Rise up and Show Up
As I was sitting at the sunrise service today I realized why I was so stuck on the theme “Show Up” this week. Sometimes God starts to work in my heart way before I understand what he is doing. This week I kept seeing how many blessings are found when we just “Show Up”. We all have very busy lives and it is easy to make an excuse to not “Show Up”. But this week I made the effort. I kept finding numerous joys when I showed up to eat with friends, exercise, waking up early, playing darts, met with clients, and...
read moreMountain moments, musings, music and madness…
So, spring break came and went. As we rushed to the mountains of NC to escape life for a week, as usual life followed. I realized this as my beautiful little girl started to throw up in a plastic bag in the back seat on I-75 in Atlanta traffic. Stuck in the furthest lane, far from any exit for miles, I began to wonder if God heard my cry before we left the driveway this morning…”I need a break so bad.” Humm…Maybe just bad chicken from lunch… wishful thinking. Within 24 hours Jackson was driving the porcelain bus...
read moreIf you are like me…You are on Plan Z
“Many are the Plans in a Man’s heart but the Lord’s Purpose Will Prevail.” Proverbs 19:21 Once upon a time there was a little girl born into a loving family, to parents who wanted her and cherished her. From the start her grandmother on her mother’s side would declare, “I believe my sweet granddaughter was actually born HAPPY!” She had lots of energy, cart wheeling from here to there, smiling most of the time, eating everything in sight, singing and giggling her way into life… All was great and going...
read moreJust a Child of God
Yesterday someone overheard another speaking about me and they said, “You know she is an Evangelical.” I was taken back because I would never label myself that. I struggle with all labels at 48. Why do we have to place others under a roof of faith with a label to describe who they are? Can’t I just be a girl who loves Jesus? Do we really think that there will be different neighborhoods in heaven for Methodists, Catholics, Evangelicals? What about Married, Single, Divorced? Smart, Beautiful, Successful, Athletic, Popular? The...
read more20 Tips for a Positive Productive and JOYFUL New Year
1. You can’t control everything that happens to you. – But you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects. Whether you’re happy or not depends greatly on which aspects you focus on. Things change but the sun always rises. The bad news: nothing is permanent. The good news: nothing is permanent. 2. Zoom Focus.- Each day when you wake up in the morning ask: “What are the three most important things I need to do today that will help create the life I desire?” Then tune out all the...
read moreWhat’s in a Frame…more than meets the eye!
What a picture! One of my favorites from David and Morgan’s wedding. There is so much in that frame, much more than meets the eye. Of course you see love, joy and FUN. But as I look into this frame I think “Oh my, I gave birth to everyone in the frame but me!” Each of them so individually themselves, gifted, talented with their own unique personalities. Yes, we fill a big frame and my sweet new daughter in law, Morgan is not even in this picture. Over the years there will be more to come…new wives and a husband for...
read moreSugarplums and JOY
I try to post uplifting positive encouragements everyday on my Facebook page, which by the way usually has to do with something stirring inside me. Over the years I have had many say “Thanks, for the posts! It was just what I needed!”. But this week I had a few people come up and say with a tight smile, “I am trying to find the JOY!” (I can hear the dammit that follows but is not spoken). It’s the same frustrated look and tone that David my oldest would give me when I asked him to take out the trash. Wide eyed...
read moreEvery little thing is gonna be alright!
Woke us this morning with a heavy heart and a cluttered mind. I hate to start mornings this way. As much joy as the Christmas season will bring it also will be filled with 3 surgeries for ones I hold dear, clients that need support, presents to purchase and bills to pay. The list goes on and on and is a list I won’t be giving to Santa this year, but to a loving listening God. As I got my coffee I headed to my sanctum, the sacred place on my very worn couch and sighed, “Here I am God.” Tears fell and my heart opened up. Did I...
read moreCrush
My big boys use the term “Man Crush” when they meet a new male friend that they bond with either through dark beers, Lonesome Dove, cigars, faith, music, food or football. I believe that it is the same crazy emotions that we feel when we are “falling in love”. You know that euphoric exciting feeling when you are around a particular someone new who brings a great new energy into your world. They get all giddy about this new found bond, especially my alpha oldest. There are only a few that can make us feel this way so...
read moreBoy, Boy, Boy, Boy……Girl!
So…. this afternoon I heard Grace in the living room crying while working in my bedroom. I walked out thinking “This smells of BOY”. You see we live next to two boys that Jackson and Grace play with EVERY afternoon. Football in the street, basketball in the driveway, Nerf wars, fights with the hoses…the list goes on and on. And I have to say Grace hangs well with the boys, a formidable player and would be defined as a tomboy in as much as her play and dress. We struggle over looking more like a girl , after 4 boys do...
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Merrill Is a mother of 5 who has found her calling in sharing her experiences from life with others. She can help you break out of your routine to live life to its fullest potential.