Oh the Blessings... oh the Memories!!

Are you ever tempted to take a picture at every even non-significant thing that happens in your life? Maybe you are not prone to do this... but I certainly am. Why is it that I want to hold onto every moment that occurs? I think "living in the past" is something I cherish more than living in the actual moment. I savor memories much more than the moment in which I currently live.

The brothers and I just ventured up to my Grandparent's house bearing the gifts of white-chocolate dipped ginger snaps as well as a jar of borrowed molasses. We joked around on our way up there, stomping through the snow and running in the street as crazy people would do.
After visiting with my grandpa and grandma for a few minutes, we returned, making snow angels along the way. It was perfect, yet now that it is past it is even more cherished than it was a mere fifteen minutes ago...

I need to find a verse to capture my thoughts in this moment and perhaps bring truth and clarity to the direction they should proceed from here. Let's see...

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
let your mind dwell on these things.

As long as I am praising God for the memories instead of simply trying to hold onto them, I am able to dwell on these things. Oh how my heart abounds with praise for the pure, lovely day I have had. Thank you Jesus!

Let it Snow!

Something about the snow brings joy and excitement to my heart!!
I know this is true for many people, and being who I am...well, I naturally ask why.
Is it the reality of the snow that brings this wonder? The look? The feel? The idea? The result?

For me it is the feel. It makes the inside of our home feel warmer and the colors of our scarves more vibrant in comparison to the purity it holds. The reality of the frozen drops of water is not anything exciting to me, for I prefer to observe our frosted farm from my bedroom window rather than engage in anything that could result in frozen fingers and freezing feet.

Let it snow!...not for the sake of snow itself, but for the gift of joy that it brings to our home. Yes, the snow is ideal for me. It supplies a lovely contrast of color and temperature and makes baking Christmas cookies in the kitchen that much more appropriate! Oh let it snow.

Idealism

Idealism can be a disease. I find myself sick with this disease at times, suffering with the symptoms of discontent and thoughts of what could be. It eats away at the joy I could so easily have if I would only turn my eyes to Jesus and look at the moments in my life as blessings that could only possibly come from Him.
Life is never going to be "good" unless it is accepted as it is. Often when watching movies, especially around Christmas time, I long for the "warmth" and "joy" and just "idealism" that they portray. I am filled with discontent and a longing for more... Oh how foolish I am! My eyes are blinded to the reality of my own blessed life by a glimpse into lives of people who were merely imagined. How pathetic is this? I do not know that I have a point, for my thoughts rarely reach conclusions, but I do know that this is a problem; and, like every other problem in my life, I can not solve it on my own.
God is able to solve it; therefore, I do not worry. I am not troubled. The Lord is my strength, and only He is able to rescue me from my discontent. He fully satisfies me. I need no idealism. He is my warmth and joy. What more could I need?