Mediocrity

Hebrews 13:5 "...be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

The word mediocre has several synonyms. Words like, ordinary, average, and second-rate. These are all words that you rarely want people to use when describing their thoughts of you. "Oh, she is a nice girl, ordinary in her appearance." I don't know about you, but I don't want people to say I'm ordinary! I want people to think I'm extraordinary! But in the grand scheme of things most of us will lead a life that is fairly average, ordinary, middle of the road. Heck, let's just admit it...down right mediocre. The problem is we are not satisfied being average and ordinary. There is something deep inside of us that desires to be something more! The culture we live in testifies to everyone's desire to be a rockstar by airing shows like, American Idol or So You Think You Can Dance. These shows give us the hope that those average, ordinary people just like us can really go somewhere, do something memorable with their lives. We talk up our children to help them feel that they are the best at what they do, allowing them to compete in sports by the age of 3, awarding them trophies and words of affirmation that go far beyond their ability. This mentality sets us up for serious disallusionment when real life begins because not everyone can be a rockstar. Not everyone can be the star athlete. Not everyone can be a Billy Graham or a Joyce Meyer.

Paul said that he had become content in every station of life, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12-13). There is a reason every Christian needs to embrace the ability to be content in every situation. If we do not embrace contentedness we open the door to become frustrated with the call God has on our life at that moment. It is in the ordinary that God creates in us the extraordinary. If we take hold of the ordinary moments in life and find the pleasure in being an "average Joe" God has time to prepare us for the greater things to come. Just because we may never stand on a stage to speak in front of millions, become the NFL's first draft pick, or have a number one song on the charts does not mean that God can't use our daily sacrifice to do memorable things.

Today while you are folding laundry, cooking dinner (a mediocre dinner at that), scrubbing toilets or whatever it is you find so monotonous and dull, remember that you serve the God of the Universe and He made you and He's your biggest fan! In God's eyes, when we are going about His business, we are all superstars! Nothing about that is ordinary or mediocre!

Today's Reading: Hebrews 13; Proverbs 19

Wow! The Pressure Is On!

So, I'm at my friend Jessica's blogspot - Books, Bucks, and Beyond - and she mentioned my blog as one of her favorite spots to find encouragement as a young mom! Wow, the pressure is on now because I've only been posting book reviews for books lately!

I decided that because of her taking the time to mention I might want to stop and share a little encouragement as a young mom of four very young children.

Last week we spent time as a family in a beautiful mountain cabin up in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The cabin came furnished with everything a family needs to have a great time - games, hot tub, two bathrooms, three bedrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, you name it we had it just like being home. Although we were on vacation, just like any good mom, I was still making dinner, making beds, giving baths, the usual. But for some reason there was no pressure. So I decided when we came home I was going to live the same way, NO PRESSURE! In order to take some of the "daily pressure" off of my schedule I needed to find things that took up unnecessary time and always left me frustrated. One of the first things I did was to widdle away at my 650+ friends list on Facebook and get it down to only out of town family - this is a great way to stay in touch and keep them up to date on new pics without having to remember to send everyone posted mail! Second, I decided to run my dishwasher everyday! That might not seem like much but to me it has been such a relief in the kitchen. And third, I decided to look at my children, square in the eyes at least once every day! Again, this might not seem like something we should have to purposefully do but if you pay close attention I will guarantee you that if you are a busy mom there are days that go by that you do not look directly at those sweet precious faces.

So, what's the point of my blog? Well, I do not know to be honest with you. I enjoy talking, I enjoy sharing the days pleasures and faux pas with other friends. I'll use this time to encourage in the Word. I want to be the best mom to Braden, Andrew, Barrett and Abigail. I want to fulfill this calling on my life with as much passion and abandon as the Lord has put in me, just as I would any other type of adventure! So, I guess I'd like you to join me as I take the road less traveled and make this the most wonderful season of life I've ever known!

God's Promises for Boys!

I have been waiting for a long time to see a book like God's Promises for Boys come out at the Christian Bookstore! I recently received this book via Booksneeze to review. I was so excited to see it on the available book list that I hurried to read my last book just to get a hold of this one. As the mother of three young boys I can't say enough about this book. The illustrations are fabulous, the verses chosen as God's promises while trying to be a good brother, an obedient son, being happy, being a soldier for God - all absolutely wonderful. My favorite aspect of this book is definitely the illustrations as they will capture any young boys attention. This book can be used as a daily devotional or as a resource very similar to the adult version God's Promises book can be used. It provides an at arm reach resource to address every day issues a parent may face with their young sons. Having the Word compartmentalized into a few verses to help children remember how much God loves them even when they are afraid or trying to make new friends is a wonderful addition to any child's library!

The Righ to Lead by John C. Maxwell

My third book to review from Booksneeze was such an amazing and easy read. John C. Maxwell is the Billy Graham of leadership writing. This book is just as amazing as every other book writen by Maxwell. This particular edition is a gift book which would be an excellent filler gift for any high school or college graduate. It also provides a great foundation for a leadership small group at churches or in bible study. In this book Maxwell uses several different historical leaders in order to lay the foundation for what a real leader looks like to others. It is a basic "what not to do" book for those people who seek the position of leader or who naturally find themselves in the role of a leader - in business, in the home, at church, wherever leadership is necessary. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an easy read, a gift for a graduate or even a gift for a person seeking a higher position at work. Leadership is more than just telling people what to do and how to do it, it is "knowing the way, going the way and showing the way." Thanks to Maxwell for another great read!

Friendship for Grown-Ups by Lisa Whelchel

Former Facts of Life star Lisa Whelchel shares her experiences of growing up without true friends and how she learned to find and develop them as an adult through God's grace.

This book was an okay read. Although I've never been a huge fan of Whelchel's writing I will say that most of what I read in this book is for the most part, great advice for adult friendship. Much of what Whelchel relates her issues of friendship to involve what happened to her during childhood. My critique of this would be that I think this books gives people reason to dwell too much on their past issues as children and not accept responsibility for the fact that they need to grow up in relationships to others. That to me is a real "fact of life." Most women will probably be able to relate to this book as there are many examples of friendship woes and successes. There is a lot to gleen from this book whether you are trying to figure out adult friendship or if you are a good friend who wants to be a better friend! I would absolutely recommend this book to other women. It encourages healthy, Godly relationships and everyone can benefit from that!

Organic Produce

So, this week I signed up to receive a 30 lb. box of Organic Produce for $30.00. We received a nice portion of vegetables and fruits which will last for the better part of the week. Plums, oranges, strawberries, pears, green beans, bananas, lettuce, cucumber...the basics and then some. The only thing I noticed about this produce was that it is all from either Mexico, Ecuador or Argentina. None of it is from the good ole U.S of A! I have a dilemma...do I continue buying the produce deemed organic regardless of it's country of origin or do I go back to my regular routine at Publix where I search out whatever produce is in season here in the states, keeping my cash here supporting American farmers?

Lonestar Homecoming

Recently I joined Booksneeze. Booksneeze will send you a free book for you to read and review. My first book I received is Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble. Your typical Christian romance novel, Lonestar Homecoming is definitely face paced and it keeps your attention throughout most of the book. The story is about a young woman, Gracie Lister, as she goes on the run from her fiance who is possibly connected to a drug ring coming in from Mexico. Gracie needs to find refuge for herself and her daughter, Hope. Colleen Coble, the book's author does a great job capturing your interest right from page one as Gracie is dodging bullets and hopping a train with her five year old donning her wedding dress . As this book is the third in the Lonestar Series and the first I had read, I was a little concerned I may not be able to follow the story line. But throughout the book, Coble takes time to recap pertinent information about Gracie Lister and her newfound love Michael Wayne, making it easy to understand the character's past. Eventually both characters are able to take what started as a marriage of convenience into a lifelong love. Home is where the heart is, captures the essence of this novel. The book itself allows for an exciting story line of drama, love, intrigue and suspense. I would absolutely read more from this author!