A Poem About Pride

My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny…
because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment…
because you “deserve better than this.”
I cheat you of knowledge…
because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing…
because you are too full of you to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness…
because you refuse to admit when you are wrong.
I cheat you of vision…
because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship…
because nobody’s going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love…
because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven…
because you refuse to wash another’s feet on earth.
I cheat you of God’s glory…
because I convinced you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I’m always looking out for you.
Untrue.
I’m looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don’t worry…
If you stick with me you’ll never know.

by Beth Moore

My Prayer Request

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pr9YVD05x8M]

"The Proof Of Your Love"

If I sing but don't have love
I waste my breath with every song
I bring an empty voice, a hollow noise
If I speak with a silver tongue
Convince a crowd but don't have love
I leave a bitter taste with every word I say

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

If I give
To a needy soul but don't have love then who is poor?
It seems all the poverty is found in me

So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
Oh, let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

When it's all said and done
When we sing our final song
Only love remains
Only love remains

Let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love
Let my love look like You and what You're made of
How You lived, how You died
Love is sacrifice
So let my life be the proof,
The proof of Your love

Katie's Homecoming

This past weekend was super exciting for my sister and her family. My niece, Katie was chosen to be on the Queen's Court for Homecoming at her high school. I drove down to North Carolina with my older sister, Patricia to be a part of it. Katie was so sweet to ask her little brother to be her escort. This girl is amazing! Her brother has had so much (unwanted) attention lately, so she has taken a back seat. To say life has been hard on her is an understatement. Watching her handle him with so much love and grace brings me to tears. I could go on and on here, but I mainly just want to share that my sister's house was full of smiles all around and it was such a treat be able to share this time with them.

[caption id="attachment_1535" align="alignnone" width="682"] The Lamb Family[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1536" align="alignnone" width="682"] Katie was nominated to be on the Queen's court and she asked her brother to be her escort.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1537" align="alignnone" width="890"] Katie & Zack[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1538" align="alignnone" width="890"] Zack is in the Pit and if you knew all he's been through lately you'd think this is as amazing as I do![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1539" align="alignnone" width="682"] I was so impressed by his ability to do this with absolutely no assistance. :)[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1540" align="alignnone" width="890"] A proud mother and her daughter! xo[/caption]

The Eight of Us

Last weekend we were lucky to be invited up north to our friends' cottage on Lake Leelanau. I've known all of these friends for over thirty years and we keep making more memories. We had a blast, especially having a dance party with some our old favorite hits. Don't ask me why I love this song so much and made us listen to it over and over again?! I wish they'd let me post the video... ;)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p02DgHeGdyI&w=420&h=315]
"Brand New Key" by Melanie

I dare you to try to listen to it just once... :)

Mom Four Years Later

Sometimes it feels like yesterday when Mom passed away, and other times it seems like she's been gone forever. Four years ago this afternoon I got the call from Patricia that she passed away. Right now it feels like I just heard the news for the very first time.

I think of her every single day when I look down at my hands... her hands. I think of her when I walk through our living room, where I have her beautiful cream and sugar china dishes on a tray. I think of her when I entertain and get a little freaked out in the process. I think of her when I want to take a road trip and make meatloaf. I think of her when someone says that I sound like Grandma. I think of her so much more, in the little things. She had so many good qualities that she passed on to me and I miss her so much, especially today. I'd give anything to get just one more hug; and tell her I love her; and thank her for loving me with reckless abandon! Yep, I'm a fifty-something-daughter who wants her mom. ;)

Always,
Annie

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxd-7dTsUfQ&w=420&h=315]

Thankful for C & D

I am so overdue for a Thankful Thursday post. I can't even remember the last time I wrote one here. Today could not have passed by without acknowledging what God did in my life this week...

On Sunday I watched my favorite Bible study author, Beth Moore's Simulcast. I highly recommend it and you can find it here. Anyway, at one point Beth talked about meeting total strangers and seeing the Radiance of Jesus Christ in the way they look. She said she can see that it's obvious that they are believers. Her whole message was incredible and exactly what I needed to hear. When I finished listening to her message I hopped on FB for a minute. I saw a message from one of my newest friends on there. It was from Cindy, my ex-boyfriend in high school's wife. She told me she could see a "presence" in my pictures and she just wanted to tell me. Isn't that just so sweet?! I couldn't believe it. Did she watch the same message and felt the need to respond to it by writing me that message? Anyway, I don't have time to explain the whole story here, but we exchanged several emails back and forth and it was by far the biggest God-wink I've seen in a very long time. Something in me wanted to share the post I wrote on my blog back in March with her. I am so touched by the way she (and her husband!) responded to it. In a strange way, I felt a type of healing that I didn't even realize I needed. It is hard to fully describe. Although my heart was broken all of those years ago, I just know in the depth of my soul that God works ALL things out for the good and He definitely had His hand in my life then... and again this week.

I don't know why God loves me so much to give me a gift like He did this week. I am so Grateful.

xx

"I'm so sorry"

"leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God." ~Matthew 5:24

Even though I don't like it, I really believe this verse to be true.

Last night The Holy Spirit took over and helped me be "reconciled" with a loved one. I cannot tell you how much it has been bothering me to be in conflict with a family member. We are family forever! It had been several months since I hurt her feelings... and in turn my feelings were crushed.  I won't go into all of the ugly details, but I'm happy because all is good now; and I feel free to be the woman God wants me to be. It was impossible to call myself a Christian (and sit in church on Sunday singing worship music) and avoid people and have the kinds of feelings I've had for her.  I know everyone isn't going to like me and I'd be lying if I told you I didn't care, but I have to obey God. There were a few healing tears and hugs.  She didn't say she was sorry or shed a tear, but I feel so much better! She appreciated me reaching out.

If you are reading this and anyone comes to mind, I hope you go to them and do the hard thing. You will feel so much better! It will be totally worth it... I promise! I pray you get the courage to do it today!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxiqslWvgTI&w=420&h=315]