Perspective...

I've had such a lovely time, lately, praying for my family.  I sound like a dork, I know.  And I don't know if things really are running a little more smoothly or if I've just changed my attitude a bit.  Don't get me wrong....I still lose my temper with the girls.....and I'm working on that.  But for the last couple of weeks, I can definitely see improvement in my outlook.

The other day I was making dinner, something I usually dread,  while Molly did homework at our island.  She mentioned how much she loved hanging out with me while I cooked and helped her.  She said it made her feel cozy.  And, you know.....it makes me feel cozy, too!  I so enjoyed being with her that after I made dinner, we ended up making healthy pumpkin muffins, too.....just to spend a little more time together doing what made us feel 'cozy'.  We made a memory together.

I've been getting up every morning at 6:40 to pray for Kevin and the girls.  I am NOT a morning person.  Really, it is all I can do, usually, to drag myself out of bed at 7ish to pack lunches and get my kids motivated.  But.....6:40 it is!  I'm finding that sometimes, it's just about being obedient to what God is asking me to do.  Even getting up 20 minutes early to spend time with Him and cover my family in prayer before the day officially gets going.

My time with God at this early hour has been sweet.  As I read, I can tell I'm directed to just the right passage for the day or for what I'm dealing with at the moment.  It really is amazing.  I forget how much God really does care about even the smallest, seemingly insignificant things I'm going through......like a meeting I'm nervous about......or scrambling to get the next art class schedule out.......or feeling overwhelmed by the volcano in my laundry room that constantly spits out the never ending lava of clothing.......but He does.  He cares about everything that concerns me.  Everything.

One morning I was totally feeling sorry for myself.....about aging and my wrinkles and saggy parts.  I grabbed my coffee and wanted to sit down to a 'whoa is me pity party'.  I forced myself to open my bible.  This is what it opened to:

"The King is enthralled by your beauty.  Honor Him, for He is your Lord." Psalm 45:11

Now, that stopped me in my tracks.  Then later in the day....still feeling a little pitiful.....I get a text from Kevin, who had no idea I was down in the dumps.

'I love you and you are beautiful!', it read.

Seriously?  I don't know how anyone can not believe in God.  He comes in right when He is needed....which, really, is all the time!

See how He cares about the things that bother us?  Even me in my vanity?  As we grow closer to Him, I feel like He truly opens our heart to His truth.

It's so easy to forget these things.  And I don't remember them until I get together with God and open myself up.  And pray for things outside of myself.  I find that's when He starts to change me.  I begin to see things from a better perspective.  I begin to see my life, my husband, my kids, my job.....even myself.......in a much better light.  In truth.

My big prayers are for humility, grace, kindness, joy and a giving spirit.  Not too much to ask, right?  I figure if my heart has all of these in it, then what a person I would be!!  What a mother.  What a wife.  What a business owner.  What a daughter, sister, friend............

6:40 tomorrow morning.  Me, a cup of coffee and God.  Little changes.

And if anyone is interested in the super awesome muffins Molly and I made together, here is the recipe. We found it on the 100 days of real food blog and altered it just a little.  And I would definitely recommend this blog.  It's awesome.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups whole-wheat flour 
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ cup honey
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup pumpkin puree

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large mixing bowl whisk together the dry ingredients (from the flour down to the salt).
3. Make a well (hole) in the center and throw in the eggs, oil, honey, and vanilla. Stir together thoroughly with a fork, but do not overmix.
4. Fold in the pumpkin puree and nuts (if using).
5. Generously grease a large loaf pan or put muffin liners in a muffin pan and then pour in the batter.
6. For a loaf bake for approximately 30 – 40 minutes and for muffins bake for approximately 18 – 22 minutes. Check for doneness by making sure a toothpick inserted comes out clean.