet now.   There are still other boys around, with my youngest, but the noise level is dulled, per my instruction.

So here I sit, in silence, able to put my thoughts together to Blog, but realizing, that I would much rather have the CRAZY laughter and joy of them all, filling my house!  Regarding parenting, people often say "Quiet usually means their up to something", but in this instance, quiet means that one of the 'crew' is not well.  Which is a bummer for everyone! 

As I thought about the vast volume difference in my home, I kept thinking about Psalm 100, Verses 1-2 

      On your feet now—applaud God!
     Bring a gift of laughter,    
     sing yourselves into his presence.

Oh how I wish that my children were always 'on their feet' bringing laughter before God!  It is tough to keep up with them when they are well, but even more tough to watch them lay around, not feeling well!   I feel very blessed to have a home that is welcoming to other children!  I know that I am fortunate to have the opportunity to overhear their laughter.  

I don't really know where I am going with this post.....other than wanting to say....   Thank you God for all the days of running feet on my floor or in my yard.   Thank you Lord for the gift of children, who bring laughter to the World.  Thank you Lord for great friends, and for fun days. May you bless Your children with more healthy days than ill, more laughter than tears, and more time spent singing unto You, than anything else!  Amen. 

Another Year

Well, I had a birthday this past week...  (No, I am not going to share which # ) ;)

Over the past several years, I have really dreaded birthdays.  I had been of the opinion that I was getting 'too old' to accomplish all that I wish to...

But this birthday was different.  This time, I look at all the amazing things that the Lord has done in my life, over just the past month, and I can't help but wonder what is to come in this new year of my life.   God has me very in awe of His work in my life right now!   All of the avenues that keep appearing, unexpectedly, in which I can share my faith stories and minister to others, are perfectly aligning with my internal need to share the good news of Jesus! 

I have been in a period of "waiting" (see previous post titled "waiting to minister"), but I can feel the beginning of my time to "GO"!  I am so excited for all that is to come! 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”  
Isaiah 43:18-19

The Lord is doing a new thing in me, and he may be in you too.   Watch for the signs, listen for His voice!  Know that He is capable of making streams in a wasteland, whenever and wherever He wishes! God's timing is not the same as our timing.  The wait is certainly tough, but the start of the mission is so exciting, that it was well worth the wait! 

Blessings to your week!