Have you ever listened to someone speak and their words changed your life? That happened to me recently. I've said before that I believe that there is power behind the words you say and I believe that now more than ever. Earlier this week I listened to a man speak about noticing goodness and reaching out and connecting with people. He was amazing. His words were genuine and powerful and I walked away thinking about life differently.
The first think that stuck with me was how he talked about connecting with people and reaching out. For many people, this may be easier said that done. Sadly society has a tendency to stereotype people and all too often us as individuals go right along with what society says and judge people before we actually get to know them. I am guilty of doing this exact thing. Wednesday I was at the park with family and friends and a group of bikers came riding in and parked not to far from us. They seemed harmless enough to me at first, but I still kept a watchful eye out and had my guard up. Then one of them came right up to my friend and me and asked if he could give our children a sticker. I was a little taken back and my first thought was "why?" This questions was followed by more questions like "what's on the sticker?" or "what's it made of? Is it laced with anything?" My friend said "sure" and I said "sure, but let me walk over with you so my son knows that it is okay." (We are practicing stranger danger.) The man then hands our children a red and black sticker with gears and a fist on it and the letters B.A.C.A. Bikers Against Child Abuse. He then hands us a pamphlet and explains that the intention of his biker group, B.A.C.A, is to create a safer environment for abused children and if we know of anyone or any circumstances that their help might be needed to please let them know. I found out a little later that they are known as the "Keepers of the Children." Let me tell you, this was not at all what I was expecting. I stereotyped that group of people the first time I laid eyes on them and I couldn't have been more wrong. I most definitely learned a lesson today. Another thing that I think happens all too often is that we get so caught up in life that we forget to notice the good things. Life isn't the easiest right now, for I am struggling with many things. I struggle with my health, Mommyhood, being a Godly wife, a good friend, and supporting my husband while he follows his dream. Starting a new business from scratch is incredibly stressful. I'm constantly thinking about my husbands next job and what the paycheck will be while still giving him the positive support he needs to continue on with his dream and my son hawked a loogie in my hand today. It was a great mommy moment, just in case you were wondering. I had a great moment of noticing goodness that came one night this week when I was playing the "what's in here" game with the refrigerator. You know the one when you are standing in front of the open freezer and refrigerator doors looking between each to determine what items you can throw together for dinner. The fridge was looking kind of bare, but as I searched I noticed all the vegetables I harvested and froze this summer. I had potatoes and beef broth in the pantry and thought to myself, I have 4 ounces of ground lamb, 6 ounces of ground pork sausage, vegetables and potatoes, I bet I can make Sheppard Pie. So did. I filled it full of peas, sliced green beans, cauliflower, summer squash, onions, garlic and I even threw in some beet greens...all from the garden. I started out thinking I have nothing to make, but was able to make something wonderful out of the ingredients I had. I may not be able to do a lot of things, but when it comes to providing meals for my family, give me a few ingredients and I can make something out of nothing. This is a talent that am so very thankful for and I thank God every time my family sits around the table and fills their bellies. We have family coming in from out of town this weekend and they are staying with us. Two weekends in a row we have had family come to visit. This is another thing I am thankful for. We have a tiny little house and live a ways out of town, but our door is always open and you are always welcome here. I love it when our family gets together and the house is full. It never feels small when it is full of people. Instead it is warm and cozy and brings us together. Last weekend we explored the country and went for a walk as a family. I must admit that the busier life gets, the harder it is to find the time to walk. I haven't been feeling 100% and my little guy was sick so we spend more time than usual indoors this week. I have not been hitting my daily target miles and I need to get back on track. It felt so good to accomplish my daily goal. I do notice that it is much harder to find time for myself on the weeks where my husband works extended hours or is out of town. It is very much like I am a single parent those weeks and it makes everything more difficult. This week I was able to log 17.5 miles making my total miles walked 62.46. I have 937.54 miles to go. Thank goodness I have time to play catch up. Yesterday's walk was a great one. We added a new friend to our walking group and walked someplace new. I don't know if I will be able to get out to walk today since I have a house to get ready for company, but maybe. I hear the kitchen timer going off. That means that the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are ready to come out of the oven. I pulled out my sister in-laws birthday cake right before the cookies went into the oven so the house smells heavenly. She loves pumpkin so I made her a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Dump Cake to celebrate. The house smells like pumpkin, cinnamon, and chocolate......yum! I better run before the timer wakes up my little guy from his nap! I hope you have a great weekend! Danielle Ps. Just in case you were wondering, the links for the cookie and cake recipe are below. Cookie Recipe by TheVegLife at http://theveglife.com/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-vegan/ *I doubled the recipe. It came out great! Cake Recipe by YourCupofCake at http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2014/09/pumpkin-cream-cheese-dump-cake-got-dumped.html *We are yet to dive into the cake and taste it, but it smells amazing!
1 Comment
Mark s. Ludington
10/4/2015 10:41:10 am
You are so right, we all have a tendency to look for the bad first, that's how we protect our loved ones. Maybe we should open up Our faith in God to take care of the protecting part while we stride to be a better the whole person.
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AuthorHi there! Welcome to Grace In A Glass. My name is Danielle and I am so happy that you are visiting this site today. We all have something in life that we are working to overcome. I began blogging about my struggle with overcoming Esophageal Dysmotility and Crohn's Disease with the hope of reaching others with words of encouragement and hope. Thank you for letting me share my stories with you, and hope you have the most wonderful day! Archives
November 2022
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