Good Snacks and Birthday Parties

So, a couple of back stories (don't worry, it'll all make sense in the end):

-The months prior to my birthday (March 2nd) were a bit hell-ish.  Spencer and I were really looking forward to a break from life, and we created a lot of hype and excitement revolving around this little celebration.  I won't get into all of the details of when March 2nd rolled around, but every single thing that could of gone right, did!  We had an amazing couple of days over the weekend.  Plus, I got some stellar Chicago clothes and drinks, and Spencer kept lavishing gifts on me!

-This part isn't a story, but more so a fact: My favorite, FAVORITE, favorite naughty snack in the world is frozen cream cheese wontons.  You pop them in the oven, and mean while, make a little mixture of garlic sriracha sauce and soy sauce.  It is SO, SO good.

Okay, so the other day, Spence and I were talking and I jokingly said, "I want it to be my birthday again, so I can have anything I want. HA!"  Spencer replies, "Birthday-you is my favorite you there is."  I was a bit surprised, because I was having a spoiled moment, and not really that serious.  So, of course, I ask for an explanation; he explains:
"I love it when you're that excited about anything.  It's just like how much I love coming home, and seeing the soy sauce and sriracha left out on the kitchen counter.  You always put things away, so I know it wasn't left out because you didn't want to put in the frig; it was left out because of how excited you were to eat your wontons!  I love seeing you that happy."

Okay, maybe this is a coupley thing that someone else would look in on, and think is totally silly.  I mean, we are talking about wontons, and my childish desires for good snacks and birthday parties.  But, for me, I was blown away.

1. My husband is the most incredible man.
2. Spencer loves me the way Jesus loves me.
3. Therefore, if Spencer's mortal-man-sin-stricken heart loves seeing me excited and enjoying life that much, how much  more is God pleased to see me joyously laughing and truly embracing every thrilling moment of life!

Yes, trials and seasons can be difficult.  And yeah, there are times and circumstances that it is okay, and just plain honest to admit "this sucks".  However, at the same time, there a CREAM CHEESE WONTONS in the world!  And today, a sweet Summer air was rolling over Wisconsin.  There are the best friends in the world waiting to share good stories over drinks, and there are profoundly moving books that will touch and change your SOUL!  I go through these revelations all of the time, yes, but I am just a person who has to grip so tightly in my fist the mindset that no matter what, life is fantastic!  And, even if tomorrow will be a "this sucks" day, or maybe yesterday was, all the more reason to be completely given to an overwhelming since of gratitude and joy for the precious gifts of life!

We have taste buds for a reason, so enjoy those wontons, folks!

Thank You for my Socks, and for Salvation.

One day, when I was attending Living Light School of Worship, we spent the morning praying and thanking God for things in our life instead of our normal musical worship time. Many words and breaths were dedicated to the gratitude of salvation, the Holy Spirit, being saved, etc -- and rightly so! Thank You, GOD, that You saved us from an eternity without You.

...But I remember really just wanting to thank God for my socks. I love socks, especially Christmas socks! I don't remember which ones I was wearing that day, but it always made me sad looking back on that morning, and wishing I'd just thanked God for what I wanted to thank Him for instead of thinking, at age 18, I needed some profound prayer.

Spencer always tells me one of his favorite things about me is how excited I get about small things in life. Though, its something I think I've subconsciously learned to suppress in myself, because a part of maturing meant I had to offer smiles instead of squeals -- as if signs of overcoming delight was childish and should be outgrown. However, the other day, I listened to a teaching about the pleasures God gives us (http://teaching.onechurchministries.com/?p=930.) We weren't designed to eat only to gain energy, but we were given taste buds so we could go crazy with joy over our sushi and burgers (and to protect us from harmful things, of course)! God called for festivals and celebrations! He gave us oceans so we can swim around like mermaids, and stars to have picnics under!

I don't think God just wants us to live our days, He wants us to love them! That morning 6 years ago, I think God would have been just as touched with my thankfulness for my socks, as he was for my friends' thankfulness for new life. What if we lived everyday like a child soaking up each gift given to us!

My prayer today:

Thank you God for my sushi my husband blessed me with. Thank you for a stellar grande-caramel-mocha-add-a-shot frappacino! Thank you for the SNOW! Thank you for good music! Thank you that you made me with the ability to smell, and I LOVE the way the candles in my house smell! Thank you for joy and for cozy blankets and silent nights.

Thank you I was made to love, and not just to live!

Amen.

Fools Who Speak, Facebook Style

Facebook, smacebook. It drives me crazy, and yet I continuously give my eyes and attention to the ever changing billboards aired by my 700 and some friends. You know, because I really DO have over 700 friends, right?

One day I typed on my status "your soap boxes are going to burn in hell!!!" I meant it! My husband advised I delete it, and of course this was wisdom, so I did. But really, those soapboxes will burn in hell. I'm guilty of standing on my own box as well, but when we stand before God, I guarantee we will be no taller because of them. And often, I believe the boldness in our speech arises from the lifeless screen we stare at which has no capability to harm us, not from righteous courage. 1%, 99%. Scott Walker, no Scott Walker. Religion, Jesus.

Facebook isn't a conversation. It's a person holding a poster on the side of the road where people honk in approval, or yell obscenities out of their window in rage. What's the point? Out of the umpteen statuses and videos we've posted, how many minds have we changed or hearts have we softened? Who's been touched by God because now we know who is for or against Scott Walker, or Obama, or natural medicine? Look, I post more facebook statuses than most, but tonight I read this:

Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Am I that fool? Am I sitting down to coffee for a conversation with a Christ-like heart, or am I posting an obnoxious bumper sticker? Let our hearts not be mistaken in our motives, and our speech reflect the bold, but humble mindset of God.

I ain't no fool...