Friday, July 25, 2008

Fun Friday:)

Like I said yesterday, my posts have been so serious lately. But in my defense, they have been a pleasure to write. It has been therapeutic for me...I'd use another word besides therapeutic here that a good friend of mine recently taught me, but I can't remember it; it started with a "c"...anyway, whatever, I'll continue with my thoughts. (edit here: Amy and Joy informed me the word I was looking for was "cathartic". You words people...I just love you!)
The writing, reading comments, receiving emails, discovering we are not alone and that we are indeed ok and normal, well, it's been a blessing to me. If I write about the very things that bring me the most pain and that I struggle with the most, it ends up actually helping me. Only God could use what Satan meant to harm me and bring beauty out of it. I Love Him, don't you?

Today, I listened to Lindsey Kane's CD, "Move Me Aside". Oh how I love her music. When I heard her sing for the very 1st time at She Speaks this year I absolutely fell in love with her sound. It was soft, mellow, folksy, and rockin all put together. Then I met her and realized she was just as beautiful as her music....inside and out! My favorite aspect to any song is the lyrics. If a song can tell a good story, I'm hooked. I think that's why I like Brad Paisley and Jimmy Buffett so much. You can say what you want about either of them, but you can't argue with their story telling abilities. Same with Carolyn Arrends and Nicole Nordeman. Great singers, great story tellers with their music. Lindsey had that affect on me.

Given what we've been discussing over the past week, and it ain't been too pretty, this music had me feeling beautiful and so in love with my Savior. And did I mention she writes her own songs???? Here's one titled, "Measure of Beauty"

All beautiful you are My darling
There is no flaw in you
I have to look away by one look of your eyes
You ravish My heart My sister My bride


Chorus:
Fearfully and wonderfully made are you
Cheerfully and beautifully formed are you
I will give you eyes to see the way that I measure beauty


Jesus give me eyes to see the way that You measure beauty
You are beautiful
You are beautiful
You are beautiful


Do you hear Jesus saying that to you? And each time He tells me that "I am beautiful", I add on, "No Matter What" because I just can't believe He would think such great things about me. Me. Me. Flawed, sinful, ugly, disturbed, misread, misunderstood, lacking, far from perfect, impulsive, etc etc me. That "Me" is beautiful. He says so and He knows all, so I really must be. Yeah! And it's fun Friday, so let's celebrate!

Right now, go put on your favorite music. Dance with your kids. Dance with your main man. Dance alone. No, don't dance alone, dance with God:) Dance with your pet. Sing loud. Sing soft. And if you can't do this physically right now, just close your eyes and imagine. Bring joy into your life, it's fun Friday and the God of the universe loves you and thinks that you are mighty special. He's with you , He's always been with you. Let the par-tay begin:)

Now, to end this very Fun Friday post, I'm going to share some pictures. Earlier in the month, I shared on one of my blogs how visual I am. And that placing visual reminders around me is very helpful in me remembering who I am and Whose I am. My jewelry does this for me.

Bracelet: Silver, with the word "HOPE"...reminds me to keep hope and always believe:) I bought it for myself.

Rings: Middle finger ring says "4GVN"...reminds me that I am.
Given to me by my friend, Denise.

Pinky rings: My original wedding and engagement ring. Jeff gave me those almost 19 years ago. I will always treasure these.

Rings: Wedding ring is new. Just got it last month. A renewal of commitment from my husband. I love the simplicity of the platinum band.


Ring on pointer, has a "J" on it. For Jeff, my amazing husband.
Bracelets: Cross on one-that's obvious, points me to Jesus.

Verse on the other one- Mark 10:27, With God All Things Are Possible:)

Have a wonderful and beautiful weekend friends. Thank you for encouraging me and reminding me that I'm not alone in this life. And now let's go have fun! Bye-bye!

Love,


Melissa

****One request. Please pray for my dad. He went into the hospital while on vacation this week in Myrtle Beach, SC. Thank you.

7 comments:

Chef Diane said...

Great way to end the week. I have to tell you I bought on of Lindsy's CD's and that is some good stuff. I have all the songs almost memorized. She has such a beautiful soul. Her song ring with such truth.
Love the pic of jewerly as well. It is neat how we can timeline our life with it isn't it. I still have the add a beads that my boys use to teeth on. Now they teeth on large pizza's.
Have a great weekend everyone. I am going to the movies tomorrow with 11 gal pals to see Mamma Mia.
Blessings,
Diane

Michelle said...

Hey Melissa,
I thought about you last night. We went skating for my son's birthday and my friend April took a picture of me and my hubby skating, from the backside!
I thought about posting it on my weight loss blog to make you feel better! LOL Not sure yet if I am brave enough!
I am sure I burned TONS of calories though. It was a great time!
Have a great weekend.
Hugs,
Michelle

Amy L Brooke said...

Is the word cartharsis or carthartic?

Cause I'm a word person and I have to know....

If I got it right, then we really have to be partners in a game of Taboo at the next She Speaks! (It's a word game . . . .)

I really appreciated Lindsay too.

I'm praying for you.

Joyful said...

I believe the word is "cathartic". My friend Carol told me that it was the reason I had to begin my blog several years ago...it would be "cathartic".

Don't get me going about music. Between yesterday and today I purchased 5 new CD's!!!! (The downside? of working at a Christian bookstore!!!) I love Mark Schultz and his stories and songs - eg. Walking Her Home and Letters From War. I cry every time I hear both of those.

Your jewelry is lovely - thanks for sharing the pics!

Praying for your Dad and for you.
Have a great weekend.
Love & prayers,
Joy

Joyful said...

To Amy: Just read your comment!
Taboo is my FAVOURITE game!!! If Melissa doen't want to play, I sure would!!! I love that game!!!

jillian4 said...

Thanks so much for your comment on my blog. It means a lot to me that you took the time to "come visit" God has been doing a lot in my life these last few months. And yes I know we are very similar in our struggles. That is why I have felt such a strong pull to you lately. God has used your posts to keep me going in a sense. I guess you could say that I am on a journey to finding the "real me" That is the real me that needs to find her joy in Jesus. To be honest this last week was a stuggle for me and I did not follow through with my running plan. But this week is a new week. My children have VBS in the evenings for the next week and my husband is working nights this week. So I have two hours to myself. This is my time to run, not the whole two hours mind you, but I have no excuse!!! Have a wonderful night, and thank you again!!!

Renee Swope said...

Hey Mel,

I talked about you and our new commitment - and the whole story leading up to it on my Friday blog. Be sure to stop by to "see" what God can do with a crazy woman and her friends. I can't wait to train with you. Do you want to run/walk this coming Saturday morning?

Love you!
Renee