One day at a time I will walk this road I've traveled so far
One day at a time well I know I will carry on
One day at a time I can see you took my life this far
One day at a time I will take this faith along
All this hope I breathe is given by the hand that carries me
Until I'm complete and I'll take all I will
To understand this plan you have for me, for me
I've been shut up shut down held out held down
In ways I never knew I would
But I can feel your fullness in my life
Well I've been burned out broken torn out torn down
In ways I never knew I would
But I can feel your fullness in my life
One day at a time
One day at a time I will take these words you've given me
One day at a time I will rest in knowing you
One day at a time I will share this gift you've given me
One day at a time I will walk these valleys through
And all I know is that I see
How much my heart is longing to be cradled by your side
Yeah, I'll give all I can
To one day soon be held by your hand, by your hand
I've been shut up shut down held out held down
In ways I never knew I would
But I can feel your fullness in my life
Well I've been burned out broken torn out torn down
In ways I never knew I would
But I can feel your fullness in my life
In all these things I will press on, yeah
I'll be with you I know it won't be long
I've been shut up shut down held out held down
In ways I never knew I would
But I can feel your fullness in my life
Well I've been burned out broken torn out torn down
In ways I never knew I would
But I can feel your fullness in my life
By Jeremy Camp
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Puzzle Pieces
Written at a time in my life when nothing seems to make sense, even this "poem". He's broken apart my world and handed me the left over pieces. Now, what am I to do with them? I think I keep trying to make them into something they aren't. Perhaps I am just to learn more about myself, and more about my Creator? Only time will tell. (March 21, 2000)
Puzzle Pieces
By: Meredith Quintana
Jagged... Smooth, straight, and curved
They never all seem to fit together
I look at the pieces
Then the picture on the box
And I wonder how it'll ever look so right
Life seems to be the same way
Only there's no perfect picture in which to compare
He gives me the pieces
The so-called problems of today
I try to make them fit
But it just won't work
The pieces all look so jumbled
I feel so lost and confused
What will I do next?
Where do I turn?
The pieces of my life are grouped accordingly...
God... Family... School... Work... Friends...
If I can make each section look good,
Then will I feel in control?
Will that control bring me happiness?
By trying to make the pieces work on my own,
I start feeling better about everything
The grouped pieces are placed where I want them
Where I think they'd look best.
As if I actually knew what was best for me.
But it won't work.
They don't fit.
Why is it that I want to plan my life, according to my plan?
Why is it so hard to leave it up to Him?
Why must I be so stubborn?
I once again repent and turn from my selfish ways
I lay it down at His feet
He takes my pieces and scatters them...
As far as the East is to the West.
"Father," I ask. "How will I ever be able to solve the puzzle now?"
"My child," He quietly whispers, "You may think your puzzle will never be solved, but I know what the picture would look like long ago. This is within My will that you would struggle."
"But why, Father?"
"My precious child," He says, as He places me in His lap. "If I never break your world apart, then how will you learn to depend on Me? How will you learn to trust in Me? How will your faith ever grow stronger?"
He lifts his arms and spreads it out in front of me. "Look at all that has happened... What if Noah hadn't had enough faith in Me to build the Ark? You would not be."
"What if Joseph hadn't been sold into slavery? He wouldn't have been able to save the land from famine? What if David hadn't had enough faith to use a sling and three small stones? He would never have defeated Goliath."
As scene upon scene kept flashing before me, my Father kept showing me over and over how faithful He has been. No matter if we deserved it or not, He has provided.
So, as I look back on those so-called problems... the pieces in my life
I begin to realize that He is in control
I have to be patient in Him
And know that everything will fall into place, just like the picture on the 'box'
One day down the road of life, I'll look back on these trying times
I'll know that everything that happened, happened for a reason
I'll see that my Creator had each puzzle piece carefully placed in the palm of His nail-pierced hand
And I'll know that He who began a good work in me, has been faithful to complete it in me.
I wanted to share this poem which I wrote several years ago. It's humorous to know that, in a way, not much has changed... my life still feels like a ill-fitted puzzle. I thought... well, that I'd have more figured out by now. I suppose my edges, the foundation, is complete. But those dastardly middle pieces are still a bit confusing. I suppose, it won't ever really be completed. Always more work to be done. Always more refining. Oy.
Puzzle Pieces
By: Meredith Quintana
Jagged... Smooth, straight, and curved
They never all seem to fit together
I look at the pieces
Then the picture on the box
And I wonder how it'll ever look so right
Life seems to be the same way
Only there's no perfect picture in which to compare
He gives me the pieces
The so-called problems of today
I try to make them fit
But it just won't work
The pieces all look so jumbled
I feel so lost and confused
What will I do next?
Where do I turn?
The pieces of my life are grouped accordingly...
God... Family... School... Work... Friends...
If I can make each section look good,
Then will I feel in control?
Will that control bring me happiness?
By trying to make the pieces work on my own,
I start feeling better about everything
The grouped pieces are placed where I want them
Where I think they'd look best.
As if I actually knew what was best for me.
But it won't work.
They don't fit.
Why is it that I want to plan my life, according to my plan?
Why is it so hard to leave it up to Him?
Why must I be so stubborn?
I once again repent and turn from my selfish ways
I lay it down at His feet
He takes my pieces and scatters them...
As far as the East is to the West.
"Father," I ask. "How will I ever be able to solve the puzzle now?"
"My child," He quietly whispers, "You may think your puzzle will never be solved, but I know what the picture would look like long ago. This is within My will that you would struggle."
"But why, Father?"
"My precious child," He says, as He places me in His lap. "If I never break your world apart, then how will you learn to depend on Me? How will you learn to trust in Me? How will your faith ever grow stronger?"
He lifts his arms and spreads it out in front of me. "Look at all that has happened... What if Noah hadn't had enough faith in Me to build the Ark? You would not be."
"What if Joseph hadn't been sold into slavery? He wouldn't have been able to save the land from famine? What if David hadn't had enough faith to use a sling and three small stones? He would never have defeated Goliath."
As scene upon scene kept flashing before me, my Father kept showing me over and over how faithful He has been. No matter if we deserved it or not, He has provided.
So, as I look back on those so-called problems... the pieces in my life
I begin to realize that He is in control
I have to be patient in Him
And know that everything will fall into place, just like the picture on the 'box'
One day down the road of life, I'll look back on these trying times
I'll know that everything that happened, happened for a reason
I'll see that my Creator had each puzzle piece carefully placed in the palm of His nail-pierced hand
And I'll know that He who began a good work in me, has been faithful to complete it in me.
I wanted to share this poem which I wrote several years ago. It's humorous to know that, in a way, not much has changed... my life still feels like a ill-fitted puzzle. I thought... well, that I'd have more figured out by now. I suppose my edges, the foundation, is complete. But those dastardly middle pieces are still a bit confusing. I suppose, it won't ever really be completed. Always more work to be done. Always more refining. Oy.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Strangely Dim
This morning my friend sent me a devotional as she does every morning from Joel Osteen. Sometimes I have time to read it, often I don't. Amazingly though, when I do, it's always exactly what I need to hear. Today was no different. It talked about how we often will get so comsumed with all the stresses of life, always looking down, wading in the muck and mire of life, that we often don't look up. Just by looking up, takes our focus off what's around us and back on Him.
This has been the case with me lately. Boy, I've been trudging to and from work in mire so thick I'm hardly able to breathe. The thing is, if I'd just stop focusing on all that's going wrong around me and instead, remember all the blessings in my life, I'm sure my attitude would do a 180 and my focus would be, well focused.
Life's been kinda stinky for me lately. I really try not to let things bother me, but yesterday everything hit the fan. I had to make a conscious effort to change. Of course, that didn't actually fix anything that was wrong. I'm just trying to look at it in a different light. Refocused, if you will.
Which leads me to this evening. I'm on the way home from work, with the windows down and the heat on full blast. (Yeah, I know it's weird.) When I pulled off the interstate onto the hwy, I got into an accident. It happened so quickly, the blood was pumping hard in my ears for the second time today. (The first was at 7:05 am when I suddenly woke up from a bad dream!) But anway, I realized that I'd hit the guy in front of me. Thankfully, I was hardly moving and no damage was done at all to either car. PTL!!
It all comes back to focus. It becomes an if/then statement. If I focus on Him, then the things on Earth will grow strangely dim. I pray the same is true in your life today. Thanks for letting me share my heart with you.
This has been the case with me lately. Boy, I've been trudging to and from work in mire so thick I'm hardly able to breathe. The thing is, if I'd just stop focusing on all that's going wrong around me and instead, remember all the blessings in my life, I'm sure my attitude would do a 180 and my focus would be, well focused.
Life's been kinda stinky for me lately. I really try not to let things bother me, but yesterday everything hit the fan. I had to make a conscious effort to change. Of course, that didn't actually fix anything that was wrong. I'm just trying to look at it in a different light. Refocused, if you will.
Which leads me to this evening. I'm on the way home from work, with the windows down and the heat on full blast. (Yeah, I know it's weird.) When I pulled off the interstate onto the hwy, I got into an accident. It happened so quickly, the blood was pumping hard in my ears for the second time today. (The first was at 7:05 am when I suddenly woke up from a bad dream!) But anway, I realized that I'd hit the guy in front of me. Thankfully, I was hardly moving and no damage was done at all to either car. PTL!!
It all comes back to focus. It becomes an if/then statement. If I focus on Him, then the things on Earth will grow strangely dim. I pray the same is true in your life today. Thanks for letting me share my heart with you.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Let's Say Thanks
In 2006, I became pen pals with a soldier in Iraq. It was truly a unique experience. I was able to talk with him fairly frequently and encourage him as well. We'll lost touch now, as he's home with his family, but I often think about Lt. Craig. For me, it made all that was going on in the war, truly personal. I encourage you to take some sort of action and let our men and woman know how much we appreciate their efforts.
Regardless of how you feel about the war, American soldiers are serving our country and protecting the rights of freedoms we daily take for granted. They are far away from home and I'm sure would appreciate some love from home. If you would like to say thanks, please go to this website: www.letssaythanks.com.
There, you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Or if you want to do more, you can adopt a soldier as well, find out more about it here: http://www.mysoldier.com/ .
Regardless of how you feel about the war, American soldiers are serving our country and protecting the rights of freedoms we daily take for granted. They are far away from home and I'm sure would appreciate some love from home. If you would like to say thanks, please go to this website: www.letssaythanks.com.
There, you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! This is a great site. It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Or if you want to do more, you can adopt a soldier as well, find out more about it here: http://www.mysoldier.com/ .
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Laughing at Aunt Mer
Ever since Grant got his walker for his 1st birthday, he's been hard to catch on video. So, I "hid" next to the couch and surprised him when he came around the corner. See what happened!!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Momma always said....
....there'd be days like this. I sat down a while ago to basically vent about my day. But I've erased everything I've written thus far. It all sounded so whiney and trivial. I'm only going to mention that I'm only ONE girl, who can only do and handle so much before I explode. Ugh! If I ever left my job, I honestly believe they'd have to hire at least two people to do all that I do.
A "white squall" hit today. I had no warning. Suddenly, I was in the midst of the storm-tossed sea with no life preserver. Times like these make me want to throw my hands up and just quit! If only; darn those responsibilites. The thing of it is, I really don't think God's plan is for me to be this miserable on a day-to-day basis. I have all these seemingly random talents, but did God give them to me so that I could turn a profit? I really don't think so. I mean, I think God gives us things such as talents so we can ultimately give Glory to God. How far I've strayed from that.
I don't know what to do. I would love to do something creative. Something that used my skills and talents, rather than trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole. Sure, I'm pretty good at what I do, but it's not who I am. It'*drains* me every day. I don't know how long I can keep doing this. Prayer. I need prayer. Guidance. Wisdom. What should I do?? How I would love a burning bush.
A "white squall" hit today. I had no warning. Suddenly, I was in the midst of the storm-tossed sea with no life preserver. Times like these make me want to throw my hands up and just quit! If only; darn those responsibilites. The thing of it is, I really don't think God's plan is for me to be this miserable on a day-to-day basis. I have all these seemingly random talents, but did God give them to me so that I could turn a profit? I really don't think so. I mean, I think God gives us things such as talents so we can ultimately give Glory to God. How far I've strayed from that.
I don't know what to do. I would love to do something creative. Something that used my skills and talents, rather than trying to make a square peg fit into a round hole. Sure, I'm pretty good at what I do, but it's not who I am. It'*drains* me every day. I don't know how long I can keep doing this. Prayer. I need prayer. Guidance. Wisdom. What should I do?? How I would love a burning bush.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
One Word
Recently, I asked my friends to describe ME in one word.... just one single word. Here are the results:
- Faithful
- Amazing
- Friend
- Witty
- Creative
- Breathtaking
- Loving
- Kind
- Charitable
- Beautiful
- Fun
- Friendly
- Questionnaire
- Inquisitive
- Insightful
- "SMILEALICIOUS"
- Helpful
- Precious
- "FanTAStic"
- Sweet
- Encourager
- Perceptive
Saturday, November 10, 2007
1st Birthday Steps
I was laying on the floor to get Grant's eye view, when low and behold, he took some steps for his Aunt Sandra! (He took his first steps the Saturday before for Mommy and Aunt Mer.)
Thursday, November 8, 2007
One
I think, sometimes I'm so introspective, I get lost within myself and don't realize that I affect (effect?) others around me. I tend to think I'm invisible and that I walk through life undetected. Which is silly to think, I realize. None the less, the thought remains. Funny thing about being lost within myself, there's no one to ask for directions. Though, the verse comes to mind, "Your Word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105) Regardless of how alone I feel, He is there. I need to stop trying to be so independent and rely on my Father. He really does know what's best for me. He, unlike anyone, really does *know* me. He created me afterall.
On Grey's Anatomy tonight, one of my favorite shows, albeit not moral in the least, one of the plots in this episode, was that Lexi and Meredith don't know one another. Lexi came up with 5 completely random things about herself, so that Meredith would get an idea of who she is. And perhaps, love and accept her as a result. I feel like that sometimes. I feel like I'm constantly trying to tell people who I am.... I suppose it's not necessarily though. If you want to know me, you'll make the effort?
That sounded really selfish, didn't it? I'm not entirely sure how to convey what I'm thinking. It's just that, I'm constantly thinking. My brain is like a roulette wheel. Full of ideas. Full of adventures. Full. But, often, it's just me at the end of the day. I come home to an empty house. Just me, myself and I. I'd love to be able to share my life with someone. Talk and laugh about things that happened through out the day. **Breaks into song, "One is the lonliest number!"**
Seriously though, I'm really sick of being alone. And while I realize, the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. It's just that most of the dreams and desires God's given me, can only be done with a partner. Not to mention, doing all the house work myself. So, while I'm supposedly living up the best years of my single life, I feel like I'm missing out on what could be. I don't understand why God would give me these dreams, only to not fulfill them. Not to say that He still won't.
I know I'm not the only single girl out there feeling like this. And I don't often let myself really think about it. I hate feeling this way. I just felt like, for tonight, to open myself up to you. I never know who might be reading my words. I guess I just want to say, beyond how I might feel at any given moment, I do really think He has a plan for my life.
In Jeremiah 29:11-13, it says, "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." [The Message]
This wasn't at all what I'd planned to write about today, but perhaps that was for someone out there?
On Grey's Anatomy tonight, one of my favorite shows, albeit not moral in the least, one of the plots in this episode, was that Lexi and Meredith don't know one another. Lexi came up with 5 completely random things about herself, so that Meredith would get an idea of who she is. And perhaps, love and accept her as a result. I feel like that sometimes. I feel like I'm constantly trying to tell people who I am.... I suppose it's not necessarily though. If you want to know me, you'll make the effort?
That sounded really selfish, didn't it? I'm not entirely sure how to convey what I'm thinking. It's just that, I'm constantly thinking. My brain is like a roulette wheel. Full of ideas. Full of adventures. Full. But, often, it's just me at the end of the day. I come home to an empty house. Just me, myself and I. I'd love to be able to share my life with someone. Talk and laugh about things that happened through out the day. **Breaks into song, "One is the lonliest number!"**
Seriously though, I'm really sick of being alone. And while I realize, the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. It's just that most of the dreams and desires God's given me, can only be done with a partner. Not to mention, doing all the house work myself. So, while I'm supposedly living up the best years of my single life, I feel like I'm missing out on what could be. I don't understand why God would give me these dreams, only to not fulfill them. Not to say that He still won't.
I know I'm not the only single girl out there feeling like this. And I don't often let myself really think about it. I hate feeling this way. I just felt like, for tonight, to open myself up to you. I never know who might be reading my words. I guess I just want to say, beyond how I might feel at any given moment, I do really think He has a plan for my life.
In Jeremiah 29:11-13, it says, "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." [The Message]
This wasn't at all what I'd planned to write about today, but perhaps that was for someone out there?
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
WYSIWYG
I talk to myself in the car a lot. Earlier, I had the "perfect" blog written but alas, I got distracted once I got home and wasn't able to get it down on paper. Essentially, it was being thankful that God made me so different. Which, has taken me quite a number of years to realize this. I used to be so mad at God for creating me different. Now I see what a blessing it really is.
I've always been special... not like the short bus kind, though I did ride a short bus one school year. I'm just different. I see things differently. I say different things than people might expect. I react to situations differently. I see myself saying and doing things and I think to myself, "Stop talking!!", but I can't. I don't know how not to be me. I am what I am. WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
I don't know where I was going with this post. I'm really sleepy, but it's been so long since I've written, I just wanted to get something down. Going to bed now...though, not before a quick game of Tetris on my phone.
I've always been special... not like the short bus kind, though I did ride a short bus one school year. I'm just different. I see things differently. I say different things than people might expect. I react to situations differently. I see myself saying and doing things and I think to myself, "Stop talking!!", but I can't. I don't know how not to be me. I am what I am. WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
I don't know where I was going with this post. I'm really sleepy, but it's been so long since I've written, I just wanted to get something down. Going to bed now...though, not before a quick game of Tetris on my phone.
Monday, November 5, 2007
God is on Your Side
“If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31)?
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
As a believer in Jesus and a child of His, God is on your side today! If you haven’t thought about it yet today, remember, you are created for greatness. You have the seed of Almighty God inside of you. There is no obstacle that can stop you. There is no disadvantage that can hold you back. You’re in the palm of God’s hand, and He has equipped and empowered you for everything. When God is on your side, He sets the right people in your path. In fact, He’s already released favor into your future. He’s planning for you to come in to new seasons of increase. Have you given up on a dream? God is on your side, and He wants to resurrect it. Have you given up on a family member? God is on your side, and He wants to restore that relationship. God is on your side, and He has a plan for victory in every area of your life. Let that sink down into your heart today. Begin to expect His favor. Expect Him to work in your life. Focus on the fact that God has equipped you. He has anointed you. Your best days are still out in front of you! If God is for you, no one can rise against you! As you meditate on this promise, it will become real to you. You will walk in the favor and victory God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for being on my side today. Thank You for equipping and empowering me to accomplish everything You’ve called me to. Give me a deeper revelation of Your love for me today so that I can live the abundant life You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
As a believer in Jesus and a child of His, God is on your side today! If you haven’t thought about it yet today, remember, you are created for greatness. You have the seed of Almighty God inside of you. There is no obstacle that can stop you. There is no disadvantage that can hold you back. You’re in the palm of God’s hand, and He has equipped and empowered you for everything. When God is on your side, He sets the right people in your path. In fact, He’s already released favor into your future. He’s planning for you to come in to new seasons of increase. Have you given up on a dream? God is on your side, and He wants to resurrect it. Have you given up on a family member? God is on your side, and He wants to restore that relationship. God is on your side, and He has a plan for victory in every area of your life. Let that sink down into your heart today. Begin to expect His favor. Expect Him to work in your life. Focus on the fact that God has equipped you. He has anointed you. Your best days are still out in front of you! If God is for you, no one can rise against you! As you meditate on this promise, it will become real to you. You will walk in the favor and victory God has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for being on my side today. Thank You for equipping and empowering me to accomplish everything You’ve called me to. Give me a deeper revelation of Your love for me today so that I can live the abundant life You have prepared for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
A Plethora of Events
First things first, Grant took his FIRST STEPS Saturday morning! It was such a special treat for me to witness this momentous occasion! Precious little boy, I love that kid!
Side note: he cried when I left today, which both made me sad and happy. He's never cried when I've left before. (Though, usually, he's just had his last bottle and he's about to go night-night, so maybe he doesn't realize what's happening.) But he always cries when he says bye-bye to his granny. I was feeling left out. Like he didn't love me. So, strangely, it made me smile.
I got my hair cut today. Nothing like the last time! My sister's friend, Talya, came to Stephanie's house and cut both our hair. Wasn't that nice of her? She reshaped my hair and chopped off a good bit. She said I really need to grow my bangs out, so I'll try. (I've had bangs since the 3rd grade!)
I did my grocery shopping for the month today at Walmart. Man, was that place crazy busy! And even though I went up and down every isle, sometimes more than once, I STILL forgot things on my list (which I left at home).
Have you been watching the competition for the next Iron Chef (on the Food Network)? I've been watching it every week and my favorite guy, Michael Symon made it to the top two tonight! Next week will see who the winner is!!
I stumbled upon this on YouTube: Damien Rice - I Remember. They are completely amazing! So passionate! Check out!
Darn the time change! Oh well, the extra hour was nice today. I felt as though I got more accomplished. Marked some chores off my list of never ending chores. Hope you all had a good day, out there in Blog Land. Off to bed for myself.
Side note: he cried when I left today, which both made me sad and happy. He's never cried when I've left before. (Though, usually, he's just had his last bottle and he's about to go night-night, so maybe he doesn't realize what's happening.) But he always cries when he says bye-bye to his granny. I was feeling left out. Like he didn't love me. So, strangely, it made me smile.
I got my hair cut today. Nothing like the last time! My sister's friend, Talya, came to Stephanie's house and cut both our hair. Wasn't that nice of her? She reshaped my hair and chopped off a good bit. She said I really need to grow my bangs out, so I'll try. (I've had bangs since the 3rd grade!)
I did my grocery shopping for the month today at Walmart. Man, was that place crazy busy! And even though I went up and down every isle, sometimes more than once, I STILL forgot things on my list (which I left at home).
Have you been watching the competition for the next Iron Chef (on the Food Network)? I've been watching it every week and my favorite guy, Michael Symon made it to the top two tonight! Next week will see who the winner is!!
I stumbled upon this on YouTube: Damien Rice - I Remember. They are completely amazing! So passionate! Check out!
Darn the time change! Oh well, the extra hour was nice today. I felt as though I got more accomplished. Marked some chores off my list of never ending chores. Hope you all had a good day, out there in Blog Land. Off to bed for myself.
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