Priorities

"If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you LOVE. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good Morning' at total strangers."
-Maya Angelou

I've talked about my priorities: God, husband, child, others, and lastly self. That makes sense in theory. But it's not so easily put into practice, at least by me...

I'm guilty of worrying about what others think. Of putting my best foot forward for people I don't know to try to make a good impression, but letting my family see the worst side of me since they "have" to love me.

And I find it far easier to talk on the phone to someone I don't know and probably will never meet than to call my own family.

Now it may be true that your loved ones treat you in a way a stranger would never dare to - with a lack of respect or harsh word. But are you guilty of the same thing?

I've learned the hard way that no one "has" to love you. If you spend all your energy - putting all your priorities - on others outside the family, you may lose the ones you love.

My own challenge - and yours, too, should you choose to accept - is not to take love for granted, but to treat those I love with the highest honors...

Broken Road

I haven't reached my destination yet. But this song reminds me that my road will have a beautiful ending someday.

God Bless the Broken Road

I set out on a narrow way
Many years ago
Hoping I would find true love
Along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
I wiped my brow
Kept pushin through
I couldn't see how every sign
Pointed straight to you

And every long lost dream
Led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart
They were just northern stars
Pointing me on my way
Into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to you.

I think about the years I spent
Just passing through
I'd like to take the time I lost
And give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of this grander plan
That is coming true.

And every long lost dream
Led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart
They were just northern stars
Pointing me on my way
Into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to you.

Oh, straight to you

Now I'm just rolling home
Into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to you.
Yes, God blessed the broken road
And led me straight to you

Thankfulness

First of all, checking in on my "Enjoy That Cheesecake!" post from last Monday. I've been trying! Not perfect, but trying...

And I am down from 11.8 pounds to 8.2 pounds to lose by June! Wahoo! I even did one evening of yoga - the first since I was pregnant with my toddler! We can do this...

Then I wanted to jump in with At the Well's assignment today - listing things I am thankful for about my husband. Here we go...

1. He checks out for my safety. Today I left home on a road trip, and just before I left, he got the car cleaned out and checked the oil.
2. He cares for our daughter. She is the highlight of his day; the light of his life. I love watching the two of them together.
3. He lets me know what he thinks. This has its pros and cons, of course! Today I choose to focus on the pros. No guesswork involved.
4. He is intelligent and interested. It's nice to converse with someone who gets what I'm saying and has opinions about it.
5. He's physically fit. Though he moans about his disappearing youth, he remains in shape and can beat just about anyone half his age with physical competitions.

There's more, of course - just saving some stuff for next time...

Soul Mate

"A wise woman seeks to be part of her husband's life. His interests become her interests. She looks for ways to help him in all his endeavors. When he needs a helping hand, it is her hand that is there first." --Debi Pearl

Do I spend so much time trying to be a GOOD wife - the Proverbs 31 woman, with all my checklists - that I don't have time to be the wife my husband needs me to be?

How can I be his soul mate in everything?

Think about it. When your husband is sleeping in and asks you to sleep in with him, do you do it, or do you get up because you have so much to get done before the baby wakes up?

Do you cuddle up with him while he watches a movie, or rush around getting things ready for school the next day, or do the ironing while you watch?

Do your checklists take top priority?

Do you put off his hints for sexual intimacy because you are in the middle of folding washing or cooking lunch, telling yourself you'll make it up to him later?

Yet later never comes, and even if it does, it's too late...