There was a time when beauty was hard for me to see. During my growing up years I never quite felt beautiful enough.  I was skinny–a string bean of sorts. I was a ballerina, and dancing was one of the times I felt the best.  Dancing was a time I felt beautiful and when I could let my heart be swept away.  I was accepted when I danced.

Most of the time I was awkward, never quite the one to fit in. Never the popular girl, but shy and scared.  I heard those harsh words that would rattle our house, that would sting hard.  Anger that would swell, and I took it personal. Those words that still would play over and over in my head as I grew up into a young adult. I would try to please and wonder if maybe it would be enough to receive a compliment from him–the preacher man.

Then I realized, attaining a place of true beauty just wasn’t going to happen with any earthly man.

One day beauty found me in my darkest place.  I was captivated by a Savior who loved me no matter what, and even though I was not perfect He loved me.  He thought I was beautiful, and his Word soothed my soul.  I was a princess to my Heavenly Father.

I see things differently now, for after all beauty is in the eye of the beholder.   Had Jesus not swept me up and given me new words to sing, a revived heart and mind, I would not know true beauty in the way I do now.  Today I can love because He first loved me and set me free.  I am beauty, I am a daughter of the King, and I will dance!

He gave me–beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Are you dancing with the Father today?

You will notice that my blog got all dressed up this week.  I am thrilled with my fresh new look, and hope you will enjoy it as well.  I have cut out as much of the clutter as possible, and worked to create a pleasant inviting space to visit.

But more than that–no matter what the blog looks like, I pray that you will be blessed as you come here to read.  My passion is to continue to bring you faith based posts and share my journey of walking out this life in bloom and in Christ. I would love to have you join me, as together we learn how to live a life blessed as Daughters of the King.

Come Join The Life In Bloom Party

I am adding a fun new feature to Denise In Bloom.  I will be hosting a new weekly link up coming each week on Thursdays.  We will start next week, so spread the word and come back, and let’s begin to celebrate the goodness of the Lord and our Life In Bloom!

What will we share?

Feel free to share a post from the week on your blog that celebrates any aspect of your life in bloom.  You can share post topics on faith, family, parenting, marriage, and anything else you feel you want to share and encourage others with. I can’t wait to get this party started, so we can begin to create a Life In Bloom community! Will you join me?

This Mother’s Day we will be surrounded by flowers, cards and candy, and the honoring of Mothers everywhere. Church goings, handmade cards and burnt toast breakfasts. It can be so glorious and grand can’t it? But, what happens when Mother’s Day is hard and raw and mixed with grief or sadness?

Not every Mother’s Day is a happy occasion filled with pampering and kind gestures is it? I too have been in that place, and my heart goes out to you.

May I tell you my story?

For the rest of this story please join me at Sisters In Bloom as I talked about “When Mother’s Day Is Hard”.

Today I paused and propped myself on the back porch step, soaking in in the warm sunshine with my kitty sprawled beside me. While I rested and reflected, I began my list once again–the Multitude Monday list where I count my blessings and name them one by one.

You know that old Sunday School Song?  ”Count your blessings name them one by one, count your blessings see what God has done”….? Its a sweet tune from my childhood and its simple words ring true today.

In my recent journey for complete healing in my body, mind and spirit, I came to realization that I rarely take time out for me. For quiet moments and reflections.  I am with my children 24/7 and there just is not many still minutes that I can recall. I end up staying up late hours to squeeze in a moment for me.  I love my children, and family, and delight in their energy and laughter, but sometimes the constant pulling of my attention can leave me less then peaceful and weary for the wear.

As you know I have hit a hard time in my life where anxiety and weariness were beginning to choke out my joy and peace.

In my seeking and searching with the Lord, I see that I have been neglecting myself more than I realized.  That the noble and right acts of taking care of family and putting other’s needs first, must be balanced with some boundaries. I come from a bloodline of outstanding women–my Grandmother and Mother, both full of generosity for others and their giving spirits that spill out and then give some more.

It’s all we know–and I am grateful. I am honored by the legacy.

My Grandma was a doer, an amazing woman who gave out and poured herself into whatever she did.  She was hard working and self sacrificing, but looking back she did one thing well in addition to her excellent work ethic.  She rested and recreated.  She loved a good card game with friends, delighted in gardening, baking, and all things domestic. She never lacked for the desire to try something new.

One of the things my Grandma loved the most was reading.  There wasn’t a moment of sitting still that she wasn’t reading.  She had an incredible thirst for learning, which endured until she couldn’t make out the fuzzy words any longer and blindness won out. She saturated her mind with God’s word, and ate up it’s words as honey to the soul.

Even though Grandma was efficient and hard working, she found time to love life and do it with zest. She knew how to play well and find delight in others. She knew how to feed her soul and spirit. I want to be like her. It’s a legacy I must keep passing on.

Every day I must keep counting, and naming the blessings of the Lord.  When times are lean and hard and raw, I can cling to the sweetness of the Savior and all the graces, joys, and blessings that have come my way.

Each Monday here on the blog, I will be counting, and joining the Multitude Monday community.  Maybe you too would love to look for majesty in the mundane as well?

So here starts my list and may I always keep counting and leave a legacy of gratitude.

• Sunshine after the rain
• Laughter of children even at 6:30 AM!
• The smell of freshly mowed grass
• Sunday naps
•  The joy of a Sunday School class full of eager children learning God’s word.
• Making new friends
•  Spring birds making nests
• Northwest spring, so green and lush, there is nothing like it
• Surprise flowers sent from a Sister In Bloom when I needed it most
• The power of prayer and those who will join together to lift you up–I am overwhelmed
• Finding healing and wholeness for my weary spirit and soul
• Nursing my big sick boy who still needs his mama
• Rhododendron bushes larger than life peeking out in ruby color
• Roof over our head and the floor beneath our feet
• Provision for another week

Also linking up here:

Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” John 4:10

Today I am reflecting and asking myself if I truly am experiencing the complete fullness and gifts God has for me. I want to be fully drinking in the Living Water and be refreshed by the only one who can satisfy my deepest needs. How about you?

I had the privilege of meeting Carey Bailey while attending the Relevant blogging conference last October.  She is a delightful lady full of love for the Lord with a passion to see moms every where  have a simple solution to satisfying the cravings for God in the midst of diapers and dishes.

I loved hearing the story of how Carey pursued her dream of creating a product from conception to reality.  When she asked me is she could send me a free set of her devotional cards and darling holder I was so thrilled and love having the opportunity to spread the word about this great gift for any busy mom. I have my Cravings devotional card set right at my desk, and it is a bright spot and comes with these great laminated cards that you switch out each day.  You will want one of these for sure, and they make the perfect gift for Mother’s Day!

What is Cravings?

Cravings is a collection of card-size devotionals based on the Psalms. They are written to help mothers develop their relationship with God in the midst of motherhood.

Each card contains a scripture for the day, a “thoughtlet,” and an action idea. As moms crave the sweet morsels from God’s Word, they can draw a card from a delectable Cravings holder—a pink cupcake!—that also displays the daily card for hands-free viewing. Versatile enough to fit with any feminine décor in a dining nook, a prayer closet, a kitchen–wherever you‘d want Scripture at your fingertips. If you find you need Cravings around the home, just one may not be enough!

Cravings can be a mom’s daily devotional, a supplement to her regular quiet time, or even doubled up during the day. The set of 40 cards offers over a month’s worth of Cravings in whatever way serves the spiritual needs of individual moms.

Where to Buy?

You can purchase your own Cravings Devotional Here

Here is a fun video from Carey about Cravings!

Enter to Win

Win a Minute-for-Mom gift pack from Carey Bailey!

“When I became a mom I lost my God time,” says Carey Bailey. “I couldn’t figure out how to fit it in, since everything but that time was a priority. So I made note cards that I set around my house with scriptures written on them. Even when my arms were too full of babies, laundry, and diapers to pick up a Bible, I could easily read God’s words of encouragement that I was starving for” And Cravings–The Devotional was born.

Celebrate with Carey by entering her Minute-for-Mom Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• $50 gift card to Erin Condren Shop (Your one-stop-shop for all things awesome!)
• $50 gift card to Victoria’s Secret® (For something pretty.)
• $25 gift card to Bath & Body Works® (For a little spa treatment.)
• 2 Sets of Cravings – The Devotional (For you and a friend.)
• Scentsy Plug In and 2 Bars (A lovely scent for your space.)

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 5/12/12. The winner will be announced 5/14/12 on Carey’s blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter! Tell your friends about Carey’s giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Carey Bailey is a recovering perfectionist, wife, proud mama and Family Life director for her church in Surprise, Ariz. On the side she loves party planning, crafting, and pursuing her dream of writing. She has a degree in religion from Westminster College and writes at her blog at www.carebaileyonline.com

I received a free copy of Cravings in exchange for a product review.

There I sat desperate. The headaches, the fog in my mind, unordered thoughts. The house cleaning on hold because there was no energy stores left. The laundry piling up and I hit an overwhelmed place.

I am a doer, a rescuer, and a people-pleaser. I love to encourage others. I can’t help but not encourage–it’s who I am.

But what happens when the cheerleader has lost her cheer? When she can’t utter another encouraging word? When she feels she is working hard but it is going unnoticed?

It can happen to us all, and it happened to me. By medical standards I was depressed, but by God’s standards I was in need of refocus and healing.

The journey that I have been on for the last couple months has been hard, and raw and real. I have been confused, taken a deep hard look at myself, and wrestled with God a bit in the process.

I have asked the tough questions. Is this a spiritual attack? Why am I so anxious when the Bible says to be anxious for nothing?  Is this a physical ailment that needs medical attention? Is this a time for rest and refocus? Do I need to pump up the vitamins and healthy habits?

How about all of the above!

Our family has been going through a lot of changes. Lots of medical appointments, and financial strain with self employment. It seemed like so many things were coming down on me and my shoulders were getting heavy. I hit a breaking point and a need to make some changes in my life.

• Sometimes there comes a point when…the doer has to take a break from doing, and the encourager has to be refilled and refreshed.
• When the people-pleaser needs to take time out of pleasing others to just focus on herself.
• Sometimes the overachiever needs to stop and give over all her doing to the One who bears all our burdens.

Are you a weary mom or an anxious woman out there like me? One who sometimes hits overload and has to put a halt to people’s demands and requests? Have you hit a desperate place in your life, and you are carrying the weight of worry on your shoulders?

If that describes you, I pray that you will find some refreshing for your body, mind and spirit.  It isn’t easy to admit that we need help, and that we need to take care of us.  As moms and wives we must be whole and healthy so we can be the best for our families.

So how do we begin to rejuvenate and refresh our weary bodies?

• Take time for rest and refocus.
• Create margin and space in our schedule.
• Renew the mind with God’s word. Read and meditate on the Word for healing to the soul.
• Look to the God-given natural ways to heal the body through rest, nutrition and exercise.
• Set boundaries for our time and activities.
• Take one day at a time.
• Reach out for help from medical professionals if necessary or friends and family.
• Ask others to pray for us.
• Ask for a fresh anointing from the Lord.  That he will rejuvenate our bodies so we can operate at our full potential.

A Prayer For All Us Weary Women

Fighting Fatigue the Natural Way

There I would sit swinging my patent leather shoes and drawing pictures on the front row of church as my Daddy would preach. I had to sit right up front and center with my mom, that was how it was back in the day when you were the daughter of an evangelist.  As a young girl I experienced many types of services from that front pew, and I wasn’t allowed to goof off when my mom had to play the piano or I would get the look!  Even as a young girl, I was able to see God’s power revealed and move on people, and I saw many expressions of worship and devotion to God.

As we traveled and lived abroad in foreign lands from Africa to Lebanon, I witnessed a beautiful reflection of how unique our worship really can be.  For some of us worship to God is outward and expressive while others are reserved and hold tight  to their emotions.

I am one of those expressive people who used to think that I needed to have some “experience” when I worshipped the Lord or prayed. That I must not be meeting with God because I didn’t get a certain message or a specific word of confirmation every time I read my Bible. But as time has gone on, and even though I love those jubilant celebrations, I am beginning to see that being in God’s presence isn’t about the experience or feeling that I come away with- it is just being.  Abiding there with Him, whether it be quiet or loud, whether expressive or reserved.

Worship has many facets, and some days are hushed and meant to be absorbed. Sometimes the Word just needs to seep deep, to soak into the dry and parched places, to trickle into the parts of my being that need refreshing.

Lately it’s been more dry and weary for me, where words aren’t flowing freely, where the expression is labored.  But I am learning to rest in the midst of dark days, even when I can’t feel a connection, or get a confirming word, He is there.

How do we cling to the fact of who God is? We must simply trust and obey.

There are times when I must go merely on the knowledge that God is God.  Plain and simple. In a world of super-sized accommodations, high tech living and fast moving moments I want to learn to just be satisfied with simple.  Simple faith and simple truths. Nothing flamboyant or flashy. No perfect music playing to usher in the right emotion or feeling.  I can just be still and know.  Know that He is God.

What about you?  Are you in a parched and dry land right now, where life is like a hurricane swirling and you are grasping to find peace? Are you trying to cling to something that is real?

Yes me too.

I long for fresh falling rain and for God to send down his presence, but then I realize he already has even when I don’t feel it.  When I can’t see it, His presence is with me.

Today I choose to cling to the cross, to cling to the truth and sit and be still. And if I pause long enough I just think I will begin to feel the rain falling once again.  How about you?

It is so easy to adopt a complaining habit.  I see my kids wanting more toys, new gadgets and ungrateful for the things they have.  I have been guilty of wishing and dreaming for something new that I didn’t necessarily need.  We live in a society where the world is telling us we need the latest and the greatest items to succeed or be pretty or smarter.  Because of this mentality, I find a growing difficulty to go against the culture and adopt an attitude of gratitude and in turn teach it to my children.

We currently live in an old farmhouse which is in need of work! It can be extremely discouraging to try to keep my attitude and heart in the right place and thank the Lord for what I have–not thinking of all that I want.  I have been on a journey to find the place of contentment and a heart that says “this is enough”.   I also have found some practical and spiritual ways to help me create a home and heart of gratitude, that I would love to share with you.

Steps To A Home and Heart of Gratitude

Simplify and de-clutter your heart and the home. It is amazing how new and wonderful your house and attitude will feel when you do this.  Start with the heart by asking God to give you a new attitude toward your home and surroundings.  As you clean and de-clutter the home a new perspective will come.  You will feel peaceful and in return feel more grateful.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Fill your home with inspirational decor. Don’t just buy stuff that is cute, but think about its purpose and its meaning to you.  Ask yourself three questions about your things.  Do I need it?  Do I love it? Does it bless our family?  Now there are some things in our home that we just have to keep because of their purpose.  But when it comes to decorating the home, why not think about using scripture, inspirational sayings and verses? Items that inspire.  I love to do this in my home and enjoy the constant reminders I see at every turn.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.Psalm 34:1

Start everyday by offering praise to the Lord.  Sometimes we can get focused on expressing our needs to God instead of just giving thanks. Find a way to include the entire family in a daily habit of gratitude. Use meals times or bedtimes to say and record your blessings as a family.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

Leave encouraging notes and verses for the entire family to read as they pass by in the home.  Use a chalkboard or whiteboard to write a daily scripture or thankful note.  Leave fun messages on the bathroom mirror for your husband and send notes in your kids lunches, letting them know how much you love them. 

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her house and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31: 26-27

Pray for contentment in your circumstances and surroundings. Praising God for the roof over your head and the floor beneath your feet is a simple but powerful prayer.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

Add memorable items to your home. Fill your home with photographs, family scrapbooks, and albums.  Make a gallery wall with mementos, and meaningful items that will keep gratitude in the forefront of your mind.

Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. Psalm 86:17

Play uplifting praise and instrumental music through out the day. This has been a miracle worker in my home!  When I play music in the background it keeps me singing and in an attitude of worship, and my kids are calmer and fight less when I work to create this worshipful atmosphere.

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17

Lighting candles creates a mood of relaxation which in turn makes our home feel more inviting. We are then naturally grateful to be home!

She makes coverings for her bed;  she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Proverbs 31:22

When we practice daily gratitude in spiritual and  practical ways, our home will naturally be more beautiful. When the attitude is directed upward we can then move in to the fullness of the Lord and all of his blessings.

But the fruit of the spirit is….

Love

Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5: 2

Joy

This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

Peace

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4: 7

Patience

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3: 12

Kindness

In purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; II Cor 6:6

 Goodness

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

Gentleness

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil 4: 5

and, Self Control

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16: 22

Against such things there is no law.

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galations 5: 25

Blessings for you my friends today as you walk with God, may you see the fruit of your labor, taste of His goodness and find true pleasure in the ordinary moments!