Comments on peace for the journey: Stuff

Oh, do I ever have "stuff" - and now that song is ...

2009-08-12T15:45:22.456-04:00

Oh, do I ever have "stuff" - and now that song is going through my head. What a wonderful reminder to give it to Him.

Hmmmm... I thought her "hot stuff" meant something...

2009-08-11T21:34:01.406-04:00

Hmmmm... I thought her "hot stuff" meant something a little different... and if you have a lot of stuff... well, anyway...

Too precious that I e-mailed you with my broken heart even before I read this post. You must have known!

I am finding that the more I am about my Father's stuff... my stuff becomes a little less overwhelming.

Thanks for speaking to the heart today... as always...

Elaine, this so hit a spot for me today. The Lord ...

2009-08-11T12:05:14.264-04:00

Elaine, this so hit a spot for me today. The Lord has used this post to further His message to me about "stuff".

My prayer request: please remember me and my husband in that he's applying for a job and has started Univ classes online this week. Also, that he'll find strength from the Lord to know to continue his side work to help pay bills. And that if it's in God's will for me to be awarded SSDI that it will happen in His timing.

Thank You Father for using Elaine to get Your message to me. In Jesus' name, amen

wifeforthejourney: How good to be able to laugh a...

2009-08-11T10:43:23.446-04:00

wifeforthejourney:

How good to be able to laugh at the dentist office! How your creative mind pulls a valuable spiritual reflection out of "gum gardening," Donna Summer and the end of summer vacation?!?

To everyone in blog-land, this is the adventure of life with elaine. Don't let her fool you, working to get four children out the door to school, hasn't cooled off everything around our house. Easy stuff, no; hot stuff? Lets just say I'm not ready to hang up my oven mits!

YOU are the best elaine. Our kids have a great life becasue you help us get things done right. Life with you is just the way I like it! Love, Billy

I am finding, the older and wiser (hopefully) that...

2009-08-11T07:39:34.951-04:00

I am finding, the older and wiser (hopefully) that I get, that much of the stuff cluttering up my life is self imposed. It is not what God would choose for me and yet He allows me to be burdened with it to teach me a lesson. Currently, I am in one of those seasons where I am seeking to lighten that load of stuff. It is not easy but it is rewarding.

Cute picture of your babies.

Leah

Amen, girlfriend. Bo leaves for school Friday......

2009-08-11T01:05:24.855-04:00

Amen, girlfriend.

Bo leaves for school Friday...he hasn't packed the first thing. Billy returns to college the following Wednesday. He hasn't packed, either.

We just got back from WV a little while ago. I'm trying to unwind. Praying for sleep to come soon.

I see there's another way you and I are alike...

"When an abundance of stuff threatens to overflow those self-imposed boundaries, my inclination is to shut down. I don’t always manage the “excess” of stuff very well. It effects every area of my life (physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, spiritually … have I covered all the “ally’s”?).

I don’t eat right, think right, feel right, act right, pray right. Instead, I default to mediocrity—to just barely getting by with the hope that tomorrow will birth less stuff and more peace. And while the current stuff in my life will lessen with the passage of time, I imagine future stuff will soon arrive to fill any void."

I felt as if you were reading my mail. :-)

Hang on...Friday's coming!

Elaine, After being on our mission trip in the Dom...

2009-08-11T00:14:24.462-04:00

Elaine,
After being on our mission trip in the Dominican Republic I want to get rid of 80% of our stuff. How much time and energy I spend on things that really add to the Kingdom.

We count our blessings by how many things we have, but honestly I think all that stuff just gets in the way of us and God.

Blessings,
Kelli

I am so there...I have enough "stuff" for a lifeti...

2009-08-10T22:44:01.294-04:00

I am so there...I have enough "stuff" for a lifetime. Loved your post...

your busy-ness tires me...praying His yoke can nev...

2009-08-10T22:21:31.895-04:00

your busy-ness tires me...praying His yoke can never be too burdened...

COME BREATH OF LIFE
Come Breath of Life
And cause our hearts to rise
Come make us strong before Your searching eyes

Oh Breath of Life
Renew us in Your ways
Come sweeping in and set Your church ablaze

Come Breath of Life
And breathe upon us now
Lord light Your fire inside of us

Come Breath of Life
And fill us with Your power
Oh Breath of Life
Revive our hearts again

:)

Oh, Elaine... such a timely post. God has really ...

2009-08-10T22:13:08.877-04:00

Oh, Elaine... such a timely post. God has really been working with me on this topic. I so easily become overwhelmed with my stuff -- and it's not necessarily bad stuff -- just the day to day "life stuff".

I'm slowly learning to let it go and turn it over to God... each time a little bit sooner than the time before. What a difference it does make! Thank goodness He is willing to take it all!

Elaine, My stuff is sad. I think because I can re...

2009-08-10T20:40:02.406-04:00

Elaine,

My stuff is sad. I think because I can remember taking Cameron to his first day of Kindergarten only this year to taking him for his last year of elementary. They grow up way to fast as you well know and I am not sure I am ready for all this "growing". You are always a source of laughter and encouragement for me. I love you my friend!

Yes, indeed, Elaine. We are definitely related! If...

2009-08-10T19:56:25.154-04:00

Yes, indeed, Elaine. We are definitely related! If we went to a wedding together I could eat the icing and you could eat the cake and then we could exchange plates and do it again!

I am praying for you as you walk through this season of much challenge and change, with kiddos coming and going! It is alot to get your arms around and I know you desire to "do all things well." I pray God's power and presence will be evident in your life in a fresh way! Blessings.

What a precious picture, Elaine :) Loved your las...

2009-08-10T19:34:30.184-04:00

What a precious picture, Elaine :)

Loved your last line about asking. Sometimes we need to ask earlier, huh?

Good luck seeing your big guys off to college!

My kids go back to school next week and i just got...

2009-08-10T19:30:48.564-04:00

My kids go back to school next week and i just got back from a weekend shopping spree for supplies and clothes...talk about stuff!!! I needed to read this. Thanks!

Sweet pic. We don't head back to school here for ...

2009-08-10T19:25:00.524-04:00

Sweet pic. We don't head back to school here for another month.

You know my 'stuff' right now, and I'm so thankful for your prayers.

Hugs,
Joy

They are just PRECIOUS!! Please give them a hug fo...

2009-08-10T18:46:12.393-04:00

They are just PRECIOUS!! Please give them a hug for me!!!

Loved this post! YOu've hit the nail right on the head, chickadee! This is part of what I loved..."God means for us to manage our stuff with his management staff in tow" Praise Him for for the managmenet staff!!

YOur family will be in my prayers this week!! Breathe, run, and pray hard! Y'all will do fine!

Love you bunches!
Susan

My stuff has been pretty well sorted through, pray...

2009-08-10T17:47:53.542-04:00

My stuff has been pretty well sorted through, prayed over, offered up, released, gripped again, and then tossed for good ... or so it seems. Most days my heart soars.

Until one of THOSE days shows up.

They're days that carry on their wind the memory of stuff that hurt long ago; it hurts still.

One thing I know: it all sends me running to the Father.

Stuff happens.

Many blessings!
Kathleen

Oh boy does Stuff start with the letter S....it to...

2009-08-10T17:10:58.657-04:00

Oh boy does Stuff start with the letter S....it totally relates to my last blog!

Girl thank you for reminding while reading this post...where I need to be...heading to my Jesus...only He knows how to handle the stuff...

Love to you and praying for your busy week!

Elaine, Your children are adorable. Stuff does ge...

2009-08-10T17:06:21.532-04:00

Elaine, Your children are adorable.
Stuff does get in our way that is for sure! But, as you said, the Lord is our strength to help us rid ourselves of unneeded stuff if we ask for His help in doing it.
Great post. Have a great week,
Christy

Your posts always hit the spot and lead me to His ...

2009-08-10T16:01:13.785-04:00

Your posts always hit the spot and lead me to His throne. I have no room to even sigh when I see what's on your plate. You are such a wonderful example of Godly living in a chaotic world. You youngest ones looked precious. I posted a picture of my daughter as today as her first day in 3rd grade. (((hugs)))

oh Elaine, the words of my heart today! My "stuff...

2009-08-10T15:38:41.076-04:00

oh Elaine, the words of my heart today! My "stuff" is overflowing! And...it is "stuff" of my own choosing. I have so much going on this week that it is so overwhelming. Today at work I was about the cry at the pressure I was feeling. Why do I do this to myself? I prayed that I could get through it without biting everyone's head off who lives with me, works with me, comes in contact with me.

Just pray for same things as you, kids heading off to school, college, college loans, job, relationship problems, etc., etc., etc.!!

Love you my friend! Praying for you as well!!

While I have an abundance, a plethora, a virtual m...

2009-08-10T14:26:12.487-04:00

While I have an abundance, a plethora, a virtual mountain of stuff, what I fear most is the hot! You see, I don't have it now but soon, very soon, it will come in flashes and I am so not looking forward to that! :O)

Seriously though, this summer has been full of my defaulting to mediocrity -- it is way past time to get rid of some of this, if not most of this stuff!

Shalom,
Denise

This picture is sooooo sweet! Your children are ad...

2009-08-10T14:24:01.872-04:00

This picture is sooooo sweet! Your children are adorable and so blessed with you as the mom:))
Stuff drains me some days but like you, I summon the energy and plow through it too. Otherwise it just hangs around gathering dustbunnies.

I will be sending my little ones off next week to ...

2009-08-10T14:11:37.448-04:00

I will be sending my little ones off next week to school. It seems like it starts earlier every year.

I have a lot of "stuff", too. Thank you for the beautiful post.

I am right there with you Elaine. I was 17 at the ...

2009-08-10T13:38:09.919-04:00

I am right there with you Elaine. I was 17 at the time.

I also just have some "stuff" - not hot anymore! hA!

I don't know how you do it all with young kiddos still at home and 2 in college. YOu are an amazing woman.