Moving Day!

Hello all,

I've moved my Why Not? blog to a new site.  If you've subscribed via RSS feed then you'll continue to receive the posts (and should already have received the latest), but if you subscribed via google then this is the last post you'll receive.  Here's a link to the new site: http://florencebrooks.com/ 

Thank you for following.  I always welcome your comments.  Have a joy-filled day.

With joy!
Florence Brooks

Keep At It!

Have you ever felt as if you were just going through the motions? As if all your prayers, all your times of worship, all your acts of devotion left you feeling a little flat. What's one to do in times like these? Abandon these things? Give up? Why not just keep at it? Stay faithful. Trust. Believe. Know. God is very much at work in you and in your life. "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." (Philippians 1:6, NLT)

Every. Single. Word.

She shaped the clay and spoke the words

And they hit me hard.

It can’t be true.

Not me. 

Really?

"Words have power. Everyone has said something at some time that has hurt someone," she mused.

I thought. When have I said something that has hurt someone? And the longer I considered the possibility the more I knew it was true. Not intended, but real all the same. Foolish words said in jest or in a rush or simply said, but said all the same. 

Can I go back in time and change all the words? 

Can I just imagine those moments never happened and start fresh tomorrow?  

Start fresh...now?

No.  And yes.  You can’t change the words, but the words can change you.  You can’t change the history, but you can speak today.  Speak now in a new, in a fresh way  - with a wiser heart and a careful thought and a deeper understanding that when you speak there is power in Every. Single. Word.

It's ALL Good...

The land of the abundance. The horn of plenty. The cup that runneth over.

That's life in our culture. We have so much - so much to do, so many opportunities, so many choices. And "it's ALL good!"  Well, maybe not every single thing, but a lot really is...good.   But does that mean we need to partake of it all? Or even try? And does more activity mean more fortuity in the long run. Maybe....not.

A busy life is, or at least can be, a full life. Do you agree? It's challenging to make choices, to discern how family time and individual time is best spent, to articulate what will truly make a difference in your life, to consider what you really need right now versus what you might want? It's even more challenging when your choices seem to be different from the masses. After all, who wants to journey alone? But these are questions worth considering and questions only YOU can answer with God's help. Your unique set of circumstances inform your choices and reveal the path that is right for you. Moreover, only you can discern what truly is God's vision for you and your family. Yes, you can seek input and counsel and insight from others. But it really is your unique life. One can live a lifetime, and yet miss a life well-lived.

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.  (Proverbs 2:1-5 ESV)

Girl's Day 2014

My 9 year old daughter has been lobbying heavily for months for a Girl's Day when we would venture into town sans boys and go wherever our hearts desired. I finally cleared the space on the calendar, made the time and suggested she make her list of stopping points  - Target, Barnes and Noble, lunch at Chick-Fil-A, a ride on the mall train, a visit to Claire's for accessories and a stop by Build-A-Bear. She told me she had been saving her money and had a few items she wanted to look for.  I offered to pick up the tab for lunch. She was delighted! She even invited her little sister to join us. And off we went. It was a marvel. A big smile. Lots of giggles and two joyous little girls. But the magical moment was at lunch. The two girls seated side by side eating their nuggets and french fries, drinking lemonade when the 3-year-old in the midst of nibbling on a fry looked at her big sister, leaned close and casually whispered in her ear, "You're beautiful."  And then she got back to her fries.

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. I Peter 3:3-4 ESV