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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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August 9, 2013

Ordering Pizza Is My Spiritual Gift

I have this friend. I’ll call her “Rulie”. If you are apart of our Sunday school class at church and you’ve had a baby (or 4), lost a loved one, been through surgery, moved into a new home, flushed a goldfish down the toilet or experienced any other assorted traumatic life experience and the “bring you a meal” sign-up sheet goes around, you want “Rulie’s” name to be at the top. When she comes to your door you will be handed a meal that has been prepared with all the love and care that could possibly fit inside a covered dish. It will be specific to your family’s eating habits and will most likely include some kind of baked goods. And it will probably be presented to you in a gift bag tied with ribbon. There may even be fresh flowers tucked inside. You will feel like you won the “bring you a meal” lottery. And, frankly, you have! I should know. I’ve been on the receiving end of “Rulie’s” glorious feasts several times.

If, however, my name is second on the “bring you a meal” list, you will be getting a pizza. It may be frozen. Or it may be handed to you by a stranger wearing a colorful delivery uniform. Instead of feeling like you won the “bring you a meal” lottery, you may be wondering why you ever bothered mentioning you had thrown out your back. But, hey, at least I will have taken care of the tip!

Cheese Pizza

Those who know me well might find this confession surprising. You see, I’m a hospitality girl. I love to welcome people into our home, prepare them meals and get to know them better while relaxing around the dinner table. I enjoy cooking and baking and decorating and hostessing. But preparing a meal and driving it across town is a different story. I have wrestled with this for years. When that sign-up sheet is handed to me at church, I can feel the eyes of every woman in the room watching to see if I will scribble my name across the top. It winds it’s way from one table to the next and I can almost feel it taunting me.

“Sign me, Vanessa! You know you’re supposed to. It’s what all good Christian girls do.”

So, I sign it.  And all because of one word.

Guilt.

Because, after all, it’s the hallmark of the Christian woman.

I’m supposed to want to take people meals, right? It should make me feel good to bless them in this way, shouldn’t it? But it doesn’t. Instead, as soon as I’ve scribbled my name on that sign-up sheet I begin to stress out about it. What should I bring? What if they have allergies or they are vegetarians and if they are vegetarians do I just bring them a big pot of beans? What if they don’t like what I would normally prepare for my own family so I’m going to have to make two different meals for the same night? What if it gets cold while I’m driving it across town? What if I don’t time it right and I end up sitting in traffic with my two hungry children who just watched me take a delicious meal to other people and now have to be grateful that I found some goldfish crackers at the bottom of my purse to tide them over until we get home.

 This is usually the point at which the stress and guilt becomes almost unbearable. And this is why you will get a pizza (or maybe a frozen lasagna if I happened to have made it to WalMart that day) if I’m signed up to bring you a meal.

Recently, I was sitting in Sunday School and it was announced that the sign-up sheet would be coming around. As it began weaving it’s way around the room, taunting me, I could feel my heart racing and the anxiety begin to build. It got closer and closer until it came to the woman sitting right next to me. She scribbled her name across the top and handed it to me and I did something I’ve never done before.

I didn’t sign it.

I simply passed it onto the next person. Without making eye-contact, of course. It felt so naughty. And so liberating! I wanted to stand up and shout, “I’ve been set free!”

You see, I believe that we have all been uniquely equipped by God to love and serve one another.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 says, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”

What if God doesn’t even want me to take people meals? What if, in fact, it displeased him that I was scribbling my name on that sign-up sheet while inside I was feeling guilty and resentful? I know what you are going to say. “We can’t only do the things that are fun for us and make us feel good, right?”. Well, yes and no. There are absolutely times when we must pitch in and help because there is a job to be done. Believe me, I’ve stacked chairs and set up tables and folded bulletins and rocked crying babies in the nursery and wiped runny noses with the best of them. There are things we do simply because we are part of a community. But God, in His infinite wisdom, also gave each of us ‘gifts’ which are so specific to our DNA that they not only allow us to bless others as we serve them, they also bless us in the process. Rather than making us feel depleted and resentful, they fill us up and spur us on to continue to extend ourselves to others.

“Rulie” loves bringing people meals! The fact that they are so artfully and beautifully prepared is really just a bonus. You see, Julie…I mean “Rulie”…is using her gift in all the right ways. As she is lovingly giving them their meal, she is also receiving the blessing that comes when we serve others in the way in which we were uniquely equipped by God.

There is no guilt. No resentment. No frustration and agonizing.

Just love.

But, what if she felt pressured to host the ‘Welcome Reception’ with me each month? What if there was a “Welcome Reception” sign-up sheet that went around and she felt everyone watching to see if she would scribble her name across it. What if my friend who so lovingly prepares meals for people was forced to stand in front of 20-30 people and tell them all about our church and help them connect to our community? Well, because I happen to know “Rulie” very well, I can safely say that she would not like this at all. Hosting a ‘Welcome Reception’ isn’t “Rulie’s” gift. But, it is mine. I love meeting these people each month. I love to welcome them to our church and help them to connect. I’m perfectly comfortable standing in front of a room of 20 or 30 (or more!) people and hopefully making each one feel special and valued.

I love to encourage, support and empathize.

It blesses me and it fills me up.

It’s taken years for me to realize that each time I scribble my name on the “bring you a meal” sign-up sheet, I might not actually be doing what God has called me to do. I might, in fact, be doing the opposite. There is no room for guilt in God’s kingdom.

Did you get that?

There is NO ROOM for guilt in God’s kingdom.

no room for guilt in God's kingdom

God is in the business of freedom! Freedom from being pressured by others to fit into a one-size-fits-all Christian woman’s mold. Freedom from feeling like bringing someone a casserole in a covered dish is about the closest thing to holiness this side of heaven.

I believe that the time I spend stressing and agonizing over bringing someone a meal could be better spent serving them in ways that are unique to my gifting. Now, this isn’t to say that I won’t ever bring you a meal. In fact, just recently one of my dearest friends had major surgery and I happily scribbled my name across that sign-up sheet.

But, well, she got a pizza.

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*Be sure to stay tuned for the next installment of “Confessions of a Good Christian Girl” entitled “I Was a Bible Study Drop-out!”*

62 Comments Filed Under: Devotionals, Family, Good Thoughts Tagged With: devotions

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angela says

    August 9, 2013 at 4:43 PM

    You are SO right about the “guilt!” Great post, Vanessa!!!
    Hugs,
    Angela

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:44 PM

      Thanks Angela!! No guilt my friend! And I can’t wait to hit the dance floor with you again at next year’s Haven. 😉

      Reply
  2. Chenoa says

    August 9, 2013 at 4:59 PM

    Oh my gosh, thank you for this! I’m right there with you! I really, really don’t like bringing people meals and I’m not good at it. Most of the time I don’t really know the people so, like you, I stress and agonize over it. But, like you, I finally decided it wasn’t my “thing.” Wooh! It was like a weight had been lifted! I’m SO glad I’m not alone and that you “came out” with your meal sign-up sheet fears too! Love you friend!

    Reply
  3. Becky@OrganizingMadeFun says

    August 9, 2013 at 4:59 PM

    Vanessa – I love this! I have recently realized I just can’t do this right now. I’m also the hospitality girl and can whip up something in a heart beat when having people over. But, bringing a meal is becoming more and more difficult for me these days. So, I’ve said ” no” to this many times. I can’t do it all.

    P.S. Tell your ladies at church to use this instead of a sign up sheet: https://www.takethemameal.com/ Best thing ever to get the word out without making everyone feel that guilt, too!

    Becky B.

    Reply
  4. MDR says

    August 9, 2013 at 5:11 PM

    Alas, I thought I had done a great job instilling guilt in you, Vanessa! But, now I have second thoughts about that. You’ve freed yourself from that guilt! That’s very good! Love you, Mom

    Reply
  5. Suzy @ Worthing Court says

    August 9, 2013 at 5:19 PM

    Amen and amen. Well said. I’m right there with you, Vanessa.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:43 PM

      Thanks so much sweet friend!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sally says

    August 9, 2013 at 5:27 PM

    And all God’s people said? AMEN!!!

    I’ve been thinking this in my head for years (and expressing it on my blog as well –> read: “Do You Hear What I Hear?”) I’ve watched as believers run around making themselves cuckoo because they want to be all things to all people. I don’t believe that’s what the Body of Christ is about. You be the encourager. I’ll be the baker. I’m just sayin’. If you need baked goods, I’m your girl. THANKS for this great post Vanessa!!! ;D

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:42 PM

      I think we’ve got ourselves a great plan here Sally! 🙂 Thanks so much for coming by!

      Reply
  7. Melanie @The Painted Chandelier says

    August 9, 2013 at 5:28 PM

    Ooh, Vanessa…. Loved that post!! I couldn’t agree with you more! As the daughter of a retired Southern Baptist preacher, there was a lot of pressure to do certain things when I was growing up. I think because I had a more free-spirited personality, that was viewed as a rebellion. But I have learned over the years, I am exactly the personality God gave me on purpose- like you said, we all have our own spiritual gifts, and it’s up to us to use them, not yield to the guilt put on us by others. Thank you for that perspective. It’s so true!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:42 PM

      Thank you so much Melanie! I’m a pastor’s daughter too so I’m sure you and I could sit for hours swapping stories! 😉 Just say no to guilt, huh?

      Reply
  8. Vicki Shead says

    August 9, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    love this post! YES! Know your gifts and use them well. And, just so ya know, I’d never sign up for make a meal or Welcome Reception, yikes! But, I have definitely designed and printed A LOT of church bulletins and newsletters in my life. 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:41 PM

      And if I was asked to print church bulletins or newsletters I would be in full panic mode Vicki! 🙂 God has definitely gifted all of us in different ways and I’m so blessed by the talents He’s given you my friend!

      Reply
  9. Debra@CommonGround says

    August 9, 2013 at 6:05 PM

    I think a donation jar toward the meal would be more appropriate anyway. Once I took a family a full meal and when I went to the door the gal had on short shorts, full hair and makeup, and a hop, skip, jump in her step, I was like “and why did you need the meal, again?”. I was exhausted, not asked to come in, and she never returned my dishes to the church. that was a tough one. so like a said, I think you ought to bring up the idea of a money donation that way they could pick up what they like and everyone else isn’t made to feel guilty. just sayin’…

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:40 PM

      I LOVE that idea Debra! Genius!

      Reply
  10. Funky Junk Interiors says

    August 9, 2013 at 6:06 PM

    Wild applause… thank-you!! In so many more ways than you’ll ever know!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:39 PM

      Thank you so much Donna!! I could hear your wild applause coming through the screen. 😉

      Reply
  11. Lori @Vintage Charm Restored says

    August 9, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    I love this… but I am going to admit freely here… Why didn’t I ever think to just call a pizza guy??? I too love bringing people in and I do love to help prepare meals, but I know my talents and gifts are better served in other areas as well!! And you are so right, God doesn’t want us doing anything with less than a grateful giving heart… not a guilty one!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:39 PM

      LOL Lori!! It took me a few years before the pizza thing dawned on me too!

      Reply
  12. Trina @ afewmineradjustments.blogspot.com says

    August 9, 2013 at 6:07 PM

    This was written for me. I feel the same way about signing up for a meal for someone. In fact I look at the sheet for days as it hangs on the fridge at work until I chicken out. But I am in fact good at writing an encouraging letter or giving them a gift card to the grocery store. I can mail that and really, who doesn’t love some happy mail? So I am right there with you and I am sure that we are not the only ones who feel this way.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:38 PM

      Everyone loves happy mail!! I know I do Trina. 🙂 I’m so glad that you related to this and thanks so much for coming by!

      Reply
  13. Hillary says

    August 9, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    You literally spoke the words that have been on my heart for a while now that I just didn’t know how to say. We all have our own gifts. We can’t compare ourselves to others and feel guilty because we’re different. We’ve gotta let our own little light shine. Thanks for this! I’m looking forward to the series! Hope you (and Heather) are both doing well!! Thinking of you often! <3

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:38 PM

      Absolutely Hillary!! Now I’m going to have that song in my mind all night. 😉 Hope you are doing well too and would love to get to connect more!

      Reply
  14. Sindee says

    August 9, 2013 at 6:31 PM

    I have agonized over the exact same thing and a few other things as well. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 6:37 PM

      Isn’t it so nice to know we aren’t alone with these things Sindee! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Debbie says

    August 9, 2013 at 6:46 PM

    Oh my gosh! This is so me!!! Thanks for your honesty and setting me free :)))

    Reply
  16. Amy W says

    August 9, 2013 at 7:05 PM

    Love this post!!!!
    I too use to stress, Now I drop off a case of water, juice boxes, gatorade etc. for the family
    in need. I have three friends ( all of whom have husbands that are ill)that I text
    whenever I am in SAM’s club, WalMart, produce store etc. to see if they need anything….
    They typically respond that they want me to make a casserole…. It gives everyone a good laugh!!!!

    Reply
  17. Jill Flory says

    August 9, 2013 at 7:14 PM

    Vanessa, I just love this post! It’s so true and it’s so liberating to realize and accept that we don’t have to do everything just because we are ‘good girls’! good for you for doing what you are gifted to go!

    Reply
  18. Jocelyn says

    August 9, 2013 at 7:20 PM

    Love this!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      August 9, 2013 at 7:38 PM

      Thanks sweet friend! Love seeing your beautiful face here! 🙂

      Reply
  19. Emily@Decorchick says

    August 9, 2013 at 7:37 PM

    I totally and completely agree 100%!!! And something I needed to be reminded of, so thank you.

    Reply
  20. Angela says

    August 9, 2013 at 7:46 PM

    Amen,sister!! I have always struggled with this type of thing and when I finally came to the realization that God knows my heart and knows the type of person I am…..it set me free! It’s difficult because we worry about what other people will think but if we keep our eye on the prize…..none of that matters!! God Bless You, dear!!!~~Angela

    Reply
  21. Jeanette @ Creating a Life says

    August 9, 2013 at 8:04 PM

    Well, that just needed to be said! I like Debra’s suggestion, too. Thanks for writing this 🙂

    Jeanette

    Reply
  22. Laura Steckly says

    August 9, 2013 at 8:52 PM

    I completely agree! I used to get that guilty feeling when they would ask for volunteers for children’s ministries! But now I know everyone is better off if I DON’T volunteer 🙂

    Reply
  23. Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says

    August 9, 2013 at 9:10 PM

    What a great post! I completely agree – we all have different gifts and that’s what makes this world an interesting place.

    Reply
  24. Shannon - AKA Design says

    August 9, 2013 at 10:13 PM

    Amen, Vanessa!!! xo, Shannon

    Reply
  25. Bliss says

    August 9, 2013 at 11:19 PM

    You are right, it is about gifts and talents and using them wisely. Using them wisely means where they will be of the most benefit. There is a reason I’m called to help in certain areas and not other ones. I’ve never been one bit surprised I’m not called to be a substitute math teacher.

    Reply
  26. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    August 10, 2013 at 4:07 AM

    Well said, Vanessa!! And it’s clear from the comments that you’ve spoken to many of us! The older I get the less I struggle with this, but it’s been a looooong journey. God has certainly helped me by steering me towards opportunities that line up with my gifts — lots of prayers and listening for HIM in this one!
    xo Heidi
    PS — loved seeing your smiling face at Haven, my dear — hope to see you again soon!

    Reply
  27. Suzi says

    August 10, 2013 at 4:38 AM

    oh my! i wish every woman in every church could read and process this!! why do we compare ourselves, why do we judge and place guilt on other women? we DO NOT know what is going on in someone else’s life. i have a disabilty…one you can’t see. i used to have a very public ministry…now my ministries are all behind the scenes. i don’t want to tell everyone and their cousin what is wrong with me so i get looks…i get judged…and talked about….and it HURTS. and sometimes i do things i know i shouldn’t because i feel so guilty and then i pay a big price for it. what a wake up call. i don’t judge other women anymore 😉 i am a retired fellow believer judge! incidentally…i am on the meals ministry team because it is something i can do but more importantly it is something God has called me do and it blesses me. 🙂 but very few other women know, until they need a meal…until they retire from being a fellow believer judge 😉

    Reply
  28. Robin~All Things Heart and Home says

    August 10, 2013 at 5:20 AM

    Soooo true! I love that you hit on this today…it took me till well into my 40’s to come to a place I was content being me…a bit of an introvert…it’s okay not to do 3 ‘girl’s nights’ a month, it’s ok not to talk on the phone for hours at a time…it’s ok not to have forty-eleven best friends…
    ahhhh, wonderful to hear your perspective and feel connected in being ok with who God called me to be.
    Sending love and thanks again for sharing!
    xo
    Robin
    All Things Heart and Home

    Reply
  29. Marty Walden says

    August 10, 2013 at 5:36 AM

    I think this is so very true, Vanessa, especially if you’re in a small church where you feel needed to take a meal. It’s really about identifying your spiritual gifts and using them to encourage others. I’m a singer and musician and love using those gifts, but I’ve always sent homemade cards as encouragement as well (though that’s so hard to do with all this blogging!) I love to cook, but like you taking a meal makes me anxious. It just takes all the members together to complete the body of Christ.

    I love that you share your faith amidst all the great projects. I just love you gals!

    Reply
  30. Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads says

    August 10, 2013 at 6:58 AM

    It’s taken a long time for me to learn to say no, but you’re right, it is so liberating! I am looking forward to more posts in your series and it was pure pleasure to see you at Haven!

    Reply
  31. Trish @ Uncommon says

    August 10, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    Oh my goodness, Vanessa, you just spoke right to the heart of so many of us! This is such a struggle for me…the eternal battle between being a people pleaser and a God pleaser is not easily won. I am learning little by little what my gifts actually are and trying to let go of what I thought they were. We’ll see what happens when the sign up sheet crosses by me next time 🙂 Thanks for sharing your heart… it is a beautiful one!

    Take care,

    Trish

    Reply
  32. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    August 10, 2013 at 9:17 AM

    I love every single bit of this, Vanessa! How many times have we signed up or volunteered for something that just wasn’t remotely appealing to us because of guilt? Yikes. Especially when there are so many other thing we could do that would bless others and we wouldn’t spend every waking moment up until the time of the “guilty task” dreading it.
    You are so right on with this.
    I’ll bake. You do the welcome comittee. 🙂
    xoxo

    Reply
  33. Sherry says

    August 10, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    Ah, that guilty feeling! I am so glad to be reading your post because, well, I’m the worst at meal delivery too. You want someone who can organize and decorate an event, ask me. But I related to everything you said about preparing a meal for another family, right down to “what if they don’t like what I cook?”. Thanks for sharing this Vanessa!

    Reply
  34. Rana says

    August 10, 2013 at 12:25 PM

    I say two thumbs down on the guilt train and two thumbs up on the pizza plan! Seriously, when the pizza man pulls into the driveway (your driveway, not he neighbor’s)hubbies get happy. Teens get happy. Little kids get happy. Hey, even moms get happy!! There is simply no down side to this plan.

    Reply
  35. Stuff and Nonsense says

    August 10, 2013 at 1:05 PM

    honey
    if we tried
    we could not be more alike than this

    i loathe signing up to take a meal

    agonize over what to take
    him and haw
    and eventually go buy a Subway gift card

    yet i love love love
    inviting folks to my home for meals

    thanks for letting me off the hook!

    {alison}

    Reply
  36. Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says

    August 10, 2013 at 2:57 PM

    Ahh yes, religion and guilt do have a way of walking hand in hand at times. I applaud you Vanessa for being able to say ‘no’ to this one. Your gifts obviously lie in another area and your church is blessed to have you doing what you do best.

    Reply
  37. Pat says

    August 10, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    I love this! Every person has their own unique talents and their gift to others may be a complete opposite from what you have to offer. No guilt, for sure!!!

    xo
    Pat

    Reply
  38. Robin says

    August 10, 2013 at 6:54 PM

    Thank you Vanessa! You are SO RIGHT!

    Reply
  39. Shannon @Fox Hollow Cottage says

    August 10, 2013 at 8:24 PM

    Oh guilt, Lord knows we all wrestle with that one. Loved this post and the thought that maybe, just maybe I could let some go? From one pizza girl to another. Hugs!!!!!

    Reply
  40. Sondra @ Sondra Lyn at Home says

    August 11, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    I soooo enjoyed this post! Frankly, I learned many years ago that it is better if I say ‘No’ than to sign up for something and dread doing it. Guilt can be a powerful motivator, unfortunately!! I, too, love to cook and entertain in our home, but get sweaty palms when they pass around the meal sign-up sheet! 😉 My gift is teaching, and I truly do LOVE to do THAT!

    Reply
  41. Dusty @All Things G&D says

    August 11, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    You are such a beautiful writer, Vanessa! Loved this post! (And, frankly, I’d love it if people brought me pizza. I think you’re on to something there.)

    Reply
  42. Rosemary McKinney says

    August 12, 2013 at 10:31 AM

    PLEASE KEEP THOSE “WONDERFUL CONFESSIONS” COMING.
    I will do your laundry, mow your lawn, weed your garden, clean your bathrooms but PLEASE don’t ask me to cook. It is much too stressful for me…

    Reply
  43. Mare says

    August 13, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    so funny and so true! I used to volunteer for everything too. Then, I realized I should apply my best gifts to helping others, and encourage OTHERS to fill in w/ their gifts. There are MANY parts to the body of Christ, and if we do everything, others might not feel confident stepping up. We need to create some holes!

    Reply
  44. Valerie says

    August 13, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    Great food for thought, Vanessa. I really enjoy your posts and your sister’s too.
    An avid reader in CA.

    Reply
  45. Linda Coleman says

    August 14, 2013 at 6:28 AM

    Just beautiful! Have a lovely day.

    Reply
  46. katie says

    August 21, 2013 at 5:22 PM

    I am new to your blog,but I love this. I can so relate! I haven’t been totally freed from this yet, but I am learning to contemplate…figure out if it is God leading me to do something or just guilt. Hard to tell sometimes, lol!

    But thanks for posting this! I’ll be following~ 🙂

    Reply
  47. christian business|christianbusiness|christian website says

    October 18, 2013 at 3:54 AM

    Were a gaggle associated with volunteers along with starting up a new design within our neighborhood. Your website provided us with useful information to function for. You have completed the powerful course of action as well as each of our full group may very well be pleased to you personally.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Bloom Where You Are Planted - Sew a Fine Seam says:
    August 10, 2013 at 5:39 PM

    […] that first time in Bible study and during our Sunday morning message.  And then yesterday I read this post.  Vanessa hit the nail on the head!  And she told her story in such a delightful and convicting […]

    Reply
  2. A Christmas Tree Made from Cabinet Knobs? - At The Picket Fence says:
    December 12, 2013 at 4:01 AM

    […] Or it could be as simple changing your hairstyle or the color of your lipstick. Or maybe admitting that if I’m signed up to bring you a meal you’re going to be getting a pizza. […]

    Reply
  3. The Holy Spirit Made Me Do It - At The Picket Fence says:
    April 18, 2014 at 3:00 AM

    […] If you like this post you might also enjoy reading “Ordering Pizza is my Spiritual Gift“ […]

    Reply

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This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the pa When the Lord blesses you with a glimpse of the payoff of your investment in your children, it is truly one of the greatest gifts. We had that experience twice this week with our 18 year old son and were overwhelmed by this opportunity we had to watch as he handled two very different situations (one personal and one professional) with grace, maturity, integrity and courage. Those of you mamas of little ones, don't ever minimize the job you are doing in raising this next generation. 

Every story read at bedtime
Every correction made to strengthen character
Every outdoor exploration
Every nose wiped
Every bandaid applied
Every time you say no when the world says yes
Every night of helping with homework
Every difficult conversation
Every prayer uttered

The final pieces of the puzzle of his childhood are falling into place and the picture revealed is one that is more wonderful than we could have imagined. And we know that it is only by God's grace on us as we sought His wisdom and guidance that we have come to this point. We have been FAR from perfect parents, but one of my most sincere prayers for the past 18 years was that the Lord would stand in the gaps that were surely to be revealed by our imperfections. And He has answered those prayers again and again. He's taken my humble petitions and most sincere intentions and knocked our socks off with the young man we are so privileged to call our son. And we can’t wait to watch as his future unfolds!
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