Well, Bless Your Heart

**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**

When my sister and I were growing up I remember a time or two when I caused her some grief.  I particularly remember that when I would call her "cute" it would drive her crazy. She thought it was patronizing and I felt the need to establish that she was not only the younger sibling, but that she was young (as compared to me who was "so much more grown-up").  It was not enough that I would merely say "she looked cute", but I would, of course, always say it in my most irritatingly sweet "grown-up" voice that I could muster. Passive aggressiveness with a smattering of sweetness. Just plain annoying. 

Y'all know what I am talking about. I'm sure there has been a time when you have either been so annoyingly sticky sweet just to rub someone the wrong way or have had it done to you. Dig deep...I'm sure you will find that time.

All those moments of annoying my sister are coming back to bite me in the rear. 

"Bless your heart"...

Okay, random people at the grocery store, post office, feed store or just about anywhere my children and I are at. I know what you mean when you say it to me in that tone. Seriously, I do. 

I've narrowed it down. There are three kinds of people who like to "bless my heart".

1. There are the people who give me the most disgusted look they can come up with and spew the words "bless your heart" at me. I know they are not wanting to bless my heart. They are usually judging me for having three children ages 5 and under. Not only having these three children, but being out in public with them. It has been on the tip of my tongue to "bless their heart" right back.

2. Those who look at me with a look of despondency and "bless my heart". They usually are under the belief that I am a soul that is heavily burdened by my children. They are under the impression that I am obviously missing out on the more exciting things of life because of my kids. 

3. Then there are those rare few. The ones who have been down this road before. The mother whose children are grown but can remember how it can be a little bit of a hassle to grocery shop with three little ones...two which take up most of the cart space. They remember those times of struggle. But, when they "bless my heart"...they are doing it with encouragement in their words; A smile in their eyes. They know the reward far outweighs the struggle. These kind of people are more than welcome to bless my heart all day. 


Yes, I may look a little haggard at times while I am touting about three little ones...but don't let the bags under my eyes fool you. Instead, see the smile on my face as I hear the sweet cooing from my littlest one, hear the laughter from my mouth as I watch the joy and curiosity that is my daughter and see the softness in my eyes as I watch the thoughtfulness and compassion that is my oldest son. 

My quiver is full and my heart is very blessed because of it. 

 

What's Your Song?

**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

I have always loved listening to music. It has always been one of those things I felt connected with me. I love the stories in a song, the musical flow, the way some songs could just resonate within me. 

I am not just talking about serious songs. All kinds of songs - from serious, to happy, to sad...to whatever. Maybe I get it from my dad, who is also a lover of music or, maybe, it is my Latina roots that love the "feel of the rhythm". 

I remember while I was in college, I sooo loved the theme song from the Golden Girls. Because, for one, I loved watching the Golden Girls. One semester, in my junior year of college, it wasn't at all unusual for me to be 5 minutes late to one of my classes due to watching this show. Poor Dr. Devries...she was so patient with me and my tardiness. Secondly, It reminded me of my best friend. My college roommate and I became friends when I was 12 years old and we formed one of those crazy awesome lasting friendships. Every time I hear the song, I think of her. 

Of course, like anyone else, some songs just connect with me more. I still cannot explain why Boston's More Than a Feeling has always been a favorite of mine. Really, I have no explanation.

So, I am sure that no one would be surprised to know that the worship (through song) portion of a church service is one of my favorite parts of church. Naturally, we are all inclined to our own style, as am I. But, when I just focus on whom I am singing to and whom I singing about, I start to forget about my preferences and I focus on Him. 

One of my absolute favorite worship songs is Great I Am sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean. It is such a beautifully written and composed song. Whenever I hear it, I feel like I am standing in His presence and everything else around me is shut-out and...it is just Him.

Y'all, I can't even begin to tell you how excited my soul was yesterday when we sang this song at church. 

One of my favorite parts of the song is this line - "There is no power in hell or any who can stand before the power and the presence of the great I Am, The great I am, the great I Am." I am so thankful for the greatness and awesomeness that is my God. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. (Psalm 145:3)

Do you have a certain song that absolutely puts you into that place of worship? You know, that song that puts you in a place where it is just you and Him. What song is that?

 I hope you enjoy a special time of worship through song with Him that extends beyond your Sunday morning church service. I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. (Psalm 104:33) Challenge yourself to take some time during the week to spend focusing on Him through song. It truly is such a sweet and special time.

                                                                      

Training Day

**My blog has been moved to chroniclesofakeeper.com**

You know when someone asks you to do something and at the time it sounds like a great idea and you enthusiastically agree to do it (mainly because it is always fun to do things with your friends.)...but then later, you may have feelings of regret. The OKC Memorial Marathon is 8 weeks away. I am kind of in that moment of regret.

Back in January, agreeing to run a 5K with my friends sounded fun and totally doable. Well, time has passed and I am now within an 8 week window to get my non-runner body in shape to run a 5K. The enthusiasm I felt in January has somewhat slipped away, being replaced with a feeling of dread. 

I have been putting off my "training" for weeks. Finally, a text from my friend (who is running with me) made me realize I needed to get with it...and fast. My C25K app needed to start this week. 

Before I went out for my run, I decided to give myself some motivation. I officially signed up for running the 5K. When registering, I was to select an account type. The only option they gave me was "Athlete". I tried to select something more along the lines of "novice"...but could not find that option. 

I did like the GPS the option they gave me when signing up...I almost considered it. You know, in case someone needs to find my body that is passed out somewhere along the city streets of OKC.

Okay, I'm officially signed up. I have no choice BUT to get out there and start running. I go to my C25K app to get started...and this. Not the time to be asking for my opinion on something I am really not wanting to have any part of at the moment. 

I began my warm-up. Okay, this isn't too bad. I'm still not happy...but I am feeling a little better about it. Then she (the app) tells me to run. Bless. Neither my lungs nor my body appreciated that demand. 

I think my rooster was scared. (Oh yeah, did I mention I have to run on my property??? I have 3 kids ages 5 and under...I have no where else to go run.) The only times my rooster has seen me run is when I am chasing a coyote...so he immediately went into panic mode. Poor Lucky. A good 12-15 minutes he crowed his feelings of worriment. 

I was trucking along pretty well, all considering. I was getting towards the end of my run when I was wishing I had a playlist to run to. I think it would make it more enjoyable if I had something to listen to besides the sound of my own labored breathing. 

I pulled my phone's playlists up...yeah, pretty sure I am not going to get my run on listening to Lil' Man's Classical Conversations playlist. I just didn't see it happening, even though I'm sure it would be awesome to run to songs about President Wilson, a timeline of the world, or to go over what the area of a square is. Not.

My next option was a playlist for Miss Priss...it was her Hidden in My Heart scripture lullabies. I love the songs, but they make me feel all relaxed. Again, not what I needed for my run. 

Then I had the one song I bought for myself. Lauren Daigle's How Can It Be...LOVE the song. Still not quite what I was looking for. 

Oh well..onward I went. Until finally, these sweet words...cooldown.

Then the sweetest words of them all...

Okay, I did it. It wasn't too bad. I can do it again.