It Is Just One of Those Days!

Have you ever had the day where everything and anything was a struggle? A huge effort to even think about what needs to be done? All that you can think of is crawling back into bed, bury yourself under the covers and wake up when it is another day? Another week? Another month or even another year?

Since returning from New York on Tuesday, I have been having one of those days for the past 2 days! Now I know there are many factors for this feeling. Not having bounced back from the flight. The awful night spent at Newark Airport. The intense heat and humidity back east.

But the question that keeps going through my mind is ‘When will this be over?' I have a great deal on my plate for the next 2 months, starting with tonight. True to my nature, I over book and over plan. There was a time in my life when I thrived on all the challenges and things to do. I am finding though that as I get older, that kind of life style does not appeal to me anymore.

Now don't get me wrong. I love working with youth and most days, I love my job. I enjoy my home life with Lars and Wyeth, even though it could be a little more organized and cleaner for me! I guess I feel that life has to be more simpler. Maybe all the things on my plate overwhelm me and I just want to forget about them, even for a minute. Is it possible that once my life slows down and becomes more simple, more organized and less stressful, I won't be having these days?

I am reminded of what Jesus says:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Matthew 11: 28 - 30

Lord, I need that rest so much. I need to be able to do what you have called me to do and have your energy and your peace as I met the demands of my day. Thank you for reminding me of your rest that you freely give.

So as I finish my day at a Christmas in July scrapbook party working on a Christmas present for my Bethany, I am going to use that time to refresh and re-charge. And make it a point as I start my day tomorrow to start it with God. Doing things that refresh me such as devotional time, reading, scrap booking, or even a nice work out will help keep those days to a minium. And knowing that God is with me always is reason to keep on going.

The Joys of Reading

I picked up the July/August copy of "Bliss Victoria", one of my favorite magazines. As I started reading I noticed The Reader to Reader column. The question posed to them was "Is there a certain book that played a significant role in your life?"

As I read the responses, I started thinking of all the books that I have read over the years. First and foremost, reading is my favorite of all hobbies. I devour books. Whether it was trips to the library every week as a child, to spending hours at Barnes and Noble or Borders looking for old favorites and new authors to read now as an adult.

Of course books like Charlotte's Web, The Boxcar Children and the Betsy series were favorites as a young girl. In 3rd grade I read Gone With The Wind for the first time, armed with a dictionary! Then it was the Little House series. Reading about the adventures of Laura and her family made me want a simpler time. Even today as an adult, I re-read those books. I also was a fan of Nancy Drew Mysteries. How cool Nancy was with her blue convertible, fashionable wardrobe and her ability to solve mysteries!

My most favorite book is Little Women. I have read that book so many times. The troubles and joys the March sisters had always stirred my heart. And when I read it again after becoming a Christian, I understood more and more of the values and life principles Louisa May Alcott wove into the story.

I also have fond memories of The All of a Kind Family series. Stories about a big Jewish family in NYC during the 1900's. And who could forgot the Double Date, Double Wedding series. Or a Date for Diane and Tojours Diane. I could spend hours recalling my favorite childhood and teen year books. In fact I have slowly been buying them for my own library. I shared all my favorites with my daughters as I read to them and even my oldest now has her own Betsy series.

As I got older I discovered new authors like Brock and Bodie Thoene, Anya Seyton ( love her books Katherine and Green Darkness) Stephen King, Nora Roberts and so many others. I have read my North and South Trilogy so many times the books are falling apart. Then Steve Berry, James Patterson, Ken Foeltt. I could spend days sharing about my favorite writes and books that touched me in some way.

I am saddened how reading has become a thing of the past for so many people today. I have been to so many places, so many different eras and have so many friends in the books I have read. My friend La Homa got me a night shirt for Christmas that says "So many books, so little time" with a stack of books underneath. That is so true!

Then I think about all the wisdom and joy I get from reading my Bible. And the Christian writers for both fiction and non fiction. Rick Warren's - A Purpose Driven Life! The Left Behind series by Tim La Haye and Jerry Jenkins. Even with this group of books I could go on forever.

I am thankful my girls share my love of reading. That love was passed down to me by my mother. And I hope my children will pass that love to my grandchildren. I feel sorry for those of you who claim to hate reading. You have no idea of how reading can enrich your lives. I encourage you to pick up a book. Try something that interests you. There are so many genres and so many topics.

Happy Reading!